In 1943, the Army asked GE to propose a 13,344 to 17,792 N (3,000 to 4,000 lb) thrust turbojet engine. GE's response was the I-40 (J33), a centrifugal-flow engine that could be produced in a short time, as well as the axial-flow TG-180 (J35), which required a longer development time. First off the block, the I-40 went into service in 1945 in America's first operational jet fighter, the Lockheed P-80A.

To meet wartime needs, production was licensed to the Allison Division of General Motors. When World War II ended, the Army Air Forces re-evaluated its production program, and turned over all post-war production of the J33 to Allison.

The J33 was GE's first turbojet engine of its own design, the last all-centrifugal-flow engine built by GE, and last used in U.S. military combat aircraft. The J33 powered many first generation U.S. military jet aircraft. This engine powered the Lockheed F-80C and TF-80C.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date Circa 1948 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet) Manufacturer Allison Division, General Motors Corporation
 Designer General Electric Aircraft Engines
 Physical Description Type: Turbojet Thrust: 17,347 N (3,900 lb) Compressor: Single-stage centrifugal Combustor: 14 chambers Turbine: Single-stage axial Weight: 780 kg (1,720 lb) Dimensions 3-D: 279.4 × 142.9 × 124.5cm (9 ft. 2 in. × 4 ft. 8 1/4 in. × 4 ft. 1 in.)
 Materials HAZMAT: Cadmium
Aluminum Alloy
Possible Copper Alloy
Ferrous Alloy
Natural Fiber Thread
Phenolic Resin
Rubber
Paint
Ink
Adhesive Tape
Solder
 Inventory Number A19600241000 Credit Line Transferred from the U.S. Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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