The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is a subsonic American jet trainer.
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.
The last operator of the T-33, the Bolivian Air Force, retired the type in July 2017, after 44 years of service.
The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 by lengthening the fuselage by slightly more than 3 feet (1 m) 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.
Design work on 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 two-place T-33 jet was designed for training pilots already qualified to fly propeller-driven aircraft.
Originally designated the TF-80C, the T-33 made its first flight on 22 March 1948 with Lockheed test pilot Tony LeVier at the controls.
Production at Lockheed ran from 1948 to 1959.
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.
The Navy operated some ex-USAF P-80Cs as the TO-1, changed to the TV-1 about a year later.
A carrier-capable version of the P-80/T-33 family was subsequently developed by Lockheed, eventually leading to the late 1950s to 1970s T2V-1/T-1A SeaStar.
The two TF-80C prototypes were modified as prototypes for an all-weather two-seater fighter variant, which became the F-94 Starfire.
A total of 6,557 T-33s were produced: 5,691 of them by Lockheed, 210 by Kawasaki, and 656 by Canadair.
Variants
TP-80C
Original United States military designation for the Lockheed Model 580 two-seat trainer for the United States Army Air Forces.
Designation changed to TF-80C on 11 June 1948 following establishment of the United States Air Force as a separate military service in 1947, and then to T-33A on 5 May 1949; 20 built.
T-33A
Two-seat jet trainer aircraft for the United States Air Force and delivery to foreign air forces under the Military Assistance Program, 5871 including 699 diverted to the United States Navy as the TV-2.
AT-33A
Conversions of the T-33A for export as a close support variant fitted with under wing pylons and hard points for bombs and rockets.
Also used in the original fighter lead-in program at Cannon AFB, NM approximately 1972- 1975.
DT-33A
This designation was given to a number of T-33As converted into drone directors.
NT-33A
This designation was given to a number of T-33As converted into special test aircraft.
QT-33A
This designation was given to number of T-33As converted into aerial target drones for the United States Navy.
RT-33A
T-33A modified before delivery as a single-seat reconnaissance variant; 85 built, mainly for export under the Military Assistance Program.
T-33B
Re-designation of the United States Navy TV-2 in 1962.
DT-33B
Re-designation of the United States Navy TV-2D drone director in 1962.
DT-33C
Re-designation of the United States Navy TV-2KD target in 1962
TO-1/TV-1
U.S. Navy designation of P-80C, 50 transferred to USN in 1949 as jet trainers
TO-2
United States Navy designation for 649 T-33As diverted from USAF production.
Two-seat land-based jet training aircraft for the U.S. Navy.
TV-2
Re-designation of the TO-2 after the first 28 were built.
TV-2D
TV-2s modified as drone directors, later re-designated DT-33B.
TV-2KD
TV-2s modified as radio-controlled targets, could be flown as a single-seater for ferry, later re-designated DT-33C.
Canada
Silver Star Mk 1
Canadian-designation for T-33A, 20 delivered.
Silver Star Mk 2
Canadian-designation for a T-33A which became the prototype of the Silver Star Mk 3.
T-33AN/CT-133 Silver Star Mk 3
The T-33AN is a Rolls-Royce Nene powered-variant of the T-33A for the Royal Canadian Air Force; 656 built by Canadair with the company designation CL-30.
Canadian military designation was later changed from T-33AN to CT-133.
Other
L-245
One Lockheed owned fuselage with a more powerful engine.
Was later developed into the T2V SeaStar.
Aérospatiale Pégase
A Canadair T-33AN was modified by Aérospatiale with an S17a 17% thickness wing section.
Boeing Skyfox
A comprehensive upgrade and re-engine project, powered by 2 Garrett TFE-731 turbofans.
