The long-range, high-altitude escort fighter, development of the P-51 Mustang, the Twin Mustang was formed by two fuselages joined by the wing and the horizontal stabilizer. The P-82 was a separate new design, not just a mating of P-51s, as commonly assumed. It was also the last prop-driven fighter to be ordered into production by USAF.
Two XP-82 (NA-120) prototypes were built (44-83886/83887) in 1945 powered by Packard-Merlin V-1650-23/25 with opposite rotating props. First flying at XP-82A on 15 April 1945.
With a pilot in each fuselage, it reduced the problem of pilot fatigue on ultra-long-range missions.
One XP-82A (NA-120), 44-838881945, was built with Allison V-1710-119 engines.
The P-82B (NA-123) of 1945 was the initial production version. Twenty were built, 44-65160-65179.
The NA-123 P-82C and -82D of 1946 were night fighter conversions of P-82Bs with a centre-section APS-4 radar pod.
100 (46-255/354) of the P-82E / NA-144 escort fighter were built in 1946.
The P-82F (NA-149) and G models carried a radar operator in the right cockpit instead of a co-pilot. 100 P-82F (46-405/495) night fighter were built in 1946. 45 P-82G / NA-150 (46-355/383, -389-404) all-weather night fighter with tracking radar were built in 1946, powered by Allison V-1710-143.
An F-82G was credited with downing the first enemy aircraft in the Korean War (p: Lt William Hudson), on 27 June 1950.
The P-82H of 1947 were Alaskan winterized conversions. Five were built from F-82F [46-384/388] and nine from F-82G [46-496/504].
Re-designated F-82 in June 1948.
Although a few initial models had Merlin engines, the great majority were Allison powered and saw service in Korea.
272 were built, the final delivery, an F-82G, in April 1949.
XP-82 / NA-120
Engines: 2 x Packard-Merlin V-1650-23/25
Props: Contra-rotating
No built: 2 [44-83886/83887]
XP-82A / NA-120
1945
Engines: Allison V-1710-119
1 built 44-83888
F-82
Engine: 2 x Allison V-1710-143/145, 2300 hp
Wingspan: 51 ft 3 in / 15.61 m
Height: 13 ft 10 in / 4.2 m
Armament: 6 x .50 mg
Bombload: 2 x 4000 lb
P-82B / NA-123
P-82C / NA-123
1946
Night fighter conversions of P-82B with centre-section APS-4 radar pod.
1 built 44-65169
P-82D / NA-123
1946
Night fighter conversions of P-82B with centre-section APS-4 radar pod.
1 built 44-65170
P-82E / NA-144
1946
Escort fighter
100 built 46-255-354
Length: 39 ft 1 in / 11.88 m
Height: 13 ft 10 in / 4.2 m
Empty weight: 14,350 lb / 6509 kg
Max loaded weight: 24,864 lb / 11,276 kg
Max speed: 465 mph / 750 kph
Range: 2504 mi
Armament: 6 x .50 mg
Bombload: 2 x 4000 lb
P-82F / NA-149
1946
Night fighter
100 built 46-405/495
P-82G / NA-150
Engine: 2 x Allison V-1710-143/145, 1600hp / 1193kW
Wingspan: 15.62 m / 51 ft 3 in
Length: 12.93 m / 42 ft 5 in
Height: 4.22 m / 13 ft 10 in
Wing area: 37.90 sq.m / 407.95 sq ft
Max take-off weight: 11608 kg / 25591 lb
Empty weight: 7256 kg / 15997 lb
Useful load: 9594 lb
Max. speed: 401 kt / 742 km/h / 461 mph
Cruise speed: 285-300 mph
Ceiling: 11855 m / 38900 ft
Range w/max.fuel: 3605 km / 2240 miles
Armament: 6 x 12.7mm machine-guns, 4x 454kg of bombs
Crew: 2
45 built (46-355/383, -389-404)
P-82H
1947
5 F-82F [46-384/388]
9 F-82G [46-496/504].
P 82 Twin Mustang
Engine: Merlin V-1650/11, 1240 hp @ 30,700 ft.
P 82 Twin Mustang
Engine: Allison 147/69R, 1250 hp @ 32,700 ft
Max speed: 480 mph
All Aero 