NATIONAL lNVESTlGATlONS COMMITTEE

ON AERIAL PHENOMENA

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

PROJECTS GRUDGE
and BLUEBOOK
REPORTS 1 - 1 2

Published by

THE
NATIONAL INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE
ON
AERIAL P H E N O M E N A
(NI CAP)

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036

19 68
 Published by the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena

UNCLASSIFIED
111I

United States Air Force

PROJECTS GRUDGE & BLUEBOOK
REPORTS 1 - 12 (1951 1953) -

li
STATUS REPORTS
hhD
1 1
!
;
SPECIAL REPORTS
I
Published by
-

NATIONAL INVESTIGATIONS COMMITlEE

ON AERIAL PHENOMENA
I536 CONNECTICUT AVENUE* N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036

June, 1968
 TABIX OF CONTENTS

Preface

Foreword

--, -.
C r o s s References

secruity
Name of Wart D a t e of Report Classification

Project Grudge S t a t u s Report NO, 1 MOV, 30, 1951 Confidential

P r o j e c t Grudge S p e c i a l Report NO, 1 Dec, 28, 1951 Confidential

Project Grudge S t a t u s Report NO, 2 Dec, 31, 1951 Confidential

Project Grudge S t a t u s Repart No, 3 Jan, 31, 1952 Confidential

Project Grudge S t a t u s R e p a r t No, 4 Feb, 29, 1952 Secret

P r o j e c t Blue Book S t a t u s Report No, 5 March 31, 1952 Secret

P r o j e c t Blue Book S t a t u s Repart No. 6 April 30, 1952 Secret

Project Blue Book S t a t u s Report NO, 7 M a y 31, 1952 Secret

Project Blue Book S t a t u s Report NO, 8 Dec, 31, 1952 Confidential

P r o j e c t Blue Book S t a t u s Report No, 9 Jan. 31, 1953 Oonfidential

P r o j e c t Blue Book S t a t u s Report No, 1 0 Feb, 27, 1953 Secret

P r o j e c t Blue Book S t a t u s Report NO, 11 M a y 31, 1953 Secret

Project Blue Book S t a t u s Report NO, 12 Sept, 30, 1953 Secret

 PREFACE

Tfre official gcnrermrent agency charged with investigating and evaluating

reports of slghtings of Unidentified Flying Objects has been, since July 1947,
the United States Air Farce. The first code name far this investigation was
-0ject Bign," which was s e t u p onIanuary 22, 1948. OnFebruary 11, 1949,
it was renamed "Project Grudge.* A formal report byGrudge was written at
the end of that year (dated December 27, 1949), and the Air Force also issued,
on that dat0, a press release headlined "Project Saucer Mscontinuedn (Project
"Saucer* wks the mame used far press purposes to designate both Sign and ~ r u d g e ) .

This pl.ess release, widely published, allowed the public to believe that
the Air Force, having explained m o s t UPO sightings to its m satisfaction, was
rro lung- intemmted in c d e d n g and evaluating reports, In actual fact, however,
PrcspSct Grudge was s t i l l in operation, permitted to exist in a kind of limbo of
skeptidirim, As a result uf s e ~ significant
d sightings in September 1951,
huwe~mr,a *new Grudge" was established the following month, and in March
E)52 the project received its third a d now familiar name, Proled Blue Book.

Ram September 1951 through September 1953 the project was headed by
CSaptain Edward J, Ruppt3.U. His well-known book, The Repurt on Unidentified
yim Ublects* published in 1956, presents a great deal of impasrtarrt back-
graund information and r e c a n t s the history of some of the most' important
immstlg~~ticms undertaken by Blue Beak during M s tenure, a period which
i n & M the great UPO sighting wave of summer 1952,

Proan Nwember 1951 through September 1953 the project staff prepared
Special -port and twelve *Status Repeats, * The Status Reports were
gmitten at the end of each month, with a few time lapses, as shown in the
!hbla aaf Contents, The security classification af uConfMential" was given
trr-8 mpd NO, 1 a d Rap- N-• 1 8 2 83,868 Status RepcPts
PO-. -
4 7 and 10- 12 were "Secret.'

Them s e s m s to have been nio Report No, 13, but a lengthy document
reEeased in 1955 was well-publidzed: "Froject Blue Book Report NO, 14. "
This 315-page document, dated M a y 5 and relaased in Odober, had been
prerparerd by an auts;lde arganizatlcm, under a n Air Pace contract with its own
sodie- name, trojc~ct'stork. It tabulated and analyzed the UPO sighting reports
made daring the six-ye&~period 1947 - 1952 WW had been reparted to the
Air Facrtt. The report was an imposinq production, but even without its 240
tabltr8 it was far too laas to be studied and digested by newspapatmen , and the
Farm issued a p m s s release that d e ~ c r i b dthe mcrt and emphasfied the
points that the Air Farce considered m o s t imp-t, Ulassified nFar Official
Use Only, * R e p a r t No, 14 was available for &ew by press represantatives
at various Air Farce Public I n f m a t l o n Offices, but wag not mallable to the
public. In December 1956, however, a prlvate U r n researchen s u c m ,
through a n appeal to the Moss Uommittee (Gongressman John Moss, D., W-
fornia) , in ob talning permission from the Air P a c e to reproduce the repart
privately, at his own expense, and did so, omitting the 240 tables that were
included in the origlnal.
Even after No, 14 had been in circulation for some time, how-, the
repoets that preceded it were almost unknown, and inquiries abaut them met
with little encouragement. Although t h e s e reports were officiafly beclasslfled
in 1960, their availabfflw to the pubuc was not established until 1967. On
January 25 of that year, Lt, Gal, G e m P, Preeman, Jr., ob the A h Force
OW- of Infarmatian in Washington, wrote a MOAP staff member who wanted
to exam* these repads, as f d l w s r "Spedal Reparts #1 through $13 (sic)
can b e reviewed at Wright-Patterson Air Ermce Base, These reports a m admln-
istrative in nature and do not contain any technical infomatfoll. * late i n
1967, NICAP contacted the offlce of Ctongressman John Moss, head od the
Foreign Opemtions and Government I n f a r m a t h Subccmmittee of the Hause
Committee on Government Operations. Knmn famiUar1y as the 'keeSm of
Iirformatbn Committee, " this group has developed a reputation for fredng
previously unavailable Government documents, including the a bow-mentioned
Project Blue Book Report No, 14.

In December 1967, the Moss Gammittee persuaded the Air PMce to make
. -
a n additional set of Reports Nos 1 12 available at t h e Fentagon, in washington,
and t o permit dUpllcation of these reports in part--something the Ak Farce had
previously prohibited. Early in 1968 a MCAP staffmember visited the Wflce
of I i r f m a t i o n for the Secretary of the Air Faroe (SAPQI), inspected the reparts
and subsequently made the arrangements b obtain the w p h s that are reprinted
herein.

These repcsts make it possible to study diractly, for the first t h e i n

15 years, the first-hand records of the Air Force investigations, their methods
and conclusions. The reports, a s presented in this vdume, a m largely self-
explanatmy. Status Reports 1 through 7 each contain a mbulatFon of the cas-
investigated during the period covered by the reporb appendices describing
detafls of indtvldual cases; and usually a disuussion af the status of the project
at the t i m e it was written. Reports 8 through 12, deallng with the many sighting
repoets made during the summer wave of 1952 and after, abandon the tabulations
of cases because it was impractical to fry to hst them all, It will be noted that
several cases a r e mentioned in moPe than orre report, In each fnstzmce, thirs la
because there were significant changes or additions af data, including axmcted
dates.
The arganizatlon of Reports 9 through 12 dlffers samewhat &cam that of
the earlier reports, in which summary cases were described in the appendices,
Some of t h e pages of t h e s e last f o u r repurts have been omitted in preparing this
version f o r reproduction. These contained only summary reports too hrlef or
inconclusive t o be of interest, or distribution list of t h e reports, It will also
be noted that a few pages of less-detailed reports have been combined far the
purpose of saving space. Fur continuity , M m ' s page numbers h a v ~ been
added at the top of each page.

Many of t h e cases described i n these reports are also discussed i n two

other Impartant books: The UFO Evidence, published i n 1964 by NIOAP, and i n
Ruppelt's book, previously mentioned, Since it was felt that readers might be
interested In camparing the accounts of these cases i n the three different d e
uments, a table fullows the Foreword which shows, for each case in the Blue
Book r e p a t s , the pages i n the Evidence and in Ruppelt he paperback edition)
c
where the same case is discussed.

In addition to sighting reports, many important organizational activities

are discussed in these reptxts, and a cross-reference with RuppeltJs account
provides a valuable insight into these various activltles , Project 'Twinkle,
concerned with the unusual "green fireballs," is referred to i n Reports 4.5 and
6, and on pages 66-78 of Ruppelt, An unproductlve Air Force project designed
to photograph UFOs, us- special diffraction gratlng cameras, is described
from its proposal t o ultlma te failure i n Reports 5 through 11; Ruppelt c w e r s
this subject on pages 198 and 300. The famous Life article, "Have We Visitors
Fram Space," by Robert Ginna and H, 13. Darrach, Jr. (Life, A p d 7, 1952) is
referred ta in Reports 5 and 6, and by Ruppelt on pages 119 and 175-76. The
highly publidzed press conference held by General John Bamford, W o w i n g
the Washington, DOC, sightings late i n July, 1952, is covered In Keport No.
8, and by mppelt on page 132.

One of the most interesting examples of early scientific Interest, the

attempt by gwernment scientists to correlate radiation increases w i t h UFQ
activity, is mentione$ in Report NO, 10, and by Ruppelt on pages 283-84.
Dr. J, Allen Hynek's participation i n surveying a number af important astronomers
on their views about UFOs is mentioned i n Report NO, 8, Other background
meterial on this subject is mentioned by Ruppelt on pages 283-84.

The significance of these reports surpasses the m e r e details of the

sightings referred to, The reader wffl note the Air Force's frequent statement
that UFO documents have not been withheld, when in fact every report was
stamped either "3ecretn or "Gonfidential," and remained so farm- than 15
years, i n s p i t e of their declassiflcation i n 1960. The reader can also judge
whether or not these reports a r e "adrninlstratlve in nature," as claimed by
Galonel Freeman i n January, 1967. It is a l s o sMWng t o notice, i n the tables
accompanying Reports 1 through 7, the large number of sightirrg cases that
remained "pending, or for which no further imrestiyation was made. It is
interesting t o speculate where these many cases eventually wound up i n
the Air Force1s statistical evaluations,
 Early i n 1953, the Air Force, in conjunction with the CIA, convened a
group of scientis ts , later referred t o as the Roberts on Panel (after its chairman,
Dr. H, P. ~obertson), to review the U"PO situation, examine selected sighting
reparts, and recammend future procedure for Project Blue b k . A recently de-
classified version of the Robertson Panel ("sanitizedA by deleting the names of
participating panel members) makes it clear that the primary recammendation
by the panel was t o downgrade the status of Project Blue B w k and discourage
public interest in the subject, claiming that UFO reparts were interfering with
national security by crowding Government intelligence channels, It is not
surprising, then, to note that the final Status Report is dated 3 0 September 1953,
allowing sufficient time to put into effect this change in policy and abandoning
projects such as the 8tatus Reports,

During the twe-year period covered by these repwts, the scope and
e f f e d v e n e s s af the Air Force investigation varied widely h m one extreme to
the other, feels that the reports themselves not only add to the general
hi,story of the subject, but provide illumination on the many public statements
about the suhject that issued om the Air Force during that tlme.
 FOREWORD

Serious students of the UFO problem will, I feel sure, find this
compilation of the 1951-53 Grudge and Bluebook reports one of the
most significant and certainly one of the most fascinating of the
recent additions to the UFO literature. NICAP and its staff are to
be congratulated for putting this material into a form readily
available to large numbers of readers; and the Moss Congressional
Subcommittee is to be praised for assisting NICAP in extricating the
reports from the Air Force files where they have lain inaccessible
for so many years.
When one studies the curious history of Air Force handling of
the UFO problem, the twenty-four months from October, 1951 through
September, 1353,emerge as a kind of "heroic period" of Air Force
investigations, For increasing evidence points toward that period
as the one interval during which UFOs were seriously and relatively
vigorously investigated by the U, S, Air Force, the agency officially
charged with UFO investigation responsibilities. Just before that
period lay the "Dark Ages", as Ruppelt aptly labeled the 1949-51 era
of Projects Sign and Grudge; and shortly after 1953 began a sort of
new dark age when debunking and superficial investigations once again
came to characterize Project Bluebook response to the UFO problem,
As nearly as I can tell, the January, 1953, Robertson Panel Report
marked the turning point with its regrettable decision to leave the
UFO problem in the hands of a group not primarily concerned with
scientific matters, and at the same time to have them shift to de-
bunking policies to decrease public interest in the entire matter.
It remains a very puzzling period, and an extremely important one
in the history of UFO studies. It was the period during which Air
Force UFO responsibilities were met primarily by one individual,
Capt. Edward J. Ruppelt, an officer who might have brought the matter
out into the full light of scientific scrutiny had his policies and
viewpoints continued in force beyond 1953, They did not continue in
force; after 1953 Bluebook went steadily downhill (viewed scientifically)
and there evolved a steadily more adamant Air Force position that UFOs
were only a nonsense problem. This would have caused no mischief if
only the Air Force had made clear that it was really not doing
qny-th&gresembling vigorous scientific investigation of UFOs from
about 1954 to the present, Instead, Air Force press statements re-
peatedly misled the public and the scientific community by conveyulg
a picture of Project Bluebook as a high-caliber scientific effort
#'drawing upon the finest scientific talents and facilities available
to the Air Force," As the net effect, the entire UFO question has
been swept almost entirely under the rug, Only the efforts of groups
like NICAP have prevented complete concealment of the facts about
UFOs,
But in the following pages, the reader can look back inside the
closed doorq of the Air Technical Intelliqence Command(ATICL, and
can get much more than a mere glimpse of what was actually transpiring
back there in the heroic age. He will find in these reports the very
real sense of 1952 puzzlement qnd concepn that Kqh.oe has wx2tte.n q-ut
and that Ruppelt conveyed in U s 1956 hook. H& en11 xaad fPterim pro-
gress notes on many abortive efforts t b t Ruppelt and his supez2ora
made over 15 years ago to try to secure improved UFO data. H e will
find surprisingly pointed remarks about the effects of ridicule in
discouraging open reporting (e,g., Section I-F of Grudge Rept. 31, and
surprisingly salty comments by the Bluebook astronomical consultant as
he disparages the lack of basis for some of the negative 1g52 utterances
of Menzel and Liddell.
Most important of all (in my estimation), the reader will find in
these once-secret pages, confirmation after confirmation of details of
outstanding early cases previously known only through the writing of
Keyhoe and Ruppelt. Speaking for myself, I have always been uncomfort-
able about taking seriously many of the reports in, say Ruppelt's 1956
book. It simply seemed unreasonable to think that the Air Force could
have in its files so many strong cases, so many derived from military
observers, without responding with the greatest vigor. From a study
of the following reports, we now find that Ruppelt was evidently not
inventing or embellishing at all: indeed, he probably understated
- Force documehtation of such out-
the situation. Here one can find' Air
standing cases as Elellefontaine, Port Huron, Nenana, Mitchel AFB,
Patrick AFB, Rapid City, Ft, Monrnouth, and March AFB (to identify them
merely by locale) and also cases the reader has probably never before
heard of Ccqses at White Sands, at George AFB, at Moriarity, N.M.,
at Craig, Montana, at Larson AFB, and many others). Yet even in that
two-year period of most vigorous and most open-minded UFO investiga-
tion, the birds-and-balloons type of ~ l u e b o o kBias was present, (AS
samples thereof, study the November 15, 1952, Wichita report in Rept. 9
or the December 10, 1952, Odessa report in Rept. 10.)
In support of my assertion that these declassified Reports suggest
that Ruppeltws book is really an understatement of the seriousness of
the UFO problem, I might invite attention to such cases as the follow-
ing h o n e of which Ruppelt reported in his book): 1) Larson AFB,
January 8, 1953 CRept. lo), where an Unknown "green disc-shaped object"
was viewed by some sixty military and civilian witnesses over a period
of about 15 minutes. 2) George AFB, May 1-20, 1952 (Rept. 7) where
a series of very curious reports from base military personnel led to
no adequate explanations. Ruppelt merely mentions in his book that
he had gone to George AFB to check these cases; their actual content
is seen to be most intriguing--and perhaps less balloon-like than some
of ~lueboopscomments would indicate. 31 Colorado Springs, December 4,
1952 (Rept. 10) where a military and civilian observer reported a mid-
day sighting of a fast-moving round object of metallic luster which
executed several right-angle turns with no speed decreases (tagged
"possible aircraft'' in the style that ultimately became so well-
ingrained within the Bluebook office). 4) Odessa, Washington, December
10, 1953 (Rept. 10) where an F-94 had radar and visual contact for 15
minutes with a reddish-white object "larger than any known aircraftm
that sometimes hovered, sometimes reversed direction, but eluded a
600-mph jet for a quarter of an hour--a neat trick for the research
balloon it is asserted to have been. 5) And, to close a list that
could become quite long,see Rept. 10's brief but intriguing summary
of an Unknown, seen by three "mature, reliable8' persons at a distance
of a few hundred yards and 10-15 feet above terrain. The report men-
tions its biconvex shape, like "two soup bowls put togetherw, and
refers to lighted windows or portholes.
It's this kind of puzzling case, and others cited above, here
made available as part of the open record,that make this NICAP publi-
cation an outstanding contribution to the UFO literature.

James E. McDonald, Professor

university of Arizona
discouraging open reporting (e.g., Section I-F of Grudge Rept. 31, and
surprisingly salty comments by the Bluebook astronomical consultant a$
he disparages the lack of basis for same off the negatlve 1952 utterances
of Menzel and Liddell.
Most important of all (in my estimation), the reader will find in
these once-secret pages, confirmation after confirmation of details of
I
outstanding early cases previously known only through the writing of
Keyhoe and Ruppelt. Speaking for myself, I have always been uncomfort-
able about taking seriously many of the reports in, say Ruppelt's 1956
book. It simply seemed unreasonable to think that the Air Force could
have in its files so many strong cases, so many derived from military
observers, without responding with the greatest vigor. From a study
of the following reports, we now find that Ruppelt was evidently not
inventing or embellishing at all: indeed, he probably understated I
-
the situation. Here one can find' Air Force documentation of such out-
standing cases as Bellefontaine, Port Huron, Nenana, Mitchel AFB,
Patrick AFB, Rapid City, Ft. Monmouth, and March AFB (to identify them 1
merely by locale) and also cases the reader has probably never before
heard of (cases at White Sands, at George AFB, at Moriarity, N.M.,
at Craig, Montana, at Larson AFB, and many others). Yet even in that
two-year period of most vigorous and most open-minded UFO investiga-
tion, the birds-and-balloons type of Bluebook bias was present. (AS
samples thereof, study the November 15, 1952, Wichita report in Rept. 9
or the December 10, 1952, Odessa report in Rept. 10.)
In support of my assertion that these declassified Reports suggest
that Ruppelt's book is really an understatement of the seriousness of
the UFO problem, I might invite attention to such cases as the follow-
ing (none of which Ruppelt reported in his book]: 1) Larson AFB,
January 8, 1953 CRept. lo), where an Unknown "green disc-shaped object"
was viewed by some sixty military and civilian witnesses over a period
of about 15 minutes. 21 George AFB, May 1-20, 1952 (Rept. 7) where
a series of very curious reports from base military personnel led to
no adequate explanations. Ruppelt merely mentions in his book that
he had gone to George AFB to check these cases; their actual content
is seen to be most intriguing--and perhaps less balloon-like than some
of ~luebookkcomments would indicate. 31 Colorado Springs, December 4,
1952 CRept. 101 where a military and civilian observer reported a mid-
day sighting of a fast-moving round object of metallic luster which
executed several right-angle turns with no speed decreases (tagged
"possible aircraftgwin the style that ultimately became so well-
ingrained within the Bluebook office]. 4) Odessa, Washington, December
10, 1953 (Rept. 10) where an F-94 had radar and visual contact for 15
minutes with a reddish-white object "larger than any known aircraft"
that sometimes hovered, sometimes reversed direction, but eluded a
600-mph jet for a quarter of an hour--a neat trick for the research
balloon it is asserted to have been. 5) And, to close a list that
could become quite long,see Rept. 10's brief but intriguing summary
of an Unknown, seen by three "mature, reliablew persons at a distance
of a few hundred yards and 10-15 feet above terrain. The report men-
tions its biconvex shape, like "two soup bowls put togethern, and
refers to lighted windows or portholes.
It's this kind of puzzling case, and others cited above, here
made available as part of the open record,that make this NICAP publi-
cation an outstanding contribution to the UFO literature.

James E. McDonald, Professor

University of Arizona
 CROSS REFERENCES

Report Number Date -

Place Evidence page Ruppelt page

ReportNa.1 8/25/51 Lubbock,Texas

8/25/5 1 Albuquerque, N. M e
8;/2 6/5 1 Iarson AFB, Wash.
8/31/51 Matador,Texas
9/10-11/51 Fort Monmouth, N. J.
9/23/5 1 March AFB, Calif.
10/9/5 1 Terre Haute, Ind,
10/9/5 1 Paris, Ill.
1 01 5 1 Minneapolis, Minn .
Sp. Repoat Noel 9/10-11/51 Fort Monmouth, N.J.

ReportNo.2 8/25/51 Lubbock,Texas

8/2 5/5 1 Albuquerque, N .Me
8/31/51 Matador,Texas
9/23/51 AAarchAPB, Calif.
10/9/51 Terre Haute, h d .
1~/9/51 Paris, Ill.
1 01 5 1 Minneapolis, Minn.

Report No. 3 1/22/52 Mitchell AFB, N.Y.

1/29/52 Wonsan, Korea

RepoPrtNo.4 1/21/52 MitchellAFB,N.Y.

1/29/5 2 Wonsan, Korea

Report No. 5 1/20/52 Fairchild AFB, Wash.

Report No. 7 5/7/52 RLo de Janiero, Brazil

5/8/52 Atlantic Ocean
1/22/52 Nenana, Alaska
 CROSS REFERENCES

Report Number Date Place Evfdence page

Report Wo. 8 7/18/52

7/2 9/5 2
Patrick AFB, Fla
Port Huron, Mich.
.
7/2 9/5 2 LOS Alamos, N.M.
7/29/52 Albuquerque, NoM.
8/1/52 Bellebntai ne , Ohio

Haneda AFB, Japan

Report No. 9 W w Panama Canal Zone

Report No. 10 12/10/52 O d e s s a , Wash.

1/2 6/5 3 Continental Divide,
New Mexico

Report No. 11 3/3/53 Luke AFB, Ariz .

Rapid City, SOD,
 C&s%&km cancelled

AUTH: ~ O S C U V
J. Facehja, .
M 4 ~ a t USAF

bte L7
4 Y€#2-/$go
sTIm fu%PmT NO. 1

Classification cancelled

AIR ! E C W I C b L INTELLIG?33C,P CENTER

UREm-PAlTERSON AIR FORCE BASE
. ~ l u T O N , OHIO
 UNCLASSIFIED

This report i s tbe first of a series of m n t h l y a t a t u s

reports of R a j e c t Cmdge. Each report w i l l be w i t t e n on or
near the last day o f the month and vill contain a Ust of all
incidents reported during the month covered by the report.
The reports that are considered tLo be outstanding will a l a o
be sumariaed in t h e a?xndices of the report so that more
d e t a i l e can be presented, 'ihe overell status of the project
wlll also be presented.

UNCLASSIFIED
I, Overall Status

Much of the vorkdone on Project Grudge has been dsvotod to the

reorganization of t h e p r o j e c t as @en i n the h-aject I n i t i a t i o n Fom
1-3, dated 22 October 1951.
The old Project Cruc?ge and R >j e c t S i p f i l e s have been reviewed
and sorted, Cross-indexing and tabulation of the old f i l e s has been
slov due to a l a c k of c l e r i c a l hel?, but it i s hoped that this s i t u a t i o n
uill be rrlleviatcd in t h e near future, I t i s contemplated t h a t all of
t h e sightinps of unconventional fl3- objecta vill soon be cross-indexed
a c a o r d l q to size, color, location, etc,, so that as nuch s t a t i s t i c a l data
se possible vill be available. It is bclieved t h a t i t nay be possible to
deternine several general c b r a c t e r l s t i c s of the s i g h t b g s from t h e mass
of d a t a that is on file a t ATIC.
C o n ~ c t shave been established 1~3thall agencies t h a t may bo able
to assist i n h j e c t Grudge sue?! as hir Keather Senrice, Flight Service,
hieh a l t i t u d e balloon projects, O . S . I . , e t c , There i s e t i l l some doubt
as to the channels t h a t s h o d d be used in contacting some agencies but
these vill be c l a r i f i e d in the near Future,

Tvo m j o r d i f f i c u l t i e ' s hnve a r i s e n and they are (1) the time e l e m n t .

and (2) obtaining t r a n s w r t a t i o n , In regard to the time element, it has
been found that i n nany Instances one o r tuo mbnths w i l l ela?se.before
ATIC receives vord on an incident, It i s very possible that nany incidents
a r e never reported, As far as can be dete-ed, t h i s i s due to two main
reasons :

a, Letters pert- to the procedures and r e s p n s i b i l i t i e s in re-.

porting incidents weredated Se?k=ber 19%- Since t h a t t h e there has
been an influx o f new and r e a d l e d o f f i c e r s and changes in personnel;
consequently, a rea at nmber of people are not aware of the requirements
of F'rojeut Grudge, Xncidents t h a t are several months old are finally
received a t ATIC aftRr having fcuwarded through several commands,

b, It i s beZieved that the general feel- in sone instances i s

t h a t the Air Force i s n o t too interested i n thls project and reporting
much incidents is Iminportant, It ie the opinion of ATIC that regardless
of personal b e l i e f s as to the o r i g i n of the objects, the t a s k of deter-
m h h g , i f possible, vhat these objeots are has been assifled, and should
be carried out,
I t ia b e l l w e d t h a t the revision and re-circulation of the AP l e t t e r
perteldng to A.oject Gmdge v i l l a l l e v i a t e the problem of delay in re-
ceiving reports. The Collection Division, M r e c b r a t e of Intslllgence ,
uas requested to r e v i s e and re-circulate this l e t t e r on 25 October 1951,

UNCLASSIWED
 If, after the above mentioned l e t t e r i s circulated, t h e s i t u a t i o n
does n o t improve, it may be &isable to c i r c u l a t e another menorandurn
explaining why the A i r Force i s i n t e r e s t e d in this problem and how re-
p o r t s a r e to be made.
The second major d i f f i c u l t y onaauntered has been t r c x l s p r h t i o n Ln
t h e l o c a l i t y of the incidents. 0x1aany occosions, the i n t e r r o ~ a t i o nof
one source w i l l lead to o t h e r sources. All of these ' l e a d s l ' m s t be
followed to g e t a conpletR picture. This n e c e s s i t a t e s a g r e a t deal of
t r a v e l u i t h i n . a c i t y o r even over p a r t of a state. A t t i n e s governnent
transportetion i s available b u t a t o t h e r tines the incidents a r e not
close fn r d L 1 t a - y establishments o r i f they oro, all t r a n s p o r t a t i o n nay
be in use. Since i t is the policy n o t +to reinbUrse t r a v e l e r s f o r such,
taxi fares; E l i s has imposed a p e a t f i n a n c i a l burclen on the i n v e s t i ~ a t o r ,
In regarc? to the 6 2 ~ x 3subject, the t i n e element again e n t e r s since t h e r e
is usually only a limited mount of time t h a t can be spent on an investi-
gation and a l l the t i n e spent attemptinp to g e t transportation o r findlcg
the c o r r e c t bus routes i s l o s t .
Stspa have been taken to overcome this second major d i f f i c u l t y by
requesting t h a t Headquarters USAF send a wire t o the n i l i k j i n s t a l l a t i o n
to which a v i s i t t n l l be made requesting t h a t the Canmanding Officer give
rull cooperation to Prpject Crudge personnel.
Another problem t h a t has n o t been f u l l y investigated i s whether o r
n o t wide apread p u b l i c i t y to the p r o j e c t should be given in an attempt to
obtain a more coaplets coverape of incidents. It i s b e l i w e d t h a t nore
r e p o r t s would be obtained b u t the m b l i c i t y would also ?roduce a mass of
"crank" l e t t e r s t h a t would increase t h e workload a considerable amount,
It has been t e n t a t i v e l y decided t h a t the b e s t course of a c t i o n is t o v e i t
and see what improvenents are b r o u ~ h tabout by the revised AF l e t t e r s
being r e - c i r d a t e d by tho Collection Givision of D/I.
b m r t s of Snecific Inaidents
The inclosed l i s t i s a sdmmry of all incidents t h a t have been re-
ported o r were being investigated d w i n e the pcriod 22 October 1951 t o
3 November 1951, Several of the incidents are considered too d e t a i l e d
to surmnarize in t h e l i s t eo they are carried aver and stm~aarizedin t h e
appendices.
In the future, the l i s t w i l l c o n s i s t of two parts: (1) h c i d e n t a
reported d u r i n g the period covered by the report, and (2) incidents from
the p a s t period t h a t are s t i l l in t h e process of be* investipated o r
incidents that are pendinp during the previous month and are now closed,
h e to the huge task of investigating all reported incidents, it
will be the policy of Project Grudge ta concentrate on thaee i n c i d e n t s
that appear to have orieinated from hiph grade sources, m c h aa pilots,
t e a h n i c a l l y trained people, e t c . The only exception to this w i l l be
where a number of sightinge occur in a c e r t a i n area a* about t h e a m
t i n e , A l l r e w r t e , however, w l l l be incorporated in the file f o r
etatistical purposes,
 In the evaluation o f reported radar s l g h t i q s , the t l e c t r o n i c s
Section of ATIC has been consulte8. The majority of the radar s k h L
i n e s a m very d i f f i c u l t to evaluate due to the p o s s i b i l i t y of phenomena
caused by wather or in the electronic cfrcuits of the set. About all
that can be concluded on these siehtinqs i s the weather was or w a s not
conduaive to pronotiry! phenanena b v n to be caused by certain weather
conditione.
In certain instances special detailed re?orts dll bo vritten on
tho conclusions of the investigations o f s i g h t i q s . These v i U be in
e o q l i a n c e vith requeeta f r o m higher headquarters for such reports, The
eonclueions of all other incidents w i l l be concluded in the statue report,
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 UNCLASSIFIED
Aouendix I

The f i r s t of a s e r i e s of siphtizqes r e l a t e d t o t h i s incident occurred

the evening of 25 icu,opat 1931 a t a ~ p r o x i m a t e l y2ll0 CST. Four Texas Tech-
n i c a l Collega professors -re s i t t i n g In the bn0lcyeu-d of ono of the p r o f e s e o r @ s
homes observing meteorites i n eonjunction with a study of nicrometeorites being
c a r r i e d o u t h; the aolloge. A t 2110 they observe2 a group of l i g h t s pass over-
heed f'rom II to S. The l i g h t s had about the sane i n t e n s i t y as a b r i g h t atar
b u t were l a r g e r i n area. The a l t i t u d e was not determined b u t they traveled
a t a high ratR of speed, The p a t t e r n of the l i g h t s w a s slmost a p e r f e o t seni-
c i r a l e containing from 20 t o 30 individual l i g h t s . Later in the wenlng e
a W a r b c i d e n t was obaemed and durirq! a period of about three weeks a
total of a p p r c n h t e l y twelve (12) such f l i g h t 8 were o b s e r ~ e dby those msn,
The p u p o f men includedr

a. The Head of the Petroleum EneFneering Lhpartmsnt

b, Pkofeesor of Geolow, has Ph.D.
a R o f e s s o r of Physics, has Ph.D,
d, h f e e s o r of Chemicql i h e i n e e r l q , baa &.D.

Beeidee t h e abme four men the following have observed t h e incidents:

a, Professor of Mathematics, has Ph,D.

b, Graduate student working on Ph.i;.

I n addition, a Rofessor of Astronomy was consulted on the incident, b u t he

did not o b s s n e any of these f l i g h t s .
The above nentioned men took a personal I n t e r e s t IXA t h e phenomena aRci
undertook a study of t h e objects. Attempts vere d e to obtain an a l t i t u d e
mea~urenentby la* o u t a measured base l i n e p o ~ n d i c u l a rto the usual
f l i g h t path of the o b j e c t end placing angle me as win^ d w i c e s a t the end of
the base m e , however, all t h e i r a t t e q t s f a i l e d beoauso the objeota did
n o t appear on the nights t h e observers vere w a i t i n g f o r them,
From the s e r i e s of observations, the following facts were o'btained:
a. The @tar v e l o c i t y of t h o o b j e c t was very nearly 300 of arc p e r
eecand ,
b, There was no soupd t h a t bould be attributed to the object,

c, The f l i g h t patb of the o b j e c t was hLom H to S I n the majority of

tbe f l i g h t s ,
d, mare vere tuo o r three f l i c h t s per e~enin&,
e, The period between f l k h t s was about one hour md 10 d m t e s .
 UNCLASSIFIED
f. The color of t h e l i g h t s uas blue-white.

g. Thore vere h.on X) t o 30 se?crate l i ( r h t s i n each fornation.

h. Tho f i r s t two fliphts obeerved vere a s e n i - c i r c l e of l i c h t c b u t In

subsequent f l i g h t s t h e r e w a s no orderly a r r q e n e n t ,

1. The o b j e c t alvays a p ~ a r e : ! a t an t c x l o of about 50' k o n h o r i z o n t a i

i n +he north and disa?peared a t about &I0 i n t h e south. I'he o b j e c t
did n o t v a d u a l l y cone i n t 3 v i e u es w o d d an a i r c r a f t approaching
f r o m a distance, n e i t h e r did it eradrtallr disa?par.

f. There vos no apparent chenee i n s i z e as tke o h j e c t passed overhead.

Attempts vere na!e +a o b b i n the r d a t i v e h e i p h t of t h e o b j e c t in r e o p o t
to aloude. Hovever, these a t t c q t s uere a l s o u n s u c c e s ~ due ta the f a c t t h a t
the objecta passed between v i d e l y s c a t t e r e d clouds.
E f f o r t s to d c t e n d n c whether o r not t h e r e :[as any form between t h e l i ~ h t s
by trmg b sce s t z r s bekeen the l i g h t s were made. This a l s o wa3 unsuccess-
f'ul due ta the s h o r t time t h e o b j e c t was in view.
This phenomena w a s observed by a t l e a s t one hundred people i n and around
Lubbock, Texas. Sosle of these people uere of the opinion t h a t t h e o b j e c t s
vere birds.
On the evening of 31 Au,pat 19%, a t about 23- CST, a college freshman
i r o n Texas Tech observed t h r e e f l i r h t s of the o b j e c t and allegedly obtained
f i v e photographe. H e obtained two photos of one f l i ~ h and t three of another.
These photos ehov single r o w of l i g h t In V-formtion on two ?hotos and a
double rov on the others. His d e s c r i p t i o n of the o b j e c t is much t h e same as
that of t h e college professors, except t h a t ths aolleqe professors never o b
s e m e d a p e r f e c t V-formation.

(See Appendix I1 and V f o r poesibly r e l a t e d incidents.)

status of t h e k e s t i p a t i o n

P r o j e c t Grudge personnel mde a t r i p ta Lubbocky Teaas, on &9 November

19s t o o b t a i n more d e t n i l s on the. inci2ent. Man7 source8 who had seen the
o b j e c t o r who were involved i n the sightinf: were i n t e r r o ~ s t e ~ A. conference
was held with t h e college professors and they offered to write a d e t a i l e d
acaaunt of their obeematione and forvard it to ATIC. This r e p o r t should
be forthcoming.
The photagra?her who c h i n s ta have ?hotoma?hed the o b j e c t ua8 lnbrr~-
gated. Every e f f o r t was M e t o f l n d a flaw i n the photoqrapherle account of
the inoident b u t the r e d t a vere negative. The college professors d i d n o t
believe the photograahs were authentia as they had never obsemed a 9-ahaped
groun o f l i g h t s . They were n o t s u m , howvery w>eth.;r or n o t t h e y had o b
s e n e d t h e same objocts that were photopaohed. Since t h e I n t e r n g a t i o n , two
dieurepenciee i n the photoe have been found and the p h o t o p a p h e r Is being
r e l n t e r r o ~ a t e dby the 0.S.f.
One school of t h o w h t of the peoyle i n the Lubbock area i s t k a t the
o b j e c t s were aone t;-pe of mi,-rat4r7 b i r d s r o f l e c t i n q l i p h t f r o m t h e c i t y .
Several people reported thu3 they d e f i n i t e l y knew t h e o b j e c t r were ducks be-
cause they could s e e dws fla??inc, It is very ?oas'ible t h a t sone of t h e
p e o ~ l ovho were looking f o r t h e o b j e c t d i d see ducks as them wero ?uck
f l i g h t e p a s e i w over during t h e ~ c r i o d . It i c s i g n i f i c a n t t h a t those p o o d e
who sow ducks were d e f i n i t e l y a b l e to i 6 e n t i f y t h s o b j e c t s ti^ ducics, o r some
t p e of b i r d , becar:se they could sco the winqs o r heard then &.c a miso,
however, o t h e r 9eople were j u s t as d e t e r a b e d t h a t they were n o t birds. The
posslblu conclusion i s t h a t same peor>le did see b i r d s , b u t o t h e r s saw sone
other objects.
The collcge' profeesors do n o t b e l i c v e t h e theory t h a t t h e o b j e c t s were
birds, but they are givinz the p o s s i b i l i t y nore thou~yht. If they were b i r d s ,
they vould have to be r e l a t i v e l y low fa r i v e t h e i l l u s i o n of hich s?eed. An
oacasional f l i e h t of b i r d s might pass low over a c i t y on a c l e a r n i p h t b u t it
ie highly d o u b t f u l i f they vould continue to do this f o r s e v e r a l n i e h t s . M i -
gratory b i r d s u s u a l l y try t o keep away from c i t i e s .
!he Federal l.!ild Life Game Ufirden w a v i s i t e d and althouph he vas n o t
familiar with t h e i n c i d e n t he doubtsd i f t h e objecta vere birds, H e stated
t h a t they could have been, however. Th6 n o s t l i k e l y suspect, i f it i s a bird,
i s a member o f the P l w e r family which has a pure w h i t e b r e a s t , b u t unless
t h e r e vas a sudden influx of t h e birch into the Lubbock area, the game warden
doubted i f t h e r e would be enoueh of these b i r d s to nake up as mmy f l i r h t a as
vere observed,
If the photos aro authentic, the objecta very probcibly aro n o t ducka
because an e x ~ c r i e n c e dphotogranher f r o n the Lubbock Avalanche Newspaper
attempted to g e t photo8 o f ducks wiri;e both n a t u r a l l Q h t and flash, but
failed.
The i n v e e t l g a t i o n o f this i n c i d e n t i s contintdnp. It i s probably the moat
unique i n c i d e n t in the history of P r o j e c t Grudge i n t h a t it was observed so
many times by a s c i e n t i f i c a l l y t r a i n e d group of obserpers, These people are
oontinuing to a t t e p t 4 a a r r i v e a t a s o l u t i o n f o r the phenomena, They had
previously l o s t i n t e r e s t after swerd weeks of obsenrctions bectluse they
believed that the o b j e c t was eome new Air Foroe a i r c r a f t or.miseile.

The phobgraphe are now a t .the P h o t o p a p h i e Reconnaissanae laborabry

at Urkht Air ilePelopment C e n a r for snalyeis.
 ALBUQUERQUE, E!:MnrICO - 25 A U . W S ~ 1951
On the wenin& of 25 Auqust 1951, a t a 5 8 K T , a Sanciia Ease Security
Guard and his wife obsemed what they described to be a flying wing t p
a i r c r a f t scmilar to t h e fiorthro:, Fly W i q Ibrsbcr (B-~9) pass over t h o bzck-
yard of t h e i r trailer honc Fn the enst p a r t of Albuq~er~uc.Thoy j u d p d the
win? span of the aircraft to be about one and one half times the viw soan
of ci E-36, with which they vere fa~ili6-r. The object wns flying low, the
a l t i t u d e was thought Q be -about 800 f t . - 1000 ft., armd tiiere was no sound
t h a t could be attributed to the object. 3~color of the ~ b j e c was t not
apparent due to the t w i l i c h t but dark chordwise s t r i p e were noticed under
tho uisqs. Six to eight pairs of s o f t plowinc l i g h t s uero noticcd on the
t r a i l i n g edge of the wing. The s p e d was judged to be about 300
and the object t w on a heading of opproxhmtely 1 6 0 ~ .
4C.B mph-
(See Appondix I f o r possible related incident.)

Broken olouda a t 17,000 f t . , v i e i b i l i t y f i v e miles, wind S a t 5 nph.

The p o s s i b i l i t y of this being rr b o r n a l r a r a f t vas checkcd w i t h negative

results. The AC and W Radar Station a t Kirtland U B d i d not observe any un-
ueual or unidentified -craft.
The p a r d ' s background was checked and since he has a nQfl clearance,
it bas bccn a s m d t h s t he i s mentally atable.
The photos taken of the V-shaped object a t hbbock, T~xu, (see bpendix
I) were s e n t b Albuquerque.They were ahoun to t h e sources by the O.S.I. and
oources stated that arranpncnt of llehts' on the object they eaw vae similar
%o thc photo. They sketched in t h e wing as they saw it.
An irmeatlgation w a s made to determine whether o r m t any one else had
aeon the object but only negative results were obtained.

Purther evaluation of this incident depends on fh;, outamme of attempts

to establish t h e autbentieity of the Iubbock photos.
 UNCLASSIEIEQ
A?-endix 111

On 26 Aumst 1951 a t 0836 YST, an ur.il!entiffcd f l y i n ? o b j e c t was detected

by an AN/cPS-4 and A?l/cPS-l rdar sets. The o b j e c t uae trackod cantinua:~sly
f o r a period of six ninutes end nade a t-d c o u n d speed of 9% rn-h. The
objeotwas on a oouroe o f 21p3 w i t h only slirht deviations enroute. An a l t i t u d e
read* of 12,000 f e e t w s obtainec? b u t t h e accureay of t h e noeauremnt i s
questionable due t o brief length of the t h e o b j e c t w ~ sdetected.
The F-86 a i r c r a f t uere s c r a ~ b l e dbut rdar c a n t s c t wit,& the o b j e c t was
l o s t before t h e aircraft vero airborne, A visual search was conduc+Yed f r o m
17,000 to 2 5 , W f e e t with nogative results.
The o?erator of the rt;dar s e t , an Air Forca Ca?tain, i s considered to
be an export operator.

'ieathor conditions a t the tine of s i g h t i n g were n o t favorable f o r an-

malous rdcrovave pror\acation.
S t a t u s of f m e s t i p a t i o n

Review of t h l s i n c i d e n t by the Zl.ectronlcs Section of ATIC aoncludea

t h a t t h o return vas possibly due to i n t e r f e r e n c e , This was concluded be-
c&se of the a ? v n t path of the object, directly approaching t h e station,
and the fact tbat the target w a s observed on only the low bean of the P N / c P s ~
radsr eet,
 UNCLASSIFIED.
Ir~6endix

The only i n f o r r ~ l t i o navailable on this incident Is a newspaper articlo

i r o n "Vandelfa leader" of 30 August 199.
"It wasa't a flwg saucer ! k r wr.s It a conventional type airplane !
But vhatevcr it was, it has sZpusd t h e c u r i o s i t y of a t l e a s t f i v e persons
who sav it mering throuyh the air Fbndajr night.
*'It was a big oranFo l i c h t v i t h blin5ing I n t e n s i t y uhen I f i r s t noticed
it wer the southvest corner of the a i r p o r t , ' %y 2illians t o l d the Isader.
11 had j u s t taxied out onto the runuay preparing to take a flight around the
c i t y when -I noticed the U g h t , It was between 8 and 8 : 30 p.m. I c a l l e d over
the redio to the CAA o f f i c i a l on dutx Albert Lraoklec, and ta Paul Recse and
aakc3 then ta W e a look. '
"'The Ugh-ad object disappeared 5
nh the v e s t and we decided maybe
there was nothing to it. So I decided to continue wlth my f l i e h t plans,'
r : i l l i m s statel. '
w'ShortJy aftor I hEd taken off I noticed the l i g h t again, approaching
my plane. It c m e Zirectly at ne and then c i r c l e d tzy plane tulce before
head- touard Croewllle, I followod it and i t m d e a c i r c l e rotind t h a t
town and cane back tawarc? Vandnlia. I l a s t saw it nsar the country d u b .
The CAA radioed a transport p i l o t who was passing over Vaado3la a t the tine
a t about 20,000 f e e t and he too saw the object?
"'It was all very a w e , the Vmdalia aJ;nan said. 'It wasnt t an
airplane but whatever it was tho l i g h t was on the tail of it, and there vas
a cmaU. r e d l i g h t on top, h b a w i t was some military craft -m Scott
F i e l d m k i n g a t e e t run,'
The U g h M objeot vhich appeared-to have a 10 to 12 iqch lens, was
also seen by bight Kerns in St, E'lmn the s s ~ swonincr,m

Status of Investimitiaq
An atferrpt will be made to obtain further infornation on thfq incident,
 On 31 August 1951 a t aproxbmtely 1245 CST two ladies vero 6rivine in
an antarnbile several d l e s n o r t h of :.(atador, Texas. The object was dee-
cribed aa a pear-shaped object, a l a u m o r s i l v e r in color, which readily
reflected the sunlight, The object had a p o r t or s o w t p e of aperture in
the side, It mved through thc air wi-A the snail end forward, They ju8god
the s i z e bc about t h a t of a &29 fuselage, 'herc M S ~3 sign of any B X ~
b u s t and no noise was heard.

