North American P-82 Twin Mustang

The P-82 came about as a result of a USAAF requirement for a very long range escort fighter for operations in the Pacific, especially to escort the B-29s all the way to Japan and back. The purpose of having two pilots was as a relief against fatigue on the long overwater missions. Only 20 of the 500 ordered had been built before the war's end brought a cancellation to the contracts, but 250 more were built in 1946. Part of this order was for a night fighter version (with a radar operator instead of a second pilot) which was made to replace the Northrop P-61 Black Widow. The P-82 was renamed the F-82 in 1948, and a U.S. F-82 shot down the first enemy aircraft of the Korean War.

For more data on this aircraft, click here for Joe Baugher's webpage.

USAF archives on the F-82 (same aircraft), click here.

Additional information on this aircraft can be found at Wikipedia here.

(updated February 2009)



North American P-82 Twin Mustang

Type: Fighter Crew: 2, Pilot, co-pilot/radar operator Armament: six.50 cal machine guns Specifications: Length: 42' 5" (12.93 m) Height: 13' 10" (4.22 m) Wing span: 51' 3" (15.62 m) Wing area: 408 sq. ft (37.90 sq. m) Empty Weight: 15,997 lbs (7256 kg) Takeoff Weight: 25,591 lbs (11,608 kg) maximum Propulsion: No. of Engines: 2 Powerplant: Allison V-1710-143/145 inline Horsepower: 1600 hp each Performance: Range: 2240 miles (3605 km) Cruise Speed: 286 mph (460 km/hr) Max Speed: 461 mph (762 km/hr) at 21,000 ft. Ceiling: 38,900 ft (11,855 m)

(go to North American page)