Lockheed T-33A 'T-Bird'
Built by Lockheed Aircraft, this was the first jet trainer, derived from the P-80 'Shooting Star' by adding a 38.6 inch fuselage plug forward of the wing, and a 12 inch plug aft to provide room for the second seat. A 230 gallon fuel tank was added to each wing tip, and armament was reduced to two .50 caliber machine guns. First produced in 1948, it remained in operational service with the USAF until 1988, serving as a trainer and utility aircraft. Others, supplied under the Military Assistance Program are still in service today.
USAF S/N 53-5205 is a T-33A-1-LOA, one of 5,691 T-33As built by Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, California. It was delivered to the USAF on October 6, 1954 and assigned to the 2589th AF Reserve Combat Training Center (ConAC), Dobbins AFB, Georgia. In May, 1955 it went to the 2584th AFR Flying Training Center (ConAC), Memphis Municipal Airport, Tennessee, and in October, 1957 to the 1001st Air Base Wing (HqCOM), Andrews AFB, Maryland. It was retired to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona in August, 1962, and shipped to the museum in May, 1983. It currently bears the insignia of its last assignment at Andrews AFB.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: Two.
Power Plant: One 4,600 lb thrust Allison J-33-A-35 turbojet.
Dimensions:
Span: 38 ft 10-1/2 in.
Length: 37 ft 9 in.
Height: 11 ft 4 in.
Weight: Empty - 8,084 lbs. Gross - 11,965 lbs.
Performance:
Max. Speed: 534 mph at 25,000 ft.
Service Ceiling: 47,500 ft.
Armament: Two .50 cal. m/g in nose.
