The top-secret fighter was later identified as a Yak-28, Nato codename Firebar, with what was already clearly a unique radar capability. Britain and America were desperate to know what made it so good. Now they had their chance. It was 10.09pm on day one, nearly seven hours after the crash. The Brixmis interpreters were ordered to do everything they could to buy time, trying to mollify the by now clearly concerned Bulanov.