Most of the parts are still manufactured at Tinker, down in Oklahoma.
The ALC there is capable of building new engines if they want,
although lots of stuff is contracted out. My trip there a couple years ago
I got to see the TF-33 outside storage, and they had 5 acres of these
engines in sealed containers stacked two high! TF-33 variants are used
in E-3 and C-141, as well. I think the 141 is the only one that has a
thrust-reverser.
The nice thing about a 33, is when they shut down on take-off, you don't
get a massive yaw. The big fans everyone wants to replace the 33 with
are so dangerous, that the pilot isn't even in the loop. The engine quits,
and the computer takes over and kicks the rudder and the other engines
are adjusted to keep the ship from rolling into a big hole.
"Jim Atkins" wrote
If the AF plans to keep the big bad BUFF around much longer, seems like
reengining is a must- where do you get those ancient TF-33 parts? Aside from
the obvious fuel economy issues, seems like maintenance costs (rational for
the new tankers) have to be sky-high.
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