A T-33 Renaissance in Texas

June 2015 - Moving toward first flight soon are three Canadair CT-133 jets owned by three separate individuals in Texas who have all independently sourced and restored their new charges.

N479KK was restored by Jim Dale, EAA 388883/WOA 11339, who as of this writing has flown the airplane from its base at San Marcos, Texas, after a three-year rebuild and certification process. Also in San Marcos, Briefing editor Joseph Scheil has rebuilt N604KK – with much assistance from Jim and several others – to be ready for first flight at about the same time.

“I have been very humbled and honored to be able to complete this project and truly want to encourage anyone who is contemplating a restoration or rebuild form the sidelines,” Scheil said. “Restoring your own warbird is an accomplishment that cannot be compared with any other pursuit. It is truly an amazing thing and subtly changes all of the relationships and interactions you have.”

In Dallas – Fort Worth, another Canadian T-33 has been completed and should fly soon, joining nearly five more already flying T-33 aircraft in Texas. These historic jet warbirds are coming into their own as a cost-effective high-performance alternative to traditional World War II piston fighters.