A s t h o two ladicrr uore driving north from >latador, Texas, the driver of
the automobile first noticed thc objoct about 1.3 yards a??eadof the auta-
mobile. They stopped and both ladies got out to observe the object, It w a a
d r i f t i n g elowly in an eastward dircc+,ion a t a $ x e d the;/ judged t o be "less
than tho speed required to 'take off in a cub a i r c r a f t " and an a l t i t u d e of
about 120 it. Seconda l a t e r t h e object began to ascent rapiZ1y and in a feu
seconds it mved out of s l e h t t o the e a s t i n a circular ascent. (The wind a t
this time was fron the a t about 5-7 knots,)

A background i m e o t i ~ a t i o nshove? that both uomn were of exeellent'

aharacbr ,
This incident is of i n t e r e s t because it uae observed 4uring the seme
-period OB tho objects mer Lubbock, texas, (see Appendix I ) ,

Weather

a, 1230 CST -
Reese PiFB -
31 August 1951
lhtinnted ceiling 6,000 ft,,. broken cloado, with t h i n scat*&
clouds a t 25,000 ft, V i s i b i l i t y 15 miles. Bind EF!E a t 3 knots,

b, -
1 2 3 CST Childresr, Texas -31 $ g u s t 1951
Estimated ceiling 25,000 f t , , overcast, Vieibility 15 nfles,
Vind ITHE a t 7 knots. T o u e r h g o ~ uclouds
s in SE quadrant,
Status of Investipn tion
It has becn reported t h a t a road repair crew sew the sene object later
on t h e stme day. Atbnpts will be mde to conte.ct members of t h i s & crew
and obtain their statements, There were a l s o reports of crop dust* activity
$n the arca, so nttenpt3 vill be onCe to determine whether or not the ladiee
oauld have seen U s a c t i v i t y ,
 O n 10 and 11 September 1951, a s e r i e s of incidents occurred i n the area
of Fort Monwuth, P. J. An i n i t i a l e i g h t i q of an unidentified o b j e c t was
made on a radar set. Soon a f t e r tho radar s i ~ h t i w ,two Air Force o f f i o e r e
in a 7-33 a i r o r a f t uneuccessrully attsclpted to intoroept en unidentified
object. Later several more radar sightlngs were reported.
S t a t u s of h e s t i ~ a t i o n

A connlete investigation of t h i a incident was carriod out and will bo

r e p o r k d in ?reject Grudge Soecial Report No. 1, It has been t e n t a t i v e l y
detcrnined that the T-33 p i l o t s probabb observed a balloon t h a t had been
launched a feu minu'ks. prior h t h e i r arrival i n the area. Two of the radar
sightinps w e r e returns * ~ r n balloons and the others w e r e probably due to
w e a t h e r phenomena and excitement of the student operators due to p r w i o u s
s i g h ~ s . Only one radar return cannot be explained. The operator who
obaemod t h i s incident assumed t h e o b j e c t was traveling over 700 xph becauoe
the radar s o t ' s automatic troakbg would not f o l l o v the target. L t ie poesi-
ble that the i n a b i l i t y to trgck,the o b j e a t vat3 due to hie a b i l i t y to proprly
operate the s e t under msntal atress,
 UNCLASSIFIED

On 23 Smte!lbcr 1951 a t 0410 PST, an uriidentiflod object was ~ i ~ l l t e d

over SAW %sch, California. .Four F-Z6 aircraft mrc scrar~bleda d t,!e o b j e c t
uca s i q h t e d by then ovor l.kwoc, Californis. On atkdning an sltitude of
43,000 ft. the F-36's r o ~ r t e dthz object to be orbitting ?larch irR3 at an
e s t i m t c d altitude of betrrccn 50,000 ft. ad 55,000 ft. The objuct appeared
to be a swept win€, f i ~ h type ~ r aircroft.

Ra5iosonde balloons were release3 fYm Snn Diego, Long Beach an! S a n t a
llsria, Cdlfornia a t a p ? r o ~ ~ t e 0700
l y PST. A l l of these weather statiana
were checked by OSX prsonnel and a l t h o ~ ~the
h Snlloons uoro rclcased all
uaclther stntion ~crsonnelsteted that i t would be very douktful i f t h e i r .
balloons wxiL3 have traveled thB course that the object traveled.
All o f the =jar aircraft factories and installations conducting e x ;
pcrimntal f l i g h t testa were contacted. Pio experinental aircraft airborne
at the ti.= of the sigh-.
Additional in??omation'hag.been requested as to additional details of
the incident such as t i n e s and locations during the attempted interception
by tbe F-868~1rmd other w s s i b l e balloon launchings.
 On 9 October 1951 ~ .12'3
t CST, a CAA Chief Aircraft C o d a t o r obsexved
a silver object pass directly overbead vi.-e ho vaa at I f A m n I M c i p d A i r -
port, five nilee east o f T e r n Fas:e , L?Zinna. The object vas judged to be
approxima-ly the saiae size as a 50 cent gieco held a t lengtn, The object
paseed overhead at a very hieh r a b of s p e d going in a southess'~er1y direction,
passing From d i r e c t l y overhead to the horizon in about15 secorpdr, Thore vas
no sound or vapor tFxLl-8. The shape and general form of the object could be
eeen as the object paased w e r the horizon and out of sight.
(For related incident, ase Appewix fX,)

Clear, bright sun, ao c l o d s or haze,

S t etue of Irroesti~ation

Flirther d e t a i l s on the incident w i l l be obtained but it is doubtful i f

sny k t h e r W o m t i o n W i l l indicats the possible identity of the objeat.
 CMEP?TIAL-
UNCLASSIFIED.

PARIS. ILLC:3IS - 9 Octaber 1951

On 9 October 1951, a t npnroxkmtely 1x5 CST, a ?dvste z i l o t cn route

from Crec.ncastle, fxdima, to Paris, 1'-limis, sifhtsr! a silver objeot just
e a s t oi' i ' m : ~ ,Illinois, a t 5,000 f t . altitude. 1he object ameared to be
etationm-r in as uuch as I t d i d not increase or. dininish in size with the
approach of t h e alrcF&. 'iho object then s b x t e d to travel in a north-
easterly direction south of the Ilouprt, Indiana, Atomic ,Emera 31ant.
(Seo A ~ e n d i xVTIT for related incident,)

Weather.

Clear, b r i ~ h tsun, no clouds or haze.

Ibrc details of the incident uill be oStained. Iieather balloons are

launchgr! *on Qm-stoffFB whichwIS aproxi-rlately 45 niles ?lU of the location
of the inci2ent. It i s verj doubtful If t h i s object m s a W a o n ae the
b d l o o n *muld have risen% a mch higher altitude if it had M f t e d SE
from Shanute LF8.
 The o d y inforaation available on t h i s incidont i s 6 l c t b r q ~ t c dk l o v ,

TII4Ea 0632, 11 kt 9. X c X R e i l l y a d I vore f lj* at lC,GCO

observing the grab b w balloon u;icn I saw a brigiltly lowi in^ object +athe
S.E. of U. of IL Airport, At that ' ' h e ue were a feu r i e s north of I b c *
p a l l s and h e a d i y e a s t . I pointed it ocf b ~ i c cn5
k ue b"2.m3e +the fo1l~)w-
ins; observation:
m e object was mviq~h z a e a s t to ms', at a h i ~ h rrr"te c z 1 v c r j hi&.
1.l'e t r i e d -keep* the ship on a w n s t a 3 t c o u s c a x ? u5.n~ reinforcing nenlmr
of the ulndshield as a point. The objoct ruved p s t this m z b r at about 50
degrees per secord .
'This object uss peculiar in t r a t i t L
i wt-iat can ke d e s c r l 5 e P as a halo
d
around I t vith a dark undersurface. I t crossed ra-icily and then slo;led do-m
end started ta c l h b in 1- circles slo*ilr. The ?attern it nadc ucs like a
fallinr aek leaf Inverted, I t y n t throu;.h'tf;%se g p z t i o n s for a caugs d a t e s
and then with a veqy ronici acceleration L i s ~ . ? p e r e d to the east. '&is object,
M c k and I watched for ap3fWdna'vely f i v e aIxu*~es.
''1 don't h o w how b deacribe its size, becau~eat tlla tL- X didnlt hare
the ball9on Fn sight for a conparison.
'6hortly a f t e r this w e sau another one, tu: t h i s one didntf t.=~
armd,
It aproachcd h r a 'Lbe vest and aiaappearecl to the e a s t , neither one lea*
any trnce of vapor trail.
q-!hen I saw the seeand one I called our tmc* station at the C, of I-?,
Airport anci the obsemers there on the tbedolita mpu' to pt ~ l i q m e sof
a number of theu, but wuldntt keep.the t h d o l l t e p* fast emugh to keep
thasl in the fielj. of their fnstruzrcnts, J30th b u g kitla and j i c k Larim omght
gl-ses of these objecta in the theodolite after I n o t i f i e d tbm of their
p s e n c e by radio,

Autrther d e t a i l s of the incident have been mquested, The sourcos have

been investigated an3 are law= to be exporienaed hAgh a l t i t u d e balloon 6
sar~ersv i t h General Y j l l a balloon projects.

UNCLASSIFIED
 This is a ~ ~ c i rewrt
a l on thc invecti-etion of C e
s5.ghtiq of ~q uni::entificZ oer2.a abject. Szeclal m-
ports such as t!lis -.dl3 'cc ndt) Dn o u t ~ * % n d iinci3cnts
~
and in insidonts vhere s-a'c rr re.mrt is reqiiestkd by hickcr
outilority,
 On 10 and 11 Se?tznbcr 1951, a s e r i e s of both v i s d XI? radar sichtinzs
were reporto(.! fran t h e F o r t :bniw~th,lie1 Jorcoy, area,

A t ap;)ro;:Lzately 1135 ZDST an ~ ~ i d e n t i f i e oc bl j e c t uzs sl,nhteci I-Jtho

p i l o t 9f a 'i-33 d r c r u f t , on Air Torcc L i e ~ k : ~ erxo~,te t , $9 l i t c k e l l Air 'orcc
Y m c , !Jew i'or::, f r o g Lover a r Force Bzse, ielnwtrl-s. The o b j e c t aF7earod. ta be
over Lm:zy l:~o:i, I:ew J e r s e . ~ , betwoen 5OGG f t. an;! &GO ft. a t 11 9 'clock f r ~ n
the n i n r z f t hacdinp. 'i'he T-_73 vcs ar1?r.x<5::~ttcl;. over i'oint Zlcaeaqt, , ~ c v .-
Jersey, a t tl~e tilie of the i n i t i a l z i ~ f i t 5 i r . L ~ o nsecixy the o t j o c t , t h e ? U o t
ttr,rh:- doscon:!inrr a t 3m0 turn to the l e f t in en at-e:1p+, to i n t e r c e n t and
i d e n t i f y the o ; ~ j e c t . ;i?prcxdnatcly 1,: scc ;niis ctar +the ? i l o t f i r s t oir:!~ted
t!le o Y ~ c c ~ , t ! ~ o DoosenFr, an riir Force i k j ~ r ,~ i 1 0t a d b e 3 r e o rcilic,
check, sifl1tc.d the o t j o c t . o 5 j o c t xc.s tiicn ner-r i r e e i i ~ l ? ,Ileu icroc;;,
zm!dny a 120° t u r n t o w a r d the coast. :he y i l ~ czlntin;:ed t P i s 3 a 0 t=lrn b u t
t h e o 5 j e c t was 10::tac i t c r o s s s J t!ie cortct. L r ~ i n cthe descen2h-q tli-n the
a x e d of t ! ~ c'l.-?t increosec: fro;: i~ to 5% x7h m r ! t h e rltitucic Cecreascd j3-m
.X,00Q f t . to 17,G00 f t , e k e inclozed orc.r;ay,)

\;hen first, s i ~ h t e d , the o'c,jcct a p - ~ u e t2 i be d e s c e ~ d i - T over Sand7

)look, ~ ? C W Jersej-. It then lcvelcd 3uS a?? r - i n t x i n e d a canetant Eititui;e.
Tfie o > j c c t ;!as r m n ? zn,!s i l v e r in color ' c ~ 4i;7 t not r-cfloct 5 . c s v i L i y i ~ t .
A t ons t h c d x i n . r t i r t ~?ttCrm+yol-?i n t e r c a ; ~ t ,it cmecrce f l a t . ikc s i z e uos
3ui?ce? to be X ft, to jC1 ft. in c?iwztcr.

A t a--roxl;nntcly 1112 iLS7, 10 S;je?te-iter 1951, t u ~ t a l l o ~ n svcrc

released f r ~ tnh e :vans S i ~ n a lLabarctor;;r, Xcu Gcrse-;, l o c c t c d e t 4C.O 1 C l 'n'
an3 74' 01,' E. ( S C O i n c l o s e d overlay. ) These t d 1 0 0 r l s are 7 f t . -
3 t't. in
d i a m t c r a t t h e of r e l e a s e and ema9ci on a s c e n c i n ~ . ;Icy asccn-: a t an r v c r q c
of 800 fm;l an.! are pdnte-l silver f a r r a ! s tree-dn-. !x=:leric,:~c.c.dt d l z m n
observers strlte that uhcn vieuer! f r ~ ccrtcin n a r l c s they a7wm Lq be 6isc-
s b ~ y : d . A t 1135 X S i those balloons uaulj M c ? x e a a t ap-.ra:i-sttely 1E,300
f t . , an: would have m v e d t o a x z i t i o n ncnrl;r i n l h c with 2 o i n t P i c a s m t ,
Neu Jaroej., an? Sondy IIook. (;.ind S S : a t lC-15 l n o t s . )

A t t e ~ m t ower9 m.de b u r c ti;= inL"onurti0n oLtair,ec! frao v.e iuterro-

q s t i o n o f t h e T-?3 crew and t h e data on t h e b a l l m n laimciiinf~tn ?rave t h t
t h o n f l o t and pasacnrer of *the 1-33 had obserwod a balloon. iio-ver, n o t all
of ere d a b r i v e n uas c ~ n s i s t e n ut i t h s~:ct. a c>nclusion,

In u t t e n ? t to establish tLe f a c t t h n t the o b j e c t uas a b a l l m n ,

a f l i p h t path sixdlnr t o tho one civen tideUle T-33 c r e u wac asstmed. (%c
w A ~ s u n e dPath of 1-33" i n i n c l o s u r e . ) :he T-33 crev uss intcrroyeted twice
and gave d i f f e r e n t f l i r h t paths ruL trcrc*& 3f tte oSJect a t ew:? onc. It l a
theroforo assuncd that ck~eb t h ~a l t i t u t l a an5 swcd of t h o 5-32, d t!!e fact
 U N C ~ ~ ~ ~ l ~ l ~ ~
t i a t creu ' I I . , ~ inter=%on w a t o h i q thc o b j c c t , they coulc! n a t . ; ~ l n ~ i n tiieir
t
~ r o m j*tr~c:<m y c l o s e r L'ton 5 n x ~ t i c d
r..flec c ~ d
Slur it *~aiA1: be f e a sible
t:, assuylc a f 1 i ~ F . t path within 5 za::'uical iC1es of the given tr:~c!c. Si=1.~o the
two in'uamo~ations as to location of t h e p o - u A 2 t r n c l i ~differeci tn cone extent,
the t r ~ ~ m
.
9 ,k o d on e. chart inclulfod ~ 4 t hsipled s t a k x n t i s m s w ~ c dta be
tms t n s a r l ; ~c o r r e c t

Referrinr to tho assuncd fli-ht pat11 3n the inclosed w c r l w , e t A,

the object a ? ~ e r c dto be ovor S d y Iiook. It will be no'ed that o c m ~ a -
t i v o l y srall otjcct closer to thc a/c would n;T,-)ear b b l a r c o i f msmacd to
bo over Sandy !bk. (see F i w e 1.)

Balloon would ct?r.rear to 'be

large if j u d ~ e dto over
SanCy lbok.

i'osition of T-33 a t tirwt

'of initial a k h t i n g ,

Figure 1. Plan Viev of I n i t i a l Sighting

(not to 3cal.e)
As the %?: avroachcd t h e ; d o o n , 42.-e balloon er\-wirocIto bo t r a v e l b ~a t
a h i r h rote of sneed, Several seconds ~ u s have t qassed aftor ths initial
s i p h t l n c chi12 tine ~ i l o deci2cd
t tt:~:.tthe object Wac not a convantionel a/c
and that he should attea?% to i d e n t i Q i t . ~ . ~ - i qt yh i s period, it i s a s - w d
that the a/c contime ! on course & - h r t h e objc-ct a??ear b be flyin? e t r e i ~ h t
an? l e v e l on a rcci?rocal h e a d i q , 'Ihe f a c t ti-&% t h e o b j e c t appeared ta be
descen3inC: uhen first s i ~ h t o dcnnnot bc e q l a i n c d . The f c c t t h a t onlr one of
L5c t-JO bblloans vns seen can be explained by the fact t!:at Q c atseroore con-
aentrated on ono balloon a9.J did rut notice th oL\cr one.
UNCLASSIUEQ
 Forty-five rcc3n3s sftcr the initid a L r : ~ t L i , t h e ?nsr-enyr notcd
t h e ot,ject be t - i r n i n ~l e f t no?r i+ec!mld, 2ev Jcrr;e;r. T F . 3 C M be a:-
plaincd the fact t k a t tlio 7-33 vas W n i q CIL t.hc r c h t i v c notfon cc.sod
t h e ball003 t a a ? ? o r r ta be t u r n i n y . A s t h e '2-33 continuc.2 inlax?, t k n lize
of sight chq.o;l u n t i l the balloon vos cilhouot+&d 4 a i n : t tl:c cce or sk.-and
bsiry. silver blon2e.I Lib the bac2:.~mnd an:; WGS l o a t . I w d s 'Cisan?ear~~ccn
of bsljioons io a co:-1-noccure_?ccwi'th ? i l o & tracZn(l roscarch b d l a c n s .

It ir, a3?aront fron t h c above t h a t smcrcl a s s l l i ~ ~ t i o nivd s to & aac?e

i n orlZIer b s k i ; r t h i t t h e object MAS one of t!le W o o n s reloascl? a t Xvms
S i p o l k h r e t q q , tut t k e fact L.here w a s a bollo~min %iionccx r i c i n l t j . m 2
the fact t??n-t;the p i l o t mil obser~crm r o n o t sure
a p a a t deal of credence
.
. o I their exact track aclds
the a s c m ~ t i o n s . .::o\rcvor, since' as%:a-tio:is were
' d e , it c m i ~ be t concluciec! t h a t o 3 t e c t was d o f i n l t c l y a b a l l ~ n .

A31 of t!;c re-1a.r s i ~ h t i n r sCurirq? t h i s ?erio2 ucro r d e b; stuZento

at t);.~ Fort ;brdiuC? trainin: centcr. 31 sd,',ition t a triis, the stucients. in-
v a l v d were '&in,- a Tlaintoga.ce co-mce. instrictor crodd ?ut c e r - a ?
necisnical o r electronic difficulty ln t h e cctt a.1.1.: l o t ti!-,o stuc3errt f i n 2 a-?d
rc;.,cd;r t r a u b l e . If t h e s t d e n t bccnrlo ?rol'iclant i n this phase, he r;a allowed
ta o-ercltc the r;c%mc'n the-sale as i n t a c t i c a l o y r a t i ~ c z . :Jo p l o t t i a r re-
c ~ r J c ,lots o r data of q v t p e mrc kept. It should 'oe stressed t i ; a t these
studen* xero zaLntcnanca strtfente, n o t o ~ r s t o r s .

1, On 1 0 Sc?tcqbcr 1951 an A ! T / L G - ~ r a 2 e r s e t .,is:ieb u? a f a s t

~lovi~ low-flyin?
, -!m;et (exact a l t i t u d e :eterli:ieC) c t a??m::i-zi*~cl-/
U10 b-ours s a u t h c a ~ tof F o r t :bn;lou+,!l a t a r a g e o f abaut 1 , , X O yari:s. I l e
t & r f c t a?pemt?d b o~r~:;i-a'tely fo1101.r t'ic c o a s t linc c:~a.cLw- i t s r q - e onl?
r l i g i l t l y h u t c3mrin-; i t s azi-r~uthr a p i ? l y . Tilo r a d a r set r r ~ sct?ftzteL +a P i -
aided a z 5 r u t i l trac;:in,n wl;ici~n o r . l a U ; ~i s fact e m u - h ta track I c t & c I ' R ~ ~ ,
b u t i n tihis case was too cloy to be rcsor'tcl t o . PIC tnrzc$ was l o c t in the
n o r t h e a s t at a raye of sbout l.&,000 yards.

i l y n i n f i i r r u g a t i o n , it uac f o r i d tt!tt the O?~C*UO~, U:IO .W r13re

cx-rinnce tt.m t h o averqc s t u d e z t , uas rivinf a de:lonstration f o r E. :7m3
of v i s i t i n ? officers. Ec asnmed t;?rthe w a s nicidflyr U? a hi.-h-s_3eed aArcr<t
because of his i n a b i i i t y t o use full-aided a z i i m t h trac>zinr vihich v l l l n ~ r x i l l y
track an uircrhft e t spetx2s u.7 to 700 A?h. L b c e he c ~ u l dm t trac:i tke t a r p t
he s s s u ~ o r lits s9ee5 t o be about 700 n7h. lbwever, he a l s o mcle the s t a t e w n t
that ho trsckcc! thc.oLject o f f and on fron 1111 trJ 1U2, or three &i.tes. Us*
t h i s timz and the p o u n d track, thc opeod i s 0 r 2 j about 420 nyh.

Na definite conclcsions can be given duo to %!le lac:: of a c m a t c

data b u t i t i s biir1d.y prob&>lc tirat due to t h e f h c t t:-rilt G i e o;mrcL>r w a s r i v i n g
a dc~lbnetrctioll"a a p o u ? of o f f i c e r s , a112 tket he Cwu.7i~the picked up e very
uaPtaual raclar rc:twn, he V ~ Din an escito?? s t a t e , a c z o ~ ~ t i nf o- r his i n a b i l i t y
to usc full-aided au*cst i c trac:cinr. ik &Attod he i a c 'blchljr flustraLd"
in mt bein.. c u e b keep up uith t h e tarcat u s i n c the aide5 ~' .-LC:& 3 c
r n o t favoroblo f o r anozdous ;>romation.
voat5er on 10 S c p t o ~ ~ b e118s
 2. 3n 10 Se?'&zber 1951, 1515 hours, m SCR 5G4, serf al n-z136:r 4 7 3 ,
tracked 6 t a r ~ s u?Lch t mves ebct olouly 3.n azl-ruth norti1 of Fort ;bmmutk a t
a r a c e of &bout 32,OGO FIE at t2.e e~tre-iely~ ~ c s u r elevation ~ x z 1 eo r 13%
nils, ( a l t : k d e an3r9xinatoly 9 7 , W f t . ) .
balloon. I t vas +sacked a t %?.e request of the C o ~ ~ c L n d 3fi'icer
tl
T h i s w L s ~ r ~ to
in~
c be
n a weauicr
of tile Student
A t t a c h e n t tcr, d e t c m h c tho a l t i t u d e in order to e s t a b l i s h who won a p o l con-
~ ci3tit;rcie of c balloon k-hich was sichtceci ni~litIje.
c r : r n i q v I w .the

3. ~ nll' S e p t e ~ > h1951,

r 1950 t:o*rrs, tsr3 SCB 5S&@s, sar;al nu-ber 2l7
and 215, ~ i c k c ?up the s a x *e;st northeast of T o r t I brxmuth a t an elcvction
ancle of ?€I to 309 rdls a t n r q e of a~:;rc):d.~atel;r 30,000 yariis (a?-mo>:kiate
a l t i t u d e 31,000 f e e t ) . i'he s e k t r a c k auto:-nticnlly in. azWth ad elevation
and vith oizcd ranee trac:dny are canzblo of tsnc:iinp t a r g c t c ur, to a o w e 2 of
700 nof.,. In cese, horrever, 'Loth s e t s foun3 i t Frxposcible t a track the
t a r z e t in ranfe duc to itxi s ? o d an2 t!lc o ~ r a t o r shad to r e s o r t to rm11d
ran-.-e trcc;tiq7 i n orcler to hold the t a r z e t . P4e t a r ~ c vas t tracked in t9A3
mEUlmr to tf:e ; . Z T t S ~ c k i q - r a T c of 72,050 yari!~, The o ~ r a t ~ ) Jur:.~cd rs
t h o tar@ to be noving a t a s p e d several hundred n i l e ~per hour higi:er than
the na;;irar'~d d c d t r a c k i q s b i l i t y of t h e rdar s e t s . "r'his t a r ~ e t2rovided
an e m i c l j r s t r o r q r e t u n echo at tirres cveu t'r,o7qh it was a t ~ i n m r q e ,
burner, t h e c c b siFal occasionrlPj f e l l off t o a l e v e l bolou n o r 4 return.
These c h a q c s coincided uit'c rmckvcrc of t-':e t r r ~ e t .
This oighQw ?roved ta be a ueatner S d l o o n . Eov it was deter-
nincd is tinh.y.n but A l I C was iiior;:$d tlrzt it was a bslloon t i - A-3I:tX t a l e e m
TI-251?, datcc? 5 0cta:bcr 1951, GAG-Iten -'1?, which s k k d ; "Wcr siriitiqr vas
later i12enti,"icc? os ven*&cr balloon. ?'ar.:ct track was v e r t i c a l . Later exploded
and desccs2cci t 3 ,ground.

4 On 11 Se3terhr 1951, a t atout 133C, a tar,-et v a E nicxed u:, on an

SCEi5Z4 rdar set, s e r i a l m ~ ~ b e r t'nat 2fs?ln;.ed m :md : ~ ~ . c w c r a b i l i ~
%e -~;et yas q _ o r o x d t e l y Dvor i ; a v c s b k , ; b : r Jersey, as i n i i c a t e d by i t s
lO,(k"O yard rar.ye, 6 , 0 ~ 0f e e t altitu6e ma: due north u i n u t h , The t a r : - e t
rc:lainod p r a c t i c a l l y s k t i o n a q r on 510 s c q e and a93cared to Cc kovcrinr. The
o ~ r n t o r slookad out of C-.,a van in e? attex?t to see t!;e-tarzet s i n c e i t rras
at such a s h o r t r.?nfo, hove-rer, w o r c a s t c~.nciitions9rever.tod m.ch ohservation.
Retumh;. to their o x r a t i n , r positions 3 1 0 + A , - c t as otscrved to be chaq-in::
its e l e m t i o n at en extre---.l:..m y i d r n k , tI;e cIA~z;e i n ran,-e uae so s:;all the
onerntors kelicve5 *.e t a r f - e t .mst hzvc r i r e n n e a r l y vertically. Tine tarret
ceased i " ~ 3rfse i-? elevation a t an elevation culglo of ap?ro::irlatoly 1,%0 :.as
at which the it 9rocecdeb to nove a t an e:;trencl:; ra3id ra*& in r a x o Fn o
soutk4erlyd i r e c t i o n once a g d n the s ~ e dof t ! e " t a r ~ c toccce2in- the aided
trac:&c abiUt2- of the SGiLS8L so t!!t m~~x il
trac:riv becax n o c e s s q .
The radar 'zaclieci t i e t a r r e t to the &.u1 r a y e of 1,,: -0yards a+, ~1Lic;it k i c
the tar@ vos at an elevition sn-le of 3 3 .as. Ele opernwrs did mt a t b a ? t
to juGre t!!c c?ecci in excess o f the a i d 0 6 trackdtry r a t e of 700 q9h.
It i s hi~:hl.; probable tkot t h i s i s an exanale of nnmalr>us F r o -
p q y t i o n as the u e G ~ e ron ll S e ? t e ~ b c r;ras favoratlc for L!is t ; ~ c of ahcno-
nellon. %lo stxdentr s%'d Uai tkcy uerc avcvc of i b i s ?henonenan, h ~ v w e r ,
it is biphly >robable that t4 tile qrcviaus s l r h t l n ~ oof uhot t h e y t t ~ a u r t t
vere u n u s d types of b r c r d t , they were in t h o correct psycliolo~icalm ~ i t i o n
L.

to seo noro such otjec'a. ,

a bnllmn 1a~ic::ed bj Yae Lbrins L i s a L hbora-mry .a f e w binutcs befire the-T-.73
arrive2 in ttlc tirea.
B. ?lie 1110 E d 1 r a d a r s i - n t L w on 10 Scpterlbar 1951 vno n o t noaosscrrily
a very hicC-mead aircraft, 1 s s p e n d was judfcd only b,: t?le o?crator I s in-
:
a t i l i t y to uae aided trzcl5.n; e-12 WLAS mscibly Zue to tho o-%rotor be*
oxciAted, an.? not Lb.e hirh speed of the aircraft,

C. me 1515 E S T ra:im s i ~ h t a yon 10 Se;>ter~br

1951 b x ~ 3a \leather balloon.

3. The 10% ELST radw sirhting on ll Lepterbor 1951 uas a weather bdlmn,

E. I'he 1 3 3 X T rtx?.rr si(li.,ti? on 11 Septeubor 1951 rep-ains unknovn but

it was v e r y p x c i b l c that it was due to anordous pro;7asction md/or the 3tdent
m3ar operators' tliowtts t h a t tkere uas a eroat d 6 d of aativity of unccual
objocta in tho area.
 p,: - -. c
r:,i-71;.
I
\ ~ \ i h k. . --
, ,
*-
\ ;,1 ;;-.L
UNCLASSIFIED.

L- A HOOK, N. J.

Re.xrtud Path of Objeot

a ' o f T-33
~ e ~ r t oPath
Assumed Path of T-33
OVERiAY OF
m! PORK SE;CTI*3i3AL. B a l l m n at 1135
Initial Sighting
Object b a t Seaward
PROJECT GRUDGE

31 DECEMBER 1 9 5 1

PROJECT NO. 10073

 1. Information c o n f l i c t i n g with o r p e r t i n e n t l y a f f e c t i n g
t h a t c o n t a i n e d i n t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n s h o u l d b e forwarded by t h e
r e c i p i e n t d i r e c t l y to:

C h i e f , Air T e c h n i c a l I n t e l l i g e n c e C e n t e r
Wright-Patterson Air F o r c e B a s e
Dayton, O h i o

T h i s i n n o w a y a b r o g a t e s o r a l t e r s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for s e n d i n g
s u c h i n f o r s a t i o n o r a n y pertinent i n t e l l i g e n c e d a t a through
a l r e a d y e s t a b l i s h e d i n t e l l i g e n c e c o l l e c t i o n c h a n n e l s of t h e
v a r i o u s s e r v i c e s o r a g e n c i e s o f t h e U. S. government.

2. WARNING: T h i s document c o n t a i n s information af-

f e c t i n g t h e n a t i o n a l d e f e n s e o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s within t h e
m e a n i n g o f t h e E s p i o n a g e L a w , T i t l e 18, U.S.C., S e c t i o n s 793
a n d 794. I t s t r a n s m i s s i o n o r t h e r e v e l a t i o n of i t s c o n t e n t s i n
a n y m a n n e r to a n u n a u t h o r i z e d p e r s o n is p r o h i b i t e d by l a w .

UNCLASSIFIED
 Classification cancelled

* s r66 6 4 0
STATUS REPORT NO. 2

PROJECT GRUDGE

31 DECEMBER 1951

PROJECT NO, lG073

Classification cancellea
w o . - ---- ----

Published By

AIR TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER

WRlGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE
DAYTON. OHIO
 This r e 3 o r t is the s e e m 8 of a s e r i e s of nonthly status r e ~ r t s
of R o j e c t Gm3ge. Each r e ~ r wt i l l be written on or near the last
day of the ranth and vill contain a l i s t of all incidents reported
-in,, t3.e nonth c~vercdby the re?ort. The r e ~ r t st h a t are con-
aid.cred to 'be outstanding w i l l be swmarized. in the ao?endices of the
rormrt SO t k e t m s e d e t d l s can %e presented. The o v e r a l l s k t u s of
the p r o j e c t w i l l also be presented.
Additional i n f o m a t i o n zn;r be obtained on any incident b;- d i r e c t i n 5
requests to Chiof, kir TecWcal Intelligence Centor, Attention: AT-Zc,
k i ~ h t ? a t t e r s o ariir force Ease, bayton, Ohio.
 STATUS OF PROJt;CP GRULGE

O1lERA1J, STATUS

A, Files
The n a J o r i t y of the t h e devoted to Project Grudge durfry! Cne period
covered in t h i s S t a t u s Iieport, 30 fbvembor 1951 to 31 Lecember 1951, has been
spcnt in s o r t i n g and f i l i n g old i'roject Grudge and a o j e c t S i p f i l e s . All of
t h e incidents datinp back ta 1946 t h a t are in ATIC have been sgrted and f i l e d .
There a r o approximately 800 on f i l e . k c h incident has been put in a aeparak
folder and f i l e d i n chronological order.
Sunnary cards a r e being m a d e on each incident. These s u ~ n a r ycards
vil.1 include data such as description of the oSject, course, a l t i t u d e , speed,
maneuvers, c t c . These cards w i l l then be cross-inriexed i n an atternpt t o obtain
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o r trends i n tine sightinp. I t i s contemplated t h a t t h i e cross-
indexinp w i l l be completud by the middle of February.

B, 1-Iissiq %ports and Photographs

It i s apparent t h a t t h e - d e t a i l s of s o m of the reports betueen e a r l y
1949 and nid-1951 are nissiw. An a t t e q t w i l l be made to obtain these r e w r t s
from c?thcr agencies so t h a t f f ~ eA T I C f i l e w i l l be conplcte. ?hob.--ranhs re-
ferred b i n some r e ~ o r hare a l s o d s ~ i q - . Although thcre have not been very
many p h o t c p a ~ h sof alle~edunusual a e r i a l objects suhnitted to K I S , thcre havo
been a f e w anti an a t t e n p t w i l l bc m d e to o b t a i n p r i n t a of these gha+~ogrnphs.
C, Map f o r P l o t t i n g S i g h t N s

A large nar, of the United S t a b s i s being oropared and i s nearly com-

pleted. All of tho s i g h t b p s u i l l be p l o t k d on this m p i n an a t t e n p t to
e s t a b l i s h sone nettorn in the siphtinps. A c o l o r code w i l l be worked o u t 80
t h a t as much i n f o m a t i o n as possible can be g r a ~ h i c a l l yi l l u s t r a t e d on the nap,

It u i l l be -noted in tine l i s t of incidents t h a t i s c~ntciinedin t h i s

r e q o r t t h a t the i n v e s t i g a t i o n s of s i g h t i n e s reported scveral nonths ego are
s t i l l p e n d m o r t h a t some s i g h t i q - s have not been investigated due to the tim
t h a t has elapsed since the s l ~ h t i ~The . ixxvestip.ations bein2 con.l~ctedin
conjunction with the p r o j e c t a r e s t i l l being hanpered by the delays i n receiv-
ing infonmtion.
On 25 October 1 9 5 1 , - i t was requested t h a t AFOIlL-CG1 l e t t e r dated
8 Se.jtmnbor 1950 s u b j e c t r " R e ~ r t i n yof = o m t i o n on Vnc~nver.tionalarcraft *
be revised and r e c i r c u l a t e d to dl iiF c o d a . It is h o d t h a t as s m n as
t h i s is 'done the s i t u a t i o n vill inprove.
 h a d d i t i o n t o delays i n receiving a d d i t i o n a l i n f o m k t i o n , i t i s be-
l i e v e d that many sightingc of u n i d e n t i f i e d o b j o c t s arc n o t b c i r y reportad a t all.
This b e l i e f i s founded on the fact t h ~ ATIC t has received newswpor clinp-s or
requeots f o r infornation on s i g h t i n & s about which t h e r e is no i n f o r z i t i o n i n the
records.

Several conferences have been held with n e ~ t c r sof a p r o n i n e ~ tresearch

organization t o d e t e r l i n e whether o r not there i s enough i n f o r n a t i o n a v a i l e b l e
on the u n i d e n t i f i e d a e r i a l o b j e c t s to warrant a thorowh s c i e n t i f i c i m e s t i p n t i o n .
Theso p e o ~ l eb v e incl>ectRd the f i l e s , discussed the proble;~,' and it i s t h e i r
oninion t h a t thero are enough r o ~ o r t st h a t cannot be explained by W w n o b j e c t s
or phenomena b warrant a d e t a i l e d i n v e s t i g a t i o n .
Several o t h e r proninant encincers and s c i e n t i s t s have been contacted
and t h e i r opinions are much t h e s&le a s those s t a t e d above.

Negotiations are underway to o b t a i n the s e n t i c e s of c ~ n s u l t a n t si n t h e

f i e l d s of physics, n i c l e a r physics, astronony, p ~ ; r c l i o l ~ ~e yt c, . , to assist in
the d y s i s of the r o w r t s . These c o n s u l t a n t s w i l l &SO a t t e q t to make a
continuirq s t a t i s t i c a l analysis o f t h e r e p o r t s i n an a t b m 7 t t o deternine
whether o r n o t t h e r e i s any g i g ~ l i f i c a n tp a t t e r n o r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s in t h e
sichtings. In t h i s r e s p c t , i t i s h o y d that the p r o j e c t can receive tlle full
cooperation of all c~mlan\!s in pronptly r e p o r t i n z all s i e h t i c p of u n i d e n t G
f i e d a e r i a l o b j e c t s , s o t h a t as clany authentic r e p o r t s aa possiblo will be
a v a i l a b l e f o r study by s t a t i s t i c a l analysis.

A. Inclosed Sun- List of Incidents

The inclosed l i s t i s (1) a surrnary of all i n c i d e n t s r m o r t e d dur- tke
period o f 30 Ilover~ber1951 t a 2 1 Lecenber 1951; (2) those i n c i ~ l c n t st h a t were
r e m r t e d in Str-tus I b m r t 110. 1, dated 30 Xovernber 1951, and s t i l l have t h e con-
c l u s i o n s oendiw; and ( ! ) thoso i n c i d e n t s t h a t have been c l o s e 3 during t h e month
covered bj the r e ~ r t .

Incidents which are considered too d e t a i l e d to sunna~izei n the Ust

o f eighQs are again g-iven in the appendices, and in greater detail.
 -"--JSltlt
SlGHTlNGS OF UNIDENTIFIED
--
OBJECTS ---~W~DEWIAI
DESCRlPTlOh OF INCIDENT ACTION OR COU%'ENlS

,
1_------

8 l u g 51 1 2110 3 Lbbock, Tam. Qroup o r l i l h t a t h a t hare b a n seen on mmy o e c a a l o ~ . (50s Aplaadb I) -Tii * Vuid

a'
25 l u g 51 2151 Albuquerque, N.Y.
I
Dark flflnv wine t y p a/c with about 1 1/2 t h e 8 t h e d n g a p n o r a 8-96.
( 9 0 Appandix 11) j ' l a fi.
I
Sandla Base guard
I md l i f e 1
1 6. lppdh fl

2, 1.6 51 m 0 1 fandalia, I l l . ' Brisht orange l l g h t seen from the mud and a v a l n fro. t m a i r e r r a h . High I mrcL1 pilots and I No f u r t h e r iora.tigatlon.
I I YO conclusion..

31 1.6 5 1 a 5 I Yltador, Texas P e a r - s b p d alualnvn o b j e c t seemed t o hovar then l e a n tha area a,%high s p e d . Saveral
ta high I high 1
( h e lppandLr 111)
aped I
I I
) Sapt 5 1

5 s p t 51
'
mo

I
S p a l u n , rash.

Spokane, fish.
I
IM
1
Bluish-rhlte l l ~ h wlth

1 Blulsh-.hifa
t fiery t r a i l .

e oajects q p a r e d out o r
momcular.
n.
About t h e s i r e of an a u b u + h l l e henillght.

Aspara* t o be n die. when hr twon* a 1 lMln. Nom Erratic

I
Lar

Unk-
Z"j"

m0
I *P W L . h and .ih 1

i
A? YOT
1 Believed ta be meteor ar
f i e b a l l . lio oonclwionm.
Yo aonclruiolu.

1 1
U q h t about t h e s i r e of en automobile h e a d l i c h t l e a d w a n e l t~r a i l . I ~ocomls nono ' nigh Lor m0 l AF 1 s t Lt
1 h p t 51 WO Spahano, Rash. Bellered ta be a meteor o r
1 f i e b a l l . No a o r r l w i o n r .

) Sa.L

25 %I( 5 1
51

1
MO

I210

/
hose M,
Yowfoundlmd
h r c h 11, ca-lif
Lar ntwn

Object
- QCA radar o b e m e d
8 1 ~ h t e dover

/ ( h e Appndix IV)
l n v Beach.
(r. o b j e c t s m u

Four I-.%ls
the airfield.

scra!ablel and a i g h l d object Over *Io.

1 Intercapt ma u ~ u c c e a s r u ldue t o a l t i t u d e o r o b j e c t . h a t 55,m ~ t .
o r b i t t e d ~ r e AQ
I
a 1
limbs

Unknom 1
I
bm

Mona
a 0 m* /PO (l.
N
I no s further
u l l l c l a n it mi enaf toirpuattiioonn ..
SO. ~ p p a n d i x n.

9 00t 51 la h;.luute, j Roud,ailver colored o b j e c t p s s a d over a i r p o r t a t high s p e d . (:A# l p ~ e r d hV) k r y high I ~nknom 1%'

9 OeA 5 1 1% 1 P a ~ i e ,I l l . Vary high

I, 5,000 ft. L5'
I I
I lo m 51 I ~ i o I nnrsiis,
Y~M.
I Roun~,
I
object by ~ i i t~r a cuk i n g a b n o o n . ( 9 e A P P m)
~ ~ / nigh
II ~igh n I
!
B ~ O ob..
U I
1
h e 1 p p n d i x VII.

High
Minutea

l o oonelwion~.

-
High

1 2 1 Oat ,% 1 05002
Ij 62% 1591
Yleta,
1
I
I
'/
Briqht pllo.lah
0ra.Ri.h-blue
flash on t h e horison.
brilliant l i ~ h .irk
t an i n c a n d e s n n t g t r In the ton of 6 tail. 1 1
I Wmm

u*mm
I &own
Waknmn 1 Dnknomi

B ta $W
I
Scientist

A? Major
I ' irililn 1I b p l e o r groan firab.11
p h e n n e n . No oonclusiolu.

&TIC
)O O& 5 1

*o*u
07
110
otc
19)0

sza
( 0 1
Col .
Tow Conurs,

4
Object appeued .hlb f l r s t , then nd. Con glowed d t h b r i l l b n t 5e*U Color 1l*.
mon tube.
- Lw- I wm u*m umknom Y (a ~ 1 C

- I U p L of p a a n f i r a t a l l
Dh.ivmma. 10 o o ~ ~ l w i o ~ .

