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Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star
In 1944 the US Army Air Force began gunnery trials in Nevada with the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star; this design promised to revolutionise air warfare. The P-80 was the first fully operational type in the US to have a jet engine - an innovation already familiar to German and British scientists. The US rushed four P-80s to Europe - two each to England and Italy and they were hours from entering combat when World War II ended.
Work on the P-80 began in 1943 when famous engineer Clarence L. ('Kelly') Johson persuaded his bosses at Lockheed to attempt to build the USAAF's first operational jet fighter in just 180 days. They actually completed the pace-setting first P-80 in 143 days.
The P-80 was a clean design with straight wings and tail surfaces and a tricycle landing gear. Air intakes positioned on the lower fuselage forward of the wing leading edge fed the British-designed de Havilland H.1B turbojet, which was replaced in production examples by the Allison/General Electric I-40 (J33).
Many pilots with propeller experience took to the jet-powered P-80 with enormous enthusiasm. An ambitious programmed progressed toward the goal of getting the Shooting Star into combat.
Several P-80s were lost in tragis mishaps but the aircraft performed well and the USAAF moved rapidly to finalise the configuration of this fighter and to develop a photo reconnaissance version. Had World War II lasted weeks longer, it is certain that the P-80 Shooting Star would have done battle with the top fighters developed by the Axis, including Germany's much-vaunted Messershmitt Me 262.
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| Before the additional of wingtip tanks and essential service equipment, the Shooting Star was one of the most elegant aircraft ever produced by Lockheed. Pilots marvelled at the design. |
Known as Lulu Belle, this P-80 was flown against the conventionally powered fighters of the period to explore jet tactics. |
Having just completed another test flight, an early P-80 is seen parked on one of Muroc's dry lakebeds. A major debrief followed each flight. |
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Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star (Technical Specification) |
| Role |
Single-seat jet fighter |
| Manufacturer |
Lockheed |
| Maximum Speed |
808 kmh (557 mph) |
| Maximum Range |
1,609 km (1,000 miles) |
| Ceiling |
12,497 meters (41,000 feet) |
Weight
Empty
Maximum Takeoff |
2,852 kg (6,274 lbs)
4,498 kg (9,896 lbs) |
Dimensions
Wingspan
Length
Height
Wing Area |
11.27 meters (36 ft 11 in)
10.00 meters (32 ft 9 in)
3.12 meters (10 ft 3 in)
22.29 square meters (240 sq ft) |
| Engines |
One de Havilland H.1B Goblin turbojet which provides 10.9 kN (2,450 lbs) thrust |
| Armament |
Six 12.7 mm (0.50 cal) nose mounted machine-guns |
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