Our Aircraft’s History

Canadair CT-133 “Silver Star” (MCN T-33-553; S/N 133353) ~ The Silver Star is a jet trainer aircraft that was built via contract from Lockheed Corporation for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Very little information is known on the aircraft, though research is still on-going. Below is what is known so far:

November 1970 – Renumbered from RCAF S/N 21553
March 1978 – Used for battle damage repair training, used for spare parts
October 1986 – Classified as an Instructional Airframe #868B
April 1989 – struck off

MAPS Air Museum obtained the wreckage and is awaiting its turn in the restoration building.

Specifications/Performance

Role: Jet Trainer
National Origin: Canada
Manufacturer: Canadair (via Lockheed contract)
First flight: December 1952
Retired: 2005 (Canadian Forces)
Built: 656
Crew: 1 or 2
Length: 37 ft 8 in
Wingspan: 42 ft 5 in
Height: 11 ft 8 in
Empty weight: 8,440 lb
Max takeoff weight: 16,800 lb
Engine: 1 x Rolls-Royce Nene 10 turbojet, 5,000 lbf
Max speed: 570 mph
Range: 789 mi
Service ceiling: 47,000 ft

Armament, notable

none (Silver Star Mk 3AT was an armed variant)

Museum display note: undetermined, still in storage and awaiting significant renovation (see below photos)

Developed from: Lockeheed T-33 “Shooting Star”

Replaced by: Beechcraft CT-156 “Harvard II” (Canada’s Beechcraft T-6 “Texan II” designation)