Henderson in Rusk County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Lockheed T-33A 'Shooting Star'

Photographed by James Hulse, March 16, 2025

1. Lockheed T-33A 'Shooting Star' Marker

Inscription. The jet fighter/trainer was assigned by the USAF Museum to the Skyhook Squadron, CAF, and the city of Henderson to serve as a 'Gateway Guardian' to Rusk County Airport. Approval was received on September 22, 1992, and on September 28, 1992, members of Skyhook and volunteers, proceeded to Springhill, Louisiana with two tractor/trailers, furnished by Gibson Trucking Company of Henderson. The aircraft was dismantled, loaded on the trailers and returned to the airport the same day.

Restoration was started immediately on arrival at Rusk County Airport, September 28, 1992 and after a trip to Tucson, Arizona to pick up replacement cockpit canopy and tip tanks, assembly, painting and new insignia, restoration was completed and the aircraft was lifted into place on it's mounting post, February 19, 1996.

Participating Skyhook Squadron members: Col. Robert Perry • Col. Glen Stanley • Col. A.C. Martin • Col. Doug Beggerly • Col. Tommy Givens • Col. John Wyley • Col. Kris Cole • Col. Bob Solterbeck

Volunteer/associates: Brad Holmes • Don Blaine • Charles Douglas • James Weis

Sponsors: Gibson Trucking Company

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2nd Plaque
Lockheed T-33A
Serial No. 51-6656
Delivered USAF Air Defence
Command: May 1951
Cost $101,000
Mission: Pilot/radar Training

Speed: 493 Knots (580 Mph) Mach 78
Service Celing: 42,800 Ft.
Range: 1,345 Miles
Power: Allison J-33 Turbojet
6100# Thrust

Loaded Weight: 15.200 Lbs.
Wing Span: 42 Ft - 11.5 Inches
Length: 34 Ft 6 Inches
Armament: 2.50 Machine Guns in Nose
Take-off: 3200 F10 Knots (117.1mph)
Landing Speed/distance: 95 Knots. (110.2 Mph)
2900 Ft

This Aircraft Served in Iceland 1951 - 1968 Pennsylvania Air Guard - 1968 - 1973

Erected by Henderson Mayor Brad Holmes and City; Council Judge Sandra Hodges and Rusk County Commissioner's Court.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is February 19, 1996.

Location. 32° 9.04′ N, 94° 51.117′ W. Marker is in Henderson, Texas, in Rusk County. It is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 13 and County Road 416, on

Lockheed T-33A 'Shooting Star' - 2nd Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 16, 2025

2. Lockheed T-33A 'Shooting Star' - 2nd Plaque

the left when traveling west on Road 13. The marker and display are in front of Rusk County Airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3424 FM 13, Henderson TX 75654, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Clinton Lodge No. 23, A.F. & A.M. (approx. 0.8 miles away); George W. Burton (approx. 1.6 miles away); Lakewood Memorial Park (approx. 2.8 miles away); Judge William Wright Morris (approx. 2.9 miles away); Henderson City Cemetery (approx. 3 miles away); The Rev. William Craig (approx. 3 miles away); First Baptist Church of Henderson (approx. 3 miles away); Site of Shawnee Town (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by James Hulse, March 16, 2025

3. Lockheed T-33A 'Shooting Star' Marker

of all markers in Henderson.

Also see . . . Lockheed T-33. Wikipedia

The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star (or T-Bird) is an American subsonic jet trainer. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the U.S. Navy initially as TO-2, then TV-2, and after 1962, T-33B. The last operator of the T-33, the Bolivian Air Force, retired the type in July 2017, after 44 years of service.

(Submitted on March 26, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed by James Hulse, March 16, 2025

4. Lockheed T-33A 'Shooting Star' Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 26, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.