- Yes
- No
Aircraft: * P-51D Mustang
- P-47 Thunderbolt
- P-61 Black Widow(only occasionally)
- F-82 Twin Mustang
- B-17 Flying Fortress
- B-24 Liberator
- F4U Corsair(only occasionally)
- F6F Hellcat(only occasionally)
Classification: Early Warning System
Description: The APS-13 was a rear warning radar system that saw use during World War II and the Korean War, primarily on American fighter and bomber aircraft like the P-51D Mustang and the B-17 Flying Fortress. The system was designed to detect aircraft approaching from the rear, providing pilots with crucial seconds of advance notice that could mean the difference between life and death in hostile airspace. With this early warning, pilots had a chance to break formation or maneuver defensively before an enemy could open fire.
They system reportedly increased the survival rate by up to 80% though not well documented
The APS-13 operated by sending a signal to a small indicator in the cockpit, which alerted the pilot to any enemy aircraft approaching within a certain range. Though it was limited to rear detections only, it significantly increased survivability by reducing the threat of surprise attacks from behind. The addition of this system to War Thunder would provide players with an authentic experience of how 1940s radar technology impacted air combat tactics and would introduce new gameplay dynamics, especially in bomber and escort missions.
Performance:
- Range: Approximately 500 yards, focused on rear detections
- Limitations: Only detects threats directly behind the aircraft; doesn’t identify specific aircraft but provides positional awareness
Conclusion: The APS-13 would make a fantastic addition to War Thunder, especially for U.S. aircraft in mid-to-late World War II and Korean War-era battles. It would add another layer of tactical awareness without making aircraft invincible, as it only alerts the pilot to rear attacks. Including the APS-13 in-game could offer players an immersive historical feature and further diversify aircraft roles and defensive strategies. It would also highlight how early radar systems were used in practice, showcasing another fascinating aspect of aerial combat evolution in the mid-20th century.
Photo documentation/pictures
Sources:
- “Flying Guns: World War II and the Korean War” by Anthony G. Williams and Emmanuel Gustin
- “Mustang: A Documentary History” by Jeffery Ethell
- “Radar and Electronic Warfare: In World War II”
*"Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum - “Northrop APS-13 Tail Warning Radar”
[AN/APS-13 Tail Warning Radar]
AN/APS-13 (SCR 718) airborne tail warning radar
Bogey Six O’clock!: The AN/APS-13 Tail Warning Radar | Hackaday
APS13 Tail radar
ALL IMAGES BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS