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.

 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 Post-World War II 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: 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) Dimensions From J33-A-35: Length 265 cm (104.5 in.), Diameter 125 cm (49.2 in.)
 Inventory Number A19670020000 Credit Line Transferred from the U.S. Air Force Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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