North American F-82 Twin Mustang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids P-82/F-82 Twin Mustang |
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| XP-82 prototype | |
| Role | Long-range escort fighter and night fighter |
| Manufacturer | North American Aviation |
| First flight | 15 June 1945 |
| Introduction | 1946 |
| Retired | 1953 |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Number built | 272 |
| Unit cost | US$215,154 |
| Developed from | North American P-51 Mustang |
The North American F-82 Twin Mustang was a very unique airplane. It was the last propeller-driven fighter plane ordered for the United States Air Force. Imagine two P-51 Mustang planes joined together! That's what the F-82 looked like.
This special aircraft was first designed to fly very long distances. It was meant to be an "escort fighter" during World War II. This meant it would fly alongside bombers to protect them on long missions. However, the war ended before the first F-82s were ready to fly in combat.
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What is the F-82 Twin Mustang?
The F-82 Twin Mustang is a fighter plane that looks like two planes joined by a center wing section. It has two fuselages (the main body of an aircraft) and two cockpits. Usually, only one pilot flew the plane. The other cockpit was for a co-pilot or a radar operator, depending on the mission.
Why Was It Built?
The main reason for the F-82's design was to fly very long distances. During World War II, bombers needed protection on their missions. These missions could last for many hours. A single-engine plane like the P-51 Mustang couldn't always fly far enough.
The F-82 solved this problem. With two engines and two fuselages, it could carry more fuel. This allowed it to fly for much longer without stopping. It was perfect for escorting bombers across vast oceans or continents.
When Did It Fly?
The first F-82 prototype flew on June 15, 1945. This was just before World War II ended. Because the war finished, the F-82 didn't see much action as an escort fighter.
However, it found a new job! The F-82 became an important "night fighter" and "all-weather fighter." This meant it could fly missions in the dark or in bad weather. It was used by the US Air Force starting in 1946.
How Many Were Made?
In total, 272 Twin Mustangs were built. They served the United States Air Force until 1953. Each plane cost about $215,154 at the time.
Twin Mustang in Action
Even though it missed World War II, the F-82 played a role in other conflicts. It was especially important during the Korean War.
Korean War Missions
During the Korean War (1950-1953), the F-82 Twin Mustang was one of the first American planes to fly combat missions. It was used for:
- Night patrols: Flying in the dark to find enemy planes.
- Ground attacks: Firing at targets on the ground.
- Escort missions: Protecting other planes.
The F-82's ability to fly in all weather conditions made it very useful. It could fly missions when other planes were grounded due to bad weather.
Legacy of the Twin Mustang
The F-82 Twin Mustang was the last propeller-driven fighter plane to be mass-produced for the US Air Force. After it, jet engines became the main power for fighter planes.
Today, only a few F-82s still exist. Some are in museums, like the "Betty Jo" at the National Museum of the USAF. These planes remind us of a unique time in aviation history. They show how engineers tried new ideas to make planes fly farther and faster.
Images for kids
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The second prototype North American XP-82 Twin Mustang being flight-tested at Muroc Army Airfield, California
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F-82 and P-51 in formation
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Twin Mustangs and two jet-engined FJ-1 Furys in production at North American, 1948
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P-82B-NA "Betty Jo" taking off from Hickam Field, Hawaii, 27 February 1947
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27th FW North American F-82E Twin Mustangs along with a Boeing B-29 Superfortress at Kearney Air Force Base, Nebraska.
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317th Fighter-All Weather Squadron North American F-82F Twin Mustang, the first F-82F Twin Mustang delivered to Air Defense Command.
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Group Commander's F-82F Twin Mustang of the 52d Fighter Group (All Weather) at the 1950 World Wide gunnery meet, Nellis AFB, Nevada in March 1950.
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Farewell from family as 68th All-Weather Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Itazuke AB Japan leave for a combat mission over Korea.
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Flight of 339th FS F-82Gs heading to Korea in June 1950.
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68th FS F-82G at Itazuke AB.
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68th FS F-82Gs on the alert ramp at Kimpo AB, South Korea.
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USAF operational F-82 Twin Mustang, F-82F on the ramp at Ladd AFB, just before going to salvage at Elmendorf AFB, May 1953.
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The final flight crew and maintenance support personnel of an F-82, May 1953.
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Two F-82Hs and one F-82G on the ramp at Ladd AFB, late summer 1952
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F-82H Twin Mustang at the end of the line, Elmendorf AFB, fall 1953
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EF-82B "Betty Jo" with the NACA in 1952 with ramjet under the wing. When retired in 1957, this F-82 was the last flyable Twin Mustang under USAF ownership.
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P-82C in black night fighter motif. Note the large pod that carries the radar array under the wing
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North American F-82F Twin Mustang night fighter
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N12102 (ex-44-65162), the aircraft involved in the 10 October 1987 accident, seen here under restoration in 2007
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North American XP-82 Twin Mustang EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2019
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Betty Jo is one of two F-82B's in the NMUSAF collection at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
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F-82 3-view drawing
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See also
In Spanish: North American F-82 Twin Mustang para niños
