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Designation: T-33A

Lockheed T-33A_2

Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star – 2

A picture of the Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star, one of two at the Pima Air and Space Museum

In 1947, the P-80’s high accident rate caused Lockheed to design a two-seat trainer version of the P-80C to combat the problem.  The T-33 is significantly longer than the P-80 and adds wingtip fuel tanks to make up for fuel storage in the fuselage lost to the second seat.  The T-33 was very successful and remained in U.S. Air Force service well into the 1970s.  They have been supplied to several foreign governments and some have found their way into civilian hands as well.

Wingspan 38 ft 10 in.

Wingspan

Length 37 ft 9 in.

Length

Height 11 ft 4 in.

Height

Weight 11,965 lbs (loaded)

Weight

Max. Speed 543 MPH

Maximum Speed

Service Ceiling 47,500 ft

Service Ceiling

Range 1,275 miles

Range

Engines One Allison J33-A-35 turbojet with 4,600 pounds of thrust

Engine

Crew 2

Crew


Manufacturer
Lockheed

Markings
363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Shaw AFB, 1974

Serial Number
53-6145

Designation
T-33A

Lockheed T-33A_1

Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star – 1

A picture of the Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star, one of two at the Pima Air and Space Museum

In 1947, the P-80’s high accident rate caused Lockheed to design a two-seat trainer version of the P-80C to combat the problem.  The T-33 is significantly longer than the P-80 and adds wingtip fuel tanks to make up for fuel storage in the fuselage lost to the second seat.  The T-33 was very successful and remained in U.S. Air Force service well into the 1970s.  They have been supplied to several foreign governments and some have found their way into civilian hands as well.

Wingspan 38 ft 10 in.

Wingspan

Length 37 ft 9 in.

Length

Height 11 ft 4 in.

Height

Weight 11,965 lbs (loaded)

Weight

Max. Speed 543 MPH

Maximum Speed

Service Ceiling 47,500 ft

Service Ceiling

Range 1,275 miles

Range

Engines One Allison J33-A-35 turbojet with 4,600 pounds of thrust

Engine

Crew 2

Crew


Manufacturer
Lockheed

Markings
78th Fighter Wing, Hamilton Air Force Base, California, 1960

Serial Number
51-16992

Designation
T-33A