I did quite enough 'interesting' night flying in the 80s both in NI and Cyprus, all pre NVG!
The stuff in the mountains in Cyprus to 'recced' sites in dusty fields or hilltop OPs with just cans of burning kerosene (which often blew out as the downwash hit) as the NATO T were character building.
28 Sqn used to fly heading and time into the hills around Kai Tak and then switch on the landing lamp which hopefully illuminated a bucket that indicated when to turn onto the approach heading for the LS!