Canadair CT-133 Stella d'argento | |
|---|---|
| Paese | Canada |
| Ruolo | Aerei da addestramento militare |
| Primo volo | Dicembre 1952 |
| Costruito | 656 |
Le Canadair CT-133 Stella d'argento (numero di modello CL-30) è la versione canadese costruita su licenza del Lockheed T-33 jet trainer, in servizio dal 1950 al 2005. La versione canadese era motorizzata con il turbogetto Rolls-Royce Nene 10, mentre la produzione Lockheed utilizzava l'Allison J33.
| Canadair CT-133AN Silver Star 3 Camminare Intorno | |
|---|---|
| Fotografi | Vladimir Jakubov |
| Localizzazione | Thunder Over Utah Air Show |
| Foto | 173 |
Vedi anche:
A Canadian Twist on an American Classic
Le CT-133 Silver Star (affectionately known as the “T-Bird”) is the Canadian license-built version of the Lockheed T-33. While it looks nearly identical to its American cousin, the Canadians made one major change: they swapped out the standard engine for the more powerful Rolls-Royce Nene 10. This modification made the Silver Star faster and gave it a better climb rate than the original. Serving for an incredible 50+ years, it transitioned from a front-line trainer for the RCAF’s “Golden Age” of jets to a versatile utility player, outlasting almost every aircraft it was designed to train pilots for.
| Attribute | Technical Specification (Silver Star Mk. 3) |
|---|---|
| Ruolo | Jet Trainer / Electronic Warfare / Target Tow |
| Equipaggio | 2 (Student and Instructor in tandem) |
| Motore | 1 × Rolls-Royce Nene 10 turbojet (5,100 lbf thrust) |
| Velocità massima | 960 km/h (597 mph / 518 knots) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,478 meters (47,500 feet) |
| Gamma | 2,050 km (1,275 miles) with wingtip tanks |
| Armament (Mk. 3AT) | 2 × .50 cal (12.7 mm) Browning machine guns + Underwing pylons |
| Produzione | 656 units built by Canadair in Montreal |
Design Engineering: The “Nene” Advantage
- Engine Upgrade: The Rolls-Royce Nene engine provided roughly 10% more thrust than the American Allison J33. This turned the T-Bird into a “hot rod,” allowing it to better simulate the performance of the higher-speed fighters like the F-86 Sabre.
- The Wingtip Tanks: To compensate for the thirsty early turbojets, the CT-133 almost always flew with its distinctive 230-gallon wingtip fuel tanks. These were permanent fixtures that gave the “T-Bird” its iconic, sleek silhouette.
- Centrifugal Flow: Unlike modern “straight-through” jet engines, the Nene was a centrifugal flow engine (using a large spinning fan to sling air outward). This made the fuselage slightly wider and the engine incredibly robust against debris.
- Forgiving Flight: Despite being a jet, the CT-133 was famous for being “honest.” It had predictable stall characteristics and stable handling, making it the perfect platform for teaching the first generation of jet pilots how to stay alive at high speeds.
Operational History: The “Indestructible” Trainer
- The Red Knight: From 1958 to 1969, a single, brilliant-red CT-133 performed solo aerobatics at airshows across North America. The “Red Knight” became a symbol of RCAF precision and helped recruit thousands of young Canadians into aviation.
- Target Towing & Aggressor: After being replaced as a trainer by the CT-114 Tutor in the 1960s, the Silver Star took on a new life. It was used as an “aggressor” to simulate enemy missiles or aircraft, and as a target tug for anti-aircraft gunnery practice.
- Electronic Warfare (EW): Variants like the **CE-133** were packed with jamming equipment. They would fly against Canadian Navy ships and CF-18 fighters to test their ability to lock onto targets through heavy electronic “noise.”
- The Final Flight: The Canadian Forces didn’t fully retire the Silver Star until 2005. At the time of its retirement, the oldest airframes had exceeded their original design life by over 250%, proving just how well-built the Canadair version was.
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