PAGE j
I. GISCUSSXON OF TIC, IKCIiiEIJT

The f i r a t of a s e r i e s of s i g h t i n 7 s r e l a t e d to t h i s i n c i d e n t occurred the

even- o f 25 -st 1951 a t a p n r o x h a t o l y 2110 CST. r'our Texas Technical College
profesoors were . s i t t l r y in the backlard o f one o f t h e p r o f e s s o r t & hones observing *

m e t e o r i t e s i n conjunction with a study of nicroriotcorites ,being c a r r i e d o u t by

t h e college. A t 2120 they observed n Crou? of l i ~ h t spass overhead f r o n 11 t o S.
The U ~ h t shad about t h e saxe i n t e n s i t y as hiph c i r u s clouds Dn a n x - f l i c h t n i ~ h t .
Tho a l t i t u d e was n o t detornined b u t *ey t r a v e l e d a t a h i c h rate or' s7eed. The
pattern o f t h e l i r h t s w a s a l n o s t a p e r f e c t se;li-circle containinl; frm 3 ta 30
i n d i v i d u a l l i p h t s . L a t e r i n t h e e v o n i q a sinilar i n c i d e n t was observed and
durinq a period o f a b u t t h r e e weeks a t 3 t a l o f a p r o x i n a t e l g twelve (12) such
f l i g h t s were observed by t h e s e 'men.

The groun o f men included:

a. The Head o f the ? e t r o l e u n n g i n e e r w Lepartnent

b. h o f e s s o r o f Geology, has ?hD.
c. R o f e s s o r o f Physics, has Phb.
d, , PhD.
h o f o s c o r o f C h e i c n l Z n ~ i n c e r i ~has

Besides t h e above f o u r nen, follo:<ing have observed t h e i n c i d e n t s ;

a, R o f e s s o r o f :.hther-zatics, has Phu.

b. Graduate s t u d e n t working on W .

In a d d i t i o n , a R o f e s s o r o r i ~ s t r m o n ywas consulted on t h e i n c i d e n t , b u t he d i d
n o t observe any o f t h e s e f l i g h t s .

The above mentioned nen took a personal i n t e r c s t i n the ?henomno an2 under-
W6 8 atuc?y o f the o b j e c t s . AttRrlpts were mFide t o o b t a i n an a l t i t u 6 e neasuro-
tlent by l a y i n c o u t a measured base line perpendictrlar t o the u s u a l f l i ~ h path t
of t h e o b j e c t and p l a c i n g q l e n e a , u i n g d ~ v i c e sat t h e end of t h e base line,
houevcr, all t h e i r attennta f a i l e d because tht: o b i e c t s d i d n o t a T e a r on the
a i g h t s t h e o b s e m e r o u e r c waiting f o r then.

R o n t h e s e r i e s o f observationci, the following f a c t s were obtained:

a. The @ar v e l o c i t y o f t h e o b j e c t was v e r y n e a r l y 30° o f arc ,per second.

b, There waa no sound that cauld be a t t r i b u t e d to t h e objoct.

a. The f l i g h t path o f t h e o j j e c t vhe from N to S in t h e majority o f t h e
fflctts a l t h o ~ hsone were I= to Sd. f

d, On s e v e r a l e h t 3 L'1ere wuro two o r three f l i g h t s ,

 8.
UNc4ssfE,EQ
The c o l o r of the l i r h t s was blue-green.

f. There wcrc fmn 1 5 to 30 separate U g h t s i n each f o ~ ~ t i o n .

g. The f i r s t two flightr, obsenred were a seni-circle of rL,*hts b u t i n

subsequent f l i g h t s t h e r e w c s no orderly m q e ~ a m t .

h. The o b j e c t always anpcare.1 a t an arq-le of about 45O f r o n horizontal i n

t h e north and disappeared. a t about 450 i n the south. The o b j e c t d i d
n o t c a d u a l l y corn i n t o view as would Bn a i r c r a f t angrdaching frm a
distance, n e i t h e r d i d i t g r u d u d l y disan7ear.

i. Thero was no apqarent c h a n ~ oin s i z e as the o b j e c t passed overbed.

j. The "anplar span " was estinnted t o be lo0.

t the object i n r e s x c t
A t t o m p , t s were made t o o b t a i n ' t l e r e l a t i v e h e i ~ h of
to clouds. However, these a t t c n p t s were a l s o unsuccessful due to the f a c t t h a t
t h e objec t.s passed between v i d e l y s c a t t e r e d cloues.

Atteslpts were m d e to . d e b m i n e whether o r n a t there was any f o m betseen

s t q d n r to see stars between the l i c h t s . These a l s a was unnicceos-
t h e l i ~ h t by
ful due to the s h o r t timc the o b j e c t wks I n view.
This ohenonena was obsenrerl by a t l e a s t one -red peo-,lc in anc armnd
Lubbock, Texas. So.- 01. these peo?le were of the o9inion t h a t t h e o t j c c t s
were birds. r a f l e c t i n ~l i r h t s Tron tile c i t y .

On the evening of 31 A u p s t 1951 c t about 2330 C:;T, a college f r e s h a n ,br~a

Texas Tech observed a f l k i l t of tho unidentified objects ?ass over his horn. Tie
fliplht was observed thraugh an open window. limn obscrrinp tho f i r s t f l i ~ h df t
t h e objects, the observer obteined his cazera a n 2 vent i n t o thc bac:p.r1 o f his
hone in an a t t c n p t to s e t photofrar~hsof additional f l i e l ~ t sof the object.
(Comontr i h i s would be 10,sical a s by 31 hum;st 1951 t i c s o f l i r h t s of Ele 3 b
Sects, and t h e f a c t tht s e v e r a l f l i q h t s d c h t occur i n a cvenLq, wns veil
known.) h nore f l i ~ i ~ of t s the o b j e c t allecedly did occur and were phatoyaphed.
Two photos of ono r l i e h t and t h r e e of anothor were obtained. AYIC has few of
t h e negatives but the o t h e r one w a s l o s t o r rls?laced by the ?ho'k=~aaher. The
photoFaphs show a V-s>ar>ed forrxition of l i r h t o . In one p h ~ t aa ~~~~~V of
l i g h t s appear, while on t h r e e ~ h o t o sthere i s a double-V. The s e x i r a t s l f g h t s ,
which apvear tco be ?inpoint l i g h t sources, vtsy i n intensity.
(See Appendix I1 f o r possibly r e l a t e d inci3ents.C)

A. Trip to Lubbock, Texas

A t r i p was made to Lubbock Texas on &9 lbven3er l 9 f l ta o3tain nore

d e t r i l s on tile incident. Iran;r = o d e rr!:o h sesn the o b j e c t o r u!m sere L n 3 l r a d
i n the i n c i d e n t wore i n t a r m n a t e d . k co;l:c.rence was held with the colleee pro-
f e s s o r s and they prepwed a cignod s t a t e z o n t d e s c r i b i w the objects tiney they
obaemed.
 The photographer wns LnterrogatoZ, in c ~ n j u n c t l o nwith OSI, i n repard
to the photneraphs of t h e objects. M s account of the Incident soened l o ~ i c d ,
and t h e r e were no obvious i n d i c a t i o n s of a h o a . The ?hotofrapher had p e v i o u s l y
been l n t e r r ~ c a t e dby t h e Lubbock newspaFer and t h e ?hot03 i n s . ~ c t e dby Associated
R o s s and Life I.kcazino re?resentntivas. I t was t h o i r opinion t h c t the ~ h o t o s
were n o t obviously a hoax. The c o l l e c e professors were doubtfbl as t a whether
o r n o t t h e photofrapho were of the sa-ie objects t h a t t h e y had otservcd because:

1. They hnd never observe? a V - s h a ~ d formation of l i g h t s . T h i s i s

n o t too s i g n i f i c a n t , howev~r, as the arranpenent of the l l c h t s t h a t they oboemcd
varied and since t h s r e were s e v e r a l f l i c h t s the college professors 9ossibly d i d
n 3 t see ths f l i y h t s t h a t were photoyrraohed. In'addition, tin; ?hotcy-rapher s t a t e s
t h a t tho .object a??eared to be U-sha?ed b u t when he develoy>ccl the n c c ~ t i v e s ,t h e
o b j e c t voa V-shaped.

2. The o b j e c t s t h a t t h e ?rofessors observed were, i n t h e i r opinion,

n o t b r i q h t enough to be photographec?. I?-As i s , howevor, an estimate and could
be in e r r o r ;

It w a ~found t h a t one school of thourht of the people in the Lubbock

area was that the o b j e c t s were sone tj-pe of Grratory bb!s r e f l c c t i n r l i y h t
fkon the c i t y . Sevzral pco7le rcrror*ucd t h a t thcy d e f i n i t e l y h c v the o b j e c t s
were birds because thcy c o d $ s e e wiqs 'flapping ' , It i s very possible t h a t
sozle of the peo?lo 1~110were lookinc f o r the o b j e c t d i d s e e ducks a s t h e r e were
duck f l i r h t s p a s e w over during t h e period.

The c o l l e g e professors do n o t believe the theory t h a t the o j j e c t s were

~ y s s i b i l i t y :=re t h o ~ y h t . I f t h e y uerc birds,
b i r d s , but thoy a r c ~ i v i nt ! e
t!~ey would have to be r e l a t i v e l y low to give the i l l u s i o n of hich o w e d . An
occasional f l i r h t of b i r d s n i p h t pass low over a c i t y on a c l e a r n i , r h t b u t it is
hi€'hly doubtful i f they would continue to do this f o r several nighto. I C ~ r a t o r y
b i r d s usually try to keep away f h m c i t i e s .

The Federal X l d Life G a i e arden vns v i s i t e ? and a l t h o q h h e was n o t

fa-zilior via tho i n c i d e n t he doubtcd i f the o b j e c t s were birds. IIe stated
that they c o d d have been, houever. i'hc n o s t 1ii:cly suspect, i f it i s a b i r d ,
i e a neaber of the Plover f d y which has a puro white b r e a s t , b c t unless there
was a sudden i n f l u x of the b i r d s into the Lubbock area, the ra-.;e warden dwbtod
i f there would be enough of these b i r d s to : d e u? as m y f l i g h t s as were
obsemcd ,

If the photos arc authentfc, t h e o b j e c t s very mobably are n o t ducks

beceuse an emerienced photo,pe>hcr from thc Lubbock Avalanahe Ilewsnaper atteypted
to g e t photos of d ~ c i c sUS* b l t h natural l i p h t and flaph, but f a i l e d .

B. Analysis of .'hotas by Wright ldx h v e l o p n c n t Center

The Photopanhlc P.econnaissance Lahrutory of UAiC nade a preliminary

analysis of the photop~ar>hs. The a n a l y s i s was d e by ins?cctlnz the noeativee
in a conparetor nicroecope, Their c o n c l ~ s i o n swerec
 1. The W e s on the neeatives were caused by licht: s t r i k h g unexposed
film, (i.e., the neentives were not retouched).

2, The i n ; l i v i M lights in the wfonaationvvnried in intensity.

3, The i n t e n s i t y uas -eater than any s m o u n d i q s t a r s as the o t a r s
did n a t repis ter. (';he photos were talcon under C A W conditians. )

4, The W i v i d m l l i e h t a c h q e d position in the Iffomation:'.

C. Reintmrrofation of the Photographer

The OSI ucs requested b r e i n t e r r o r a t e the ~hotographerin anotller
attmnt to d e t e h e the a u t h c n t i c i b j of the photogra~hs. The d e t a i l s of t h i s
reinterrogation have not been received but a preliainary r o ~ r stated t that
thore were no indications *&at the phobyro9hs were not authentic.
D. Future Investigations
A t r i p to Lu5boc2, Texas, w i l l be nade dwing January. /*ranr-enents
are bein;! nade to have a 3rojcct Grudre consultant end a nhysicist acconpany
ProJcct Grudee personnel. If the ~ h o t o p a o h sarc authentic, they are inportant
in that8
1. They vill d v e an accrtrate neasurenent of the 'angular span".

2. The l i ~ h source9
t a l t h o ~ c hit appeared to be of low I n t e n s i t y t o
the eye, MS hichlx actinic.
3. The rjovrr,ient of the individual l i ~ h t sin *.e fornation can be
studied fbrther.

4. Density c o ~ i s o tests
n can be nade.
I. DISCUSSION OF 1liCI~::Ifi

On the ovcninp of 25 Aqwst 1951, a t 2158 >ST, a Sandia Base S e c u r i t y Guard

and h i s wife observed what tney described to be a fly*- wing type a i r c r a f t
sinilar to tho Northro? Fly-'.;* Boxber (P-49)noss over the bacuard of their
trailer hono in the e a s t ?art of Albuquerque. I'hey judged tho uinq span of the
a i r c r a f t to be abotlt ano and one half t i n e s the wine span of a B-36, with which
they were f a n i l i a r . Ihc o b j e c t wc?s f l y i n g lot!, tine a l t i t u d e uas t h o u ~ h tto be
about 800 f t .
t h e object.
- 'ihe
1000 ft., and there tras no sound t h a t could be a t t r i S u t c d to
color of the o b j e c t wes n o t a p ~ a r e n tdue. to tile t w i l i g h t b u t
dark c3ordwise e t r i p e s uere noticed undcr t h e wings. dix to e i z h t p a i r s of s o f t
f l o u i n ~l i c h t ~were noticed on the t s a i l i n p edge of the wing. 'IAe snecd was
j u d ~ o dto bo about 300
160°.
- 400 nqh and the o b j e c t was on a headin? of a p r ) r o x b a t e l ~

(See Bnnendix I f o r possible r e l a t e d incident.)

Broken clouda a t 17,000 f t . , v i s i b i l i t y five miles, wind S a t 5 nph.

The n o s c i b i l i t y of this b i n ? a known a i r c r a f t w a s checked with negative

re-mlts. The AC and !! Rariar E t a t i o n a t Kirtland U E did not observe any unusual
o r unidontifiod a i r c r a f t .

The -13's backnoun+?.was chcckod kind since he has a "Q clearance, i t

bas been assun.jd that he ar>pwently is mentally s t a b l e .

An investirmtion was m d e to C e t e d n e wl~ethero r n o t any one else had seen

the o b j e c t b u t only nerotive r e d t s uere obtained.

Tho qhotopranhs r e f e r r e d to i n A?pendix I were s e n t tn the OSI a t Kirtlarid

AFi:. These >hotas vere shown t o the sources and they statvec? t h a t t i e ? h o b s
resenblcd th!: .exhaust': o r l i ~ 9 ?attern
t of t h e object. d e k e k h , drawn by
the ob~lervera, i s shown i n this A?ncndix.
It i e i n t e r e s t i n ? to note ' t h a t a very sirsflar sighting took place in'iubbook,
Texas. Tile exact tine anal d a k of the sight* could n o t be d e t e m h e d duo to
the f a c t t h a t the observer bcliev.-.d she had seen an i l l u s i o n of sac t p and
did n o t r e p o r t t h e incident. The only d a t e t h a t could be given vats " l a b in
B w s t o r e a r l y Soptecber ' .
None. The investi;.ation will 'cs cantinued until the authenticity of the
photos i n Appcndlx I can bo de ternined.
C a v of Sketch
r?satm bj Saurae
I. CISCUSSION OF TI!:; IIiCIijElPI'
On 31 i.umst 1951 a t a p ~ r o x i ~ : t + ? l1245
y CST two l a d i e s v e r 6 ' 6 r i v i q in an
autonobile ~ e v e r c n l i l c s north of lintador, Texas. The o b j e c t wcs described os
a pear-shaped o b j e c t about the length of a B-29 f i s e l a f e , alur.htn o r s i l v e r in
color, which r e a d i l y r e f l c c t c d tho sunlight. The o b j e c t k i d a p o r t o r sone type
of apcrture In the aide and rboved throuph the a i r vi-J-i the - s U end forward.
There was no s i p n of any exi-nust an6 no noise was heard.
A s the tvo l a d i e s wcro d r i v i n c north f'ro11 l.Ietador, Texas, t h e d r i v e r of
t h e -autonobil c f i r s t noticed the o b j e c t about 1%yards ahend o f t h e autnnobile.
They sto??ed and h t i l l a d i e s .rot o u t to obsenre t h e object. It w a s drift-
slowly in an e a s t w m l d i r e c t i o n a t a sr>eed they judged to ba ; l c a o than t h e
speed required to take o f f i n a Oub a i r c r a f t ' and an d t i t ~ i d oof about 120 f t ,
Seconds l a t e r the objoct began t o asceni r a p i d l y mved o u t of s i p h t i n t o '
tine uhci i n a circular a s c e n t . (%be w i n d a t thls the vao t'ran tE a t about
5-7 knots.)
A backeround i m t e s t i p t i o n shoved t h a t both uorir.n ,:ere of e x c e l l e n t
charac tor.
This i n c i d e n t i s of i n t e r e s t because it was observed d u r i n ~the sane
period as t h e o b j e c t s over Lubboc:c, l e x a s (See A?pendix I).

A. 1230 CST -
Reesa AF'B -31 Avpust 1951
Estinated c o i l i n c 6,000 f t . , broken clouds, with t h i n acatterod
clouds a t -!5,000 ft.. V i s i b i l i t y 1 5 n i l e s . k l i n d EiZ a t 3 knots.

B. 1230 CST -
C k d l d r e s s , Texas
Estinatod coil*
-
31 A u p s t 1951
25,000 ft., overcase. V i s i b i l i t y 1 5 miles.
Wind Nb% a t 7 k n o b . Tower* c&us clouds i n SL quadrant.

It has been reported that a road reo& crew saw t h e sane o b j e c t later on
t h e sane day. Attenrjta vill be made by P r o j e c t Cinxi~encrson-el t o contact
nmbers of this road crew and obtain their s b t e n e n t s . There were also r e p o r t s
of crop dustiqq a c t i v i t y in the area, so attcrrpts uil.l be &e to doternine
whether or n o t the ladies could have seen t h i s a c t i v i t y ,
 The f i r s t r e p o r t of this incident, wt3ch a p ~ e a r e d. i n S L ~ t u sHer>ort ?;o. 1,
proved to bo incorplete and misleadin.&. Fbrther h e s t i ~ ; n t i o n&as corrcctod the
discrepcncies and the f o l l o w i q account of t h e incident i s considcrod to be
accura tc .
A t an-moxinatuly 0700 PDST, t w o F-€26 a i r c r a f t were scranbled A"rcm Georce Air
Force Base, California, on a routine nissian. %e f l i c h t w a s vectored to l l Z O
@':I - 3 3 O WIN by CCI. (See inclosed overlay.) T l ~ cf l i y h t orbittod the position
end b : i u? a boadin- 'QUCF~'~ Ionp Beach Faiio. A t an~roxLnately6755 P A T the
f l i c h t re?ortcd to CCI t l : = t they observed an uiident-ified objcct h i r h a t 12 olclock.
The f l Q h t was 30 sec3ncls out of Ianc .;etch W i o a t this tiiie. The object a?-
?eared % be in a l e f u o r b i t a t about %,008 f t . Ti=e object could not be picked
up the ~ o u n 2radar, however, visual contact was mdntaincd. The object con-
tinued e l e f t o r b i t and passed over the two c i r c r a f t . A t t e m t s wore nade by
the F - 8 6 1 ~to icientify tho o j j e c t b c t they were uns~ccessflilCue to the a l t i t u d e
of t h e objcct and a f u e l shortaye. A t a?proxinately 0810 o r 0815 the f l i r h t w a s
r e l e t s e d by the ground controller m d they r e t u n e d t a Gcorce A i r Force Bzse.
'ihe object apncared to be an a i r c r a f t with 45' s l e p t wiiyc and t r i ~ h st i l v e r in
color. \.hen l a s t seen tho object was in a l e f t o r b i t , o r circlin;. to the l e f t .
The p i l o t l s oyinion w a s t h a t it w a s a swept winp tp?e a i r c r a f t .

A t a?praciizately O W 0 PiST four additional F-86 a i r c r a f t were ocrublccl

f r m George M B to r e l i e v e the tvo n h v e ~ e n t i o n e dF-56's. The f o u r a i r c r a f t
s ? l i t i n t o two, tuo-shir, elenents, denoted -as r ' l i r h t .?-A an2 2-23 on the in-
closed overlay. F l i g h t 2-k was vectored to a position a t 117O 30I.i & 30°
20111, They arrived a t this position a t a ? p r o x h a b l y Oo"10 and siuhted the
ob e c t high a t 1.:olclocX a t what a z e a r e d to be over !:uroc AFC. b s h a d y
1.
c l b was made t o 43,000 f t . m i tJ:e oSject w h s found to be near Xcxch
The o b j e c t appeared ta be i n a controlled o r b i t b the r i ~ n and t l e f t a t %,OW
to 55,000 ft. l%e two a i r c r u i 3 stayod i n the m e a f o r 1 6 1 5 ~ d . n ~ : t ebefore
s break-
h e o f f the i n h r c e p t due t6 a f i e 1 s h o r b e and landei a t 0245 LLST, The object
appeared to be a swept w i n g a i r c r a f t .

The record elcnent of the grou3, noted as F l i g h t 2-B on the overlay, observed
the object soon a f t e r tal!resff. The otjec2 aplx?areC to be ~ o i r qsocth. The
f l i c h t MLdo a s e r i e s of c l i n b i q turns Lnder tile o b j c c t o s they clinhod t o
ft. ;'he object w a s i n a v l Z e r i t h t turn. k t aqroxirJEtely 0925 P A T the a i r c r a f t
.broke off the attempted inA&rceptand roturnod to t h e i r base, This f U c h t re
ported t \ a t the objact apneard to be r o m d and ellver.

170 mora intzrce?ts vere etten?ted. A t no t i n e VBS tho object obaervod on

the radar ocrcon .nor was it reportad to te obsenred v f s u d y f r o n the gr~mc!.
ne F-86ls, however, verc cot:tin.ally trncked by reAar.
 Tht F-66's wero unable to c l b b to the c s t h a t c d a l t i t u d e of the o b j e c t
due to the f ~ c tth a t were curry@ extornal f u e l tanks and e l c c t c d n o t to
j e t t i s o n then.

AT, 0700 PUST a rndiosonZe balloon stas releasocl from t h e Lonr: Ceach ISanicipal
Airport. 'his balloon was l o s t a t 0741 ?ST, e i g h t miles from t h e W r t on a
bcarinc of 95O true, due t a a n a l h n c t i o n of the track* cquipmnt. ( . ~ e2oint
k on overlay.) A t this t i n e the bnlloon would have been a t apnroxiclately 40,000
f t . 1he winJs above 43,000 f t . are w h o m b u t i t i s l o y i c a l to assumc t h ~ at t
this a l t i t u d e they w i l l bc r e l a t i v e l y consAtantin d i r e c t i o n , , Assuniw n r o l c t i v e
constant d i r e c t i o n o f 270° and an averace v e l o c i t y of 30 knots above 4C,000 f t .
( t h e w i n d a t 40,000 f t . wts 280° a t il knots) the possible f l i g h t patii of the
balloon c m be ~ l o t t t don the overlay.
lho o r i ~ i n a ls i g h t f n r by .*Fli_~ht1 could very ~ s s i b l yhave becn ti:e W o o n
as t h e i r headinc was toward lone Eeach Airport. 'ihe a l t i t u d e of the F-86's a t tho
t i n e o f t h e s i y h t i n p i s W m o m b u t was probably b l o w 40,000 f t . i t 0755 , the
tine o f the o r i c i n a l s i p h t i n c , the balloon would bo a t 50,000 to 55,000 f t . and
anproxizlately t e n n i l e s d i r e c t l y ahend of the two a i r c r a f t , 5l:e apparent o r b i t -
tiq o f thc balloon cannot L e ex?lgined, Iho b a l l o m ~otdrimke a pradual t u r n
due t o wind shifts b u t these are ss gradual tkt it i s d m b t f c l i f tihe m e l r s n t
would bo apparent f r o n an PSrcrilft as f c s t as an F-86,
Rofcrrinc to t h e p o u n d track of P l i ~ h 2-A, t i f a 30 knot wind a t 270° i s
assmcd, a t 0810, the aoqroxinate t i n e the F-86's .!. siehted the oSject f r o n a 355O
TC, t h e balloon w m l ? be a t B on the overlay. lhe balloon !~oul?. ?rqb:.l;ly bc a t
an a l t i t u d e o f & , O W f t . find nearly s t r a i q n t ahead of the a i r c r a f t . LUO ta the
s i z e o f t h c bzlloq;:, the tiistancc could hhve becn misjudced and the balloon
could have anpeared
cannot be e q l o i n c d . be near l h o c . 3nce q a f n thc o r b i t t i n r br Llie o b j e c t

rile a t t o m t e d i n t e r c e n t by F l i ~ h t2-8 cannot be explaired. If t h e ~ o u n d

t r ~ c kr i v e n by the l e a d e r of J I i r h t 2-B i s c o r r e c t it i s v e r j d o u b t f U t h a t the
f l i r h t was observing a balloon. The time t h a t they siehted the o b j e c t i s n o t .
hown b u t i f it is assuned t h a t tiley fleu beneath the o b j e c t f o r 3 :ainutos,
it i s h i ~ h l y20ubtf'u.l t h a t a wind s h i f t of nearly 360' c3uld occur above 60,000
f t , . to rive tho i l l u s i o n of a t x m .
:he w s r i b i l i t y o f t h i s o b j e c t being an e x p e r l i - n t a l a i r c r a f t f r o n song
southern California a i r c r a i ' t p l a n t , naval a i r f i e l d , o r fray E d w a r d s A i r f o r c e
Bosc vas checkod v i t h neeative r e s u l t s . lb other balloons were released i n tho
vicinity .
:iith the i n f o m a t i o n a v d l a b l k , i t c m o t be concluded t h n t the o b j e c t was
d e f i n i t e l y t h e radiosonde balloon released f r o n Lonr &rich E,Lunici?al Airwrt,
Houevcr, sinco the balloon was near tile f l l r h t .path of two of the L a b e l e m n t s ,
mil as8u.xi.q t h a t the o r b i t t i n p of t h e o b j e c t was an i l l u b i o n due la t i e r e l a t i v e
motion betwccn the balloon and the a l r c r n r t , it can bo concluded t h a t the ~ d d e n t i i
object vas vety possibly o radiosonde balloon.
UNCLASSIFIED
 The third attcnnted Intercent, tho one in which the obJoct was followed i n
a wide turn, cannot be explained.
I t i s n o t believed that further interno,-ation would pr&uce any additional
s i & f i c a n t d e t a i l s due to the f a c t that sone of the prsonnel involved have been
transferred overseas and due to the t h e 'since the incident.
 UNCLASSIFIED

T W L YSIUTf:. IITSL'U'iir - 9 October 1951

On 9 October 1951 a t 1?L2 CST, a CAA Chief A i r c r a f t Comamic~torobserved

a s i l v e r object pass d i r e c t l y overhead while he w a s a t hhim liunicipal Airport,
f i v e miles e a s t of Torre Iirzute, Xndiena, The object uhs judged to be approxi-
mately the sane s i z e as a 50 cent niece held a t a m ' s length, The object passed
overhead a t a very high r a t e of s p e d g o i w in a southeasterxy direction, passing
-om d i r e c t l y overhoad b the horizon in a b o u t 1 5 seconds. There was no sound o r
vamr t r a i l s . i i e shape mii pncrt-il f o r p of the object could be seen a3 the object
paased over the horizon and o u t of sight.
(For rela'& incident, see Appendix VI,)
11. \l iBTTER
Clear, b r i ~ h tsun, no clouds o r haze.
SIX. STi.TU.5 3Z' IlT!!S'fIGATIOlJ

Awther investigstion revealed no additional inforina$ion.

N. C3llCLUSIOlIS
None.
 knpendix 11

PARIS, ILLIlJ3IS - 9 October 1951

On 9 October 1951, a t approximtely 1345 CST, a w i v a t e n i l o t enroute from

G r e e n c c s t l e , I n l i a n a , to ZC'lris, I l l i n o i s , sighted a s i l v e r o b j e c t j u s t east of
P a r i s , I l l i n o i s , a t 5,000 ft. a l t i t c d e . ?he o b j e c t apmared to be ~ t a t i o n . u y
in ae much ao i t d i d n o t i n c r e a s e o r d i n i n i s h in s i z e with the approach crf the
aircraft. The o b j e c t then s b t e d to t r a v e l in a n o r t h e n s G r l y d i r e c t i o n south
of #e Iiouport, Indiana, h b d c Energy Plant.
(See A~pendixV f o r r e l a t o d incident.)

Clear, b r i g h t sun, no clouds.o r haze -

F u r t h e r i n v e s t i p t i o n revealed*nc, s i p i f i c a n t f a c t s . It was i a ? o s s i b l e to
d o t e r n i n e vhetlier o r n o t t h 3 r e were any j e t a i r c r a f t i n the m o o duo to t h e laqse
of t b s i n c e tile s i g h t i w .
 UNCLASSIFIED
Amndix VII

11
MIh7T;Ai'OLXS. :.!l: ,? -
October 1951
:.

The only i n f o r r ~ t i o f iavnilablc on t h i s Incident i s a l e t t e r quoted below:

T : 0630, 11 Oct 51. Lick Roilly nnd I were flyin,.. a t 10,000 f t . o b
oervinc LIe n a b Sag balloon when I caw a b r i e h t l y glovini* o b j e c t to tho l i of
University of I.Linnesota A i ~ o r t . A t t h a t tirm we were a f e u nilcs north of
M t m c a ~ o l i sand he: i i h east. I m i n t e d i t o u t t o 2ick and we both m 2 e the
followinf: observation:

'The o b j e c t was m v i n g f r o 3 e e s t to v e s t a t a hich rate m d vcry high.

Ye t r i e d k c e r ? i n ~t h e . s h i p on a constant course a n d us- reinfgrcing nenber of
tho vindshield as a y i n t . The o t f e c t novcd ?&st this xe,nber a t about 50 decrees
per second.
"iMa o b j e c t was ?eculiar i n that it had what can be described as a halo
around it with a dark u ~ d c r s u r f a c e , It c r ~ s s e dr a p i d l y and tnen slowed doun
and s t a r t e d to c l i n b i n lazy c f r c l o s zlowly. ?'he o a t t e r n it rude was l i k e a
f a l l i n ? oak l e a f inverted. -It went Vhrowh these w u t i o n s f o r a couple cin.:tos
and than with a very ranid accelerction disappeared to the e a s t . This object,
Dick and I wa'vched f o r ap3roximatsly f i v e d n ~ : t c s .

"I don't h o w how t o describe its size, because a t the tkae I d i d n ' t have
the balloon in s i s h t f o r a c o m e r i s m .

S h o r t l y a f k r t h i s we aaw another one, b u t t5is one d i d n ' t h q around.

I t ap3roached *an the west an3 disappeared to the e a s t , n e i t h e r one 1eavi.ng
any t r r c e of v a F r trail.
"L~ihenI saw tho secbnd one I c a l l e d our tracing s + d t i o n a t the L. of I:.
A i r ~ r and
t t h e o b s m e r s there on the theodoli'te nanq-ed b g e t clin?ses of
a m b e r of the::, but couldn't keep the theodoliAb coinr f z s t en3wh to keep t h e 3
i n t!!e f i c l d o f their instruments. Co*th ku(s Snith and d c k a r i a n caught g l i a ? s e s
o f these o b j e c t s i n the theodolite a f t e r f n o t i f i e d thezl of their presence by
radio. "

Unkn~un,b u t evidently clear.

Further i m r e s t i ~ a t i o np d ~ c e dno a d d i t i o n s l i n f o m a t i o n as to tine i c e n t i t y

of the object. f h c theodolite o x r a t o r was interrogzted m i state? t h a t he could onl,
observe ''a b r i e f blur f o r a b u t two seconds'.. mix his b r i e f obcemstion, the o b
j e c t an~carecito 5e a sxdg p e y c i p r shaped object. I t l e f t no va?or trail a d
gave off na r a f l c c t i o n .

A l l obcrrvcrs uero m s i t i v e of t!!o follow in,^ Sects:

 A. 'ihe object, t h o u ~ hv a p e l y definad ancl blurred, rctainod a d e f i n i t e shape.

B, Ib var>or trails, exhzuet flashss, or jet ?repulsion were obsenred.

C. The object d e f i n i t e l y ~ c e r u x lto be controlled. The sources are all ex-

perienced o n , i n e c r s with Generd 1'111s Ealloon 2 r o jec ts and have been obsenriq
all types of balloons for s e v e r a l years.

Iio conclusions can.be mde. I t i s s i f n i f i c n n t howevcr, that the sourceG cm

be ~ a d e das very r o l i a b l e and that thor observed an object with which they were
ent i r o l j ~ ~ a n i l i a r .
 Amendix VIII

On the evenino o r ?I; Nove~lSer1951, sov::n neonle observed an unidentified

a e r i a l object, ikon four se~ara'e loc-itiono i n h u t h e m PYchiccn. ih6 objoct
was obscmcd i n the SE quadrant travel* a t s ~ o d s%ruth f a s t c r than tr J e t "
a t an annarently l o x a l t i t u d e ( b e l o w 2 , G N f t . or 2O -1;O above the horizon)
in a l l the observntions. ' h e object trcvaled horizontal to the earth and i n one
instance wcs noted to l o s e a l t i t u d c j c c t before i t disappomod. No soun2o were
heard by any of the obst-rvers. Xn each case t!!e t i m the object was in s i g h t
was 5 4 sccmds o r l e s s .

Additional i n f ~ n , x i t i o ni s i i v e n below and i n inclosed overlay which shows

a p ~ a r c n ttrack of objects. It will be n ~ t e dt h a t these are only the a n ~ a r e n t
tracks.

#
A~~uent
Location Tine S h a ~ hlor Trail Course D i 3 tmce OLserver
(:files)
Selfridge kFB 1820 E Egg irfhite Rcd \JSU 2-3 AF ZFC
Solfrid~e 1220 E 'Tootballn ':Ihite oranre
red
W 1 uw
Battle Cme~ 18%5E hlte lrnite SW URrt

I
Oval 1G-20
Grand Rabids 18.3% E Round !.kite Kone Si - Tower
Operator

Coopersvllle 1825 E Round Bluish None SLI 3-@ Airline

-a te Crew
(Airborne)

1 w;\:n3
' C A W and exceptionally c l e m a t a l l phts of observction.

The p o s s i b i l i t y of j e t a i r c r a f t i n the area, u r - i d e n t i f i d radar returns, and

known netsoric o r aurora phenonenon verc checked sdui n e p t i v o results. Frm the
r e s r t s , it is reosmable to assunc that all the obscrvcrs s i f i t e d the sane object.
Tncre is a tino s9an of fivo m i n ~ t e sbetween vxrious a i f - h t w e but 'as could be
duo to errors I n the watctiea of tile observers. Asr)anin,a t h a t the tower clock
would bo the mCt accurnAd, the t i n e would be EST. Fro3 the cotL,rlatea of
th. a l t i t u d e (i.e. apptxrcd lo?:), it i s ap?arent t h a t the obj t-ct mst have been
a con-aratively r r e a t distance from all tho observers. 'i'he f a c t t h a t t h e o'lsorvera
in Crcnd Ray\i.is and. over Coo?ersville d i d n o t .observe a tail o r t r a i l ccm be ex+
plained by the f a c t t h a t they vorc f a r t h e r away from the objact.
The a c t u a l f l i ~ h path t of t h e object w e 3 ?robably high aver Ontario, Canada.
It would probably be possible to deterninc the exact l o c a t i o n tl-g c o l l e c t i n g re-
p o r t s o r i n t e r r 2 c a t i o n s in Canada. I t i s not bolioved that tlds WDVJJ*be worth
t h e e f f o r t , I-.owever, as i t would still n o t d e f i n i t m l y idontf i'y t;l-c objeot unless
i t had h e n observed bj c o l e t c n t astronomrs.

It is concluded that the o b j e c t observed in Southe* &iic.icanon kvenber

1951 was a large meteor-like o b j a c t tiiat ?robably passed over Ontario, Canada, or
upper Ikv York State,
 STATUS REPORT
Classification cancelled

By . a - . y - - -, w
AUTH: X e m e e r J. F n t ~ r ~ /ok ~ , a =

~gnatureand O d e
J
drnr-

PROJECT GRUDGE - REPORT N0.3

PROJECT NO. :I0073

31 J A N U A R Y 1952
Classification cancelled

AIR TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER

WRIGHT-PATTERSON A I R FORCE BASE
D A Y T O N . OHIO
 1. l n f o r m a t i o a c o n f l i c t i n g with o r p e r t i n e n t l y a f f e c t i n 8
t h a t c o n t a i n e d i n t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n s h o u l d b e f o r w a r d e d by t h e
r e c i p i e n t d i r e c t l y to:

C h i e f , Air T e c h n i c a l I n t e l l i g e n c e C e n t e r
Wright-Patterson A i r F o r c e B a s e
Dayton, -Ohia

T h i s i n no way a b r o g a t e s o r a l t e r s responsibility for sending

s u c h information o r a n y p e r t i n e n t i n t e l l i g e n c e d a t a through
a l r e a d y e s t a b l i s h e d i n t e l l i g e n c e c o l l e c t i o n c h a n n e l s of t h e
v a r i o u s s e r v i c e s o r a g e n c i e s of t h e U. S, government.

2. WARNING: T h i s d o c u m e n t c o n t a i n s information af-

f e c t i n g t h e n a t i o n a l d e f e n s e o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s within t h e
m e a n i n g of t h e E s p i o n a g e L a w , T i t l e 18, U.S.C., S e c t i o n s 793
a n d 794. I t e t r a n s m i s s i o n o r t h e r e v e l a t i o n of i t r c o n t e n t s i n
a a y m a n n e r t o a n u n a u t h o r i z e d p e r s o n i s . p r o h i b i t e d by law.
 ~\assification
. cancelled
. --.
-/
vooret
J. F'C.ELO.
M A J d
~c ~
dF

.This r,eport is the third of a s e r i e s of monthly s t a t u s r e p o r t s

of Project Grudge. Each report w i l l be written on o r near the l a s t
day of the month and w i l l contain a list of all incidents reported
during the month covered by the report. The reports t h a t are con-
sidered to be outstanding y i l l be summarized in the appendices of the
r e p o r t so t h a t more d e t a i l s can be presented, The o v e r a l l status of
the p r o j e c t will also be presented.
Additional information may be obtained on any incident by d i r e c t i n g
requests to Chief, A i r Technical Intelligence Center, Attention: A T I U - ~ C ,
ZirightPatterson A i r Force Base, Dsyton, Ohio.
 SDS OF PROJECT GRUDGE

A, Files
811 of tile n s t e r i a l io BTIC t h a t relates to sicutings of unidentified
a e r i a l objects has been revieued and Tiled, All data on each sighting has been
placed i n a separate folder and the folders f i l e d chronologically. There a r e a
total of 695 incidents, These vary from nabulus re2orts f r o u very questiorlable
sources to nore f a c t u a l reports from reasonably r e l i a b l e Sources such as AF
p i l o t s , a i r l i n e p i l o t s and balloon observers.

The f a c t u a l d e t a i l s of each incident have been placed on Sm by 8"

carda and these c a r d s a r a being cross-indexed. 811 the cards have been re-
produced and cross-indexing is about 50 percent completed. Uhen this phase
of t h e p r o j e c t i s finished, it dll be possible to make a breakdown of all
reported S i g h t i x s a s to the predominent shapes, s i z e j course, geograDhical
, .
l o c a t i o a s et c

8, &cation of Additional F i l e s

D u r i q the past-mnth, a t r i p was nade t o :Jashington, fie C. t o locate

additional d a t a on siphtings. It was found t h a t both the D/I l i b r a r y crnd TCB
have such f i l e s , In the near future a t r i p w i l l be made to Washington t o re-
view these f i l e s and obt6i.n additional sighting reports.
C, Map of Sightings
A nap has been prepared, showing all of the s i g h t h g s i n the United
States, Colorei tacks are used t o designate sightings by years.

The p l o t of sightings shows t h a t there i s a concentration of s i e h t i r p s

ia the a r e a ofr
1, Dayton, Ohio
2, Colmbus, Ohio
3, mite San3s, New PIexico
4, Albuquerqae, New Mexico
5, Oak Ridqe, Tenn .
6, Cmp Hoe?, Texaa
No conclusions csn be =lade o r otE;cr fact.8 stout the d i s t r i b u t i o n of
t h e sightirL~satetee u n t i l a k c h e r study of the d i s t r i b u t i o n of sightings
has been =?e.
 UNCLASSIFIED.
D, Directives f o r Reporting Incidents

The d i r e c t i v e which o u t l i n e s the reporting procadures to be uged i n

t h i s p r o j e c t is ~ ~ 0 1 1 - C / C lGe ~ t t e r dated 19 Decersoer 1951, subject: ,.Reporting
I n f o r n a t i o n on Unidentified Plying Objects". This d i r e c t i v e i s n o t believed
t o be adequate t o cover all phases of the p r o j e c t and it i s being revised.
The r e v i s i o n of t h i s d i r e c t i v e has been given to? p r i w i t y as it i s believed
t h a t t h e p r o j e c t cannot f'unction properly u n t i l s a t i s f a c t o r y r e p o r t i n g channels
a r e s e t up.

E, Consultants

The consultants t h a t w i l l be obtained to assist in t h e p r o j e c t have

f i n i s h e d t h e i r preliminary sunrey of p a s t vork done on the p r o j e c t and w i l l
subnit t h e i r f o r n a l ~ r o ~ o s during ai t h e e a r l y p a r t of February, During the
p a s t nonth one of t h e i r members accompanied Zroject Grudge personnel on two
i n t e r r o g a t i o n s to f a n i l i a r i z e them with how r e p o r t s a r e investigated,

F, D i f f i c u l t i e s 'in ObtainQg Reports

Recently s e v e r a l - a i r l i n e and ALr Force p i l o t s have been queried as

to t h e i r f e e l i n g s on r e w r t i n g the sightings of u n i d e n t i f i e d a e r i a l objects.
The q u e r i e s were predicated by r e p o r t s t h a t s i g h t i n g s were not being reported
due to s t i p a t h a t has been placed on the project by unfavorable newspaper
r e l e a s e s , e t c . Only a very few individuals were contacted, however, these
people s t a t e d t h a t they would be very r e l u c t a n t to r e p o r t any t y p of uniden-
t i f i e d o b j e c t to the A i r Force. One p i l o t sumr:eC up the s i t u a t i o n by s t a t i n g ,
"If a space s h i o flew wing-tip to \clng-tip fornation with me, I would n o t
r e p o r t i t e n T h i s feel* anone people who are i n a p o s i t i o n to submit good
r e ~ o r t sis a g r e a t handicap to the objective of g e t t i n g r e l i a b l e data. The
exact nature of sone of the o b j e c t s reported have n o t been deternined, there-
f o r e , t h e r e i s always the q o s s i b i l i t y t h a t there e x i s t s some t m e of uncon-
v e n t i o n a l v e h i c l e possessing extraordinary performance and c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s .
If such a v e h i c l e should appear, i t s detection would be hampered by t h e
reluc'cance to rewrt s i g h t i n g s of unusual a e r i a l objects.

A s e r i e s of b r i e f i q s of Air Force comanders i s being t e n t a t i v e l y

planned to explain the functions and findinps of this p r o j e c t in an atten-gt
to break down t h e adverse f e e l i q s on r e ~ o r t i n gt h a t are held by m y people.
G. Radar Search

In conpliance w i t h sugeests of the d i r e c t o r a t e of Intelligence, a

preliminary conference has been held on the p o s s i b i l i t y of using electzonic
neans to d e t e c t d o b t a i n d a t a on the unidentified o b j e c t s t h a t are being
reported, Radar vadci be used in conjunction Kith photographic equipmnt to
acconplish t h i s . I n the p a s t there have been unexplained radar contacts b u t
whether o r n o t these vere due to weather phenoneria, n a l h c t i o n of the e t
o r a c t u a l targets has n o t been determined. UNCLASS~~EB
 Further conferences w i l l be held on this matter, To date, nothing '

d e f i n i t e has been decided.

B. B r i e f i n g of General Garland
On 2q January 1952, Brig Gen W. No Garland, Assistant f o r Production,
D i r e c t o r of I n t e l l i g e n c e , Hq USAF, and members o f his staff were b r i e f e d as
to t h e s t a t u s of t h e p r o j e c t ,
XI. REPORTS OF S?&IFIC INCIDENTS

A, Inclosed Summary L i s t o f Incidents

The inclosed l i s t of i n c i d e n t s i s (1) a summary of all i n c i d e n t a r e -

ported during t h e period 1 January 1952 t o 31 January 1952; and (2) those.
i n c i d e n t s reported i n S t a t u s Report No. 2, dated 31 December 1951, which are
still pending or have been closed during t h e p a s t month.
 S'IGHTINGS OF UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS -6QNFIDENTIAt;
I
I lur~s~~a~Qr 1
DATE
I
TIME
LOCO^)
(
I

LOCATION i D E S C R I P T I O ~ OF I N C I D E N T
(LENGTH
SOUND I
I
SPEED ALTITUDE SOURCE I ACTION OR COtA%ENlS /
25 Lug 5 1 / PllO 1 Lbbock, T e u a
I
Omup of l l g h t s t h a t hare been seen on t ~ q
oocaeioW. Puled A u i h e r l n r e a t l g a t l o n has pmducad I
I m naw davelopenta. Par d e b l l ~
.I U Lndd.n%. S U i u a hpn L.
IL D s U l l s of Lhls lncldant dl1
br p b l l s h e d in a a p s c l a l r a p r t . I
1
- Inrestiption I
/ 1 / Albuquerque, Y.X. Dark flfiw wing typ a/c r l t h a b u t 1 VZ t h e (he r l n g s p l n of r 8-36. 30 Sac. W-l400 1000 It. ~ a n d i a~ a s og u u d ~o eoncluaioM
I @.pb and r l f a olond.
I
- Invsstlgation
31 A*

10 Oct 5 1
51 la5 Piador, h x a s P e a r r h a p d a l d m obJact e m e d to h w r t l n leave t h e a r m a t high a p e d .

