Flying in a Lockheed T33 from Langley AFB to Barksdale AFB

[@richardstephens9647]

I was assigned to the 5021st TOS Aggressors at Elmendorf AFB in 1983. They flew the T-33. Great bunch of guys.

Yea and I froze my As off refueling them on the “T-bird” line at Elmendorf. Over the wing refueling insanity. I was there almost same time you were. 79-82

[@tommynikon2283]

My dad flew these in the 50’s; he’s still around at 94.😂

[@SirDrifto]

I bet he has some amazing stories

[@SirDrifto]

@@tommynikon2283 could talk to that guy about his stories for days.

[@Railway_Railfan]

Mine did too (but he passed away in 2016). Command Pilot; retired from the AF in 1972.

[@747heavyboeing3]

Still around and above ground.

[@marktaylor8659]

Thanks for sharing this video. My father was an instructor in T-33s from the mid 50s to early 60s and he always had a lot of stories about flying the Shooting Star. He passed in 2016 at age 91. Wish he was still around to watch this with me. I'm sure it would've prompted a lot of commentary. Take care.

[@SirDrifto]

@@marktaylor8659 he sounded like one cool gentleman to hang out with 👍

[@michaelfranz6937]

My father was also an instructor pilot in the 50's at Webb AFB in Big Spring, TX. He used to take me out to the flight line to see the T-28s and later the T-33s. It was a cool time to be around!

[@marktaylor8659]

@@michaelfranz6937 Great memories no doubt. I never went out on the flight line, but where we were at Craig AFB in Selma, AL, our housing was right next to Operations and the flight line and every morning they started warming up the airplanes around 6 AM. I can still hear that whistle sound they made when starting up. My mom used to fuss about how it would wake her up everyday. :-)

[@michaelfranz6937]

@@marktaylor8659 I was only 9 or 10 at the time but I really liked seeing the airplanes. I never got the flying bug myself but I have always enjoyed just about anything to do with airplanes. Do you?

[@JMHTruck32005]

The Crowded Sky 1960, One of my most favorite movies growing up...

[@SirDrifto]

@@JMHTruck32005 I need to see this

[@4325air]

Wonderful video, and without the cheesy music used in so many other videos. I've got that film on DVD! We lived in Enid, OK, 1959-1960 next to Vance AFB with the T-33s when that film came out. At 12 years old, I was really upset with that movie. At my age back then, and in the Cold War, the "good guys" were immortal and could never be hurt. When a Vance T-33 crashed in our neighborhood, killing the pilot on a maintenance check ride, ,I rode my bike to the crash scene--as kids will do. The sight and the smells of burning JP-4, plastic, and rubber really haunted me. For the first time I realized that military flying could have terrible consequences.

[@kennixox262]

I was just thinking that. Odd that they would have taken a space A pax in that type aircraft. That was the plausibility that wrecked the movie for me and always wondered why Troy Donahue would agree to a script that he gets killed in the end. T-33 = money pit.

[@craigpennington1251]

T33, still damn cool.

[@randym7511]

All...day...long, cool!!

[@lapin46]

Spoke to a T-33 pilot on a Pt Mugu air show back then. It is a lovely looking jet.

[@lapin46]

I mentioned that it must be way cooler than flying gliders or Cessna 172 I experienced. He replied that once on the air, it is actually equally awesome. In the air is in the air. That is what counts most. I thought it was a nice answer from a professional military aviator.

[@tomd.43]

30 yr USAF career and mostly in aircraft maintenance. The DT-33 at Eglin AFB was the first aircraft I crewed after cross training from the fire dept. The DT-33 was used as controller for the drones QB-47, and QF-104.

[@larryanderson2766]

Thanks for sharing. My dad was a crew chief on those back in the day.

[@SirDrifto]

@@larryanderson2766 very cool!

[@nobodyspecial7185]

Somewhere I still have an old, super eight video Taken by my grandfather in the backseat of a T 33 while my father was flying it from the front seat, probably mid 50s webb Air Force Base, Texas. My grandfather was it logistics officer and my father was a new instructor pilot courting my grandfather‘s daughter…….my mom.

