Object Details
Manufacturer
Allison Division, General Motors Corporation
Designer
General Electric Aircraft Engines
Physical Description
Type: Turbojet
Thrust: 20,461 N (4,600 lb) at 11,750 rpm
Compressor: Single-stage centrifugal
Combustor: 14 interconnected straight-through chambers
Turbine: Single stage axial
Weight: 826 kg (1,820 lb)
Summary
In response to an Army request in 1943 for a 13,344 - 17,792 N (3,000 - 4,000 lb) thrust turbojet, GE proposed the I-40, a centrifugal-flow engine that could be produced in a short time. Service as the J33 began in 1945 on the Lockheed P-80A, America's first operational jet fighter, which was its primary application.
For wartime needs, production was licensed to the Allison division of General Motors. When the war ended, the Army re-evaluated its engine program, and turned over all production to Allison.
The J33 was GE's first turbojet engine of its own design, its last all-centrifugal-flow engine; as well as the last to be used in U.S. military combat aircraft. It powered other first generation jet aircraft including: Martin XB-51; Lockheed XP-81, F-80A/B/C, RF-80A, QF-80F, XF-14/A, TF-80C, T-33A/B, AT-33A, DT-33A/B/C, RT-33A, QT-33A, WT-33A, T-1A; North American F-86C; Northrop F-89J; and Bell XP-83.
Credit Line
Transferred from the U.S. Air Force
Date
Post-World War II
Inventory Number
A19670020000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet)
Dimensions
From J33-A-35: Length 265 cm (104.5 in.), Diameter 125 cm (49.2 in.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19670020000