Lockheed T2V SeaStar

The Lockheed T2V SeaStar, later called the T-1 SeaStar, was a turbojet trainer aircraft for the U.S. Navy that entered service in May 1957. It was developed from the Lockheed T-33 and powered by one Allison J33 engine.

Design and development

Starting in 1949, the US Navy used the Lockheed T-33 for land-based jet aircraft training. The T-33 was a derivative of the P-80 fighter and was first named TO-2, then TV-2 in Navy service. However, the TV-2 was not suitable for operation from aircraft carriers. The persisting need for a carrier-compatible trainer led to a further, more advanced design development of the P-80/T-33 family, which came into being with the Lockheed designation L-245 and US Navy designation T2V. Lockheed's demonstrator L-245 first flew on 16 December 1953 and production deliveries to the US Navy began in 1956.^[1]

Compared to the TV-2, the T2V was almost totally re-engineered for carrier landings and at-sea operations with a redesigned tail, naval standard avionics, a strengthened undercarriage (with catapult fittings) and lower fuselage (with a retractable arrestor hook), and power-operated leading-edge flaps (to increase lift at low speeds) to allow carrier launches and recoveries, and an elevated rear (instructor's) seat for improved instructor vision, among other changes. Unlike other P-80 derivatives, the T2V could withstand the shock of landing on a pitching carrier deck and had a much higher ability to withstand sea water-related aircraft wear from higher humidity and salt exposure.

Operational history

The only version of the T2V was initially designated T2V-1 when it entered service, but was redesignated T-1A SeaStar under the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system, a name under which it would spend the majority of its career.

The T-1A was replaced by the T-2 Buckeye but remained in service into the 1970s.

Survivors

One T-1A is currently (2011) airworthy, being flown for experimental and display purposes. Two examples are preserved on public display in Tucson, Arizona.^[2]

Operators

 United States

• United States Navy

Specifications (T2V-1)

Data from Lockheed Aircraft since 1913^[3]

General characteristics

• Crew: Two (student & instructor)
• Length: 38 ft 6½ in (11.75 m)
• Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in (13.06 m)
• Height: 13 ft 4 in (4.06 m)
• Wing area: 240 ft² (22.3 m²)
• Empty weight: 11,965 lb (5,427 kg)
• Loaded weight: 15,500 lb (7,031 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 16,800 lb (7,636 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Allison J33-A-24/24A turbojet, 6,100 lbf (27.2 kN)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 504 knots (580 mph, 933 km/h) at 35,000 ft (10,670 m)
• Range: 843 nm (970 mi, 1,560 km)
• Service ceiling: 40,000 ft (12,190 m)
• Rate of climb: 6,330 ft/min (32 m/s)

See also

Related development

• T-33 Shooting Star
• P-80 Shooting Star
  

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• F9F-8T/TF-9J Cougar
• TA-4F/J Skyhawk
• Fouga Zéphyr
• T-2 Buckeye
• T-45 Goshawk
  

References

• Francillon, René J. Lockheed Aircraft since 1913. London:Putnam, 1982. ISBN 0-370-30329-6.
• Ginter, Steve. Lockheed T2V-1/T-1A Seastar. Naval Fighters #42. Simi Valley, California: Ginter Books, 1999. ISBN 978-0-942612-424.
• Ogden, Bob. Aviation Museums and Collections of North America. 2007. Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-385-4.
• Swanborough, Gordon, with Bowers, Peter M. United States Navy Aircraft since 1911. 1990. Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0-87021-792-5.
• Green, William, with Gerald Pollinger. The Aircraft of the World. New York; Doubleday & Co., 1965. P. 255.
• Green, William, with Dennis Punett. MacDonald World Air Power Guide. London; Purnell & Sons, Ltd. (reprinted by Doubleday), 1963. P. 28.

External links

• Naval Aviation Chronology 1954-1959 chapter from United States Naval Aviation 1910-1995 book.