Bound, a i l m r o b j e c t saan b r p i l o t s t r a n l n g a b l l o o n .
Sveral
meandm

2 Yln. None
.""
Hovering
tu hlgh
lor to
high

Balloon Obs.
No conclus!ons
closed.

r u r t l ~ a rI n v a s t i ~ a L i o ae l both o f
i
11 Oat 5 1 Round, e i l v a r o b j e c t maen by p i l o t 4 t r a a l n q baZloon mnd bp pround o b s e m r tam. Sersral Ycn Lblloon Obe.
m mcloaad.
1s l u s i o n s . (Sea
TheSinvestigation
t s t u s Rsprt
1
Yhb. Yo. I1 f o r d o t a t t . )

Yor 51 ?lying r i n g shapsd object. UnLMm Yom AQ P i l o t

7 D.0 51 ~ e a c r l a da s p e r f e c t l y round, r l t h inner mra raaeabllng h e s l a g . of -11 ./a with 1ppmx. Ifone No ooncluslone. Ye h u t h a r
Upered and stubby r l n g a . 1 Yin. W o m L i o n could be obUlmd.
1 I
7be 51 0315
I
Oak Rldga, I s m . Object appaared t o bs square, roee and h a c e d e d t h r e e t h e s a t blph r a w of speed.
Yelther radar m r f i g h t e r a I r c r a f t could make contact.
2 Yln. Mona High Puled )b conchdorm.

10 b o 51

p D.0 51
4
1.020 Buffalo, F. I.

bat in^, X ~ M .
L r g e , whits, e x t r e a e l y brilliant ard g b U u i n shaps.

nib object reaembllng a k i t e a b u t 103 ft. b l o w a/c.

15 S o .

3-b Uin. [LTAF P i l o t

No mnclueiaM. Robably a
f l e t u l l of 1538 t l p .

lo consluaiolv

22 Dmc 5 1 Hridan. Ohio W r e m e l y b r l g h t l l e h t In sky. Appared t o to hovering. 1!dr. Clrlllan Orwed to ba .Chriatma Star..

P2 Dmc 5 1 Colmbu., Ohio ?-aP i l o t observed obJect lmlch a p p n r s l tc be a/c r l t h m U l l assa?blj. ObJect 1 lh Yin. r 4 Pllot See Appsndlx I.
asemad t o b. r o l l l n ~ . An uneuccoeeful a t h p L waa made to Intercept the obJect.
(5.0 Appendix I )

19 JU 52 L r e e blue-gresn f i r e b l l obsermd by &?9 e r m . Decended a d arplcdrd near the ) 90. 0-29 C r w T i r e b a l l typ. phanomenn. %
ground. iznestigatlon. No a o m l u i o r u .

2 1 JM 52 X i t c h e l l AT0,N.T
, Mary TBY attempted t o l n t s r c e p t disc-sham3 obJect with m g a t l r a ~ O l u l U ,
(see A p p r d i x 11.)
Drrlmom R . 7 Pilot 9ee Appendix TI.

1 A dink, j n d p d to be ) f t . I n d i a m e h r uproached tm different + a ' s .

(*aAgndlaIil.)
5 b . d
1 YLn.
k b e r a of two E-29
ern
11
I
f i e Appendlx 111.

a1,c roe* e o 3 t s
1 1 1 orc a11
--e€mHDEF\mAt
-

mmsIEl IQ - T G E I
 Columbus. Ohio - 22 December 1951

I. DISCUSSION O F INCIDENT

On 22 December 1951 a t ap?roxinately 1030 EST, an F-84 p i l o t sighted an

u n i d e n t i f i e d o b j e c t f i v e miles e a s t of Columbus, Ohio. The object, which
looked U k e an a i r c r a f t with no tail surfaces, a p ~ e a r e dta be r o l l i n g on i t s
lateral axis. The o b j e c t was on a reciprocal heading and higher than the F-86.
The p i l o t made a turn in an a t t e m ~ tto i n t e r c e p t the o b j e c t but l o s t it i n the
sun.
11. STATUS OF INVESTIGATION
A t approximately 1000 E S T a weather balloon w a s released from the Columbus
Municipal ciirport. The uind, which w a s from the west, would have blown the
balloon into t h e general v i c i n i t y of the sighting. More definite information
on the balloon launching has been requested,

ESo conclusions can be made until nore informa-%ionon t h e balloon launching

is obtained.
 CONFIDENTIAL
UNCLASSIFlED
APPENDIX 11

Mitchell A i r Force Base - 22 January 1952

I. DISCUSSION OF INCIDENT
A t approximately 0950 EST on 22 January 1952, a U. S. Navy p i l o t f l y l n g
a TBM type a i r c r a f t sighted a disc-shaped o b j e c t near bfitchell tllr Force Base,
New York. The o b j e c t appeared to be l i g h t , " l i k e a nylon par5chute canopy",
vith a dark under surface. I t was estimated to be 20 f e e t t o 30 f e e t in
diameter with a 3:1 diameter to thickness r a t i o .

The o b j e c t appeared to be c i r c l i n g Mitchell A i r Force Base and t h e

observer was a b l e to g e t near the o b j e c t by c u t t i n g s i n s i d e on turns,

Additional information has been requested from Mitchell A i r Force Base.

& conclusions can be made on d a t a contained i n preliminary wire message,

APPErJDIX 111

Korea -
- 29 January 1952

I. DISCUSSION OF INCIDENT

On the night of 2 9 January 1952 a t 2300 and again a t 2324, local, Korea
time, two B-29 crews a t d i f f e r e n t locations obsemed similar o b j e c t s near
t h e i r a i r c r a f t . They described them a s a disk, ap?roximately t h r e e f e e t in
diameter, and with a color sinilar to the sun. In one instance the o b j e c t
etayed beside the B-29 f o r f i v e minutes and i n theaother f o r one minute.

&re d e t a i l s on t h i s incident have been requestsd,

Comment by NICAP on R e p o r t s No. 3 a n d 4:

T h e r e a d e r w i l l n o t e t h a t i n Report No. 3 , A p p e n d i x
I1 d e s c r i b e s t h e s i g h t i n g a t M i t c h e l , Air Force B a s e as h a v i n g
t a k e n p l a c e o n 22 J a n u a r y 1 9 5 2 (p. 63). I n Report No. 4 ,
A p p e n d i x I1 gives t h e d a t e f o r t h i s i n c i d e n t a s 2 1 J a n u a r y 1 9 5 2
(p. 72). T h e 2 1 J a n u a r y 1 9 5 2 d a t e is p r e s u m a b l y t h e correct
o n e , s i n c e t h e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h i s s i g h t i n g is m o r e d e t a i l e d
i n t h e A p p e n d i x for Report No. 4.
 .sl

3
- 1
S
E
-
W
UNCLASSIFIED

STATUS REPORT
Classification cancelled
.---------

PROJECT GRUDGE - REPORT N0.4

P R O J E C T NO. .lo073

29 FEBRUARY 1932

Classification cancelled

COPY N O . . 25
.
 Classification cancelled
-.----

This r e w r t i s the fourth of a s e r i e s of m n t h l y s t a t u s reports

of R o j e c t Grudge. Each r e p o r t w i l l be written on o r near the last
day of the month and w i l l contain a list of all incidents reported
during the nonth covered by the re7ort. The reports t h a t a r e con-
sidered t o be outstanding all be sumariaed in the appendices of the
r e p o r t so that more d e t a i l s can be ?resented. Tae o v e r a l l ststus of
the project w i l l also be nresented.
Additional i n f o m a t i m nay be obtained on my incident by directing
requesta ta Chief, A i r Technical Xntelllgence Center, Attention: ATIM-20,
UrightPatteraon Air I;brce Base, Daytan, Ohio.
!be security c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of this r e p r t has been raised f'rom
Confidential to Secret due to the inclosure of reports of unidentified
aerial objects uhich uere c l a s s i f i e d Secret by the originating agency.
 UNCLASSIFIED

A Files
hll of the raterial in AT16 U t . relates to s i g h t i n g s of unidentified
aerial o b j e c t s h s now been f i l e d and cruas-icd.exed, OFer 600 r e p o r t s have
been crosc-inll~,.;ed under the r d r i d i v i s i o n s o f r
T i n e of Sighting
Shaw
Size
kurse
ltmber of Objects Seen
Sounds
Date
Location
Occupation of Source
Coler
Ayparent Syeeq
Anparent Altitude
Length of ~ 6 &served
e
l h e u v e rs
Conclusions

In many instarices i t has been d i f f i c u l t to establish sub-divisions due to t h e

g r e a t v a r i e t y of deszriptions, In these instances, certain broad categories
vere established,

B, Location of Aiiditioral Files

The D/I Ubrary f i l e s were searched during the p a s t month and a ~ r r o x i -

mately 50 additional incidents were located, Copies of these have been re-
quested. It is believed that the ATIC f i l e on unidentified aerial objects
now c o n t a h a a larje . n a j o r i t p of all incidents reported to the Air Force
eince 191?.

C, Ijirec tives ror R e y o r t i q Incidents

h new proy;osed d i r e c t i v e f o r reporting s i g k t i n p of unidentified

aerial o b j e c t s has been s e n t to 'the il/I f o r approval end d i ~ t r i b u t i o n . ";his
d i r e c t i v e will replace e x i s t i n g l l r e c t i v e s and provide nore expeditious chennels
for reporting siglitings.
D, Project TvlnWe
This Centcr has been rccefvlng a ricrmber of reports on the phenomna
which b s been t e r ~ e dlqreen ffiekc 11s .I, Y h i s e p e c i f i c phenomena has been
 =sETE+
NCLASSf N E D

investieated by the A7 Ccbridgo L?senrck b b o r ~ t o r i e r under

, 4210 t i t l e of
Project V;Cr.;;le .
i 3 e Cer:briZ:e LzWrabr.:! h a s di~continued the project
and the conc11:sfons were indefinite.
This phenonena which has received s m e ~ u b l i c i t yin the past four
mnths i s reported to be s h i l a r to a l a r ~ eneteor in eonle r e s p e c t s . Tlleq-
are green in color, have a f l a t traj'ecbry, ap?car to be m c h lower than an
.average z-eteor, and are silent,

A. Inclose2 S c m a r y List c2 Incidents

:'he inclosed list of' !acideats i a (1) a s ~ . ~ ~ : m

of yall incidents
reporb2 during the period 1 Pebrzwj. o ' 29 r
t " c 1952;
~ and
~ (2) those
incidents reported i n Stetus Iremrt b. 3, datec? 31 January 1952, which ere
still pendine or have been closed &iring the month.
 Columbus. Ohio - 22 December 1951

I, DESCRIPTION OF INCZDZNT

On 22 December 1951 a t 1030 S T , the p i l o t of an F-84 a i r c r a f t observed

an unidentified o b j e c t f i v e n i l e s e a s t of Columbus, Ohio, The F-84 w a s flying
at15,OOO ft, a l t i t u d e on a heading of 270°. The object was f i r s t s i g h k d a t
two o'clock high, It appeared to be r o l l i n g on its longitudinal axis and the
shape resembled an a i r c r a f t v i t h no tail surfaces, It w a s on a heading of
about qOO.
The p i l o t observed the object f o r one and one half minutes during which
he made a r i g h t t u r n in an attempt to i n t e r c e p t , and i d e n t i f y the object. It
vas lost when the p i l o t turned. into the sun to follow the object.

II, STATUS OF IhmTIGkTION

The p i l o t o f the F-84 uas interrogated by project personnel, No new
facts were b o u g h t out, It uas e s k b l i s h e d , however, t h a t the p i l o t could
b e obsemed a balloon l m c n e d f r o g Port Columbus W r t a t about 1000
EST, The vind was 30-knots from 270 vhich would plhce the balloon in the
general area o f the sighting. -The p i l o t c o d 6 not pinpoint his location
other than about f i v e miles e k t of Columbusn,

The F-84 possibly sighted a weather balloon launched from Port

Colmbus Airport. The reported actions of and shape of the object cannot
be attribtated.to a balloon, houever, previous reports have indicated t h a t
a balloon can be verj dece?tive when viewed from a high s-peed a i r o r a f t .
 P o r t Colw~busW r t

4
brr--- Ir

C o l ~ h s ,Ohio

-
0 0 0 - -
Bolloon Path
E;stbn,ctd &craft Path
 --sKFEF
UNCLASSIFIED

Mitchel Ar"B. Nerr &Y - 31 January 1952

DESCRIPTION OF INC I U E l J T

At approximately 09% EST on ;1January 1952, a U,S. Navy p i l o t f l y i n g

a TBBf a i r c r a f t sighted an unidentified o b j e c t southeast of Kitchel AF'B. The
TBM was on a heading a t approximately 45'. \ h e n f i r s t noticed, the o b j e c t
w a s low a t an angle of about 45O from t h e a i r c r a f t . TQe location of t h e
aircraft was about t h r e e runways lengths from the end of, and l i n e d up with,
Runway #30 ( 3 0 0 ~ ) . The object appeared to be halfuay between the a i r c r a f t
and fihe end of t h e runway, The p i l o t ' s f i r s t impression was that the o b j e c t
w a s a parachute and he thinks he noticed wedge o r pie-shaped segregations on
t h e top, however, he realized t h a t the o b j e c t w a s going cross-wind and t h a t it
could n o t be a d r i f t i n g parachute, He judged t i e angular s i z e to be the sane as
t h e angle subtended by a house on the ground and by watching the o b j e c t cover
the equivalent of a c i t y block. He judged the speed to be 300 knots. He judged
t h e a l t i t u d e to be 200-300 f e e t , It appeared to be on a course of about 22S0.

The peat s t a r t e d a l e f t - t u r n (see w e r l a y ) in an a t t e n p t to i d e n t i f y

the object. He s t a t e s t h a t he kept the airspeed of the l B M a t about 160
lmota and kept a nearly constant a l t i t u d e of 6000 f t , all during t h e turn.
He estimated t h a t he was pulling from two t o three G I s in the turn, A t one
p o i n t near position #3 of the a i r c r a f t (see overlay) he had to increase his
angle of bank to nearly 90' to keep t h e o b j e c t from disappearing under the
wing of the a i r c r a f t .
The p i l o t ' s version of %he attempted interception is ahown on t h e
h c l o s e d overlay. He s t a t e d t h a t the paths shown a r e n o t exact due to t h e
fact t h a t he w a s concentrating on the o b j e c t and not h i s position, although
he occasionally looked a t the a i r f i e l d to g e t reference points.

The o b j e c t stayed below the TBM during nost of the time it w a s in

sight. When t h e a i r c r a f t was somewhere near position 4 , the o b j e c t appeared
to start a rapid clinb, accelerating to an estimate6 500 knots, and when it
vaa a t an angle of about 10' above the p i l o t ' s horizontal l i n e of vision, it
disappeared. When the object disappeared, the TBtf vas near p o s i t i o n #5. The
o b j e c t did n o t W i s h in apparent s i z e except possibly near t h e end of t h e
uhase, it j u s t disappeared. The p i l o t was very positive i n his statement
t h a t when he was north of Ydtchel AFEl he could see the object. The course on
whioh t h e o b j e c t disappeared was established by l i n i n g up the a i r c r a f t w i t h
fbe apparent path of o b j e c t and reading the compass,

The object appeared to be dorceshaped, o r eimilar to the v e r t i c a l cross-

seotion of a parachute canopy. Tbe top w a s l i g h t colored, m l i k enylon.', and
fhe under-surface w a s dark. It bad a length to depth r a t i o of about 183,
!dhile t h e o b j e c t w a s i n l e v e l f l i g % t it appeared to o s c i l l a t e with a slow
period,
The total t h e elapsed was e s t i n a t e d to be a h i t two end one half
minutes,

If, STATUS 02' IENLSTIGATION

A f i e l d f x i p was made t o 17LitcfielAFB to r e i n t e r r o g a t e the p i l o t and

o t h e r personnel having knowledge of fac'tx perteining t o the sighting, !he
p i l o t ' s descriotion of the incident w a s the sane as uzs s,tated in h i s o r i g i n a l
r e p o r t , Bis d d e d d e t a i l s have been incorporated into Section I of t h i s
Appendix,
A t 0950 S T on 21 January 1952, the weather s e c t i o n of ?fiche1 BFB
launched a Rawinsonde balloon from t h e position shorn on t&e overlay, Tkece
balloons a r e about six feet' i n dianeter a t t i n e of launch m4 -3xpand on a&
cending. The expansion up to 6,OGO f t , can be neqlected, l~ouorer, as it is
wrall, The balloons a r e a l i g h t 5ra;r color and have white streeks of t a l a
powder which i s used i n pacI4n.g the balloons. The balloon c a r r i e d a t i n - f o h
radar 18 inch square r e f l e c t o r six inches below t h e balloon. 'i'he path of
t h e balloon is ahown on t h e inclosed overlay,

These balloons a r e €racked b7 radar, It was hoped that t i e r&ar a?era-

tors n i g h t have r e c a l l e d seeing an a i r c r d t r e t u r n c i r c l i n g tlieir balloon
return. Tney stated, however, t h a t due to the heavy air t r a f f i c in t h e
area, it was n o t uncormn to ?ich up a i r c r a f t r e t u r n s and they did n o t pay
any a t t e n t i o n to then,
a e tower operators on duty a t tl:e t l m of the sighting were inbrro-
gated, They had n o t seen the TB;S o r t h e balloon. The b v e r l o g showed that
t h e f i r s t contact with the l B M was at 0955 ZST st which t i n e p i l o t reported
sighting an o b j e c t e a s t of the f i e l d . A t 1008 the 2-t e a i n called the
h w o r to describe the incident in d e t a i l , The p i l o t ' s description was a
condensed version of that given in ?art I of this Appendix e::cspt he s t a t e d
that the o b j e c t *ap?eared t o be a w e c h u t e canopy wLth a dark colored o b j e c t
underneathaJ, The 0955 oontact w&s nade soon a f t e r t h e o b j e c t was sighted,
establishing t h e time,

An accurate t i n e of the initial sight* i s needed t o e s t a b l i s h t h e

p o s i t i o n of tho balloon a t t h i s tine. It is assumed that tho bwer a c k
Is mre accurate than t h e clock in the TBri, thus the time of the initia3
s i g h m u was proba3ly c l o s e r to 0954 a l l o u i n s f o r time to contact the tower
t h a n the 09% which uae estimated by the p i l o t ,

A t 0954 the balloon would have been a t about 4,000 f t . an3 in the
p o s i t i o n m k e d 4,000 f t , on the overlay. The p i l o t stated that the o b j e c t
appeared l a w , a t an angle of 45O fro3 v e r t i c a l , awl a x ~ e a r e dt o cover t h e
same angle o f v i s i o n as a house, This would make t h e s l a n t range to t h e
ground 8,500 ft. It can be shown t h a t an o b j e c t thought to be 30 f t. in
diameter (assuning an average hone i s 30 f t . long) a t 8,500 f t. range
could a l s o have been a six ft. diameter balloon only 1,700 f t . from the obser-
ver or at about 4,800 f t . a l t i t u d e . Allowing for e r r o r s ' i n estimation o f tae
angle, t h i s coincides very c l o s e l y to the a l t i t u d e of the balloon a t 0954. The
p o s i t i o n o f t h e balloon in r e ~ p e c tto t h e ground was a p p r o x h t e l y off the end
of busy 830.
The p 3 l o t s t a t e d that t h e o b j e c t appeared to be on a heading of 225O,
t h e r e c i p r o c a l of t h e heading of the TB14, and t h e speed of t h e o b j e c t W P R
about 200 knots. The balloon would appear to be traveling on a reciprocal
heading and appear to be traveling a t a higher r a t e of speed than the TEH+I
if the p i l o t had assuned the balloon to be a l a r g e o b j e c t close to the ground.
In exa- the t u r n a s sketched by the p i l o t (see overlay), it i s
believed that the r a d i u s of t u r n ' i s too great. He s t a t e d t h a t the air speed
vas k e p t a t 160 knots and he estimated he pulled two to three G a s , this would
give a r a d i u s o f t u r n of about1,500 f t . instead of the nearly 6 , W f t . r a d i u s
shown on t h e overl%v. It w i l l a l s o be noted t h a t in positions 0, 1, 2, and 3
on the overlay, t h e bearing of the o b j e c t i s r e l a t i v e l y constant, beire of
a b o u t 1 0 o t c l o c k **on the aircraft heading. A balloon seen from an a i r c r a f t
makbg a 360° l e f t t u r n around t h e balloon would have a constant bearing a t
9 o'clock, however, e r r o r s in the sketch of t h e ground tracks could account
f o r t h i s discrepancy.

After t h e p o s i t i o n of the a i r c r a f t given as point 3 on +the overlay, it

is nore d i f f i c u l t to show t h a t the o b j e c t could have been the balloon. If
p o i n t 4 (of a i r c r a f t ) i s s h i f t e d to near point 1 ( a i r c r a f t ) it i s possible
t h a t t h e p i l o t s t a r t e d another 360' t u r n around t h e balloon (see overlay).

Two major discrepancies in t h e theory that the o b j e c t was a balloon a r e

t h a t t h e p i l o t was very sure t h a t a t one t h e during t h e attempt to i n t e r c e p t
t h e balloon he vss m r t h o r northwest of the a i r f i e l d and could s t i l l s e e the
object. In addition, s h o r t l y before the o b j e c t disappeared, the l i n e of
s i g h t of the o b j e c t began t o swing toward the nose of t h e a f r c r a f t . Lf this
were true and t h e o b j e c t was a balloon, t h e p i l o t should have been able to
come c l o s e enough to t h e o b j e c t to i d e n t i f y it as a balloon.

It should be noted t h a t the p i l o t a d n i t s t h a t the sketch could be i n

error. During t h e reinterrogation, i t was brought out by t h e Operation's
Officer a t P i t c h e l M B , who conducted the o r i g i n a l interrogation, t h a t the
first sketch t h e p i l o t drew was about h a l f t h e s i z e (1.e. all r a d i i one h a l f )
of the final sketch which has been copied in t h e inclosed overlay. This is
f u r t h e r brought o u t the calculations f o r t h e radius of turn. The p i l o t wae
p o s i t i v e that t h e airspeed w a s always 160 knots and t h a t he was pulUng about
t w o to t h r e e G a s . As s t a t e d before, thls would give a radius of turn of about
1,500 Ft. instead of the 6,000 ft. as shoun on the overlay. A 6,000 f t . r a d i u s
turn is n o t considered l i k e l y during any interception t a c t i c s I n an a i r c r a f t cis
s l o w as a TB&i. Ghanging tbe radius of the 360° turn b 1,500 ft. would w e k i n k "
the complete &etch to one-fourth the o r i g i n a l s i z e (see overlay).
 The time to turn, with a 1,500 f t . radius, i s 35 seconds, As~:udn,the ?
turn was not a p e r f e c t c i r c l e bu% rcore of an ellipse, the time wov-ld increase
to w s s i b l y 45 secon.is, This i s a l s o a discrepancy sir,cc ti:e p i l o t jud,?ed
t h e elapsed time to be two and one half minutes. Th5s I s n o t a serious die-
crepanc-j, however, as it i s icnoun t h a t s;wrt hA&rvalsare d i f f i c u l t to
judge and tne p i l o t did not a c t u a l l y time h i s mrieuvsrs.

The description of the o b j e c t could very well b t h a t of a balinc~n.

Clbservations have shown t h a t a balloon ap::ears to be nore o v a l o r do:..:e-
shaped than spherical and due to shadows, the b?tt>rn appear8 clarlr~rthan
the top, The t a l c u m powder used i n pacliing the balloon could e a s i l y give
t h e ap?earance of segnents such as the panels in a p:?zachute, The oscil-
l a t i o n s of the object described by the p i l o t are very ~imilari n perio:? t o
those of a balloon. r;he n f l ~stated
t t h a t he d i d not observe anythiw sus-
pended h-om the o b j e c t such as the radar reflec4vor hand- beneath the balloon,
however, t h e tower operator res sure t h a t the p i l o t had.nentioned.the f a c t that
there vas something dark beneath the object when he .called the tower. to des-
c r i b e the object he had seen.

A T-U. w a s tihe only aircraft i n the area near the time of ths sighting.
The p o s s i b i l i t y of the p i l o t ' s Pirst seeing the balloon then the T - l l vere
checked but the T-ll was on an e n t i r e l y different heading than t h a t of the
object, and was o u t of t.6; innediate area,

CONCLUSIOFIS

Rom the d a t a obtained on t h i s sighting, it cannot '3e d e f i n i t e l y con-

cluded that the o b j e c t sighted by the Z3r-I p i l o t w a s the Ra.ainsonde balloo~:
released by the Mitchel AFE3 Weather Station, Homver, enowh of the data on
the reported objec; does c o r r e l a t e with t h a t of the balioon to indicate t h a t
there is a p o s s i b i l i t y that the object observed was a balloon, There ;rere no
other reports of persons observing any unusud objects and since the object
appeared to be 20 ft. t o 30 ft. i n diameter and very unusual in appearance
a t only 200 ft, to 300 ft, a l t i t u d e over a thickly populated area, it would
seem very l i k e l y that it would have been seen and reported b.;. smeone on the
gro-•
 APPENDIX TI1

Korea -
- 29 Jan- 1952

DESCRIPTION OF IXCIDENT

On the night of 29 January 1352, 30 miles WSW of Wonson, Korea, three

members of a l3-29 crew, the tail, l e f t , and t o p gunner, observed a l i g h t
orange colored sphere f o r a period of f i v e minutes. The object was on a
p a r a l l e l course to the B-29 a t 8 olclock level. The color of the object
was f b t h e r described as being the color of the sun with an occasional bluish
t i n t . The outer edge of the object appeared to be fuzzy and it seemed to
have an i n t e r n a l churn3.q novenent l i k e flames or f i e r y gases. The object
closed in on the l3-29 to an undetermined distance, and then faded away in
the distance.
The a i r c r a f t .was on a heading of 274O, vas a t 22,500 f t. a l t i t u d e and
was n a W n g a ground speed 02 I48 knots. The time of the sighting was 2300
l o c a l Korean time. The weather was CAVU.
A t 2324 l o c a l Koreah time, members of another EL29 crew observed an
i d e n t i c a l object near Sunchon. This object was observed f o r one minute.
The observers were the l e f t and tail gunners. In.this instance, the EL29
was a t 22,250 ft.
The sources of these reports are ell GIorld War I1 veterans and veterans
of previous conbat missions in Korea. The crews were from d i f f e r e n t squadrons
and were interrogated separately.

DISCUSSION OF THE INCIDENT

The times t h a t the object or objects followed the l3-29's indicate t h a t

t h e objects were propelled by some means, which eliminates the p o s s i b i l i t y of
an unguided ground-to-air missile, drop missiles, etc. The color ancl shape
of the flame were studied by members of the ATIC Repulsion Croup to deter-
mine whether o r not the flame could have been the exhaust of a conventional
j e t e w e with o r without an afterburner, a pulse-jet, ram-jet, o r rocket
engine. None of these p o s s i b i l i t i e s were considered to be applicable.
The report is somewhat similar to the reports of mfireball-fighters.n, a
type of phenomena observed i n Europe during World War 11. The exact nature
of t h i s phenomena was never determined but bomber crews reported large f i e r y
balls, similar to the sun, passing through o r near t h e i r fonoations. There
is no docunented evidence o r data available on this phenomena, and all the
Information t h a t has been obtained i s verbal f'rom World U s I1 bomber crew-
men, consequently, few actual f a c t s are available.
XII. CONCLuSIoNS

No conclusions have been reached as to the identity or origin of these

unidentified a e r i a l objects. One p s s i b i l i t y i s that thls nay have been sarce
type of f l a r e towed by an aircraft to nark the B-29 for flak oreus. .So afr-
craft exhaust flame wss reported, however.
 SECRET
UNCLASSIFIED

Korea -
- 24 Februsm 1952

I. DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT
On t h e n i g h t of 24 February 1952, a t 2315 l o c a l Korean time, the navi-
g a t o r of a EL29 obsemed an unidentified a e r i a l object. The EL29 w a s picked
up by s e a r c h l i g h t s and about 45 seconds l a t e r the navigator sighted an ohject
approaching from 7 olclock. The o b j e c t was estimated t o be over Bntung a t
this time. The o b j e c t appeared to be c y l i n d r i c a l in shape and had a r a p i a y
p d e a t i n e gaseous type of exhaust trail. The exhaust tsail w a s approxiimtely
t h r e e times. the length of the o b j e c t with both the tafl b l a s t and the object
b l u i s h i n color.

When first observed t h e o b j e c t appeared t o be climbing a t 45O, hovever,

it leveled off approximately 4,000 f t . from the E2q and turned toward the
B-29 as i f taking up an interception course. The o b j e c t continued to close
on t h e EL29 a t high v e l o c i t y f o r approxinately 1 5 seconds a f t e r which t k e
it broke o f f l e v e l f l i g h t and headed down, passing under the EL29 a t a
gradual angle. As the o b j e c t began to descend the f l a n e d h b i s h e d in s i z e
and g o t brighter. The navigator estfmated t h a t the object cane within 3000
f t . o f t h e a i r c r a f t and 'it appeared to be the s i z e of an automobilea.
(Asamed to mean the same s i z e as an automobile viewed from 3,000 ft,)
The B-29 w a s flying a t 22,000 f t . a l t i t u d e and a t a speed of 200 h o t s ,
The s e a r c h l i g h t s stayed with the a i r c r a f t f o r approximately four minutes
and weak inaccurate f l a k was encountered during the e n t i r e incident,

Weak e l e c t r o n i c signals were picked up by the e l e c t r o n i c counter-

measures operatar f o r a s h o r t time,
STATUS OF INVESTIGATION

More d e t a i l s on the sighting bave been requested *om FEBF, Since the
o b j e c t resembles a surface-&& guided missile, the i n c i d e n t has been re-
f e r r e d to t h e ATIC guided m i s s i l e s group,
 SZCURITY
INFORMATION

PROJECT BLUE BOOK - REPORT NO*5

FORMERLY PROJECT GRUDGE

PROJECT NO. 10073

31 MARCH. 1952

COPY N O . 3 4 -
'15t-6888
 1. I n f o r m a t i o n c o n f l i c t i n g with o r p e r t i n e n t l y a f f e c t i n g
that c o n t a i n e d i n t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n s h o u l d b e f o r w a r d e d by t h e
r e c i p i e n t d i r e c t l y to:

Chief, Air T e c h n i c a l Intelligence C e n t e r

Wright-Patterson Air F o r c e B a s e
Dayyn, Ohia

T h i s i o o o w a y a b r o g a t e s o r a l t e r s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for s e n d i n g
ouch i n f o r m a t i o n o r a n y p e r t i n e n t i n t e l l i g e n c e d a t a t h r o u g h
already established intelligence collection c h a n n e l s of t h e
v a r i o u s s e r v i c e s o r a g e n c i e s of t h e U. S, g o v e r n m e n t .

2. WARNING: This d o c u m e n t c o n t a i n s i n f o r m a t i o n a€-

f e c t i a g t h e n n t i o n a l d e f e n s e o f t h e U n i t e d States w i t h i n t h e
m e a n i n g of t h e E s p i o n a g e Law, T i t l c 18, U.S.C., S e c t i o n s 793
and 794. I t s t r a n s m i s s i o n o r t h e i e v c l a t i o n o f i t s c o n t e n t s i n
a n y m a n n e r t o a n u a a u t h o r i z e d p e r s o n is p r o h i b i t e d by law.
 UNCLASSIEIED
AUTH: CO, ATIC
BY: E.J. RUPPEL
1st Lt, USAF
Pb
DATE 9 bm. 52

This r e p o r t i s the f i f t h of a s e r i e s of monthly s t a t u s r e p o r t s of PIIoject

Bluo Book. Each r e p o r t i s written on o r near the l a s t day of t h e .month and
w i l l contain a fist of a l l incidents remr'ed during tlze rmnth covered by t h e
report. The reports t h a t a r e considered outstanding w i l l be summarized in t h e
appendices of the r e p o r t so t h a t more d e t a i l s can be presenbd. The o v e r a l l
s t a t u s of the p r o j e c t w i l l be oresented.
n be obtained on any i n c i d e n t by d i r e c t i n g
Any additional i n f o r i ~ ~ a t i omay
requests fa Chief, Air Technical Intelligence Center, Attn: ATIAL2c, W r i g h t
r3atterson ,Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio.
The s e c u r i t y c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of t h i s r e p o r t is S e c r e t due only fa t h e in-
closure of r e p o r t s t h a t were c l a s s i f i e d S e c r e t by t h e o r i g i n a t i n g agency and
due 'to the f a c t t h a t a l l i e d i n f o m a t i o r pertaining t o t h e p r o j e c t i s Secret.
The o l a s s i f i c a t i o n of each ae?arate i n c i 2 e n t i s n o b d w i t h t h e incident.
 STATUS O;;' .'XOJIXT BLUE BOOK

I. OvEluuL STATUS

A. Change of Project Nicknaiie

The nicknane of the nroject, t h i c h was f o m e r l y nG&ge:n, has been
o f f i c i a l l y changed to 'Slue Booku,
8, Directive f o r Reportinz incidents
A proposed d i r e c t i v e t o re?lace Vne U?~IN.C/CC-~d i r e c t i v e dated 19
December 1951, subject, ?Re?orting oL" -bforriztion on Unconventional a i r c r a f tn,
has been caordinzted i.rith ATIC a26 f o ~ d u r d e d~LID/I f o r approval,
This d i r e c t i v e is s i x i l a r ta the d i r e c t i v e of 19.kcember 1951 except
it w i l l require tinat all r e 2 o r t s be made bj wire to ATIC, U C , and V/TC anri that
these u i r e r e p o r t s be fol1ol:ed u? by an &iri ? ~ r c eForn 112 s e n t d i r e c t l y t o ATIC
and V/TC. Past experience has shorm tirat in order to c a r r y our i n v e s t i g a t i o n s
succcssrully ATIC must be i ~ f o m e dof s i g h t a s b e d i a t e l y , by d i r e c t channels.

C, Hollonan Renort
Project Blue Book has recently received a copy of a r e p o r t w r i t t e n by
personnel of Hollonan Am, New 1.iexico. T'riis report, dated 25 J u l y 1951, c o r q ~ i l c s
t h e r e s u l t s of an investication of unidentir'ied a e r i a l phenomena carried. o u t a t
Holloman m.
The project consisted of an orpahized vatch f o r the objects, the watc:lers
being equipped with caneras, Several 9hotos uere obtained with hand held cayeras.
The photos sh~tronly a round kIla.gc with no d e t a i l s f o r i d e n t i f i c a t i o n . (m tuo
occasions objects .r;ere nhoto,pa;7hcd with h k a n i a theodolites, once on 27 A ? r i l
1950 arJ acnin on 29 i.hy 115C). Thc r v s d t s .rere not satisfactorj-, i..~~.ievcr, d m
dato could be obtained because i n the f i r s t ins'mce only one s t a t i o n ;ras txac:-
and in t h o second instance tmo s t a t i o n s trzcked two d i f f e r e n t objects.
The r e p o r t nakes no conclusions as t o the i d e n t i t y of the objects. :~cs,J-
ever, i t does e s t a b l i s h t h e f a c t t h a t sage type of object d i d e x i s t .
Action w i l l be W e n by P r o j e c t Blue Book to e s t a b l i s h l l a i s o n v i t h
fillman and deternine i f any d d i t i o n a l r e s u l t s have been obtained.

D. Life A r t i c l e on Unizentifiec? Aerial Clbjects

Mr. Robert Ginna of the Life Ykgazine Staff v i s i t e d ATIC on 3 1 - k c h 195'1
to obtain n a t c r i d f o r an a r t i c l e ar.hich w i l l ap,Jear in Life on 4 A ? r i l 1952. Ile
was very f a n i l i a r with %!xissubject as he has spent a g r e a t d e a l of t h e in
research. The a r t i c l e has bcen coordinabd with Hq USAF.
 UNCLASSIFIED
219 i p t e r o s t i n g t i s p c t ~f ~ i l cv i s i t b.7 I&. Cinna uat ti;c f a c t t1:at Lice
ha& iri,"arwtlon on several s 1 g i : ~ i n g s5, highly qualified observers t h a t were
~1Ga01.mta AYIC. T.iese *ople, all c i v i l i a n s , had not reparted t h e i r obsenra-
t i o n s to any rLlitary sources, consequently, A'l'IC did not have the reports.
'4th *e cxce?ticn of these a d several aore rLmr reports, ATIC did have in-
f o n z t i o n on all of t h e incidents t h a t he inquired about.
Xt i s believed t h a t 1.k. Ginnals contact w i t t r the A i r Force established
an e x c e l l e n t source of = t e r i a l i n t h a t Life has representatives all over the
vorld and these ~ o p l eare sending reports t o Wfe as a matter of routine. ATIC
will have access to these re;lorts.
E, V i s i t by U r . Joseph &plan
.
On.71.hrch 1952, Dr. Joseph Kaplan, Professor of Physics a t UCLA and
a rnenber of the A F S c i e n t i f i c Advisory Board v i s i t e d ATIC to discuss methods of
obtaining nore factual infomation on the reported unidentified a e r i a l objects
thanhas been obtained in the past. His pri;lary i n t e r e s t i s the =Green F i r e b a l l "
phenomna, b u t the netlhods he suggasted can be applied to any object.

Dr. Wlan's suggestion i s to use sApectruraanalysis as an aid i n identi-

fying the objects. Any object t h a t e n i t s l i g h t w i l l have a d e f i n i t e spectmm.
The f i r s t step in Dr. Kaplan's suggested plan i s to obtain the spec- of the
object, 3 h i s s 3 e c t r m is then matched with the s ? e c t r u i of known objects such
as meteors, stars, ecc., ta Bliininat.8 o r e s t a b l i s h the f a c t t h a t they are known
objects, If t h e objects a r e not astronozical bodies and spectrum w i l l give sone
i n d i c a t i o n as to w h a t %key night be. For example, a s p e c k 3 of an exhaust trail
vould show t h e c o n p s i t i o n of the exhaust. These e m p l e s apply to night sightixqs
3n general; however, b r i g h t objects appearing in the daytime could be analyzed i n
a s(ni'iar manner. If the object were r e f l e c t i n g l i g h t instead o f emitt* it,
the s ~ c t m m would be the sane a s t h a t of the sun. lken i t would be a case of
e s t a b l i s i u whether o r not there was an a i r c r a f t i n the area.

The systen w i l l afford a means of detexmining whether o r n o t reported

o b j e c t s are a c t u a l l y soxe new ty;>e of a i r c r a f t o r merely n i s i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of
known objects, TXs suggested system would not com?letely fulfill t h e require
nents of the ~ o j e c t ,however, it i s a quick, econoxical m a n s of obtaining nore
concrete w o k t i o n than now e x i s t s and i s considered a f i r s t step in the
investigation,

To obtain t h e spectrume of the o b j e c b , two nethods have been suggested,

One I s the use of a conparatively large (8n x 8%) diffraction p a w . The
observer u m n seeing an object would hold up the grating and observe the o b j c c t
through the grating. A m a n s would be provided f o r warking the observed sTec-
trm on the gsating. This wauld then be s e n t t o mine expert f o r analysis, The
s e c ~ n dnet??od, ad t h o one under consideration would be to construct an inex-
pensive ban3 held canera u i t h a diffraction grating over t h e lens, With t h i s
netbod a p e r z z e n t record of the observation uould be obtained,
 UNCLASSIFED
The g r a t i n g s o r ' c a t i n ; ~canera comb-imtlor,s uould be inexpenshe euough
s o t h a t s e v e r a l hunLred could be procured. h e m whore observntions have been
concentrated would be stressed. Groups s w h as s e c u r i t y p a t r o l s , c o n t r o l t o w e r
operators; and anyone who spends a g r e a t deal of time our-of-doors w ~ u l dbe
e q u i p ~ e dwith the i n s t r u n e n t s and be given a s e t of instructions as l a how to
use them.
Action has been W e n to deternifie t h e f e a s i b i l i t y of such a proqram.

F. Bir Defense Comaand and J o i n t A i r Dsfense Board Briefing

On 19 bbrch 1952, General Chidlaw and his s t a f f , of t h e A i r Defense

Coxmaand, and General Gardner and h i s staff, of the J o i n t & Defense Board,
uere briefed by an ATIC b r i e f i n g team. The groups were b r i e f e d on t h e M s t o r y
and operations of P r o j e c t Ylue 3002 and a member of the A i r - ~ r a fPerformance
t
and C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s Branch 02 lid presented d a t a on n i s s u e s and types of
unconventional a i r c r a f t t h a t a r e known to e x i s t o r have existed.

The purpose of the b r i e f i n g was to present t h e problem to ADC and deter-

mine how they can help, It w a s found t h a t A X p r e s e n t l y has about 30 radar sites
equipped with scope carileras, Th_cse cameras a r e n o t o p e r a t i o n a l on a 24-b~~
basis b u t this could be accomplished i n a n- t h e p a r t i c u l a r l y iu l o c a t i o n s
of s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t to R w j e e t Blue Book, Radar scope phobgrapho .would be of
great value in i n t e r p r e t i n g sone of t h e unt~sualradar' r e t u r n s t h a t are reported.
Action has been taken to i n i t i a t e a progran w i t h ADC t o u t i l i z e t h e i s
radar facilities.

G, Beacon Hill Croup Briefing

The Beacon H i l l Group, hir Force Tecbaical M v i s e r ~ ,were briefed on

26 Ymch 1952 in Bostan, f h i s group, consisting of iiF s c n s u l k i n t s in t h e f i e l d s
of e l e c t r o n i c s , o p t i c s , acoustics, d a t a c o l l a t i o n ~ l odt h e r f i e l d s , was briefed
so t h a t they would have en understsnding of tht.: rroble.;ls c o ~ ~ o n t , Pi rno~j e c t
Blue Book and could o i i e r mgges tions, After t h e h r i c f - 5 , - several hours were
s p e n t discussing the project. The nain point, of the discussion w~ to.a r r i v e
a t some m e a n s of e s t a b l i s h i n g whether o r n o t there i s some unusual typo of
aircraft flying over t h e United St.ates,
Several very e x c s l l e n t suggestions were offered. One vas to e m l o y
sound d e t e c t i o n apparatus in t h e loccitiocs where concentrations of s i g h t i n p s
have been reported, ThLs e5uipraer?t9 which i s very s e n s i t i v e to sourul, can b
l e f t unattended e l i n i n a t i n g t h e problem of persont~elf o r a continual watch,
Sounds ikon + c r a f t , ;rind, i n s e c t s , etc,, can be i d e n t i f i e d , consequently, if
t h e apparatus uere placed. far enough fron a populated w e a and highway t o e l l -
minab a large percentage of the sounds, any unknown sound would be of value i n
i n d i c a t i n g t h e presence of an unidentified object. It is understood that u a
e w p n e n t i s available,
 UNCLASSIFIED,

The problem of photographic equipnent was discussed, It vas found that.

almost any type of photographic surveillance e q u i ~ n desired t could bc built,
hoscver, aoae of i t would be expensive, The question of the a b i l i t y of l a r p
astrommical observatories detecting any unusual objects with any of their
t-lescopes o r neteor cameras w a s brought up. It was agreed that t h e i r C ~ ? ~ C C S
of observing an object a t randon vas low, unless they Imew of its presence m d
dFcected their equlpnent toward it, This was very interesting because sorie
people have had the theory t m t no unusual objects could e x i s t bscause they
would have been deizcted b ~ observatories,
- In the future, cameras, profession-
ally terned "patrol -erasu, w i l l bc developed t h a t can d e t e c t such objects,
but this d e v e l o p n t i s not conL&nplated in the near f'uture,
Another suggestion offered by the s o u r , w a s ta go back through old
newspaper f i l e s a d other sources and try to determfne whether or not t h i s
phenomena i s now, This has been done by several authors b u t t h e sources of
sone of these reports are doubtful, ';he group b e l i e r d t h a t i f auch phenomena
aa disk-shaped objects, green f i r e b a l l s , etc,, did occur they would have been
reported and would be recorded.
This group, all of vhon were experts i n t h e i r f i e l d s , were very much
interested in the problens of tsying to i d e n t i f y these objects and can be
counted upon f o r aid as problems a r i s e ,
11, REPORTS OF S P ~ E I C IN~ICEIJTS
A, Inclosed Summary M a t of Incidents
The inclosed l i s t of incidents i s (1) a suzrrnary of a l l incidents
reported during the period 1>larch 1952 to 31 1.iarch 1952; and (2) those in-
cidents reported In Status Report NO, 4, dated 29 February1952, +deb are
still pending o r have been closed d=ing the month.

