Lockheed
P-80
Shooting Star
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Photo: Robert Deering 1985
National Museum of the USAF
Wright-Patterson AFB (FFO)

Dayton, Ohio
After World War II, the AAF's quest for the world's speed record (then held by a British Gloster Meteor) brought about the creation of this specialized airplane, the P-80R. It is a high-speed variant of the standard P-80A Shooting Star, with a smaller canopy, redesigned air intakes and a shorter wing with an extended leading edge. In addition, the engine was modified, the armament removed and replaced by a fuel tank, and all drag-producing openings sealed. On June 19, 1947, at Muroc Army Air Field (now Edwards Air Force Base), Calif., Col. Albert Boyd flew the P-80R to a new world's speed record of 623.753 mph, returning the record to the United States after nearly 24 years.

The P-80R is a descendant of the original Shooting Star, the XP-80, which in 1943 was designed and built in only 143 days by a special team headed by Lockheed's Chief Research Engineer, Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson. First flown on Jan. 8, 1944, the XP-80 was the first American airplane to sustain speeds in excess of 500 mph in level flight. Although WWII ended before any P-80s reached combat, the Shooting Star became the first American jet to enter large-scale production.

The P-80R on display is the only one built. It was shipped to the museum from Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y., in October 1954.
SPECIFICATIONS: PERFORMANCE:
Span:   37 ft. Maximum speed:  623.753 mph
Length:  34 ft. 6 in. Cruise speed: 
Height:   11 ft. 4 in. Range:  1,045 miles
Empty Weight:  12,054 lbs. maximum Service ceiling:   45,000 ft.
Gross Weight:   
Crew:   One
Engines: Modified Allison J-33-A-21 of 5,079 lbs. thrust (with alcohol-water injection)
Armament:  None
   
SOURCE:    National Museum of the United States Air Force  

Photo: Robert Deering 10/18/2012
National Museum of the USAF
Wright-Patterson AFB (FFO)

Dayton, Ohio
VARIANTS:

T-33
Shooting Star

F-80
Shooting Star

NT-33
Shooting Star

TV
Shooting Star