There is probably a faint glimmer of factual basis to this story, but it would seem that an 'ace reporter' then got hold of the sotry and decided to embellish the facts to get some mileage (as so often happens with these trivia snippets). For example, the statement that the 'machine' (machine?!) stopped working and couldn't be reset is factually erroneous. Radar jamming, similar to radio jamming, is only effective while the jamming signal is being broadcast. It does not, and cannot, damage the apparatus. And I suspect that the chief constable's 'stiff complaint to the RAF' and the resultant response were also of Ace's invention.

Having been exposed to "aviator's humour", could easily see how a letter like that came about.

.............................

Every aircraft has a maintenance log that is used to report any defects, or operational difficulties, with the mechanics and other pilots.

You would routinely see entries like:

Pilot: Strange sound like a frog barking inside the engine.

Mechanic: Frog removed.

I thought it was funny as i am familiar with that stretch of road.

This however is not so funny and now increasingly common...... http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/2500441

Reminds of the oft reported story of the American navel fleet demanding a light house get out of it's path.

I thought it was funny as i am familiar with that stretch of road.

This however is not so funny and now increasingly common...... http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/2500441

I am surprised that a laser pen has that sort of range.

A laser gunsight, or a laser surveying instrument, yes, but a laser pen?

I thought it was funny as i am familiar with that stretch of road.

This however is not so funny and now increasingly common...... http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/2500441

Several years ago back home the local police were chasing the driver after a vehicle pursuit near my house. A helicopter was involved. I had a scanner and was listening to the Tx. Someone in the surrounding neighborhood got the bright idea to point a laser pointer at the pilot. The pilot directed ground units to the house and they arrested the guy. You could hear the pilot was pissed. Must have been rewarding for him.

I thought it was funny as i am familiar with that stretch of road.

This however is not so funny and now increasingly common...... http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/2500441

I am surprised that a laser pen has that sort of range.

A laser gunsight, or a laser surveying instrument, yes, but a laser pen?

An occasional problem at Sydney (for pilots flying into Mascot/Kingsford Smith). High powered laser pens are... quite high powered.

You could hear the pilot was pissed.

Was he slurring his words?