Canadian Warplanes 6: Canadair CT-133A Silver Star

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star (Serial No. 133483), No. 414 Squadron, CFB Comox, British Columbia, flying over the West Coast.

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 1 (20), (Serial Nos. 14675-14694), Mk. 2 (1), (Serial No. 14695), Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3 (656), (Serial Nos. 21001-21656), later renumbered (Serial Nos. 133001-133656), Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star (10), (Serial Nos. 51-6713 – 51-6717, 51-6743 – 51-6747), for a total of 687 aircraft.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

LAC L.P.J. Poirier is shown adjusting the machine gun feed belt in Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3AT (Serial No. 21118) in 1966.  There were 149 MK3AT aircraft accepted by the RCAF.  They had a K-14C gun sight, two .50 cal Browning M3 machine guns and two hard points that could each carry a 1000 lb bomb.  Note the gun camera in the intake.

The Canadair CT-133 Silver Star (company model number CL-30) is the Canadian license-built version of the Lockheed T-33 jet trainer aircraft, in service from the 1950s to 2005. The Canadian version was powered by the Rolls-Royce Nene 10 turbojet, whereas the Lockheed production used the Allison J33.

The Canadair CT-133 was the result of a 1951 contract to build T-33 Shooting Star trainers for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The powerplant is a Rolls-Royce Nene 10 turbojet instead of the Allison J33 used by Lockheed in the production of the original T-33. A project designation of CL-30 was given by Canadair and the name was changed to Silver Star. The appearance of the CT-133 is very distinctive due to the large fuel tanks usually carried on each wingtip. A total of 656 CT-133 aircraft were built by Canadair.

The CT-133 entered service in the RCAF as its primary training aircraft for fighter/interceptors. The designation of the Silver Star in the Canadian Forces was CT-133.The CT-133's service life in the RCAF (and later the Canadian Forces) was extremely long. One of the more unusual roles it played was as an aerobatic demonstration aircraft, the RCAF's Red Knight. Although the aircraft stopped being used as a trainer in 1976, there were still over 50 aircraft in Canadian Forces inventory in 1995. The youngest of these airframes was then 37 years old and had exceeded its expected life by a factor of 2.5. During this period, the Canadair T-33 was employed in communication, target towing, and enemy simulation.

The final Canadair Silver Star Mk. 3 was retired from the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada, where it was used as an ejection seat testbed after 46 years of service.[3] CT-133 number 133648 was delivered to CFD Mountain View on 26 April 2005. Having been built in March 1959 as a CT-133 with original RCAF serial number 21648, it had reached a total of 11394.6 flight hours at the time of its retirement from military use. It has been sold on the civil market, along with fifteen other CT-133s. These aircraft will join the fifty others on the United States Civil Register and continue to fly as a part of the living legacy of the early jet age. (Wikipedia)

Variants

T-33A Silver Star Mk 1: Two-seat jet training aircraft for the RCAF. Built by Lockheed in the United States, 30 on loan to the RCAF.

CT-133ANX Silver Star Mk 2: The first Canadian prototype. One built.

Silver Star Mk 3: Two-seat jet training aircraft for the RCAF.

Silver Star Mk 3PT: Unarmed version.

Silver Star Mk 3AT: Armed version, two Browning .50 caliber machine guns in nose and underwing pylons for 1,000 lb bombs and HVAR rockets.

Silver Star Mk 3PR: Photo-reconnaissance version.

CE-133: Upgraded electronic warfare training aircraft.

CX-133: Ejection seat testbed.

ET-133: Aerial threat simulator aircraft.

TE-133: Anti-ship threat simulator aircraft.

RCAF On Strength (689), RCAF 400 Squadron (3), Canadian Aircraft Losses (54), RCN On Strength (1). Detailed records of all known RCAF and Canadian aviation losses may be viewed on line in the Canadian Aircraft Serials Personnel Information Resource (CASPIR). The  CASPIR website is researched, coded, maintained entirely by Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) volunteers with only one staff assisting periodically. This work has taken several years and is unlikely to be finished as continuing research leads to “new finds” and rediscovered Canadian aviation heritage and history.  The CWHM volunteer team looks forward to continuing to update and correct the record as additional information and photos are received. Check here.

(RCAF Photo via James Craik)

Canadair Silver Star Mk. 3 (Serial No. 21400), No. 2 Advanced Flying School at RCAF Station Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21482), gun ports open.

