Lockheed P-80A Shooting Star
Lockheed Corporation · United States · first flew 1945 · fighter
The P-80A Shooting Star was the first production variant of America's first operational jet fighter, entering USAAF service in 1945. Although too late for the Second World War, it established the jet age in US military aviation.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Bubble canopy over pressurised cockpit on slender silver fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- First USAF operational jet fighter with straight mid-wing
- Wing-root air intakes feeding single Allison J33 turbojet
- Bubble canopy over pressurised cockpit on slender silver fuselage
Straight mid-mounted wing with wing-root intakes, single jet exhaust, bubble canopy, and tip tanks on later aircraft are definitive; the silhouette is very clean and uncluttered compared to contemporary piston fighters.
Specifications
- The Lockheed P-80A 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 898 km/h (558 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
P-80As reached Europe in early 1945 for combat evaluation but the war ended before they flew operationally. The type subsequently equipped frontline USAF units and flew combat missions in the Korean War, where it achieved the first jet-versus-jet kill. Production totalled over 900 P/F-80As.
Variants
Followed by the P-80B and P-80C (F-80C post-1948); the two-seat T-33 derived from the P-80 became the most-produced jet trainer in history.
Where you'll see it
Served with the USAF from 1945; exported to Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay. Saw Korean War combat with the 49th and 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wings.
Related aircraft
- Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star
- Lockheed RF-80A Shooting Star
- Lockheed XP-58 Chain Lightning
- Lockheed XP-80 Shooting Star
- Arsenal VB 10
- Bachem Ba 349 Natter
- Bell XP-83
- Convair XP-81
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