The Palm Springs Air Museum (PSAM) has unveiled its latest restoration project – the unique Boeing Skyfox jet trainer prototype. Acquired by the museum in 2021, the Skyfox has undergone a comprehensive restoration and is now on display for the public.
Warbirds Online, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
The Skyfox originated as a project by Skyfox Corporation, led by former Lockheed engineer Irven Culver. Designed as a cost-effective upgrade to existing jet trainers like the T-33, the Skyfox sported several modifications. These included externally mounted Garrett TFE731 turbofan engines, increased internal fuel capacity, and upgraded avionics. The sole prototype, a converted Canadian-built CT-133 Silver Star (N221SF), performed its maiden flight in 1983 at Mojave Air and Spaceport, California.
Despite its potential, the Skyfox failed to gain traction in the military market. Boeing acquired Skyfox Corporation in 1986, but the project continued to struggle to secure orders. Even a potential deal with Portugal for conversion kits to modernize their T-33 fleet fell through, ultimately sealing the Skyfox’s fate as a single-prototype aircraft.
The sole Skyfox remained a promotional tool, appearing at airshows and even securing a role in the TV series Airwolf. However, by the early 2000s, the prototype languished in outdoor storage at Medford Jackson County Airport in Oregon, its engines and cowlings removed.
The Palm Springs Air Museum recognized the historical significance of the Skyfox and acquired the aircraft in 2021. The restoration process included sheet metal repairs and the installation of a replacement canopy. While museum officials considered restoring the original white and gray paint scheme, the Skyfox is currently displayed in its Euro One-style camouflage.
While the Skyfox never achieved widespread adoption, the Palm Springs Air Museum’s restoration ensures that this unique piece of aviation history is preserved for future generations to appreciate.
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