Hi!

I was a T-33 Crew Chief in the USAF way (WAY!!)back in the day. I was with the 49th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Griffiss AFB, Rome, New York back in the mid 80's. We were an F-106 unit, but we had 8 T-33's that they used for things such as allowing the newer pilots to build time and for acting as simulated cruise missiles or bombers for the Sixes to practice intercepting.

I have 10-12 hours of back-seat time, having been flown to several different bases to fix another T-33 that broke on a cross-country flight. I was also engine run and taxi qualified.

Just took a few test flights in the Inibuilds T-33 out of my Test Center in Wendover, Utah, USA and thought I would share a couple of impressions:

First of all, the sounds brought back a lot of memories right away. Sounds just the way I remember it.

On going through the engine start checklist, I found that it is somewhat simplified from the real aircraft that I am familiar with. This could be due to the fact that the Ace Maker aircraft that they used as a model are actually Canadair CT-33's with the (admittedly superior) Rolls Royce Nene engine rather than the Allison J-33 that our T-Birds had. Ours utilized a separate Starting Fuel control that you would turn on at around 10%, as I remember. Then at a higher RPM you would bring the throttle out of cutoff (around the horn) to engage the main fuel control. This was where you would be very attentive for hot starts. Anyway, the sim T-33 doesn't have this procedure. I have never seen a CT-33 checklist, so this may be the Nene procedure. If anyone knows for sure about this, I'd be curious to know.

During actual flight, from what I remember of my short amount of stick time, the flight controls are actually not as sensitive in the sim as the real thing. I remember the ailerons especially being almost impossible for me to keep stabilized. This was due to the aileron boost system. One of the pilots I was with turned it off for a little while and it became much easier to control, although very hard to move the stick more than a very small amount of course. You can't turn the boost off in the sim so I couldn't check it.

Visually, the model is pretty accurate to my memories, although the wheel well details seem simplified. Overall, I would say the plane is great, and I would definitely recommend it!!

 

Russ

 

If you post any questions, I'll try to answer them to the best of my fading knowledge... 😁

 

Edited September 2, 20241 yr by b1bmsgt

Thank you for your service and also for your insights into the T-33 from Inibuilds. I think most importantly there is a very high fun factor with this jet. It is priced very well and is accessible to a lot of users. You can just jump in and fly if you want and have a good time. Having seen the Ace Maker III perform a few months ago at an air show, it really makes one like myself go "Oh I saw that one!!" So of course I bought it right away on release day. I hope to see more from this era of military aviation in the sim. 

Very insightful. I was on the fence. Thank you 🤗

Thanks for sharing. Always excellent to hear first hand reports from IRL experience.

I'd be interested to know about the different start, too.

I don't think it'd put me off a purchase if it was simply incorrect, but it would be a bit disappointing.

8 hours ago, UrgentSiesta said:

I'd be interested to know about the different start, too.

I don't think it'd put me off a purchase if it was simply incorrect, but it would be a bit disappointing.

As I said, it might just be the RR Nene procedure. The weird thing is that they modelled the Starting Fuel switch! It's on the left side of the cockpit just aft and outboard of the throttle.

(Things that make you go "Hmmmmmm...")

Edited September 3, 20241 yr by b1bmsgt