A Celestial Body in Uruguay.
One of the earliest jet powered aircraft to be built, maverick Lockheed designer Kelly Johnson's P-80 Shooting Star was developed in complete secrecy while war raged around the world, in just 143 days from order to completion of the first prototype. Initially powered by a British designed engine, the Halford H.1, later built by de Havilland as the Goblin in the prototype XP-80, production variants flew with the 4,6oo lb thrust Allison J33-A-35 centrifugal flow turbojet engine. Seeing extensive service with the USAAF, the USAF from 1947, which also saw the 'P' for Pursuit designation changed to 'F' for Fighter, Shooting Stars went to war in Korea in 1950. Offered to South American air forces for low prices owing to their being surplus to US requirements, refurbished F-80s were exported to no less than six countries on the continent from 1957, including Uruguay a year later, whose Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya received 14 (different sources give different numbers - 17 is also quoted) F-80Cs. The mainstay of the FAU fighter force until retirement in 1971, the F-80s served with Grupo N.º2 (Caza) (No.2 (Fighter) Group). This pristine example, FAU 213 survives at the Museo Aeronautico at Aeropuerto Carrasco, Montevideo and is displayed with its right hand ammunition bay open. Take a look by clicking on the image.
