Fort Erie’s Red Knight “T-bird"
Planned for Refurbishment

Story and photos by Gord McNulty
May 2025
There is good news from the Royal Canadian Air Force Association (RCAFA) 484 (Frontier Wing) in the border town of Fort Erie, Ontario. Plans have materialized to refurbish a Canadair CT-133 mounted in Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Red Knight colours 24 years ago.
RCAF Red Knight #21373 displayed at Sugarbowl Park in Fort Erie after its unveiling in 2001.
Red Knight #21373, as reported in the Fort Erie Observer, was officially dedicated by the Wing in May 2001 after restoration to its original condition with the assistance of Fleet Aerospace Corporation and Alfred Beam Excavating. Alf is well-known as a T-28 Trojan, Harvard and Cornell pilot and has a private airstrip in the area.
Bill Greenwood, the Wing president, said the plan is to refurbish the aircraft in place and enclose it for the work, rather than risk doing damage by taking it from the pedestal and sending it out.

Fundraising in various ways has started. Russell Aviation Group donated hundreds of pins, which they found while cleaning out storage areas at their property, to the Wing. The pins will be on sale, as well as books, at a pasta dinner and silent auction fundraiser on May 31 at the Fort Erie Legion Branch 71. A Facebook page is being set up and other creative steps are under way.
RCAF Red Knight CT-133 #21373 looked resplendent after its dedication at Fort Erie in 2001.
Fort Erie’s aircraft made an impressive display when I took photos of it in the summer of 2001. This Red Knight refurbishment plan, providing fresh recognition of a famous aerobatic display in RCAF history, comes at an opportune time in these politically unsettled days.  
 
The solo demonstration Red Knight made more than 600 air show appearances in Canada, the U.S. and the Bahamas from 1958 to 1969. Kudos to 484 Wing and best wishes for a successful fundraising campaign.
Red Knight CT-133 #21373 on display at Fort Erie shortly after it was dedicated in 2001.