[@SirDrifto]

@@nobodyspecial7185 that is amazing

[@NotchFox]

That is way too cool!!

[@lapin46]

seems it was successful courting :-) Nice history.

[@paulfreker8264]

First plane I ever worked on in the Air Force. Tyndall, 1977, loaded a chaff tank and a ECM pod! We had lots and lots of them, used as targets for the F-106s. Great duty, loved Panama City! Good to see them still around.

[@jimchandler6744]

Got to fly backseat in one of those in 61 or 62. I was an A3C, clerk/typist at Washington Air Defense Headquarters at Ft. Lee, VA and the general's aide had to go fly some radar tests along the eastern coast. Half joking I asked if I could come along and he said yes. I cleared it with my Lieutenant and we drove up to Byrd Field in Richmond and away we went. My first jet ride. Even got to fly it a bit. Sure did enjoy that day. Got three or four hours in. Wish I could remember the pilots last name but old age has erased some things like that. Probably come to me about 2 a.m. in a sound sleep.

[@timmotel5804]

Good Day. Very Cool and Enjoyable. I sat in one once but never flew in one. We had them at Cannon AFB NM when I was there in 73&74. We were primarily an F-111 training base then. Thank You and Merry Christmas.

[@tu_alum5619]

Thanks for the ride and the video. If that old bird could talk, the stories it could tell. Notice the rolled up plastic sheet on the left side of the rear cockpit - probably attaches to the rear seat canopy, over the pilot, for instrument training - fun times.

[@randym7511]

Good stuff! Thanks! One of my all-time favorites since being bitten by the "flying bug" in 1958!

[@SirDrifto]

Same here!

[@jeromewagschal9485]

Ah...The sound of a jet engine coming to life in one of those beautiful early jets 🙂🙂🙂

[@SirDrifto]

@@jeromewagschal9485 absolutely agree

[@NotchFox]

Dad flew P-61s in China in 1945. Rotated back & discharged in1946. Called back up in 1948. AF started transition into P-80's. He always loved flying p-38s and the P- 61. Never liked the P-80, or just was ready to get back to civilian life! At any rate, he refused promotion to Major, and left the Air Force. Never talked about it, but I believe that later in life, he wished he had stayed in!!! Roads not taken!!!!

[@SirDrifto]

@@NotchFox p61s are pretty dang cool

[@Twolife]

I was stationed at George with the old F-105s and F-4s, but when I arrived at Castle (B-52s), TAC had 2 F-106 alert birds and 2 T-33s. Once in a while, a T-37 would show up-little screamers they were!

[@craigcook1030]

I was an ammo troop stationed at Langley from 1982 to 1984. I was assigned to Munitions line delivery. We would sit in the parking area for hours waiting for calls from the load crews. One day, out of sheer boredom, we positioned ourselves at the corner of the restricted area in order to watch F-15s ( in use at that time ) launching, recovering, etc. I suddenly heard something out of the norm. I looked to my left to see 6 shiny, beautiful T-33s assigned to the 48th FIS, taxiing our way. My jaw dropped. I thought that these had all been relegated to museums and scrap yards, with a handful restored for air shows. Nope! Turns out that the USAF had retained a number of them for training purposes versus burning fuel and hours on much bigger and more expensive fighter types. Love this and the F-80. If I ever get rich, I know what I’m gonna buy 😃

[@paulfreeman7719]

I watched these flying around and landing at Tyndall AFB, Panama City, FL in mid abd late 60s. Our dad was comm-nav on F102s, F106s..

[@SirDrifto]

@@paulfreeman7719 dream base to be stationed at.

[@markpriddy8915]

I live in Shreveport, wish I knew you were headed this way, I would have taken the day off just to see the t-33. I’m retired AF, would have hung out by base ops just to take in the sight!

[@atanaka1069]

Worked on T33s at Elemendorf in the 80's until we retired them and I always wanted a ride on them but at least I got an F15 ride alittle later. Great jet to work on

[@SirDrifto]

Very cool! How was the f15 ride?

[@atanaka1069]

@ awesome, especially since we were deployed to Hawaii(where I’m from) when I got my ride and I was in R&R shop then. Was lucky enough to work T33’s and F15’s A thru E at Elmo(1985-92)

[@tomd.43]

I was at the alert facility King Salmon AK 1983-84 and your T-33's from Elmendorf would fly out there.

