P-51E, half a Twin-Mustang. *finished*

[sandiego89]

I am back after a lengthy hiatus with retirement, cross-country move, and major work getting our old family home in Southern California up to snuff. 

P-51E (half a Twin-Mustang)

Backstory:  In the fall of 1944, the anticipated performance of the P-82 Twin Mustang, with its lengthened fuselage and impressive range figures was impressing the USAAF.  While the P-51D had impressive range, it was uncertain which bases would be available for the final assault on the Japanese home islands. USAAF planners asked North American if a single fuselage version of the Twin Mustang could meet range requirements, at a cheaper price and less complexity of the Twin Mustang.  A proposal to mate a P-82 fuselage with the high power, Allison V-1710, onto the P-51D wing was quickly accepted and an order was placed in September 1944, for the P-51E, with first flight in January 1945.   

The Kits:
1/72 Monogram F-82, 1973 mold, 1975 new box
1/72 Academy P-51D, 1988 tool.

I believe others have done this before, but I needed something easy-ish (famous last words) as I get back to the bench.  Glad to be back!




 

[PR19_Kit]

Sounds like a plan. 

[DeeBob]

It hadn't occurred to me that the twin Mustang was any more developed than just being two Mustangs stuck together, you learn something new every day! That discovery does make me very excited to see where this goes though, I think it'll look really sleek.

[kerick]

The Twin Mustang was a nearly completely new design when compared to the D. The H was a little closer.
This will look very cool! I'll be watching this one!

[perttime]

I like it.
There might be something to be said for a longer wing for higher altitude, though 

edit:
Oh... How do the outer wings of the F-82 compare with P-51 wings?

[frank2056]

This is something I wanted to do and even have the Monogram kit and a couple of the excellent Airfix P-51D kits. The Monogram kit is not great, which is why I shelved the project. Can't wait to see your solution!

[Dizzyfugu]

Curious about the proportions of this thing. Normal P-51 wings with the longer P-82 fuselage(s) might look a bit awkward! I'd expect the need for a span extension, and the main landing gear will also be tricky to integrate.

[PR19_Kit]

Oh... How do the outer wings of the F-82 compare with P-51 wings?

IIRC they're pretty much the same half-span as an P-51H.

And of COURSE they'd need to be longer! 

[perttime]

If using P-51 wings, landing gear shouldn't be an issue.
But seriously, longer wingspan might be necessary. Is there an easy way to extend the P-51 (and/or F-82) wing - or are there other possible wing donors?

[zenrat]

Can you join the LH half of the RH fuselage (and half the centre section) to the RH half of the LH fuselage (and half the centre section) and then attach the standard wings to the ends of halved centre section?

[PR19_Kit]

Can you join the LH half of the RH fuselage (and half the centre section) to the RH half of the LH fuselage (and half the centre section) and then attach the standard wings to the ends of halved centre section?

Yes, but it looks ugly with that parallel section just outboard of the fuselage. As the wings are straight tapered it's relatively easy to just  extend the tips with a few laminated layers of styrene. (Don't ask me how I know this....... )

Plus if you use the P-82 centre section wings you do end up with landing gear issues as the bays will start under the centre line of the fuselage, and an even narrower track  than a Spitfire or an Me 109! 

[perttime]

Take a landing gear implant from the P-51 wing and put it into the F-82 wing   

[Zero-Sen]

Replace the radar pod of a F-82G by a 'pilot pod' on top of the centerline wing?

[sandiego89]

Unboxing the P-82.  Thanks for all the comments. 

Yes the perception that the Twin Mustang was simply two D fuselages riveted together is not correct.  It started out as a modified H fuselage but was significantly lengthened over 50 inches and the tail is much larger.   

I have pondered the gear and wings, and for now it will be the stock D wing and undercarriage, so no worries about gear track width.

Correct Dizzy, it likely will look proportionally awkward- but that has not stopped us before!!

Egads, Frank2056 is correct, the Monogram kit of the P/F-82 is pretty rough, with raised panel lines that would likely be 4-5 inches in scale! Lots of sanding in my future. 

[PR19_Kit]

Egads, Frank2056 is correct, the Monogram kit of the P/F-82 is pretty rough, with raised panel lines that would likely be 4-5 inches in scale! Lots of sanding in my future. 

That's true, but it's a kit of its time, and it's outline accuracy is very good. 




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