Lockheed
F-80
Shooting Star
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Photo: Robert Deering 10/18/2012
National Museum of the USAF
Wright-Paterson AFB (FFO)
Dayton, Ohio
The Shooting Star was the first American aircraft to exceed 500 mph in level flight, the first American jet airplane manufactured in large quantities and the first U.S. Air Force jet used in combat.

Designed in 1943, the XP-80 made its maiden flight on Jan. 8, 1944. (The aircraft was redesignated F-80 in 1948 when "P" for "Pursuit" was changed to "F" for "Fighter.") Four YP-80s were sent to Europe for service tests, but World War II ended before the aircraft saw combat.

Although designed as a high-altitude interceptor, the F-80C flew as a day fighter, fighter-bomber, and photo reconnaissance aircraft during the Korean War. On Nov. 8, 1950, an F-80C flown by 1st Lt. Russell J. Brown shot down a Russian-built MiG-15 in the world's first all-jet fighter air battle.

The F-80C on display is one of the few remaining Shooting Stars that flew combat missions during the Korean War. Restored and painted as it was in 1950 while assigned to the 8th Fighter-Bomber Group, it was placed on display in 1979.
SPECIFICATIONS: PERFORMANCE:
Span:  38 ft. 10 1/2 in. Maximum speed:  580 mph
Length:  34 ft. 6 in. Cruising speed:  437 mph
Height:  11 ft. 4 in. Range:  1,090 miles
Empty Weight:  Service ceiling:  46,800 ft.
Gross Weight:  16,856 lbs. maximum  
Crew:  Pilot
Engines:  Allison J33 of 5,400 lbs. thrust
Armament:  Six .50-cal. machine guns and eight 5-in. rockets or 2,000 lbs. of bombs
   
SOURCE:  National Museum of the United States Air Force  

Photo: Robert Deering 1985
National Museum of the USAF
Wright-Paterson AFB (FFO)
Dayton, Ohio
VARIANTS:

P-80
Shooting Star
T-33
Shooting Star
NT-33
Shooting Star
TV
 Shooting Star