P-38 wing mounted infrared laser used for tower ID during approach and landing in the pacific theater during WW2

pbehn said:

Exactly, but every man and his dog will call it an "Infra Red Camera" I was confused by the lens, since the camera couldnt see through glass. It looked like a glass lens with a gold coating like Astronauts had on their visors, but I was told its actually a tricky ceramic compound.

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manta22 said:

Not surprising since gold is the best reflector there is in the IR, especially in the longer wave IR range. IR telescope reflector mirrors are coated with thin-film gold, unlike visible-range telescopes that are coated by evaporating aluminum on their mirror. Satellites are routinely wrapped in gold coated foil to reflect the sun's IR so they maintain a reasonable temperature.

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MIflyer said:

There are accounts of US aircraft entering the landing pattern - and not night fighters- at Japanese air bases in the Pacific, and responding to the tower's light signals with lights of their own before slamming on the power and opening fire.

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pbehn said:

I dont know if it was gold but it had that sort of look, heres a pic I found,
View attachment 740129

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mjfur said:

A device so secret no mention of it exists in the aircraft manual or anywhere else?

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bf109xxl said:

µm

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GrauGeist said:

"nm" is also internationally recognized when used in Infrared context.

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MIflyer said:

The pilot's manuals don't describe the radar equipment, either.

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GrauGeist said:

Which stands for "nanometer", yes.

"nm" is also internationally recognized when used in Infrared context.

This peice of shit phone also lacks Greek characters, so nm it is.

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mjfur said:

The closest thing to radar on the P-38 was the AN/APS-13 Radio Warning System and it is described on Page 55, how it works, how to operate it, switches, etc..

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EwenS said:

In 1943 the Fifth AF in the Pacific modified acouple of P-38F as night fighters with SCR-540 radar sets. These were followed by a couple of P-38J conversions in 1944 with AN/APS-4 radars in pods under the wings.

And finally in 1945 came the two seat P-38M night fighter with AN/APS-4 in an under nose pod. These were just about to enter service as the war ended. 75-80 built.

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EwenS said:

And I forgot.

Some of the P- 38J/L Droop Snoot aircraft were fitted with H2X aka AN/APS-15 (BTO or Mickey) radar sets in the ETO for pathfinder work. These replaced the plexiglass nose.

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mjfur said:

And the Pilots Manuals/Notes for those specific aircraft would have explained how to use, turn on/off and operate those devices.

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