Boeing Skyfox
Skyfox Corporation / Boeing · United States · first flew 1983 · fighter
The Skyfox was a proposed re-engined upgrade of the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, replacing the single Allison J33 turbojet with two Garrett TFE731 turbofan engines to give the veteran trainer modern fuel efficiency and improved performance. Only a prototype was built.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 14.02 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- Re-engined T-33 Shooting Star with two turbofan engines
- T-33 airframe with twin TFE731 engines replacing single J33
- Proposed low-cost jet trainer upgrade for export
Closely resembles the T-33 but with a noticeably wider fuselage mid-section to accommodate the twin TFE731 engines, and distinctively reshaped engine nacelles on the sides of the fuselage; the T-33 tip tanks are retained.
Specifications
- The Boeing Skyfox has a length of 14.02 m (46 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.84 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 787 km/h (489 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in the early 1980s to extend the service life of the large fleet of ageing T-33s operated by allied air forces, the Skyfox prototype first flew in 1983. Despite demonstrable performance improvements and keen interest from potential customers, no production orders were placed and the programme ended.
Variants
A single flying prototype was built; no production variant.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service.
Related aircraft
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