ex-RCAF T-33 #599 ready for '09 US air shows (pics)

[T33driver]

This week I did functional check flights on my buddy's ex-RCAF T-33 #599 following it's US civil condition inspection at Heritage Aero on Rockford Illinois. In large part I followed the RCAF Dash One maintenance test flight test cards and gave the aircraft a thorough wringing out. She'll get a date with the paint shop over the winter (retain the solid low-visibility grey color) and receive the current day Canadian Forces Federal Identification Program markings with 1:1 scale stencils courtesy of CanMilair Decals.
[img][img]http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l187/kep130/599FirstUSFlight003Large.jpg[/img]



Closed pullup at the departure end of runway 01 at KRFD (Rockford IL)



Taxiing into Heritage Aero ramp after first test flight. The Heritage mechanics pushed 599 into the hangar and gave her a thorough "look-see" to verify there were no leaks or problems and to tweak the inflation of main landing gear struts



All smiles after a successful (and fun) 1st test flight



(L to R) 599 owner Jim Allen, buddy Carl Schwerman (who'll be flying 599 in '09 airshows), and yours truly...yes it was friggin' cold and windy!!

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[Moonlight]

You gotta love how the good ol' T-bird takes a whiz to mark its territory on shut down...

Congrats guys, that's a great looking bird!

[peter]

And another one survives the Mountainview disposal squads! I rasie a glass to many many years of faithful service for her new owner.

[jtramo]

Whats the status of the aircraft from that sale? Did they all make it out in one piece? Any upcoming sales like it or is the disposal done. Not that im in the market......wish i was

[Rob Mears]

T33driver,

I have a close friend who is quite interested in acquiring a T-33, and he actually made his interest known during a conversation we had while discussing the very article you wrote about the recovery of your plane from Canada.

Are there any more T-33's available from the original surplus group in Canada, and how difficult do you figure it would be to follow the same steps and avenues you took to purchase and relocate a flyer back to the US?

[T33driver]

Rob,

Yes. As a matter of fact T-33 #452 below is for sale. PM me for details.

[img][img]http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l187/kep130/P1020040.jpg[/img][/img]

[peter]

Paul, I wouldnt think there were too many others left for sale?

[davidbray]

This week I did functional check flights on my buddy's ex-RCAF T-33 #599 following it's US civil condition inspection at Heritage Aero on Rockford Illinois....

You know the decent thing to do was to do your flight testing to the north-east of RFD, more towards Popular Grove airport I've been driving a tractor in fields all over there the past week. I've been missing working at RFD lately heh.

[mlenoch]

Mine used to whiz on shutdown. But I built a can inside to capture all that. I have to drain it about every 6-8 flights. Holds about 2 gallons. The ramps guys at USAF bases would go ape when they saw the piddle. All about EPA these days.

Funny story about this: At an airshow, on arrival shut down, a young ramp airman saw the dribbles and called a freakin' red alert....all the fire trucks came running over. When the old CMSgt hopped out of his fire truck, he yelled "Aw shoot boys, its just a T-33!"

VL

Paul, you guys look cold ...

You better get your bird out west next year, there's beginning to be a line of people waiting for a ride.

As usual though, I'm at the back of the line.

Mark

[Jack Cook]

Very cool Paul.
You could keep warm by polishing it

Very cool Paul.
You could keep warm by polishing it

You mean the airplane right Jack? ... haha ... I hear T-33 jocks spend a lot of time "polishing it" ...

[T33driver]

Paul, I wouldnt think there were too many others left for sale?

Peter,

All the T-33 are spoken for, but the owners are having a very difficult time getting the last of them out of Mountainview. I haven't heard details as to why this is the case lately.

[vernicator]

Rob,

Yes. As a matter of fact T-33 #452 below is for sale. PM me for details.

[img][img]http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l187/kep130/P1020040.jpg[/img][/img]

This T-bird made the last ever official flight of an operational T-33 in the CAF when it floew from Ottawa to mountainview...from what I heard, the pilot's departure was memorable enough to properly salut the type's long and distinguished history in Canadian military service.

[mattsb2000]

Can someone post some information about this Mountainview place please?