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Kawasaki T-33A (T-33A シューティングスター)
The Kawasaki T-33A is a Japanese licensed copy of the Lockheed T-33A aircraft. The first 68 aircraft were purchased in the United States, and the next 210 were built in Japan.
History
History in the U.S.
The T-33A is based on the Lockheed P-80/F-80 aircraft, which they began designing in 1943. The P-80 was the first operationally used fighter in the U.S. In order to teach pilots how to fly the new generation fighters, it was decided to convert the P-80 aircraft into the T-33 training aircraft. The first T-33 (at this point still called TF-80C) took to the air on March 22, 1948. The Americans produced the T-33 from 1948 to 1959.The last U.S. T-33 was retired in 1997.
History at JASDF
On July 1, 1954, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force was formed. They faced a formidable challenge: how to create an air force that would be able to defend their home islands. There were many problems, and the worst was the lack of modern planes (there were almost no planes at all), so it was decided to buy F-86F fighters from the United States, but here was another problem. The Japanese did not have modern training aircraft. It was decided to purchase advanced T-33 trainer aircraft.A total of 68 T-33A aircraft were purchased, as well as a production license for the production of more. Production began in 1955 by Kawasaki Aircraft. The aircraft produced under license did not differ in any way from the American variant. The T-33A aircraft were to be used until 2002, but due to the T-33A Iruma River Crash in 1999, the aircraft were immediately phased out. The last aircraft was retired in June 2000.
Structure description
The T-33 is a copy of the P-80 aircraft, the only changes are:
- lengthening the fuselage by more than 1m
- adding an additional seat for the co-pilot/instructor
- Removed 4 M3 12.7 SMGs
Two fixed points under the wings have been left to which bombs and ECM capsules can be attached. 8 HVAR rockets can also be mounted.
Close-up photos of the details of the structure
Cockpit Details
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 11,51 m (37 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 11.849 m (38 ft 10.5 in)
- Height: 3.56 m (11 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 21.81 m2 (234.8 sq ft)
- Fuel capacity: 1,336 l (353 US gal) + suspended tanks 2 x 625 l or 871 l (2x 165 gal or 230 gal drop tank)
- Empty weight: 3,794 kg (8,365 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 6,832 kg (15,061 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Allison J33-A-35 centrifugal flow turbojet engine, 5,400 lbf (24 kN) thrust for take-off with water injection
Performance
- Maximum speed: 970 km/h (600 mph, 520 kn) at sea level
- Cruise speed: 732 km/h (455 mph, 395 kn)
- Range: 2,052 km (1,275 mi, 1,108 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 15,000 m (48,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 24.7 m/s (4,870 ft/min)
Armament
- Fixed armament
- 2 x M3 Browning 12,7mm in the nose (350 or 300 rounds per rifle)
- Armament mounted under the wings or on two fixed brackets under the wings
- 2 x 100 lb M38A2 bombs
- 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs
- 2 x 1000 lb AN-65A1 bombs
- 2 x ECM capsule AN/ALQ-72
- 2 x J/ALQ-2 ECM capsule
- 2 x J/ALE-2 ECM capsule
- 2 x ECM capsule AN/ALE-41K
- 8 x HVAR rockets
- Fuel tank on wingtips
- 2 x with a capacity of 625 l (165 gal)
- 1 x with a capacity of 871 l (230 gal)
Summary
The T-33A would be a very useful aircraft for early Japanese jets. It provides CAS support similar to Kikka but provides a different way to play. Photos of the Japanese T-33A’s armament are very rare, so I had to rely on what I had. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this topic.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Online Sources
Lockheed T-33 - Wikipedia
Kawasaki T-33A Wakataka - Passed for Consideration - War Thunder - Official Forum
T-33A入間川墜落事故 - Wikipedia
T-33 (航空機) - Wikipedia
Ｔ33Ａ研究,Studey of Lockheed T33A-index (hikokikumo.net)
T-33A研究、All photos of Japan Airforce’s Lockheed T33A (hikokikumo.net)
T-33 Shooting Star - Lockheed’s Jet Trainer | Military Machine
Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star - Price, Specs, Photo Gallery, History - Aero Corner
T-33 Shooting Star (globalsecurity.org)
★ｈｉｒｏの部屋★ 航空自衛隊新田原基地 Kawasaki T-33A Shooting Star （若鷹）91-5410 (fc2.com)
航空自衛隊の装備品一覧 - Wikipedia
T-33 搭載PODについて (hikokikumo.net)
Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star : Lockheed / Lockheed Martin (valka.cz)
