The F-82 was the last propeller-driven fighter acquired in quantity by the Air Force and, with the exception of the A-1 Skyraider attack aircraft, was the last tail-dragger. Development began in 1944 to provide a twin-engine, long-range bomber escort with accommodations for a relief pilot who could aid in navigation. The F-82 appears to be two Mustang fuselages on one wing, but in reality it was a totally new design. Delivery from production did not begin until early 1946. After World War II, radar-equipped F-82s were used extensively by Air Defense Command as replacements for the P-61 night fighter. Nine F-82Fs and five F-82Gs were converted as F-82H winterized interceptors for Alaska. During the Korean War, Japan-based F-82s were among the first Air Force aircraft to operate over Korea. Lts. William G. Hudson and Charles B. Moran recorded the first "kill" in Korea on June 27, 1950, when they shot down a North Korean Yak-11. Two other F-82 crews recorded air-to-air victories, and a total of 16 aircraft were destroyed on the ground by Twin Mustang crews. The type flew 1,868 sorties in the Korean War before being withdrawn in February 1952. The Tennessee ANG flew F-82s for a brief time. The type was retired by June 1953.
| Contractors: | North American Aviation, Inc. |
| Locations Built: | Inglewood, Calif. |
| Number Built: (USAF) | 272 (272) |
| First Flight: | July 6, 1945 |
| First Flight Model: | XP-82 |
| First Flight Location: | Unconfirmed but likely Inglewood, Calif. |
| First Flight Pilot: | Unconfirmed but possibly Vance Breese |
| Models/Variants: | F-82B, E, F, G, H |
| Powerplant: | One Allison V-1710-143 and one Allison V-1710-145 (the different engine submodels turned the F-82's propellers in opposite directions) liquid-cooled V-12s of 1,600 hp each |
| Wingspan: | 51 ft 3 in. |
| Length: | 31 ft 1 in. |
| Height: | 13 ft 10 in. |
| Weight: | 24,864 lb gross |
| Armament: | Six .50-cal. machine guns and 4,000 lb of bombs or 25 5-in rockets |
| Accommodation: | Crew of two (pilot and copilot; pilot and radar operator on F-82G only) |
| Cost: | $215,154 |
| Max. Speed: | 465 mph |
| Range: | 2,500 mi. |
| Ceiling: | 38,900 ft. |
Copyright Air Force Association. All rights reserved.