Lockheed T-33A


1951 Lockheed T-33A, N9124Z



The Commemorative Air Force's Lockheed T-33A, affectionately known as the "T-Bird." Assigned to its Golden Gate Wing, and pilot sponsors Doug Cayne and John Fulton, this T-33 is based at the former Castle Air Force Base, near Merced, California. The Air Force flew T-Birds at Castle, as part of the 84th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, through 1987.

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The happy pilot sponsors and Wing executive staff, having just taken delivery of our T-bird.
T-33 Web 1.JPG 		Ron Iberg, Chief Jet Pilot of the Commemorative Air Force, delivers the T-33 to us of the Golden Gate Wing, at our hangar at the former Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California.
T-33 Web 2.jpg 		This 1951 example of the Lockheed T-33A-1 was initially assembled and made fly-able in San Angelo, Texas. The owner then donated it to the Commemorative (nee Confederate) Air Force in Midland, Texas. The CAF finished flight testing and certification of the plane in the Experimental Exhibition category. <br><br>It then sat in the Midland hangar until John Fulton and Doug Cayne petitioned to have the plane assigned to the Golden Gate Wing. While mechanically sound, the cosmetics were left &quotas is," giving it an old, operational look.
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Front cockpit instrument panel, as seen February 1999 on an inspection trip to check out N9124Z at CAF HQ in Midland, TX
1951 Lockheed T-33A, N9124Z 		Doug and John did their Letter of Authorization (LOA) training with Ron Iberg at Castle. Here, Doug is checking the engine oil during a pre-flight inspection, while Ron looks on.
T-33 Web 5.JPG 		Doug in the front cockpit, prior to a training flight.
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The T-33 plan form is distinctive. Here we see it clearly on a go-around.
T-33 Web 7.jpg 		The T-bird coming in to land at Castle during a training flight.
T-33 Web 8.JPG 		On approach to Runway 31 at Castle during a training mission.
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John receiving Ron Iberg's congratulations following successful completion of his LOA training.
T-33 Web 10.JPG 		Doug is relieved his training is over!
T-33 Web 11.JPG 		With training complete, we began to clean up and restore N9124Z. Here, our friend Mark Merrill cleans the left wheel well
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Ken Nelson came from Amarillo, Texas, with bags and boxes of polishing gear, to polish N9124Z to gleaming aluminum.
T-33 Web 13.jpg 		John pitches in with a final cleaning and hand-polish on the tail.
T-33 Web 14.jpg 		The front of the tip tank has received its initial polish, contrasting sharply with the oxidized aluminum aft.
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Days later, Ken is still polishing...
T-33 Web 16.jpg 		Finally, the polishing is complete, the bird is shiny, and all concerned are thrilled that it's finished. Next step, detail and markings.
T-33 Web 17.jpg 		George Fricke, our itinerant aircraft painter, brings his mobile shop to Castle. We repair and repaint the tip tanks, polish their tips, and restore original Tactical Air Command markings.
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