Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star - Palm Springs Air Museum - Palm Springs, CA
N 33° 49.958 W 116° 30.301
11S E 545800 N 3743709
This static aircraft display is one of many displays at the Palm Springs Air Museum in Palm Springs, CA.
Waymark Code: WMKM1P
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 04/29/2014
Views: 8
Visitors to the
Palm Springs Air Museum might see this fighter aircraft located inside one of two hangers, the African-European Theater Hanger. Near this static aircraft is a placard that reads:
Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star
PRIME MANUFACTURER:
Lockheed - The T-33 Shooting Star, commonly known as the T-bird, was the two-seat trainer version of the single-place F-80 fighter. Originally designated the TF-80C, the T-33 made its first flight in March 1948. Almost 5,700 were built before production ended in August 1959. The T-33 served with the air forces of more than 20 different countries for almost 40 years. Many are still flown today.
OPERATIONAL INFORMATION
The TP-80 first flew on March 22, 1948, and was piloted by Tony LeVier. It was a success, and its handling characteristics were equal to those of the P-80C. Initially, 20 aircraft were ordered by the USAF, and this was soon increased. The designation was changed from TP-80C on June 11, 1948, and finally to T-33A on May 5, 1949. All T-33 aircraft were produced under USAF contract, including those for the U.S. Navy which designated TV-2; in 1962, these were designated T-33Bs. A total of 5,691 Lockheed-built T-33A-1/5-LOs were produced by 1958. Other versions were built, including the AT-33A-LO for Latin America and Southeast Asia, the DT-33-33A-LO for drone directors, the NT-33A as special test aircraft, the QT-33A as drones, the RT33A as a photo reconnaissance aircraft, the TO-2/TV-2 for Navy, the TC-2D as a Navy drone director, and the TV-2KD as the Navy drone. The T-33A was the only jet trainer in the USAF inventory from 1948 until the advent of the Cessna T-37A in 1957 and the Northrup T-38A in 1961. It served as an instrument trainer and utility aircraft as well as a test aircraft.
The T-33 is a F-80 with a lengthened fuselage to make room for the second tendem seat. It entered service during the 1950s, and the US Navy also acquired the type and had it modified for blue-water operation as the TV-2. It was the USAFs first jet trainer. It soon was dubbed the "T-Bird" and was being produced under license in both Japan and Canada. In Japan, Kawasaki built 210 of these trainers. In Canada, the T-33 was designated the CL-30 Silver Star and the Allison turbojets of the original were replaced with Canadian built Rolls-Royce Nene 10 engines. The type still serves as a trainer for both countries. Limited numbers were also produced for export, some being modified to carry light armament.
*NOTE* I was told by volunteer staff that many planes and historical items (like this display) often move around inside the hangers and outside on the tarmac, BUT they always stay within the museum, unless they are part of a visiting exhibition. Waymarkers should keep this in mind when searching for a particular waymark that I or someone else has posted on Waymarking.com. If, by chance, you cannot locate a particular waymark within the museum, please let me know and I'll contact the staff and inquire to its whereabouts. Thanks.