Capt Fig Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Hi All - I'm new to this group. I served for 9 years in the USAF flying T-33s and F-16s. 30 years ago on April 20, 1981, I barely survived an ejection from a T-33 at Tyndall AFB. As a memento of that day, and to have as a display for my friends and family, especially my grandchildren, I'm now restoring a T-33 seat to hang in my study. I could use any and all help in advice and locating parts. Currently, I am looking for an MA-5 or MA-6 automatic lap belt and a zero-delay lanyard, although many more parts are still needed. I'd also love to contact someone who would be willing to mentor me by email with experience in the T-33 ejection seat. Link to post Share on other sites
doyler Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Welcome aboard. Thats a tough project and a daily reminder of your close call!!! I have a seat like yours but not very complete.Good luck in your restoration and keep us posted. RD In Memoriam:Lieutenant J.Kostelec 1-3 First Special Service Force MIA/PD 4 March 1944 ItalyI HAVE SEEN THE ENEMY AND IT IS DAYLIGHTForget about the tips..We'll get hell to pay (AC/DC)"If you cant get out and run with the big dogs then sit on the porch and bark at the cars going by.." Have you Hugged a Clown Today? You Cant Get A Sun Tan On The Moon.. Link to post Share on other sites
kjones5452 Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Welcome to the Forum. I wish you luck. Kenneth Link to post Share on other sites
boxerdogi Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 You might try www.flighthelmet.com. Email the owner because he has alot more than he shows on his site. He's a nice guy, and might be able to help you out....Tom. Link to post Share on other sites
Bluehawk Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 I'm glad to see your query here, and will keep an eye on it myself. HONORING FAMILY LtCol Wm Russell (1679-1757) VA Mil; Pvt Zachariah McKay (1714-97) Frederick VA Mil; BrigGen Evan Shelby, Jr (1719-94) VA Mil; Pvt Vincent Hobbs (1722-1808) Wythe VA Mil; Pvt Hugh Alexander (1724-77); Lt John R. Litton (1726-1804); Bvt BrigGen/Col Wm W. Russell (1735-93) 5th VA Rgmt; Lt James Scott (1736-1817); Capt John Murray, Sr (1747-1833); Capt John Sehorn, Sr (1748-1831) VA Mil; Pvt Corbin Lane (1750-1816) Franklin/TN Mil; Cpl Jesse D. Reynolds (1750-1836) 5th VA Rgmt; Capt. Solomon C. Litton (1751-1844); 1Lt Christopher Casey (1754-1840) SC Mil; Pvt Mark Adams (1755-1828); Pvt Randolph White (1755-1831) Bailey's Co. VA Rgmt; Capt. John R. Russell (1758-1838); Pvt Joseph T. Cooley (1767-1826) Fort Hempstead Mil; Pvt Thomas Barron (1776-1863) 1812; Capt. John Baumgardner (1787-1853) VA Mil; Pvt Joel Estep (1828-1864) Co B 5th KY Inf CSA & US; Pvt George B. Bell (1833-1910) Co C 47th IL Inf US; Cpl Daniel H. Barron (1838-1910) Co B 19th TN Rgmt Inf CSA; Capt Richard K. Kaufman (1908-1946) 7th PRG/3rd AF CCU; T-5 Vernon L. Bell (1926-95) 1802nd Spec Rgmt; PO2 Murray J. Heichman (1932-2019) HQSB/MCRD; PFC Jess Long (1934-2017) US Army; PFC Donald W. Johnson (1931-) 43rd ID HQ; A1C Keith W. Bell (1931-2011) 314th TCW; A3C Michael S. Bell (1946-) 3346th CMS; A1C Sam W. Lee (1954-2017) 2d BW; AW3 Keith J. Price (1975-) VP-10; 1Lt Matthew Wm Bell (1985-) 82nd Abn/SOC Link to post Share on other sites
northcoastaero Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Check out the following for information/parts: flighthelmet.com bellsaviation.com magnum-aero.com ebay.com barnstormers.com ejectionsite.com seatejectcolor.com ejection-history.org.uk Flight manuals are a good source for information and are available as original, CD form, or book form. Try amazon.com and abebooks.com for the reprint flight manuals in book form. Just curious, what is the tail number of the aircraft the seat is from? I may be able to get you a list of the service assignments. Also, there are many military surplus parts companies online. They may require a part number, FSN, NSN numbers to locate a part. Hope this helps. Link to post Share on other sites