UNCLASSIFIED
 C
.
I '
.
t f
f 2' C I

i § 8 %
iI % 8
d
C 8
a";
ff ' 2
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I : I d i ?
 UNCLASSIFIED

--
Tashkent, US% - May fa Septeraber 1947

I. DESCRIPTION OF I N C I D X R
During a period f r o m Efay to Septexber of 1947, a source observed three l i g h t
phenomena almost every night betwen the h ~ u r sof 2100 and 2209 and 2200 l o c a l
time. The phenoraena which occurred a t 1 5 minute htervals were seen SSE of
Pakhta Aral, which i s about 31 n i l e s S U of Tashkent, USs ( a 0 18' N -
69' 15' E) .
The phenomena f i r s t appeared as a large dark red b a l l of f i r e . After about
six seconds it reached the apex or" a long trajectory, Z u r i n g which time it
developed a trail of P i r s . A s t h b ~ a l l of f i r e descended -%om +%hea,px of %he
t r a j e c t o r y , i t changed ikon red to pale grekn, to vhite, h o k e t r a i l s , noises,
o r detonations were not b a r d nor seen. At the apex of the t r a j e c t o r y and object
ae6ned to be about one-fifth the diameter of a full moon.

II. STATUS OF Il~VESTIGATION

No f u r t h e r investigation o r 'interrogation i s possible. Report i s evaluated

as F-3. This r e p o r t was submitted to Project Blue Book because of the green
color which d g h t possibly r e l a t e to "Green Fireballsf1,

111, CONCLUSIOWS
No conclusions can be made due to thenebulousnature of the infoxmation.
This r e p o r t w a s sutr;litted to the h e l s Group and Guided Pfissiles Group of BTIC.
Both agreed that the object w a s not a liquid f u e l missile, however, it could have
been a s n a l l e r s o l i d rocket,
 Fairchild AFB. Washiwton - 20 January 1952

I, DESCRIPTION OF IIiCIhEIJT
A t ap?roximately 1920 MST on X January 1952, two W 3 . q Intelligence airolrso
noticed a b r i g h t spherical object traveling through the sQ. A t f i r s t i t was
assumed to be a neteor b u t then i t was noted tha% it appeared to be traveling
beneath a cloud layer. The object was traveling a t a s p e a xuch f a s t e r thaa a
j e t a i r c r a f t , The object, which mule no sound, w a s traveling in a path horizont-sl
t o the e a r t h a t an estimated 500 f e e t and l e f t a blue trail, The trail seened
t o come from the object i n spurts, The object disappeared from s i g h t behind a
building.
The two a m e n observers, a Tech Sergeant and lkter Sergeant a r e considered
r e l i a b l e observers.

I S~a'rvsOF I W S T I G X T I O N
This i n c i d e n t i s i n t e r e s t i n g due to the f a c t that Xiere \;as an eight-te=lt:.rs
cloud coverage a t 4,700 f%. It i s possible t h a t the obZect was viewed betxr~er,a
break in tine clouds and t h a t i t was extrenely high, indicating t h a t the sighting
uas a neteor, Hz~wever, the sources indicated t h a t they believed the object vss
below the cloud cover, and i f this i s t r u e the s l a n t range of the object can be
computed ta be about 7,300 f t , This would e l i n h a t e the p o s s i b i l i t y of tha
l i g h t e d o b j e c t being a corrventional a i r c r a f t , since no sound was heard, The
p o s s i b i l i t y of a neteor i s a l s o n i l because a neteor vould not be traveUng
horizontally a t 7,300 f t .
A request was nade f o r the angular neasurement of the a r c mule by the
object, however, this i n f o m a t i o n c w l d n o t be obtained, It is presuned t h a t
the sources were not a v d a b l e f o r questioning,

If the o b j e c t was beneath the cloud cover i t u a s n o t a conventional air-

craft o r meteor, and no conclusions can be made as to its i d e n t i t y ,
 APPENDIX 111

JZansas City, I - U s s ~ u r n - ll Febntary 1953

1, -
DESCRIPTION OF INCIDEhT

h ll February 1952, between 1205 and 1215 CST the source, a c i v i l i a n wonan,
w a s watching a B-36 f l y &on &st to Vest over Kansas City, Uhile watching the
E36, she noticed a round b r i g h t object j u s t north of t h e vapor trail l e f t Q'
t h e a i r c r a f t , The o b j e c t was observed f o r ten Llinutes through 6 x 30 binoculars
and during this period it d r i f t e d aver the observer and continued south of
Kansas City,
XI, STATUS OF I?IVESTiGATION

Two balloons were launched in the general area p r i o r t o the t i n e of sighting.

A p i b a l l baU.oon was launched fron Fort Leavonworth, Kansas, a t 0930 CST and a
Rawinsonde balloon was launched from Fairfax Airport9 Kansas City, a t 1130 CST.
It i s doubtful i f the balloon launched a t 0930 would be in the a r e a ' a t 1x5 CST
as they usually burst w i t h i n an hour a f t e r the launching,
The balloon .launched a t ll30 CST could have been observed, however, In the
35 mhutes between t h e tine of the balloon launch and'the observation, the balloon
vould have ascended to ap?roximately 30,000 f e e t and vould have traveled approxi-
mately 1 5 miles, ( m e wind w a s from 3 1 5 O and averaged about 30 knots,) This
would nean that.the l>aLloon passed near the source, I f some allouance i s made
for an e r r o r i n time, i t i s very possible t h a t the-balloon could have passed
d i r e c t l y over the observer, (See inclosed overlay. )

The fact t h a t i t could be observed a t 30,000 ft, i s probably due to

t h e f a c t t h a t the - m n caused the balloon t o glow,

The o b j e c t observed by the source uaa very possibiy a Rawinsonde balloon

launched from F a i r f a x Airport,
@ Ft. Leavonworth, Kansas

-
Fairfax A i r p o r t

Path of B d o o n

Kanses C f t j r
OV&Y O r i<kYSAS CITY LOCAL A X 3 C!'S.'i"
 Washiwton. D, C. Area - 1 2 F e b a r v 195a

On 1 2 February 1952, two KATS p i l o t s f- a C-47 on a l o c d f l i g h t observed

a b r i g h t white o b j e c t ~ h i c ha?peared to be a t 7,500 f t , 4a 8,500 f t . and about
one-sixth the size of a r i s i q noon.

The o b j e c t was observed h d c e . The f i r s t t i n e a t 2030 EST, the C-47 w a s

between Baltimore and B a l t 5 m r e Friendship Birport. The o b j e c t was estimated
t o be e i g h t t o t e n miles away traveling s ' l o ~ ~ lfyo r a moment but then accelerated
v e r y r a p i d l y and disappeared southwest or iiashhgton, D, C,

The second t i n e the o b j e c t uas observed w a s a t about -0 EST, t h e C-47

was about ten n i l e s south of Baltimore a t the t i n e , The o b j e c t appeared to
approach \lashington from the south and e a s t , makdn~a l e f t t u r n toward the
c i t y , h'hen it was within two o r three n i l e s ZSE of Washin&n, it appeared
to hover f o r about one n i a u t e and then it disappeared.
In both instances the o b j e c t w a s obsemed f o r two o r three minuha,

The d e s c r i p t i o n of t h i s incident i s v e r y similar t o the one reported on

28 December 1951 t h a t proved to be a helicopter c- experimental lighti-.
However, checks on l o c a l t r a f f i c did n o t r e v e a l a helicopter i n t h e a r e a on
this dah,

XI, CONCLUSIoNs

UNCLASSlEJED.
 '1Ws re?ort contclned a pI~otogrs>hof very unl~sualobjects. The source,
an Li7 Zsntx?.n, .stated that he was a t t e r a p t i n g a ' phobgraph circle.'. tnzt he
observ.;:rl.n c a r s r z ? n l ) , ~ w . The ncirclen disappeared bit he took a p i c h r e anyvsy.
Upon dcvelonit~g, or having the negatives developed, two circular objects, si::xi2.sr
in ap?earancc to tne ;lanet, Saturn, were noticed.

tion on of the negative under a microsco,p showed that the i m p s on

the print were caused.by t v o d a w g e d s p o t s on the n e ~ a t i v e . The cause of those
darwed s-mts is un;,norm but i t ap>eared t h s t t'ne e d s i o n had been hcakrl or
b n e d as i t vas bro~nish3.n color. l%e spots could also have been due to
something touching the enulsion uiiile it was s t i l l in a gelatin state.

The -3s on the ?rll%,ere due to danqed spots on the negative.

 SECURITY
INFORMATION

STATUS REPORT

PROJECT BLUE BOOK - REPORT NO. 6

FORMERLY PROJECT GRUDGE

PROJECT NO. 100.73

30 APRIL 1952

A I R TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE
DAYTON. OHIO

COPY NO. 32
 1. Information conflicting w i t h or p e r t i n e n t l y affectirrg
t h a t c o n t a i n e d i n t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n s h o u l d be forwarded by t h e
r e c i p i e n t d i r e c t l y to:

Chief, Air T e c h n i c a l I n t e l l i g e n c e C e n t e r
Wright-Patterson Air F o r c e B a s e
Dayton, Ohio

This i n n o way a b r o g a t e s o r a l t e r s r e ~ p o n s i b i l i t yfor s e n d i n g

s u c h information or any pertinent i n t e l l i g e n c e d a t a through
a l r e a d y e s t a b l i s h e d i n t e l l i g e n c e c o l l e c t i o n c h a r l n e l s of t h e
v o t i o u s s e r v i c e s o r a g e n c i e s of t h e U. S. goveriuncnt.

2. WARNING: T h i s docunrent c o n t a i n s information sf-

f e c t i n g t h e n a t i o n a l d e f e n s e o f t h e United S t a t e s within t h e
meaning o f t h e E s p i o n a g e L a w , T i t l e 18, U.S.C., S e c t i o n s 793
a n d 794. I t s translmission o r t h e r e v e l a t i o n of i t s c o n t e n t s i n
say manner t o an unauthorized person i s prohibited by law.
 AUTK: CO, ATIC ,
BY: E.J. RUPPELTE
1st Lt, USBF

Thie r e p o r t i s the s i x t h of a s e r i e s of monthly s t a t u s reports of Project

Blue Book. Each r e p o r t is [.mitten on o r near the l a s t day of the nonth and
w i l l contain a l i s t of all incidents reported during the nonth covered by' the
report. The reports t h a t a r e considered outstanding w i l l be fllmnarized in the
appendices of the r e p o r t so t h a t more d e t a i l s can be presented. The o v e r a l l
s t a t u s of the project w i l l be presented.

Any additional information may be obtained on any incident by d i r e c t i n g

requests to Chief, A i r Technical Intelligence Center, A t t n : ATUI$-2c, U r i g h t
Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

The s e c u r i t y c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of t h i s r e p o r t i s Secret due only ta the in-

closure of reports t h a t were c l a s s i f i e d Secret by the originating agency and
due ta the f a c t that a l l i e d infornation pertaining t o the project ia Secret.
The c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of each separate incident i s noted with the incident,
 STATUS OF mOJECJ BLLX BOO2

A Briefing of the 'Civilian Saucer Investigationsw

On the evening of 2 kril 1952, a c i v i l i a n group who a r e i r t e r e s t e d in

the investigation of reports of unidentified a e r i a l objects w a s briefed on a l l
o f t h e unclassified aspects of the project. T h i s group c o n s i s t s of employses
of the North h r i c a n Aircraft, Inc., Aerophysics Laboratory, and several non-
technical persons, The organization i s not, hwever, o f f i c i a l l y a f f i l i a t e d
with t h e a i r c r a f t company, The majority of t h i s group are q u a l i f i e d engineers
and a r e working on missile developments,
The purpose of the briefing was to familiarize t h i s group with the p a s t
h i s t o r y and present operations of the project. It i s believed t h a t these people
w i l l possibly receive reports of unidentified a e r i a l objects from c i v i l f a n sowces
t h a t might not be regorted .to the Bir Force. They are a l s o i n contact with other
c i v i l i a n groups in the United S t a t e s 'that a r e c o l l e c t i n g similar reports.

Although this group i s f i n a n c i a l l y unable to conduct any large-scale

investigations, l i a i s o n has been established so t h a t the Air Force w i l l be
advised of spy outstanding reports they receive.

B, Vfsft to Rand, I~c;

A group of Rand, Inc,, personnel were briefed on 4 A p r i l 1952, Although
Rand, Inc,, f s not associated with the project i n any way,, sone of the s c i e n t z s t s
are personally interested and have been follokring the s t a t u s of the project,
After the briefing, various aspects of the project were discussed, among them
t h e use of a d i f f r a c t i o n grating canera to obtain the spectrum of objects t h a t
rmay be obsemed, 811 of the group concurred t h a t this would be an i n e x p e n s i ~ e
.method of obtaining nore d e f i n i t e data.
The status of the Rand study on the s a t e l l i t e rocket was a l s o discussed.

C. Status of Diffraction Grating Canera

The s t a t u s of the proposed diffraction grating canera was discussed w i t h

Dr, J. Kaplan of UCLA on 2 April 1952, Dr. Kaplea used a laboratory s e t u p to
demonstrate how the grating will function, Suitable gratings have been found
and i t i s believed t h a t they can be reproduced f o r f'ron $15 t o $20 each, Althowh
these gratings axe not of h i o h quality, they u i l l be good enough to give t h e
results t h a t a r e hoped f o r , Testa are now being conducted to caternine how
inexpensive a lena can be used ta give the l i g h t gathering power and d e f i n i t i o n
needed to obtain a s a t i s f a c t o r y photograph, The i n t e n s i t y of the full moon is
being used as *the standard b r i l l i a n c e " f o r the tests,
 Suggestions have been nade f o r incorporatin5 devices i n t o t h e c m r a s o
t h a t t h e azimuth, e l e v a t i o n and p a s s i b l y the t e n p e r a t m e of the source can be
measured. The ~rimaryf a c t o r s in dsternining whether o r n o t t h e s e extza devices
can be included- are the c o s t and the f a c t they will som?lizate t h e o p e r a t i o n
and maintenance of t h e cameras,

D, V i s i t of Look Magazine Reporter

O n 25-26 &ril 1952, a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of b k Magazine visited ATIC to
obtain m a t e r i a l f o r a forthcoming magazine a r t i e l . e ,
Em S t a t u s of U t i l i z a t i o n of Radar Scope Caneras
On 21 B p r i l 1952, a l e t t e r was forwarded to Bir Defease Co-d requesting
t h e l o c a t i o n of all BDC radar s i t e s t h a t have o p e r a t i o n a l r a d a r scope caneras and
those sites t h a t have caneras , b u t do n o t yet have them o p r a t i o n a l . Uhen this
information i s received, a r e q u e s t w i l l be made to p u t all or part o f t h e s e
cameras on a &hour a l e r t b a s i s ,

Although this w i l l n o t provide d e f i n i t e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of radar r e t u r n s ,

it w i l l a i d in determining whether o r n o t t h e r e t u r n i s due to weather phenoiuena,
a m a l f b c t i o n of the s e t or. a r e t u r n from sone u n i d e n t i f i e d object. A photograph
of t h e exact s i z e and shape of t h e return will then be a v a i l a b l e for s t u d y and
t h e impression of the operator need n o t be r e l i e d upon,

F, Confiractor Status

The c o n t r a c t u a l agreements w i t h f o r fur

nfshing a i d i n conducting t h i s projec+. hhave been f i n a l i s e a , A t the p r e s e n t tfms
t h e s e people a r e formulating a standard questionnaire which vill eon- a l l data
p e r t i n e n t to a sighting. There have been s e v e r a l such questionnaires used in the
p a s t , The good points of each will be combined to give a new, more c ~ m p l e t e
system of obtaining information,

G, Reaction to L i f e Magazine A r t i c l e

On 4 April 1952, Life l4agiizZqe publisned an ex+&nsive article e n t i t l e d ,

"Have We V i s i t o r s From Spaceln This a r t i c l e created a g r e a t d e a l of i n t e r e s t in
t h e s u b j e c t of m i d e n t f l i e d a e r i a l o b j e c t s , During t h e period o f 3 April to
6 April 1952, approximately 350 d a i l y newspapers in all p a r t s of t h e United
S t a t e s c a r r i e d some mention of t h e a r t i c l e and sone mention o f t h e fact that
tbe Alr Force w a s i n t e r e s t e d in receiving such r e p o r t s ,

rt should be noted here t h a t t h e conelusions reached b;r Life are n o t

those o f the Air Force, No s o o f exists t h a t these o b j e c t s a r e fram outer
spece,
 ~NCUCC~~.
ATIC received apqroximately 110 l e t t e r s d i r r - r & a d to the a r t i c l e . *The
l e t t e r s a r e divided -kg those t h a t o f f e r theories a; to the o r i g i n of the
o b j e c t s a s well a s those reporting objects. The l e t t e r s offering theories
comprise about 20 percent of the t o t a l . Although it c a m o t be s t a t e d that t h e
t h e o r i e s a r e incorrect, a majority of then cannot be f'urther evaluated since
they have very l i t t l e s c i e n t i f i c basis. The l e t t e r s which reported s i g h t i n g s
comprised about 80 percent of the total. A l l b u t a few of these l e t t e r s r e
ported sighting t h a t occurred within the l a s t two years. The writers of these
l e t t e r s ranged from ryrstics to highly educated individuals.

All l e t t e r s have been ac'howledged.

It h a been reported t h a t Life llagazine has received 700 l e t t e r s in
response t o the a r t i c l e .

I. REPORTS OF SPECIFIC INCIDENTS

A, Inclosed Sumnary Ust of Incidents

The inclosed l i s t of incidents i s (1) a summary of a l l i n c i d e n t s

reported during the period 1April 1952 t o 30 April 1952; and (2) those ip-
aidents reported i n S t a t u s Report No, 5, dated 31 March 1952, which are still
pen- or have been closed during the month.
 -. SlGHTlNGS OF UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS 1
! i ALTITUDE
DATE TIME LOCATION i OESCRIPTIOL OF INCIDENT SPEED
I
'

, _ , (Local)
____------- '
- j I

1 I
8 J,,, 51 ' 162 ' Palmer, Alreka Sources oboened l n n r tubs-like, b r l r b 'blua object, n a u the s e t t l n g sun. During I 30 1

I
Snsr.1 c 1 N i . u h n n i b l y n o u e s n m e n a incMant '

I the o b s n n t i a n t h e obJact ¶bi:ted b o a horiaontdl t o a v e r t i c a l p s l t l a ~ . t o matting run.

_
; (Confldantial)

i 16 J." 52 :- 1 Artorla, A. U0x.i hro obJactn obsorved near m S b h m k " b. h n . ( C o d l d s n t i a l ) (see A~psrdlxI ) b0Ssc.

1
I
n J A 12
~ j 10202 I
1
urn*. Aleaka
.
I
]
Rndar r e t u r n f r o = both ~ u n ad d airb. 1"s radar.
(Secret) (Sea Appshilx 11)
s i c h t i n p were m t . j m u l ~ r , ~ ~ ; n . 1 opn~rs / pading. s e a ~ p p n 11.
d ~

1 Unaxplslned a x p l n ~ i o h so r e a r t h t r s n c r (Restricted) Baliered to ba of a e l a w l o g l c a l

orlgin.

tA jbOo I . P o e s i b b c o m a n t l o n a l 1/c.

I
I
SLockton, ~ a 1 l r . i h o a ~ r u a f tp i l o t s obw-d
a l t i t u d e o r ./a.
a b j e c t de Cibed as m b o o m t t v a heerliieht-
CbJert a e m l e r a t a d a climbed after c r c s r l n ~path of
! P o s s l h i l l t y of a k a r a l r c r r f t ln &ran 1 b ~ ~ a t l v aNo
I
Radar Banb Scarin. Orruo obaemed uma 11radar r e b r r e - b i l l ~ L t e ~
bomb run. ( S e e m t )
. radar mtsxms.
.t a m e
a/e.
(kcret)

~t ot is cna ~
re
- I- /- I MO oonclurlona.

Pending
NO i n v e s t i g a t i o n
due to t h e lapas s i n e s report.

23 rob 52 02152
07232
1 367l'N -
8wT; UTS cra- ohaervad t h r e e b r i v \ t r b l t s
lbdltarracean nearer the s i r c r s t t . (Canfidentlal)
ashes of llht. Each r u e m s s i n f l a s h -as -
02317

1110
/

i
Aroa

Albany. N. 1. 1I hro air e

trall obenad.
m b e t flflr? 7,
(Eaatrlcbd)
hi.+ a d .my f a s t . mPencil-tVnm v a p r
I
3-5 Very Righ

I(
l- I
*&tween rt.

1 I
Pndar opsmtor o r 8-3 a/c picired up r d s r t i f l e d object. o b j e c t approached 8-27 3 x 0-29 loser t h m 8-R Radar O b s n s r ! Roturn r.0 p m b a b l ~due tO
StackLon ard a t three t h e a 8-29's a p a d . (Con*14e,dal) i n t e r f e r e n c e o f radar s l t h .ma
Peme, Texas
25," n.
part o r the 8-29. E r a l u r t l o n
I - - f m n radar o c o p ~?~otom.
High

- / War O b ~ s n a r s
i V a r y probably unId.ntifhd
cornentiad .Ic.
PAGE 2 I52-137F;
7. .-- -
 SlGHTlNGS OF UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS

b r p e m t e r r - l i k e nb!+rt ma. aecn t r a v e l i n . a c ~ o s wt h e a*y a t hi-h s p c l .

hail Lra:l. (ConT:le .t!al)
ObJccL 9 Sac. - High O b J ~ c tn a a,,;ornntly e l a r ~ s
flrai.lll. ibnr7rta or8 t h l ~object
r a r e rnc.riv?l lrol r;l over Terar
Altronnscrr h e l l r v 9 I t wrrs o
f~re'bnll.

3 Aor 52 0&;5 LL,ra:.a, Arl r n ~

yr-,> -- Civilians

1133

?..C
5 r,rl.a rhsorvd r s e t a n ~ ~ l a br j e c t a h l i t r i r e
(icstrlctad)
C47.

? r w c o r oheorvrd lnr-n k i t e oSlecL *yLrn&klngm throuph t h o sry.

CbJect a .lLLe: r h l b 9 y r i . r .

ha t r a l l o b s e n s d .
I - 1 - I-: - Civilian
I tb I n ~ c ~ t 1 1 ~ ; l t i nL>ck
LO C O ~ .C.L1"8 .
n . of data.

h o l > a h l j lhtuo nntepr o r f i r e b a l l . ,

break (kn~trlctd) Sororal ro nrrLb of a h l l a r object

I / I
fro- 'lI3souri em! Tennssscs.

,
I

D)O+lxa Object o>worc.l to bo -c-26 r l t b o u t r l n j z m . ( R s s t r l r t e d ) 1 N. - cmerei lio c a n c l u s I o ~ . b c k of data.

I

2073 Unider.tirlod radar return. (:ecreL) Prnllng. I

1
h o crews 9hs*r7d dibc-: object. Ajwrdlx N ) (Rsr~rlctcd) Padlne. (Sen A p p n l l x I7.)
r:r)o T-1,:
j

I 1
2325 Lbs. r l > t i n t l ~ L ~ i l LO
a r lujo
meteor or fir01~811.
I
' 10 Apr 52 2513 it. budowlrl*,
Y.8.
Sawce ot3amod a l l i ? t i c a l s ! ~ n s ?t?:llI.anLly
a t hi$ ap-04. (Rvtrccted!
i l l u - . I ~ t e d a b l v - l .ILhout t r a i l rnorlng 270' E x - l o Dos,:rIptl, n a:-dln r b lnrdo
matsnr a t r l r e b a l l
1
12 Apr 52 2733 North Edr, LnL. Cnn hr?rLIt n . : b r +t,c was r e , p r t - d tr; hem ten# I n t o crier frnn L'a lnuthrest and aored
arrnar Lhn RUF a i r r l e l l , I t tt.en ~ t : l p p ? d ,revcraed i t a d l r a c t : - r , awl disapysarcd.
2e0 A U F Personnel Pending aldltl.,n illron&¶tlon. i
(PosLricrel)

P o w e ? s e n s r s abrcrr* c i r r u l q r 05Jnct DYOT a t a t i o n , 0bln.t t r n v o l d a t hiph a ~ d See Appertllx V.

a d M ~ . Can atrrc?t trun. (Con~lerrl:al)

Paurca r o y r t a . ! c5rorvinc ( i r a t o s i x cb:::taI n r o r a e t i a o . Cb;r-!5 core y s l l o r i a h - Hiah Sao Appodix V:.

r?Itn. >\or c a w InLc r l c r frcn the . ~ . t asde a star? Lurn t- Lba 57:R ud
d i a a p p a r r d . (Secret) ( I c e A p p r d i x V:.)

Cb4erL mas c1rcul.r r r 3 b r i l l l a a t white, :,r, tLncs the s l r r o r t ' a b r l o h k s t pla-ct. 20 Ser. None Hirh I.a.iIor?rrIa ball-on ( u n l l r t i t r d ) ,
Ric o b j e c t was f1r.L n i ~ ' l w do*arhead. I t L r & s l m i a e ~ r 8 i v . t r..urao aL k l q h a m d . East I neLa rt s~a n. aor.rlf
ras r a l ~.ri,oe
l , L l loo~r . I n '
I t r a a on an o r l r i n a l heading of l W o b u t nede a 130' Lurn a . 4 I ~u? zreciprocal
hon.3Inc. ( R n ~ t r l c t d ) Poaalbly bnlloan but no d a r M t r
concluslorta. S p a d mIghL bo duo
ba i l l u a l a n o f * m e tr#.
 On 16 January 1952, two members of a balloon project from the General I t L l l . ~
Aeronautical Research Laboratory and four other c i v i l i a n s observed two unidenti-
fied.a e r i a l objects in the v i c i n i t y of the balloon they weri observing, The
balloon was a t an a l t i t u d e of ll2,000 f t . and .was U O f t , in dianeter a t the
t i m e of the observation.
The objecta E r e observed thee, once from ' k b s i a , New lkxieo, and once
from the Artesia A i r p o r t . In the f i r s t instance, one round object appeared
to re- notionless in the vicinity, but apparently higher, than the balloon,
The balloon appeared to be I+ inches i n diameter and the objeet 2& inches in
dfaneter ( r a t i o 3s5) and the color vas a d u l l vhfte, This observation uaa
made by t h e two General P i l l s observers.

A short t i n e l a t e r the game two observers and four c i v i l i a n p i l o t s were

observing the balloon from the Artesia Airport, Tuo objects a t apparently
extremely high altitude were noticed coming toward the balloon from the
northwest. n e y circled the balloon, o r a p p r e n t l y so, and flew off to the
northeast, The t i n e of observation was about 40 seconds, The two objects
vete tbe sane color and s i z e as the f i r s t object, They were flying s l d e b y -
side, When the objzcts appeared b c i r c l e the balloon, they disappeared and
the observers assuned they were disc-shaped and had turned on edge to bank,

STATUS OF INVESTIGATION
Unfortunately this report w a s not made u n t i l 5 April and a d not reach
ATIC u n t i l 16 &rile Due to t h i s time lapse, no flrrther investigation i a
'contemplated. The observers are known to be very r e l i a b l e and experienced,
 Nenana, Alaska 22 January 1.952

1. DESCRIPTION OF INCIDZITT

A t 10202 on 22 Jan- 1952, a radar statior, a t lIurphyVsDone, Alaska,

ob6erved an unidentified radar return, The t a r g e t was going away from the
s t a t i o n on an azimuth of =O0, a t a speed of about1500 nph when f i r s t o b s e m d
b u t appeared to reverse i t s directfon and returned toiiard the s t a t i o n , The s e t
w a s adjusted so t h a t the t a r g e t could be observed a s it closed i n on the s t a t i o n
but a f t e r t h i s chanke was made the t a r g e t was no longer observed, Seven mimtes
later ( a p p r o x h t e l y 10302) the t a r g e t w a s again obsemed, however, a t about its
o r i g i n a l location, and again 'going away f r o a the s t a t i o n , J u s t before it faded
it appeared to be nalcing a t u r n back toward the s t a t i o n ,
A t 10302 an F-94 was airborne to search f o r the object, A t t h i s time the
o b j e c t was going away from the s t a t i o n a t a high rate of speed so the F-94 was
t o l d to o r b i t , About this time the ground s t s t i o n l o s t c o n k c t w i t h t h e object
b u t continued ta k a c k the F-94.
A t about llOOZ as the F-94 was approaching ITe-a (near Fdrbanks) the ,
radar observer in the F-91, observed two targets, one faht and one bright,
The a i r c r a f t was a t 30,000 f t , and the t a r g e t was a t 25,000 f t , The t a r g e t s
crossed from r i g h t to l e f t and appeared ta be travel.% slowly and as the F-94
approached the t a r g e t a high rate of closure was indicated, The contact was
l o s t a t a range of 200 yards,

Approximately one hour l a t e r , again near Nenana, another contact tias made
by the F-91;. In this instance t h e , t a r g e t was kept dead ahead and l e v e l , When
the t a r g e t was a t a range of 200 yards, t h e ' p i l o t pulled up and the t a r g e t v&
l o s t . The r a t e of closure during the run was 100 knots even though tha F-94

.
had f l a p s down. No -other contacts were made and the aircraft was released a t
12102
During the two airborne contacts the F-94 waa being backed by the ground
s t a t i o n b u t the .object was not being picked up,

The veather was e l e a r but no v i s u a l sighting was niade, On the same night,
the same crew had v i s u a l l y i d e n t i f i e d a C-54, a C-47, and a s m a l l e i v i l i a n
a i r c r a f t fiom 300 to 500 yards, There were no clouds in the sky but it was
a dark night.
k malftmctions were found in e i t h e r radar set,
 . STAmS OF INVESTICATION
Beport is being studied by the Electronics Branch of ATID.
111. COrJCLusIoNS

Peading.
 SECRET
UNC~~~F\En

penson. Arizona - -3.1 1952

On 3 April 1952 a t 0815 MST, three c i v i l i a n AF' p I l o t instrmctors and several

other people observed an object f'rom the Benson, Arizona, a h p o r t , The object
w a s about the s i z e of a b r i g h t star but was prominent enough to be continually
observed (i.8. not necessary to scan the sky to find i t ) ,
A t 0823 BST, one of the i n s t r u c t o r s b k a fix on the object by s i t t i n g in
a T-6 and sighting across the canopy with the a i r c r a f t on a magnetic h e a d i q of
255' a t the tine. Fixes were taken a t i n t e r v a l s u n t i l O9L$ a t which time the
o b j e c t disappeared. The object did not nove during the 51 minu% period, How
t h e o b j e c t disappeared i s ndt known a s one of the observer's a t t e n t i o n w a s d i e
*acted f o r about 15 seconds and when he looked up the object vaa gone.

One o f the Instructors flew a T-6 up to 13,500 ft, in an attempt to b e t t o r

observe the object, however, there a s no r e l a t i v e change fn the size.
Several cadets flying T-6sa in the 'mea also observed the object,

TI, STATUS OF !lXE INVESTIWTION

The excellent forethought of the i n s t r u c b r to k k e continual f i x e s on th9

o b j e c t has eliminated the p o s s i b i l i t y of the object being an a i r c r a f t o r bal1.oon
since no motion was observed. In addition, an investigation was wide and it was
determined that there were no balloons I n the area.

It l a possible t h a t the object w a s a b r i g h t planet, This i s doubtf'ul,

however, since-a planet would appear to move some I n 51 mirmtes.

The a p p r o x h a b elevation of the f i x has been requested, In the o r i g i n a l

r e p o r t it w a s given as wtuo inches above the canopyn, This angle w i l l depend
on height of the p i l o t , height of seat, etc. When this information i s received,
a nearly exact fix can be obtained and known astronomical bodies checked.
 A t approxhately U 3 0 CST on 9 April 1952, a C-46 crew observed an o b j e c t
between Shrevepor,t, la., and Barksdale AF'B, The C-46 was,at 9,000 f t , on a
heading of 90°. The objeet, which ameared to be disc-shaped, erean-colozed
and 30 fa 4.0 f e e t in diameter was ahead of the a i r c r a f t a t an estimated altitude
of 4,000 f t . and coming d i r e c t l y toward it, \hen the objeet was some distance
ahead of the C-46, it appeared to turn into the e a s t e r l y wind, It passed under
the C-46, over Barksdale BFB, and elinbed into the overcast which was at12,000 ft.

Fifteen minutes l a t e r another C-46 observed a simflar object f i v e a h miles

north of Barksdale. It appeared b be at U,000 f t , and w a s disappearing on a
n o r t h e r l y heading,

F-84's from Barksdale were alerted and a t t e q t e d an i n t e r c e p t with negative

results.
I STATUS OF INVESTIGATION

A Rawinsonde balloon was scheduled f o r 1anncU.q a t 1 5 0 0 CST, The d e s c r i p

t i o n of the object and i t s maneuvers a r e sonewhat similar to previous r e p o r t s
t h a t were possibly balloons, However, i f the tine of aighting i s c o r r e c t and
the balloon w a s launched on schedule, the object was probably not a balloon,
 Noriarity. Nerr Mexico - 1 3 b r i l 1952

I. DESCRIPTION OF INCIDE?,lT
On 13 A p r i l 1952 a t 16.45 MST, four airnen observed a s i l v e r , asc-.shaped
o b j e c t e a s t of Fnriarity, New Mexico, The object appeared to be traveling a t
a high r a t e of speed and i t s m g h t path w a s very e r r a t i c . The o b j e c t was
assumed to be .disc-shaped due to the f a c t t h a t i t appeared ta t i p edgewise, and
disappear f o r an instant. When f i r s t notices, the object was thought to be a
high flying j e t a i r c r a f t but all the observers are f a d l i a r w i t h j e t a i r c r a f t
and they all agreed t h a t i t s speed and maneuverability eliminated t h a t p o s s i b i l i t y ,
The time of observation was judged fo be h n four t o ten minutes.

11. STATUS OF I L ! T I G A T I o N
Both l b r i a r i t y , New Mexico, and Albuquerque have radar b u t no unusual r e t u r n s
were noted on 13 April,
A p i b a l l balloon was rele'ased from Ukquerque a t UOO MST, !he vinds,
h o ~ ~ e v e rwould
, have carried this balloon south of l - b r i a r i t y , In addition, t h e
balloon would have r i s e n too high to be observed a f t e r two hours and 45 minutes.
It i s possible the balloon leaked and leveled off a t a low a l t i t u d e , howevor,
it would have been south of the observation point, The a p e d and maneuvers do
n o t c o r r e l a t e w i t h a normal balloon's d r i f t except f o r tbe p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t there
might heve been some strong winds a t the time, Tbie cannot be ascertained and '

t h e o b j e c t m u s t remain unidentified,

UI, CONCLUSIONS
1 DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT
lbis incident is c i t e d not so much because it i s outstanding but because of
the excellent attempt a t Sden-g the object by ADC units.

2C115 CST: Civilian telephoned f i g h t e r operations of,Truax Field fa

r e p o r t that he had just sighted a formation of yellowish-
w h i t e -Ughts traveling a t a high r a t e of speed on a heading
of woo

2020 CST: Fighter operations called AC and W Squadron, The radar vas
closed down f o r preventive naintenance but vas operational
vithin three minutes. A f l i g h t of F-80's vere directed t o
investigate and returned v i t h negative r e s u l t s . A f l i g h t of
F-86'~ w e r e s e n t to 30,000 ft., also returned with negative
resalts.
In addition ta t h i s the AC and W SqPadron Intelligence Officer checked all
airJ3.118 f l i g h t s and checked t w o observatories f o r any unusual astronomical dia-
m. R e s u l k vere negative,
11, STATUS OF INVESTIGATION
It is possible that the observer saw e i t h e r the F-80's or F-86's over Madison,
since they =re in the area, however, the source repor- no soands. The objects
were also reported ta have turned very sharply and climbed a t a high r a t e of
speed, Jet aircraft far enough away not to be heard vould normally not appear
to make a sharp turn and fast W.

Source possibly observed j e t a i r c r a f t in area and the apparent high speed and
rate of c l A b was an i l l u s i o n ,
 Bethesda. Maryland - 18 A ~ r i l
I. DESCRIPTION OF IIICIDSNT

Four c i v i l i a n s reported that they observed a V-fornation of *on 7 to 9

l i g h t s traveling north over Bethesda, k r y l a n d , a t 0130 EST on 18 April 1952,

The included angle of the formation o r "VS1 was estinated to be uO,There

was one l i g h t a t the apex and three to four in each leg, Each l i g h t appeared
to be orange-yellow, c i r c u l a r , and to occupy 1 5 percent of the total length
of the leg.
The fornation, o r object, was f i r s t sighted a t ag elevation of about 600
in the south and disapLmared behind some t r e e s a t 60 in the north. The total
time of observation w a s *om four to e i g h t seconds and there w a s no sound,

AlJ. four observers were interrogated and t h e i r accounts of the incident

were sinilar, They s t a t e d t h a t they had n o t seen the Life Magazine a r t i c l e
describing t h e Lubbock incident p r i o r to the sighting,
STATUS OF IFWESTIGATION
The p o s s i b i l i t y of j e t a i r c r a f t i n the area was checked, A similar r e p o r t
of l i g h t fornations d i d turn o u t to be very probably a EL45 type a i r c r a f t ,
however, no j e t s were known t o be in t h e area a t the time of t h i s incident.
Comment by NICAP on Report No. 6:

In Appendix 111 t o Report No. 6 , a sighting a t Benson,

Arizona on 3 April 1952 is d e s c r i b e d (p. 107); i n t h e Tables
for Report No. 6 (p. 1 0 2 ) , t h i s case is l i s t e d a s having taken
p l a c e at Marana , Arizona. T h e s e two l o c a l i t i e s a r e a good d i s -
t a n c e a p a r t , with B m s o n a b o u t 50 miles ESE of T u c s o n , a n d
Marana 20 m i l e s N W o f ' ~ u c s o n .

It h a s been pointed out t h a t s i n c e there is n o airport

at Benson, nor h a s there been in t h e p a s t , t h e correct l o c a l e for
this sighting probably is Marana, where a l a r g e airport& l o c a t e d
a n d w a s u s e d during t h e Korean W a r for training purposes.
 STATUS REPORT

PROJECT BLUE BOOK - REPORT NO. 7

FORMERLY PROJECT GRUDGE

PROJECT NO. 10073

31 M A Y 1952

AIR TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER

W R I G H T - P A T T E R S O N AIR F O R C E B A S E
D A Y T O N . OHIO

---
COPY NO.. 33 '
T52-11949
 1st Lt, USN

This r e p o r t i s t h e seventh of a s e r i e s of m~ithlystatus reports of Project

Blue Book. Each r e p o r t i s written on o r n e w the last day of the ~ m n t hend
will contain a l i s t of all incidents repr+& during tihe month c ~ v e r s d the
report. The r e p a r t s that are considered o u t s ~ m d i n gKfll be summarized in the
appendices of t h e r q o r t so t h a t mre d e t a i l s can be presented. The overdl
status of the p r o j e c t w l l l be presented.

Bqy additional information may be obtained ~n any incident by djreeting

requests to Chief, Air TechnieaJ Intelligence Center, A t i n : ATXBtlnS9 W r i g h t
Patterson ;:ir Force Bas% Ohio.

Tho s e c u r i t y c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of t h i s r e p o r t is Secret dus' only tn the in-

closure of reports t h a t were c l s s s i f i e d Secret by the originating agency snd
due to the f a c t t h a t a l l i e d information pertaining t o th3 project is Secret,
The c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of each separate incident is, noted w i t h t h e jncident,
 STATUS OF PROJECT BLUE BOOK

I. OVERALL STATUS
A. Briefings on Project Blue Book

On 8 and 9 May 1952, three briefings were given on R o j e c t Blue Book

in Washington, v, C. The people briefed included Secretary of Air Finletter,
Major General Samford and Brig General Ackennan of the Dirbctorate of Intelli-
gence, Brig General Maxwell of the Research and Development Board, and members
of the Office of Naval Research.
B. Field 1nvestigat.ione
D u r i n g the month of May 1952, two f i e l d investigations were nade.

1. 20124 May 1952 - George LUr Force Base, Calif.

2. 21 Hay 1952 - Pan Areerican crew a t New Pork, New Pork

C. V i s i t by ~ e ~ r e s e n c a t i vof
e the ONR

A representative of the Office of Naval Research v i s i t e d AT16 on

28 May 1952. The purpose of the v i s i t was t o discuss the operation of Project
Blue Baok and to determine what aid, if any, the ONR conld offer. It was
decided t h a t a t the present time the Navp could best a s s i s t the A i r Force by
publishing same type of d i r e c t i v e pertaining to reports of unidentified a e r i a l
objects. A l i a i s o n with the OK3 was a l s o established so t h a t any contacts with
t h e Navy can be expeditiously handled. (Action on the above Navy d i r e c t i v e has
been started.)

D. RCAF I n t e r e s t i n Project Blue Book

Two RCAF personnel, nenbers of the Mrectorate of S c i e n t i f i c I n t e l U -

gence, Defense Research Board of Canada, v i s i t e d R o j e c t Blue Book a t AT16 on
l4 May 1952. Canada i s s e t t i n g up a project very similar to the U.S. Air
Force p ~ o j e c tf o r the investigation of reports of unidentified a e r i a l objects.
The RCAF people were -briefed on the operations of the project and the difficul-
t i e s t h a t have been encountered, and the proposed future plans were discussed.

Action i s being taken to e s t a b l i s h channels f o r c o d c a t i o n s between

the Canadian and U.S. project personnel.

E. Current Directive f o r Reporting Sightings

On 29 d p r i l 1952, A i r Force Letter 200-5, Subject: Reporting of Un-

i d e n t i f i e d Flying Objects w a s published. This AFL states the c h m e l e to be
used in reporting, types of reports to be made, and the infornation to be
inc3,uded in reports, Although t h i s D L has only been i n e f f e c t a month,
excellent r e s u l t s in timely r e ~ r t i n ghave already become evident,

Fo Information on Balloon Releases

A l a r g e mount of detailed h f o r n a t i o n on the release of weather sound-
ing balloons has been received from the & Weather Service, The information
includes the ti-s, locations, and types of balloons launched d a i l y i n the
United States. This infomation has been plotted on a map and incorporated
I n t o a card f i l e so t h a t it i s now possible to make a rapid check of all
sightings f o r the p o s s i b i l i t y of t h e i r being balloons,

Go Contractor Status
The c i v i l i a n contractor f o r Blue Book has finished a t e n t a t i v e ques-
tionnaire to be used i n interrogating observers, A great deal of time has
been spent in selecting and wording of the questions, Approxislately twelve
engineers and s c i e n t i s t s in varied f i e l d s have been consulted and have given
t h e i r comments on the forn, An e f f o r t has been made to word the questions eo
t h a t they a r e not "leadingin and so t h a t the maxinum amount of infornation may
be obtained. An astronomer and a psychologist w i l l be consulted next and after
t h e i r comments have been received the questionnaire w i l l be finalized,

The contractor, which i s a c i v i l i a n research i n s t i t u t e , has a l s o

established a panel of twelve s c i e n t i s t s and engineers, These people, all
s p e c i a l i s t s in c e r t a i n f i e l d s , can be called together a t the request of ATIC
t o discuss any pertinent reports, questions, or problem t h a t arise. I n the
past month, two neetings were held t o discuss the questionnaire,

H. Diffraction Grating Cameras

This phase of the project i s not being handled d i r e c t l y by Project
Blue Book and the exact s t a t u s i s unavailable a t the time of this report.

