Why the F-82 Twin Mustang Had Two Fuselages

Resembling something straight out of science fiction, the North American F-82 Twin Mustang was one of the most unusual fighters ever built. Developed in the final stages of World War II and pressed into service during the early Cold War, it became the last piston-powered fighter commissioned by the United States Air Force. Its unique double-fuselage design—with two cockpits side by side—made it instantly recognizable and gave it capabilities unlike anything else in the skies.

Born from a Pacific Problem

The F-82’s roots stretch back to 1943. At the time, the Army Air Forces were preparing for long-range bombing missions against Japan using the B-29 Superfortress. They needed a fighter escort that could fly over 2,000 miles without refueling—something the P-51 Mustang simply couldn’t manage.

North American’s solution was bold: take two P-51 fuselages, link them together with a new wing and center section, and power each side with a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. The result was the XP-82, which offered double the fuel capacity, greater aerodynamic efficiency, and the ability to carry two pilots who could alternate control during missions lasting up to 12 hours.

Into the Air

The first XP-82 took to the skies in June 1945—just weeks before Japan’s surrender ended the war. With its intended mission suddenly obsolete, the Twin Mustang’s future looked uncertain. Many airframes went into storage before they even received engines.

But the Cold War soon gave the design new life. As tensions with the Soviet Union grew, the Air Force revived the program, now fitting many aircraft with Allison engines. In 1947, the first operational F-82s were delivered, and by 1948, the designation officially shifted from “P” (Pursuit) to “F” (Fighter).

Combat in Korea

The F-82’s moment came in June 1950, when war broke out in Korea. The Twin Mustang was one of the few fighters with the range to operate effectively over the peninsula. It flew reconnaissance, night patrol, and bomber escort missions, and it even scored the first U.S. aerial victory of the war by downing a North Korean aircraft.

Its versatility was impressive: it could conduct long-endurance missions, fight in poor weather, and serve as a true multi-role fighter in a rapidly changing conflict.

Fading Away

Despite its successes, the jet age quickly caught up to the Twin Mustang. By the early 1950s, aircraft like the F-94 Starfire replaced it in front-line service. Maintenance issues and a shortage of spare parts only hastened its retirement, and by 1953, the F-82 was phased out entirely.

Legacy of an Oddity

Though its career was short, the North American F-82 Twin Mustang left a lasting legacy. Its twin-fuselage silhouette made it one of the most distinctive fighters of all time, while its performance proved the piston-engine fighter still had life left—even as jets took over. More importantly, it showed how American engineers were willing to push boundaries to solve the problem of range, endurance, and versatility in combat.

The F-82 may have been a stopgap in the transition from propellers to jets, but it remains one of the most fascinating designs ever to take to the skies.