P-80A (F-80A). Первый P-80 был передан ВВС Армии США в феврале 1945 года. Первые 345 самолетов модели "А" оснащались ТРД General Electric J33-GE-11 или Allison J33-A-9, на самолете также была внедрена система отсечения и слива пограничного слоя, и перепроектирован отсек вооружения. Начиная с P-80A, все самолеты Shooting Star имели тормозные щитки - они устанавливались внизу в районе стыка крыла и выдвигались вперед.
44-85004, an early production Lockheed P-80A Shooting Star. The prototype XP-80 first flew on January 8, 1944, and by the time production ended in June 1950 1,732 Shooting Stars had been built.

P-80A 44-85123 established a trans-America speed record on January 26, 1946, in the hands of Col William H. Councill. Fitted with modified P-38 drop tanks and extra internal tankage, the P-80 made the 2,453.8-mile journey in 4hr 13min 26sec, at an average speed of 580-93 m.p.h.

The fifth service-test YP-80A, 44-83027, seen with its serial obliterated by Flights retoucher, came to the UK in the winter of 1944-45 and was fitted with a Rolls-Royce B-41 engine, the prototype of the Nene.

The first prototype XP-84 Thunderjet, 45-59475, made its first flight from Muroc on February 28, 1946.

Another view of the first prototype XP-84, 45-59475. The aircraft was powered by an Allison J35 turbojet.

A Thunderjet fires a salvo of eight rockets from retractable launchers beneath its wings. During the Korean War the type saw active service mainly on bomber escort and ground attack duties.

The fourth pre-production YP-84A, 45-59485. A total of 4,457 Thunderjets was built, and the type was developed to produce the swept-wing Thunderstreak.