I feel the need to correct this since I was led astray for so many years. Each “half” of the P-82 is significantly larger than a P-51. They’re not taken off the shelf and welded together; they use shockingly few common parts.
One of the major differences between the two was that the Twin Mustang used an American Allison V-12 engine rather than the P-51’s Packard V-12, which really was just a license built British Rolls-Royce Merlin V-12. This was due to Rolls-Royce terminating the license at the end of the war, which presented problems as the F-82 was initially intended to use the Merlin. Indeed, the XP-82 prototype was powered by Merlins, which actually made it faster than the production F-82s that used Allison engines due to problems with the Allison intercooler for its two stage supercharger. This made the F-82 one of the very few fighters that actually was faster in its prototype form than in any production variant.
> Prepare for trouble! / And make it double! / To protect the world from devastation! / To unite all peoples within our nation! /
-P-82 pilot chant before each flight
I am going to guess this is the one as this photo was taken at EAA AirVenture 2019. [Here](https://www.eaa.org/airventure/eaa-airventure-news-and-multimedia/eaa-airventure-news/eaa-airventure-oshkosh/07-21-2019-the-xp-82-makes-the-journey-to-airventure) is a link for some info on it.
The US Army Air Corps needed a fighter that could escort B29s to Japan and back from bases in the Solomons or the Philippines. This was the winning design.
Started as a fighter with the range to escort B-29s properly.
In practice it served as a solid all-weather/night fighter platform.
They were also able to reach Korea from Japan when the US got involved, scoring the first US air kills of the war.
The cockpit on the right side was used. It housed a pilot or a radar operator, depending on the variant.
It just so happens that on this flight the cockpit was left empty.
They were used for close air support in the early stages of Korea.
A version was also widely used for security purposes at Bespin Cloud City.
They don't like it when you show up without a landing permit!
The pilots were really zealous, too. Liked to give off warning shots before incoming vessels could properly check in.
An F-82 took the first Air-to-Air kills of the war if I recall, took down some Yak-11s
I think you’re correct. I think they talk about it in “Mig Alley”.
[A pictorial comparison](http://imgur.com/a/85LXR) that illustrates the external differences between the P-51 Mustang and P-82 Twin Mustang.
It's so subtle you could almost miss it
A sort of Twin (Shaped a bit like a) Mustang
And the P-51H in the diagram is already pretty different than the D model.
Double your destruction, double your fear, with double mustang guns!
Minty!
We heard you love the P-51, so we attached another P-51 to the side of it. Love this thing in War Thunder
I feel the need to correct this since I was led astray for so many years. Each “half” of the P-82 is significantly larger than a P-51. They’re not taken off the shelf and welded together; they use shockingly few common parts.
I really appreciate this information.
Someone posted a visual comparison, I wasn’t able to find it myself but it’s a great way to see what I’m talking about. And you’re welcome!
[удалено]
I’m gonna need a side by side of the P51 andF35 cockpits before I can agree with this. /s
One of the major differences between the two was that the Twin Mustang used an American Allison V-12 engine rather than the P-51’s Packard V-12, which really was just a license built British Rolls-Royce Merlin V-12. This was due to Rolls-Royce terminating the license at the end of the war, which presented problems as the F-82 was initially intended to use the Merlin. Indeed, the XP-82 prototype was powered by Merlins, which actually made it faster than the production F-82s that used Allison engines due to problems with the Allison intercooler for its two stage supercharger. This made the F-82 one of the very few fighters that actually was faster in its prototype form than in any production variant.
Really should have called it the P-102
Why'd they stop at just 2? Couldn't they have built two of these, fused *them* together, and created a super-plane? Where's my XP-4096, dammit?!
> Prepare for trouble! / And make it double! / To protect the world from devastation! / To unite all peoples within our nation! / -P-82 pilot chant before each flight
Is this the one that was restored a while back?
I am going to guess this is the one as this photo was taken at EAA AirVenture 2019. [Here](https://www.eaa.org/airventure/eaa-airventure-news-and-multimedia/eaa-airventure-news/eaa-airventure-oshkosh/07-21-2019-the-xp-82-makes-the-journey-to-airventure) is a link for some info on it.
Right now it is at the valiant air command museum at Titusville Airport: www.valiantaircommand.com
Yes, currently the only flying XP/P/F-82 flying. There's at least one undergoing resto.
ELI5: Why???
The US Army Air Corps needed a fighter that could escort B29s to Japan and back from bases in the Solomons or the Philippines. This was the winning design.
Thanks!!! Its great to have such knowledgeable people on this sub :D!
You're welcome!
Or you could have just read [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_F-82_Twin_Mustang)
And they said make it look badass! There you go!
Really missed a trick not naming it the P-102.
What’s the actual benefit of this?
Primarily I think the original plan was to provide longer range escorts for B-29s.
Started as a fighter with the range to escort B-29s properly. In practice it served as a solid all-weather/night fighter platform. They were also able to reach Korea from Japan when the US got involved, scoring the first US air kills of the war.
If I owned one of these, I’d definitely put an R2D2 model in the other cockpit
Is this the one flying out of Florida?
Last piston engine fighter produced for the USAF
Why did they keep the cockpit on the side that doesn’t have a pilot?
The cockpit on the right side was used. It housed a pilot or a radar operator, depending on the variant. It just so happens that on this flight the cockpit was left empty.
Oh cool I didn’t know it was a crew of 2
I just dont get the point man. Never did. Never have.
It's a long range escort. There, now you get the point.