Lonnie Ortega Aviation Art

The North American F-82 Twin Mustang was the last American piston engine fighter ordered into production by the United States Air Force. Based on the P-51 Mustang, the F-82 was originally designed as a long-range escort fighter in World War II, its postwar role changed to that of night-fighting. Radar-equipped F-82s were used quite extensively by the Air Defense Command as replacements for the P-61 Black Widow night fighter. During the Korean War, Japan-based F-82s were among the first USAF aircraft to operate over Korea. The first three North Korean aircraft destroyed by U.S. forces were shot down by F-82s.
IN EARLY 1947 AIRCRAFT S/N 465168 was to achieve some measure of fame, it was fitted with extra internal fuel tanks in each fuselage aft of the pilot's seats and four external drop tanks a total fuel load of 2,215 U.S.gals/8,384 litres. On Feb.28, piloted by Lt. Col. Robert E Thacker with copilot Lt John M Ard, it departed Hickam field, Hawaii, and flew non stop 4968 miles to LaGuardia Field in New York, setting a World Distance Record. The" Betty Joe" name was later corrected to" Betty Jo" named for Thackers wife and now is on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington,D.C.