What type of aircraft?

[Brian]

Hi guys

Just reading a report by a Malta-based reconnaissance pilot operating off Tripoli at night in mid 1941:

"While patrolling, an illuminated aircraft attacked. Avoided in clouds. On emerging a further aircraft closed to attack with a powerful headlight, and chased us to within 20 miles of Cape Passero ..."

What do you think these two aircraft (or the same one) where?

No prizes for your answers!! But any suggestions will be most helpful.

Cheers
Brian

[Brian]

Hi guys

Might it have been the Moon or Venus or some other bright 'star'?

Over to the experts!

Cheers
Brian

[Thierry K]

possibly Douglas Havoc Mk I, N°530 to N°539 Squadrons, unarmed but with a 800 000 watts, General Electric UK, "Turbinlite" searchlight !
operating with an armed Hurricane.
Victory claims : ... zero
for more information : Aérojournal N°17 cat's eyes, a flash in the night, ... but in French
article from our friend CJE.
Regards
Thierry

[Brian]

Thanks Thierry

Definitely not, but thanks for the interest

Cheers
Brian

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thierry
There are a couple of problems with your theory
None of the Squadrons had been formed when the incident happened. Turbinlite Flights were just about being created at the time in question.
These units were all based in UK and not anywhere near Malta or some other NA base.
Also turbinlite system was purely a defensive one not used for offensive duties.

Brian
As for your theory, I doubt the moon, but stars (or rather planets) have been chased before athough this is the first time I hear about someone in such a case being chased in his turn by a stellar object
My technical abilities are limited, but what about an aircraft with its landing light(s) lit? Any statement of time and height? If not too late at night you can have reflections I suppose from the setting sun, that is an aircraft flying higher than you can be illuminated while you yourself is moving in darkness underneath.

Or perhaps this is a case of a classic UFO?

Cheers
Stig