Burbank in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
P-80 Shooting Star
1944
| | Lockheed | |
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 23, 2025
1. P-80 Shooting Star Marker
Conceived in 1943, the Skunk Works division in Burbank, CA was formed by innovator Kelly Johnson to build America's first jet fighter. German jets had appeared over Europe. Uncle Sam needed a counterpunch, and Johnson got a call. As with virtually all Skunk Works projects that followed, the mission was secretive and the deadline was remarkably tight. Johnson promised the Pentagon they'd have their first prototype in 150 days. His engineers turned one out in 143 days, creating the P-80 Shooting Star. The sleek, lightning-fast fighter was the first American aircraft to exceed 500 mph in level flight and went on to win history's first jet-versus-jet dogfight over Korea in 1950.
Erected 2021 by Invesco; Overton Moore Properties; and artist Richard Deutsch.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Industry & Commerce • Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1943.
Location. 34° 12.078′ N, 118° 21.104′ W. Marker is in Burbank, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from Tulare Avenue west of Hollywood Way. Touch for map. Marker is at or
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s The Valley the San Fernando Valley, in Greater Los Angeles, and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: F-104 Starfighter (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); P-38 Lightning (about 500 feet away); U-2 (approx. 0.2 miles away); SR-71 Blackbird (approx. 0.2 miles away); F-117 Nighthawk (approx. Ό mile away); F-22 Raptor (approx. 0.3 miles away); Amelia Earhart (approx. Ύ mile away); Bobbi Trout (approx. Ύ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burbank.
More about this marker. Located in an industrial park which was the original location of Lockheed Skunk Works, where the
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 23, 2025
2. P-80 Shooting Star Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 23, 2025
3. P-80 Shooting Star Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 23, 2025
4. P-80 Shooting Star Marker
Celebrating Skunk Work's Contribution to Aviation History.
Photographed by artist Richard Deutsch
5. Sculpture "Shooting Star"
Located on Hollywood Way. By artist Richard Deutsch.
Photographed by Craig Baker, October 19, 2023
6. P-80 Shooting Star
On display at todays Lockheed Skunk Works in Palmdale.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 265 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 15, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on May 30, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on October 20, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
