I have been looking forward to the T-33 for ages it seems. I always wanted a BVM one when I was a kid. Then I saw the JMP one which was even bigger and was totally in love.
I ended up owning a BVM F-80 and a pair of JMP's which I loved, but always felt they were a little too small for my liking. So when Anton emailed me about his jiust over 1/5th scale version of this classic jet, I was over the moon.
The model is the usual standard of Skymaster, painted on the outside detailing. It came with the gear, gear doors, cylinders, airbrake ( With its scale type mechanism and hinging) even the opening cockpit all pre fitted. So the build was not really that big a deal. There were a few little issues with mine as it was a pre production ( These were mainly to do with the tanks and tailpipe) Which have been taken care of by the factory. The new tailpipe was sent to me and fitted and works a treat. We modified the tanks ( Made them slightly smaller to clear the wheels when retracted) but this has now been taken care of by the factory also.
I have powered the T bird with my old Merlin 160, which has proven to be more than enough power. I actually did a flight where I took off with the throttle set at between 1/2 to 3/4 and then left the throttle alone completely, yet still managed to do a full ( Scale) aerobatic routine.
I have Jr 8411's all round
Powerbox Champion RRS
JR 12X radio
3x big Nimhs in the very nose ( it needs it to balance )
The dry weight is around 38 lbs.
I am delighted with the way the model flies. I have said it many times before, but I do love the classic jets. Firstly for the way they fly, and secondly for the way they look. The T-33 with its almost comically large tip tanks has to be one of the best of the classics for me. The shape in the sky is so distinctive and in this bright scheme it stands out a mile.
The jet tracks like an arrow and is really pure in rolling manoeuvres. Rudder coupling is pretty low, and it feels balanced on all controls.
The slow speed handling is spot on, but you do get that feeling that it will bite if provoked. I have done a fair bit of stall testing, and so far its been really well behaved. Although I haven't provoked it in a slow dirty turn as yet ( I get an idea that it will depart pretty heavily in this situation)
The narrow track undercarriage takes some consideration ion a cross wind ( My test flights were in a 13-17mph 70 degree cross wind) but nothing thats too much of an issue.
Thanks to my awesome builders
Thanks to RCpete in Canada for the great photos on the markings
Thanks top Ralle once again for great markings and most of all thanks to Skymaster, for producing yet another of my favourite jets, and making it such a wonderful flying plane.
Regards Al

The important part... Photos

Nice one Ali!

Great deatiling on the inside doors and flaps. Love it..

Hans

Hi Hans,
Thanks for that..... I have only just noticed that I need to paint the inner trailing edge ( Bare balsa right now)
This would be a perfect match for your 120 SX
Regards Al

Hi Ali,

I'm probably picking up the 120 at JP after a short service by Jetcat, so who knows... Will you be bringing it for a demo to JP?
But as you already know, I also have another project with big tip-tanks coming

Hans

Congrats Ali, very impressed.

m

Yep the T33 wil be at Jet Power. Just in time. I can drop your 120 in it and you can take it home flying
You can never have too many jets.... How many times do I have to tell you[:@] Also you can never get enough of a great pair of big TIP! tanks

Cheers Mick. It was worth the wait.

Nice looking, something 'simple' looking about the older jets, look forward to catching it fly at JP.
See you there.

marcs

Looks great mate - nice scheme too!

That scheme is the nutts !!!

Great color scheme!
Did AETE fly a T33 in this scheme? If so I did not know...

Yep, they did indeed. A while ago when I checked it was actually for sale.
Regards Al

Here we go...http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1000992/

I look forward to seeing this amazing bird at JetPower. Nice detail..

Hey Ali
need a pilot for mine
what pilot you use? is that a bb 1/6 ?
if yes it does look good and not out of scale

Hey George.
Its a Dragon/ BBI one yes. But I think its a little too small. I think a MAF pilot would be better. ( I might try one in Germany)
Regards Al

It's crying out for a few of those high power lights on that nose oleo....I do love Barkston one of the nicest bits of Tarmac around...

Yep. I know! Maybe on the next one
Barkston rules! Over two days of flying we only saw less than 10 other club members, and in fact thats about the busiest I have ever seen it up there. Even nicer that its not a ball ache to get on and off from either. Flyings supposed to be about fun. Not aggro! We have work for that!
You should join us one day Alex. An extra hour spent driving is much less tedious than countless more spent repairing a model that gets damaged on a rough patch.

Regards Al

Nice looking T-33 Ali, congrats on the new jet...

Sounds good, I'll have to make the trip one weekend.

You'll have to sell me something to fly up there though, gagging for a new large interesting jet to build for myself

Enjoy JP