I was there at Elmendorf in the 80’s also. Good old Brim Frost days, froze my as off on that flight line.

[@jerlewis4291]

My dad flew in WW2 and until 1956. He said once he couldn't open the canopy the magic was gone. His last years he flew a Super Connie for for storm tracking and hurricane hunter. He said, "Now a hurricane, that's when you really were flying." He told me bout breaking into the eye and it was calm, clear and sunny and you flew around just looking down while they get what they need.

[@SirDrifto]

@@jerlewis4291 what a legend

[@robertelder300]

My friend flew the Lockheed P-80 during the start of the Korean War before switching to the F-86 Sabre. The P-80 Shooting Star ultimately underwent a 3 foot fuselage stretch to allow a 2nd trainer pilot...which became the T-33.

[@SirDrifto]

@@robertelder300 f86 is a bucket list bird for me

[@Blowinshiddup]

Ex-RCAF bird. I can tell by the one-piece curved windscreen. It was part of the big upgrade immediately before we got rid of them- a big mistake if you ask me...

[@a-fl-man640]

taxied @ Hurlburt in a T-33 w/ my pop who worked on them. probably 1957 or so. he also worked on F-86s @ Eglin previously.

[@SirDrifto]

Love f86s too

[@captaingyro3912]

Flying without caging that attitude indicator would drive me nuts.

[@captbart3185]

Flying into IMC without the attitude indicator working properly is not good. I noticed that as well.

[@georgew.5639]

Look at the barometric pressure reading in the altimeter’s Kollsman window. 30.90 Inches of mercury. That’s high pressure for certain.

[@chiefjim8178]

Had these at my base in 1975. I was a firefighter. Pulled a few pilots out for training. Getting the back seater out was difficult.

[@SirDrifto]

That's pretty cool

[@hawghead4596]

We had the T-33 IRAN(Inspection, Repair,as Necessary), at Key Field, Meridian, Miss, back in the sixties and seventies.

[@jamesparker6017]

Coral Gables 🌴🇺🇸 Hehe. We had T Birds drop chaff for our Voodos at Otis . Early to mid 1960 's.Good duty with 60th FIS. 🏄

[@rescue270]

I used to work on these in the mid-1980s.

[@SirDrifto]

Very cool

[@rescue270]

They were all in service with Fuerza Aerea Mexicana- the Mexican Air Force. I worked for an outfit that had a contract with the FAM to provide depot level maintenance on them. We actually built one up from parts. It took 15 months and it rejoined the fleet.

[@jamesstephenpeyton3305]

Wow, that iPad is a real throw back.

[@JSMEsq]

Came for the MG, stayed for everything else. What an incredible channel. What is it exactly that you do for work that allows you to play with all these toys?

[@lynnkramer1211]

I took nearly the same route - but in an Ercoupe. 15 hours of flight time. Six legs.

[@SirDrifto]

@@lynnkramer1211 love ercoupe, great planes

[@compimagaol]

Looks like the attitude indicator is inop in back seat ? Nice video. Thanks for sharing.

[@SirDrifto]

@@compimagaol I actually just didn't cage it by accident as I was busy filming. And thank you!

[@PaulMyers-q1m]

The T-33 has an infant fatigue life as long it is manticed the Royal Thi air force still flies an upgrade thers today😮

[@ILSRWY4]

Why does the Attitude Indicator show a turn to the left but flying level? And othertimes it seems erratic.

[@woodturn69]

Have 1700 hrs plus flying the Canadian version of then T-BIRD

[@SirDrifto]

That's incredible

[@DGG.85]

Crazy to think that these are still flying

[@SirDrifto]

Yes they're fantastic airframes.

[@DerekSouthland-rv1ze]

We have one flying regularly at NAS patuxent river. I thinks it's somehow on loan to the test pilot school. Probably for pilots to stay current

[@sb859]

Which one, the T-33 or the B-52s? :)

[@flyerbob124]

The Canadians flew Canadian built T33s into the 1990s. Then upgraded them but sold the soon after that. I think most that are flying now are Canadian ones as they have a larger more powerful engine than the Lockheed ones. Palm Springs museum has a Lockheed T33 they still fly.