Cobrahistorian Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Welcome aboard here Fig! I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more of this restoration! Always good to have another aviator on board too! Jon In memory of 1LT Julius C. Goldman, XO of F/330th, 83rd Infantry Division 1944-45. Looking for ETO/MTO P-47 and Tactical Reconnaissance Unit photographs and any items associated with WWII Jewish fighter pilots. Curator of Arms & Armor at the National Museum of the Marine Corps http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/usmfribbons/donation2009.gifhttp://www.usmilitariaforum.com/usmfribbons/donation2010.gifhttp://www.usmilitariaforum.com/usmfribbons/donation2011.gifhttp://www.usmilitariaforum.com/usmfribbons/donation2012.gifhttp://www.usmilitariaforum.com/usmfribbons/donation2013.gifhttp://www.usmilitariaforum.com/usmfribbons/donation2014.gif Link to post Share on other sites
tractor Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 I am working on a T33 here in Paso Robles CA shinning it up. We have about 10-15 ejection seats laying around our place and I know we have a few like that seat. Most still belong to the Navy sadly. Also one of our meseum directors is changing our T33 from USAF to Navy due to being ex Navy. Good luck in your quest current owner of a Dodge WC 9, WC 12, WC 27 2 American Highway K38s, 1945 USMC MB Holden Ambulance, 1943 USMC radio jeep, 1951 military Cushman pakagekar, 1942 m6 bomb truckAll right they're on our left they're on our right they're in front of us they're behind us they can't get away this timeGeneral Chesty Puller Link to post Share on other sites
Capt Fig Posted July 2, 2011 Author Share Posted July 2, 2011 I am working on a T33 here in Paso Robles CA shinning it up. We have about 10-15 ejection seats laying around our place and I know we have a few like that seat. Most still belong to the Navy sadly. Also one of our museum directors is changing our T33 from USAF to Navy due to being ex Navy. Good luck in your quest Wow! Best of luck to you! Too bad the Navy is holding those seats; I'd sure be interested! Link to post Share on other sites
Capt Fig Posted July 2, 2011 Author Share Posted July 2, 2011 Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who have offered support and assistance. I'm humbled by the interest you've shown and your well wishes! Link to post Share on other sites
Jack's Son Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 Capt. I must have missed your interduction Thread......Welcome. As you may have already found, there are many willing members who will help. Please join us! **PLEASE NOTE: THIS COMMUNITY MEMBER HAS SADLY PASSED AWAY** http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/301020-robin-ray/ Link to post Share on other sites
Capt Fig Posted July 2, 2011 Author Share Posted July 2, 2011 Check out the following for information/parts: flighthelmet.com bellsaviation.com magnum-aero.com ebay.com barnstormers.com ejectionsite.com seatejectcolor.com ejection-history.org.uk Flight manuals are a good source for information and are available as original, CD form, or book form. Try amazon.com and abebooks.com for the reprint flight manuals in book form. Just curious, what is the tail number of the aircraft the seat is from? I may be able to get you a list of the service assignments. Also, there are many military surplus parts companies online. They may require a part number, FSN, NSN numbers to locate a part. Hope this helps. Thanks for the suggestions! I've accessed these sites with the exception of one and have had differing levels of success. I DO have the parts and service manuals for the seat and they are definitely an asset. The seat came to me without a history, so I'm still trying to determine which aircraft it came from. I have looked at parts suppliers, but in many cases the prices they're asking are far more than I can afford. For instance, the one parts supplier I asked for a quote on the seat belt returned with a price of $350. With as many parts as I'll need to do the restoration, I could never afford to do it that way. By contrast, I picked up a pair of brand new 1958 shoulder harnesses for $80. Link to post Share on other sites
boxerdogi Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 On the positive side.......I can tell you that alot of seat parts have come up on Ebay over the years. Patience is the only way to survive a project like yours....Tom. Link to post Share on other sites
timntex Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 What a story... cherish everyday. Best of luck restoring he ol' seat. I'll keep an eye out for parts for you! Link to post Share on other sites
