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| Lockheed
T-33 Shooting Star |
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The two-place T-33 jet was designed for training pilots
already qualified to fly propeller-driven aircraft. It was
developed from the single-seat F-80
fighter by lengthening the fuselage slightly more than three
feet to accommodate a second cockpit.
Originally designed the TF-80C, the T-33 made its first
flight in March 1948. Production continued until August 1959 and
5,691 T-33s were built. In addition to its use as a trainer, the
T-33 has been used for such tasks as drone director and target
towing, and in some countries even as a combat aircraft. The
RT-33A version, reconnaissance aircraft produced primarily for
use by foreign countries, had a camera installed in the nose and
additional equipment in the rear cockpit.
The T-33 is one of the world's best known aircraft, having
served with the air forces of more than 20 different countries
for almost 40 years. Many are still in use throughout the world.
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