Posted: 11/26/2014 1:47:15 AM EDT
| The F-82 has two cockpits, both with pilots. Which pilot flies the plane, or do they both fly and take turns? |
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Neat!
"The F-82 was the last propeller-driven fighter acquired in quantity by the USAF. It appears to be two Mustang fuselages on one wing, but in reality it was a totally new design. Its purpose was to provide a fighter carrying a pilot and co-pilot/navigator to reduce fatigue on long-range bomber escort missions. Delivery from production did not begin until early 1946, too late for World War II. After WWII, radar-equipped F-82s were used quite extensively by the Air Defense Command as replacements for the P-61 night fighter." http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2293 |
| Initially the pilots took turns on longer missions. Then once radar sets were installed the other seat was used as a dedicated radar operator. Then towards the end of the F-82's service, maintaners often rode shotgun to diagnose any problems and often times they would have to land and the guy would have to fix them to get back home again. The F-82 had horrible readiness rates and were so beaten up after Korea they became a hazard to fly. |