Warbird Information Exchange

I went to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia yesterday. They have a T-33A on display there.

I was unable to find a S/N or a Bu.No that had not been worn off. I was unable to interperet the tail #. I snapped a few pics with my phone, but now I cant read the tail #.

The plane is aluminum with a white underside. No tip tanks. The cockpit is open and is pretty well worn out by lots of visitors. I know the plane has been there for atleast 20 years (my families last visit).

Any one have any history on this T-bird? Thanks!

Here is the Museums webpage. Says the T-33 was built in 48.

The Tail # started with a 0 so I figured it was built in 1950.

http://www.fi.edu/tfi/exhibits/aviation.html

Whenever I went to the FI, I ran to the aviation hall to sit in that T33. I have flown at least 12 missions in that T33, and was not alone. The floorboards in the cockpit have got to be the most worn out set of airframe parts I have ever seen.

The last time I went, it was a great exhibit made better with more artifacts and hands on displays.

Don't forget the stainless steel Budd Seaplane outside.

If you're in town, the museum is worth it.

Do you remember the F-51 that the T33 replaced ?

that is an O (as in Oscar) and not a 0 (the number) - USAF a/c older than 10 years were often adorned with that letter "O" for Obsolete - also to eliminate confusion with FY-Numbers that emerged a decade later.


HTH
Martin

Jiggersfromsphilly,

Yes!!! I remember the Mustang. I am so glad to hear somebody else
mention it. I was beginning to doubt my memory. And if you saw it,
you know that it was a long time ago.

Several years back I contacted the FI by e-mail to asked about the Mustang
and what happened to it. Both times I tried I was told they would pass my
request on. I was pretty dissapointed that I never got a reply.

I have often wondered where it is today.

Bill

Bill, I was there about a year ago and I asked a young staffer if he knew anything about the F-51. he looked at me and asked me what type of plane was it.. I just laughed. I am sure that somewhere in that great repository there is a file or some paperwork relating to its fate.

I will make a formal appeal next time I am there. I have 2 grade school daughters who have, and I imagine, do the field trip thing there again.

I imagine that it went back to the PA Air Nat Guard, when they delivered the T-33.

According to WD# 4 it was P-51K 44-11807 and she is still around.
It even spent a little time here in Minnesota, wish I would have seen it when it was at Wally World...

See the info here:
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/p51regis ... 11807.html

Thats great news. Now I don't have to make that field trip!!!

I think I have a picture of this a/c when it was (is) at Mesa. I'll post it too see if I have the proper ID on the Mustang in question.

Tim

EDIT:

OK, can anyone confirm or shoot me down (& give me the proper ID) for this Mustang that was at Mesa in 2001 in the estoration area)



TIm

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I think the above picture is of P-51K 44-11807.

Tim

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Answering the original question, the T-33 at the Franklin Institute is 53-6038.

Regards
Andy Marden

Can anyone confirm my ID on the P-51? I would hate to see it wrong in my collection.

Thanks

Tim

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www.tailhookstudio.com

Tim, here is the bird in your pic: http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/su ... 3458.shtml

Though registered to Bill Haine (owner of P-51D "Ho Hun") I've always heard this aircraft actually belongs to an Englishman who visits AZ once in a while and flies the Mustang. I've had the pleasure of seeing it out and about half a dozen times or so over the years and it is an immaculate Mustang. I've heard that there was a P-51K project located at Falcon Field, though I have never come across it. It was for sale not too long ago if memory serves.

The Mustang was at Lone Star when they were still at Hobby. I believe Stephen Grey came in and bought the F-4U Big Hog and on the spur of the moment bought the P-51 too. She disappeared from Houston and we all assumed that she went to England. A few years later we were at Champlin's and saw the plane in their restoration/maintenance area, apparently she never left the US.