lockheed 80c shooting star the museum aviation robins afb georgia

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Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star at the Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB, Georgia

The Shooting Star was the first American aircraft to exceed 500 mph in level flight, and the first U.S. Air Force jet used in combat. Designed in 1943, the XP-80 made its maiden flight on Jan. 8, 1944. The aircraft was redesignated F-80 in 1948 when "P" for "Pursuit" was changed to "F" for "Fighter." Although designed as a high-altitude interceptor, the F-80C was flown as a day fighter, fighter-bomber and photo reconnaissance aircraft during the Korean War. On Nov. 8, 1950, an F-80C flown by 1st Lt. Russell J. Brown shot down a Russian-built MiG-15 in the world's first all-jet fighter air battle.