P-51 tail radar array

[Jade_Monkey]

Looking at the P-51 screenshots, it looks like it's missing the tail radar array. 

Is that expected for models flying in Korea? or does it need to be added?

 

[migmadmarine]

Probably just an incomplete model, looks like the holes where the wires protrude from are there in the texture. 

[LukeFF]

Yes, it is planned to be there, IIRC as a mod.

[Rjel]

I was just looking at the February '82 issue of WINGS magazine that featured an article about Korean War era P-51s. Not all the pictures showed the tail unit clearly but those that did I couldn't see the tail warning array installed. Granted the first two weren't USAF aircraft but the third one is shown as it was in 1951. Are we certain it was still in use in the 1950s?

 

 

 

Edited July 21, 2024 by Rjel

[BlitzPig_EL]

At this point the Mustang was not a front line fighter expected to carry the brunt of air to air action.  The tail warning equipment may have been pulled to lower aircraft weight as it may have been deemed unnecessary in it's new second line role.

 

Just supposition on my part, but it makes some sense. 

[LukeFF]

Yes, the cockpit diagram from the 1954 F-51 manual I have shows the controls for the AN/APS-13 radar removed (see the panel behind item 18), and I don't see any discussion of it in the manual.

 

That said, it was probably still in service in some form, likely in stateside Air National Guard units, but yes, being primarily a fighter-bomber in Korea it would have had limited utility. 

 

Additionally, the term "F-51" didn't refer to any particular D-series subvariant, so that would/could affect as well the equipment installed on any given plane.

 

[Rjel]

Weren’t most ANG stateside P-51s recalled to active duty in Korea? I’ve read several units had theirs replaced by P-51Hs or even the ANG unit itself and it’s A/C shipped over. 

[LukeFF]

2 hours ago, Rjel said:

Weren’t most ANG stateside P-51s recalled to active duty in Korea? I’ve read several units had theirs replaced by P-51Hs or even the ANG unit itself and it’s A/C shipped over. 

 

I think so. I'm not aware of ANG Mustang units being sent to Korea but their aircraft definitely were. The other source of F-51s for Korea were ones sitting in depots since 1944-45. 

 

As for ANG units serving in Korea, yes, there quite a few F-84 units that were activated and spent time over there (including the unit with which President Bush eventually served in later years). It is planned to have them flyable in career mode.