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white logo with text "Alberta Aviation Museum"

T-Bird Transformation

The T-bird transformation began with a Canadair CT-33 air force jet trainer dismantled in Wetaskiwin then moved to the Alberta Aviation Museum for reassembly.

Story and photos by John Chalmers

The latest addition to aircraft on display at the Alberta Aviation Museum is a Canadian-built Canadair CT-33 Silver Star jet trainer formerly used by the Royal Canadian Air Force. Commonly known as a T-33, or T-Bird it is a type flown by the RCAF from 1953- 2005 and now bears a one-of-a-kind livery that celebrates the centennial of the RCAF, formed on April 1, 1924.

Two men sitting on the wing of a T-33 applying vinyl to aircraft
Workers from Precision Vehicle Wraps in Edmonton that printed the self-adhesive vinyl apply the new livery in sections to give the T-33 its new appearance.

Donated by Byron Reynolds of Historic Aircraft Service Inc. of Wetaskiwin, Alberta, the“T-Bird” now sports a unique appearance honouring the RCAF. A project of Edmonton’s 700 Wing of the RCAF Association, the design was created by Nanette Booth, a graphic artist who herself is a member of 700 Wing. Although visitors to the museum may think the aircraft sports a custom paint job, in fact it does not! Rather than paint, the new appearance is a “wrap” installed by applying self-adhesive vinyl printed with the custom design and then applied to the T-33.

 

Photo of blue T-33 with the logo of sponsor Encore Trucking & Transport Ltd. the North Star appears on the tail fin.
Included in the design for the new appearance is recognition of Edmonton’s 700 Wing of the RCAF Association marking its 75th anniversary. Above the logo of sponsor Encore Trucking & Transport Ltd. the North Star appears on the tail fin.

The retired trainer was first disassembled at Wetaskiwin by members of 700 Wing with help from Byron’s son, Ted. Byron also generously donated transport of the aircraft to the museum. Energy Crane Service of Stony Plain contributed a crane and operator to unload the aircraft at the museum. Encore Trucking & Transport Ltd. then donated crane service to assist with reassembly. The major sponsor of the new appearance was Stratosphere Properties Ltd. of Vancouver, covering the cost of printing and applying the vinyl wrap to provide a spectacular appearance for the vintage aircraft.

 

“The intent of 700 Wing was to use the T-33 to engage the public and increase awareness the RCAF Association and 700 Wing in particular,” says Tom Sand, president of the Wing. “The aircraft will be used to draw attention to Canada’s air force and act as a catalyst to highlight the contributions of the RCAF in protecting Canada at home and abroad. The jet will now be used to help with fund raising efforts to support the Kipnes Centre for Veterans, and as an attraction for visitors to the Alberta Aviation Museum.” As owners of the T-33, 700 Wing has used the aircraft to celebrate 100 years of service by the RCAF and has the opportunity to use the rejuvenated jet to mark special aviation-related occasions and events in the future. The T-Bird has a history of flying with the RCAF for over 50 years, and now this one, Serial Number 21351, on display at the museum stands in its transformation with new livery to celebrate the accomplishments of our air force and the contributions of our veterans. Celebrations of the RCAF Centennial by 700 Wing continue at the Alberta Aviation Museum on September 13, 2025 , when a Battle of Britain dinner will feature a new theatre presentation set in the Second World War. For information and tickets, visit
https://www.700wing.com/upcoming-events .

president of Stratosphere Properties Ltd standing beside T-33 with "100 Stratosphere Properties" written on the aircraft
Aaron Guo, president of Stratosphere Properties Ltd. earned the right to have his company’s name comprise part of the nose art as sponsors of the wrap. On August 1 his company held a ground-breaking event and ceremony at the Blatchford to mark the start of a new 14-building residential development named Pilot, in recognition of the aviation history of the district.the accomplishments of our air force and the contributions of our veterans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the port wing tank of the aircraft appears the current motto of the RCAF: Sit Itur Ad Astra. The starboard wing tank bears the previous motto: Per Ardua Ad Astra.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A stylized “100” and a jet aircraft symbol are on the jet’s port wing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The starboard wing bears words marking the purpose of the aircraft’s new appearance: “Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Canada’s Air Force 1924-2024.”
Tom Sand, left, and Erwin Loewen of 700 Wing have every reason to be proud of the Wing’s accomplishment in giving new life to a veteran aircraft with a remarkable history in RCAF service.
Job done! No other aircraft in Canada looks like this!

 

 

 

Learn more about 700 Wing HERE
Purchase tickets to our museum HERE