Lockheed / Canadair
Silver Star
CT-133 (CL-30)
The Canadair CT-133 (affectionately known as the "T-Bird") was the result of a 1951 contract to license-build American T-33 Shooting Star trainers for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). A project designation of CL-30 was given by Canadair, and the name was changed to Silver Star in honour of Canada's (and the British Empire's) first flight of a heavier-than-air craft, the AEA Silver Dart.
The appearance of the CT-133 is very distinctive due to the large fuel tanks usually carried on each wingtip. The CT-133 entered service in the RCAF during the 1950s as its primary training aircraft for fighter/ interceptors. A reliable aircraft with forgiving flight properties, its service life in the RCAF (and later the Canadian Forces) was extremely long, ending in 2005. Although the aircraft stopped being used as a trainer in 1976, there were still over 50 aircraft in Canadian Forces inventory in 1995. The youngest of these airframes was then 37 years old and had exceeded its expected life by a factor of 2.5. During this period, the CT-133 was employed in communication, target towing and enemy simulation.
434 Combat Support Squadron moved to Greenwood in 1995 and disbanded there in 2000. Pilots flew with electronic warfare technicians (who sat in the rear seat) in the CT-133, providing electronic warfare scenarios (jamming radar and communications frequencies); acting as potential enemy missiles; doing mock attacks on armies in the field and naval ships at sea; and towing targets for ground and shipborne gunners' training.
434 Sqn logo and period paint scheme with anniversary logo 2000
Aircraft Specifications
Roles: T-33A Silver Star Mk 1: Two-seat jet training aircraft for the RCAF. Built by Lockheed in the United States; 30 on loan to the RCAF.
CT-133ANX Silver Star Mk 2: The first Canadian prototype. One built.
Silver Star Mk 3: Two-seat jet training aircraft for the RCAF
Silver Star Mk 3PT: Unarmed version used for advanced pilot training
Silver Star Mk 3AT: Armed version used for bombing and gunnery training Silver
Star Mk 3PR: Photo-reconnaissance version
CE-133: Upgraded electronic warfare training aircraft
ET-133: Aerial threat simulator aircraft
CX-133: Ejection seat testbed
TE-133: Anti-ship threat simulator aircraft
Number built for the RCAF: 656
Manufacturer: Lockheed Corp, Marietta, Georgia/Canadair, Montreal, QB.
Crew: one - two: Pilot, student Pilot, Electronic Warfare Officer
Powerplant: USAF - Allison J33; RCAF - Rolls-Royce Nene 10, 23 kN (5,100 pounds static thrust)
Maximum speed: 935 km/h (505 knots, 581 mph)
Cruising speed: 0.8 Mach 533 knots/593 mph/988 kms/hr)
Service ceiling: 14,000 m (47,000 ft)
Range: 1,957 kms (1,216 miles)