Our Aircraft’s History

Lockheed T-33A-1-LO “Shooting Star” (S/N 53-5250; MSN #580-8591) ~ This Shooting Star was built by the Lockheed Corporation in Burbank, California in September of 1954 before being accepted by the US Air Force on September 28, 1954. The first station was with the Headquarters Squadron, 10th Air Force, Continental Air Command at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan. The T-33A hoped around a few bases, including:

  • December 1957 – 2242nd Air Reserve Flying Center, US Air Force Reserves, Selfridge AFB, Michigan
  • October 1958 – Detachment 1, 2465th Material Squadron (MATRON), USAFR, Selfridge AFB, Michigan
  • May 1959 – 3800th Air Base Wing (Air University), Maxwell AFB, Alabama
  • October 1963 – Wisconsin Air National Guard Base (ANG), General Billy Michell Field, Wisconsin
  • November 1963 – Donated to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Air Museum, Oshkosh, Wisconsin

After spending its time with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Air Museum, Oshkosh Wisconsin, where it remained until being indefinitely loaned to the MAPS Air Museum in October of 2011 by the National Museum of the US Air Force.

Specifications/Performance

  • Role: Training aircraft
  • Manufacturer: Lockheed
  • First Flight: March 22, 1948
  • Retired: July 31, 2017 (Bolivian Air Force)
  • Produced: 1948-1959
  • Number built: 6,557
  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 37 ft 9 in
  • Wingspan: 38 ft 10 1/2 in
  • Empty weight: 8,365 lbs
  • Max. takeoff weight: 15,061 lbs
  • Engines: 1 x Allison J33-A-35 centrifugal compressor turbojet, 5,400 lbf (water injection), 4,600 lbf continuous
  • Max. speed: 600 mph
  • Cruise speed: 455 mph
  • Range: 1,275 mi
  • Service ceiling: 48,000 ft

Armament, notable:

  • 2,000 lbs of bombs or rockets (AT-33)

Museum display notes: Our aircraft is currently painted and marked to depict a T-33 Shooting Star that served with the US Air Force Thunderbird’s as the narrator’s aircraft and was used as the VIP/Press ride aircraft in the 1950-60’s.

Designed from: Lockheed P-80 “Shooting Star”

Intended replacement: Boeing “Skyfox” and Cessna T-37 “Tweet”