[@sallyarnold5416]

Got to fly in one in 1963 Civil air patrol incampment at Maxwell afb. Pilot blacked me out for a few seconds in a hard turn

[@SirDrifto]

Very cool!

[@firstchairtrpt]

Sally, I attended the same CAP encampment at Maxwell in 60 and 61. Got to ride in the T-33 twice. What a thrill to be 14 years old and doing this. Good ole days

[@sallyarnold5416]

Where were you from then, we came up from Biloxi. Our squadron had a plane, we could fly for $2.50 per hour!!! The good ole days

[@SirDrifto]

@sallyarnold5416 wow that's cheap 😳

[@sallyarnold5416]

That was for avgas regular gas was about a quarter per gal

[@Cap10VDO]

Langley--my old home.

[@Taffeyboy]

My father flew these at Itzuki Air Force Base in Japan in 1949, 50, 51. During the Korean War..

[@SirDrifto]

What an era to fly

[@jjojo2004]

The T-33 is an offshoot of the P-80, the 1st operational US jet fighter from 1945….you can almost say this is an experience from WWII 1945!!! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@SirDrifto]

They're a classic!

[@Arturo4586]

I flew the T-33, easy to roll with the aileron boost.

[@BeechSportBill]

ACE Maker

[@jacobaubertin645]

The thumbnail had me coming in expecting an FS2024 video. This is a pleasant suprise!

[@SirDrifto]

@@jacobaubertin645 I wish i had a better external shot of the plane.

[@jacobaubertin645]

@@SirDrifto Oh, Nonsense. It's a good looking shot. The flight sim is just that awesome. I enjoyed your video!

I froze my as off in Alaska refueling these planes on the “T-bird” line as they called it. Most painful plane in the AF I ever had to refuel. Had to use over the wing nozzle. Gonna be a long cold night.

[@FalconRick]

My hanger next door starting to stink greg. Time to empty the weep pots 😂

[@AlphaKilo.Warrior]

If you have an old flight helmet, I will wear it on one of my next videos. I’ll probably get made fun of my the ATC tower in my Archer 180 but screw it, looks badass!

[@RafaelRodriguez-be1pw]

La fuerza aérea uruguaya tuvo estos aviones a comienzo de la década del 70 ubo varios accidentes que costó la vida de varios pilotos cerca del aeropuerto a comienzo de los 90 fueron sacados de servicio

[@donmurray2988]

Hope the front seat attitude indicator was working.

[@SirDrifto]

@@donmurray2988 always have a good attitude!

[@bill2066]

Dad was an instructor Pilot in the T33 in Nevada. Wish I knew how you get to do stuff like this. Whats your secret? I have a boring life.

[@semperfidelis8386]

narrative would be nice

[@rkttime]

Need to be a big INOP sticker over that attitude indicator before something bad happens.

[@JohnEasterday-j6c]

Awesome having hot chicken soup delivered through that snorkel (whatever rubber hose thing)?

[@SirDrifto]

@@JohnEasterday-j6c tomato soup is preferred 🤣

[@rubengonzalez5921]

These planes are for real pilots, not those who fly thanks to computers.....

[@wfdix1]

A T-33 sounds like a truck!

[@SirDrifto]

@@wfdix1 truck of the skies 🤣

[@bobcuriston5402]

I’m not impressed. A filed IFR flight with an unserviceable Attitude indicator. Not good !

[@SirDrifto]

What's not good and even more impressive is that you think I was the PIC 😂 🤦‍♂️

[@jcheck6]

@@SirDrifto LOL good reply. Great vid. My first jet ride while at AFROTC summer camp was in a T-33. The a/c did a 4-G loop for me....never experienced G's before...wow. I later when on to fly the F-4 Phantom.

[@SirDrifto]

@@jcheck6 f4 phantom is one of my favorite birds. J79s were incredible.

[@jcheck6]

@@SirDrifto Yep, great motors. Never had an engine issue.

[@AvgDude]

Does that AI work?

[@SirDrifto]

@@AvgDude depends on how it feels the day of flight.