Static testing of the J33 began on January 13, 1944. Five months later the J33 was tested in the Lockheed P-80A, America's first operational jet fighter. In November 1944, development and production was transferred from GE to the Allison Division of General Motors.
Allison J33
Turbojet Engine
Originally developed by General Electric, the J33 is a direct descendant of the British W.1 engine developed by Frank Whittle in the 1930s. In September 1941 the Army Air Forces decided to use the W.1 to power its first jet fighter, the Bell P-59A. General Electric was selected to produce the W.1 in the U.S., and the first GE built Whittle , designated Type 1-A, flew in a P-59 in the fall of 1942. Because of disappointing performance of the Type 1-A, work began on an improved engine, the J33.