LOCKHEED T-33A "SHOOTING STAR" ARRIVES IN SIDNEY
Under a loan agreement initiated by the United States Air Force Museum and accepted by the City of Sidney in April of this year, a decommissioned T-33 jet trainer aircraft has arrived in Sidney. According to Airport Advisory Board Chairperson and project coordinator Chris Gibbs, the terms of the agreement allow the City to use the aircraft only for static display. The aircraft cannot be reconfigured to fly. “The waiting list for organizations to be awarded a static display aircraft is a long one and Sidney has waited 5 years for our chance”, said Gibbs. He commended Bob Stough, an Airport Advisory Board Member and WWII Air Force veteran, who actually spearheaded the initiative, making the initial contacts to the Air Force Museum in 2001. “Bob has a real love for these historic aircraft because they stand not only for the United States’ military air superiority, but as a testament to those veterans who flew them and served on the ground or water beneath then”, said Gibbs.
The Air Force Museum awards aircraft to organizations, but it is up to those organizations to disassemble, transport, reassemble, paint and display the project at their own cost. The estimated total cost of restoring the aircraft to display status, including labor is $23,400 with $16,100 being donated from the community and Sidney Pilot Association members. The balance of $7,300 will be absorbed within the airport budget.
The T-33 offered to the City of Sidney was located in Warner Robins Georgia at a Veterans Of Foreign Wars hall. According to Bob Hauhn, spokesman for the local VFW in Georgia, the T-33 had been on static display there since 1997. He explained that a planned road widening project would make it impractical to keep the aircraft, so the Air Force Museum was contacted to find it a good home.
“Once we received the call, it was simply a matter of putting together a volunteer crew of Sidney Pilot Association members to bring it home”, explained Chris Gibbs who was one of five volunteer Pilot Association members authorized by the City to travel to Warner Robins to retrieve the jet trainer. Also on the team were project manager Eric Kindig; Allen Jones, Allen Russell, all from Sidney, and Don Holthaus from Fort Loramie.
According to the United State Air Force Museum website, the two-place T-33 jet was designed for training pilots already qualified to fly propeller-driven aircraft. It was developed from the single-seat F-80 Fighter by lengthening the fuselage slightly more than three feet to accommodate a second cockpit. Originally designed as the TF-80C, the T-33 made its first flight in March 1948. Production continued until August 1959 with 5,691 T-33s built. In addition to its use as a trainer, the T-33 has been used for such tasks as drone director and target towing, and in some countries even as a combat aircraft. The RT-33A version, reconnaissance aircraft produced primarily for use by foreign countries, had a camera installed in the nose and additional equipment in the rear cockpit.
The T-33 is one of the world's best known aircraft, having served with the air forces of more than 20 different countries for almost 40 years. Many are still in use throughout the world.
At the Sidney Airport, the work on the T-33 project will include reassembly, sheet metal fabrication, painting and site preparation. “This is a huge project for our community and one we can all be proud of”, said Gibbs of the effort. “I’m confident this display will become a focal point for the community to honor the sacrifices our veterans have made in all branches of the military service”.
According to Gibbs the target date for completing the project will be the Veterans Day holiday this coming November. A dedication will be held on that day for the public. The project progress can be seen at the Sidney Airport on Sidney -Plattsville Road during the annual Air Fair. This year’s community Air Fair will be held Saturday, June 24th. Contributions of labor, materials, or services can be made through Chris Gibbs by calling him at 937-498-9665.
Allen Russell, above, and Don Holthaus investigate the tail section of the T-33 Jet Trainer in Warner Robins Georgia to find the best way to prepare the parts for transport.
Allen Jones, above, and Don Holthaus build supports for the wing section of the T-33 to stabilize it before the fuselage is removed.
Sidney Pilot Association members look on as the fuselage of the T-33 is extracted from a Continental Express trailer recently at the Sidney Airport.