For some years I've been wondering why the Navy didn’t pursue a navalised version of the P-80 Shooting Star. After all, the Shooting Star offered superior performance to all of the Navy’s first generation of fighters and wouldn’t be surpassed until later versions of Grumman Panther came on the scene in the 1950s.
Well, as it turns out, there was a carrier-capable single seat version of the Shooting Star. In this video I quickly tell its story and speculate about what could have been if Lockheed had committed to the concept and the Navy had been more amenable.
I had fun with this one. I have a soft spot for the Shooting Star and, as you know, I like an antique naval fighter! Hope you enjoy.
