DAYTON, Ohio (05/2010) -- In preparation for the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is renovating its Korean War exhibit. Here, a restoration specialist paints stenciling on the F-82. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (05/2010) -- In preparation for the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is renovating its Korean War exhibit. Here, restoration specialists work on the F-82. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (05/2010) -- In preparation for the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is renovating its Korean War exhibit. Here, restoration specialists paint stenciling on the F-82. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (05/2010) -- In preparation for the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is renovating its Korean War exhibit. Here, a restoration specialist puts the finishing touches on the F-82. (U.S. Air Force photo)
During the Korean War, Japan-based F-82Gs were among the first U.S. Air Force aircraft to operate over Korea. On June 27, 1950, all-weather F-82Gs shot down the first three North Korean aircraft destroyed by U.S. forces.
The F-82 was the last propeller-driven fighter acquired in quantity by the USAF. It appears to be two P-51 Mustang fuselages on one wing, but in reality, it was a totally new design. The Twin Mustang carried a pilot and co-pilot/navigator to reduce fatigue on long-range bomber escort missions. Production deliveries did not begin until early 1946, too late for World War II. After WWII, Air Defense Command flew radar-equipped F-82Gs as replacements for the P-61 night fighter.
The aircraft on display is an F-82B, modified and marked as the F-82G crewed by Lts. Charles Moran, pilot, and Fred Larkins, radar observer, 68th F(AW)S, when they shot down a North Korean La-7 on June 27, 1950, near Kimpo Air Base, South Korea.
TECHNICAL NOTES (F-82G):
Armament: Six .50-cal. machine guns and 20 5-in. rockets or 2,000 lbs. of bombs Engines: Two Allison V-1710s of 1,600 hp each Maximum speed: 400 mph Range: 2,240 miles
