F-80 Tribute

RE: F-80 Tribute

I’ve tried stuff like that. You just can’t get the details I’m looking for on most internet sites. That’s why I’m asking here cause people like Arthur usually have some idea of they know of a place I can look. Thanks though.

RE: F-80 Tribute

A google search will probably do it.

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Anyone?

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Anyone even know where I can go to find this information?

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Anyone got that F-80 weapons info?

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I found a few RF-80 pics I thought I’d post.

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Douglin, thanks for that great info.

I’ll keep watching this space for that RT-33 info.

RE: F-80 Tribute

Some info on the RF-80.
The RF-80A.
(From AE 99 ‘Lockheed Flying Eye’)

38 of the initial 917 P-80As were scheduled for conversion to FP-80A models. Subsequently 112 aircraft were ordered and built as FP-80As. In 1948 the aircraft were redesignated RF-80A. In 1951 66 of the F-80As were converted to the reconnaissance type and, to fit them better for Korea were given improved photographic equipment. These converted aircraft are distinguishable by a humped nose antennae cover. A later modification was the installation of a wire recorder for use on visual recce missions. Such a recorder enabled a pilot to record, for example, moving objects that would not necessarily have been apparent on film. The initial powerplants for the RF-80A were the Allison J-33-A-9A, J-33-GE-11A and the J-33-A-17 in the RF-80A-5-LO and the J-33-A-9B, J-33-GE-11B, J-33-A-17A and –21 in the RF-80A-10-LO. In 1953, 98 RF-80As exchanged their J33-A-11 engines for the upgraded and more powerful J33-A-35s of 5,400lbs of thrust; the powerplant of the T-33. These aircraft were designated RF-80A-15-LO.

The initial camera suite for the RF-80A was one K-17 camera with a 6 inch lens and two K-22s with 24 inch lenses. There were inevitably, exceptions to this. Some aircraft carried a K-38 with a 36 inch lens in place of the 24 inch. This was usually done when the photos had to be taken from 30,000 feet. The forward oblique or dicing camera was used for selecting missions but was not a standard configuration in the early days. Mounting this camera required removal of the radio compass antenna thus rendering unusable the only navigational aid on the RF-80A.

The RF-80C (There was no RF-80B)
There were two versions of the F-80C The first model was modified in the field fo the 45th TRS in Korea and consisted of a standard F-80C with the guns replaced by two K-14 cameras. This version served in Korea with the 45th.The 45th also flew some F-80Cs in theescort role.
The RF-80C-11-LO was an upgraded RF-80A with J-333-A-35 engine and and ejection seat. 6 of these aircraft were built.

RT-33. Still busy researching this one Watch this space!
Doug Gordon

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Sorry for not getting back sooner. I’m snowed under here. Will do shortly.
Doug Gordon

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Anyone?

Douglin?

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Great stuff Douglin. When you have time if you could provide specifics on the capabilties of the RF-80A, RF-80C, and RT-33A, I’d really appreciate it. Was there an RF-80B by the way?

RE: F-80 Tribute

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-09-02 AT 09:56 AM (GMT)]At the moment I’m working on some of the RT-33 missions in SEA pre the arrival of the RF-101. In many ways the RT-33 was a very different bird and not always comparable with its single seat stablemates. The recce suite available to the RT-33 in 1961 was a lot more sophisticated than that carried by the RF-80. Nonetheless, I would maintain along with many of the pilots who flew it: the RF-80 was for it’s time a very successful and long lived aircraft.
Now I’m trying for the images again!
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Try making them 75 KB or smaller in file size. Then, you should be able to upload them. I’d really like to see them.

How do you suppose the RF-80A and RF-80C compared to the RT-33A?

RE: F-80 Tribute

Thanks for the tribute to a superb aeroplane. My article on the RF-80 in service with the USAF in Air Enthusiast 99 contains some good and rare pics of this bird. The RF-80 was in itself a little known variant of the Shooting Star and saw service for many years in regular air Force service. A very underrated aircraft. I’ve tried to upload a couple of photos but somehow can’t do it!

