In response to an Army request in 1943 for a 3,000 - 4,000 lb (13,344 - 17,792 N ) 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, and 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 Circa 1944 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet) Manufacturer General Electric Aircraft Engines
 Physical Description Type: Turbojet Thrust: 17,013 N (3,825 lb) at 11,500 rpm Compressor: Single-stage centrifugal Combustor: 14 interconnected straight-through chambers Turbine: Single-stage axial Weight: 851 kg (1,875 lb) Dimensions Storage: 177.8 x 127 x 134.6cm (70 x 50 x 53 in.)
 Materials Non Magnetic Metal
Aluminum
Paint
Plastic
Rubber
Fabric
Cadmium Plating
Compressed Fiber
Copper Alloy
 Inventory Number A19630437000 Credit Line Transferred from the NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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