Allison J33

Originally developed by the General Electric Company for the Lockheed P-80 "Shooting Star", the J33 engine is a direct descendant of the British Whittle engine of the early 1940s. The first J33 underwent static testing on January 13, 1944, just 6 1/2 months after development began. Five months later, a J33 engine flew in the XP-80A replacing the De Havilland H-1A, a change that was to become permanent. In November 1945, the Allison Division of General Motors assumed complete responsibility for the development and production of J33 series engines. The J33s were used in various models of Air Force and Navy aircraft, and in the USAF's Mace, Matador, and Snark surface-to-surface guided missiles.

The engine on display, a J33-A-35, is of the series used exclusively on the F-80C fighter, T-33A trainer, and the Navy TV-2 trainer. Between 1949 and 1955, Allison produced over 6,600 J33-A-35s for the Air Force, more than any other J33 series engine.

SPECIFICATIONS
Compressor: Single-stage centrifugal
Turbine: Single axial
Weight: 1,795 lbs.
Cost: $20,000
Thrust: 4,600 lbs. (5,400 lbs. with water/alcohol injection)
Maximum RPM: 11,750
Maximum Operating Altitude: 47,000 ft.

Courtesy U. S. Air Force Musemu

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