Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star

The Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star is the trainer version of the F-80 aircraft. It is a two man version and is three feet longer than the F-80. It was America's first jet trainer and first entered service in 1948.

It was widely used by all U.S. military services and many Allied nations. Over 5,800 T-33's were made in the U.S. alone and many more were produced under license in Canada and Japan. It is estimated that over 90 per cent of all the Free World's pilots trained in the 1950's and 1960's, trained in this type of aircraft.

The T-33 was also used in other roles, such as reconnaissance and drone controller. An attack version was also widely used by Third World nations.

The aircraft on display at Castle Air Museum, served with Castle Air Force Base's 84th Fighter Interceptor Squadron until the unit's deactivation in 1987.