Monogram 1/72 F-82E/G Twin Mustang
| KIT #: | 85-5257 |
| PRICE: | $14.50 MSRP |
| DECALS: | Two Options |
| REVIEWER: | Scott Van Aken |
| NOTES: | Re-issue. Original kit from 1973 |
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, however the war ended well before the first production units were operational, so its postwar role changed to that of night-fighting. Radar-equipped F-82s were used extensively by the Air Defense Command as replacements for the P-61 Black Widow night fighter. During the Korean War, Japanese-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, the first being a North-Korean Yak-11 downed over Gimpo by the USAF 68th Fighter Squadron.
One of many of Monogram's reissues is this one from 1973. The kit has been reissued several times, but from my recollection, they have always concentrated on the black night fighter, so were molded in black plastic. This one is in their standard grey plastic and the molding is ge
nerally very clean and nice. On my example, one of the fuselage halves is short short in front of the windscreen, a most unusual place to have plastic missing. It will be interesting to see if Monogram is willing to provide a replacement.
The kit is able to be built as either a straight fighter or as a night fighter. The kit's cockpits are fairly well done for something that is over 40 years old with decals for instrument panels. There is belt detail molded on the seat and one has the ability to put crew members in the two seats. The wing center section has guns with a removable gun cover. There is decent main wheel well detail, though none for the tail wheel. For things under wings you have a pair of fuel tanks, outboard bomb racks. For the lower wing center section one can install either a rocket rack for the day fighter or the radar pod for 
the night fighter. All of the holes are already opened for you so if building a night fighter, which probably didn't have outer bomb racks, you'll need to fill those. Another option is to have the canopy open or closed and the way the part is designed, it is movable.
Instructions are standard modern Monogram with all the parts named and generic colors provided during the build process. Markings are for two planes. One is the box art plane from the 449th AWS at Ladd Field Alaska. It is the last prop driven fighter in the USAF and was retired in November of 1953. The other is a very colorful F-82G night fighter of the group commander of the 52nd AWG at Mitchell AFB. Decals are nicely printed and should work well.
Nice to see an old favorite like this returning to the shelves of the local shop. Apparently it is selling quickly as well so if you want one and don't want to pay collector's prices, get it while you can.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-82_Twin_MustangJune 2010
Thanks to me for getting this one. If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.
Back to the Main Page
Back to the Previews Index Page
One of many of Monogram's reissues is this one from 1973. The kit has been reissued several times, but from my recollection, they have always concentrated on the black night fighter, so were molded in black plastic. This one is in their standard grey plastic and the molding is ge