Astra in Quinte West in Hastings County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

CT-133 Silver Star

Canadair, Lockheed

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 12, 2025

1. CT-133 Silver Star Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Canadair T-33 Silver Star (designated CT-133 by the RCAF) was built in Montreal, Quebec. The T-33 Silver Star was developed out of necessity for a jet trainer to prepare pilots to fly the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star. Without a trainer, pilots were crashing, so Lockheed took a basic P-80 and expanded it into a two-seater trainer. With the new configuration, the fuselage fuel tank had to be made smaller, so wingtip fuel tanks were added, thus creating the distinctive look of the T-Bird. While the modifications actually resulted in the trainer performing better than the Shooting Star fighter aircraft, the T-33 remained a trainer.

Canada's first 30 T-Birds were borrowed from the USAF in 1951, but that changed once Lockheed granted Canadair a license that same year to build Silver Stars in Canada. The RCAF promptly ordered hundreds of them, with the final total being for 656 aircraft.

Used for pilot, armament training and photo reconnaissance, they served across Canada as well as with Canada's NATO forces in Germany. The T-33s served for more than 50 years between 1953 and March 31, 2005.

The

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Museum is home to two Silver Stars. Aircraft 133593 went into service in 1957. It served with No. 1 Flying Training School at CFB Gimli during the 1960s. It later flew with the 414 "Black Knight" Squadron at various Canadian bases. When Silver Star 133593 was retired 2002, it was one of the last Silver Stars still in service. Aircraft 21435 served with VU 33 Squadron, a Royal Canadian Navy fixed-wing unit on Vancouver Island. Although painted in the colours of a Red Kight solo aerobatic craft, the aircraft never served in that role.

Specifications
Tail #: 21435 Mark: III
Wingspan: 13 m, Length: 11.49 m,
Height: 3.6 m
Max Weight: 7 620 kg
Max Speed: 917 km/h
Crew: 2 crew in ejection seats
Role: trainer, electronic warfare trainer,
target towing
In service: 1953-2005

Caractéristiques
No d'immatriculation: 21435 Mark III
Envergure: 13 m, Longueur: 11,49 m,
Hauteur: 3,6 m
Masse maximale: 7 620 kg
Vitesse maximale 917 km/h
Équipage: 2 membres d'équipage
en sièges éjectables
Rôle: entrainement, simulateur de guesse
électronique, remorquage de cibles
En service: 1953-2005

Erected by National Air Force Museum of Canada.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space

CT-133 Silver Star and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 12, 2025

2. CT-133 Silver Star and Marker

• Patriots & Patriotism • War, Cold. A significant historical year for this entry is 2002.

Location. 44° 6.888′ N, 77° 32.972′ W. Marker is in Quinte West, Ontario, in Hastings County. It is in Astra. It can be reached from Portage Drive. Marker and aircraft are in the National Air Force Museum of Canada's Memorial Air Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 RCAF Road, Quinte West ON K0K 3V0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario

and specifically in Southeastern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: CT-134 Musketeer (here, next to this marker); CH-135 Twin Huey (a few steps from this marker); Escadrille 408 Squadron (a few steps from this marker); CH-136 Kiowa (a few steps from this marker); 306 (Maple Leaf) R.C.A.F.A. Wing (a few steps from this marker); Aircraft Structures/Structures aeronautique (a few steps from this marker); Hunter (within shouting distance of this marker); Mobile Support Equipment (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Quinte West.

More about this marker. Admission required, and the outdoor Air Park is closed during inclement weather.

Also see . . .
1. Lockheed Silver Star. (Submitted on June 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Paid Advertisement

2. National Air Force Museum of Canada. (Submitted on June 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 183 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.