TV-2 (1958)
Navy interest in a high-performance trainer commenced with the first development contracts for carrier-capable jet aircraft and acquisition of Grumman F9F and McDonnell F2H jet aircraft. But delays in delivery of those aircraft prompted exploratory Navy operation of Lockheed's P-80 Shooting Star jet fighter. Three P-80As were acquired from the U.S. Air Force in June 1945. One was equipped with a tailhook for trial arrested landing on the aircraft carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB 42). All three aircraft were assigned Navy Bureau Numbers (BuNos) but did not receive a specific Navy aircraft type-designation. In 1948 an additional 50 single-seat Shooting Stars were acquired from the Air Force for use as advanced trainers. First designated TO-1, their designation soon changed to TV-1 when Lockheed's manufacturer's symbol in Navy aircraft nomenclature shifted from "O" to "V." These aircraft had no tail hooks. Nevertheless, Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF) 311 (El Toro, CA) was equipped with sixteen TO/TV-1s and Navy Fighter Squadron (VF) 52 (North Island, CA) received 25 of these aircraft.
In 1949 the Navy initiated procurement of a two-seat TF-80C version developed for the Air Force specifically as trainers and produced as the T-33 (series). These aircraft were basically P-80s lengthened by 38" to accommodate tandem seating of an instructor and student pilot. The first Navy "buy" amounted to twenty-six aircraft. Initially designated TO-2s, they were later redesignated TV-2s with procurement over several years reaching 699. They were used primarily for advanced flight and instrument training. In 1951 several TV-2s were modified for support of missile and target trials. These were designated TV-2D and, in 1956, several more were further modified to serve as drones or control platforms, designated TV-2KDs. By 1962 the designations applied to the TV-2 included: T-33B/TV-2, DT-33B/TV-2D/ and DT-33C/TV-2KD.
Though successful as a land-based trainer the TV-2 was not satisfactory for Fleet carrier operations. Early in 1953 Lockheed undertook to develop a carrier-capable prototype designated L-245. These aircraft differed from the TV-2 in having a humped cockpit to provide better vision from the rear seat. The design sought better low landing and take-off speeds through a combination of leading and trailing edge flaps, a system of "blown flaps" for Boundary Layer Control. The basic airframe was strengthened, the tail and dorsal fin were redesigned, landing gear modified (including provision for catapult launch), and a retractable tail hook added. In the new plane Lockheed proposed replacing the TV-2's J33-A-20 engine of 5,100 lb. static thrust with the J33-A-24 producing 6,000 lbs of thrust. Following successful tests the Navy procured the L-245, designated it the T2V-1, and named it Sea Star. Production of these trainers commenced in 1956, and by May 1957 they were in use for advanced training at Corpus Christi, TX and at Pensacola, FL. There were 150 Sea Stars built. The plane was redesignated T-1 in 1962.
Specifications for the TV-2
Dimensions: Length 37 ft. 8 1/2 in.; Wingspan 38 ft. 10 1/2 in; Height 11 ft. 8 in
Power Plant: One 4,600lb (or 5,400 lb injected) static thrustAllison J33-A-20 turbo-jet.
Weight: Gross: 15,100 lb.
Performance: (Cruise/Top) 525 M.P.H. /543 M.P.H.
Service Ceiling: 47,500 ft.
Service Range: 1200 miles
Crew: Instructor and student
TV-2 (1958)
Navy interest in a high-performance trainer commenced with the first development contracts for carrier-capable jet aircraft and acquisition of Grumman F9F and McDonnell F2H jet aircraft. But delays in delivery of those aircraft prompted exploratory Navy operation of Lockheed's P-80 Shooting Star jet fighter. Three P-80As were acquired from the U.S. Air Force in June 1945. One was equipped with a tailhook for trial arrested landing on the aircraft carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB 42). All three aircraft were assigned Navy Bureau Numbers (BuNos) but did not receive a specific Navy aircraft type-designation. In 1948 an additional 50 single-seat Shooting Stars were acquired from the Air Force for use as advanced trainers. First designated TO-1, their designation soon changed to TV-1 when Lockheed's manufacturer's symbol in Navy aircraft nomenclature shifted from "O" to "V." These aircraft had no tail hooks. Nevertheless, Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF) 311 (El Toro, CA) was equipped with sixteen TO/TV-1s and Navy Fighter Squadron (VF) 52 (North Island, CA) received 25 of these aircraft.
In 1949 the Navy initiated procurement of a two-seat TF-80C version developed for the Air Force specifically as trainers and produced as the T-33 (series). These aircraft were basically P-80s lengthened by 38" to accommodate tandem seating of an instructor and student pilot. The first Navy "buy" amounted to twenty-six aircraft. Initially designated TO-2s, they were later redesignated TV-2s with procurement over several years reaching 699. They were used primarily for advanced flight and instrument training. In 1951 several TV-2s were modified for support of missile and target trials. These were designated TV-2D and, in 1956, several more were further modified to serve as drones or control platforms, designated TV-2KDs. By 1962 the designations applied to the TV-2 included: T-33B/TV-2, DT-33B/TV-2D/ and DT-33C/TV-2KD.
Though successful as a land-based trainer the TV-2 was not satisfactory for Fleet carrier operations. Early in 1953 Lockheed undertook to develop a carrier-capable prototype designated L-245. These aircraft differed from the TV-2 in having a humped cockpit to provide better vision from the rear seat. The design sought better low landing and take-off speeds through a combination of leading and trailing edge flaps, a system of "blown flaps" for Boundary Layer Control. The basic airframe was strengthened, the tail and dorsal fin were redesigned, landing gear modified (including provision for catapult launch), and a retractable tail hook added. In the new plane Lockheed proposed replacing the TV-2's J33-A-20 engine of 5,100 lb. static thrust with the J33-A-24 producing 6,000 lbs of thrust. Following successful tests the Navy procured the L-245, designated it the T2V-1, and named it Sea Star. Production of these trainers commenced in 1956, and by May 1957 they were in use for advanced training at Corpus Christi, TX and at Pensacola, FL. There were 150 Sea Stars built. The plane was redesignated T-1 in 1962.
Specifications for the TV-2
Dimensions: Length 37 ft. 8 1/2 in.; Wingspan 38 ft. 10 1/2 in; Height 11 ft. 8 in
Power Plant: One 4,600lb (or 5,400 lb injected) static thrustAllison J33-A-20 turbo-jet.
Weight: Gross: 15,100 lb.
Performance: (Cruise/Top) 525 M.P.H. /543 M.P.H.
Service Ceiling: 47,500 ft.
Service Range: 1200 miles
Crew: Instructor and student