I U t i l i z a t i o n of ADC Scope Cameras

A request has been sent to A i r Defense Command asking them t o gut all
of the Type 0-15 Radar Scope Caneras on a &-hour a l e r t b a s i s eo t h a t any
unidentified radar returns may be photographed, These photographs, in con-
junction w i t h a special electronics questionnaire t h a t has been prepared by
ATIC, w i l l a i d in the i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e electronic obsemations.
J. Recent 'VMiragefW
Theories
Several theories on the p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t some sightings can be explained
as a type of mirage have been offered t o ATIC. These theories have been accepted,
as theories, and Kill be investigated. More details on the ideas have been
requested and as soon as they are received they w i l l be submitted %o the B l u e
Book civilian contractor's panel for analysis and @oments.
 SlGHTlNGS OF UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS dt 7
I
---- ----- - -- ----- - -- -r- - - ---T r-- - --- - - 1 -- - - ....-
LCNG~H I
i DATC : 7ltCE : ~c!CfillCN , GtSCRIFTI2% Gc lNC13EkT ! O F TZ'fE
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2 7b
. 52 : k s t h m Pacific '
1
MATS Crew obderved a b e t r w u e d h be a r e d rocket b r a t a t m e a t i m b d 5W f i e .
tb ~ r w ht g o r t h e e/c. (~onf~dential)
, I 5.W h. - MtS C m Delapd r e p r t . K t invnvaticrtion
d w ta t i m h , m e in report.
I
(
I
GU Yar 5Z1 n)
O Z : P a c i f i c Cwan ' 2luso pllh o f hits 84.. (bdidentill)
- ;
i
- I
1 - - I - ; YLTS Crsr No inve8ti;ation
in r a p r t .
due t o t h e lapse
I

15 Yu 52 1 I
w
'
lf,)O LIST, Cudla 'lt. b n p , Dull a I m i r ? ohjsct,
Nw u-rlco
~~
,
s h a m 1lh n a t t s m d o v a l a d u l a r a as
(Confidontlsl)
W finelage. - ' 15WX)O
m?h and
10,050 h. - , A? O f f i c e r No oonolusinru. h a r t too kk
t.0 l n v e q t l ~ o t a .
*tatlow-, I
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-
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23 52 1
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T&bn, fist. j arourd radar e i ~ h t ~ na -d I 4 v i s u a l e i a t i n e o f m e 3 of l i r h t . (~eaat)
I
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76 Knots , =,5= n d
25rm ft- ,I
We a d
W
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t G T
Mar Operator
O ~ NO O O M L U ~ O ~ .
I
I
I
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I 2 52 j ' bV-d, T-. ' slow wving n e t e o r l l k e o b j e c t with t r a i l of t h r e e e d b a l l 3 of W e . ( P a l t r i & d ) ' LO See. '- I - (
/
Po I-
I
IP O t f i w r
:
Tm cent l a p a of tlms to get
r c c u r a k date.
! 1- . ' 2,aM ft.
I
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I
: Tech Advlsor - Rosembln f i r e bell.
I
I
Illlour
,
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I Tremrdow -
Instrvctor
Mfiet ud mifa No conclusion.
i
OY5
w m I I I

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I
j m) 2 YYLI Vr,kLl: h m a l sources o b s e r ~ e dYlb obJect I n O t:ch r8lln.d a u t i c u y . (ie~bicL¶d) 52 M. B m d j Hi~h I Bomd AF P e r s o ~ a l Pandine.
-
I
AP W I

5 A p 52 \ a4 E ~ T : Uul. N. P o v d m . b p s Fs9sod across face o f !man. obJoiU wen c i r o c Y , dark, 0i.r.e

i m i s i b b a r c s p t when o u t l i n e d agalnat mon. (Confidential)
a n - I 90~ 1 c i r l ~ ~ w I NO conelusion.

A g 52
+j : iaa I moenix, Aria. ! nm. b.a,c i r o i h r abjecta of d u l l g a y w h r 4 t h m w ~ n ~ fim,
a, o r sooh.
I
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( 1/2 f a u - 1
, l q Comet /
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I

~ivilims I ~ ~ urn .rd t w n g

e F - eS ~ Iin 1
I I m r t h a t Um t h .

6 A p r 52 9
1
tt. Rod, t-
,
I
(~estricbd)
Omup of 50 or '15 p r j a h - w h i t e ohj2cts e h a p d llka r d i s e a d In formatian, ch.nghg '
I
FjO fUn. ! - 1 - I pD LOo - 1 - !
Civilian b conalusion.
I p s i t i o n r n ~ t m t l r . (Pastrictad) I 1
I
- wt - 1

I
I
7 A)P 52 (;zT h p h i a , Tem. I D s l r l i n e blu-ita obJect with r d l d b glm raw to? ard shnpoi l l k e w t b n bprket. Far 5ec. h o HHI Clrllh SW to f ~ r bs a l l o r netem.
I ,
l u much l a r g e r t?an a/c a t sane distance. (betricbded) nomercial
I
I I
akcraft
I I I I I ' I
h0o4w 1
~ p h L,OW rt. K L SJ AF p i l o t . P-GL 4 t h r e e silver+it.
. , , t a l l o o n . ran, i n the u e a r t t1.m. j
1
- - I I I

I 10 A p r 52
I
LLI
I
A&, -. /
Object traveled in h o r i m n t a l plnne. It a t 4 r U . out M l r Y c l 8 * m e a 1 M t l n n
r p l i t i n t o pnrls, a l l of eqnrrl b r i ~ h t n s a a . ( ~ e a * l c W )
I

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Cidlhrn '
i
Poaribly P Y e ball
I
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I 11 A r 52 1 l@j i Wash-ton, I*:
I
Streak of d8.p ornnm ca% t n n r d somces fmm the r e s t , turned m r t t m ~ td Could bs t h e vapor t r a i l o f M

I i I n d u c a d tha u&.s~nt. ( h s t r i c t e d ) I
I I
I
,
r l r c r a o tainr, s t r u c k by thm r r p
of the a e t t L y m.
I
I
u Offiwr Yo w n c l w i o ~ .

& Apr 52 ' - 1 kCmasa, l i r .

I
' h m r l l l i g h t cobred objects i n V folwtlon. (~nclasa~ied) Ai~llnsP i l o t , Ho conolwlora.
I b wmlurlo~.
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 Fa-, North Dakota - 25 b r i l 1%

1. DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT
Between 2100 and 2 l 4 5 hours on 25 April 1952, e i g h t observers reported
sighting unidentified flying d i s c s which appeared in a wide T1' formation.
There were 'five d i s c s per flight and a t o t a l of f i v e f l i g h t s a t e i g h t minute
i n t e r v a l s . The d i r e c t i o n of f l i g h t was consistently s o u t h . h north.

The formation w a s described a s a wide wT'',i r r e g u l a r or miore specifically,

sloppy, in t h a t the d i s c p i l o t s , i f such is the case, appeared to have trouble
maintaining constant speed and a l t i t u d e ,

The (hmimnding O f f i c g of Detachment 2, t,bZnd Ground Obsemer Squadron,

Fargo F i l t e r Center, Fargo, North Dakota, followed up the r e p o r t personally,
H e proceeded t o the top (10th f l o o r ) of the Black Building in Fargo, North
Dakota, a t about 2030 hours on 28 April 1952 equipped wit21 binoculars, high-
speed camera, telescope, etc., and awaited the q s t e r i p u s flights, P number
o f l o c a l c i t i z e n s shared his v i g i l w i t h him.

I CONCLZiS IONS

The unidentified d i s c s seen traveling very high and f a s t and of b r i g h t

red and orange color were i d e n t i f i e d by the above observers (11) a~ being
migrating mallard and teal ducks.
 Rio ee Janerio, Brazil - 7 Ilay. 1952

On 7 Msy 1952 two phohotographers of CnzeiTo.* Magazine i n Rio d6 Jylerio,

mail, r p o r t e d that they had photogra?hed a ' Y l y k g disc" a t a position 23
018 S, 43 26' 11, The object reportedly was in view one minute d u r i n g which
t h e f i v e photogra~hswere taken.

It approache2 i'rom the southeast, made a 180' turn and want out of s i g h t
toward t h e sea at What was described as high speed. The color of the o ~ j e c t .
.was blu-gray and it seemed to be over 1000 meters in altitude ~ n 3 amut twice
t h e size of a DG3,
11. STATUS OF THE INVESTIGATION

The photographers reportedly were asking $23,000 f o r the five negatives,

consequently, the negatives are not available f o r study,

Until the negatives are,analyzed; it is impossible to d r a w any definite

conclusions, It I s doubtfbl,that the pictures and a k r y are authentic,
 &ant10 Ocean - 8 Mas 1952

On 8 bay, approximately 600 n i l e s o f f the e a s t coast of the United S t s t s s ,

between Jacksonville, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia, the p i l o t and co-pilot
of Pan h e r i e a n Airline m i g h t 203, enroute San Juan f r o a New Y ~ r k , s i g h b d
three unidentified a e r i a l obaects. The objects were on a reciprocal heeding
of approximately 355' to 360 a t the same a l t i t u d e a s the a i r l i n e r .
The first o b j e c t resembled a landing l i g h t but was much whiter and about
t e n times as large. It was followed by two s l i g h t l y s n a l l e r orange o b j e c t s
v i t h tapering tails which were f'pinged with blue, These three round o b j e c t s
were equally spaced and between 1/8 and 1/4 mile off the l e f t wing,

STATUS OF THE INVESTIGATION

The sources were interrogated a n d s t a t e d t h a t the objects were completely

foreign to them. There was-no known mfssile, naval o r &-a c t i v i t y in the area
a t t h a t time.

111, CONCLUSIONS
No conclusions.

Seattle. W a s U t o n - U. May 1952

I, DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT

A t approximately 0124 to 0132 PST, on 11 May 1952 many individuals r e

ported sighting a vivid blue object with flaming sparks o r stirearners coming
nearly s t r a i g h t down over S e a t t l e , Washington. The object exploded in a
b r i l l i a n t flash, l i g h t i n g up the sky and then disappeared. After the explo-
sion, some of the witnesses experienced a tremor o r shock wave of approximately
nine seconds duration.
11, STATUS OF THE INVESTIGATION
Two l o c a l astronomers were contacted and they s t a t e d t h a t the object was
a meteor. A t the present time the astronomers are searching f o r h.agplsnts to
confirm t h e i r statement.

CONCLUSIONS
Object was probably a meteor but f i l e will not be closed u n t i l conf'irming
evidence is found,
 E l Centro, Calif,. Area - J.3 May 1953

I. DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT
Xn t h e E l Centro, Calif., Area on 13 May 1952 four separate r e p o r b of
unidentified a e r i a l o b j e c t s were made. They were as followea

a, 11152 - Eovering over El Centro, f i v e "flying saucers'" as large as

B-36'8, with a l i g h t underneath, disappeared to the southwest a t a t e r r i f i c
rate of speed. They were reported by the E l Centro Sheriffis Office,
b, 11152 - An F9F p i l o t tsWng off from E l Gentro Naval Air Station
reported what appeared to be a shooting star diving a t an angle of 60°e
c. U422 - A sheriff ' a c a r a t Neland, Calif ,, sighted a strange object
resembling a parachute f l a r e over the south end of the Salton Sea.

d, ll50;(. - A c o n t ~ o ltower'operator a t Puma, Arizona, sighted an orange

and blue o b j e c t 320' and 29 miles *om his position, After hovering f o r a
s h o r t time in one position, it changed to another position and began hovering
again. Operator s a i d it was sighted f o r too long a period to be a falling
star.

I STATUS OF INVESTIGATION

There were no AF' f i g h t e r s airborne a t the t h e but four F9Fgs *on El

Centro Naval A i r S t a t i o n were airborne from 11002 to 12302,

1 . CONGLUSIONS
a. It i s possible that the FgF3s and what appeared t o be a shooting star
account f o r the f i r s t report,

b. What appeared to be a shooting star was probably a meteor,

d, The h u e r operator s t a t e d t h a t he had observed the same phenomenon

s e v e r a l times previous and is c o n v i n ~ e dt h a t it i s merely the r e f l e c t i o n of
automobile headlights on the highway at night,
 George Am. C a l i f , -- 1. 9. 13. 14. 20 Mas 1952

I, LESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT
The sighting on 1May 1952 a t George AFB, C a l i f , , was t h e first of a
s e r i e s o f nine s i g h t i n g s there in a three week period, These s i g h t i n g s were
a l l by military personnel,

a, 1May 1952 -Five round, disc-shaped objects, f l a t white i n color

which gave no g l a r e o r r e f l e c t i o n were sighted. They were in f o m z t i o n with
three in f r o n t and two i n the r e a r , The l a t t e r two darted around ;-n a c i r c u l a r
or zig-zag m e r ,
b, 9 b&y 1952, 1030 PDST . An unidentified round, s i l v e r o b j e c t was
s i g h t e d v i s u a l l y f r o m the ground and *om two F-86 aircraft,

e, 9 May 1952, 1230 PDST -

Two unidentified o b j e c t s moving with t h e
c u r r e n t o r breeze a t a slow speed. They appeared to be a s i l v e r m e t a l c o l o r uith
a d a r k s p o t in the center an& a t c'ertain angles to the sun gave o f f a b r i g h t
glare.
d, 9 b h y 1952, 1720 P S T -Object was of d u l l color l i k e a t.hundereloud,
It w a s shaped l i k e an arrowhead but had no known aerodynamic features.
e, 11 May 1952, 1220 PuST - Ooject looked l i k e a w h i t e paper p l a t e
f l i p p i n g end over end with an initial speed comparable t o a j e t although l a t e r
It reduced i t s pace.
f , 13 May 1952, PDST -Single object, appeared round, shiny, metallic
which glowed o r r e f l e c t e d white o r s i l v e r was observed f o r t h i r t y minutes.
go 3.4 &fay 1952, I405 to 1630 PDST
on 1 3 May and by same sources,
- Same description as o b j e c t sighted

h, X ) May.1952, 1425 PLGT - A s i l v e r colored, b r i g h t , round o b j e c t was

observed f o r f i v e minutes. I n i t i a l l y t h e o b j e c t was s t a t i o n a r y b u t eventually
moved and faded away.
If, STATUS OF INVESTIGATION
Only balloons released *om Edwards AFB can be tracked accurately over
George AFB, consequently, f o r the most p a r t they a r e the only balloons w i t h
which we are concerned. These balloons a r e released i r r e g u l a r l y t h u s W C O U ~ L
ing f o r some of t h e unusual tiroes of sighting8 reported i n cases which a r e
probably balloons,
 The project monitor of Blue Book went to George AFB to f n v e s t i g a d the
various r e y r t s ,

a. 1 May 1952
obtained ,
- Report well documented, No additional information

b. 9 t h y 1952, 1030 PET

55 minutes p r i o r to t h i s sighting.
-
A balloon was released from Edwards A E l ,

c, 9 Nay 1952, 1230 PDST

sighting,
- No known a c t i v i t y .which could account f o r

d. 9 May 1952, 1720 PDST

sighting.
- No lmown a c t i v i t y which could account f o r

e. ll May 1952
a c t i v i t y in area,
- Tbird report i n three days from same individual. No

f. 1 3 May 1952 - Balloon launched from Edwards AFB a t 1340 PAST,

g. 14 May 1952 - No balloon r e l e a s e o f f i c i a l l y reported.

h. 20 May 1952 - ,Balloon released from Filwarde BFB a t 1332 PDST.

a. 1 Msy 1952 - No Conclusions,

b. 9 May 1952, 1030 PDST -
Very probable that the balloon released
from Edwards AE'B was the object sighted.

c, 9 May 1952, 1230 PAT -

Very possible t h a t paper was caught in the
thennale and swept along. A similar sighting turned o u t t o be just %hat.

d. 9 )Say 1952, 1720 PDST - No conclusions.

0, 11 May 1952 - No conclusions.

f , -13 k y 1952
minutee prepiaus.
- Probably vas balloon rexeesed from Edwards AIB, 45
g. l4 May 1952 - Description f i t s incident of 1 3 May so p e r f e c t l p it
is highly probable t h a t the object was a balloon.

h. 20 Y q 1952
probably o b j e c t observed.
-
Balloon released 53 minutes p r i o r to sighting w a e
 Nenana. Alaska - 32 Januarv 1952

DESCRIPTION OF INCIUENT

A t 10202 on 22 January 1952, 6 r a d a r s t a t i o n a t Murphyes Dome, Alaska,

observed an u n i d e n t i f i e d radar r e t u r n , The tapget was going away from t h e
s t a t i o n on an azimuth of 210°, a t a speed of about 1500 mph when first o b
served
r b
b u t appeared to reverse i t s d i r e c t i o n and returned toward t h e s t a t i o n .
lhe s e t was adjusted so t h a t the t a r g e t could be observed as it closed in on
t h e s t a t i o n b u t a f t e r t h i s change w a s made t h e t a r g e t was again observed, how-
ever, a t about i t s o r i g i n a l location, and again going away fkom the s t a t i o n ,
Jut before it faded, it appeared to be making a t u r n back toward the s t a t i o n .
At10302 an F-94 was airborne, to search f o r the object, A t t h i s time t h e
o b j e c t was going away from the s t a t i o n a t a high rate of apeed s o t h e F-94 was
t o l d t o o r b i t . About t h i s time t h e ground a t a t i o n l o e t contact with tbe o b j e c t
b u t continued to b a c k the F-9A0

A t about 11002 a~ the F-94 w a s approaching N e n m (near ~ a i r b a n k s ) , t h e

r a d a r observer i n the F-94 observed two - t a r g e t s , one f a h t and one bright.
The a i r c r a f t was a t 30,000 St, and the *get was a t 25,000 f t , The t a r g e t s
crossed from r i g h t to l e f t and appeared t o ' b e t r a v e l i n g 'slowly and as t h e F-94
approached t h e t a r g e t a high rate of closure w a s indicated, The c o n t a c t was
l o s t a t a range o f . 200 yards,

Approximately one hour later, again near Nenma, another contact w a s made
by t h e F-94, In t h i s instance t h e fxrget was kept dead ahead and l e v e l , When
t h e tar e t w a s a t a range of 200 yards, the p i l o t pulled up and the t a r g e t w a s
l o s t . !he rate o f closvre during t h s run w a s 100 knots even tho- t h e F-94
had f l a p s down, No o t h e r contacts were nade and t h e & c r a f t was r e l e a s e d a t
12102,
During t h e two airborne contacts the F-94 was being tracked by t h e ground
s t a t i o n b u t the o b j e c t w a s not being picked up.
The weather w a s c l e a r b u t no v i s u a l s i g h t i n g waa mad80 On t h e same night,
t h e same crew had v i s u a l l y i d e n t i f i e d a C-54, a C-47, and a amall c i v i l i a n
a i r c r a f t from 300 'to 500 yards, There were no clouds i n t h e s e b u t it w a s
a dark night,

No ~ c t i o n were
s found in e i t h e r r a d a r s e t ,
XI. STATUS OF INVESTIGATION

Report by Eleotronics Branch of ATIC.

Target being slanted instead of perpendicular ta radii from radar s t a t i o n
indicates possible weather t a r g e t , Speed may be accounted for by the momen-
h x y appearance and disappearance of other weather target-s. Further explane
tion ctannot be made.

T a r g e t mused by weather phenomena,

 =-
-
N
I

STATUS REPORT

PROJECT BLUE' BOOK - REPORT NO. 8

FORMERLY PROJECT GRUDGE

PROJECT NO. 10073

31 DECEMBER, 1952

AIR TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE
OHIO
 1. Information conflicting with or pertinently affecting
that contained i n t h i s publication should b e forwarded by t h e
recipient directly to:
Commandin8 General
Air T e c h n i c a l l a t e l l i g e o c e Center
Wright-Patterson Air F o r c e B a s e , Ohio

T h i s in no w ~ yabrogates o r a l t e r s responsibility for sending

such information or any pertinent intelligence d a t a through
Already e s t a b l i s h e d intelligence collection c h a n n e l s of t h e
various s e r v i c e s or a g e n c i e s of the U. S. government.

2. WARNING: T h i s document c o n t a i o s information af-

fecting t h e natiooal d e f e n s e of t h e United S t a t e s vithio t h e
meaning of t h e E s p i o n a g e Law, T i t l e 18, U.S.C., Sections 793
and 794. I t s transmission o r the revelation of i t s c o n t e n t s i a
aoy manoer to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
 T h i s report i s t h e eighth of a s e r i e s of S t a t u s Reports of P r o j e c t Blue
Book, Normally each r e p o r t . i s m i t t e n on o r near t h e l a s t of each month a r d
includes a l l p r o j e c t a c t i v i t i e s f o r t h a t month, T h i s procedure has not bee!;
followed during t h e months of June, July, August, September and October due
t o an extremely heavy workload caused by an increase i n reports. The proce-
dure of l i s t i n g a l l reported s i g h t i n g s will a l s o be eliminated in this repo;.!,
s i n c e a6 r e p o r t s were received during t h e period covered by this r e p o r t and
compiling such a l i s t would not be f e a s i b l e a t t h e present time.

Aqy a d d i t i o n a l information may be obtzined on any i n c i d e n t by d i r e c t i r i

requests t o t h e Commanding General, Air Technical I n t e l l i g e n c e Center, Attn:
ATIAA-5, 'Jlh.ight-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
 STATUS OF PROJECT BLUE BOOK

I. OVERALL STATUS
The period s i n c e t h e l a s t s t a t u s r e p o r t of t h i s p r o j e c t was published
(Project Blue Book S t a t u s Report #7, 31 May 1952) has produced a volume of
r e p o r t s exceeding t h e t o t a l number of r e p o r t s received i n the period 1947 t o
31 Dec 51. For t h e month of J u l 52, t h e t o t a l was over reports. b r i n g
t h e period 1 Jun 52 t o 31 Oct 52, t h e period covered bjr this s t a t u s report,
a6 r e p o r t s have been received, evaluated, cross-indexed and f i l e d . This
t o t a l of a6 represents I & more reports than had been received during t h e
previous five-year period t h i s project has been i n existance. It should be
noted t h a t t h e s e r e p o r t s a r e those coming through o f f i c i a l channels t o ATIC
and do n o t include t h e approximately 800 l e t t e r s received from t h e public
during this period.

A noticeable increase i n r e p o r t s s t a r t e d i n Sun 52 and reached a peak

on 28 J u l 52 when 43 r e p o r t s were received (see Appendix I). Much of t h e
increased volume of r e p o r t s can be accredited t o the widospread p u b l i c i t y
given by Life, Time, Look and many other magazines and newspapers. One no-
t i c e a b l e c h a r a c t e r i s t f c of t h e r e p o r t s i s t h a t i n .general the q u a l i t y has
improved, a f a c t o r which r e s u l t e d from t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n of Air Force L e t t e r
200-5, SubJectt q e p o r t i n g of Unidentified Flying ObJectsu, and t o wide-
spread b r i e f i n g s given by Aroject Blue Book b r i e f i n g teams.

In J u l 52 the workload of proJect personnel had r i s e n t o t h e point t h a t

t h e number of personnel was increased t o a t o t a l of four o f f i c e r s , ' koo a i -
men, and two s e c r e t a r i e s . For a period of 45 days, a weather o f f i c e r was on
TDP to t h e p r o j e c t ,
All r e p o r t s received were screened and evaluated a s soon as possible
a f t e r they were received. A breakdown as t o t h e evaluations of t h e r e p o r t s
is given belon. The categories used i n t h e evaluation of reports a r e a s
follo*rs:

These a r e r e p o r t s t h a t contain r e l a t i v e l y enough data t o eval-

uate, but cannot be associated with any known phenomenon or object. There i s
a p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t some of these reporlied objects o r phenomena i n this cate-
gory could be i d e n t i f i e d i f more background data on balloon tracks, a i r c r a f t
movements, etc., were available.

8. I n s u f f i c i e n t Data

This category represents reports which do not contain enough

data to evaluate, A g r e a t many of the cases a r e due t o poor reporting on the
 UNCLASSIFIED

p a r t of t h e reporting agency. All cases where t h e r e i s only a s i n g l e observer3

unless his o r her r e l i a b i l i t y i s unquestionable, a r e put i n this category,

C, Aircraft
This category of reports v a r i e s from those reports of pbjects t h a t
were d e f i n i t e l y proven t o be a i r c r a f t t o those t h a t were possibly a i r c r a f t . I n
evaluating r e p o r t s a s a i r c r a f t , a great deal of importance i s p u t on any com-
ments by t h e reporting o f f i c e r about l o c a l a i r t r a f f i c . ' h o t h e r c r i t e r i o n i s
t h e elevation of t h e reported object, It has been found t h a t i f a n observer sees
an a i r c r a f t above a 60° angle from t h e horizon and is i n a r e l a t i v e l y q u i e t lo-
cation, he can hear t h e sound of the a i r c r a f t . Thus a l l r e p o r t s of moving
U g h t s a t night o r " s h i n p objects i n the daytime, moving a t moderately f a s t
speeds (i.e., and observed below 60° could be a i r c r a f t
i n vim f o r 2 - 5 ' m i n ~ t e s ) ~
and a r e evaluated a s a i r c r a f t . Conversely, any object t h a t passes d i r e c t l y over3
o r IoitNn 30° of t h e zenith of an observer, a t moderately f a s t speeds and i f no
sound i s heard, i s not l i k e l y t o be an a i r c r a f t .
D. Balloons
s e v e r a l c f i t e r i a a r e used t o determine, whether a reported object
was: o r possibly was a balloon. Objects t h a t a r e reported t o hover or'mclve very
slowly could be balloons. I n this type of report, t h e times a r e checked. A l l
weather balloons i n t h e United S t a t e s a r e launched at' 03002, 09002, 15002 and
21002. If a n object is reported near a balloon launch s i t e within an hour a f t e r
t h e s e 'scheduled launch timeso it i s classed a s a balloon. I f t h e object i s mov-
i n g and a t r a c k i s reported, t h e track i s checked against winds a l o f t f o r t h a t
area. If t h e reported movement i s with the wind a t any a l t i t u d e , t h e object
could be a balloon. Marry balloons a r e tracked by radio and radar and i n t h e s e
cases, t h e a c t u a l frack of the balloon can be correlated w i t h t h e d a t a obtained
from t h e observers.
The p o s s i b i l i t y of observers seeing balloons t h a t have developed
slow leaks and have d r i f t e d long distances i s always present. I n cases where
t h e description of t h e object i s i d e n t i c a l t o t h a t of a balloon and ?et no bal-
loons can be p o s i t i v e l y determined as having been i n t h a t area, t h e report i s
evaluated a s p o s s i b l y a balloon on t h e chance t h a t a balloon has become * l o s t m
and bas d r i f t e d i n t o t h e area,
Em Astronomical
Reports i n this category a r e those t h a t a r e proven t o be o r a r e
s i m i U a r i n all respects t o k n m astronomical bodies such a s meteors, f i r e b a l l s ,
planets, o r s t a r s . The estimated azimuth and elevation o f a reported-object and
t h e time o f t h e observation can be checked t o determine the known l o c a t i o n of
astronamical bodies, I n 80me CasesI this i s done by p r o j e c t personnel and in
more d i f f i c u l t cases by an astronomer.
UNCLASSIFIED
 Meteors a r e i d e n t i f i e d mainly by t h e observer's d e s c r i p t i o n as t o
s i z e , shape, and maneuvers. I n some cases, exceptionally l a r g e meteors o r
f i r e b a l l s a r e p l o t t e d by observatories and these p l o t s a r e obtained.
F. Other
This categoly contains reports t h a t have been proven t o be k n m
o b j e c t s o r phenomena, o r t h e descriptions of t h e reported objects a r e simhliar
t o r e p o r t s of known o b j e c t s t h a t do not fall i n t o the above categories. ESt-
amplea of these a r e birds, anomalous radar phenomena, bugs, etc.
A peraentage breakdown o f t h e evaluation of reports i s a s follows:

A June
Category No. %ports $ Total

Unknown 57
I n s u f f i c i e n t Data 23
'Aircraft 4
Balloons 22
Astronomical. 22
Other

Unknm 93
I n s u f f i c i e n t Data 116
Airoraft 52
Balloons 107
Astronomical. 97
Other
3
Unknown
I n s u f f i d e n t Data
Aircraft
Balloons
Aa tmnomical
Other
 UNCLASSIFIED.

p a r t of t h e reporting agency, A l l cases where t h e r e i s only a s i n g l e observer,

unless his o r her r e l i a b i l i t y i s unquestionable, a r e p u t i n this categorg.
C, Aircraft

This category of r e p o r t s v a r i e s from those r e p o r t s of obJects t h a t

were d e f i n i t e l y proven t o be a i r c r a f t t o those that were possibly a i r c r a f t , I n
evaluating r e p o r t s a s a i r c r a f t , a great deal of importance i s p u t on arry com-
ments by t h e reporting o f f i c e r about l o c a l a i r t r a f f i c , 'Another c r i t e r i o n i s
t h e elevation of t h e reported object, It has been found that i f a n observer sees
an a i r c r a f t above a 600 angle from t h e horizon and is i n a r e l a t i v e l y q u i e t lo-
cation, he can hear t h e sound of t h e a i r c r a f t . Thus a l l r e p o r t s of moving
l i g h t s a t night o r mshiw obJects i n t h e daytime, moving a t moderately fast
speeds (i,e,, i n view f o r 2-5'minutes), and observed below 60° could be a i r c r a f t
and a r e evaluated a s a i r c r a f t , Conversely, any object t h a t passes d i r e c t l y over,
o r within 30° of t h e zenith of an observer, a t moderately f a s t speeds and i f no
sound i s heard, i s not l i k e l y t o be an a i r c r a f t ,
D, Balloons
aeveral c r x t e r i a a r e used t o determine, whether a reported object
was: o r possibly was a balloon, ObJects that a r e reported t o hover or'move very
slowly could be balloons, I n this type of report, t h e times a r e checked, All
weather balloons i n t h e United S t a t e s a r e launched at' 0300Zp 09002, 15002 and
21002. If a n object i s reported near a balloon launch s i t e within an hour a f t e r
t h e s e scheduled launch timesp i t i s classed a s a balloon, If the object i s mov-
i n g and a t r a c k i s reported, t h e track i s checked against winds a l o f t f o r t h a t
area, I f t h e reported movement i s with the wind a t any a l t i t u d e , t h e object
could be a balloon, Many balloons a r e tracked by radio and radar and i n these
cases, t h e a c t u a l track of the balloon can be correlated w i t h t h e d a t a obtained
from t h e observers.
The p o s s i b i l i t y of observers seeing balloons t h a t have developed
slow leaks and have d r i f t e d long distances i s always present, I n cases where
t h e description of t h e object i s i d e n t i c a l t o t h a t of a balloon and g e t no bal-
loons can be p o s i t i v e l y determined a s having been i n t h a t area, t h e report i s
evaluated a s possibly a balloon on t h e chance that a balloon has became m l o s t m
and bas d r i f t e d i n t o the area,

Reports i n this category a r e those t h a t a r e proven t o be o r a r e

s i m i l i a r i n a l l respects t o known astronomical bodies such a s meteors, f i r e b a l l s ,
planets, o r s t a r s . The estimated azimuth and elevation of a reported-obJect and
t h e time o f t h e observation can be checked t o determine t h e k n m l o c a t i o n of
aatronamical bodies, In some cases, this i s done by p r o j e c t personnel and i n
more difficult cases by an astron~mer,
 Meteors a r e i d e n t i f i e d mainly by t h e o b s e r v e r f s d e s c r i p t i o n a s t o
s i z e , shape, and maneuvers, I n some cases, exceptionally l a r g e meteors o r
f i r e b a l l s a r e p l o t t e d by observatories and these p l o t s a r e obtained,
F, Other
This category contains reports t h a t have been proven t o be known
o b j e c t s o r phenomena, o r t h e descriptions of t h e reported objects a r e s h i l i a r
t o r e p o r t s of k n m o b j e c t s t h a t do not f a l l i n t o the above categories, Ex-
amples o f t h e s e a r e birds, anomalous radar phenomena, bugs, e t c ,

A peroentage breakdown of t h e evaluation of reports i s a s follows:

A. June
Category No, Reports % Total
Unknown
I n s u f f i c i e n t Data
'Aircraft
Balloons
Astronomical
Other

Unknm 93
I n s u f f i c i e n t Data llb
Aircraft 52
Balloons 107
Astronomical
Other

Unknown
I n s u f f i c i e n t Data
Aircraft
Balloon3
Astronosnical
Other
 UNCLASSIFIED

Category NO. Reports % Total

Do September

Unknown 22
I n s u f f i c i e n t Data 20
Aircraft 7
Balloons 12
~strondcal 12
Other

Em Cumulative total f o r June, July, August, and September

Unknown 206
~ n s ufid
f e n t Data . U6
Aircraft 101
Balloons 2n
Astronomical
Other

(Note: No breakdown f o r t h e month of October1952 is included s i n c e a t t h e

time this r e p o r t was w r i t t e n a l l October r e p o r t s had n o t been evaluated.)

11. SPECIAL REPORT ON CONFERENCE WITH & PROFEsSIOlJAL ASTROXOIERS

During t h o p a s t summer a p r o f e s s i o n a l astronomer, under c o n t r a c t with
ATIC as a c o n s u l t a n t on P r o j e c t Blue Book, hold conferences w i t h profcs-
s i o n a l astronomc>rs i n t h e U.S.A. and s u t n i t t e d a r e p o r t of h i s findings.
Thoso people were e i t h e r contacted on t r i p s o r a t p r o f e s s i o n a l s o c i e t y meet-
ings. O f these, 5 had observed o b j e c t s o r phenomena t h e y could n o t r e a d i l y
explain. The f e e l i n g s of t h e & astronomers toward t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n o f un-
i d e n t i f l e d f l y i n g o b j e c t s were as followsr

9 Total -
Number

Completely I n d i f f e r e n t
K i d l y Indifferent
Mildly I n t e r e s t e d
Very I n t e r e s t e d

Although t h e r e p o r t is t o o l e n g t h y to reproduce i n total, an excerpt

fran t h e summary o f t h e r e p o r t i a a s f o l l m r
 UNCLASSIFIED

"Over 40 astronomers were interviewed, o f which f i v e had made s i g h t

i n g s of one s o r t o r another, W s i s a higher percentage t h a n among t h e p o p
u l a c e a t large. Perhaps t h i s i s t o be expected, s i n c e astronomers do, a f t e r
a l l , watch t h e skies. On t h e other hand, t h e y w i l l not U k e l y be fooled by
baLloons, a i r c r a f t , and s i m i l i a r objects, a s may t h e general populace,

It i s i n t e r e s t i n g t o remark upon t h e a t t i t u d e of t h e astronomers

interviewed, The g r e a t majority were n e i t h e r h o s t i l e nor overly interested;
they gave one t h e general f e e l i n g t h a t a l l f l y i n g sauce; r e p o r t s could be
explained a s misrepresenbations of well-known o b j e c t s and. t h a t there was
nothing i n t r i n s i c i n t h e s i t u a t i o n t o cause concern, I took t h e time t o t a l k
r a t h e r s e r i o u s l y with a few of them, and t o acquaint them with t h e f a c t t h a t
some of t h e s i g h t i n g s were t r u l y puzzling and n o t a t a l l e a s i l y e ~ p l a i h a b l e ,
Their i n t e r e s t was almost immediately aroused, i n d i c a t i n g , t h a t t h e i r general
l e t h a r g y is due t o l a c k of information on t h e s u b j e c t , And c e r t a i n l y another
contributing f a c t o r t o t h e i r d e s i r e not t o t a l k about these things i s t h e i r
overwhelming f e a r of p u b l i c i t y , One headline i n t h e nation's papers t o the
e f f e c t t h a t "Astronomer Sees Plying Saucerw would be enough t o brand t h e as-
tronomer as questionable among his colleagues. Since I was a b l e t o talk with
t h e men i n confidence, I was a b l e t o gather very much more of t h e i r inner
thoughts on t h e subject-than a r e p o r t e r o r a n i n t e r r o g a t o r would have been
a b l e t o do, Actual h o s t i l i t y i s rare; concern w i t h t h e i r own immediate
s c i e n t i f i c problems i s too great, There s e e m t o be no convenient method by
which problems can be attacked, and ffiost astronomers do not'wish t o become
involved, not only because of the danger of publicity but because t h e data
seams tenuous and unreliable,"

I PRESS CONFERENCE

On 29 Jul 52 a press conference was held i n t h e Pentagon t o answer t h e

maw questions t h a t were being d i r e c t e d t o t h e Air Force by t h e press, The
conference was held by Major General John Am Samford, M r e c t o r of Intelligence,
USAF, Others p a r t i c i p a t i n g were Major General Roger Me Ramey, Director of
Operations, USAF, and o f f i c e r s of t h e Air Technical I n t e l l i g e n c e Center,

I n essence General Samford s t a t e d t h a t t o d a t e there were no i n d i c a t i o n s

t h a t any of t h e reported o b j e c t s t h a t could not be i d e n t i f i e d c o n s t i t u t e a
menace 'to t h e United States. However, t h e Air Force would continue to give
t h e s u b j e c t "adequate, b u t not f r a n t i c a t t e n t i o n w ,

IV, PROPOSED THEORIES AS TO THE NATURE OF THE REPORTS

Several wtdely publicized t h e o r i e s as to t h e nature of t h e reported ob-
j e c t s o r phenomena have been advanced i n recent months, These theories have
been discussed w i t h a u t h o r i t i e s on t h e s u b j e c t of atmospheric physics and
t h e y have agreed t h a t none o f t h e t h e o r i e s s o far proposed would account f o r
more than a very small percentage o f the reports, i f any.
 STATUS OF STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
Xn t h e s p r i n g of 1952 t h e Air Technical I n t e l l i g e n c e Center established
a p r o j e c t with a c i v i l i a n contractor t o make a s t a t i s t i c a l analysis pf all
i n c i d e n t s , As of 31 Oct 52, a l l reports f o r 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, and 1951
had been reviewed and coded f o r I B M punch cards. I3y t h e end of October t h e
data t o d a t e on 1952 incidents w i l l be on punch cards ready f o r a preliminary
a n a l y s i s by s t a t i s t i c i a n s ,
When this i s completed, t h e contractor w i l l begin work on the coding of
t h e 1952 reports, No completion d a t e has been e s t a b l i s h e d f o r this phase,
It i s not contemplated t h a t t h e 1952 reports will be completed i n t h e near
future, bacausa, a s was s t a t e d i n Section I of this r e p o r t , t h e t o t a l f o r the
year of 1952 exceeds t h e t o t a l number of r e p o r t s f o r a l l previous yeers.
VI. TECHNICAL INFORUATION SHEET
A questionnaira o r technical information s h e e t t o be f i l l e d out by o b
s e r v e r s making a v i s u a l sighting was completed i n Oct 52, Preliminary work
on this questionnaire bogan i n May 52, A panel c o n s i s t i n g of Blue Book per-
sonnel a n d . s e v e r a l c i v i l i a n s c i e n t i s t s and engineers met and drafted a Ust
o f questions whose answers would be needed i n evaluating reports, These
questions were then given t o a panel of psychologists who reworded then and
mada them i n t o questionnaire form. Test samples of these questionnaires were
reproduced and s e n t t o persons reporting sightings. As t e s t questionnaires
were completed and returned by observers they were studied by the psychol-
o g i s t s and others, Several such t e s t questionnaires were developed before a
f i n a l form was established, The f i n a l questionnaire i s inclosed i n this re-
p o r t as Appendix X I .
These questionnaires a r e now being s e n t d i r e c t l y from ATIC t o all per-
sons making reports, i f a mailing address i s i n t h e report, This includes
both r e p o r t s made by military i n accordance with An 200-5 and reports made
d i r e c t l y t o ATIC by c i v i l i a n s ,
COOPERATION OF AIR DEFENSE CO-
ESrcellent cooperation has been received from t h e Air Ilefense Command i n
t h e u t i l i z a t i o n o f t h e i r radar, f i g h t e r a i r c r a f t and t h e Ground Observer Corps.
BDC has d i r e c t e d a l l t h e i r radar s i t e s t h a t a r e equipped with operational
r a d a r scope cameras t o keep these cameras on a &hour a l e r t basis. It has
been found t h a t scope photos a r e a n extremely valuable a i d when it i s neces-
sary t o evaluate r e p o r t s of extremely high speed o r unusual radar tracks.
 A seoondary du%y of t h e Qround Obeerver Corps i s t h e r e p o r t i n g o f unide*
t i f i e d a e r i a l phenomena o r objects. This duty was e s t a b l i s h e d by ADC Regula-
t i o n 55-31..

VIII. NAVY REPORTING REGULATION

On 26 Sep 52 t h e United S t a t e s Navy published an OPNAV very s i m i l i a r t o
AFL 200-5. This n o t i c e d i r e c t s all naval u n i t s and i n s w a t i o n s t o r e p o r t
a i g h t i n g s d i r e c t l y t o H q USAF, ATIC, ADC, and o t h e r agencses.

IX. BALLOON AND WEATHER DATA

I n order t o achieve more p o s i t i v e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g
o b j e c t s , t h e Air Technical I n t e l l i g e n c e Center has e s t a b l i s h e d channels o f
communication with t h e Air meather Service, whereby t h e t r a c k of any weather
b a l l o o n r e l e a s e d by t h e USAF, US Navy, o r Weather Bureau, w i t h i n t h e conti-
n e n t a l limits o f t h e United S t a t e s o r from US s h i p s a t s e a and overseas bases?
c a n be obtained, B a s i c a l l y t h e system works as follows: If t h e a n a l y s t a t
ATIC concludes, - by reason of t h e d e s c r i p t i o n of a UFO, o r t h e time and p l a c e
o f t h e d g h t i n g , t h a t the-UFO i s possibly a weather balloon, he i n i t i a t e s and
transmits t o A m a s p e c i f i c r e q u e s t f o r t h e t r a c k s o f . a l l weather balloon r e
l e a s e s a t o r near t h a t time and place. Camparison of t h e s e t r a c k s w i t h t h e
F'lyobrpt frequently completes t h e a n a l y s i s o f t h e report.

Additionally, t h e US Navy and t h e USAF a r e c u r r e n t l y engaged i n t h e

launching of s p e c i a l p r o j e c t upper a i r research balloons. These balloons
a r e p l a s t i c polyethylene, a highly r e f l e c t i v e surface, and s i n c e they o f t e n
a r e on t h e o r d e r of one-hundred f e e t i n diameter, t h e y a r e v i s i b l e t o t h e
naked eye under c e r t a i n atmospheric conditions, even a t extreme a l t i t u d e s ,
Further, t h e loads c a r r i e d a r e u s u a l l y heavy and metallic, and e l e c t r o n i c
c o n t a c t w i t h t h e s e balloons can occur. I n view o f this s i t u a t i o n , A T I C has,
through t h e Ent Weather Cbntral, Ent AFB, Colorado, taken s t e p s t o o b t a i n
t h e t r a c k s of a l l such balloon r e l e a s e s , and t h e s e t r a c k s have o f t e n r e s u l t e d
I n p o s i t i v e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f a UFO. To c i t e cases i n point, t h e t r a c k s of
s i x t e e n f l i g h t s r e l e a s e d i n J u l y by a US Navy c o n t r a c t o r r e s u l t e d i n f o u r
p o a i u v e , tm probable, and f o u r p o s s i b l e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s o f UFO's.

Another f a c t o r having a g r e a t d e a l of bearing i n t h e a n a l y s i s of a

Flyobrpt, though it may not be t h e a c t u a l cause, is t h e meteorological con-
d i t i o n o f t h e atmosphere a t t h e t i n e and place o f s i g h t i n g . To o b t a i n this
d a t a , t h e Air Technical I n t e l l i g e n c e Center u t i l i z e s t h r e e sources. M r s t l y ,
when d e t a i l e d information i s needed immediately, it can o f t e n be obtained
from t h e Base Weather Office a t AI-P AFB. Secondly, eince ATIC r e c e i v e s d a i l y
RAOBIs, c o a s t a n t p r e s s u r e charts, s u r f a c e c h a r t s and winds a l o f t c h a r t s , t h e
necessary I n f o m a t i o n Is f r e q u e n t l y on hand. Thirdly, when t h e d a t a needed
l a voluminous and complex, and time i s r e l a t i v e l y unimportant, t h e Air Techni-
c a l I n t e l l i g e n c e Center u t i l i z e s t h e records of t h e Air Weather Sefvice i n
e x a c t l y t h e same manner a s t h a t employed i n obtaining weather balloon r e l e a s e
data.

