AN/APS-13 Tail Warning Radar

[Stoney74]

Can anyone explain whether or not this equipment was used/reliable/successful?  I see that the P-38L, P-51D, and P-47N all were equipped with the set.

[Debonair]

who wants monica yapping at you everytime your wingman crosses over behind you?
plus, they have been know to trigger very large explosions

[stephen]

Was wondering the same thing...aparently lancasters had an iff system, which the germans used to great advantage in tracking the =m down at night.....alas electronic warfair is beyond us it seems...

[Benny Moore]

In formation, most of the ships would turn if off because it would constantly be going nuts because of the wingman behind and to the side.  However, for the tail end charlie, it could give him a few extra seconds, which could mean all the difference in the world.  And for photo-reconaissance pilots, it meant the difference between life and death.

[Stoney74]

Originally posted by Benny Moore
In formation, most of the ships would turn if off because it would constantly be going nuts because of the wingman behind and to the side.  However, for the tail end charlie, it could give him a few extra seconds, which could mean all the difference in the world.  And for photo-reconaissance pilots, it meant the difference between life and death.

Do you know what kind of range it had?  The POH's don't say.

[Benny Moore]

I don't know, but I don't think any more than visual range.  Like the mirrors, the pilots said by the time it started blinking it was often too late.  However, it did save a lot of pilots (as did the mirrors), and unlike the mirrors, the tail warning radar would alert you even if you didn't see the ship behind you.

[frank3]

Like Stephen said, the Germans designed a radar (can't recall which type) which locked on the signals coming from the Allied tailwarning-radars.

Thus making it easier to shoot them down of course :0