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

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