{"product_id":"hobby-craft-plastic-model-kit-north-american-f-82-twin-mustang-1-72","title":"Hobby Craft Plastic Model Kit North American F-82 Twin Mustang — 1:72","description":"\u003cp\u003eManufacturer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHobbycraft was a Canadian model-kit company known for producing a broad selection of aircraft kits, particularly subjects from the Second World War and early Cold War period. The HC1321 F-82 is part of the company's long-running 1:72 Twin Mustang tooling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe history of this particular tooling is interesting. It is not the same tooling as the Monogram F-82. A detailed review of the Hobbycraft kit identifies it as descended from an Idea Model kit from South Korea released in 1985. Hobbycraft subsequently marketed its own version as HC1321, with the kit appearing in several editions during the 1980s–2000s.\n\u003cbr\u003eKit contents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe HC1321 represents the distinctive twin-fuselage F-82 in 1:72 scale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit contains the major components required to build the aircraft, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Two complete fuselages\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Two cockpits\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Two pilot positions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Instrument panels\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Twin engine nacelles\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Main centre wing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Outer wing sections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Twin tail assemblies\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Horizontal stabiliser\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Landing gear\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Propellers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engine components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Centre-wing gun pack\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    External stores\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Clear canopy components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Decals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Assembly instructions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA contemporary build review notes that the kit provides two separate cockpits and pilots, with different instrument panels and pilot poses. The centre wing includes a gun pack and a door that can be posed open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe tooling is an older one and has raised rather than recessed panel lines, with some flash reported by builders. The original decals are also known to be showing their age on some examples.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe full-size North American F-82 Twin Mustang\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe North American F-82 Twin Mustang was an unusual American long-range fighter developed during the final stages of the Second World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRather than simply joining two existing P-51s together, North American developed an entirely new aircraft incorporating two Mustang-derived fuselages joined by a large common wing and tailplane.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe concept was driven by the need for a fighter capable of accompanying bombers over extremely long distances. A single pilot could not comfortably perform such missions for many hours, so the Twin Mustang had two crew positions, allowing the pilot and second crew member to share flying duties and reduce fatigue. NASA describes this long-range escort requirement as one of the fundamental reasons for the aircraft's development.\n\u003cbr\u003eDevelopment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDevelopment began in 1943 while the Pacific War was still being fought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNorth American's design became the XP-82, with two prototype aircraft constructed. The first prototype flew in June 1945, shortly after the end of the war in Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft was therefore too late to perform the long-range bomber-escort mission for which it had originally been conceived during the Second World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInstead, it became an important aircraft during the transition from piston-engine fighters to jet fighters in the immediate post-war period.\n\u003cbr\u003eWhy two fuselages?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe twin-fuselage arrangement gave the F-82 several advantages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft could carry a substantial fuel load while providing space for two crew members. On very long missions, the second crew member could take over flying duties or assist with navigation and other tasks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe arrangement also provided a large central wing section that could carry weapons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough visually reminiscent of two P-51 Mustangs joined together, the F-82 was a purpose-designed aircraft rather than a simple modification of existing Mustangs.\n\u003cbr\u003eF-82B\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe early production F-82B was powered by two Allison V-1710 engines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne particularly famous F-82B was aircraft 44-65168, named “Betty Jo.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn February 1947, Betty Jo made a remarkable non-stop flight from Hawaii to New York, demonstrating the exceptional range of the Twin Mustang. The aircraft covered approximately 5,000 miles and remains preserved today at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.\n\u003cbr\u003eF-82E\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe F-82E was the principal long-range escort version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBy the time it entered service, however, the strategic situation had changed dramatically. Jet fighters were rapidly becoming the future of military aviation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe F-82E consequently had a relatively short career as a bomber escort before being replaced by jet-powered aircraft such as the Republic F-84 Thunderjet.\n\u003cbr\u003eNight fighter versions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Twin Mustang found a more important role as a night and all-weather fighter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe F-82F and F-82G versions incorporated radar and other equipment for night interception. These aircraft were particularly important because early post-war jet fighters did not always possess the endurance or equipment required for long-range night defence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe F-82 therefore remained useful even as conventional daylight piston fighters were rapidly becoming obsolete.