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 133303). This Silver Star spent time with No. 414 'Black Knight' (EW) Squadron at CFB North Bay. It became an instructional airframe (865 B) and subsequently was struck off strength on 11t April, 1989. It ended up on display in Campbellford, Ontario. (Chris Charland)

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3s, lined up on the run way at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The markings on the aircraft are c1968-1969. The aircraft are on the

Square in front of No. 2 Hangar.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

F/L Harvey climbs into a Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 1, RCAF (Serial No. 14687), piloted by F/L Hallowell at Bluie West on the southern tip of Greenland. This was the beginning of a flight across the Atlantic on Operation Random.  The operation was completed by No. 1 Overseas Ferry Unit.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 1, RCAF (Serial No. 14687), on the tarmac at Bluie West in Greenland, where they landed for refuelling before completing Operation Random 14.

(DND Photo via Chris Charland)

A former US Lockheed T-33A-1-LO Shooting Star re-designated Silver Star Mk. 1, RCAF (Serial No. 14679), given to Canada under the Mutual Assistance Program by the United States.  It is seen here serving with No. 1 (F) OTU at RCAF Chatham, New Brunswick.  A total of 20 Lockheed T-33A-1-LO's were given to Canada under the American Military Assistance program. They were designated the Silver Star Mk. 1, RCAF, (Serial Nos. 14675 to 14694).

(RCAF Photos via Chris Charland)

Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star, RCAF (Serial Nos. 51-6715).

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21008), 1 FIS, being refueled in the cold  by AC1 Adam Hertz an airframe tech with 1 FIS S at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario.

 (RCAF Photo via Francois Dutil)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21013), over RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario.

(DND Photo, PL-86672)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21013), over RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario.

(RCAF Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21013), Central Flying School, over RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21015), Central Flying School, RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario.

(Alain Rioux Photo)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, RCAF (Serial No. 21052), renumbered to (Serial No. 133052).

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21057), Red Knight, coded RK, over Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This aircraft crashed on 21 Aug 1963 killing the pilot F/L James Wilfrid Morin while performing a Cuban 8 maneuver at Gimli.

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 2630), Red Knight.  

(DND Photo)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21057), Red Knight.  This aircraft crashed on 21 Aug 1963 killing the pilot F/L James Wilfrid Morin while performing a Cuban 8 maneuver at Gimli.

(DND Photo via Francois Dutil)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21057), Red Knight, smoking.

(DND Photo via Serge L'Hostie)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21603), Red Knight.

(RCAF Photo via Fred Paradie)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21620), Red Knight, lost 21 May 1968.  Note the small maple leaf in the roundel and the Canadian flag.  A solo, aerobatics performer of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Training Command from 1958 through 1969, the role of the Red Knight was actually shared by seventeen different pilots over a period of twelve seasons.  Although originally authorized to perform only three shows, the Red Knight went on to make over six hundred appearances, all over North America.  The Red Knight was commonly sent to venues considered too small for the aerobatics teams of the day.  The unique feature of the Red Knight displays was that all the manoeuvres were performed within the boundaries of the airfield -- keeping the action in view of the spectators throughout the entire show.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21075).

(CAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21094), Canadian Forces Europe camouflage, CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21098), towing targets.

(RCAF Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21118), target tug. Weapons Practice Unit based at RCAF Station Cold Lake, Alberta.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21118), target tug. Weapons Practice Unit based at RCAF Station Cold Lake, Alberta.

(DND Photo)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21118), over the air weapons range near Cold Lake.  The WPU crest appeared on the starboard nose of unit aircraft.

(DND Photo)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, RCAF (Serial No. 21119), renumbered to (Serial No. 133119), 1975.

(CAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, RCAF (Serial No. 133119), No. 414 Squadron on the Comox line in 1999 along with a No. 407 Squadron Aurora.

(DND Photo)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, RCAF (Serial No. 21119), renumbered to (Serial No. 133119).

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21120), Germany, ca 1957.

(DND Photo)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21127), Cpl. Al Ewing places a radop target in its receptacle on a 4 Wing aircraft at the Air Weapons Unit in Decimomannu, Sardinia, September 1958.

(Philippe Colin Photo)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 133315), 1 CAG, CFB Baden Soellingen, Germany.  This aircraft crashed in Germany on 7 April 1987.  (Stewart McNair)

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21168), head on.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21168)

(DND Photo)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial Nos. 21177, 21159, 21186, 21170), in formation, from No. 4 Advanced Flying School with NATO crews near Macdonald, Manitoba.

(CAF Photo)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3s on a busy flight line at Gimli, Manitoba, in 1970 with about 33 T-Birds and one Tutor on the line.  The first aircraft on the right is (Serial No. 21102), which is now on display at CFB Comox, BC, and the first aircraft on the left is  (Serial No. 21326) and its forward fuselage is with Vince Oconnor in Ontario.  The second aircraft on the left,  (Serial No. 21162), went to the Bolivian Airforce, crashed and is now on display there.  The second aircraft on the right,  (Serial No. 21346), is at the Jet Museum in London, Ontario, but not flying after its crash on take-off from Mountainview in 2012.  The third aircraft on the right,  (Serial No. 21570), is also with Vince O'Connor.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

The Gimli flight line with CT-133s from No. 3 Advanced flying School (ID code ML). 3 AFS formed a T-33 equipped aerobatic team called the "Gimli Smokers" in 1959 and the team remained until the end of the 1964 show season.

