Another veteran passes.......

[Bob Wright]

There was a recent obituary in the Memphis paper, and I can't retrieve it to get the man's name. He was a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot from the Korean era.

His distinction was that he was the last U.S. Air Force fighter pilot to fly a propeller driven fighter, an F-82 Twin Mustang.

Bob Wright

 

[SAJohn]

Early in the Vietnam war, Navy AD4 (later A-1) Skyraiders had 2 confirmed and 1 probable MiG-17 kills. While these planes were attack rather than fighters, the MiG's quickly learned not to fool with them as they came equipped with twin 20mm cannons. In the first kill, the MiG tried a head on pass at two of AD4's. They shot that Mig into many small pieces.

 

[Jeepnik]

The A1 was flown later that the F82, but the A1 was an "attack" aircraft. The F82 was the last USAF prop driven fighter. I remember seeing and more importantly hearing an F82 at a local airport as a kid (I wonder if any are still flying). An amazing sound and a thing of beauty to behold.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

The A1 was flown later that the F82, but the A1 was an "attack" aircraft. The F82 was the last USAF prop driven fighter. I remember seeing and more importantly hearing an F82 at a local airport as a kid (I wonder if any are still flying). An amazing sound and a thing of beauty to behold.

None are flying at this time. The CAF had one on loan from the USAF that was supposed to be restored. They decided to sell it which was a No No so the USAF took it back.

Modified to the F-82H model with the addition of cold weather equipment and additional de-icers. Many of these fighters operated with Strategic Air Command where they served as escorts for the massive Convair B-36 Peacemaker bomber during long flights over the Arctic.

The 449th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was the last USAF unit equipped with the F-82, retiring the model in 1953 when a lack of parts made it impossible to keep the aging airframes flying. The retirement of the F-82 marked the end of front-line use of USAF propeller driven fighter aircraft. Many were ultimately scrapped in Alaska.

 

[coach]

I never knew about the F82. Pretty interesting airplane. Thanks bringing it up.