An 85 ton
Sims Crane sets a Korean War era USAAF T-33 training aircraft atop the new entryway sign at the Lakeland, FL
Sun'N Fun Air Museum. The aircraft, once flown by the Air Force "Thunderbirds" has been restored over 18 months entirely by a team of veteran volunteers at the air museum. The sign created and developed by
Dixie Signs, Inc. of Lakeland brings the T-33 to life, displaying the aircraft in a subtle pitch and roll, immortalizing the aircraft in the spirit of flight.
The annual Sun'N Fun Fly-In and Expo event runs March 29 through April 3, 2011 in Lakeland, FL.
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| The T-33 rests in the hanger during final preparations. |
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| Veteran restoration volunteer Ron Smith carefully tows the T-33 from the hanger. |
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| The aircraft takes a short trip down the runway to the staging area. |
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| Riggers attempt to attach the aircraft to a specially made display stand. |
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| The team works together to reassemble to fuselage paneling. |
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| Volunteers Ron Smith and Mike Petrow admire their craftsmanship on the T-33 restoration. |
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| Final adjustments are made to the rigging to ensure the stand aligns with the awaiting base section. |
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| The aircraft is aligned in position with the base portion of the sign. |
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| Once in place, the T-33 only needs to be turned to its final position for the enjoyment of future guests. |
See the site photos on Facebook here.
