T-33; Portuguese Air Force
In 1953, the first 15 T-33A planes arrived in Portugal, coming from the United States. They were placed at Base Aérea N° 2 (BA2), Ota, and integrated into Squadron 20 – equipped with F-84G Thunderjets – constituting the 'No Visibility Flight Squadron'.
In 1955 Squadron 22 was formed, equipped with T-Birds and having as its main mission the adaptation of pilots from propeller planes to jet planes.
After forming several Squadrons in different Air Bases, the T-33 gradually began to be replaced by the T-38, making the farewell flight on March 18, 1992.
Having sported different paint schemes over the 40 years they were in service, the Portuguese T-33s began in 1980 to be painted entirely in gray FS16473, with the exception of the inner faces of the tip-tanks and the fuselage section in front of the cockpit , in anti-glare black.
That’s gorgeous, Manuel, beautifully finished.
Thank you George! @chinesegeorge Much appreciated
This is a superb looking T-33, Manuel!
Hi @fiveten! Thank you my friend!
Well done, Manuel! Looks like a nice clean build.
Thank you! Yes, as you can see in the last photo, no heavy weathering on those birds
Nice T-bird, Manuel!
thank you @j-healy!
A fine looking T-Bird!
Thank you 👍
Beautifully done! I love the old T-bird - my dad flew it - have old photos of them in USAF training colors. I really like this scheme - wears those colors nicely!
Thanks Greg! We flew them in a similar scheme to yours too, but this was a commission and the client want this particular bird.
That is very nice. Super result.
Thank you @tcinla, that's very kind from you 🙂
Really superb result, Manuel @magrus
The Portugees scheme looks very cool on this T-bird.
Thanks @johnb! There was another one, pritier, but I was asked to do this...
Nice work, Manuel (@magrus). T-33s have always been one of my favorites, and they look really good in Portuguese markings. The T-33 had been retired by the time I went to pilot training, so I got to fly the more modern T-37. :o)
Thank you George @gblair!
I built a T-37 in Portuguese marks sometime ago. You can see it here:
Hope you like
All the best
Beautiful work!
Thank you @roofrat!
That's a great build and beautifully finished Manuel 👍
Thank you Guy!