F-82G Twin Mustang "Korean War"
Once the standard long-range, high-altitude escort fighter for the U.S. Air Force, the North American P-82 Twin Mustang was the climactic development of a long series of the famous World War IIP-51 Mustang series.
North American produced 250 of the double-fuselaged airplanes for the Air Force, embracing three versions of the Twin Mustang then in service, the P-82E, P-82F and P-82G. They were ordered too late for World War II, however.
The versatility of the P-82 made it potentially adaptable to a wide variety of roles in modern aerial warfare. It was adapted as a fighter, a long-range escort, long-range reconnaissance, night fighter, attack bomber, rocket fighter and an interceptor. With a speed of more than 475 miles an hour, the Twin Mustang had a combat range of over 1,600 miles with full armament. Range could be extended by use of external drop tanks on the wings.
A radical departure from the conventional single-fuselage airplane, the Twin Mustang was formed by two fuselages joined by the wing and the horizontal stabilizer. With a pilot in each fuselage, it reduced to a minimum the problem of pilot fatigue on ultra-long-range missions. The P-82F and G models carried a radar operator in the right cockpit instead of a co-pilot.
Both engine throttles and both propellers were controllable from either cockpit by manually operated levers. The pilot's cockpit on the left contained the normal flight and engine instruments, while the co-pilot on the right had sufficient instruments for relief and emergency operation.
A simplified cockpit arrangement improved pilot comfort, including a tilting, adjustable seat to reduce fatigue during long flights.
Drie uitvoeringen mogelijk;
- F-82G Twin Mustang, FQ-383/6383, pilot Lt.William "Skeeter" Hudson, r/o Lt.Carl Fraser, 347.F(AW)S, Itazuka Air Base, Japan, June 27, 1950. After take-off from this base, the crew scored the first earial victory in the Korean War. They shot down North Korean aircraft in a clash over Korean Kimpo airbase.
- F-82G Twin Mustang, FQ-363/6383 "Siamese Lady", 347.F(AW)G, 68.F(AW)S, Suwon Air Base, Korea, 1951.
- F-82G Twin Mustang, FQ-400/6400 "Call Girl", 347.F(AW)G, 4.F(AW)S, Naha Air Base, Okinawa, 1950. Call Girl was a personal mount of Col.John Sharp, the CO of 4.F(AW)S.
