North American F-82 Twin Mustang

North American F-82 Twin Mustang
Country	USA
Role	Long-range escort fighter and night fighter
First fly	15 June 1945
Built	272

The North American F-82 Twin Mustang is the last American piston-engine fighter ordered into production by the United States Air Force. Based on the P-51 Mustang, the F-82 was originally designed as a long-range escort fighter in World War II. The war ended well before the first production units were operational.

Source: North American F-82 Twin Mustang on Wikipedia

North American F-82G Twin Mustang Walk Around
Photographer	Vladimir Yakubov
Localisation	USAF museum in Dayton
Photos	76

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North American F-82G Twin Mustang 7

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North American F-82G Twin Mustang 9

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F-82 Twin Mustang Walk Around
Photographer	Phillip Juvet
Localisation	USAF museum in Dayton
Photos	16

F-82 Twin Mustang

General Characteristics and Role

The North American F-82 Twin Mustang was one of the last American propeller-driven fighters ordered into production. Its unique design consisted of two P-51H Mustang fuselages connected by a center wing section and a single horizontal stabilizer. Originally conceived as the P-82 for very long-range bomber escort missions over the Pacific during World War II, the war ended before it entered service. The F-82G variant was specifically developed as a dedicated night fighter for the U.S. Air Force. It featured two cockpits, with the pilot in the left fuselage and a radar operator (navigator) in the right fuselage, responsible for operating the sophisticated radar unit housed in a large pod beneath the center wing. The F-82 is notable for achieving the first triple air-to-air victory of the Korean War. [Image of the T-60 light tank]

Property	Typical Value (F-82G)
Role	Long-Range Escort Fighter, Night Fighter
National Origin	United States
Manufacturer	North American Aviation
First Flight	15 June 1945 (XP-82 prototype)
Crew	2 (Pilot in left fuselage; Radar Operator/Navigator in right fuselage)
Length	12.93 m (42 ft 5 in)
Wingspan	15.62 m (51 ft 3 in)
Height	4.22 m (13 ft 10 in)
Empty Weight	7,271 kg (16,036 lb)
Max Takeoff Weight	11,632 kg (25,643 lb)

Powerplant and Performance

Engines: 2 x Packard V-1650-25 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engines (a version of the Rolls-Royce Merlin).
Power Output (Each): 1,380 hp (1,030 kW).
Propellers: Two opposing propellers (one tractor, one pusher) to counteract torque.
Maximum Speed: 742 km/h (461 mph; 401 kn) at 6,400 m (21,000 ft).
Range (Ferry): 4,023 km (2,500 mi; 2,172 nmi) with external fuel tanks.
Service Ceiling: 11,856 m (38,900 ft).

Armament and Night Equipment

Fixed Armament: 6 x .50 cal (12.7 mm) M3 Browning machine guns mounted in the center wing section.
Optional Armament: External carriage of up to 25 HVAR rockets or 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) of bombs on eight underwing hardpoints.
Night Fighter Radar: AN/APG-28 radar system housed in a large centerline pod. The radar operator in the right cockpit guided the pilot toward enemy aircraft.
Operational History: The F-82 saw limited service, primarily as a night fighter in the Korean War, before being rapidly replaced by jet-powered aircraft like the Lockheed F-94 Starfire in 1953.