T-bird T-bird; Holland, MI

[Steve Nelson]

So my wife and I went over to Holland State Park yesterday to watch the sunset. Unfortunately, the clouds rolled in and spoiled the view. BUT, on the way over we passed Park Township Airport, whre I spotted this T-33. Seems she was just painted last year, and the group responsible for her is in the process of raising funds for a permanent display. I found a newspaper article saying the plane was built in 1956 came from the USMC. The number on the fuselage seems to indicate the plane is 56-3040, but it's not in the registry. She looks pretty spiffy, although the markings are totally bogus. I hate to think what she'll look like after spending a few Michigan winters outdoors, though.











This was the only documentation..as I said, they're still working on a permanent display.






Cheers!

Steve

[mustangdriver]

At least this group seems to be taking a very active role in preserving, maintaining, and displaying this aircraft.

[Steve Nelson]

Agreed!

Unfortunately there have been efforts in recent years to shut the airport down, especially after a couple of crashes nearby. It's another case of a tiny, uncontrolled airport that was probably built in the middle of nowhere, but is now surrounded by development.

I'm interested in the history of the airframe. As I mentioned, the group says they got it from the USMC.

SN

[Andy Marden]

It is an ex USN machine, BuNo 143040. It used to be at the Lansing Aviation Technical Center, which is where I saw it in Jun96.
It had arrived at Holland Park by Dec04.
Regards,
Andy Marden

USAMOOS

[Steve Nelson]

Thanks for the info! Do you know if it was originally built at a T2V, or was it a T-33 transferred to the Navy?

SN

[Airlift48]

Looks like it was a T-33 first...

Warbird Registry:

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/jetregistry/t33registry/t33-561752.html