Boeing retires its T-33 chaseplanes

The Boeing Company has taken the decision to retire its two Lockheed T-33 chaseplanes. On 5 December 2020, both aircraft, registrations N109X and N416X, will take off from their homebase Boeing Field, Seattle (WA) at 09:00 hrs LT for a formation farewell flight. The chaseplanes will fly to Paine Field for a salute to the local Boeing workers and then head back to Boeing Field.

Although both aircraft are usually referred to as T-33s, they are actually Canadian licence built Canadair CL-30s (RCAF designation T-33AN Silverstar 3).

N109X (construction number T33-298) was delivered to the RCAF as 21298 in 1954. It was retired in 1965 and became CF-SJZ. One year later the trainer became N109X registered to Aeronautical Specialties Inc, Long Beach (CA). N109X was acquired by the Boeing Equipment Holding Co, Seattle (WA) in 1976.

N416X (c/n T33-369) started its career in the RCAF too. Delivered in 1954 as 21369 it remained in service until November 1970. The aircraft was then sold on the civilian market and became N12416 in 1973. It had several owners before being acquired by the Boeing Equipment Holding Co, Seattle (WA) in 1980.

On 16 November 2000 the ownership of both aircraft was passed on to the Boeing Logistics Spares Inc, Seattle (WA). The T-33s have served as observation/cameraplatform during a number of maiden flights.

In 2010, one of the aircraft followed the Boeing 787 prototype during its maiden flight. On 16 March 2018 the prototype Boeing 737 MAX-7 was escorted while the prototype of the Boeing 777-9 was followed during its maiden flight on 25 January 2020.

The T-33s are said to be replaced by TA-4 Skyhawks.

Photos: Andrew W. Sieber and Woodys Aeroimages