Many perceived important projects like that of an escort fighter became redundant, however a replacement for the P-61 Black Widow night fighter was required and the North American F-82 or "Twin Mustang" filled this role very well serving up to and including the Korean War where the first three North Korean aircraft destroyed by U.S. forces were shot down by F-82 "Twin Mustangs". The F-82 remained in service in Korea until 1951 after which it was replaced by the F-94 Starfire jet fighter. The remaining F-82's served their last two years of active service in their designed role of escort fighters operating out of Alaska in support of Convair B-36 bombers long Arctic flights until most were scraped at their Alaska bases in 1953. North American F-82G Specifications: - Crew: Pilot and Co-pilot
- Length: 42 ft 9 in (12.93 m)
- Wingspan: 51 ft 3 in (15.62 m)
- Height: 13 ft 10 in (4.22 m)
- Empty weight: 15,997 lb (7,271 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 25,591 lb (11,632 kg)
- Engines: Twin 1,600 hp (1,200 kW) Allison V-1710-143/145 liquid-cooled V12 engines
- Maximum speed: 400 knots (460 mph, 740 km/h) at 21,000 ft (6,400 m)
- Range: 1,950 nm (2,250 mi, 3,605 km)
- Service ceiling 38,900 ft (11,855 m)
North American F-82G Armament: - Guns: 6× .50 in (12.7 mm) Browning M2 machine guns
- Rockets: 25× 5 in (127 mm) rockets
- Bombs: 4,000 lb (1,800 kg)
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