Dates

Event

Constructed as a P-80A-1-LO by Lockheed at Burbank, California, USA.

Circa 1945

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-85125.

18 September 1947

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 44-85125.

11 June 1948

Redesignated as F-80A.

By 1949

Transferred to 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Misawa Air Base, Japan.

9 September 1949

Damaged.
Unknown incident/accident at Misawa AB, Japan, pilot James L. Carroll.

30 June 1950

Base of operations changed.
Ashiya AB, Japan.

8 July 1950

Base of operations changed.
Itazuke AB, Japan.

From 29 September 1950 to 1951

Base of operations changed.
Taegu AB (K-2), South Korea.

Circa 1953

Converted to a F-80C-11-LO by Lockheed at Burbank, California, USA.

By 1955

To USAF History and Traditions Museum, Lackland AFB, TX.

Markings Applied: FT-125, 85125

After 1978

To Williams AFB, AZ.

14 October 1978

Photographer: Peter Nicholson
Notes: P-80A Shooting Star on display in the USAF History and Traditions Museum at Lackland AFB, Texas in 1978.

By 1989

Markings Applied: The Fighter School Acrojets, FT-152, 485152

1991

To Air Zoo, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, Kalamazoo, MI.
Acquired aircraft when Williams AFB Closed.
View the Location Dossier

24 September 2007

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

24 September 2007

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

To Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Experience, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, Kalamazoo, MI.
View the Location Dossier

There is a suggestion that 85152 was incorrectly repainted as 85125; perhaps the Air Zoo has found its real identity and returned it to 85152? That F-80A (85152) was used at Williams AFB, AZ to let pilots learn how to fly a jet after flying Mustangs, Thunderbolts and Lightnings. When [Williams AFB] got done with 152, she was shipped to Lackland AFB TX for static display and her tail number, Steward Lanham reports that this plane got repainted incorrectly as 485125! He took photos of her in late 1955 while in his basic training and she was bare metal then. Years later, Williams asked for an F-80 for a gate guard and since Lackland had several, 152 was sent back to Williams but it is unknown if they ever realized that it was a returning aircraft. When Willy closed, she wound up at another museum [i.e., Air Zoo]. (Joe Baugher).
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