The North American P-82 Twin Mustang, the
last piston-powered fighter produced in quantity for the US Air
Force, was the last variant of the P-51 Mustang which had debuted,
and served so successfully, in WW II. The Twin Mustang was developed
in response to a government specification seeking a very long range
escort fighter capable of accompanying B-29 bombers, and able to
attack the newest Japanese fighters at very high altitudes. The P-82
was in reality actually an entirely new aircraft. The P-82 was six
feet longer than a P-51, and utilized many new technological
improvements. From a design standpoint the P-82 represented a
radical departure from conventional aeronautical standards. The twin
cockpits (one on each fuselage) was employed to allow more than one
pilot, and reduce fatigue on long over-water missions in the
Pacific. Twin Merlin engines, utilizing counter rotating propellers
powered the first P-82. The first prototype flew in April of 1945.
Only twenty of the original 500 aircraft ordered in 1944 were
completed prior to the end of WW II. In December of 1945 the USAAF
placed orders for 100 P-82E escort fighters, 100 P-82F night
fighters, and 50 P-82Gs, which was also a night fighter version. It
was anticipated that these versions, powered by an improved Allison
engine, would replace the aging P-61 Black Widow. In 1946 a
specially modified P-82 flew from Hickham Field in Hawaii to
Mitchell Field in New York in 14 hours and 33 minutes. Between 1946
and 1949 production on 250 of the P-82s was completed. The P-82 was
a versatile aircraft, quite capable of supporting ground attack
forces with the wide variety of stores which could be carried
underwing. It was also possible to add eight additional machine guns
to the aircraft's middle wing section. Designated the F-82 at the
time of the Korean War, the twin mustang attained the first USAF
victory in that war on June 27, 1950. A Flight of five F-82s from
the 68th Fighter Squadron intercepted a flight of Soviet-built Yak-9
fighters, which had been strafing the Allied airfield at Kimbo. The
F-82, while a capable long range fighter and attack aircraft, was in
effect rendered obsolete by the entry of Mig jets into the conflict.
The aircraft were reassigned to air defense positions in Japan and
Okinawa, where they were utilized primarily in the night fighter and
reconnaissance roles. The F-82 was capable of speeds in excess of
450 MPH with its two 1,600-HP Allison engines, and its range of more
than 2,000 miles was unique. A few air worthy examples of this fine
aircraft are still in existence.
Overall Print Size: 16" x 11 1/2"
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Collector Sized Lithograph:
$40
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