It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the U.S. Navy initially as TO-2, then TV-2, and after 1962, T-33B.

It was developed from the single-seat F-80 fighter by lengthening the fuselage about three feet to accommodate a second cockpit. Originally designated the TF-80C, the T-33 made its first flight in 1948. Production continued until 1959 with 5,691 T-33s built.

In 1951, Canada began building its own CL-33A Silver Star Mk.3s, powered by a 5,100-lb. thrust Rolls-Royce Nene 10 engine. Canadair built 656 CL-33s in Cartierville, Quebec. France, Greece, Portugal, Turkey and Bolivia were soon using the Canadian-built T-33s.

Essentially a two-seat version of the USAF F-80, America's first operation jet fighter, the T-33 continues in use today. After introduction of the P-80 Shooting Star, Lockheed undertook a private venture to develop the T-33 trainer. By extending the fuselage and canopy by three feet, an extra pilot could be accommodated.

The Shooting Star was the first U.S. Air Force aircraft to exceed 500 mph in level flight, the first American jet airplane to be manufactured in large quantities, and the first USAF jet to be used in combat. A major variant of the F-80 was the T-33 Shooting Star, a two-seat trainer version.

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 Northrop T-38A in 1961. It served as an instrument trainer and utility aircraft as well as a test aircraft.

Designed by the legendary Lockheed Skunk Works Chief, Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, the two-place T-33 jet was designed for training pilots already qualified to fly propeller-driven aircraft. It was developed from the single-seat F-80 fighter by lengthening the fuselage about three feet to accommodate a second cockpit.

Aug 11, 2016 · This plane was intended for pilots experienced with flying propeller driven aircraft. The design for the trainer was accomplished by lengthening the fuselage of the P-80, adding a second seat, and using a larger engine to increase the thrust from 4,000 to 5,200 lbs.

The Warbird Heritage Foundation acquired the Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star aircraft in January 2015. See the history, specs, photos on our website.

It was developed from the single-seat F-80 fighter by lengthening the fuselage slightly more than three feet to accommodate a second cockpit. Originally designated the TF-80C, the T-33 made its first flight in March 1948. Production continued until August 1959 with 5,691 T-33s built.