Search: xp-82

Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.

The newly restored XP-82 Twin Mustang prototype S/N 44-83887 (N887XP) is now available for sale.

The airframe reportedly has 25 hrs since restoration by Tom Reilly, while the Packard -1650-23 (RH turning) and Packard V-1650-25 (LH turning) engines have 25 hrs SMOH by Vintage V-12s. The propellers are Custom MT 4 blade types with 25 hrs since new. The machine has full dual controls, an avionics package and bare metal exterior with Stars and Bars, as flown in 1944.

Right hand seat can perform all flight functions with the exception of Landing Gear Up, Aileron Trim, Primary Radio, Start and Prime Switches. Right hand seat can control elevator and rudder trims, all engine controls, Landing Gear Down, fuel controls, coolant doors, CAT, and all lightning.

The aircraft is a multiple award winner, taking home Grand Champion Post WWII, Phoenix Award and two Golden Wrench Awards at EAA Airventure in 2019. It is currently being offered for $12,000,000. Click here to check out the complete listing.

(Photo: TheG3NERAL John 3:16 / CC BY-SA via Wikimedia Commons)

Yesterday, newly restored XP-82 Twin Mustang S/N 44-83887 (seen above) returned to the air for the first time since December 14, 1949.

As previously reported, the F-82 long-range escort fighter was designed late in WW2 and became the last propeller-driven fighter produced in quantity for the U.S. Air Force. Tom Reilly of Douglas, Georgia acquired the XP-82 prototype from Walter and Margaret Soplata in 2008 and restoration to airworthy condition began that July at Douglas Municipal Airport. Additional F-82 parts were sourced from Alaska and Colorado and a rare, left-hand turning Allison V-12 was located in Mexico. Additional components, including full second cockpit controls and a second canopy (one that “is completely different from any P-51 type”) were sourced from San Francisco and Tampa, respectively.

Click below to check out the full announcement as well as a photo of the machine returning to the air.

[continue reading…]

The decade-long restoration of the XP-82 Twin Mustang prototype (S/N 44-83887, seen above) is nearing completion, and the team behind the project is hoping that it will be ready in time for a planned debut at AirVenture 2018.

As previously reported, the F-82 long-range escort fighter was designed late in WW2 and became the last propeller-driven fighter produced in quantity for the U.S. Air Force. Tom Reilly of Douglas, Georgia acquired the XP-82 prototype from Walter and Margaret Soplata in 2008 and restoration to airworthy condition began that July at Douglas Municipal Airport. Additional F-82 parts were sourced from Alaska and Colorado and a rare, left-hand turning Allison V-12 was located in Mexico. Additional components, including full second cockpit controls and a second canopy (one that “is completely different from any P-51 type”) were sourced from San Francisco and Tampa, respectively.

Interest in the restoration of this exceedingly rare machine has been high, and Reilly states that “There is no better place than Oshkosh to make the first public flights of this aircraft, which is why it is our intent to complete the restoration and testing so we can be a part of AirVenture 2018.”

The AirVenture fly-in is scheduled to take place at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin from July 23-29.

(via EAA)

Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.

Tom Reilly and his skilled crew (best known for the award-winning XP-82 Twin Mustang restoration) are currently in the process of restoring a P-51 (S/N 44-12853), and it’s for sale. The listing states (in part):

This is a unique opportunity to have a P-51 Mustang built to your specifications. Customer to choose: restored as a P-51D or a TF-51: Interior paint colors, instrument panel layout, rear seat configuration, replica guns/no guns, exterior paint / polish. The project is currently under restoration and the will be updated as subassemblies are completed and parts added.

The fuselage has reportedly been rebuilt with new skins and longerons and is ready for systems installation (the systems are described as “either N.O.S., new manufactured, or overhauled to zero time specifications”). The engine mount has also been rebuilt with new longerons. A wing kit has been purchased from Odegaard Wings and will be restored with new wing spars, ribs, and skins. The aircraft will be powered by a Packard V-1650-9 to be overhauled by either Vintage V-12’s or Roush Aviation.

The project is located in Georgia and is currently being offered with two options: completed as a P-51D for $2.45m or a full dual control TF-51 for $3.5m. Click here to check out the complete listing.

AirshowStuff has released a new video filmed from the cockpit of the world’s only flying XP-82 Twin Mustang as it performed evening flybys at the recent AirVenture fly-in in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The F-82 long-range escort fighter was designed late in WW2 and became the last propeller-driven fighter produced in quantity for the U.S. Air Force. Tom Reilly of Douglas, Georgia acquired the XP-82 prototype from Walter and Margaret Soplata in 2008 and restoration to airworthy condition began that July at Douglas Municipal Airport. Additional F-82 parts were sourced from Alaska and Colorado and a rare, left-hand turning Allison V-12 was located in Mexico. Additional components, including full second cockpit controls and a second canopy (one that “is completely different from any P-51 type”) were sourced from San Francisco and Tampa, respectively. The machine performed its first post-restoration flight on January 1, 2019.

Click below to check out the new video, as well as footage of the aircraft filmed from the ground during the event.

[continue reading…]

The newly restored XP-82 Twin Mustang Prototype (44-83887) made a much heralded appearance at the 2019 Sun ‘n Fun fly-in in Lakeland, Florida, acting as both a static and flying display.

As previously reported, Tom Reilly of Douglas, Georgia acquired the XP-82 prototype from Walter and Margaret Soplata in 2008 and began restoring the machine to airworthy condition at Douglas Municipal Airport. Additional F-82 parts were sourced from Alaska and Colorado and a rare, left-hand turning Allison V-12 was located in Mexico. Additional components, including full second cockpit controls and a second canopy (one that “is completely different from any P-51 type”) were sourced from San Francisco and Tampa, respectively. On December 31, 2018, the XP-82 performed its first flight since December 14, 1949.

The aircraft made its public debut at Sun ‘n Fun, where it won the title of Grand Champion Warbird. Click below to see it in action at the event.

[continue reading…]