Lockheed F-80B Shooting Star

Lockheed Corporation · United States · first flew 1947 · fighter

The F-80B (originally P-80B) was an improved Shooting Star variant with a more powerful Allison J33 engine, speed brakes, and provisions for an ejection seat, addressing lessons learned from P-80A service. It equipped numerous USAF squadrons in the late 1940s.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	Speed brakes added to lower fuselage sides
T — Tail	Conventional

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Improved Shooting Star with uprated Allison J33-A-21 engine
Speed brakes added to lower fuselage sides
USAF Cold War-era day fighter with six .50-cal nose guns

Externally very similar to the F-80A/C; the speed brakes on the lower fuselage sides are a detail difference, and the slightly fatter exhaust tailpipe reflects the uprated engine.

Specifications

The Lockheed F-80B Shooting Star has a length of 10.49 m (34 ft).
It has a wingspan of 11.81 m (39 ft).
Its maximum speed is 933 km/h (580 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The P-80B incorporated pilot comfort and performance improvements over the A-model; 240 were built. The type formed part of USAF's first-generation jet fighter force before the F-86 Sabre arrived in numbers.

Variants

The F-80B preceded the definitive F-80C, the most-produced Shooting Star variant; the two-seat TF-80C prototype led to the T-33.

Where you'll see it

Served with USAF Air Defense Command and Tactical Air Command units; some F-80Bs were supplied to allied nations under MDAP.

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