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F-80


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6 hours ago, Michael931080 said:

Okay, a really dumb question here!

 

What is the differences between a F-80, P-80 and the model variants A, B, and C?

 

I'm really interested in finding out!

 

Mike you dummy !   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_P-80_Shooting_Star

 

                     3PlnYxk.jpg

 

;)

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@Michael931080,

 

 

The big difference was the P-80A and B didn't have an ejection seat. The C version added one and they had to move the windscreen and instrument panel forward 9 inches so the pilot wouldn't lose his legs during an ejection. There were some minor differences in the canopy fairing between the versions, too. The A and B didn't have that little lobe coming out of the aft tip of the canopy frame you see in the above photo.

 

The "F" and "P" were just a change in naming conventions when the USAF was formed in 1948. The P was originally used to designate "pursuit" for fighters, but was changed to F to designate fighters. Everything that was originally a P got changed to F. F was originally used to designate a reconnaissance aircraft, but they changed it to R.

 

The RF-80C was a modified A or B and was never fitted with an ejection seat.

 

Jennings, no idea what that pod on the leading edge is for. Maybe a field mod gun camera pod? It's visible in several photos of F-80s in Korea in the Schiffer book, including the painting on the cover. The author doesn't mention what it is, though. It's sometimes on the port leading edge, sometimes on the starboard side.

 

Ben

Edited by Ben Brown
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