Vintage Classics: Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star

The development of the Shooting Star relied heavily on early jet engine technology supplied by the British, as the Americans were lagging behind both Britain and Germany in terms of jet propulsion, and the discovery of the Messerschmitt Me 262 highlighted the Luftwaffe's need for a viable jet fighter of its own.
Originally developed around the British Halford H.1 engine from the de Havilland Vampire prototype, the project was pushed forward in the strictest secrecy, with a team from "Skunk Works" producing an airframe in an impressive 143 days.
The Shooting Star showed great promise during testing, reaching a speed of 500 mph in level flight, the first turbojet-powered USAAF aircraft to do so.
Two pre-production Shooting Stars were sent to England for training purposes during WWII, while two more Shooting Stars were sent with the 1st Fighter Group to Lesina in Italy.
The jet is reported to have flown two operational missions during WWII, however these were non-combat and top secret missions.
The F-80C was used extensively during the Korean War, where the aircraft equipped ten USAAF fighter/fighter-bomber squadrons and a reconnaissance unit, but by this time this elegant early jet was already obsolete.
Over 1700 Shooting Stars of all variants were produced by the end of the production run.

Plastic model kit

Scale 1/72

unbuilt / unpainted

Paint and glue not included