Fukuoka: F-61 intercepts radar/visual UFO
USAF F-61 Black Widow crew detects unknown object on radar 50 miles northwest of Fukuoka, Japan. Object accelerates from 200 to 1,200 mph, evades intercepts, and appears as 20-30 ft rifle bullet silhouette.
Background
Incident
On October 15, 1948 at 23:05, 1st Lt. Oliver "Bud" Hemphill Jr. of the 68th Fighter Squadron was flying a night patrol. In a Northrop F-61 Black Widow about 50 miles northwest of Fukuoka, Japan, the crew reported an object on radar travelling at 200 mph.
Pursuit
On the attempt to close, the object accelerated to 1,200 mph, then slowed again. Six approaches failed, as it escaped each time. The crew saw its silhouette once: a 20–30 foot long "rifle cartridge". The object appeared to know the aircraft's position at all times.
Witnesses and Assessment
Radar operator Barton Halter took it to be a new type of aircraft. The case is regarded as an early radar-visual contact of high relevance to aviation safety, comparable to modern sightings.
Sources
Eberhart (p. 188); NICAP; Sparks; McDonald; Hynek; Shough; Tulien.