Muskogee T-33 Midair - all safe

[quemerford]

Just seen that the T-33 mounted on a pedestal at Muskogee airport has been hit by an errant Cessna twin. Does anyone know if the T-33 is repairable?

Can only find it on FB - apologies:

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10 ... 0938171362

T-33 s/n 53-4971.

Last edited by quemerford on Wed Nov 27, 2024 12:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Matt Gunsch]

How about changing your subject line so it reflex's that it was a STATIC T-33 and was NOT FLYING

[quemerford]

Well it was a midair....

EDIT: Thread title changed to limit apoplexy.

[Noha307]

So apparently the Cessna 340 carried the back of the T-33 with it!

(Source: News On 6)

[JohnB]

Heck of a way for a 71 year old t-bird to end up.
On the bright side, if a museum needs some static T-33 parts, contact the Muskogee airport manager!

According to my list of loaned aircraft, it's still on the NMUSAF books, they likely won't want it back.

Wonder if they'll replace it...it probably depends on the condition of the stand?
What's the standard USAF donation type today?
F-16, T-38?

[Chris Brame]

Can only find it on FB - apologies:
T-33 s/n 53-4971.

[marine air]

There is a place in the fuselage where the airplane splits in half and that seems to be where it broke. There is a rear fuselage at the Walter Soplata Collection (in basement of house) if anyone wanted to acquire or4 repair this project. My guess is it will be taken down and returned to the USAF Museum . The tip tanks, canopy, wing fuel pumps, etc. are valuable.. Overall it is "beyond economic repair."

[quemerford]

Most gate guards are beyond economical repair - that's where museum's step up!

I'd say this would be an ideal candidate for MAPS in Ohio - they've recently taken delivery of the 'Ohio Tornado' TF-104.

And I doubt there's anything left at Walter Soplata's now. But I'm sure a T-33 aft fuselage can't be too difficult to locate.

[Chris Brame]

Forgotten Field has (had?) one:

3094. P80 or T33 Tail Section. Some corrosion evident, and includes empennage in good condition(not in photos)

[JohnB]

A full scale T-33 kit, the perfect gift.

Hope someone gets it...or the airport repairs it.

[Mark Allen M]

Easy to repair. Plenty of T-33 parts still in existence. And the guy who broke it shouldn’t have a problem with the expenses.

[JohnB]

I'm not concerned with the Cessna owner's insurance company, they'll be paying for repairs. The Cessna owner may not have hull insurance, but he'd have liability.

I'd be concerned that the airport will use this to "get rid of an eyesore"... or something.

Our major airport had a nice T-33 on display for years until it disappeared during a modernization or beautification project. Replaced by landscaping, cut rocks and a moose sculpture. Heaven forbid an airport having an airplane on display.

It will be interesting to see what happens. If the airport doesn't want to repair it, I guess they'd give it back to the NMUSAF or perhaps the museum would dispose of it locally.

[Warbird Kid]

If they do decide to get rid of it, we sure could use those tip tanks on our TV-2.

[JohnB]

Warbird Kid
Give the airport manager a call next week and ask their intentions.

[Mark Allen M]

I'm not concerned with the Cessna owner's insurance company, they'll be paying for repairs. The Cessna owner may not have hull insurance, but he'd have liability.

I'd be concerned that the airport will use this to "get rid of an eyesore"... or something.

Our major airport had a nice T-33 on display for years until it disappeared during a modernization or beautification project. Replaced by landscaping, cut rocks and a moose sculpture. Heaven forbid an airport having an airplane on display.

It will be interesting to see what happens. If the airport doesn't want to repair it, I guess they'd give it back to the NMUSAF or perhaps the museum would dispose of it locally.

All speculation.