The two-place T-33 was the world's first jet trainer. It was developed from the single-seat F-80 fighter by lengthening the fuselage approximately three ft to accommodate a second cockpit. Lockheed undertook the design of the T-33 with $1 million of its own money. Entering service in 1948, the T-33 was the only Air Force jet trainer until the advent of the Cessna T-37 in 1957. The T-33 then went from being an advanced trainer to a primary trainer. The T-33 was eventually used by the navies and air forces of more than 20 countries. Many are still in use today. One modified T-33, designated NT-33, was used to simulate the handling characteristics of different aircraft; this particular aircraft was in use until the early 1990s, when it was replaced by the NF-16 Variable Stability In- Flight Simulator Test Aircraft. A number of the T-33s for export were modified to carry light armament. A number of T-33s were built under license in Canada. Untold thousands of pilots earned their wings on the T-33. The last Air National Guard T-33 was retired in 1987.

Contractors:	Lockheed Aircraft Co.
Locations Built:	Burbank, Calif.
Number Built: (USAF)	5,691 plus 1,046 license-built aircraft (approx 3,980)
First Flight:	March 22, 1948
First Flight Model:	TP-80C
First Flight Location:	Van Nuys, Calif.
First Flight Pilot:	Tony LeVier
Models/Variants:	T-33A. DT-33A; NT-33A; RT-33A. QT-33
Powerplant:	One Allison J33-A-23, or -25 (or later -35) turbojet of 5,200 (5,400 on the - 35) lb of thrust
Wingspan:	38 ft 101/2 in.
Length:	37 ft 9 in.
Height:	11 ft 7 in.
Weight:	12,000 lb gross
Armament:	Two fixed .50-cal. machine guns
Accommodation:	Crew of two (student and pilot in tandem)
Cost:	$123,000
Max. Speed:	525 mph
Range:	1,275 mi.
Ceiling:	47,500 ft.