Front view of North American XF-82 (S/N 44-83886) with 445-gallon droppable tank, 10 5-inch rockets, 110-gallon tank and a chemical tank. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force has an F-82B on display in its Modern Flight Gallery.
TECHNICAL NOTES: Armament: Six .50-cal. machine guns, 25 5-in. rockets, and 4,000 lbs. of bombs Engines: Two Packard V-1650s of 1,380 hp each Maximum speed: 482 mph Cruising speed: 280 mph Range: 2,200 mi. Service ceiling: 39,900 ft. Span: 51 ft. 3 in. Length: 38 ft. 1 in. Height: 13 ft. 8 in. Weight: 24,800 lbs. maximum Crew: Two
