EF-82B to go on display in full night fighter configuration

[mustangdriver]

A buddy of mine said that Betty Joe may just stay in the same Gallery as the EF-82 since the flight was part of that era. So I guess we shall see.

[B-25 C]

How many of these survive today. How many were produced.
Thanks

[the330thbg]

Very cool.. Can not wait to see her in person!

[mustangdriver]

Looks like 273 were built, and of that 5 remain.

[B-25 C]

Thanks Mustangdriver. It would be great if just one could be restored to flying condition to tour the USA!

[Django]

Since it will be spending eternity on static display, can they just use a regular propellor? That was one of the CAF issues right... they couldn't source the correct prop?

[Pogmusic]

Doesn't the actor (Loose term) Tom Cruise own one at one time; or, does he still own one?

[airnutz]

Doesn't the actor (Loose term) Tom Cruise own one at one time; or, does he still own one?

The prop or the aircraft? The rumour was, Cruise was the sponsor waiting in the wings for
the CAF '82 when the USAF/CAF furball occurred.

[Dan K]

Thanks Mustangdriver. It would be great if just one could be restored to flying condition to tour the USA!

There is one being restored to fly. It's with C&P Aviation. Checkout updates here:

http://www.maxair2air.com/09AIR/P-82/02.html

http://www.maxair2air.com/09AIR/P-82Progress2/01.html

Just don't forget the other future flier: The XP-82 being reconstructed at Tom Reilly's shop.


Again, I confess to having mixed emotions over the NMUSAF converting the EF-82B into a P/F-82D. What's the point? The type never flew operationally with the USAF. Or are we supposed to squint past the Merlin cowlings and pretend it's a Korean vet?

[mustangdriver]

Hey Dan that is what I thought. I don't know that much about the twin mustang, but when I search EF-82B it shows night fighter variants just like what they want to display it as. What is the deignation EF for in EF-82

[mustangdriver]

I know of the difference in engine changes, but how much different did they look from the outside. It would be great to get a few pics side by side. I know the later variants carried the pod, but also parts were always an issue and several variants saw combat in different roles. At any rate I think it looks pretty close to represent a night fighter. The CAF did as well as it carried the night fighter paintscheme.

[mustangdriver]

Great to hear she'll be going on display. Does the Museum have a radar pod, or are they going to have to manufacture one?

SN

That is something I want to find out as well.

[Dan K]

Hey Dan that is what I thought. I don't know that much about the twin mustang, but when I search EF-82B it shows night fighter variants just like what they want to display it as. What is the deignation EF for in EF-82

Hi Chris,

For a giggle I googled... "EF-82B"

The typical inaccuracies of the internet reared their heads. I found just one pic of a black Twin Mustang with radar pod mislabeled "EF-82B". The pic is the same one you started this thread with, the starboard view of 44-65170. #170 is, of course, the sole example of a P-82D ever constructed, converted from a (Merlin-engined) P-82B.

As far as the designation goes for EF-82B, I'm not sure I've ever read a truly definitive answer. Since apparently none of the twenty Merlin-engined Twin Mustangs purchased by the Air Force ever served in an operational squadron (and were used almost exclusively for testing), I'm wondering if "EF" doesn't stand for some type of Electronic Warfare testing the aircraft may have been involved in.

I'm sure someone out there knows...

[Rogue]

Again, I confess to having mixed emotions over the NMUSAF converting the EF-82B into a P/F-82D. What's the point? The type never flew operationally with the USAF. Or are we supposed to squint past the Merlin cowlings and pretend it's a Korean vet?

Seems like since the have a newer model sitting outdoors they would use it.
But then again NMUSAF has a RP-63 also sitting outside at Lackland and try to pass off the one on the floor as a Pinball.
Just doesn't make good sense.

[Ken]

Again, I confess to having mixed emotions over the NMUSAF converting the EF-82B into a P/F-82D. What's the point? The type never flew operationally with the USAF. Or are we supposed to squint past the Merlin cowlings and pretend it's a Korean vet?

That was my question. Restore the former CAF bird to look like it did in service. "It is what it is".