The Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star marked a turning point in American aviation—the U.S. Army Air Forces’ first operational jet fighter, designed and flown within a staggering 143 days in 1943. But how did it truly compare to its contemporaries, like Germany’s Me 262 and Britain’s Gloster Meteor? And what legacy did it leave behind?
In this episode, we explore the full story of the P-80, later redesigned the F-80, from its wartime development and missed combat debut in WWII, through its postwar service in Europe and Korea. We break down its design advantages and limitations, including its reliable J33 engine, straight-wing handling characteristics, and the tactical realities that shaped its role in the Korean War.