I n a n e f f o r t t o o b t a i n technical information concerning U F O f s , A T I C has

undemay a program f o r t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n of a l a r g e number of s t e r e o cameras
equipped with a d i f f r a c t i o n g r a t i n g over one lens, The camera i n question i s
c a l l e d t h e "Videon", It contains two 33.5 lenses with f o c a l lengths of 45mm.
As su p l i e d by ATIC, t h e s h u t t e r speed and distance s e t t i n g s w i l l be locked
f
a t 1 20th of a second and i n f i n i t y , respectively, The nVideonw u t i l i z e s stan-
dard 35mm c a r t r i d g e f i l m , and i s extremely simple t o operate,

The d i f f r a c t i o n g r a t i n g a c t u a l l y c o n s i s t s of a t h i n c e l l u l o s e compound
which contains 15,000 v e r t i c a l " h a i r l i n e s n t o the l i n e a r inch. It is mounted
between two s h e e t s of o p t i c a l g l a s s and placed over one l e n s of t h e Videon
by means o f a f i l t e r adapter r i n g , The g r a t i n g operates on p r e c i s e l y t h e
same p r i n c i p l e a s a prism; i t separates a l i g h t i n t o i t s component p a r t s which
w i l l appear a s w e l l defined spectrum bands upon t h e ,film. Since each chemical
element emits a wave of c h a r a c t e r i s t i c length, and t h e grating, so t o speak,
mpicks upw t h e s e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s and shows them a s s i g n i f i c a n t bands on t h e
film, comparative study of t h e film i s expected t o reveal much data c o n c e r k
i n g t h e chemical composition of a given UFO, The Videon camera, equipped a s
described above, does not represent the epitome of s c i e n t i f i c equipment, how-
ever, a c t u a l comparison with other models has revealed t h a t it o f f e r s a good
p r o b a b i l i t y f o r success i n akcomplishing t h e s t a t e d purpose, and t h i s factor,
along w i t h t h e economy and a v a i l a b i l i t y f a c t o r s , was responsible f o r A T I C n s
deci aion t o purchase and d i s t r i b u t e t h e s e cameras,

Simultaneously w i t h t h e experimentation involving ground cameras, ATIC

mounted d i f f r a c t i o n gratings over the lenses o f l h gun cameras o f F-86
a i r c r a f t o f t h e 9 t h Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, W-P AFB, These f i g h t e r s
then undertook a i + a i r photography of known l i g h t sources, and t h e spectrums
obtained were comparable t o those obtained with t h e Videon; t h e smaller f i l m
s u r p r i s i n g l y enough recorded equivalent d e f i n i t i o n and band separation,
Therefore, a s a p a r t of t h e long range program, ATIC i s considering t h e possi-
b i l i t y of equipping c e r t a i n USAF f i g h t e r - i n t e r c e p t o r a i r c r a f t with d i f f r a c t i o n
g r a t i n g s f o r air-air photographic coverage of UR3gs.

At present, ATIC i s negotiating w i t h Hq ADC, a plan f o r t h e placement o f

a c e r t a i n number o f Videon cameras with AC&W Squadrons, Similiarly, Videon
cameras may be d i s t r i b u t e d t o tower operators o f AACS, Future plans allow
f o r t h e procurement and placement o f more Videon cameras and t h e placement
of t h e d i f f r a c t i o n g r i d s i n a i r c r a f t , however, these plans a r e e n t i r e l y con-
t i 4 e n t upon t h e degree of success obtained i n present operations.
s RECENT S I G H T I N G S

Appendix I11 gives.suxnaries of a few of the reports made to ATXC during

the period covered by this report.
 APPENDIX I

This char5 shows the frequency o f reports during t h e months o f June,

July, August, and September 1952. The dates of publication o f several mag-
azine a r t i c l e s and widely publicized incidents are noted on t h e chart.
 This appendix contains resumes of s e v e r a l o f t h e more significant.inc1-
dents t h a t were reported t o A T I C during t h e period covered i n t h i a report,

Greenville, South Carolina

Description of Incident
On t h e night of 13 May 1952 a t 2233 ESTJ four amateur astronomers observed
a diamond foxmation of four oval-shaped obJects. The objects were observed
v i s u a l l y from t h e ground. The objects were sighted nearly overhead and d i s a p
peared a t an angle of about 12O i n three'seconds, They were described a s being
reddish-yellow o r reddish-brown i n color. They were r e l a t i v e i n s i z e t o a half
d o l l a r , quarter turned, a t a m ' s length, m e objects appeared t o wobble i n
t h e i r f l i g h t and being oval-shaped appeared t o be f l y i n g sidewayg.

The night was extremely clear. The sources s t a t e d t h a t there was haze and
ground illumination near t h e c i t y , but t h a t they were on t h e firman University
campus and t h a t t h e r e were no ground l i g h t s near nor haze,
One observer was i n c l i n e d t o believe these were geese,

Comments
The description of t h i s incident i s very similiar t o others from drive-in
t h e a t e r s and one from Fargo, North Dakota, on 25 April1952, t h a t were ducks.
I n this case, however, there were no ground U g h t s i n t h e area t o r e f l e c t from
a bird, This i s borne out by t h e f a c t t h a t these people had s e t up t h e i r t e l e -
scopes i n a dark area, which i s e s s e n t i a l f o r good astronomical observing,
It i s not known how much l i g h t a b i r d w i l l r e f l e c t , but it seems l o g i c a l
t h a t a r e l a t i v e l y bright ground source of l i g h t would be needed.

As was s t a t e d J one source was s u r e they were geese but t h e other t h r e e

were j u s t a s s u r e they were not,
The p o s s i b i l i t y of a i r c r a f t is n i l s i n c e they passed d i r e c t l y overhead w i t h
no sound,

Conclusion
 UNCLASSIFIED

16 J u l y 1952 P a t r i c k AFB, Florida

A t approximately 2245 EST on 1g J u l y 1952 seven people, t h r e e o f f i c e r s

and four airmen, observed a s e r i e s o f u n i d e n t i f i e d l i g h t s near P a t r i c k Am,
Florida, The l i g h t s were described a s being much b r i g h t e r than a s t a r and
amber-red'in c o l o r and s i m i l i a r t o a s t a r . The f i r s t l i g h t was observed a t
a 45O angle of e l e v a t i o n west of t h e a i r base, It remained s t a t i o n a r y f o r
a p p r o d m a t e l y one minute, then began t o slowly move north. It stopped, t h e n
moved s o u t h a t a slow speed. While observing t h e f i r s t l i g h t , a s i m i l i a r
l i g h t lras observed about 20° below t h e . f i r s t U g h t and moving n o r t h a t a much
higher speed.

As t h e f i r s t U g h t continued t o move south, a t h i r d l i g h t was seen over

t h e base t r a v e l i n g i n a westerly direction a t high speed. Before this l i g h t
had faded i n t h e distance, a f o u r t h U g h t was observed following t h e same path
as t h e t h i r d . A t this t.ime, a l l t h e l i g h t s except number f o u r had disappeared.

A f l f i h l i g h t appeared i n t h e west and came d i r e c t i y over t h e a i r f i e l d

where it appearad t o make a gradual 360° l e f t t u r n and head toward t h e west un-
til 'lt faded from view. This U g h t appeared coming over t h e base and d i s a p
peared i n 15 seconds.

An attempt was made t o pick up t h e o b j e c t on APQ-13 radar, b u t t h e attempt

was 'unsuccessftd.. It should be noted t h a t APQ-13 i s not a search radar, conse-
quently, t h e f a c t it could not make c o n t a c t i s not s i g n i f i c a n t .

A balloon w a s in t h e a r e a b u t t h e balloon r a s tracked continuously and

d r i f t e d west o f t h e air base. A t no time was it over t h e observers, It i s
p o s s i b l e t h a t a balloon could d r i f t i n t o t h e a r e a from another l o c a t i o n , b u t
t h e number of r e p o r t e d U g h t s , t h e i r motion and t h e winds a l o f t do n o t s u b s t a r t
t i a t e this theory.

Mr t r a f f i c w a s checked and t h e r e were no a i r c r a f t i n t h e area,

Conclusi on
 Port XUron, U c h i g a n

Description of Incident

On t h e night of 29 J u l y 1952 an AC&W S t a t i o n i n Michigan observed a n uni-

d e n t i f i e d r e t u r n on t h e scope. The t h e was s h o r t l y befo,re CSTm The
t a r g e t w a s p l o t t e d a t 550 knots on a 360° heading f o r 20 minutes.
Three F-94~ a i r c r a i x were i n t h e a r e a making p r a c t i c e runs on a B-25. One
of t h e s e a i r c r a f t was requested by GCI t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e unknown t a r g e t , The
a i r c r a f t climbed out of t h e p r a c t i c e a r e a on a heading of 270° t o 20,0008, GCI
c a l l e d and requested a irisual s e a r ~ ht o be made a t 3 o'clock, A t u r n t o 3
o f c l o c k was s t a r t e d when t h e radar operator got a lock-on from a t a r g e t a t 2r30
o f c l o c k l e v e l , f o u r miles away, The lock-on was held f o r only 30 seconds, A s
t h e t u n , was made, a bright, flashing, colored l i g h t was observed by t h e p i l o t ,
He turned i n t o t h e l i g h t on a heading of 360° and followed i t f o r twenty mi*
u t e s a t an IAS of 350 knots a t 21,000 f t . The l i g h t remained between 1 2 and 1
occlock. A t t h e time of t h e lock-on, t h e a i r c r a f t was 20 miles west o f P o r t
Huron, Michigan,
The G C I radar was carrying both t h e unidentified t a r g e t and t h e F-94 on the
scope, Since t h e F-94 could not close, 'it w a s assumed by GCI t h a t the o b j e c t
increased i t s speed t o t h a t of t h e F-94.

Iko other F-94 a i r c r a f t were airborne, but they continued maldng p r a c t i c e

runs on a B-25 and were not i n t h e a r e a a t t h e time of the sighting.
The star, Capella, i s d i r e c t l y i n l l n e with the F-941s l i n e of f l i g h t and
t h e a i r c r a f t would have been f l y i n g s t r a i g h t toward it. It i s very low on t h e
horizon and appears t o be f l a s h i n g green, blue, red, e t c , A t first it was be-
U e v e d t h a t t h i s is what t h e p i l o t saw, b u t when i t was established t h a t both
t h e F-94 and the UFD were being c a r r i e d on t h e GCI scope, Capella becomes a
doubtful suspect,
It could be t h a t this is a s e r i e s o f coincident weather phenomena affecting
t h e radar e q u l p e n t and sightings of Capella, but this i s s t r s t c h i r ? probabili-
ties too far.
A balloon can be disregarded s i n c e t h e speeds are t o o high f o r even a j e t
stream,
Three weak inversions were noted below lO,COOf,
Conclusions
UNCLASS~F~ED
 UNCLASSIFIED

29 July. 1952 Ins Alamos, New Mexico

Description of Incident
A t a p p r o x b a t e l y 0949 YIST on 29 J u l y 1952, s e v e r a l p i l o t s and guards from
U s Alamos observed an UFO. The object was f l y i n g s t r a i g h t and l e v e l a t high
speed north of t h e Los Alamos landing f i e l d , The object, which was a shiny
m e t a l l i c color, was observed f o r 30 minutes with binoculars,

Righters i n t h e Los Alamos area were diverted t o the a r e a of the s i g h t i n g

and v i s u a l l y vectored toward t h e object. The object disappeared but reappeared
i n f r o n t of t h e f i g h t e r s , made a 360° turn, came around i n back of t h e f i g h t e r s ,
followed f o r two minutes and disappeared, The f l g h t e r s did not observe t h e o b
Ject, The a i r c r a f t which were a t 40,0001 l e f t vapor trails, but t h e object d i d
not.
The only other a i r c r a f t i n t h e area l e f t Los Alamos a t 0950 MST and headed
d i r e c t l y south,
Comments
The r e p o r t s t a t e s t h e object was flying a t high speed s t r a i g h t and level,
y e t it was i n s i g h t f o r 30 minutes. The object could not have been t r a v e l i n g
too f a s t , o r it would have gone out of t h e area within t h e 30 minutes it was
observed.
If t h e a i r c r a f t were high and t h e object was a d r i f t i n g balloon a t l o w al-
t i t u d e , t h e balloon would appear t o s t a y ahead of the a i r c r a f t f o r a s h o r t
period of time. A U o o n would not make a 360° turn, however.
The r e p o r t i s incomplete, no Fonn U 2 was suhnitted, and t h e data i n t h e
wire i s sketchy.
Conclusion
Although t h e r e i s hardly enough d a t a t o evaluate t h e report, i t w i l l be
classed as.-u
 Albuquerque, New Mexico

Description of Incident

A t a p p r o h a t e l y 2230 MST on 29 J u l y 1952, t h e source, an employee of t h e

Los Alamos Laboratory ( a l s o a Reserve Lt Colonel, f o m e n g i n e p i l o t w?th 1500
hours) observed a n UFO from his home i n Albuquerque, N e w LIsdco, The bearing
of t h e o b j e c t from his p o s i t i o n was 22S0 and t h e elevation was 20° t o 25O above
t h e horizon,

The o b j e c t was described a s a ufattened e l l i p s e w . The color was a d u l l

yellow, Light r a y s t h e same c'olor as t h e image and a p p r o x b a t e l y h a l f the
l e n g t h of t h e h o r i z o n t a l a x i s appeared t o be emanating from t h e object i n a l l
d i r e c t i o n s . They were not pulsating, b u t steady, H t e r about 45-60 secondsp
it began t o shrink i n s i z e rapidly, Within 15 seconds, it disappeared, It
d i d not change i n e l e v a t i o n o r azimuth, The c o l o r changed from a pale yellow
t o a yellowish-white t o c l e a r white as it disappeared. There was no sound,
The angular length of t h e h o r i z o n t a l axis was about boa

The ceilometer a t Kirtland AFB was on and t h e object was near it, The
source w a s d e f i n i t e t h a t this was not what he saw a s he located t h e ceilometer
beam and t h e moon,

Comments

This occurred two hours and t h i r t y minutes a f t e r a balloon launch, s o it

i s d o u b t f i l t h a t it was a balloon, A s was noted before, t h e source d e f i n i t e l y
saw t h e moon and the ceilometer beam,
There i s a p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t some atmospheric condition caused t h e ceilo-
meter beam t o s p l i t , This i s doubtful, however, because t h e elevation o f t h e
o b j e c t was d i f f e r e n t , If t h e cloud base was a t a constant l e v e l , t h e difference
i n e l e v a t i o n would i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e object or s p o t on t h e cloud bases would be
f a r t h e r away from t h e observer than t h e ceilometer,

It i s p o s s i b l e t h a t t h e source saw another ceilometer or a searchlight.

This i s doubtful, however, since t h e area, p a s t IUrtPand, i n t h e d i r e c t i o n t h e
source was looking, i s nearly uninhabited. I n addition, a s e a r c h l i g h t bean
would e i t h e r move o r go out f a s t e r , When a searchlight i s turned off, t h e r e
i s a period i n which t h e image on a cloud would dim out due t o cooling of t h e
e l e c t r o d e s but this does not require 15 seconds.

bll i n a l l , t h e r e p o r t i s excellent, one of the few where t h e source was

thoughtful enough t o measure angles and make c a r e f u l observations,
 UNCLASSIFIED

1August 1952 Bellef ontaine, Ohio

Descrlp%ion of Incident

A t 155l.2, a r a d a r t r a c k appeared 20 miles NNW of W-P AFB. The course was

240° a t 400 knots. Two F-868s under G C I c o n t r o l were then located t e n miles
SW of t h a t position.The f i g h t e r s were vectored and made v i s u a l contact a t
15552. Fighters stayed with t h e o b j e c t unt5.116132.
Interrogation of sources,,an AF major and lieutenant, reveal t h e following:

a. The F-668s cllmbed t o &@,000*, f e l l off, and then made a second

climb t o &,ooo~. The major made'a camera run t h e second t i n e and received a
weak r e t u r n on his radar gunsight, The Ueutenantcs s i g h t was "cagedw so he
received no return. The major estimated t h e object a t 12,000-20,000* above his
a l t i t u d e o f &,0008. This estimate was substantiated by t h e range c a p a b i l i t y
of t h e radar gunsight. The object's eize, accepting sourcers estimase of dis-
&ce, was'2&40' i n diameter and source s a i d hls o p t i c a l s i g h t j u s t covered
t h e object, The films were-not s u f f i c i e n t l y c l e a r , The object appeared a s a

.
fuzzy, small image i n t h e upper r i g h t hand corner w i t h discernable motion t o
lower l e f t
b. The AC&W Squadron established two important facts: Re-affirmation
t h a t the UFO moved a t 400 knots and i n d i c a t i o n t h a t t h e two F-g6rs and UFO a p
peared simultaneously on t h e GCI.scope. It is obvious t h a t a l l eyes and anten-
nas were fixed on the same object.

Comments
The object was not a balloon, s i n c e t h e speed was t o o f a s t . A rawinsonde
was released a t 15002 and moved o f f t o t h e e a s t , The object moved against t h e
wind. The b l i p s i z e was t h a t of a n o m a l a l r c r a f t , The object was not a known
a i r c r a f t because t h e a l t i t u d e nras'too high. The object was not astronomical as
dual radar returns eliminate this. Electronic o r v i s u a l mirage of meteorolog-
i c a l phenomenon i s out o f t h e question as t h e r a d a r s e t was on h i g h beam, and
both would not occur simultaneously i n t h e same place, The sighting occurred
"above t h e weatherH,

Conclusion
 UNCLASSIFIED

3 August 1952 Truth o r Consequences, New Mexico

Description of I n c i d e n t
On 3 August 1952, t h e source, a c i v i l i a n engineer, observed t h r e e motiorr
l e s s c y l i n d r i c a l o b j e c t s from t h e town of R u t h o r Consequences, New Mexico.
The o b j e c t s were i n a n i n v e r t e d rnVU formation a t about 45O elevation, Their
angular l e n g t h was t h e span of two widths of t h e l i t t l e f i n g e r at arm's l e n g t h
and t h e depth was l/dm a t arm's length. They were UgGt green i n color. A t
one time, one o b j e c t s h i f t e d i t s p o s i t i o n ko form an echelon formation, This
movement was smooth n o t e r r a t i c . ' A s i t moved, i t seemed t o r o l l on Its l o n g i -
t u d i n a l axis. The apparently disappeared by r i s i n g a t a r a p i d r a t e .
The t o t a l time of observation was 9 minutes,

Comments

The o b j e c t was s e e n i n t h e d i r e c t i o n of t h e l o c a l a i r p o r t which has a

r o t a t i n g beacon, Since t h s y were motionless, except f o r movement w i t h i n t h e
group, it i s extremely doubtful t h a t it was t h e beacon s i n c e t h e beacon was
r o t a t i n g . I n addition, t h e e l e v a t i o n was 45O,
= m e s i z e , which t h e source seemed t o be s u r e o f , would eliminate a i r c r a f t ,
Any a i r c r a f t appearing as l a r g e a s source d e s c r i b e s would be heard.

Light phenomenon such a s d i f f r a c t i o n o r r e f l e c t i o n i s u n l i k e l y e i n c e

some of t h e o b j e c t s remained s t a t i o n a r y while one s h i f t e d position,

Unfortunately, t h e r e was only one source s o t o o much weight cannot be

p u t on t h e report.

Conclusion
5 August 1952 Haneda AFB, Japan

D e s c r i ~ t i o no f Incident

The o b j e c t was f i r s t noticed by Srro airneri walking across t h e ramp a t

Haneda AFB on t h e night of 5 Aug 52 a t 23301 ( l o c a l time), ,The airmen were
on t h e i r way t o the tower t o r e l i e v e t h e operators. On r e p o r t i n g t o t h e tower,,
t h e o b j e c t w a s c a l l e d t o the a t t e c t i o n of t h e tower operators who were going
off duty,

The four operators a g r e e d . t h a t the objecto ~ h i c hthey observed f o r from

50 minutes t o a n h o u ~through 7x50 Sinocl.dars, w a s c i r c u l a r i n shape and with
constant b r i l l i a n c e . The l i g h t appeared t o be a portion of a large, round,
dark shape which was aboct four times tine d i m e t s r of t h e l i g h t . When t h e
o b j e c t was c l o s e enough f o r d e t a i l s %o Ce sesn, a smaller, l e s s b r i l l i a n t
U g h t c0uf.d be seen along the lower edge cjf t h e dark shaps. The o b j e c t faded
t o the e a s t twice but reappeared; it could h a w faded o r a c t u a l l y gone away
and come back. The s i z e of t h s l i g h t , when c l o s e s t t o t h e tower, was approx-
imately t h e s m e a s t h e c e i l i n g balloons t h a t are r e l e a s e d near the tower. A
comparison was made t o these 24" d5amst.er balloons a t ZOOOP, This wolfid make
t h e object 50' i n & m e t e r a t 10 miles. D l r l n g the observation, a l i g h t e d
balloon was released but this U g h f was extremely dim and yellow compared t o
the object.
An airborne C-$4 was requested t o check t h e object, which the p i l o t did,
b u t he reported sesing only a star,

A n AOScW u n i t was m t i f i e a soon after t h e orfgfnal v i s u a l s i g h t i n g and s h o r t

ly a f t e r 23451 picked up an unident,ifled return. The o b j e c t was tracked a t
varying speeds from hoverirg t o 309 k n o t s , A+, 00121 t h e r e t u r n wbroke i n t o t h r e e
piecesm and they maintdned i n t e r n a l 3 of 1.4mile. No v i s u a l observation was
made .from t h e A&W u n i t although i t was attempted and, a t one timep t h e o b j e c t
was w i t h i n 10 miles of t h e s-&%ion. Th9 radar wds d i r e c t e d onto t h e t a r g e t by
v i s u a l observations from t h e tcrwer, so it can s a f e l y be assumed t h a t both v i s u a l
and r a d a r contacts Involved t h e same c b ~ e c t .

At 00031 an F-94 was airborne oa a ? c r m b l e and was requested t o search t o

t h e NE of Haneda AFB over Tokryo Bay. They could make no v i s u a l observationso
but could see the Nor3h S t a r and Venus. Tiis F-94 w a s vectored t o t h e o b j e c t by
GCI (both t h e F-94 and objec%were on t h e scope) and held f o r 90 seconds, S h o r t
ly a f t e r thisp both t h e object and t h e F-9& disappaared i n t o t h e g r o u d c l u t t e r .
on t h e G C I , A t no t h e d i d the F-3& m a k e v5sual eon'act, The r a d a r c o n t a c t
i n d i c a t e d t h e t a r g e t was a t 600C yal-djr LO0 below and l'ie t o the r i g h t o f a 320°
bearing fmm the stat.ion,
 UNCLASSIFIED

Soon a f t e r l o s s of r a d a r contact, t h e object was l o s t visually.

Comments
The F-94 crew reported e x c e l l e n t v i s i b i l i t y , yet t h e y could not v i s u a U y
observe t h e o b j e c t during a thorough search of t h e area, They s t a t e d t h a t t h e
moon was b r i g h t and might possibly have caused r e f l e c t i o n s o f f t h e few scat-
t e r e d clouds, This,. however, i s not i n agreement with t h e d e s c r i p t i o n of an
exceptionally b r i g h t l i g h t given by the tower operators.
Since t h e weather was not given, it i s not possible t o determine whether
t h e radar r e t u r n was caused by some type of anomalous propagation,

Conclusion
Unknorrm
26 September 1952 Azores Islands

Description of Incident

A t epprodmately 0U6Z (2316 l o c a l f i e ) , a C-124 enroute from Harmon AFB,

Newfoundland, t o t h e Azores on a MH of 135O, TAS of 200 mph, and a l t i t u d e of
wool0 observed two d i s t i n c t green l i g h t s 15O forward of the. r i g h t wing and
s l i g h t l y above, The G1& was a t ,!+10001N-35°00~~ a t t h e time, The l i g h t 8
were observed by t h e p i l o t , co-pilot, engineer, and aircraf't commander, The
l i g h t s r d n e d off t h e r i g h t wing and appeared t o a l t e r n a t e leading each
other, A t one time, t h e l i g h t s appeared t o t u r n toward t h e GI&, The l i g h t s
were v i s i b l e u n t i l t h e a i r c r a f t sighted t h e Azores.

A l l other known a i r c r a f t i n t h e a r e a were checked with t h e tower and

asked to blink t h e i r l i g h t s , Each a i r c r a f t was e i t h e r located o r it w a s
established t h a t they were t o o f a r away to be seen, Surface v e s s e l s were
a l s o checked but none were i n t h e area,

The weather was CAVU.

Comments

The only possible explanation is another a i r c r a f t o r some l i g h t phenom-

enon, The p o s s i b i l i t y of other a i r c r a f t i s s l i g h t because no a i r c r a f t came
i n t o land behind t h e ~ 1 2 and 4 very few a i r c r a f t overfly t h e Azores. In
addition, a l l a i r c r a f t f l y i n g i n t h a t a r e a keep t h e i r p o s i t i o n known %o t h e
Air Force s o they can be aided i n an emergency, The only other possible a i r
c r a f t would be unfriendly and again thls i s doubtful,

U g h t phenoienon i s possible s i n c e t h e r i g h t wing c a r r i e s a green l i g h t ,

t h e nreflectdon o f f a v e r t i c a l inversionu could have been t h e cause, However,
s i n c e t h e r e a r e no d a t a on thls proposed phenomenon t h e s i g h t i n g cannot be
a t t r i b u t e d t o this.

UNCLASSIFIED
36
 STATUS REPORT

PROJECT BLUE BOOK - REPORT NO 9

FORMERLY PROJECT GRUDGE

PROJECT NO. 10073

31 J A N U A R Y 1953

AIR TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE
OHIO
 UNCLASSIFIED

STATUS O F PROJECT BLUE BOOK

I. OVERALL STATUS

During t h o porlod 1 November 1952 to 30 November 1952 a t o t a l of 27

r e p o r t s were recoivedthrough AF channols. This total represents a decrease.
of 13 From t h e October 1952 t o t a l of 40 reports.
T h e not being spent on t h e a c t u a l evaluation of r e p o r t s i s being
devoted t o cataloging and revievrlng r e p o r t s received during t h e summer of
1952. ' A t t h e time many of these r e p o r t s were reoeived, t h e mrkload waa of
such a degree that they were given only quick preliminary screening.

A l l r e p o r t s received during 1352 a r e being cross-indexed. The cross-

i n d a d w of a l l r e p o r t s up t o 31 Docomber 1951 waa accomplished i n March 1952.
The categoriee f o r cross-indexing aret

1. Date
2.' b c a t i o n
3. Type of Obaervation (5.e.) visual, electronio, eto.)
4: Canolusion

B. Briefing Oiven t o Peraonnol of t h e Ins Alamos S c i e n t i f i o Laboratory

0x1 23 Octobor 1952, Col D. L. Bower and Capt E. J. Ruppalt presented
a briefing on P r o j e c t KLue Book t o a group of 400 s c i e n t i s t s , engineore, and
technicians a t t h e Lou Alamos S c i e n t i f i c Laboratory. The b r i e f i n g consisted
of 8 b r i e f h i s t o r y of t h e project, d e t a i l s of t h e present operations, and
s e v e r a l r e c e n t sightinga. Approximately an hour and a half waa devoted t o a
question and answer period following t h e presentation of tha briefing,

After t h e briefing, the balance of t h e day was devotod to a meeting

r i t h a group of people from'the Laboratory who have shown a g r e a t d e a l of
interest i n t h e s u b j e c t o f Unidentified Flying Ob3ects.
0. Briefing Oiven to the OSI M a t r i c t Commandera Ueotlng
The Office of Special Investigations D i s t r t o t h m a n d e r a Meeting waa
b r i e f e d a t Kelly AFB, Texas, on 27 October 1952. Personnel from t h e C u r r e n t
B s t h t e Branch of D/IB Hq USAF and A T I C presented t h e b r i e f i n g which s t r e s s e d
oollection, analysia methods, and c u r r e n t s i t u a t i o n .

D. b p o s e d Changes in Air Force L e t t e r 2 W 5

A proposal f o r changing certain s e c t i o n s of Air Fmce Lnttm 20015

has been written and fomarded t o t h e M r e c t o r of IntslUgence. ?he major
proposed change i n t h e d i r e c t i v e l a t o e l i m i n a t s the presently required w r i t
t e n Air Fome Fom 112 and t o add s e v e r a l i t a n s t o t h e required d r e message.
1
a A 4
 UNCLASSIFIED

I f a w r i t t e n r e p o r t i a necessary i n a d d i t i o n t o the wire, i t w i l l be specif-

i c a l l y requested by ATIC.
It i s bolleved t h a t by eliminating t h e w r i t t e n report, a g r e a t many
manhours can be saved on an Air Force-wide basis. I n eome instances, t h e
Fonn 112 has merely been a r e p e a t of t h e Irire,
E, S t a t u s of Videon Camera
L e t t e r s have-beon prepared and s e n t t o Air Defense Command and Air-
araft and Air Couenunications Services (AACS) t o o b t d n concurrence on t h e
c u r r e n t p l a n t o place cameras i n c o n t r o l t w e r s and a t a e r t a i n s e l e c t e d radar
aitos.

F, Contraotor S t a t u s '

1, Analysis' of Eclating Sighting Reports

Sighting r e p o r t a dated up t o and Including June 1952 have been
processed, & a p t f o r t h e r e p o r t s dated 1947 and l g w , a l l s i g h t i n g r e p o r t s
up t o and Including h r c h 1952 have bean evaluated. The s i g h t i n g reporta f o r
1 s 7 and 1- a r e not a v a i l a b l e f o r evaluation, A s soon a s t h e 1947 and 1w
r e p o r t s a r e a v a i l a b l e and can be evaluated, a l l e i g h t i n g r e p o r t s f o r t h e years
1947 t o 1951~311be ready as a group f o r preliminary a n a l y s i s u t i l i z i n g IBM
equipment.
Sighting r e p o r t s f o r t h e month of J u l y 1952 have been received,
Boaause t h e r e a r e 450 s i g h t i n g l v p o r t s f o r July, processing them will not be
conpletod u n t i l the f i r s t week I n December, Gvaluation of reports f o r t h e
mox~thso f April, May, June, and J u l y 1952 w i l l r e q u i r e about s i x dayy of c o w
ference time, Conferances f o r tho evaluation of s i g h t i n g r e p o r t a w i l l be
arranged as r e p o r t s become processed i n groups of 200. Eauh group of r e p o r t s
w i l l r e q u i r e about two days o f work f o r a cooperating researcher Blue Book
evaluation team,
The evaluation of 1952 r e p o r t s w i l l be more time consuming than
was t h o case f o r e a r l i e r r e p o r t s , because raporte now a r e i n more d e t a i l and
o f t e n c o n s i s t oP sighting8 of one o b j a c t by mom than one individual,
3ince October 16, 1952, it has been necaasary t o e s t a b l i s h a
r o t a t i o n systoni f o r handling s i g h t i n g raports, no more than 100 sighting re-
p o r t s being p e r r d t t e d away f r m Blue Book a t any ona time, Questionnaires
and work sneats coinpleted hera must t h e r a f o r e be put i n duplicate f o l d e r a
before s i g h t i n g raports matching these questioraraalres and work aheeta a r e
returned t o lYPAFB i n r a t u r n f o r unprocessed s i g h t i n g reporta. When evalue-
t i o n conferancos a r a hold, these f o l d e r s muat be matched before an evaluation
Is mads, h e nacasoity f o r e s t a b l i e h i n g a r o t n t i o n system h a s caussd sane
dolsy i n progross,

2, Analyeie of S o i l and,Vegetstlon Samplee

2
P L t ii.M II
?
 Two samples of v e g e t a t i o n and s o i l from Pittaburqli, Kansas,
which were submitted by Blue Book f o r a n a l y s i s , have been t h o r o u g h l y studied.
&amination by experto on s o i l and v e g e t a t i o n disclosed no difference betxeen
t h e two samples from t h e two a r e a s where the specimors were obtsined, Testa
f o r r e d i o a o t i v i t y l i k m r i s e ohov~edno s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r o n c e betwoen t h e two
s a n p l e s of s o i l and vegetation. Tests w e r e made f o r beta, gamma, and d p h a
r a d i a t i o n , Samples of t h e mKaneasws o i l and t h e v e g a t a t i o n w i l l be returned
to Blue Book i n t h e near future.
3. Consultant on Astronolsy

Dr. J. Allen Hynek, o f t h e Ohio S t a t e University, attended the

Boston meeting o f t h e Optical S o c i e t y o f Amorica on l l October 1952. The
S o c i e t y took cognizance this y e a r of t h e many r e p o r t s of unusual a o r i a l phe-
nomena by inaluding t h r e e i n v i t e d papere on t h e s u b j e a t i n t h e i r o t h e n r i s e
s t r a i g h t f o r n a r d s c i e n t i f i c meeting, One of t h e i n v i t e d papers was by Dr.
J. Allen Hynek, e n t i t l e d wUrmsual A e r i a l Phenaiemw, The o t h e r two papers
were by Dre. Menzel and Liddell, o f Harvard Observatory and t h e Atomio
Energy C o d a s i o n , r e s p e c t i v e l y ,
h e papers o f Uenzel and Liddell, though differing someahat i n
oontent, were i d e n t i c a l i n s p i r i t . Both papers were a h a r a c t e r i z e d by t h e
P a t that. numerous explanations f o r unexplained s i g h t i n e s were given without
a s i n g l e reference t o a s p e c i f i c s i g h t i n g i n t h e f i l o s of t h e Air Technical
I n t e l l i g e n c e Center, Both papers presented a s e r i e s of well-worn s t a t e n e n t a
as to how j e t f i g h t e r s , meteors, r e f l e c t i o n s fruin b a l l o o m and a i r c r a f t , and
o p t i c a l e f f e c t s , suoh as sundogs and miragess could give r i s e t o " f l y i n g
s a u c e r n r e p o r t s , Since t h e r e was m t h i n g nen i n e i t h e r of t h e t w o papers,
t h e t r i p from t h i s standpoint was unproductive,

The paper by Dr. Hyneks i n eesenoe, was t o tho e f f e c t t h a t f l p

ing s a u c e r s represented a saienc+public r e l a t i o n s problem; i,e., when a
s i g h t i n g i s made by ~ e v e r a people,
l a t l e a s t one o f whom i s a n experienced
observers t h e mutually corroborated m p o r t s a r e e n t i t l e d to a a c i e n t i f i o
hearing, r a t h e r than r i d i c u l e . It s t r e s s e d t h e p o i n t t h a t here was a aubjeot
i n which tihe p b U c haa shown g r e a t i n t e r e s t . It was recommended that t h e
r e l a t i v e l y few well-screened r e p o r t s be d e a l t with s p e c i f i c a l l y t o s e e
whether any o f t h e causes suggested by Dre. U d d e l l and Manzel a r e applicable,
end, i f so, t o make this h o k n i r r t h e s e s p e c i f i o i m t a n c e s , On t h e o t h e r
hand, i f the suggested explanations o f Drs. Liddell d Menzel do n o t e x p l a i n
well-screened cases, thie should also be made k n m and glven f'urther s c i e n -
t i f i o stud,.

I n oonolusions it w a s t h e opinion of Dr, m e k t h a t l i t t l e m u

gained by attendance a t t h e meeting, ?he results were negative i n t h s s e n s e
t h a t i t was confimeds as Dr. H y ~ e ka l r e a d y believed, t h a t Drs, Wddell and
ldenzel had not s t u d i e d the l i t e r a t u r e and t h e evidence and, hence, were xt
q u a l i f i e d to speak with a u t h o r i t y on t h e s u b j e c t of r e c e n t s i g h t i n g 8 of Emi-
d e n t i f i e d a e r i a l phsnomena.
 UNCLASSIFIED

~n attempt t o arrrtnge 6 maotirg by Dr, Ziynuk w i t h Dr. k'onzel atxi

Dr, L i d d e l l , a f t o r t h e m e t 1 . n ~wau over, W A S w ~ o u c c e s s f u lbecause L i d d e l l and
Uenzel b o t h hhd t o l e a v o i n m e d l a t s l y a f t e r t h o meeting,

4. I n t e r r o g a t i o n Foms
Mve hunclrod c o p i e s o f t h e "U.S, A i r Force Technical Information
Shaet" (3brm A and Fom D) wore d o l i v e r e d to W-P AFB on 20 October 1952, T h i s
q u e s . t i o m i r e was used i n p l a c e o f t h o "Tentative Gbservers Data Shootn t o
r e c o r d d a t a on a l l s i g h t i n g r e p o r t s d a t e d a f t o r 31 Uarch 1952, It has provsd
t o b e more s a t i s f a c t o r y than the p r e v i o u s form, e s p e c i a l l y from t h e s t a n d p o i n t
of r e c o r d i n g data from s i g h t i n g r e p o r t s i n g r o a t o r d e t a i l ,

A d d i t i o n a l c o p i e s of t h e *U.S. A i r Force Technical I n f o m a t i o n

Sheetn can be s u p p l i e d t o Bluo Book aa neoded,

Coding and e v a l u a t i o n of 1952 s i g h t i n g r e p o r t s w i l l continue. A

preliminary analysis of d a t a on a l l s i g h t i n g r e p o r t s d a t e d previous t o 1952
mill be given t o Blue Book as soon as p o s s i b l e a f t o r e v a l u a t i o n i s c m p l s t e d
of t h e 1947 and 19& s i g h t i n g reports.
By 10 December 1452 all s i g h t i n g r e p o r t s dated b e f o r e 15 June 1952
s h o u l d be procossod and evaluotod ready f o r IBM a n a l y s i s . Complete I B l I a n a l y s i s
of all s i g h t i n g r e p o r t s dl1 not bo s t a r t e d u n t i l all r e p o r t s datad g r a v i o u s
to 1953 a r e processed and evaluated, Becaueo o f t h o n a t u r e of t h e work required,
and t h e f a c t t h a t t h o numbor of r o p o r t s f o r t h e l a s t t h r e e months of 1952 i s n o t
y e t known, no e s t i ~ r r a t ec a n be given as t o t h o time f i n a l IBBi a n a l y s i s dl1 be-
gin. It i s hopod, i f t h e frequency of s i g h t i n g r e p o r t s follows t h e p r e s e n t
dacreaaing trrrnd, t h a t c o u p l e t e IBM a n a l y s i a f o r s i g h t i n g 8 & t e d through 1952
may be s t a r t e d by 1 February 1953.
11, RECENT REPORTS
The f o l l ~ P r i n gr e p o r t s a r e e m t r i e s of r e p o r t s t h a t were r e c e i v e d dudng
the month of November 1952.

UNCLASSIFIED
4
 Erdfng Air Depot, Oenneny

I. Description of Incident.

Three airmon observed a n obdoct deacribad a s being dark and oval-shaped.

It appeared t o be tumbling e n d - o v e ~ e n d as i t t r a v e l e d eastward a t a low a p e d .
Objeot appeared t o be low. The time of the s i g h t i n g wee 1 m Z .
Weather a t t h e time of tho s i g h t i n g waer e c a t t e r e d clouds a t 2,308 and
an overcast a t 4,501. Winch a t 1,0001 were from 310" st 10 h o t s and a t
5,0001 'winds were from 300° a t 6 knota.

11. Discussion of Incident '

If balloons are launched a t 15062 i n Oennan;y aa they a r e i n t h e U.S.,

this 'could very w e l l be a balloon. The observers say i t was traveling East
whluh is with the wind.
XI. Conclusion
Probably a balloon launched from t h o a i r depot.
 UNCLASSIFIED

El Vado, New &xi co 9 November 1952

I Description of Incident

A t 01052 on 9 November 1952, a radar a t EL Vado, New Uexioo, f b s t ob-

served a "blipn 2 0 O wide, 45 miles and l 4 5 O from t h e s t a t i o n . The %UpH
was clocked a t fro= 600 t o W O mph as it r a n t off t h e scope a t 130 niloa.
It soon r e t u m d on t h e same azimuth, came t o within 65 miles of t h e s t a t i o n ,
hbverod ap?roxlmately tm minutes, turned, and went o f f t h e soope again. It
was observed a t o t a l o f t e n minutes.

During t h e sighting, t h e frequency of t h e radar a e t was ohanged 20 mega-

ayoles with m apparent change i n t h e target.
11. Mscuseion of Incident
Many similar t y p e s of r e t u r m have beon e h m t o be due t o o o r t a i n ataoe-
pheria oonditions. It ie very poasible t h a t thls r e t u r n was due t o weather.
III. Conclusion
Weather causeU t h e unusual. radar return.
 UNCLASSIFIED

Ch~tham, England - Dover, England 11 November 1952

I, Doscription o f I n c i d e n t

A t 16152 ( l o c a l time) on 11 November 1952, a p p r o x h a t e l y 40 c i v i l i a n s

oboerved an object whicn they reporzed f i r s t t o be oval-shaped then changing
t o er conical shape, then changing back t o an oval shape. It disappeared i n
a b r i g h t flash, Tho c o l o r and apparent s i z e and speed was not reported,
Thore was no sound. Tho obaemers were located a t 51°261~00*458E. The ob-
j e c t u a s obsorved t o t h e SE and was seen s e v e r a l times over a five-minute
period.
A t 16202 on t h e same day, a police sergeant and M p o l i c e r e c r u i t s
observed an o b j e c t described as a slowly moving small o v a l "nucleusn (i,e,,
body) b r i l l i a n t reddisi+whitc, and with a long f i e r y tail t e n times t h e
diamater of tho main body, The observers were located a t 5l005,N-OlO1OIE,
It was f i r s t seon on t h e western horizon, moving t o t h e north, The objeot
diaoppeared i n t o a heavy s t r a t u s cloud l a y e r a f t e r being observed f o r t e n
minutos.
Mscussion of Incident

A p l o t shows t h a t the polico t h a t made t h e obsemation were 24 miles

south and 29 miles west of t h e c i v i l i a n s . The c i v i l i a n s reported making t h e i r
observation t o t h e SE and the p o l i c e s t a t e d t h a t what thoy saw was west sf
them t r a v e l i n g t o t h e north, There i s a time disoropancy of f i v e minutos i n
t h e roported times tat this is not unusual s i n c e t h e r e could very wall be
e r r o r s i n estimating t h e time o r i n a difference between two watches o r clocks.
It can be reasonably aeaumed t h a t both p a r t i e s observed t h e same thlng,
The data received is very sketchy but i n d i c a t e s t h a t the object may have
been the vapor trail of a j e t a i r c r a f t , More d e t a i l s on tho s i g h t i n g would
be necessary before a d e f i n i t e conclusion can be reached, however,

In. Conclusion

I n s u f f i c i e n t d a t a f o r evaluation.
 Ophieu, Montana - Olasgow, Montana 13 November 1952

Description o f I n c i d e n t

A t 0243 E T on 13 November 1952 a weather observer t a k i n g a theodolite

r e a d i w on a w e a t h e r balloon a t Olasgow, Pdontnm, r e p o r t e d he observed Five
oval-shaped o b j o c t s with " l i g h t s a l l around themn flying i n a V-formation.
Each o b j e c t seemed t o be changing p o s i t i o n v e r t i c a l l y by ollmbing o r diving,
a g i f t o hold f o l u a t i o n , Tlle speed appeared t o be v e r y f a s t , t h e t o t a l time
of o b s o m a t i o n being 20 seconds. The reported obJects came f r m t h e M7,
went s t r a i g h t over t h e c e n t e r of t h e town, made a W 0 turn, and departed
tovrard t h e SW,
A t 0220 MST an .A&W S t a t i o n obtained an u n i d e n t i f i e d r a d a r t r a c k begin-
ning a t 47°&IN-10$0051W and l o s t it a t O3M MST a t / + 7 ° 3 8 ~ ~ 1 0 5 0 0 5 ~ ~,
The
a l t i t u d e was estimated t o be 158,0001 and t h e speed was 210 knots.

