8/10 Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star
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While jet engines were making great strides in Europe, the US Air Force was preparing its own design. From first sketches to first flight, Lockheed completed the P-80 Shooting Star in 143 days, a respectable achievement for the US Air Force's first fighter.
However, this historic achievement came too late to have a significant impact on the outcome of World War II. The P-80 served until 1959, and was one of the first aircraft to take part in jet-vs-jet combat. Unfortunately, the straight-winged P-80 was no serious threat to the superior MiG-15.