(CF Photo SW-575)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCN (Serial No. 21186).

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCN (Serial No. 21186).

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCN (Serial No. 21515) while on strength with the RCN. Note the 1967 centennial symbol on the tail so this photo was taken in 1967 or later. 21515 was transferred to the RCN on 15 Nov 1966 and it served with VU32 at Shearwater, Nova Scotia.

(Comox Air Force Museum Photo, VU 33 collection, via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCN (Serial No. 21465), VU33, on display at Victoria, British Columbia.  Note the ace of spades decal on the fuselage above the intake.  This aircraft later crashed at Cypress Bowl on 11 Nov 1963, killing the crew.

(RCN Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCN (Serial No. 21883).  Red nose.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21186), renumbered to (Serial No. 133186).

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21189), on the airfield at Decimomannu, Sardinia.

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133  Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21190), D6 Mule, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, 1969.

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133  Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial Nos. 21592, 21347, 21338, 21277), hangar group with three Tutors.

(Alain Rioux Photo)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 133190) renumbered to (Serial No. 133190), AETE, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.

(Philippe Colin Photo)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 133345), 1 CAG, CFB Baden Soellingen, Germany, ca 1990. 28 Jan 1983.  The 10,000^th flying hour was logged on Canadair CT-133 Silver Star (Serial No. 133345) at CFB BadenSoellingen.

(Photo via Philippe Colin)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3 (Serial No. 133345) with 1 CAG.  This aircraft surpassed the 10,000-hour mark on 28 Jan 1983, with Col Jack Frazer and Capt Doug Erlandson.  The aircraft had been specially painted for the occasion.

 (RCAF Photo)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21423) renumbered to (Serial No. 133423).

(City of Vancouver Archives Photo, CVA 180-5495)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21434), Pacific National Exhibition, British Columbia, 1958.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21440).

(Bob Pionteck Photo)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, RCAF (Serial No. 21446), renumbered to (Serial No. 133446), 414 EWS, 417 CSS Cold Lake, Alberta, c2000.

(CF Photo, 8 Wing Imaging, Corporal David Cribb, via Mike Kaehler)

Captain Greg Castagner and Colonel Bill Werny bring Canadair CT-133AN Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21452), renumbered to (Serial No. 133452), to rest at ATESS Hangar 20 at CFB Trenton, following her last flight, 12 Apr 2005.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, RCAF (Serial Nos. 133452, 133443 and 133599), in formation over CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCN (Serial No. 21500), Golden Hawk support aircraft.

(RCAF Photo via Francois Dutil)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21548), over RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario.  The causeway to the Island to support the Trenton Yacht Club was built on 1961.  It was not built in this photo, so quite some time before then.  The author parachuted onto this island a number of times while serving with the Sky Hawks.

(RCAF Photo via Francois Dutil)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21548), over RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario.

(DND Photo via Serge L'Hostie)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21548), over Niagara Falls, Ontario.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21548), over Niagara Falls, Ontario. This Canadair Silver Star Mk. 3 was with No. 1 Flying Instructor School based at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario. The pilot ejected from the aircraft on 27July1956 after the entire electrical system malfunctioned. It struck the ground and subsequently burned 17  north of Bonneyville, Ontario.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial Nos. 133599 and 133443), in formation over Cold Lake, Alberta.

(Author Photos)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star (Serial No. 133606).   Connaught Range and Primary Training Centre, Shirley's Bay, Ottawa, Ontario.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, RCAF (Serial No, 133613) with extended pitot tube, in formation with a Canadair CF-116 Freedom Fighter, AETE, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.

(Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment Photo, Corporal Paul Green)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, RCAF (Serial No, 133452), Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment (AETE) Colour flown by Colonel Pat Peters (USAF), taken from a CF-188 Colour Bird chase plane flown by Captain Morrissette.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, RCAF (Serial No, 133613) with extended pitot tube, banking, AETE, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.

(RCAF Photo, courtesy of the Shearwater Aviation Museum)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21627).

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21628).

