North American
F-82
Twin Mustang
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Photo: Robert Deering 1985
National Museum of the USAF
Wright-Patterson AFB (FFO)
Dayton, Ohio
The F-82 was the last propeller-driven fighter acquired in quantity by the USAF. It appears to be two Mustang fuselages on one wing, but in reality it was a totally new design. Its purpose was to provide a fighter carrying a pilot and co-pilot/navigator to reduce fatigue on long-range bomber escort missions. Delivery from production did not begin until early 1946, too late for World War II. After WWII, radar-equipped F-82s were used quite extensively by the Air Defense Command as replacements for the P-61 night fighter.

During the Korean Conflict, Japan-based F-82s were among the first USAF aircraft to operate over Korea. The first three North Korean airplanes destroyed by U.S. forces were shot down by all-weather F-82G interceptors on June 27, 1950.
     
F-82B
Photo: Robert Deering 10/18/2012
National Museum of the USAF
Wright-Patterson AFB (FFO)
Dayton, Ohio
F-82G
Photo: Robert Deering 10/18/2012
National Museum of the USAF
Wright-Patterson AFB (FFO)
Dayton, Ohio		    
SPECIFICATIONS: PERFORMANCE:
Span: 51 ft. 3 in.
Length:  38 ft. 1 in.
Height:  13 ft. 8 in.
Empty Weight:  
 Gross Weight:  24,800 lbs. maximum
Crew: Two 		Maximum speed: 482 mph
Cruising speed: 280 mph
Range: 2,200 mi.
Service ceiling: 39,900 ft.
Engines:  Two Packard V-1650s of 1,380 hp each
Armament: Six .50-cal. machine guns, 25 5-in. rockets, and 4,000 lbs. of bombs
   
SOURCE: National Museum of the United States Air Force