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United States' Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star fighter1
Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star fighter:
Lockheed P-80A Shooting Star fighter, assigned to the 412th Fighter Group at March Field in late 1945:
Design
Design started in 1943 by Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson.1 The goal was to have it operational in 180 days and it was completed in 143 days.1
Cockpit
The cockpit was a large teardrop style that afforded the pilot excellent views.1 In the reconnaissance version of the P-80 Shooting Star the gun sight was replaced by camera switches.1
Engine
There was a red band painted on the early models of the P-80 that signified where the turbine was, and from that point the fuselage could be removed for maintenance.1
The intakes were mounted low on the fuselage which lead to problems of foreign objects being sucked in, especially on rough runways.1
Wings
Pilots of the P-80 Shooting Stars requested that additional fuel be added to allow for greater range.1 Some models had the fuel tanks added to the wing tips, and even later models under the wings.1
Prototype
One of the prototypes was constructed in 143 days.1
Prototypes were flown at the dry lake beds at Muroc range in California.1
Production
Lockheed wanted to produce 450 P-80s a month during World War II, but the war ended before production could be ramped up.1
Variants
- XP-80: Had a de Havilland H.1B Goblin turbojet.1
- P-80: Had a Allison/General Electric I-40 (J33) turbojet.1
- RF-80A: Reconnaissance version with cameras in the nose.1
Usage
Too Late for World War II
Four P-80 Shooting Stars were sent to England and Italy, two going to each.1 Unfortunately they were hours away from combat when the war in Europe ended.1
Richard Ira Bong
Richard Ira Bong, the P-38 ace, died while test flying a P-80.1
| Lockheed XP-80 Shooting Star1 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Jet fighter1 |
| Crew | 11 |
| Engine (Type) | de Havilland H.1B Goblin turbojet1 |
| Thrust | 2,450 lb1 |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 36' 11"1 11.27 m1 |
| Length | 32' 9"1 10 m1 |
| Height | 10' 3"1 3.12 m1 |
| Wing area | 240 ft2 1 22.29 m2 1 |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 6,274 lb1 2,852 kg1 |
| Loaded | 9,896 lb1 4,498 kg1 |
| Performance | |
| Speed - maximum | 557 mph1 808 kph1 |
| Speed - cruising | 429 mph1 692 kph1 |
| Climb from sea level | 3,000'/minute1 914 m/minute1 |
| Service ceiling | 41,000'1 12,497 m1 |
| Range | 1,000 miles1 1,609 km1 |
| Armament | |
| Nose | 6: 12.7 mm MG1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
