Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star

Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. . Because of the terrible attrition of early jet fighters and their pilots, the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation set out in 1948 to modify their F-80 Shooting Star into a jet trainer. Using their own funds, the Lockheed design team lengthened the fuselage to make room for a second seat and fully equipped cockpit and installed a seven-foot clamshell-type canopy. The fuselage fuel tank was reduced in size and armament was reduced to two.50 caliber machine guns. Impressed with the characteristics of the aircraft, the Air Force started awarding contracts in April 1948., In 1949, the Air Force designated the new trainer as the T-33A. The Navy and Marine services designated it the T-33B or T-2V. Powered by a 5,400 lb. static thrust Allison J-33A-35 turbojet, the Shooting Star's only major design change included the addition of Fletcher wing tip tanks for extra fuel. For pilot training, students received 500 hours of ground instruction followed by 100 hours of basic flight training. The pilot then trained for 75 hours in the T-33A before instruction on fighter aircraft. Lockheed manufactured 5,691 T-33s before ending construction in August 1959., The T-33A served as the Air Force's principal advanced trainer for three decades. It is estimated that some 90 percent of the free world's jet pilots trained in the T-33 during the 1950s and 1960s. Familiarly known as the "T-Bird," the T-33A was replaced by the Cessna T-37, but was still widely used by the Air Force. The last active T-33 squadron in the Air force retired 1988, ending the T-33A's nearly 40 years of service. , , Lockheed Aircraft manufactured this T-33A and delivered to the Air Force on 30 July 1952. It was assigned to Pinecastle Air Force Base, Florida, as part of the 3540th and 4240th Flying Training Wings. From 1954 to 1957, it was stationed at Tyndall AFB, Florida, as part of the 3625th FTW. In 1958, this Shooting Star moved to Lackland AFB, Texas, where it was assigned to the 3700th Military Instruction Wing. In 1961, the trainer finished out its career assigned to Kelly AFB, Texas, and was dropped from inventory as surplus in July 1962., Specifications: , Gross Weight: 11,965 lbs. , Speed: 543 mph maximum , Range: 1,300 miles , Armament: Two .50 caliber Browning M3 machine guns, (captions) , NASA used the T-33 as a trainer for spacecraft pilots, most of whom trained in the T-33 during their military service. This photograph from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center was taken on 4 March 1969. (NASA), A pair of T-33 Shooting Star aircraft from the 95th Fighter Interceptor Training Squadron bank left off the wing of a third T-33 on a flight out of Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida The 95th FITS, which was the last active T-33 squadron, phased out the aircraft at the end of 1988. (U.S. Air Force), The T-33 is one of the world's best known aircraft, having served with the air forces of more than 20 different countries. Many are still in use throughout the world training pilots and for demonstration at air shows. (Strategic Air Command), Cockpit of T-33A Shooting Star