Ellsworth Air Force Base in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
T-33A Shooting Star
The First Jet Trainer
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
1. T-33A Shooting Star Marker
With its straight wings and wing-tip fuel tanks, the T-33 was adapted from the very first American jet fighter. A second seat accommodated the instructor behind the front seat. Until the swept-wing T-38 Talon was introduced in 1961, this plane gave Air Force pilots their first experience of jet aircraft. In the T-33, pilots practiced the split-second reactions required at jet speeds.
T-33s provided the South Dakota Air National Guard's introduction to jet aircraft.
This photo shows the plane in front of you when it was based in North Dakota, around 1970. Colorful paint jobs were more common back then.
DATA CARD
Top Speed mph · 525
Crew · 2
Range · Regional
Payload · No weaponry
Erected by South Dakota Air and Space Museum.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Cold. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota Air and Space Museum series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1961.
Location. 44° 8.006′ N, 103° 4.315′ W. Marker is in Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in Pennington County. Marker and aircraft are on static
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in West River, in the Badlands, and in Greater Rapid City. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: F-84F Thunderstreak (a few steps from this marker); UH-1F Iroquois (a few steps from this marker); C-47 Skytrain (within shouting distance of this marker); F-101B Voodoo (within shouting distance of this marker); C-131D Samaritan (within shouting distance of this marker); F-102A Delta Dagger (within shouting distance of this marker); F-105B Thunderchief (within shouting distance of this marker); O-2A Skymaster (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
2. T-33A Shooting Star and Marker
Regarding T-33A Shooting Star. Although an official field museum of the US Air Force Heritage Program and is adjacent to Ellsworth AFB main gate, the museum does not require access onto the base.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 7, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
