NORTH AMERICAN P-82 TWIN MUSTANG

Development of the unusual North American P-82 Twin Mustang began late in 1943, when there was an urgent need for a very long-range fighter to fly bomber escort missions over the Pacific. On the premise that two P-51 Mustangs 'should be twice as good as one', the manufacturer used two lengthened P-51H fuselages and modified port and starboard wing halves, joined by a new center wing and tailplane. The Twin Mustang was powered by two 1,860 horsepower Allison V-1650 engines. This configuration provided a twin-engined aircraft with a cockpit each for the pilot (lef) and radar operator (right), and a large fuel capacity, giving a maximum range of 2,400 miles. A total of 273 P-82's were built for the USAF.

The CAF's P-82B Twin Mustang (44-65162) was discovered at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas, early in 1966. Mounted on a plinth, it was showing the effects of being exposed to the elements for the previous 15 years. After some negotiation with USAF, the big twin was donated to the CAF in May 1966 and it was taken the short distance to Kelly AFB, San Antonio. Here it was restored for the ferry flight to Harlingen that took place on January 31, 1969. Much of the following decade was spent rebuilding the Twin Mustang and it eventually appeared at CAF airshows again in the 1980s, now registered N12102. After a number of flights in 1987, that were plagued with engine problems, the P-82 stalled and made a crash landing at Harlingen on October 10, 1987. Therare fighter has not been able to fly again as it still lacks the replacement counter-rotating propellers uniquely fitted to this type.