Participants
Trainers
Lockheed T-33 “Shooting Star
The T-33 since its introduction in 1948 has become the most widely used jet trainer in the world, with 5,691 being produced by Lockheed between 1948 and 1959, another 656 being built by Canadair as CT-133s and which were named “Silver Stars”, and 210 that were built by Kawasaki in Japan. The T-33 is a two-seat version of the USAF’s first jet fighter, the F-80 Shooting Star, which was stretched 3 feet to accommodate a second tandem seat for the instructor. The T-33 was given the unofficial name of “T-Bird” by which it is most commonly called. Currently there are about 50 still being operated by private individuals as warbirds while several counties still operate the “T-Bird” as a trainer.
The T-33 that will be performing this year at the Indianapolis Air Show is a former Royal Canadian Air Force CT-133 Mk III “Silver Star” serial number 133579 built under license by Canadair in April 1957. Even though the Canadian Air Force gave it their own designation as the CT-133 “Silver Star”, Canadians still refer to it as the T-33, T-Bird or T-bag. This particular CT-133 served with the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1957-2002 when it was purchased at an auction from the Canadian government by the current owner, Paul Keppeler. The aircraft was one of three dozen or so T-Birds put through a depot-level overhaul and avionics upgrade in the late ’90s to extend service life. This extended service was cut short due to budget cuts and several T-Birds were sold to private warbird collectors only a few years out of overhaul, ensuring many years of service life. The paint scheme and markings are original and reflect its assignment to 439 Squadron at CFB Bagotville, Quebec in the late 1990s.
Paul Keppeler, the proud owner of this great looking T-bird is a retired US Air Force Reserve pilot and currently fly’s Boeing 777s for a major airline. Paul will be performing a low level aerobatic demonstration of at the Indianapolis Air Show this year.
Nanchang CJ-6
The Nanchang CJ-6 is the Chinese version of the YAK-18 Russian trainer that was produced after World War II and into the height of the Cold War. The original Chinese version of the aircraft, designated CJ-5 and produced in Nanchang from 1954 until 1958, did not have a retractable landing gear, which made it unacceptable as an initial jet trainer as was intended and desired by the Chinese military authorities. This led to the design of the CJ-6 which included the retractable landing gear and a more powerful engine producing 285 horsepower instead of the previous and wimpy145 hp.
The CJ-6 pictured above is one of two that Allyn Beaver of Noblesville will have at this year’s show, which are two of over 1,800 built in China from 1961 until 1965. With a top speed of 230 mph, a range of 450 miles, and ruggedness typical of both the Soviet Bloc and Chinese built aircraft, the CJ-6 has become very popular with warbird owners in this country today.
Vultee BT-13 “Valiant”
The “Valiant” was considered to be a basic trainer the US military in WWII and was the most widely used aircraft flown for that purpose by the US Army Air Forces during that conflict. A more complex and demanding aircraft than the student aviators flew in primary training; the BT-13 had a more powerful Wright R-975 engine producing 450 hp, flaps, variable pitch propeller, and a two-way radio. Built at a cost of $20,000, the BT-13 could reach a maximum speed of 155 mph and cruise at 130 mph for 880 miles before refueling.
The latest warbird to be permanently based in the metro Indianapolis area is the BT-13 pictured above. This magnificently polished aluminum aircraft is a 1942 BT-13A, photographed recently flying in the Mount Comfort Airport area. The aircraft is restored to museum quality, and until late 2005 was on loan and displayed at the Birmingham, AL Air Museum. During WWII she served her country well at the Pecos, TX Army Air Corp Base as a secondary/basic trainer.
Flight Instructor Greg Mahler owns BT #903, and keeps it based at Greenwood, Indiana. A long time supporter-fundraiser and committee member volunteer for the Indianapolis Air Show, Greg was pleased to have this aircraft make its first appearance at the 2006 show.
North American AT-6/SNJ “Texan”
The AT-6 (SNJ was the Navy designation) Texan was the advanced trainer used by all services in WWII. Over 15,000 of these aircraft were built, and they are the most numerous of the warbirds still flying today. During WWII a trainee had to master the Texan in order to receive his wings, which was a handful to fly, but at the same time it did represent the difficulty that would be found in the more advanced fighters, bombers and transports. There were various types of aircraft in both of the primary and basic categories, but when he moved up to the advanced trainer, there was only the AT-6 that was available and used. During the Korean War the T-6 was used by the USAF as forward air control aircraft and known as a Mosquito.
