One-of-a-Kind T-33 Honours the RCAF

Story and photos by John Chalmers,
posted September 2024
The latest addition to aircraft on display at the Alberta Aviation Museum in Edmonton is a Canadian-built Canadair CT-33 Silver Star jet trainer formerly used by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Commonly known as a T-33 or T-Bird, it is a type flown by the RCAF from 1953-2005 and now bears its truly unique one-of-a-kind livery that celebrates the centennial of the RCAF, formed on April 1, 1924. The custom appearance was a project of 700 City of Edmonton Wing of the RCAF Association.
The project began with this aircraft, generously donated to 700 Wing by Byron Reynolds of Historic Aircraft Service Inc. of Wetaskiwin, Alberta. In July the T-Bird was transformed by receiving not what looks like a new paint job, but a complete self-adhesive vinyl wrap livery, giving the aircraft its new look.
The custom design was created by Nanette Booth, a graphic artist who herself is a member of 700 Wing. “The inspiration for the design came from my admiration of the RCAF and my fascination with aviation,” says Nanette. “It came in no small part from my uncle, Frank De Windt, who as an RCAF Flying Officer served as a Lancaster bomb aimer during the Second World War, flying with RCAF squadrons. I have also been fortunate through 700 Wing to get to know people who have served or are presently serving the air force.”
The backing of the self-adhesive vinyl sheets, printed by Precision Vehicle Wraps of Edmonton, is first removed, then with great care and alignment the components of the wrap are adhered to the aircraft. The night sky was applied first, then other elements were added.

As creator of the new look, Nanette explains that the design celebrates the dedicated people of the RCAF, serving at home and abroad, in peace and at war for the last one hundred years. The port wing tank bears the current motto of the RCAF, “Sic Itur Ad Astra,” while the starboard wing tank carries the previous and wartime motto, “Per Ardua Ad Astra.”
The design of the T-33’s new look is rich in symbolism, as described by Nanette. “The background of the design is the starry night sky - the journey to the stars. Our way finder, the North Star, is on the vertical stabilizer, the highest point of the plane. Banners on the sides of the plane contain the RCAF tartan colours and the shape is inspired by the eagle’s wings from the RCAF badge.”

Designed in Adobe Illustrator as vector art, each element of the design was printed in sections on this large inkjet printer, capable of handling vinyl sheets on a five foot wide roll, shown here in production of another project. After the ink is applied, it is then heat treated as it progresses through the printer to the take-up roll. Upon completion of a printed sheet, it is then laminated with a clear vinyl outer coat for protection.
The retired trainer was first disassembled at Wetaskiwin by members of 700 Wing with help from Byron Reynolds’ son, Ted. Byron also donated transport of the aircraft to the museum. Energy Crane Service of Stony Plain, Alberta, contributed a crane and operator to unload the aircraft at the museum. Encore Trucking & Transport Ltd. of Edmonton donated crane service to assist with reassembly and is recognized with its logo on the stabilizer. The major sponsor of the new appearance was Stratosphere Properties Ltd. of Vancouver, covering the cost of printing and application of the vinyl wrap to provide a spectacular appearance for the vintage aircraft. Shown here is Aaron Guo, president of Stratosphere Properties, which on August 1 had a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of a new development in Edmonton’s Blatchford district, the former grounds of the City Centre Airport, which was closed in 2013. The 14-building housing development is named “Pilot” in recognition of the aviation history of the area.
Markings in the new livery include recognition of the 75th anniversary of 700 Wing of the RCAF Association, as well as celebrating the 100th anniversary of the RCAF. At left is LCol (Ret.) Tom Sand, president of 700 Wing, with fellow member Capt (Ret.) Erwin Loewen, who was also involved in development of the T-33 project.
Above are port and starboard wings, respectively, of the aircraft. The “100” loop design created by designer Nanette appears on both the wing and as nose art on each side.
The banner beneath the cockpit running on both sides of the fuselage reads, “Celebrating the 100TH Anniversary of Canada’s Air Force 1924-2024.”
“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. “From the moment the aircraft was unveiled for the public that began happening with people taking photos of the T-Bird and having photos taken of them with it. 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 fundraising efforts to support the Kipnes Centre for Veterans, here in Edmonton, and will also serve as an attraction for visitors to the Alberta Aviation Museum.”
As owners of the T-33, 700 Wing has used the aircraft to celebrate a hundred 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. Now this one, Serial Number 21351, on outdoor display at the museum housed in a wartime hangar of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, stands in its transformation to celebrate the accomplishments of our air force and the contributions of all who served in it.
Thanks to all involved, this veteran Canadian-built RCAF CT-33 Silver Star, itself now embellished with hundreds of stars, begins a new life as the only aircraft like it in the whole world, standing proudly as a tribute to the Royal Canadian Air Force at the beginning of its second century in proudly serving Canada.
Drone photo courtesy of Precision Vehicle Wraps.
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