T-33 Jet Trainer now on Display at Aviation Cadet Museum
August 7, 2008
Jill M. Rohrbach, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
EUREKA SPRINGS -- The most widely used jet trainer in the world, the T-33 -- nicknamed the T-bird -- is now on display at the Aviation Cadet Museum in Eureka Springs.
This latest addition to the museum was received in mid-June from a museum in Elkhart, Indiana. It is actually on loan from the Naval Flight Museum in Pensacola, Fla.
“The T-33 was the basic trainer for the [United States] Air Force. They started using it in the late ‘50s,” explained Errol Severe, museum director. “It’s the F-80 of the Korean War.”
The T-33 was derived from the Lockheed F-80 “Shooting Star.” Basically, it is an F-80 with a lengthened fuselage to make room for the second tandem seat. “While only 1,718 [F-80] Shooting Stars were built, nearly 7,000 T-33s saw active service around the world,” according to the Web site www.warbirdalley.com. While an unknown number are in active military service, at least 50 operate as privately owned war birds.
The wing span of the T-33A is 38 feet, 10.5 inches with a length of 37 feet, nine inches, according to the planes specifications on www.warbirdalley.com. Its height is 11 feet, eight inches. Performance-wise, the T-33 has a maximum speed of 600 miles per hour, a ceiling of 46,800 feet and a range of 1,345 miles. The plane contains one 5,200-pound thrust Allison J33-A-35 turbojet engine. Empty, its weight is 8,084 pounds with maximum capacity at takeoff at 14,442 pounds. It has no armament.
"Tens of thousands of pilots were trained on it," Severe said. "It was used for transportation, to tow targets. It was used in a lot of different roles."
The T-33 is one of four planes on display at the Aviation Cadet Museum. There is also an F-100-F, F-105-F/G, Marine Corps F-5 and the only F-105-G mobile display in the world. “The mobile display is a memorial to all the 105 guys who died in it and their names are on the back [of the plane],” explained Severe. It is half of a plane, but does have a fairly complete cockpit.
The other four planes are complete restorations that museum-goers can explore. “You can actually get in the aircraft and sit in the seat,” Severe added. “This is a living museum. It tells the history of the men who built this air arm of the nation. We represent all ranks. We honor the ground personnel as well.”
Since 1917, thousands of Americans have lived the life of a United States Army Air Corp Aviation Cadet, receiving officer ranking while learning to fly. Beth and Errol Severe opened the museum to honor the cadets who gave their lives in war and dedicated themselves to the aviation program. The museum has a base operations building that contains historical artifacts, aviation program displays and a gift shop. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. It is located on Onyx Cave Road.
The primary focus of the museum is to educate people about the cadet training program and participants. Originally called flying cadets, the program began in 1917 as a means to build up the nation’s air arm. From 1917 until the mid-fifties, the flying/aviation cadet corps trained almost all rated officers who wore wings. Severe said not just the United States, but every free nation had young men trained through the aviation cadet program until it ended in 1961. In all, the cadet program trained 325,000 men. The last cadet pilot graduated in Class 62-B on Oct. 11, 1961. The last aviation cadet retired from active duty in the Air Force on March 5, 1998.
Severe graduated from the United States Air Force Aviation Cadet pilot training program at Vance Air Force Base on Jan. 27, 1961 in class 61-E. He flew KC-97 tankers on active duty. In 1963 he was hired by Delta Airlines as a flight officer on the DC-7. He enjoyed a long career with Delta, reaching the status of Captain B-727, and retired in 1985. Severe has written and published “The Last of a Breed,” the first book covering the entire aviation cadet pilot training program from its inception to its end.
For Your Calendar
Set for Oct. 10-12, Guarding the Ozarks is an annual “homecoming” event at the museum’s Silver Wings Field. “We will have an air show and military planes flying by,” Severe said. While all branches of the armed services are invited, as is the public, the museum is extending a special invitation this year to all past and present members of the National Guard and their families. The air show and fly-by will be from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11. The cost will be $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 11. There is plenty of free parking. Visit www.aviationcadet.com for a map, event details and to leave a comment about attending the homecoming. For additional information, phone 479-253-5008.
