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

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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