Loockheed F-80B ' Shooting Star'
Built by Lockheed Aircraft, the F-80 was the first American mass-produced jet fighter placed in operational service status by the Air Force, and the first to exceed 500 MPH in level flight. The XP-80 aircraft first flew on 9 January 1944. The designation was changed to F-80 in June, 1948. Although originally designed as an interceptor, the -C model saw extensive service during the Korean War as a fighter-bomber. In the first jet versus jet combat, an F-80C shot down a MiG-15 fighter.
USAF S/N 45-8704 was built as a p-80B-1-LO, one of 240 delivered by Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, California. It was delivered to the USAF on January 29, 1948 and assigned to the 1st Fighter Group (TAC), March Field, California. In August, 1949 it went to the 36th Fighter Group (USAFE), Furstenfeldbruck AB, Germany. In October 1950 it went to the 7540th Maintenance Group (USAFE), RAF Burtonwood, England; and then in September, 1951, to the 3595th Pilot Training Wing (ATC), Williams AFB, Arizona. In December, 1951 it was converted to F-80C-12-LO configuration as a fighter-bomber. In September, 1953 it went to its last unit, the 185th Fighter Squadron (ANG), Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma. It was retired in July, 1958, and obtained by the museum in July, 1983.
It is currently painted in the 23rd Fighter Squadron, 36th Fighter Group markings of 1948 period.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Power Plant: one 4,000 lb. thrust Allison J-33-A-11.
Gross Weight: 14,500 lbs.
Performance: 558 mph (max).
Armament: Six .50 cal. MG in nose.
Could carry up to four 1,000 lb bombs
and four 5Ó HVAR rockets.
