What Is The T-33 Shooting Star?
The T-33 Shooting Star. America’s foundational jet trainer derived from the P-80, instructing thousands of jet pilots globally.
United States
Origin
Jet trainer
Role
966 km/h
Top speed
14,630 m
Service ceiling
T-33 Shooting Star Specifications
Derived from the pioneer P-80 jet fighter, the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star instructed generations of jet aviators across 30 countries. Powered by an Allison J33 turbojet achieving 600 mph, it delivered reliable tandem dual-seat flight metrics, weapon training, and target towing utility.
Performance
Top speed
600 mph (966 km/h)
Service ceiling
48,000 ft (14,630 m)
Combat radius
240 nmi (445 km)
Rate of climb
4,870 ft/min (24.7 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
2
Length
37 ft 9 in (11.51 m)
Wingspan
38 ft 10 in (11.85 m)
Empty weight
8,365 lbs (3,794 kg)
Engine
1x Allison J33-A-35 centrifugal-flow turbojet
Service
First flight
22 March 1948
Unit cost
$123,000 (Historical)
Operators
United States, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia (Historic/Retired)
What Weapons Does The T-33 Shooting Star Carry?
The T-33 Shooting Star is equipped with two to six nose-mounted .50 caliber (12.7mm) Browning M3 machine guns, with underwing hardpoints capable of mounting 2,000 lbs of practice bombs or unguided rocket pods.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
M3 Browning
Category
0.50 calibre Machine Gun
Loadout
2 nose-mounted guns
Range
900 metres (effective)
HVAR
Category
5-inch Unguided Rockets
Loadout
Up to 8 rockets
Range
1.5 km (0.9 miles)
500 lb Bomb
Category
General-Purpose Bomb
Loadout
Up to 2 bombs
Range
Gravity released
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The T-33 Shooting Star?
The T-33 reaches around 600 mph, Mach 0.80. It was fast enough to teach pilots what jet flight actually demanded while remaining forgiving enough for students with only propeller experience. That balance is why it stayed in training service for decades, and why it remains pleasant to fly as a passenger aircraft today.
How Was The T-33 Shooting Star Developed?
Lockheed lengthened the P-80 Shooting Star fuselage by roughly three feet to accommodate a second seat and dual controls, producing the TP-80C, later redesignated T-33. It first flew on 22 March 1948. Production reached 6,557 airframes, with licence manufacture in Canada as the Silver Star and in Japan by Kawasaki.
Has The T-33 Shooting Star Seen Combat?
The T-33 saw limited combat, mostly in reconnaissance and light attack roles. Cuban T-33s engaged Bay of Pigs invasion forces in 1961, sinking supply ships. It served primarily as the aircraft on which a generation of Western jet pilots learned their trade.
Who Operates The T-33 Shooting Star?
More than thirty air forces flew the T-33, with Bolivia retiring the last military examples in 2017 – nearly seventy years after the first flight. A number fly privately, and Jetify offers passenger flights in a T-33 from Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.
T-33 Shooting Star FAQs
Common questions about the T-33 Shooting Star, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the T-33 Shooting Star as a passenger?
Yes, you can fly as a passenger in the T-33 Shooting Star through Jetify, with flights from Ontario in Canada. You fly in a two-seat example with a qualified pilot, and no licence or flying experience is required. The T-33 Shooting Star is one of 7 aircraft types Jetify offers from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the T-33 Shooting Star?
Yes, in most cases you can take the controls of the T-33 Shooting Star. It has dual controls, and pilots routinely hand over in level flight and gentle turns once satisfied you are comfortable. Takeoff, landing and low-level flying stay with the pilot.
How much does a T-33 Shooting Star flight cost?
A T-33 Shooting Star flight with Jetify starts from around £2,800, $3,800 or €3,400 per person, flying from Ontario in Canada. The price includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening. Prices depend on the aircraft and location: L-39 Albatros flights start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, and the Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600.
Is there a weight or height limit to fly in the T-33 Shooting Star?
Yes, a flight in the T-33 Shooting Star has strict height and weight limits, set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Across jet experiences, height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force will I feel in the T-33 Shooting Star?
The G-force you feel in the T-33 Shooting Star depends on the profile you agree with your pilot: on civilian jet experiences, aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load, and the profile can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a T-33 Shooting Star flight?
Book a T-33 Shooting Star flight 2 to 4 months in advance, because limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances restrict slots on real ex-military jet experiences. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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