Near Hickory in Burke County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Lockheed T-33 "Shooting Star"
Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025
1. Lockheed T-33 "Shooting Star" Marker
The Hickory Aviation Museum's T-33A Serial #529 is on loan from the National Museum of the Air Force. It came from the VFW in Russellville, KY.
Role Training aircraft
Manufacturer Lockheed
Designer Clarence "Kelly" Johnson
First flight 22 March 1948
Primary users United States Air Force • United States Navy • Japan Air Self Defense Force • German Air Force
Produced 1948-1959
Number built 6,557
Propulsion 1x Allison J33-A-35 turbojet engine…later enhanced
Developed from Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star
Variants Lockheed T2V Sea Star • Canadair CT-133 Silver Star
Developed into Lockheed F-94 • Starfire
The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star (or T-Bird) is an American jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948 piloted by Tony LeVier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the U.S. Navy initially as TO-2 then TV-2, and after 1962, T-33B. As of 2015, Canadian-built examples were still in-service with the Bolivian Air Force.
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 37 ft 9 in (11.51m)
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Wingspan: 38 ft 101/2 in (11.85 m)
Height: 11 ft 8 in (3.55 m)
Wing area: 234.8 ft² (21.81 m²)
Empty weight: 8,365 lb (3,794 kg)
Loaded weight: 12,071 lb (5,475 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 15,061 lb (6,832 kg)
Powerplant: 1 x Allison J33-A-35 centrifugal compressor turbojet, 5,400 lbf (24.0 kN)
Performance
Maximum speed: 600 mph
Cruise speed: 455 mph
Range: 1,275 mi (1,110 nmi, 2,050 km)
Service ceiling: 48,000 ft (14,630 m)
Rate of Climb: 4,870 ft/min (24.7 m/s)
Armament
Hardpoints:2 with a capacity of 2,000 lb (907 kg) of bombs or rockets (AT-33)
Erected by Hickory Aviation Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical date for this entry is March 22, 1948.
Location. 35° 44.491′ N, 81° 23.381′ W. Marker is near Hickory, North Carolina, in Burke County. It is on 9th Avenue Drive Northwest 0.6 miles west of 24th Street Northwest, on the left when traveling west. The marker and aircraft display are part of the Hickory Aviation Museum located at Hickory Regional Airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3101 9th Ave Dr
Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025
2. Lockheed T-33 "Shooting Star" and Marker
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: North American FJ-3 "Fury" (a few steps from this marker); Grumann F-9 "Cougar" (a few steps from this marker); Grumman F-14D "Tomcat" (within shouting distance of this marker); Curtiss XF15C-1 "Stingeree" (within shouting distance of this marker); Republic F-105 "Thunderchief" (within shouting distance of this marker); Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 "Corsair" II (within shouting distance of this marker); Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King (within shouting distance of this marker); Northrop F-5 "Tiger II" (within
Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025
3. Side view of Lockheed T-33 "Shooting Star"
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 134 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 26, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