F 106 Pilot Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Welcome aboard I spent many happy hours in the ole T Bird flying targets. I hope you have good luck in find your missing parts. It will be quite a conversation piece when you finish it. Ben Link to post Share on other sites
Capt Fig Posted July 10, 2011 Author Share Posted July 10, 2011 Once again, thanks to you all for your kindness! Link to post Share on other sites
boxerdogi Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 FYI...there has been a nice set of arm rests on Ebay. They have come around at least twice. You may be able to pick them up cheap.....Tom. Link to post Share on other sites
Lorne Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Hi All - I'm new to this group. I served for 9 years in the USAF flying T-33s and F-16s. 30 years ago on April 20, 1981, I barely survived an ejection from a T-33 at Tyndall AFB. As a memento of that day, and to have as a display for my friends and family, especially my grandchildren, I'm now restoring a T-33 seat to hang in my study. I could use any and all help in advice and locating parts. Currently, I am looking for an MA-5 or MA-6 automatic lap belt and a zero-delay lanyard, although many more parts are still needed. I'd also love to contact someone who would be willing to mentor me by email with experience in the T-33 ejection seat. Hello, I have a T-33 seat as well and I’m trying to locate the seat adjustment jackscrews for display purposes only. I've got quite a ways to go on my project and it It would be great to connect with others who are doing the same. Any help in locating this part would be greatly appreciated. I can send some pictures. Contact lbohn@shaw.ca Best regards, Lorne Bohn Link to post Share on other sites
viking73 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Hi Capt. Fig, Well today I too joined the club. The T-33 ejection seat I bought arrived today. Mine looks to be one of the later variations since it has the canopy breakers on either side of the head rest. Have you made any progress on your seat recently? Also, I'd like to hear more about your T-33 ejection if you care to share the details. Here's a photo of mine for comparison: My seat is in need of shoulder and lap belts - where did you find that set for $80?? Best regards from Texas, -Derek Link to post Share on other sites
HarvardTiger Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Same here! New to the forum. I also have a T-33 ejection seat I want to restore. I posted a little more info and two pictures on another thread, here: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...l=ejection+seat Any thoughts of help appreciated! Link to post Share on other sites
tenacious101010 Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I have a couple 8 1/2 X 11 sheets with ejection seat decals on them. They are not vinyl but are stickyback sheets with peel off backing. I am not sure if they are for the T-33 seats but they came from a unit that had T-33s and F-106s. Anyone know if these are for the T-33 seats or maybe what they are for? Thanks, Denny Link to post Share on other sites
northcoastaero Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 The ejection seat decals could be from the ESCAPAC or ACES II ejection seats? Check out the website ejectionsite.com . Link to post Share on other sites
Survival Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 I don't know if anyone posted this link yet. Website for retired ALSE guys. Maybe some one there could help with info..... http://usafals.net/ Link to post Share on other sites
rtepak6 Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Anyone looking for a complete T-33A front instrument panel? I have one out of my collection I'm looking to sell ... Dale Link to post Share on other sites
toadboy65 Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 I have an extra lap belt. It is a "HBU-4B/A", which is probably not what you want, and a few other odds and ends. Labels and decals webbing and such. These things are for an F-105D seat. I don't have any T.O.s for the T-33, so I am not sure that anything I have will be useful. Link to post Share on other sites
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