<article><hdr>Airborne shot of T-33A Shooting Star</hdr><body>
<hi style=afpcap>The basic P-80 airframe was lengthened by slightly over three feet to provide a second cockpit to become the T-33 which was the first jet trainer aircraft. The prototype was designated TF-80C, with a total of 128 being produced before this changed to T-33A. The US Air Force obtained several thousand T-33s for Air Training Command as well as every major Command for communications and liaison duties. The T-33 served with many of the operational flying wings as a base flight 'hack' during the '50s and '60s. The Shooting Star was suppied to dozens of overseas customers through the Mutual Aid Pact, as well as the US Navy as the TV-2 (later T-33B). The oldest aircraft in operational service at present is a 1951 NT-33A which still serves a valuable test role.</hi>
