This particular Twin Mustang set a long distance record in 1947, flying nonstop from Hawaii to New York. It departed Hickam Field, Hawaii on Feb 27,1947 flown by Colonel Robert E. Thacker. The flight was 5,051 miles done in 14 hr 32 min for an average speed of 347.5 miles per hour. The P-82B departed with all internal tanks full, 576 gal, plus four 310 gal drop tanks. This stands as the longest nonstop flight made by any propeller-driven fighter.
For various reasons, the model following the P-82B, the P-82C, was powered by Allison V-1710s. When the P-82C was put into service, the P-82Bs were relegated to be trainers. This produced an odd situation where the trainers were faster than the fighter that was being trained for.
1,380 hp Packard-Merlin V-1650, one left hand rotation, one right hand rotation.
Betty Jo departing Hickam Field, Hawaii
Betty Jo at the Air Force Museum, Dayton, OH, Oct, 2016
