P-82B Twin Mustang for European Air War

This is a major re-working of the P51D 3D shape for EAW, to create the P-82 Twin Mustang.

The shape is by me, using Moggy's newly discovered method of "pasting" one 3D shape file onto another. Moggy also fixed a difficult problem with the undercarriage in the nearly-finished version of the shape. The P-51 skin is by Airbuddha (a 361st FG ETO machine), with a few small changes by me to fit the new shape . There are some small rendering problems from some angles (if only I could work out the rendering sequence properly), but nothing too dramatic for such a radical re-working of the 3D shape.

To use , simply unzip all files and copy the *.TPC and *.3DZ files into your EAW directory. The P-82B takes the place of the P-51D, using ECA Control Panel v3.7 or later.

The only known glitch with this shape, using ECA Control Panel v3.7 or later, is to do with the engines and propellors. This is a twin-engined aircraft, so you have to start both engines to fly at full power (by hitting both the Shift[ and Shift] keys). The left engine controls the appearance of both propellors, though (this is a cosmetic effect only).

Also included is a zip file P82RADAR.ZIP, which provides an alternative P82 equipped with a central radar pod.

History of the Twin Mustang
The P82 Twin Mustang was designed in 1944, as an ultra-long range escort fighter for both the European and Pacific theatres. Although some had flown before VJ day, it saw no active service in WWII. The Twin Mustang had an outstanding range on its internal fuel tanks alone, and could carry up to four 165-gallon external tanks, or up to four 1000lb bombs, or 25 HVAR rockets.

In June 1950 the Korean War commenced, and Twin Mustangs based in Japan were thrown into combat to stem the North Korean advance. They were the only fighter aircraft available with the range to cover the entire Korean peninsula from bases in Japan. They provided fighter cover for the C-54 and C-47 transports flying in and out of Kimpo Airfield near Seoul. 

The Twin Mustang saw extensive service in Korea until November of 1951, serving in both escort and ground attack roles. On June 27, 1950, an F-82 (as the P-82 was re-named in the late '40s) of the 68th Fighter Sqn, 347th Fighter Group flown by Lieut. William Hudson (pilot) and Lieut. Carl Fraser (radar operator) shot down a North Korean Yak-7U. This was the first air-to-air kill of the Korean War, and, incidentally, the first aerial victory by the newly-formed United States Air Force.However. As more jets became available, the F-82s were withdrawn from combat and phased out of service. The last Twin Mustang was retired from service in mid-1953. 

Some pictures of the Twin Mustang are enclosed with this Zip file, for your interest.

I hope you enjoy the Twin Mustang for EAW.

Charles Gunst
GunstQC@aol.com
August 2001
