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Did the P 82 see combat?
Although some P-82B airframes were completed before the end of World War II, most remained at the North American factory in California waiting for engines until 1946. As a result, none saw service during the war.
Which was better p51 or Spitfire?
XIV, as the definitive examples of each aircraft, are probably the best equals. A Rolls-Royce Griffon, the engine that powered the MKXIV Spitfire to a top speed of 437mph. In most cases, the Spitfire had better performance as an all-purpose fighter….Mustang Vs. Spitfire – Which Was Best?
| Aircraft | Mustang | Spitfire |
|---|---|---|
| Number Built | 16,000 | 20,300 |
Was the Twin Mustang ever used?
Only one Air Force Group ever used the F-82 Twin Mustang for its original designed mission. The most extensive use of the F-82 Twin Mustang was in the air defense role as an interceptor fighter.
Why did the F-82 have two pilots?
The USAF needed the best escort fighter it could get its hands on. Although the P-38 had the range, its pilot would have an extremely taxing experience, so the USAF came up with a new plan – have two pilots. North American’s solution was to create the XP-82 Twin Mustang.
How many Twin Mustangs are left?
Of the 272 manufactured by North American, Reilly’s is one of five remaining and the only surviving prototype. (Only two prototypes were built. The first prototype was scrapped at Maryland’s Naval Air Station Patuxent River in 1953.)
Is the F 82 good?
The F-82E works best as a high-altitude bomber-killer or escort plane. While its respectable payload of bombs, machine guns, and rockets make it an effective ground attacker, it is very vulnerable in that role unless the enemy’s fighters have all been neutralized.
How many pilots did the F 82 have?
two pilots
North American’s solution was its XP-82 Twin Mustang, essentially two modified P-51H fuselages combined in a twin-boom configuration, carrying two pilots to share the tasks of flying and fighting.
What does the P in P-51 stand for?
pursuit
For example, before the new system, the Army Air Force used the “P” designation, which stood for pursuit, on a wide variety of its fighter aircraft, like the P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt and P-38 Lightning.
Which is faster the P-51 or the Twin Mustang?
Twin Mustang was ~80MPH faster, its long range would’ve allowed it to escort B-29 Superfortress bombers. Misunderstandings about Twin Mustang was it was just two P-51H fuselages welded together, wrong, or was based on Me-109Z Zwilling or Me-609 , wrong, since Schmued had idea in 1940 before those were designed.
What was the North American P-82 Twin Mustang?
The North American solution was its P-82 Twin Mustang. Unique concept. Appearing from some angles to be two P-51’s flying in a close formation the North American P-82/F-82 was very nearly exactly that!
How did Kelly Johnson choose the P-51 Mustang?
Kelly Johnson drew and considered a twin-fuselage design similar to Twin Mustang, possibly he may have chosen it if requirements called for two-seats. Zero could out-turn P-51 (and everything else). But it was very slow and fragile. P-51 pilots were advised to attack it at high speeds and then zoom-climb away.
What was the range of an F-82 Twin Mustang?
The F-82E had a range of over 1,400 mi (2,300 km), which meant that with external fuel tanks it could fly from London to Moscow, loiter for 30 minutes over the target, and return, the only American fighter which could do so.