An SNJ owned by Martin Fall of Indianapolis photographed on the ramp at the Mt. Comfort airport. The AT-6/SNJ is a great air show performer as it makes lots of noise and when there is a formation of several, as is always the case at Mt. Comfort; the sound of the multiple radial engines is something not to miss.
North American T-28 “Trojan”
Powered by a Wright R-1820 Cyclone nine cylinder engine producing 1,425 horsepower, the Trojan was designed as a follow-up trainer to the T-6 Texan. Intended to train and prepare fledging pilots in the post WWII Air Force for flying the new jet powered aircraft, the T-28 had a cockpit instrument layout similar to the new jets, and a tricycle landing gear. The US Navy also ordered the aircraft and it was used for many years to introduce new Naval Aviators to the nuances of landing and taking of from an aircraft carrier.
Armed with machine guns and bombs, the T-28 was deployed to Vietnam in the late 1950’s, where it was used by both the U.S. and the South Vietnamese Air Forces as a low level attack aircraft. It was also used by many nations during the 50’s and 60’s, and especially by the French in Algeria, who used it in support of the French Foreign Legion against rebel forces.
Pictured above is the T-28 owned by Jim Stitt of Cincinnati, OH.
Scottish Aviation T1 “Bulldog”
The “Bulldog” was used until just recently by the Royal Air Force as a primary trainer for all of its aviation cadets in Great Britain. It features side by side seating for the pupil and instructor which results in better cockpit communication during training, and is fully aerobatic to teach the fledging aviator the necessary maneuvers needed for military flight competency. Currently there are 35 “Bulldogs” operating in the United States.
This particular “Bulldog” entered service in 1976 with the Royal Air Force at the Shawbury Training Squadron in England as both a primary and instrument trainer. In June of 2000 it was taken out of service by the RAF and then purchased by John Joyce and Dale Sollenberger of Carmel, IN. This neat little warbird first appeared and flew at the Indianapolis Air Show in 2003 and will again return for us in 2009.
Stearman PT-17 “Kadet”
It is almost impossible to have an airshow without the venerable Stearman biplane on the field. Used extensively during the Second World War as a trainer for both the Army and Navy, this easy-to-fly aircraft was purchased by large numbers of civilians as surplus after the war. After being used for crop dusting and barnstorming at air shows, the rugged trainer still carries on as a good warbird to have on the ramp and in the air at an aviation display. The Stearman can still be found doing aerobatic and wing walking routines at shows throughout the country today.
Walt Gdowski of Carmel, IN is the proud owner the superb looking PT-17 above, which was photographed on the east end of Mt. Comfort Airport in 2002. Walt’s Stearman and many others like it trained tens of thousands of young flight cadets how to fly during WWll.
Yak-52
The Yak-52 began service with the Russian air force in the 1960’s and was used for initial flight, formation, instrument, and aerobatics training. Since the Russian philosophy of training included much more aggressive aerobatics than was prevalent with the NATO countries, the Yak-52 was designed to be a rugged, high performance trainer. The 3,500 YAK-52s that were produced for the USSR and satellite nations also had two hard points under each wing for the fitting of practice bombs and rockets. The aircraft has been sold to many countries for use as a trainer with the last batch of aircraft going to Vietnam in 2001. With the dwindling of military orders, S.A. Aerostar of Romania decided to produce the Yak-52 redesigned and suitable for the western market. There are now three variants of the venerable Yak-52 available: the Yak-52W, Yak-52TW, and the Yak-52TD
The Yak-52W is a westernized tricycle gear airplane. The westernization includes Cleveland wheels and brakes, Champion ignition harness, and western instrumentation, while also retaining the forward retracting landing gear of the original model. The Yak-52TW is a tail dragger version with inboard retracting landing gear and the westernization kit. The Yak-52TD is a new tricycle variant with inboard retracting main gear similar to the 52-TW. All of the new models utilize the Vendeneyev M14P-XDK engine that produces 400 HP, which when coupled with the MTV-9 propeller from MT-Propeller, gives the Yak very impressive vertical performance for aerobatic demonstrations.
 |
