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Canadair CT-133 Silver Star 3

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The Silver Star is a two-seat version of the Lockheed P-80, the first operational American jet fighter. The RCAF selected the Silver Star as its first jet trainer, but had the design modified to accommodate a more powerful British engine. After the first Silver Star was delivered by Lockheed, production on what was to total 656 aircraft began at Canadair Ltd. in Montreal. Besides providing excellent service to the RCAF, Silver Stars were also supplied to Bolivia, France, Greece, Turkey, and Portugal.

The name “Silver Star” never caught on in Canada. Designated T-33 in the United States, the aircraft became known universally as the “T-Bird”. The Canadian Forces retired its last CT-133s in the spring of 2002.

Museum Example

The Museum specimen was manufactured in 1957. It operated in a training role with the RCAF until 1964 when it was transferred to the Museum. It is painted brilliant red and appeared as the Red Knight in individual aerobatic displays with the RCAF.

Specifications

Wing Span:
13 m (42 ft 7 in)
Length:
11.5 m (37 ft 8 1/2 in)
Height:
3.6 m (11 ft 8 in)
Weight, Empty:
3,828 kg (8,440 lb)
Weight, Gross:
7,620 kg (16,800 lb)
Cruising Speed:
306 km/h (190 mph)
Max Speed:
917 km/h (570 mph)
Rate of Climb:
6,095 m (20,000 ft) / 8 min
Service Ceiling:
14,330 m (47,000 ft)
Range:
2,050 km (1,275 mi)
Power Plant:
one Rolls-Royce Nene 10, 2,313 kg (5,100 lb) static thrust, centrifugal flow jet engine

Additional Photographs

The Canada Aviation Museum’s Image Bank contains additional photographs of this aircraft. Images are provided for non-commercial study or research purposes only and may not be reproduced or published without the prior consent of the Canada Aviation Museum.

Find out more about our Image bank here.