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.

Manufacturer
Lockheed

Markings
22^nd Fighter Bomber Squadron, 36^th Fighter Group, Furstenfeldbruck Air Base, Germany, 1949

Serial Number
45-8612

Designation
P-80B