Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star
Lockheed Corporation · United States · first flew 1948 · fighter
The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is a two-seat jet trainer derived from the F-80 Shooting Star, and became the standard jet trainer for the USAF and dozens of allied air forces through the Cold War. More than 6,500 were built, making it one of the most produced jet trainers ever.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Fuselage-side intakes flanking a pointed nose — no nose intake |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Two-seat straight-wing jet trainer with tip tanks as standard
- Tandem cockpits under a long bubble canopy
- Fuselage-side intakes flanking a pointed nose — no nose intake
The straight unswept wing, tandem two-seat cockpit under a long canopy, and characteristic wingtip fuel tanks distinguish the T-33 from almost any other jet of its era.
Specifications
- The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star has a length of 11.48 m (38 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.85 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 966 km/h (600 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown on 22 March 1948, the T-33 entered USAF service in 1949 and rapidly spread to NATO and SEATO allies. It was licence-built in Canada as the CT-133 Silver Star and in Japan as the T-33A. Despite being a 1940s design it remained in front-line training service into the 1990s in several air forces.
Variants
The AT-33A was a light ground-attack derivative; the Canadian CT-133 Silver Star used the Rolls-Royce Nene; the Kawasaki T-33A was built in Japan. Bolivia operated them as light combat aircraft into the 2000s.
Where you'll see it
Operated by more than 30 countries; a handful remain airworthy with South American and Asian operators. Many are preserved as gate guardians and museum pieces worldwide.
Related aircraft
- Lockheed F-80B Shooting Star
- Lockheed F-94 Starfire
- Lockheed TV-1 Shooting Star
- Lockheed WC-121 Warning Star
- Curtiss XF-87 Blackhawk
- de Havilland Vampire FB.5
- Gloster Meteor F.8
- Gloster Meteor T.7
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