CT-133 Silver Star

The Canadair T-33 Silver Star, designated CT-133 by the RCAF, was built in Montreal, Quebec, after Lockheed developed a two-seat jet trainer from the P-80 Shooting Star because pilots without a trainer were crashing while preparing to fly that fighter. The new configuration required a smaller fuselage fuel tank and added wingtip fuel tanks, creating the aircraft's distinctive appearance, and the modifications made the trainer perform better than the Shooting Star even though it remained a trainer. Canada's first 30 T-Birds were borrowed from the USAF in 1951, and after Lockheed granted Canadair a license that same year to build Silver Stars in Canada, the RCAF ordered hundreds, for a final total of 656 aircraft. Used for pilot training, armament training, and photo reconnaissance, the T-33 served across Canada and with Canada's NATO forces in Germany for more than 50 years, from 1953 to March 31, 2005. Aircraft 133593 entered service in 1957, served with No. 1 Flying Training School at CFB Gimli during the 1960s, later flew with the 414 "Black Knight" Squadron at various Canadian bases, and when it was retired in 2002 it was one of the last Silver Stars still in service. Aircraft 21435 served with VU 33 Squadron, a Royal Canadian Navy fixed-wing unit on Vancouver Island, and although it is painted in the colours of a Red Knight solo aerobatic craft, it never served in that role.

Ontario · Canada