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Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: [email protected]
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
Jill M. Rohrbach, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
EUREKA SPRINGS -- The most widely used jet trainer in the world, the T-33 -- nicknamed the T-bird -- is now on display at the Aviation Cadet Museum in Eureka Springs.
This latest addition to the museum was received in mid-June from a museum in Elkhart, Indiana. It is actually on loan from the Naval Flight Museum in Pensacola, Fla.
“The T-33 was the basic trainer for the [United States] Air Force. They started using it in the late ‘50s,” explained Errol Severe, museum director. “It’s the F-80 of the Korean War.”
The T-33 was derived from the Lockheed F-80 “Shooting Star.” Basically, it is an F-80 with a lengthened fuselage to make room for the second tandem seat. “While only 1,718 [F-80] Shooting Stars were built, nearly 7,000 T-33s saw active service around the world,” according to the Web site www.warbirdalley.com. While an unknown number are in active military service, at least 50 operate as privately owned war birds.
The wing span of the T-33A is 38 feet, 10.5 inches with a length of 37 feet, nine inches, according to the planes specifications on www.warbirdalley.com. Its height is 11 feet, eight inches. Performance-wise, the T-33 has a maximum speed of 600 miles per hour, a ceiling of 46,800 feet and a range of 1,345 miles. The plane contains one 5,200-pound thrust Allison J33-A-35 turbojet engine. Empty, its weight is 8,084 pounds with maximum capacity at takeoff at 14,442 pounds. It has no armament.
"Tens of thousands of pilots were trained on it," Severe said. "It was used for transportation, to tow targets. It was used in a lot of different roles."
The T-33 is one of four planes on display at the Aviation Cadet Museum. There is also an F-100-F, F-105-F/G, Marine Corps F-5 and the only F-105-G mobile display in the world. “The mobile display is a memorial to all the 105 guys who died in it and their names are on the back [of the plane],” explained Severe. It is half of a plane, but does have a fairly complete cockpit.
The other four planes are complete restorations that museum-goers can explore. “You can actually get in the aircraft and sit in the seat,” Severe added. “This is a living museum. It tells the history of the men who built this air arm of the nation. We represent all ranks. We honor the ground personnel as well.”
Since 1917, thousands of Americans have lived the life of a United States Army Air Corp Aviation Cadet, receiving officer ranking while learning to fly. Beth and Errol Severe opened the museum to honor the cadets who gave their lives in war and dedicated themselves to the aviation program. The museum has a base operations building that contains historical artifacts, aviation program displays and a gift shop. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. It is located on Onyx Cave Road.
The primary focus of the museum is to educate people about the cadet training program and participants. Originally called flying cadets, the program began in 1917 as a means to build up the nation’s air arm. From 1917 until the mid-fifties, the flying/aviation cadet corps trained almost all rated officers who wore wings. Severe said not just the United States, but every free nation had young men trained through the aviation cadet program until it ended in 1961. In all, the cadet program trained 325,000 men. The last cadet pilot graduated in Class 62-B on Oct. 11, 1961. The last aviation cadet retired from active duty in the Air Force on March 5, 1998.
Severe graduated from the United States Air Force Aviation Cadet pilot training program at Vance Air Force Base on Jan. 27, 1961 in class 61-E. He flew KC-97 tankers on active duty. In 1963 he was hired by Delta Airlines as a flight officer on the DC-7. He enjoyed a long career with Delta, reaching the status of Captain B-727, and retired in 1985. Severe has written and published “The Last of a Breed,” the first book covering the entire aviation cadet pilot training program from its inception to its end.
For Your Calendar
Set for Oct. 10-12, Guarding the Ozarks is an annual “homecoming” event at the museum’s Silver Wings Field. “We will have an air show and military planes flying by,” Severe said. While all branches of the armed services are invited, as is the public, the museum is extending a special invitation this year to all past and present members of the National Guard and their families. The air show and fly-by will be from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11. The cost will be $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 11. There is plenty of free parking. Visit www.aviationcadet.com for a map, event details and to leave a comment about attending the homecoming. For additional information, phone 479-253-5008.
####
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: [email protected]
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: [email protected]
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"