Sept.16, 1947; MEW Radar Station, Fukuoka, Japan (BB)
A target was picked up at a range of 89 miles on a bearing of 040 degrees (Point C). Target was tracked on an incoming course to a range of 19 miles and a bearing of 045 degrees at which point it faded out. The nearest known operational U.S.S.R.  air bases are on the east coast of Korea at 39° 10' North Latitude and 127 degrees 29' East Longitude and Haeju on west coast of Korea at 38° 02' North Latitude and 125 degrees East Longtude. The range to these  oases from Fukuoka is 360 nautical miles. Genzan is classified as having permanent runways of 4500-6000 foot length, and was highly operational by the Japanese.  Haeju has one runway of approximtely 4000 foot length, probably surfaced. It is therefore reasonable, to assume that the U.S.S.R. is utilizing the facilities at these bases to the utmost,  since the location is strategically between Vladivostok to the north and the U.S. occupied areas of Korea to the south.  A recent report from the U.S. XXIV Corps, evaluated F-3, states "a new type aircraft on Haeju airstrip North Korea. "'This aircraft emitted black smoke on take-off, but was not identified as  jet propelled." Speed:  840 - 900 mph (730-780 knots); altitude: 10,000 - 20,000 feet.

Detailed reports and documents
470916fukuoka_docs.pdf [6 docs] (Fran Ridge)
Item "c" from this three-page SECRET letter from HQ AAF (Fran Ridge/Jan Aldrich)
RADCAT Listing (Martin Shough/Jan Aldrich)