Description
The FuG 25a Erstling (German: “Firstborn”, “Debut”, sometimes FuGe) was an identification friend or foe (IFF) transponder installed in Luftwaffe aircraft starting in 1941 in order to allow German Freya radar stations to identify them as friendly. The system was also used as a navigation transponder as part of the EGON night bombing system during 1943 and 1944. It was the second IFF system to be used, replacing the FuG 25 Zwilling. The Royal Air Force did, eventually, use the Erstling signals to track German aircraft. After a Junkers Ju 88 night fighter landed in Scotland in 1944, they were able to reverse engineer the Erstling and introduced the Perfectos system to trigger it. The signals were superimposed on existing radar displays, allowing the Perfectos operator to measure both the direction and range to the Erstling-equipped aircraft. When night fighter losses suddenly spiked, German pilots were told to turn their Erstling units off, leading to friendly fire incidents. Made of bakelite, aluminum, and steel, this FuG25 Radio Coding Box is in EXCELLENT used condition! There are some slight marks, wear, and scratches, but nothing that detracts! Still retains most of its original finish! These were mounted inside the main unit. I have shown the exact location in the last photos. A VERY RARE addition to any collection, display, or restoration project! |
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