Originally designated the P-80, the Shooting Star first flew
on 8 January 1944 and
reached operational units in early 1945 but did not see action in World War
II. The first jet fighter produced for the U.S.A.F. in quantity (1,700 built),
the Shooting Star saw action in the Korean conflict. The F-80 found itself
outclassed by the MiG-15 and was relegated to close support duties.
The T-33 trainer and F-94
interceptor were developed from the Shooting Star.
