Famous American two seat jet trainer, based on the F-80 Shooting Star. Design work for the Lockheed P-80 began in 1943 with the first flight on 8 January 1944. Following on the Bell P-59, the P-80 became the first jet fighter to enter full squadron service in the United States Army Air Forces. As more advanced jets entered service, the F-80 took on another role - training jet pilots. The American Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an American-built jet trainer aircraft. It made its first flight in 1948. Called the "T-Bird" the Lockheed P-80/F-80 fuselage was by lengthened by slightly over three feet and adding a second seat, instrumentation and flight controls. It was initially designated as a variant of the P-80/F-80, the TP-80C/TF-80C.
Originally designated the TF-80C, the T-33 made its first flight on 22 March 1948 with US production taking place from 1948 to 1959. Many planes were used by NATO countries and American allies. The type was also used by the Dutch Air Force as jet trainer.
T-33B US NAVY / MARINES
The US Navy used the T-33 as a land-based trainer starting in 1949. It was designated the TV-2, but was redesignated the T-33B in 1962. This Lockheed T-33B Shooting Star has MARINES markings, BuNo 136810. It is located at Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, AZ
Photographed 2012 by Cees Hendriks (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
T-33A USAF
T-33A, Privately owned and photographed at Nellis AFB, Nevada USA. NX84TB in high gloss metal finish.
Photographed November 2008 by Cees Hendriks (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
GALLERY WITH OVER 60 PHOTOGRAPHS:
T-33, USAF, Kevlavik scheme
Aircraft serial 51-4415 , nick name "ace maker". This aircraft photographed is a former French Air force aircraft painted in the scheme of USAF 57 FIS at Kevlavik, Iceland. It is now on display at the Midland Air Museum, Coventry, U.K.
Photographed November 2010 by Meindert de Vreeze (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
OFFICIAL USAF COLOUR INFORMATION T-33
from USAF handbook Technical order TO 1-1-4. Collection M. de Vreeze (used with permission)
Standard System colour numbers refer to the Federal Standard system with 5 digit numbered colours. Deviations on real aircraft may occur.
Many scale models in plastic have appeared over the years. In 1/72 old kits were from Hasegawa and Heller but now Platz has a far better kit.In 1/48 Hawk and Hobbbycraft and Academy had kits with now a good Great Wall Hobby kit. In 1/32 CZECH/Squadron is the only plastic model.
The Netherlands Air Force used the T-33 trainer. Enthusiasts, modellers and historians can see more information on our IPMS NedMil pages here....
This walkaround web page was first created January 2012 by M. de Vreeze