North American Twin Mustang (N887XP)

Can someone enlighten me on why the Twin Mustang was built? Was it used in WWII? Why build 2 separate cockpits? Why not build a twin-engine Mustang with a one person behind the pilot like many of today's fighters? #fullofcuriosity

Nice shot Tom.

Vaughn...I believe it was designed for an incredibly long range missions. One crew member could relieve the other.

If memory serves me right, post WW 2 distance & speed records were established with the aircraft. Like Hawaii to the mainland.

the F-82 was originally designed as a long-range escort fighter for the Boeing B-29 Superfortress in World War II. see the wiki

Ken,That flight was from Hawaii to New York 5,051 miles 14 hrs 32 mins. They also have a "Kill Record" in North Korea of at least three kills

By my calculations that makes an average speed of 302 knots from Hawaii to New York. Impressive!

http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=27417
https://aviationhumor.net/f-82-twin-mustang-amazing-history/
SUPER THANK YOU! to everyone who helps keep these Ol’ historical birds flying

With the addition of a large 'radar pod' mounted between the fuselages, it became the F-82F/G/H 'night fighter', and the occupant of the 'right seat' was a radar operator.

A good friend who'd flown them in Alaska told me that a 'skilled pilot' could land on the left fuselage (only); keeping the radar operator up in the air until he'd finally say: "Put me down!"

Delighted to see this! I didn't think there were any airworthy F-82's left.

I read that it's for sale. Sept 2020