LOCKHEED P-80B SHOOTING STAR

Designed in 1943 and first flown in 1944 the P-80 became the first mass produced jet fighter in the inventory of the U.S. Air Force. Originally intended as a pure fighter the Shooting Star saw most of its service as a ground support aircraft. However, an F-80 was the victor in the world's first jet on jet dogfight when one shot down a North Korean MiG-15 in November 1950. F-80s served in training and Air National Guard units until the late 1950s when the last were finally retired. A total of 1,731 F-80s were built.

 

The P-80 lead to the design of the T-33 trainer