The P-80 Shooting Star was the first operational jet fighter built in the United States, designed during World War II by Lockheed engineer Clarence "Kelly" Johnson. Although the war ended before the P-80 saw combat, it became widely used in the early Cold War and during the Korean War, where it was the first American jet to shoot down another jet in combat. When flown by the U.S. Navy, the aircraft was designated TV-1. The two-seat T-33 trainer, derived from the P-80, went on to become one of the most widely used jet trainers in the world.
Aircraft Specifications
Physical Description
All-metal, single-seat jet fighter with straight wings, a single tail-mounted jet exhaust, and a rounded, streamlined fuselage characteristic of early American jet fighter design.
Crew: 1
Length: 34 ft 6 in
Wingspan: 39 ft 11 in
Height: 11 ft 4 in
Weight (empty / max takeoff): 8,420 lbs / 16,000 lbs
Powerplant: One Allison J33-A-21 turbojet engine, 4,500 lbs of thrust
Maximum speed: 580 mph
Range: 790 miles
Service ceiling: 45,499 ft
Weapons
Armament: Four .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns.
Ordnance: Up to 2,000 lbs of bombs or rockets.
Key Accomplishments
Was the first operational jet fighter built in the United States, designed and flown in just 143 days during World War II.
Was the first American-built jet to exceed 500 miles per hour and briefly held the world airspeed record.
This aircraft (Bureau #33824) is one of the oldest in the Museum’s collection, having begun its service life in 1948 and accumulating 1,700 flight hours over an eight-year career.
Build Date
1948
Manufacturer
Lockheed
Dates of Service
1948 – 1956
Country of Origin
United States
Inventory Number
Bureau #33824
Credit
On loan from The National Naval Aviation Museum on behalf of the Navy History and Heritage Command.
Display Status
This aircraft was received by the Navy in 1948, one of 50 Air Force P-80Cs transferred to Navy control, and was sent to Naval Air Station North Island in California. It subsequently served at bases in Texas, Florida, and Missouri before returning to California from 1954 to 1956. It then moved to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, where it served until its retirement, accumulating a total of 1,700 flight hours over its career. The Museum placed the aircraft on static display following its 1956 retirement, and completed a full restoration between 2003 and 2005.
Status: On display.
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