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Subject: Ultimate piston Figher/Bomber, circa 1946, the P/F-82, Twin Mustang
RockyMTNClimber    9/6/2009 8:56:00 PM
This bird might just be the ultimate, WWII fighter. Except that it's war ended before it had a chance to fly against the Japanese home islands. Faced with the challenge of fighting a long range conflict against the Japanese home islands, the US realized the P-51's range and single crew status simply would not allow it to reliably reach most of the Japanese home territory with a single pilot/ single engine aircraft. The answer was to develop the P/F-82 which would allow two pilots share the 7-10 hour mission's, pilot and navigation duties. The F82 became a hero of the Korean War, but if required, it would have been the "Mustang" of the Pacific theater. Pretty interesting story. Check Six Rocky
 
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mabie       10/25/2009 6:36:40 AM
If an enemy fighter downed a twin-mustang, could he claim two kills?LOL
 
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ens. jack    Black widow reference   10/25/2009 9:35:44 AM
I heard someone remark that the P-61 could have been used for the long range escort . It was by no means too large or slow. If I recall correctly, it outperformed even the Mosquito in all aspects, it had to win a fly off before it  became the lead night fighter over Europe. The reason it wouldn't have been used as a long range escort though, because it was too specialized. It was built around its radar set. It was also produced in ridiculously small numbers. Perhaps if it were produced in numbers closer to those of the Mustang, then they might have been used for such a role. Regardless though, I would count the P 61 C as the best piston fighter of 1946. (The C was effectively an A, but with the dorsal turret locked into the forward firing position, reducing instability and increasing forward firepower).
 
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LB    Do335   10/25/2009 10:20:19 AM
There were many advanced prop aircraft under development that could have seen service in 1946.   The Do335 was a tad faster than the Hornet and was probably more maneuverable.  I'm not clear twin fuselage designs didn't have issues compared to other configurations such as poor roll rate.  Almost all the best prop fighters of 1946 would have at least flown as prototype in 1944 or earlier. 
 
Was the F-82 even the best twin seat night fighter of 1946?  Was it better than a Tigercat?  Note the F-82 specs do not reflect the night fighter version and the rather large center mount radar pod.  As a day fighter was it better than a Do335 and how well does a 1946 Ta152 perform vs say a follow on to the 1944 P-47M/N?    
 
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