Lockheed
NT-33
Shooting Star
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Photo: Robert Deering 10/18/2012
National Museum of the USAF
Wright-Paterson AFB (FFO)
Dayton, Ohio
The NT-33A was a T-33 trainer adapted as an in-flight simulator assigned to Wright Laboratory and its predecessor organizations. A civilian contractor, Calspan SRL Corp. of Buffalo, N.Y., operated and maintained the aircraft to train hundreds of Air Force and Navy pilots to test advanced aircraft, to examine new control concepts and human factors concerns and to discover potential handling problems in new aircraft. It was used to perform studies in flying qualities, cockpit displays, control sticks and flight control design of aircraft, including the X-15, A-10, F-15, F-16, F-18, F-117 and F-22.

The aircraft, fitted with a Lockheed F-94A nose, had a three degree-of-freedom, response-feedback flight control system that provided independent control of the pitch, roll and yaw motions. The control stick and rudder pedals in the front seat were connected to a computer that was programmed to perform according to the flight characteristics of the aircraft being simulated. As the evaluation pilot moved the controls, the NT-33A responded as would the simulated aircraft. The rear seat was occupied by a safety pilot whose standard controls enabled him to fly the aircraft in the event of a computer malfunction or if the aircraft being simulated proved to difficult to control. During the NT-33A's 40 years of distinguished service, Calspan performed numerous research programs around the country.

The NT-33 conducted its last research project in April 1997 and was flown to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, for display in the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
SPECIFICATIONS: PERFORMANCE:
Span:  37 ft. 6 in. Maximum speed:  525 mph/456 knots
Length:  37 ft. 8 in. Cruising speed:  455 mph/395 knots
Height:  11 ft. 7 in. Range: 1,000 miles  
Empty Weight:  Service ceiling:  45,000 ft.
Gross Weight:  15,000 lbs. loaded  
Crew:  Two
Engines:  Allison J33 of 5,400 lbs. thrust
Armament:  None
   
SOURCE:  National Museum of the United States Air Force  
VARIANTS:

P-80
Shooting Star

F-80
Shooting Star

T-33
Shooting Star

TV
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