(Henk Schakelaar Photo)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21628), visiting Soesterberg, The Netherlands, 25 September 1969.  21628 went to SR ADCSU (Strategic Reserve) at Lahr on 20 Aug 1970. She flew from 3 Wing Zweibrücken to 1 Wing Marville to 4 Wing Baden-Soellingen to Lahr in the course of a few months between May and August 1970, being shuffled around as a result of the closure of 3 Wing in 1969.  She was probably one of the seven Silver Stars scrapped at Lahr in the early 70's.  Chris Charland noted that 21628 flew with three of the four wings in their respective Headquarters Flight: 10 March, 1964 - No. 1 Wing - Marville, France; 5 April, 1966 - No. 3 Wing - Zweibrucken, Federal Republic of Germany; 14 September, 1967 - 1 Wing - Lahr. Federal Republic of Germany; 7 August, 1970 - 4 Wing Baden Soellingen, Federal Republic of Germany; 22 July, 1970 - ADCSA Lahr; 20 August, 1970 - Struck off (Airframe) Surplus.

(Peter Christian Riemann Photo)

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 21613), later CAF (Serial No. 133613),"Penguine Squadron" in Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany, 1966. Wing Instrument Flight, No. 4 (F) Wing Baden-Söllingen.

(Philippe Colin Photo)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 133642), 1 CAG, CFB Baden Soellingen, Germany, ca 1990.

(Philippe Colin Photo)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 133649), 1 CAG, CFB Baden Soellingen, Germany, ca 1990.

(Philippe Colin Photo)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 133650), 1 CAG, CFB Baden Soellingen, Germany, ca 1990.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584937)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3 cockpit, 13 May 1954.

(Alain Rioux Photo)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3 (Serial No. 133083), in front of the No. 434 Squadron hangar, CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia. No. 434 Squadron was disbanded in July 2002.

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CT-133A Silver Star Mk. 3 (Serial No. 133543) and Black Knight.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Don't think this would be allowed to happen today. Carry a large box on your lap while seated on an ejection seat.RCAF begins Epic Flight to California in April 1955. Two Canadian Pilots Lt. Com. Alan Woods, RCN and RCAF F/L Howard Robertson receive a shipment of rare blood type from Edmonton Red Cross Official, Dr. Donald I. Buchanan for shipment by jet aircraft to a Redwood, California hospital. The blood packed in a special container for the high altitude flight had to be held on F/L Robertson lap during the flight in a RCAF T-33 Silver Star. The blood was urgently required to save the life of a baby to be delivered by caesarian section. The flight which was non-stop started in a driving snow storm from Namao Airport near Edmonton shortly after 10 a.m. An unscheduled two hour stop was made at Calgary because of icing conditions. The flight arrived successfully at its destination at Alamedia Naval Air Station Airport at 4:45 p.m.

Ormond Hayden-Baillie, one of the Black Knights

Ormond Hayden-Baillie, or known as OHB or his RCAF nickname hyphen. OHB was an early participant in the collection and restoration of warbirds. Sadly, Ormond Hayden-Baillie died in airshow P-41D crash in Germany on 3 July 1977.

Ormond Haydon-Baillie was born in Worksop England on 29 August 1942 and joined the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in September 1964. He transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in April 1965. He graduated on de Havilland DHC-1B-2-S5 Chipmunks at RCAF Station Centralia, Ontario, in the spring of 1965, and was posted to the basic training school at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where he graduated on CT-114 Tutors. At the same station he passed his advanced jet training flying Canadair CT-133A Silver Stars, graduating in 1966. He also flew out of RCAF Station Gimli, Manitoba.

After passing various instructors’ courses, he arrived at No. 434 Fighter Squadron to fly Canadair CF-116 Freedom Fighters and more Silver Stars. He was then posted to the Central Experimental and Proving Establishment (CEPE), where he tested or ferried Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, Canadair CL-13 Sabres, Avro CF-100 Canucks, Douglas CC-129 Dakotas, de Havilland CC-138 Twin Otters, Grumman (de Havilland) CS2F Trackers and Grumman CSR-110 Albatrosses and yet more Silver Stars.

Further experience included service with the Experimental Weapons Squadron, Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment (AETE), and as station test pilot at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, Alberta. During the winter of 1972-73 he was sent on a special assignment to demonstrate Silver Stars to Central and South American air forces.

While on holiday in Australia in 1969, Haydon-Baillie was trying to find himself a Supermarine Spitfire, instead, he settled on a faded and very tired-looking Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. XI that had languished with others in the open at Bankstown for many years.

OHB had it shipped to San Francisco, courtesy of the US Navy, on the USS Coral Sea in July 1970. The rest of that month was spent getting the aircraft airworthy, exchanging its faded RAN blue paint for a coat of non-standard camouflage and flying it up to CFB Cold Lake, where Haydon-Baillie was serving as a flight lieutenant at that time. Here it was completely stripped down, rewired, re-instrumented and registered CF-CHB by the summer of 1971. Thereafter it was a familiar sight in American and Canadian skies, performing at airshows and successfully competing in air races.

OHB left the Canadian Armed Forces (Royal Canadian Airforce) in March 1973.

OH-B and Margaret Hovinga Madden, in OH-B's Canadair CT-133 Silver Star in its Black Knight colours.

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