1444 - T-33A SHOOTING STAR

This subsonic two-seater jet trainer Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star played an important role in the operational training of many military pilots during the 50's.  It was developed on the airframe of the single-seat fighter P-80, from which it differed by a longer fuselage.  The United States Air Force used the T-33 to perform advanced pilot training tasks until the early 1960s when it was progressively replaced by the more advanced Northrop T-38 Talon.  Compared to a P-80, the T-33 adopted a lighter armament formed by only 2 0.50 (12.7mm) machine guns.  Its reliability has allowed the T-33 to obtain rapid diffusion in numerous air forces that employed the plane not only for training activities but also in operational missions,  The last T-33s in service flew until the 2000's.