\n\u003cbr\u003eKorean War service\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe F-82 became especially significant at the beginning of the Korean War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eF-82Gs operated from Japan and were used for long-range missions over Korea. The type achieved the distinction of scoring the first U.S. air-to-air victory of the Korean War on 27 June 1950, when an F-82 crew shot down a North Korean La-7 near Kimpo. NASA specifically identifies the F-82 as scoring the first U.S. air-to-air victory of the conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft was also used for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Night interception\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Long-range escort\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Reconnaissance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Ground-support missions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Air defence\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Rescue-support missions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe radar-equipped versions could patrol large areas and were particularly valuable during the early months of the Korean conflict.\n\u003cbr\u003eArmament\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Twin Mustang could carry a substantial weapons load.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe central wing section incorporated a six-gun battery of .50-calibre machine guns on applicable fighter configurations. External hardpoints could also carry bombs, rockets and other stores.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe concentration of six .50-calibre guns in the centre of the aircraft provided a powerful forward-firing armament.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRadar-equipped F-82s could additionally carry equipment for the night-interception mission.\n\u003cbr\u003ePerformance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRepresentative F-82 specifications include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Crew: 2\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engines: 2 × Allison V-1710-series piston engines\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Power: approximately 1,600 hp per engine for the F-82G configuration\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Maximum speed: approximately 743 km\/h\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Service ceiling: approximately 11,857 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Range: approximately 3,606 km\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Wingspan: approximately 15.62 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Length: approximately 12.93 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Maximum take-off weight: approximately 11,608 kg\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Armament: up to 6 × .50-calibre machine guns plus external weapons\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSpecifications vary between F-82 variants, so these figures should be regarded as representative rather than applicable to every Twin Mustang configuration.\n\u003cbr\u003eAlaska and cold-weather operations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe F-82 also had an important post-war career in Alaska.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWinterised F-82Hs operated in the severe Alaskan environment, where the aircraft provided long-range air-defence capability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMaintenance became increasingly difficult as the aircraft aged and spare parts became scarce. By 1953 only a small number remained operational, with aircraft being cannibalised for parts to keep others flying. The last operational Twin Mustang was retired in November 1953.\n\u003cbr\u003eNASA research aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe F-82 also had an important scientific afterlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) acquired several Twin Mustangs for research. One XF-82 was used by NACA's Cleveland laboratory for ramjet research, with experimental ramjet-powered missiles launched from the aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNASA records that this research programme operated from 1948 to 1953.\n\u003cbr\u003eSurviving aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral Twin Mustangs survive today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTwo particularly important examples are preserved at the National Museum of the United States Air Force:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    F-82B 44-65162, displayed in the museum's Korean War Gallery in F-82G-style markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    F-82B 44-65168 “Betty Jo”, displayed in the Cold War Gallery in the markings associated with its historic Hawaii-to-New York flight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNASA also returned an XF-82 to flight after a lengthy restoration, making the Twin Mustang one of the more unusual surviving American piston-engine fighter types.\n\u003cbr\u003eHistorical significance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe F-82 occupies a unique position in American aviation history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    The last propeller-driven fighter acquired in quantity by the U.S. Air Force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Designed primarily for exceptionally long-range fighter escort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Adapted into an important radar-equipped night fighter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Responsible for the first U.S. air-to-air victory of the Korean War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Used for pioneering post-war aviation research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    One of the most visually distinctive piston-engine fighters ever produced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOnly 273 Twin Mustangs were built, making the aircraft relatively uncommon compared with the thousands of P-51 Mustangs produced.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hobby Craft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57504170213756,"sku":"HC1321","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/sussex-model-centre.co.uk\/products\/hobby-craft-plastic-model-kit-north-american-f-82-twin-mustang-1-72","provider":"Sussex Model Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}