Stunning shot of a Shooting Star of the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, based at March Field. The squadron colour of the 94th FS was blue. Photo by: Charles Steinheimer / Life

P-80s of the 1st Fighter Group lined up at March Field in 1946. 44-85364, 44-85349, and 44-85350 are listed with the Group's 71st Fighter Squadron in 1946-47. Photo by: Charles Steinheimer / Life

The 412th Fighter Group at March Field, renamed the 1st FG in July 1946, was the first P-80 Shooting Star wing. Charles Steinheimer made photos in October according to Life and they were published in the magazine's 9 December 1946 issue. Photo by: Charles Steinheimer / Life

'On the tarmac at NACA Lewis in Cleveland, Ohio. The Air Force aircraft was participating in the 1946 National Air Races.' This aircraft was fitted with upward-firing machine guns in 1947, and later still with a second cockpit to test flying in the prone position. Photo from: NASA

A P-80A Shooting Star firing up. The other P-80A, 44-85412, crashed at Selfridge Field on 14 October 1947 whilst serving with 61 FS / 56 FG. Since this is a Detroit news photo, it was almost certainly taken there. 56 FG received the P-80A that year. Photo from: Wayne State University