CT-133 Restoration Update

Report and Photos by 

Colin Kunkel

SkAHS Member

Hello once again!  Well, winter seems to be upon us, but that has not stopped activities for the Saskatchewan Aviation Historical Society.

Progress continues on the repair and restoration of CT-133 Silver Star, 133526.  Over the past couple of weeks, the old wing center section was cut from the fuselage and a new wing set was installed.  With that done, the T-Bird was once again, sitting on its own landing gear.

The only major damage to the wing was a bent, left aileron, which will be replaced.  The wings came off of T-Bird 21101, and still features the older RCAF roundel on the undersides.

 

With the wings attached to the fuselage, the tail end of the aircraft was brought in and bolted onto the front half.  At this point, metal work is being done to replace a few of the smaller panels that are missing from the aft section.

In addition to the actual work on the aircraft, research into its history continues.  Through recent conversations with Turbo Tarling, a veteran T-33 pilot, with over 7,000 hours on the type, it was discovered that 526 served with #3 Advanced Flying School, RCAF Station Gimli, Manitoba.  Research is still underway to trace the aircraft's history between #3 AFS and when it was struck off strength in 1982, after serving with 414 Electronic Warfare Squadron.

If anyone has any information on T-Bird 526, please contact the Saskatchewan Aviation Historical Society.

 

Goings on with the SkAHS

Photos & Story by Colin Kunkel

SkAHS Member

Greetings from the Saskatchewan Aviation Historical Society.  With summer coming to a close, things are starting to pick up, with regards to the Society.

First up, our DC-3 has been moved to the airport, courtesy of Northern Resource Trucking.  The DC-3 was trucked to the site of the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum & Learning Center, where the landing gear was lowered, and the aircraft once again, sat on its own wheels.  The fuselage is being stored at the SIIT/SIAST Learning Centre, on Koyl Avenue, until such time that the wings can be attached, and restoration started.  No current timeframe on this, but we'll keep everyone updated.  Until then, if you're at the airport, you can drive by and see the aircraft, as it's parked outside.

One other aircraft in our collection has been moved indoors and restoration work has started on it.  The Canadair CT-133 Silver Star (tail 133526) is having some early work being done, in the way of prepping the fuselage to accept a new set of wings.  Currently, the forward fuselage is being worked on, sitting on its nose gear, while being suspended from a ceiling winch.  Once the wings are attached, the aircraft will be able to sit on its own landing gear.  From there, the rear fuselage will most likely be added, then plans made as to how to proceed with the restoration.

DC-3 Recovery Project

Yesterday marked an important milestone for the Saskatchewan Aviation Historical Society and the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum and Learning Center.  The DC-3, CF-CQT, was transported by flatbed truck, from Points North to Saskatoon, where it will undergo an extensive restoration, before being put on display at the new aviation museum.

The aircraft was built at the Douglas Long Beach plant as a Douglas C-47A-35-DL and delivered to the USAAF 1943.  Allocated U.S. serial number 42-23951, the aircraft named 'Lynda Jean' and flew out of Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines carrying infantry troops into combat areas of the Pacific islands throughout World War 2. After the war, it then served with airline carrier all over the world before coming to Canada in 1970.  The aircraft saw service in British Columbia and also flew with Buffalo Airways in 1994 before being acquired by Point North here in Saskatchewan, where it finished its flying career in 1996.

Huge thank you goes out to Northern Resource Trucking.  NRT provided the trucks, trailers and crews, which transported the DC-3 to Saskatoon.  

Full history of the aircraft can be found here.

http://www.skahs.com/Douglas-DC3-Dakota.html

Photos by SKAHS Member-Colin Kunkel

Chipmunk CF-OBB Update

Story and photos by SkAHS member

Colin Kunkel

Well, work continues on Chipmunk CF-OBB.  Fuel tanks were filled and checked for leaks and thankfully, none were found.  Cockpit instrumentation is installed, as is the engine.

So, today, CF-OBB was rolled outside, as it was time to fire up the engine and bring the Chipmunk back to life.

As with anything kind of a restoration, nothing works right the first try.  After some sputtering starts, the engine cranked over and after a few run-ups, some fine tuning is still needed as the engine is running rich at the moment.

With that, the aircraft was rolled back into the hangar and we'll try again tomorrow to iron out the kinks and have the Chipmunk purring like a kitten.

Snowbirds 2014 Year End Show

After 5 months on the road, performing at air shows all over North America, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds returned home for one final show, to close out their 2014 season.

Windy conditions were present on show day, but the skies were clear.  In addition to the Snowbirds performance, a gathering, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the CT-114 Tutor, was being held at 15 Wing Moose Jaw over the same weekend.  Former Snowbirds, as well as other pilots and technicians, who flew and worked on the Tutor, were also in attendance.  I had the opportunity to even meet a pilot who served with the Golden Centennaires aerobatic team in 1967.  John Swallow flew as Gold 3, inner left wing, with the team.  The Centennaires flew 100 shows in 1967, celebrating Canada's Centennial, before being disbanded at years end.  The Centennaires had laid the groundwork though, for the team that eventually became the Snowbirds.

Flypast marking 50 Years for the CT-114

Prior to the Snowbirds performance, 3 flypasts were performed by CT-155 Hawks, CT-156 Harvard IIs and finally, 2 CT-114 Tutors, one wearing markings of the Snowbirds, while the other was still in its "Big 2" training paint scheme.

Then, the main attraction took to the air.  The Snowbirds put on a rock solid performance, despite the windy conditions, as friends and family members looked on.  After their final performance, family and friends had a chance to meet with the pilots and technicians, and get up close to the aircraft.  For some on the team, this would be their last performance as a Snowbird.  As in years past, new team members will come on board for the 2015 season, and the new team will start training in November, before hitting the road next summer.

Once again, I want to thank the Snowbirds Public Affairs Officer, Captain Thomas Edelson, for granting me access to the show.  Captain Edelson has allowed me to capture images at these shows for the past few years, and without his assistance, these photo shoots would not happen.  I truly hope to continue to capture these shows for years to come.

All photos by Colin Kunkel-SkAHS