Plane spotter during the war (11)
I believe the answer is:
searchlight
'plane' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for searchlight that I've seen before include "Investigatory beam" , "Powerful lamp" , "Powerful illuminating beam" , "that must be brilliant" , "It pointedly illuminates" .)