Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star: 5 Fast Facts About The 1st US-Developed Turbo Jet Fighter (2024)

The Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star was the United States Army Air Forces’ (USAAF) first jet fighter during the Second World War. The straight-wing design fighter was one of the fastest on the assembly line and in the air. Simple Flying compiled a list of fast facts about the P-80 fighter jet, as highlighted by Lockheed Martin.

1 An insurmountable deadline

To design and build the aircraft in under 150 days

• Summer of 1943
• Six-day work week
• 10+ hours work day
• Achieved the target in 143 days

In the summer of 1943, Lockheed established an elite team of designers, engineers, and shop mechanics to design and build a new aircraft with an insurmountable deadline. The United States Air Force (USAF) expected the team to work at least ten-hour work shifts to complete what was almost impossible.

Photo: Lockheed Martin | Flickr

With German jet fighters dominating the skies over Europe, the USAF wanted to level the playing field with a competitive fighter. The team worked in a custom-built circus tent under strict secrecy to avoid any classified information from getting to the nosy outsider ears. For the following six months, the team worked under the USAF command. The Lockheed team completed the task in 143 days, seven days ahead of the target.

2 A true shooting star

The P-80 featured an unparalleled speed

• Maximum speed: Mach 0.76 (516 knots, 594 mph, 956 km/h) at sea level
• Cruise speed: 381 knots (439 mph, 707 km/h)

One of the fastest jet aircraft of its time, the P-80 Shooting Star featured a cruise speed of 381 knots (707 km/h) and a maximum speed of 516 knots (956 km/h). The USAF and Lockheed delivered what they set out to deliver - a highly competitive aircraft to the existing German fighters.

It was a true shooting star in its speed, agility, and combat performance. According to Lockheed Martin,

“It was dubbed the Shooting Star in honor of its unparalleled speed, with some modified models capable of passing 600 mph.”

While the P-80 did not see action during World War II, it became the frontline American fighter during the Korean War.

3 Fuselage-mounted engine

A configuration adopted by most fighter aircraft following the P-80

• Powerplant: 1 × Allison J33-A-35 centrifugal compressor turbojet, 4,600 lbf (20 kN) thrust dry 5,400 lbf (24 kN) with water injection
• Range: 825 mi (1,328 km, 717 nmi)
• Ferry range: 1,380 mi (2,220 km, 1,200 nmi)

Early jet aircraft generally comprised two engines mounted on external nacelles for easier accessibility and maintenance. The P-80 was designed with a single engine buried in the fuselage and was more effective in terms of design and performance. The design became very popular afterward, and most fighter jets following the P-80 featured a single fuselage-mounted engine.

Photo: USAF | Wikimedia Commons

The aircraft was powered by a single Allison J33 turbojet engine, generating 5,400 lbf (24 kN) of takeoff thrust. The aircraft had a combat range of 717 NM (1,328 km) and a ferry range of 1,200 NM (2,220 km)

4 An intimidating attack plane

Frontal area: 32 sq ft (3 square meters)

• Length: 34 ft 5 in (10.49 m)
• Wingspan: 38 ft 9 in (11.81 m)
• Height: 11 ft 3 in (3.43 m)
• Wing area: 237.6 sq ft (22.1 square meters)

The P-80 is designed with a conventional all-metal airframe with a slender low wing. Unlike modern German fighters at the time, which boasted swept wings for speed and efficiency, the P-80 featured straight wings similar to previous propeller-driven aircraft.

Photo: Eric Salard | Wikimedia Commons

The fuselage design replicated a large bullet, particularly when the aircraft is moving at high speeds. The look of the aircraft made it intimidating for enemies during combat missions. Lockheed Martin highlights the looks of the P-80 by stating,

“With its bullet-shaped fuselage, flush rivets and smooth skin, the production P-80 was not only a looker but also an intimidating attack plane, boasting six .50-caliber machine guns and underwing shackles for bombs, a deadly mix of strength and speed.”

5 The Korean War Hero

Responsible for a significant number of enemy losses

• Guns: 6x 0.50 in (12.7mm) M3 Browning machine guns (300 rpg)
• Rockets: 8x 127 mm (5.00 in) HVAR unguided rockets
• Bombs: 2x 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs

The Lockheed P-80 received early dominance during the Korean War. The frontline American fighter became a true Shooting Star during the initial months of the war. The air attacks conducted by the P-80s proved a key asset in shooting down enemy aircraft.

Photo: USAF | Wikimedia Commons

According to Lockheed Martin,

“By 1950, a P-80 under the control of Lt. Russell Brown shot down a North Korean MiG-15 in the world’s first jet-versus-jet air battle. These successes paved the way for subsequent iterations of the P-80, like the P-80B, which introduced the first ejection seat in a production U.S. aircraft, the F-94 all-weather interceptor and the speedy T-33 trainer, which remained in service until 1997.”

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