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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: Lockheed L-80/P-80/T-33/TO/TV Shooting Star / T2V Sea Star / CT-133 Silver Star / F-94 Starfire
    Latest Model:NT-33A
    Last Military Serial:51-4120 USAF
    Construction Number:580-5414
    Compressed ID:Lockheed NT-33A sn 51-4120 USAF cn...
    Latest Owner or Location:National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio

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    Dates

    Event

    Constructed as a T-33A-1-LO by Lockheed at Burbank, California, USA.

    Circa 1952

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 51-4120.

    Loaned to Calspan Corporation, Buffalo, NY.

    Converted to a NT-33A.
    Converted with F-94 nose.

    The NT-33A was an in-flight simulator operated for decades in support of numerous Department of Defense projects. The NT-33A was used to study flying qualities, cockpit displays, control sticks, and flight control design of many, widely-varied aircraft, including the X-15, A-10, F-15, F-16, F-18, F-117, and F-22. It also trained hundreds of U.S. Air Force and Navy test pilots. Modified from a standard T-33 trainer in the late 1950s, the NT-33A could be programmed to simulate the flight of a completely different aircraft. It also had an artificial feel system that replicated the characteristics of the stick and rudder controls of the aircraft being simulated. A civilian contractor -- the Calspan Corp. (formerly the Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory) -- modified, operated and maintained the aircraft. During the NT-33As 40 years of distinguished service, Calspan performed numerous research programs around the country. The NT-33A conducted its last research project in April 1997, and it was placed on display at the museum in August 1997. (NMUSAF).

    By November 1986

    Transferred to 6512th Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, CA.

    1988


    Photographer: Nate Wilburn
    Notes: Edwards Air Force Base, California.

    Circa 1995


    Photographer: Mike Woodley
    Notes: Edwards Air Force Base Open House

    22 April 1997

    Transferred to Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, CA.
    The final assignment was at Edwards before hand over to USAF Museum. At the time it was the oldest active aircraft in the USAF inventory.

    April 1997

    Ferry flight. Delivered to National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.
    Placed on display in August 1997.
    View the Location Dossier

    13 August 1998


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

    12 September 2002


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

    18 April 2017


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    This dossier is waiting for review by an editor.This airframe dossier is based on
    unreviewed imported data.
    If you can verify the documented history or add to it with additional text and/or photos please feel free to do so by using the upload tool and the history editor.
    Credits
     Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...
    Print Sources
     Military Aircraft Serials of North America by S. Mitchell and A Eastwood
    U.S. Military Out of Service 2010 by Andy Marden
    Internet Sources
     National Museum of the United States Air Force
    United States Military Services Serial Number Lists by Joe Baugher
    Individual Contributors
     Glenn Chatfield
    Peter Nicholson
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