West Sussex: Pilot spots metallic object at 20,000 ft
A RAF pilot from Tangmere observed a bright, round metallic object overtaking his Gloster Meteor at high altitude. Simultaneously, four radar operators at Wartling tracked an anomalous fast-moving target that vanished abruptly.
Background
Witnesses and Sighting
An RAF pilot patrolling from RAF Tangmere in West Sussex reported a sighting on June 1, 1950 at about 14:30 at 20,000 feet over Portsmouth. The object was described as a bright, circular, metallic form that passed his Gloster Meteor fighter at enormous speed.
Radar Observation
During the debriefing with squadron intelligence, the pilot learned that four controllers at the RAF Wartling radar station near Eastbourne had tracked an unusual echo at exactly the same time. This target moved at exceptional speed and disappeared abruptly from the screens.
Significance
The case is regarded as one of the most reliable reports considered by the UK Flying Saucer Working Party (1951), which selected only a few cases for further study. It illustrates the correlation of visual and radar evidence in a military context and has been described as Britain's first flying saucer.