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Lockheed's P-80 Shooting Star has its own special niche in USAAF/USAF history. From it evolved a lengthened-fuselage two-seat trainer version, designated originally TF-80C. The first of these flew on 22 March 1948. In addition to the fuselage 'stretch', a second cockpit in tandem was provided with dual controls, the transparent canopy was extended to cover both cockpits and the armament of the F-80 was deleted.
A total of 128 TF-80C were built before the designation was changed to T-33A in May 1949. Adopted as the USAF's standard jet trainer, it remained in production for a further ten years. A total of 649 were also built for service with the US Navy and Marine Corps under the designation TV-2, later T-33B. Total production amounted to 5,691 aircraft (including those for the Navy): 1,058 for supply to friendly nations under the Military Assistance Program and the balance to the USAF. T-33A were also licence-built in Canada (656 as the Silver Star, with Rolls-Royce Nene engine) and Japan (210). Variants included small numbers modified as DT-33A drone directors and AT-33A armed close-support aircraft.
 | A three-view drawing (530 x 827) |
| MODEL | T-33 |
| CREW | 2 |
| ENGINE | 1 x Allison J-33-A-5, 24.0kN |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 5900 kg | 13007 lb |
| Empty weight | 3810 kg | 8400 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 11.9 m | 39 ft 1 in |
| Length | 11.5 m | 37 ft 9 in |
| Height | 3.6 m | 11 ft 10 in |
| Wing area | 22.0 m2 | 236.81 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 965 km/h | 600 mph |
| Ceiling | 14700 m | 48250 ft |
| Range w/max.fuel | 2150 km | 1336 miles |
| ARMAMENT | 2 x 12.7mm machine-guns |
| William Steely, texasbs32(@)yahoo.com, 09.09.2008 What a great site. I flew the T-bird (class of 57A, Webb AFB, then BIS at Craig, and instructed them at Laredo AFB, returning to civilian life. Many many fond memories of practically every flight. If I started writing more, it would become a book....so will stop here. | | Ben Thurston, batatcret(@)bellsouth.net, 18.08.2008 I had the pleasure of flying the NAS Atlanta station aircraft, a T-33B 137956, on 08/26/1971 from NCQ round robin via TYS and BNA and the ROJOS jet penetration to NCQ. This was an orientation flight, had to turn the hydrolic boost off in order to keep the wings level for the first few minutes of flight. Once I got used to the aircraft, it flew like a dream. | | Mel Mendelsohn, melmendelsohn(@)aol.com, 05.07.2008 FLEW 115 HOURS IN BASIC AT LAREDO AIR FORCE BASE CLASS 60-D JUNE TO NOVEMBER 59. FUN AIRCRAFT TO FLY. | | Jerry J. Smith, j1j2(@)aol.com, 26.05.2008 Got 115 hours in the T-33A as a student pilot, Class 60-G, at Laredo AFB, TX from October 1959 to May 1960. | | Butch Owens, 09.05.2008 I was crew chief on T-33A 56-0580 at Turner AFB, GA 1962 - 1965. I was personal crew chief for 822 Air Division Commander, Brig Gen Woodrow P. Swancutt. Liked the aircraft. The crew chief did it all except radios and some electrical. There were only 3 Technical Orders on this aircraft. 1T-33A-1 (Flight Manual), 1T-33A-2 (Maintenance Manual) and 1T-33A-4 (Illustrated Parts Breakdown). In contrast Lockheed's C-130 Aircraft has over 800 Tech Orders. | | Dave Corley, dlcorley(@)suddenlink.net, 29.04.2008 Basic training Aviation Cadets---class 56-I
Fun airplane to fly---first thing to learn is to not lock the nose wheel (cocked 90 degrees)---Great memories. | | Nikos J. Farsaris, njf(@)freemail.gr, 08.12.2007 There was a also a single-seat conversion to recon roles known as RT-33A (back seat was mooved for extra avionics and phootographic equipment). It served in Hellenic Air Force before and alongside early RF-84 Thunderflashes.
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