Many aviation purist would probably complain about this but, in our book, this is cool. This would be the favorite ride for the kids of aviation enthusiasts.It would be for us for sure!
This USAF Lockheed T-33A “Shooting Star” ,Serial Number 53-5421,it is on loan to the Town of Los Gatos by the United States Air Force and it is located in the Oak Meadow Park. The aircraft has been in the playground area since July, 1974. It was manufactured by Lockheed Aircraft, Burbank, California and delivered to the USAF in December, 1954.The two-seat T-33 jet was designed for training pilots already qualified to fly propeller-driven aircraft. As one of the best-known aircraft world-wide, it has served with the armed forces of more than 20 different countries for almost 40 years. Production of T-33’s was from March 1948 through August 1959, about 5,691 T-33’s were built.
This T-33 has been on loan since 1974 and is a kid favorite. Concrete has been poured into the plane to prevent children crawling inside and becoming trapped (which used to happen.) You can also see the steps that allow even little kids to pretend they are jet pilots.
Numerous T-33s have been preserved as museum and commemorative displays , a pretty updated list can be found on Wikipedia . Some of the most popular T-33 “Shooting Star” still flying today are Doug Matthews ,the one of the “T-33 Heritage Foundation.”, the T-33 ACE Maker and CT-33 Golden Hawk. Based on a very rough estimate at less then 50 T-33s are still operated as privately-owned warbirds.
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
Interesting story, but someone could se some grammar lessons,
“use”.
I’ll include myself in needing some spelling lessons!
What I’m trying to say is Warbird News needs an editor- not spell check.
WE have one but he is on vacation 🙂
Dave, the truth is that i wrote this article at 2:00am and i did not proofread it. I just wanted to get something up today. Thanks for spotting the errors.
I believe the year loaned to Los Gatos is incorrect, I played on that plane back in the early 60’s
In the 60s the plane was an F-86 which I used to play on! You could crawl through the plane and come out the intake!
Me too!
i was on a site where in wittnes that two of these planes where crashing in Hoogwoud holland.the brothers molenaar died in that crash the story from this accident is in my book ”het fantasierijke leven van Karel Duijn” the brothers Molenaar where pilots in the dutch airforce
I know this is a long time ago, but I have been looking for the park in Los Gatos with the plane we played on in the mid-60’s!
The airplane in the early 60’s was an F86 Sabre Jet.
The airplane that is there now was installed in the 70’s.
Agreed, I believe I played on the aircraft in the mid 60’s myself; my family being residents of Los Gatos.