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Lockheed TV-2 (T-33B) "Shooting Star" Jet Trainer |
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The Lockheed TV-2 shown here was used by the Navy at NAS Memphis |
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TV-2 on the NAS Memphis flight line. |
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The TV-2 (T-33B), was developed from the single-seat F-80 fighter by lengthening the fuselage slightly more than three feet to accommodate a second cockpit. |
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The relatively high performance of the P-80, the Air Force's first operational jet fighter, the high altitude environment where it could routinely operate, and the new and different demands put on pilots flying jet aircraft required that a jet trainer be developed to aid this transition to a new mode of flight. Accordingly, a twenty nine inch plug was inserted ahead of the wing, with a second twelve inch plug behind it, providing the extra space for a second cockpit with dual controls. Ejection seats and 235 gallon jettisonable centerline tip tanks were added and on March 22, 1948, Tony LeVier made the aircraft's first flight. The T-33 flew even better than its single seat ancestor. Cleaned up and refined, the airframe climbed faster, cruised more effortlessly and was slightly faster than its older and smaller cousins. Initially designated as a variant of the P-80/F80, the TP-80C/TF-80C, the designation was subsequently changed to T-33A. The U.S. Navy version was designated the TV-2. |
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