Description F80C Shooting Star Lindberg Models 1:48 Scale Kit The Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star was the first jet fighter used operationally by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Designed and built by Lockheed in 1943 and delivered just 143 days from the start of the design process, production models were flying but not ready for service by the end of World War II. Designed with straight wings, the type saw extensive combat in Korea with the United States Air Force (USAF) as the F-80. America’s first successful turbojet-powered combat aircraft, it helped usher in the “jet age” in the USAF, but was outclassed with the appearance of the swept-wing transonic MiG-15 and was quickly replaced in the air superiority role by the transonic F-86 Sabre. The F-94 Starfire, an all-weather interceptor on the same airframe, also saw Korean war service. The closely related T-33 Shooting Star trainer would remain in service with the U.S. Air Force and Navy well into the 1980s, with the last NT-33 variant not retired until April 1997. Many still serve in a military role in foreign air arms or are in private hands. General characteristics: Crew: One Length: 34 ft 5 in (10.49 m) Wingspan: 38 ft 9 in (11.81 m) Height: 11 ft 3 in (3.43 m) Wing area: 237.6 ft² (22.07 m²) Aspect ratio: 6.37 Empty weight: 8,420 lb (3,819 kg) Loaded weight: 12,650 lb (5,738 kg) Max. takeoff weight: 16,856 lb (7,646 kg) Powerplant: 1 × Allison J33-A-35 centrifugal compressor turbojet, 4600 lbf (20.46 kN) / 5400 lbf (24.02 kN) with water injection[55] Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0134 Drag area: 3.2 ft² (0.30 m²) Performance: Maximum speed: 600 mph, Mach .76 (P-80A 558 mph at sea level and 492 mph at 40,000 ft)[8] (965 km/h) Cruise speed: 410 mph (660 km/h) Range: 1,200 mi (1,930 km) Service ceiling: 46,000 ft (14,000 m) Rate of climb: 4,580 ft/min (23.3 m/s) 5.5 min to 20,000 ft (6,100 m) Wing loading: 53 lb/ft² (260 kg/m²) Thrust/weight: 0.364 (0.427 with water injection) Lift-to-drag ratio: 17.7 Armament: Guns: 6 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M3 Browning machine guns (300 rpg) Rockets: 8 × 127mm unguided rockets Bombs: 2 × 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs
