132
Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 11:09 AM UTC
MMD Squadron have sent us some images of the new 1:32 scale Czech Model T-33A Shooting Star kit. This is the 2-seat jet trainer aircraft developed from the P/F-80 fighter.
Czech Model (CM3203) T-33A SHOOTING STAR - 1:32 Scale - $79.95

Long serving Lockheed-built Shooting Star was a 2-seat jet trainer aircraft developed from the P/F-80 fighter. Often referred to as the 'T-bird', it remains one of the world's best known aircraft, having served with the air forces of more than 20 countries over a service life spanning nearly 40 years. Limited-run kit featuring injection-molded airframe with fine engraved panel lines, multi-part canopy and detailed tandem cockpits. Also includes resin parts (including ejection seats, cockpit details and wheels) plus photo-etch parts (including fine cockpit accents and color instrument panels), Decals for 3 aircraft: USAF T-33A-5-LO s/n 58-2106, 318th FIS, McChord AFB, WA, 1980; Luftwaffe T-33A-5-LO, No 9524 (s/n 58-0690) and Belgian Air Force T-33A-1-L O, FT16 (s/n 51-17463), 1969.

Czech Model's T-33A Shooting Star is available from www.squadron.com

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AeroScale.
Click Star to Rate
2 readers have rated this story.
Get a daily email with links to all our latest news, reviews, and features.

Comments

Hi Jean-Luc That looks fantastic. Panel lines look good as do the undercarriage bays and resin bits. It's nice to see some photos of the model being built on the instruction sheet that will be a great help when building. A very topical theme depicted on the cover in view of the volcanic activity last week! Thanks. tim
APR 29, 2010 - 12:16 PM
Greece had plenty of them until they retired in 1990 Cheers Nick
MAY 01, 2010 - 12:24 AM
Hmmm.. Wouldn't catch me flying that close to an erupting volcano, but I digress! Looks like either Czech Model have taken inspiration from Wingnut's Instructions or vice versa..
MAY 04, 2010 - 09:45 AM
I've been going over the kit with the proverbial fine-toothed comb. Preface everything I'm going to say with "this is a really nice kit!" - and one I'm ecstatic that Squadron/CM has brought out. I'm just pointing out some minor stuff that I've come across for the nitpickers among us. 1. Late model USAF birds had a different main wheel hub. It was nearly flat, and didn't have any kind of spokes at all. It looks similar to an F-106 main wheel (was it the same wheel??). 2. Late model USAF birds had the pitot tubes (2 instead of 1) mounted up on the sides of the fuselage aft of the gun access panels. Early ones had an L shaped pitot under the nose as does the kit. 3. The NACA scoops on the gun access panels are not present on many T-33s. I'm glad they put them there, but be aware you need to remove them for many a/c. 4. As I think has been noted, and according to an ex-T-33 pilot I know, the T-bird was *always* parked with the flaps extended and the air brakes open. Gently, gently prod Harold in the ribs guys! 5. There is no trim tab on the trailing edge of the rudder in the kit. There should be. But being as you'll need to drastically thin down the rudder t/e anyway, it's easy to add. 6. Contrary to pronouncements by 'experts', the tip tanks are exactly the right length and diameter, and the curves and straightaways are exactly where they should be. This is based on detailed measurements of the actual tank provided to me by Bruce Radebaugh. End of conversation on that. Here's the thread on ARC about the kit and my findings on the rudder chord: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=209132 J
MAY 15, 2010 - 09:13 AM
Hi Jennings First off, welcome to Aeroscale if I haven't already said so! A little bird tells me there will be a Dual F-80/T-33 Build coming up on Aeroscale very soon. Basically, Jean-Luc will be building the T-33 while I tackle Squadron's previous F-80. I think it's fair to say it'll be uncharted territory for both of us, so your (and others') input will very much appreciated to steer us home safely. All the best Rowan
MAY 15, 2010 - 09:41 AM
No worries Rowan. I'm no expert, but I have a fair bit of T-bird data. There are a number of small detail differences to be found on various T-33s, so the time frame and user of a given airframe will dictate what you need to do. Here's the image of the T-33 tail showing the small problem with the kit's rudder chord. The kit outline is in white. Not a huge deal, but if your bird has checkers or other designs on the rudder, it won't work right the way the kit is made. For most a/c it won't matter though. J Photo copyright by me Elmendorf AFB, Alaska May 1985
MAY 15, 2010 - 10:01 AM
Hi again Have I read right elsewhere that the nosewheel is mounted the wrong way round on the F-80 kit? Is this also true for the T-33, or did Squadron catch it on the second release? It sounds an easy fix, but a real clanger to have missed when you post finished pics! All the best Rowan
MAY 15, 2010 - 10:42 AM
They fixed it on the T-33. SAC also makes cast metal gear for the F-80/T-33. J
MAY 15, 2010 - 11:01 AM
Hmmm.. None of the aircraft I have flown have asked for the flaps to be extended after you have landed, in fact most of them ask for the flaps to be retracted as soon as possible to stop possible damage to them from FOD. But I have never flown a T-33 so who knows, maybe the pilots squadron had a local order covering the lowering of the flaps for some reason. 99.9% of the pictures I have seen of T-33s on the ground show the flaps extended.. Only time I have seen them extended on the ground is when someone is in the cockpit. Maybe Czech Model is correct...
MAY 15, 2010 - 11:13 AM
THIS STORY HAS BEEN READ 10,114 TIMES.
ADVERTISEMENT

Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
Czech Model ReviewsMORE
F-80C Shooting Star In-Box Review
by Rowan Baylis | of 2 ratings, 100% found this helpful
T-33A Shooting Star In-Box Review
by Jean-Luc Formery | of 2 ratings, 100% found this helpful
Bamboo Bomber First Look
by Jean-Luc Formery | of 3 ratings, 100% found this helpful
Ryan XF2R-1 Darkshark In-Box Review
by Rowan Baylis
Curtiss SO3C Seamew In-Box Review
by Rowan Baylis
Ryan FR-1 Fireball In-Box Review
by Rowan Baylis
Douglas F3D-2 (EF-10) Skyknight In-Box Review
by Rowan Baylis
Messerschmitt Me 309 In-Box Review
by Rowan Baylis | of 2 ratings, 100% found this helpful
Messerschmitt Me 263 In-Box Review
by Rowan Baylis | of 1 ratings, 100% found this helpful
Curtiss XP-55 Ascender In-Box Review
by Rowan Baylis
Beech T-34C-1 Turbo Mentor In-Box Review
by Rowan Baylis
Curtiss A-12 Shrike In-Box Review
by Rowan Baylis
Grumman JRF Goose In-Box Review
by Rowan Baylis
Curtis A-8 Shrike In-Box Review
by Rowan Baylis

ADVERTISEMENT