Red Glow
USAF pilot and crew of RB-29 Superfortress bomber in the 373rd Recon Squadron based at Kindley AFB, Bermuda, on classified atomic detection system service, was searching for a lost British Overseas Airways Corporation aircraft.
At 1,500' and at 200 mph saw to the left, in the North, a red glow on the ocean 1 to 1½ miles in size extending up to 4,000' to 6,000' altitude with 2 to 4 white searchlight like beams of light within the red glow.
At 12:25 a.m. the bomber turned toward the light and by 12:40 approached so close, estimated 100' to 150' distance at 6,000' altitude, that pilot made a sharp bank to avoid a collision.
The B-29 crew was unable to take nuclear fallout sample of air around red glow because in haste to take off on search mission they failed to bring filter paper.
The Superfortress circled the red glow from all directions for 44 minutes as the glow slowly moved, at about 10 mph and headed West, when they finally departed the area at 1:24 a.m.
Red glow still visible on landing in Bermuda [at about 2:10 a.m.