RE: F-80 Tribute

That’s a good question Arthur. I don’t know if you’ve ever played it, but there is a fairly good flight sim called MiG Alley. In it you can fly the F-51D Mustang, F-80C Shooting Star, F-84E Thunderjet, F-86A/E/F Sabre, and of course the MiG-15 & MiG-15bis. The Yak-9, B-26, and B-29 also play prominent roles as computer AI aircraft.

Anyway, in that sim I noticed that your ammo load for the six M3’s in the nose of your F-80C is 1800. I wondered about that. I’d suppose it was just done to help with the extra weight from the bombs and rockets and such.

So you don’t think you have any info on F-80 weaponry options. I can’t seem to get much help. I’m wondering if people are dismissing it because its the F-80 and not, say, the F-86 or if they really don’t know. I just think the F-80 was a fine aircraft that never got the recognition it deserves.

Regarding the pitch up problems, I can’t confirm that or not. I know a flight sim is not the best thing to go by, but it’s really all I have right now. Anyway, I can tell you that I do enjoy flying the F-80C the most. The F-84 seems to always want to depart on me, while the F-86 is similar, though it is a bit easier to recover than the F-84. The F-80 seems to recover much easier than the other two. The F-51 of course is a prop and when you are used to flying the much faster F-80 it is a bit difficult to get used to. The MiG I think is a very good airplane. It seems less prone to get into departures than the F-86 is. Anyway, in short, I like to fly the F-80.

I’m not sure how accurate this game is, but it’s something to look at and have fun with at least.

RE: F-80 Tribute

Sorry Phantom, can’t help you there.

But i have a question: during the Korean War, the F-80s quickly transferred to the attack role. However, during those missions the ammo load was reduced (a total of 6*300=1800 rounds could be carried IIRC) because the aircraft had centre of gravity problems in this role. Do you know more about it – did it have problems with pitching up again, or something?

RE: F-80 Tribute

Anyone?

I read somewhere that the only other time the F-80 was used in combat other than Korea was when some soldiers rebelled from I believe it was the Colombian Army and they took over a garrison. F-80’s of the Colombian Air Force were used to perform some low-level passes and thus the rebels folded and put down their arms.

Anyone have any info on this incident? What year? Exact details?

RE: F-80 Tribute

No one else has any comments or pictures?

RE: F-80 Tribute

Heck, I might as well take this time to give a brief overview of F-80/T-33/F-94 variants.

XP-80 – nicknamed Lulu Belle (spelling), first flew in 1944.

P-80A – first production version entering service in mid-1940’s

P-80B (F-80B) – more powerful variant entering service in late 1940’s

F-80C – the definitive fighter model, yet more powerful engine, increased weapons options, longer range owing to larger fuel tank options, top speed 600 mph, etc., saw EXTENSIVE use during Korean War as a fighter/bomber and escort fighter early on, scored around 40 kills while suffering minimal air-to-air losses, was considered the MiG’s most difficult opponent aside from the Sabre I believe.

T-33A (TF-80C) – F-80C two-seat trainer model that was later renamed, easily the most successful model in the entire family with several thousand being built and hundreds still in service today as well as in the warbird market

F-94A – radar-equipped all-weather interceptor armed with machine guns (.50 cal.)

F-94B – updated model from A, more powerful engine and option on even more guns than the A model, saw extensive use in Korean War as night-fighter scoring several MiG kills

F-94C – the Shooting Star family in its ultimate form, immensely powerful afterburning engine, more advanced radar, and 70-mm rocket armament, top speed 640 mph in level flight and over Mach 1 in a dive, noticeable features include reprofiled nose for never radar and swept horizontal stabilizer. Equipped dozens of ADC squadrons and served until the late 1950’s when replaced by F-102 Delta Dagger.

RT-33A – recce model of T-33A

AT-33A – attack model of T-33A

RF-80A/C – recce models of F-80A and F-80C (not sure if there wasn RF-80B or not), along with RT-33, saw extensive use during Korean War

TV-1/TV-2 (I get the designations mixed up) – two-seat trainer models for USN/USMC. I don’t believe they were carrier capable however.

This is really brief, but I believe that is the variants from this huge and really varied family of aircraft.

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Cheers Steve

Answered my own question if I’d stopped and thought abit…F = Fighter T = Trainer. I’ve looked back at my ’83 hard bound edition of Flypast and there was the spread on the ex Haydon-Baillie T33 which clearly show the difference between the two airframes.

Gary