Lockheed P-80B (F-80C) Shooting Star
Designed in 1943 and first flown in 1944 the P-80 became the first mass produced jet fighter in the inventory of the U.S. Air Force. Originally intended as a pure fighter the Shooting Star saw most of its service as a ground support aircraft. However, an F-80 was the victor in the world’s first jet on jet dogfight when one shot down a North Korean MiG-15 in November 1950. F-80s served in training and Air National Guard units until the late 1950s when the last were finally retired. A total of 1,731 F-80s were built.
Wingspan | 39ft 11 in. |
Length | 34 ft 6 in. |
Height | 11 ft 4 in. |
Weight | 16,856 lbs (loaded) |
Maximum Speed | 580 MPH |
Service Ceiling | 42,750ft |
Range | 1,380 miles |
Engine | One Allison J33-A-35 turbojet with 4,600 pounds of thrust |
Crew | 1 |
Manufacturer
Lockheed
Markings
22nd Fighter Bomber Squadron, 36th Fighter Group, Furstenfeldbruck Air Base, Germany, 1949
Serial Number
45-8612
Designation
P-80B