11, Discussion o f I n c i d e n t
If these d a t a a r e p l o t t e d it shows t h a t it i s doubtful t h a t t h e . t r a c k
observed on radar and t h e reported v i s u a l l y observed o b j e c t s were the sane,
While the r a d a r " b l i p n was going s t r a i g h t e a s t , south of ~ l a s g a w(Olasgcru
being n o r t h of t h e r a d a r t r a c k ) , t h e observer saw something come i n frm t h e
Nfl, t u r n , and go t o t h e SE over his p o s i t i o n ,

Since t h e o b j e c t s were reported d i r e c t l y over the observer and no sound

was heard, i t is doubtful as t o whether t h e obdects were a i r c r a f t ,

III, Conclusion
This psas not a combination radar-visual s i g h t i n g of the same obdect,
Thore a r e no conclusions a5 t o t h e n a t u r e o f t h e reported visual alghtfng,
The r a d a r track, however, oould be due to weather.
 At+ 2025 CST on 15 Hovabor 1952, an AF ragor v i t h 5,000 houra flyiw
t h o nna ongng6-d in watching p i l o t a under his uo;mand shoot landings in a
b 4 7 , Ho, another ratod offioer, and osverd. a i m o n 0b30mQd what ~ppanrcd
h b'o an elliptdcal, b l u e - M t e light with an o r w e or red t a i l . The ob-
jmt novsd orratioally a t a opead greater thna that aosooiatcd with a T-33
or 8-47. The objoctrras first oboarvod t o tho north traveling rapidly on
o h o r d f q of about 45O, thon it ruddenly nppaarcd t o otop, TZhon the ob3eot
atoppsds t h o orange glow appeared t o b~ on what had been the loading edge
of tho obJoot, The objeot narred,out again on a h e s a n g o f 45O t o a position
Nh3 of tho airport+, then 8topped again f o r two mimtea. It finally &asap-
p a r o d to t h o north, It waa in P f ~ na t o t a l of f i v e to t a n Poinutos,
The weather- was CAW, The winds were:

T m lighted noather balloons were launuhed a t 3030 CST. Although there

is a diaorepanoy of 5 minutee in t h e between the aightlng snd the balloon
launohas, the description o f the objeot, the deearibal ooums, eto,, f l t a
that of a balloon.
It i a belleved that tha reported objeat was one of t h e weather b l 1 0 0 ~ r

III. Coacluaion
Fk-obablv a balloon.
 UNCLASSIFIED

Imperial Beach, California

I. Description of Incident
A t 1l33t3 PST two duty o f f i c e r s a t a Naval s t a t i o n s i g h t e d an unusual l a r g e
orange d i s c o f l i g h t which hovered over t h e water f o r thrae to.f o u r rninutea
and then proaeedod upward a t a high speed. The o b j e c t l a t e r appeared a g a i n
and appeared to be a l a r g e yellow b a l l nhich, when looked a t through binocu-
lars# seemed t o have a bluish t i n g e around t h e edgea.
11. Msaussion of Incident

A t approldmntely this time t h e N a q and U.S. Weather Bureau r e l e a s e d

radiosonde and p i b a l l ueathor balloons and s i n c e t h e o b j e c t s hovered and t h e n
climbed, it l a f e l t ' t h a t e i t h e r one o f those caused t h e incident. The orarqe
d i e c d e s c r i p t i o n f i t s hare a l s o a s many times a r i s i n g balloon wlll c a t c h t h e
setting aun'a raye and appear t o be a glowing b a l l .
III, Conclusion
Probably a weather balloon,
 MoAndrm AFB, Nmrfoundland 16 November 1952

I. Description of Incidont
A t approximately 00152 on 16 November 1952 two observersa a tech sergeant
and t h o base ODa observed a "large, brilliant obJect t h e s i z e of a grapefruitw.
The object appeared t o be t r a v e l i n g v e r y f a s t as it came i n from t h e SV, made
a w0 turn d i r e c t l y ovsrhead, and disappearod i n a westerly direction. As it
l e f t t h e a r e a it appeared t o giva off a brilliant "cold w h i t e lightt'. The
duration of t h e s i g h t i n g was f i v e t o s i x aeconds, No sound was heard.
Many o t h e r sighting3 of a s i m i l a r nature were reported by Air Pollce
Ouards e a r l i e r . I n t h e evening,
Local radar was checked but they had c a r r i e d no unknown t r a a k s during the
period,
An a i r c r a f t crew reported t h a t they had seen a meteor a t 2 . 0 0 2 w h i l e ' f l y -
ing I n t o t h e area.

The weather was s c a t t e r e d t o no oloude a t 2,0001; v i s i b i l i t y 10 miles.

Mscuasion of Incident
There is a p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t the reported o b j e c t was t h e same meteor seen
by the a i r crew a t 2/$02* an e r r o r of 15 minutes i s possible. Meteors, however,
do n o t make w0 t u r n s and s i n c e the turn reportedly oocurred d i r e c t l y over t h e
obsorvero i t i a d i f f i c u l t t o say the tun? was a n i l l u s i o n , There a r e i n f r e -
quent r e p o r t s of f i r e b a l l s "glancing" o f f the atmosphere, Thla phenomenon
mlght appear t o be a W 0 turn.

The obJect evidently was very spectacular s i n c e t h e OD stopped his car,

ahut off t h e i g n i t i o n and go out t o uatoh, One observer s t a t e d t h a t he uaa
a f r a i d t h e obJeot was about t o h i t him.

Laoking data on t h e of a meteor o r f i r e b a l l appearing t o make a

90° turns, the obJect cannot be i d e n t i f i e d as a meteor.
111, Conclusion
Unknown
Elorence, South C a r o U r a 17 November 1952

I. Doscription of I d d e n t
A t 1715 EST, s e v e r a l observers i n and near FLorence, S.C., observed a
b r i g h t , e l l i p t i c a l - s h a p e d o b j e c t , t h i c k i n t h e c e n t e r and taperirrg a t t h e
edgos. It appeared t o be traveling slowly. Observers included a i r p o r t
managor, Eastern A i r l i n e s c a p t a i n (not airborne a t time of s i g h t i n g ) , a.
weather observer, r a d i o operator, and a $ouer operator.
A j e t a i r c r a f t was r o p o r t e d due over Florence radio a t t h e t i m e of t h o
sighting.

Thia i e another a i g h t i n g t h a t appears b e t t e r t h a n average, as f a r a s

aaurces a r e oonoerned, b u t a g a i n o e r t a i n d a t a are lacking. Since a J e t a i r
o r a f t was clue ovor t h e area, it oould have been t h o j e t . It is i n t e r e s t i n g
t o noto that s o many n i d e l y soparated sources would a l l r e p o r t an a i r c r a f t ,
eopeoially s i n c e they oan be oonsidered f a i r l y r e l i a b l e obsorvere.

Probably aircraft.
 E a s t Olenciale, California 2 . November 1952

I. Description o f Incidont

A t approximately 1548 PST t h r e e employeas of a n e s t - c o a s t a l r c r n f t p l a n t

observed f o u r u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g o b j e c t s i n formation m a r Grand Contra1 Air
T e r m i n a l , Tho o b j e c t s wero dascrlbed as b e i r q s p h e r i c a l i n shape, and o f
unkrio'm s i z o , They woro a d u l l grey aluminun c o l o r , arrl appearod t o be e i t h e r
emanating l i g h t o r r e f l e c t i n g s h a f t s o f s u n l i g h t . They f i r s t appoarod i n t h e
hW and appoarsd t o be o n an e a s t e r l y heading, A t one t i n e , a B-25 passed be-
tween t h e 0bjbct.s and t h e obeomars. The B-25 appoared t o be a t 1 9 0 , and
t h e o b j e o t s saemod t o be about tho r e l a t i v e s h e of a n a c e l l e on t h e &25.
The o b j e o t ~ rseemed t o t a k e on an e l l i p t i c a l shape, d h i n i s h i n b r i l l l a n c e ,
then d i s a p p e a r a t high spoed. Only t h e sound o f t h e B-25 was heard, The
s i g h t i n g l a s t , i d about 1 minute,

I, Discussion o f I n c i d e n t
These could have been a/c r e f l e c t i x g s u n l i g h t . The asudden disappear-
anoe a t high speedn oould be duo t o a change i n t h e a n g l e of r e f l e c t i o n cauo-
ing it to rapidly diminish and f a d e from view,
No data about t h e angles are g i v e n ao no angular v e l o o i t p aan be e s t a b
U ahed.
111, Conolusion

Possibly a i r c r a f t ,
White Sando, N m Mexlco 25 November 1952

I.- Description o f I n c i d e n t

Tne following i s an e x t r a c t from t h e Monthly Intelligence Sunmary, White

Sands P r o v i n g Grounds. The souroe i s a f i e l d grade o f f i c e r assignad t o M t e
SandYt
"l'i'hile r e t u r n i n g to White Sands Proving Omund from Mm Beaumont HospitalJ
at approxhmtely 2030 hours on 25 November 1952, I observedwhat appearad t o
be f l a r o s , o r pyrotechnics, on t h e r i g h t s i d e of t h o road. L!y f i r s t throught
was t h a t those o b j e c t s were f l a r o a t h a t w e r o being f i r o d by troops on a n i g h t
p r o j e c t . However, s h o r t l y thereafte-a matter of seconds--I observed what
eppeared t o be a flare l a n d r i g h t i n t h e middle of t h e road, about t h r o e o r
f o u r hundred yards d i s t a n t . It assurned t h e shapo of a b a l l , having a green
c e n t e r J f a d i n e t o a l i g h t hazy b l u e a t t h e e x t e r i o r . This l i g h t disappeared
before m y c a r a r r i v e d a t t h e spot. After observing this l i g h t , I thought that
tho Department o f Amg. had a new type pyrotechnics t h a t I was n o t f a m i l i a r
w i t h that t h e y wore using on a n i g h t problem, A p p r o h a t e l y t h r e e t o f i v e
minutos l a t e r I observed a l i g h t , o r aeries o f l i g h t s , approaching from t h e
r i g h t s i d o of t h e rood, i n t h e heavens, a t an a l t i t u d e of about , t h r e e t o f i v e
hundred f e o t and between 1/4 and 1/2 mile d i s t a n t . I thought t h a t probably,
i n con junction with th n i g h t problab, this was an a i r b o r n e drop of troops,
I f i r a t thought i t might be a G l l 9 o r a C-123, However, this o b j e c t made a
r i g h t hand t u r n above t h e road and t h e n disappeared a t a n angle o f approximate-
14' sos t r a i g h t i n t o t h e sky. I cannot s t a t e whether i t was a plane o r a type
of a i r c r a f t , I c a n n e r e l y s t a t e t h a t t h e r e were two mm of w h a t appeared t o
bo windows, b r i l l i a n t l y l i g h t e d , and I would estimate t h a t t h e y were f i v e t o
a i x f e e t i n h e i g h t and a i x t o e i g h t rrlndows i n eaoh of t h e two rom, A f t e r
this o b j e c t disappunrod, I stopped my o a r and got o u t t o seo i f I could Bee a
pleno b u t o o u l d s e e nothing. I t u r n e d o f f t h o motor on my c a r t o see i f I
oould hear t h e motors of a plane, b u t I could near no sound. I then proceedad
fro White Sands Proving Qroundew

It i s p o s s i u e t h a t t h e ob3eotwae a n a i r c r a f t exoept t h a t from Ule des-

a r i p t i o n it appeared t o be lm if i t were a n airca-aft, and e v i d e n t a l l y na
sound was heard, No follow-up i n v e s t i g a t i o n was made and since additional d a t a
are neaded no e v a l u a t i o n c a n be made.
Conclusion
I n s u f f i c i e n t data f o r evaluation.
 Canal Zone

I. ~ e s c r i ~ t l oofn Incident

F r o m 18002 ta 23492 on 25 Novembar 1952, two unidentified obdecta were

tracked on gun-laying radar. The obdects flew a t an estimated speed of 275
h o t s and varied a l t i t u d e betxeen l,OOO' and 28,0001, The aroa was put on a
yellow a l e r t a f t e r a l l known a i r t r a f f i c had been checked. Four a i r c r a f t
were scrambled fop v i a u a l search, but had no auccess.

~t one time, 23302, an AF major observed a glowing yellow l i g h t t r a v e l -

i n g rapidly f r o m e a s t t o west near France AFB. A t t h e time of this visual
sighting, t h e radar had t h o t a r g e t i n t h e France A F B araa. Other reporta of
v i s u a l sighting8 were' received, however, f u r t h e r Investigation shoved t h e s e
t o be t h e a i r c r a f t . t h a t had been scrmnbled f o r t h e attempted intercept.
Weather showed two inversion l a y e r e i n the araa, but t h e r e p o r t a t a t e s
tho p o s s i b i l i t y of weather causing t h e t a r g e t 8 was checked before t h e y e l l o w
dart was called.
11. Discussion of Incident

Although the r e p o r t on this i n c i d e n t i e oomplete, t h e r a i e s t i l l not

enough data.t o make a completa analysis. The f a a t t h a t inversions ware noted
r a i e o s the p o s s i b i l i t y of weather phenomena c b u i n g t h e targets.

III. Conclusion

Radar r e t u r n s probably due t o weather.

 UNCLASSIFIED

SE of Prescott, Arizona 27 November 1952

I. Description of I n c i d e n t

WAle on a f l i g h t from E l Paso, Texas, t o Nellla AFB, Nevada, i n a B-26

a i r c r a f t , an A F It c o l o n e l and h i s craw c h i e f observed f o u r quick bursts o f
black amoko i n tandem, d i r e c t l y ahead o f t h e i r a i r c r a f t and a t t h e i r a l t i t u d e .
The time mas 1210 PST, After about 2 mfnutea, three more b u r s t s appeared then
t h r e e more, A t 1218 PST, t h r e e more puffs wore s e e n t o the l e f t of t h o i r
course and ahead, with t h r e e moro appearing a t 9 o(c1oak. A t t h i s t h e , t h e
pilot made a w0 t u r n t o t h e l e f t . The puffs of smoke continued a s t h e EL26
made s e v e r a l t u r n s i n t h e area. Once the puffs o f smoke would have bracketed
t h a a/c had it continued on .course. A t one time, t h e p i l o t flew c l o s e to t h e
puffs and t h e y appeared t o be yellowish i n c o l o r and about 20' i n diameter.
Exceedingly rough a i r was noted c l o s e t o t h e srroke puffs.
The e n t i r e i n o i d e n t l a s t e d 20 minutes.

Discussion o f I n c i d e n t
?he d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e smoke puffs would l e a d one t o b e l i e v e t h a t t h e
&26 h d encountered f l a k . The a r e a of t h e encounter was f a r from any tar-
g e t area, hwaever, and s i n c e the a/c was only a t 10,000@under VFR conditions,
i t i s doubtful that even i f i t were i n a p r a c t i c e a r e a it would be c o n t i n u a l l y
f i r e d upon.
Conclusion
 Ogden, Utah S November 1952

Doscription of Incident

Tsoo pilots in a T-33 aircraft f l y i n g a t X ) , O O 0 ~ reported observing an

object t r a i l i n g a long a m b e r c r o s e colored s t r e a m . The time of sighting m a
1345 PST, 23 Novmber 1952, and l a s t e d f o r 20 minutss. The object appeared
t o b'e wavering s l i g h t l y from aide t o s i d e and remaining i n a fixed position
unul the '2-33 passed it, then i t appeared t o pick up speed.
11. Mscusslon of Incident

At 1745 PSTthe aun would be in a p o s i t i o n to illuminate a vapor trall

similar t o the way the-sunl i g h t s or colors clouds 1 n . a sunset.
111. Conclusion

Rwbably an aircraft.
 UNCLASSIFIED

30 November 1952

I. D e s c r i p t i o n oS I n c i d o n t

A t 0030 EST on 30 November 1952, the CAA r a d a r a t Washington National

Airport a g a i n began t o show " b l i p s " s i m i l a r t o those i n J u l y 1952. Thoy
showed t h o same p a t t e r n and Sehavior as !before w i t h speeds of 90-100 mph vdth
maneuvers i d e n t i c a l t o normal a i r c r e f f i dxoopt f o r s p o r a d i c appearances a d
disnppoarances, The "bUpan oontinuad f o r an u n s p e c i f i e d period of tjme.
Aircraf't i n t h e a r e a were alerted but could seo nothing,
The weather included l i g h t onow. k mention vna m a e of whether t h e r e
was o r was p o t an invercrion.
11bli.p~"s i m i l a r t o t h e onos reporteh were seen on the previous n i g h t
(29 Novanbar 1952). The weather a t t h a t t h e was CAW with no i n v e r s i o n , A t
t h i a time, t h e t a r g o t s appeorod over Adrme A F B but oould n o t be seen from
t h e ground,

11. Mecuaslon o f I n c i d e n t
A s s t a t e d above, this r e p o r t i s similar t o t h e onaa reported frcom t h e
Washington National Airport Tower, I n t h e s e t h e r e was a g r e a t d e a l of dis-
ouaaion a s t o the e f f e o t a of invereions on radar.
111, Conclusion

None
 STATUS REPORT

PROJECT BLUE BOOK - REPORT NO. 10

FORMERLY PROJECT GRUDGE

PROJECT NO. 10073,

27 FEBRUARY 1953

AIR TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE
OHIO

Copy No.
63
 STATUS OF FROJECT BLUE BOOK

I. OVE'IiATL STATUS

Thcre has been a n o t i c e a b l e decrease i n t h e number of u n i d e n t i f i e d ' a e r i a l

o b j e c t r e p o r t s submitted t o t h i s h o j e c t i n t h e e r i o d covered by this S t a t u s
Report (~cccrnber1952, January and February 1953 when compared with t h e number 5'
submitted i n t h e period covered by S t a t u s Report No. 9 (June, July, August,
Septenber, October and November 1952). P r e s e n t l y .from two t o t h r e e r e p o r t s a r e
r c c e i v e d d a i l y a s compared t o e i g h t r e p o r t s r e c e i v e d d a i l y during t h e p e r i o d
cover& by t h e previous r e p o r t .

Because of a marked decrease i n newspaper p u b l i c i t y , fewer r e p o r t s have been

received from c i v i l i a n s Kith t h e r e s u l t t h a t m i l i t a r y s i g h t i n g s now account f o r
a t l e a s t 60 percent of a l l u n i d e n t i f i e d o b j e c t r e p o r t s . I n s p i t e of t h e dropping
of t h e s u b j e c t . b y t h e n a t i o n a l p r e s s , it i s s i g n i f i c a n t t o note t h a t a s t e a d y i n f l u x
of t h r e e r e p o r t s d a i l y come i n t o P r o j e c t Blue Book from persons who s i n c e r e l y bo-
l i e v e t h e y saw an unusual phenomenon i n t h e s k y and t h i s ' i s one of t h e main r e a s o n s
uhy t h e A i r Force i s s t i l l continuing and t a k i n g an i n t e r e s t i n t h e P r o j e c t ,

Three i n c i d e n t s which occurred i n January s e r v e t o i l l u s t r a t e t h e d i r e c t e f f e c t

of p u b l i c i t y on t h e number and q u a l i t y of FLYOBRPTS received by t h e P r o j e c t , During
t h e period 2 1 January t o 27 January, a s i g h t i n g from Northern Japan near Russian-
h s l d t e r r i t o r y , a t e l e v i s i o n program involving " f l y i n g s a u c e r s M , and a s i g h t i n g of
a n u n i d o n t i f i e d a e r i a l o b j e c t by a j e t p i l o b on t h e West Coast a l l received con-
s i d e r a b l e newspaper p u b l i c i t y which r e s u l t e d i n a n o t i c e a b l e i n c r e a s e i n r e p o r t s
a t t h e A i r Technical I n t e l l i g e n c e Centor, This i s i l l u s t r a t e d by t h e graph i n
S e c t i o n X of t h i s S t a t u s Report,

P r i o r t o t h e i n c i d e n t s mentioned above, t h e q u a l i t y of f l y i n g o b j e c t r e p o r t s
continued t o irnprove i n q u a l i t y and completeness even t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t base in-
t e l l i g e n c e personnel wcre analyzing r e p o r t s a t t h e l o c a l e of s i g h t i n g , something
which P r o j e c t Blue Gook encnnrages. There uas a noticeable i n c r e a s e i n t h e percentage
of r a d a r s i g h t i n g s made during this time. However, many r e p o r t s submitted a s a result
of t h e f l u r r y of l a t e January s i g h t i n g s u e r e s o incomplete t h a t many of them had t o
be c a t e g o r i z e d a s ~ l i n s u f f i c i e n tdataw, The probable reason f o r t h i s is t h a t t h e base
i n t e l l i g e n c e o f f i c e r r e s p o n s i b l e f o r p r e p a r i n g an u n i d e n t i f i e d a e r i a l o b j e c t r e p o r t
has l o s t i n t e r e s t i n t h e s u b j e c t due t o t h e heavy l o a d of l o u grade r e p o r t s which he
had t o submit l a s t summer,

During December, January, and February, P r o j e c t Blue Book personnel s p e n t a

good p o r t i o n of t h e i r time b r i e f i n g such i n t e r e s t e d agencies a s t h e A i r Pefense
Command, t h e h602nd A i r I n t e l l i g e n c e S e m i c e Squadron, and t h e Sandia Corporation
d t h t h e d u a l purpose of (1) g e n e r a l education about P r o j e c t Blue Book, and ( 2 )
better in^ t h o q u a l i t y of f l y i n g o b j e c t r e p o r t s theinselves i n a d d i t i o n t o Improving
channels f o r obtaining supporting information necessary f o r analysj s of a FLYOBRFT,

A l l r e p o r t s rccelved were screened and evaluated . a s soon a s poss5ble a f t e r

being received. X percentage breakdown as t o t h e evaluations is given beJou, along
d t h a furthor breakdowlr of sources:
 100 T o t a l Reports f o r December 1352, January 1953, and F e b r u a r y 1953
Unknowns 17.00$
I n s u f f i c i e n t Data 26.30g
Aircraft 13-00%
Balloons lo?.90$
Astronomical 20. QO$
Other 7.00%
loo. 00,"
15% of t h e t o t a l involved r a d a r d e t e c t i o n .
Sources :

Mlitary
Civilian
I . SICKTIN~S OVER NORTIIERN JAPAN

I n t h e l a s t month t h e r e has been a d e f i n l t e i n c r e a s e i n t h e nunher o f r e p o r t s

r e c e i v e d from FEAF b y ATIC. They have been acconpanied b y some p u b l 2 c i t y i n t h e
n a t i o n a l p r e s s . I n c l u d e d in t h e r e p o r t s have been a c e r t a i n number of o b s e r v a t i o n s
from Northern Japan n e a r Russian-held t e r r i t o r y and f o r t h i s reason t h e y have becn
given a good d e a l of a t t e n t i o n b y P r o j e c t Blue Book.
The two most p u b l i c i z e d s i g h t i n g s occurred on 30 December 1952 and 9 February
1953; t h e f i r s t was s e e n by a Colonel i n an F-84 over llokkaido I s l a n d , t h e seccnd
by a p i l o t and a r a d a r observer i n a n F-94 a i r c r a f t a l s o o v e r Northern Japan. R e -
p o r t s of b o t h s i g h t i n g s have been r e c e i v e d and checked by ATIC. The F-84 s l g h t i n g
was analyzed as a p r o b a b l e s t a r s i n c e it sccrned t o remain on t h e same azimuth
(2700) and e l e v a t i o n throughout t h e ~ ~ e r i oofd s i g h t i n g . The F-94 r e p o r t i n v o l v e s
a r a d a r c o n t a c t by t h e r a d a r o b s e r v e r w i t h a s i n u l t a n e o u s v i s u a l s i g h t i n g of t h e
o b j e c t and cannot b e e x p l a i n e d a t t h e p r e s e n t time.

S i n c e J u l y 1952, 16 r e p o r t s of u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g ob-jects b e l n g s i g h t e d o v e r
Japan have been r e c e i v e d from FEU?. Undoubtedly, t h e r e were numerous o t h e r obser-
v a t i o n s r e p o r t e d t o FEAF i n t e l l i g e n c e p e r s o n n e l which were e v a l u a t e d and e l i m i n a t e d
a s knc:m phenomena on t h e s p o t . Seventy-five p e r c e n t of t h e s e s i g h t i n g s have becn
ejcl;lained t o t h e s a t i s f a c t i o n of P r o j e c t Bluo Book. Of t h e t o t a l number of s i g h t -
i n g ~f r a n Japan, 18.75 p e r c e n t involved so;ae t y p e of r a d a r equipment.

CQRRI.1LA'i'IOM OF RADATIOM CO'LRITS

I n t h e summer of 2952 it wcls r e p o r t e d t o P r o j e c t Bluc Book t h a t i n t h e p a s t

s e v e r a l y e a r s t h e r e have been soine i n s t a n c e s uhere t h e r e e x i s t e d a supposed corre-
l a t i o n between t h e v i s u a l s i g h t i n g of u n i d e n t i f i e d o b J e c t and a r ~ p i dr i s o i n
r a d i a t i o n count on r a d i a t i o n d e t e c t i n g devices i n a r e a s c l o s e t o t h e Idit. Palom-tr
Olsarvatory, C a l i f o r n i a , and l a t e r a t Los Xlamos, Xeu I.:efico. I n e a r l y f a l l of
1952 P r o j c c t Bluc Book 3 e ~ a nt o .%!:c i n ^ , ~ i ~ i about es t t ~ e s eocc;-rrences. I t was
folind t h a t i n October 19h9 s u c h an $ x i d e n t Itad o c c u r r e d a t t h e I.:t. P a l o r a r
Observatory and t h a t t h e Navy had i n v e s t i g a t e d . It was a l s o l e a r n e d t h a t s e v e r a l
times during 1 9 9 , 1351, and 1952 t h a t sane occurrence had taken p l a c e a t t h e Los
Alamos S c i e n t i f i c Laboratory i n Los Alamos, New Plexico.
A t r i p was made t o Los Alamos and t h e personnel who had made a s t u d y of t h e
p o s s i b l e c o r r e l a t i o n were contacted. They v e r y g r a c i o u s l y made t h e i r f i l e s a v a i l -
a b l e t o A T I C personnel and a thorough check of t h e i r r a d i a t i o n r e c o r d e r r e c o r d s
was made. Dates of a l l t h e sudden f l u r r i e s o f r a d i a t i o n were checked a g a i n s t
P r o j e c t Blue Book f i l e s of s i g h t i n g s ; they were checlced with the l o c a l newspapers
i n t h e Albuquerque a r e a i n a n attempt t o pick up any s i g h t i n g s t h a t ATIC d i d n o t
have on f i l e ; and t h e y were checked a g a i n s t pick-ups of unknown t a r g e t s on r a d a r
i n t h e Albuquerque area. I n no i n s t a n c e could any d i r e c t c o r r e l a t i o n be found,
It i s p o s s i b l e t h a t something was observed and not r e p o r t e d o r a t least no- r e c o r d
of t h e s i g h t i n g was kept, However, t h e r e i s no way t o check back on this,
To f u r t h e r i n q u i r e i n t o t h e matter, t h e Navy r e p o r t of October 19b9 w a s
obtained. I t s t a t e d t h a t on twd occasions a t F i t . Palomar a t t h e sanie time t h e
r a d i a t i o n d e t e c t i o n devices picked up some unknown f l u r r y of r a d i a t i o n personnel
froin t h e observatory obsenred something i n t h e a i r , I n one i n s t a n c e t h e o b j e c t
appeared s i m i l a r t o a b i r d and i n another i n s t a n c e v e r y similar t o a formation
of a i r c r a f t , The ?lavy made a v e r y d e t a i l e d check i n t o t h e equipment and went s o
far as t o f l y a i r c r a f t over t h e a r e a t o determine whether o r not r a d a r o r o t h e r
e l e c t r o n i c e q u i ~ m e n ti n t h e a i r c r a f t could have caused t h e sudden b u r s t of r a d i a -
t i o n . These t e s t s were made with negative r e s u l t s . It was f i n a l l y determined
t h a t t h e r e was a v e r y good p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t t h e s i g h t i n g and t h e d e t e c t i o n of
r a d i a t i o n was rnerely a coincidence, t h a t t h e o b j e c t s were p o s s i b l y b i r d s o r
a i r c r a f t , and t h a t t h e sudden b u r s t of r a d i a t i o n was due t o a malfunction of
equipment o r i n t e r f e r e n c e t h a t i s not c'ompletely understood a t t h e p r e s e n t - time.
The r e s u l t s of t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n were reviewed b y s e v e r a l h i g h l y q u a l i f i e d
s c i e n t i s t s and it was t h e i r opinion t h a t t h e r e was nothing N g h l y s i g n i f i c a n t
In t h e supposed c o r r e l a t i o n .
N. COIJTRACTCR STATUS
ProJect Blue Book has a c o n t r a c t with a c i v i l i a n r e s e a r c h o r g a n i z a t i o n which
s e r v e s t h e p r o j e c t with an IBb1 a n a l y s i s of unider:tifled a e r i a l o b j e c t r e p o r t s and
t e c h n i c a l a n a l y s i s of any s p e c i f i c problen~submitted- A s was pointed o u t i n t h e
l a s t s t a t u s r e p o r t ( S t a t u s Report No. 9) coding and e v a l u a t i o n by t h e c o n t r a c t o r
of 1952 s i g h t i n g r e p o r t s js continuing and a l l r e p o r t s f o r this year should be
cotipletely processed and ready f o r t h e IBM system by 15 1-larch 1953, A l l s i ~ h t i n g s
from 1947 t o 1951 were submitted t o a p r e l i m i n a r y I B N a n a l y s i s on 26 January 1953.
This work i s continuing and r e s u l t s of t h e a n a l y s i s w i l l be forwarded i n f o r m a l l y
t o P r o j e c t Blue Book a s soon a s they a r e a v a i l a b l e ,
A two- ay eva u a t l o I conferenc b tlrean a E l y
P 3 5 f ooF- team and a contract,or
team was he d on 2 and 3 January 959 i n r h i c h l e a 1 9 5 2 c a s e s we--e given f i n a l
evaluation i n preparation f o r submission t o t h e I F i M a n a l y s i s .
A rock sample was s e n t t o P r o j e c t blue Eook by a r e t i r e d L t Commander i n
t h e Navy i n connection with a s i g h t i n g h6 had rmde on 1 2 Septerfibcr 1952. The
ex-officer, who tans a l s o a I k v a l f l i e r , was corivinced t h a t the roc):, wldch ha8
an unusual shape, was d i r e c t l y a ~ : ~ o c i a t e with d t h e f l y i n g o b j e c t he otscrvt-d.
Clue book oskcd f o r a c o n t r a c t o r a r ~ i r l y s i sand a f t e r c l o s e s t u d y t h e corrtractor
confirmed t!xe o p i n i o n of C l u e Book t b & a tt h e r o c k : n e r d y r e p r e s e n t e d a p i e c e of
con-non s l a g f r ~ r na n open h e a r t h f u r n a c e .

V. BRIDI:!GS GIVCI

A. S a n d i a Corporation, Albuquqrque, ?Iew Plexico

On .6 J a n u s r y 1953 a t 1330 hours GST, P r o j e c t Blue Eook p e r s o n n e l p r e -

s e n t e d a b r i e f i n g t o 200 s c i e n t i s t s and e n g i n e e r s of t h e Sandia Corporation,
The b r i e f i n e c o n s i s t e d of a s h o r t h i s t o r y of t h e p r o j e c t , d e t a i l s of p r e s e n t
.
o p e r a t i o n s and r e c e n t s i g h t i n g s I n c l u d i n g t h e q u e s t i o n and answer p e r i o d , t h o
b r i e f i n g l a s t e d 2 1/2 hours. The b r i e f i n g was r e q u e s t e d b y t h e S a n d i a C o r y ~ r a t i o n
as a m a t t e r of g e n e r a l i n t e r e s t to i t s s c i e n t i f i c personnel.'
B. 3 4 t h A i r Defense Command D i v i s i o n , Albuquerquz, N e w Idexico

On 6 January 1953, t h e P r o j e c t Blue Book b r i e f i n g team met w i t h Head-

q u a r t e r s p e r s o n n e l and i n t e l l i g e n c e p e r s o n n e l of t h e 3 4 t h A i r Defense Com.ind
Division, K i r t l a n d AFB; f o r t h e purpose of b r i o f i n e t h e s e p e r s o n n e l on P r o j e c t
Blue Book and a l s o t o - m e e t s c i e n t i f i c p e r s o n n e l o f t h e Los Alamos S c i e n t i f i c
Laboratory, I n a d d i t i o n t o o u t l i n i n g a g e n e r a l p i c t u r e of t h e f u n c t i o n of Blue
Book, t h e s p e c i f i c i t e m s o f . ( I ) an i n s t r u m e n t e d a r e a f o r r e c o r d i n g u n i d e n t i f i e d
f l y i n g o b j e c t s was d i s c u s s e d w i t h t h e 3bth, and ( 2 ) r a d i a t i o n c o r r e l a t i o n u i t h
unknown s i g h t i n g s was d i s c u s s e d with t h e Los Alamos s c i e n t i s t s .

C. A.D.C. O f f i c e r ' s Call, Ent AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado

AII A i r Defense C o m n d O f f i c e r 's C a l l was b r i e f e d on 2 4 J a n u a r y 1953.

The b r i e f i n g c o n s i s t e d of a p r e s e n t l t i o n of P r o j e c t Blue Book's background and
was s l a n t e d toward g a i n i n g t h e a s s i s t a n c e of A i r Defense Comnand o r g a n i z a t i o n s
i n t h e a n a l y s i s of a FLYOBRYl'.

D. O f f i c e r ' s I n t e l l i g e n c e Class, Loury AFB, Denver, Colorado

On 13 F e b r u a r y 1955 a b r i e f i n g was given t o a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f f i c e r ' s

c l a s s of t h e A i r I n t e l l i g e n c e School a t Lo-ny. Xany o f f i c e r s g r a d u a t i n g from
t h i s b a s i c s c h o o l w i l l undolibtedly submit a FLYOBRFT t o ATIC and s u c h a b r i e f i n g
was considered h i g h l y d e s i r a b l e i n a n a t t e m p t t o r a i s e t h e s t a n d a r d of r e p o r t i n g .

E. A i r I n t e l l i g e n c e School I n s t r u c t o r l s B r i e f i n g , Lowry .AFB, Denver, Colorado

S i n c e it i s n o t f e a s i b l e t o b r i e f t h e many c l a s s e s of A i r I n t e l l i g e n c e
O f f i c e r s a t Lowry on t h e requirements of Blue Eook, t h e b e s t comproinise plan was
t o b r i e f t h e i n s t r u c t o r personnel o f t h e s c h o o l s o t h a t t h e y may p a s s t h e informa-
t i o n a l o n g t o t h e i r c l a s s e s . This b r i e f i n g w a s given on 16 February 1953.

F. The 4602nd A i r I n t e l l i e e n c e S e r v i c e Squadron, P e t e r s o n AFB, Colorado

S p r i n g s , Colorado. On 13 F e b r u a r y 1953, AISS was b r i e f e d and t h e f e a s i b i l i t y
of P r o j e c t Blue Book's u t i l i z i n g t h e i r f i e l d u n i t s was d i s c u s s e d . This o r g a n i -
z a t i o n has t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , i n the c a s e of combat, of s u p p o r t i n g t h e i n t e l l l -
gence mission of t h e A i r Defense Command b y o v e r t c o l l e c t i o n , l i m i t e d f i e l d
UNCLASSIFIED
T53-3695 4
 a n a l y s i s and r a p i d r e p o r t i n g of a i r combat i n t e l l i g e n c e w i t h i n t h e area of
ADC1s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y . Cue t o t h e combat-ready n a t u r e of t h e h602nd1s mission,
i t i s coxlcerlied niainly a t t h e p r e s e n t time w i t h t r a i n i n g i t s personnel. For
this reason ATIC hopes t h a t t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n w i l l be a b l e t o assist P r o j e c t
Blue Book i n t h e r a p i d r e p o r t i n g and e v a l u a t i o n o f & d e n t i f i e d a e r i a l o b j e c t
reports.
Headquarters of t h e h602nd i s a t Peterson F i e l d , Coloraao apr-lngs, Colorado,
and has t h r e e detachments a t San Francisco, Kansas City, and Newburg, Mcw York,
which i n t u r n have c o n t r o l of 1 k f l i g h t s spread through t h e 2.1. The f l i g h t s
are t h e f i e l d agencies which would do t h e a c t u a l c o l l e c t i o n of enemy equipnlent
and p e r s o n n e l i n t h e event t h a t enemy a i r c r a f t f e l l i n t h e United S t a t e s . Pro-
j e c t Blue Book has i n i t i a t e d p r e l i m i n a r y p l a n s with AISS t o u t i l i z e personnel in
t h e s e f l i g h t s t o i n v e s t i g a t e and analyze r e p o r t s of u n i d e n t i f i e d a e r i a l o b j e c t s
and it i s hoped t h a t f i n a l coordination on t h e plan and its implementation will
cone about in t h e near f u t u r e . This would g i v e P r o j e c t Blue Book r a p i d first-
hand information from t r a i n e d i n t e l l i g e n c e o f f i c e r s .

I VIDEON CAMERA STATUS

S i n c e t h e p e r i o d of t h e l a s t s t a t u s r e p o r t , t e s t s have been made on t h e

camera and it has been found t h a t t h o d i f f r c i c t i o r ~g r i d has d i s i n t e g r a t e d on a
m a j o r i t y of them. The g r i d s a r e s l o w l y l o s i n g t h e i r l i g h t s e p a r a t i n g a b i l i t y
due t o what i s a p p a r e n t l y some t y p e of chemical decomposition. The P r o j e c t ' s
s c i e n t i f i c c o n t r a c t o r i s attempting t o analyze t h e d i f f i c u l t y and w i l l a d v i s e
ATIC of i t s f i n d i n g s .
Coordination has been r e c e i v e d from t h e A i r Defense Command and t h e Airuays
and A i r Communications S e r v i c e s (AACS) t o p l a c e tha g r i d cameras i n c o n t r o l towers
and s e l e c t e d r a d a r sites. This cannot be r e a l i z e d , of course, u n t i l t h e cameras
are mado o p e r a t i o n a l .

VIII. CONTRACX ASTROhIOhlEX

Blue Book h a s a working agreement w i t h i t s c o n t r a c t astronomer whereby he

reviews a l l s i g h t i n g s f o r p o s s i b l e meteor o r astronomical explanations on a weekly
basis ,

F o r t h e y e a r s 19k7 t o 1952 P r o j e c t Blue Book has r e c e i v e d through m i l i t a r y

c h a ~ e l sand analyzed over 2,500 r e p o r t s . I n a d d i t i o n , t h e p r o j e c t has received
hundreds of l e t t e r s from c i v i l i a n s . I n general, t h o d a t a contained i n t h e s e
l e t t e r s are t o o nebulous t o evaluate. S i n c e 1 January 1952, Blue Book has
analyzed over 1,000 r e p o r t s received throueh m i l i t a r y channels and t h e s e have
been b r ~ k e ndoun i n t o t h e following c a t e g o r i e s by percentages of t h e t o t a l r e p o r t s :

Balloons 18.51%
Known
Probable
-- 1.57
&, 99
Possible - 11.95
UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

Aircraft
Known
Probable
Possible
--- 0.98
3.Ch
7-74

AstronocLcal
Knmm
Probable
-- 2-55
4-01
Possible - 2.64

Other b.205
Hoaxes 1.67%
Radar (where e x p l a n a t i o n i s n o t obvious) 6 a %
I n s u f f i c i e n t Data t o Evaluate 22.725
Unknown 20.10%

A s t o t h e breakdown of t y p e s of sources making t h e r e p o r t , t h e f ollovring

f i g u r e s r e p r e s e n t percentages r e c e i v e d from a r b i t r a r i l y categorized groups :

C i v i l i a n s (General - no s p e c i a l q u a l i f i c a t i o n s . t h a t would
e s t a b l i s h them as b e t t e r than average observers) b7 -08%

USAF B l o t s and AFrcrew Members (while f l y i n g ) 11.02%

A i r l i n e P i l o t s (while f l y i n g ) 2 -00%

C i v i l i a n P i l o t s ( non-airline. while f l y i n g ) 4.1LZ

Tower Operators ( c i v i l i a n and m i l i t a r y ) OOe6$
Eklloon Observers .
1 00%
Civilian Scientists, hgineers, etc. 3.29%
M i l i t a r y Personnel ( g e n e r a l ) 18.03%
Radar Returns 12.58$
Thus far t h e r e l a t i v e l y l i m i t e d s t a t i s t i c a l approach t o u n i d e n t i f i e d o b j e c t s
has proceeded a l o n g o n l y t h e most g e n e r a l trends. For example, t h e month of J u l y
1952 was high w i t h 440 s i g h t i n g s . Another general t r e n d exists i n t h e geographi-
cal l o c a t i o n of s i g h t i n g s s i n c e t h e y conceritrate around k'ashington,D, C,j San
Antonio, Texas; Albuquerque, New Kexico; and San Francisco, C a l i f o r n i a - Another
i n t e r e s t i n g development shown by t h e s t a t i s t i c a l s u r v e y is t h a t a compzratively
h i g h percentage of s i g h t i n g s occur d u r i n g t h e t w i l i g h t hours, The s i m p l e s t ex-
p l a n a t i o n i s t h a t many people a r e out-of-doors a t t h a t time and t h e r a y s of t h e
s e t t i n g sun p e n e t r a t i n g t h e upper atmosphere w i l l r e f l e c t b r i g h t l y from any re-
f l e c t i v e s u r f a c e . The IBM a n a l y s i s by t h e c o n t r a c t o r should a f f o r d any s i g n i f i c a n t
t r e n d s I n v o l v i n g shapes, s i z e s , e s t i m a t i o n s of v e l o c i t y and a l t i t u d e , course head-
i n g s o r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c maneuvers of u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g objects.
 UNCLASSI FlED

Frequency of -F'LYOBRPTS for the period of December 1952 t o February 1953

and correlation with nationally publicized incidents follow.
 FREQUENCY OF
A P T U R E D B Y A "FLYING

-
D E C 1952 JAN 8 F E B 1953
AND POSSIBLE EFFLCTS OF PUBLICITY

DECEMBER FEBRUARY
XI. SYIIOPSIS OF FLYOLTM"S

An i n d i v i d u a l account of t h e m a j o r i t y of u n i d e n t i f i e d a e r i a l o b j e c t
r e p o r t s submitted t o P r o j e c t Blue Book d-aring the months of December 199,
January and February 1953, follows.

'NCUSS~ F ~ E ~
Colorado S p r i n g s , Colorado 4 Decembsr 1952

I. D o s c r l p t i o n o f Tncident

An Air Force s e r g e a n t and a c i v i l i s n s i g h t e d a round alurrdnum colored o b j e c t

f l y i n g e a s t t o west, It appeared t o be changing shape a s i t proceedad o u t of
s i g h t t o t h o ~ e s t , The a p p r o x h a t e time of s i g h t i n g was 1100-1'200 ET, f o r 1
minute o f duration. The two men s t a t e t h a t t h e o b j e c t was going 8 l i g h t l y f a s t e r
t h a n a conventional j e t a i r c r a f t , b u t d i d have a p e r c e p t i b l e aluminum hue. No
sound was heard a s a l a r g e machine was o p e r a t i n g a t c l o s e range. M l e t h e o b
j e c t was overhead, s e v e r a l r i g h t a n g l e t u r n s were made without apparent slowing
o f speod,

11. Discussion o f I n c i d e n t
A i r c r a f t i n the. a r e a included l3-29's and 550's a s w e l l ss a Camp Carson ob-
s e r v a t i o n plane, The EL2918 and B-50'8 a r e ruled o u t a s a p o s s i b i l d t y s i n c e t h e y
were on a s o u t h heading 7 minutes a f t e r t h e s i g h t i n g took place,

The observation plane, however, was i n t h e area a t t h e exaat time of o b s e ~

v a t i o n and on a w e s t e r l y hoading, The changing shape, which happened only once,
oould have bosn t h e b r i g h t dd-day Bun r e f l e c t i n g h m this a i r c r a f t , The
x e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s were CAVU.

111. Conclusions

Possibly a i r c r a f t ,
Angoon, Alaska 6 December 1952

1. Doscription of I n c i d e n t
An Air ~ a t i o n a iGuard p i l o t s i g h t e d an o b j e c t c o n s i s t i n g of two s h i a y globes
connectad bj a s o l i d rod proceeding i n a s o u t h e r l y d i r e c t i o n . T h e o f s i g h t i n g
was 19152 and l a s t e d 3 minutes. The o b j e c t assumed a f l a t t e n e d shape a t times,
but t h e observing p i l o t w a s unable t o d i s t i n g u i s h any U g h t s , vapor trails o r
exhaust smoke although he chased t h e o b j e c t u n t i l i t a p p a r e n t l y a c c e l e r a t e d and
disappeared i n t h e sun. The p i l o t e s t i m a t e d s i z e comparable t o a Grumman Goose
a i r c r a f t , . Weather a t t h e time of s i g h t i n g was c l e a r .

11, Discussion of I n c i d e n t

This r e p o r t i s very sketchy sl d vague and t h e r e i s n o t s u f f i c i e n t i n f o r m t i o n

t o c m e up w i t h a conclusion. The d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e o b j e c t i s q u i t e s i m i l a r t o
r e p o r t s o f known upper air r e s e a r c h balloons and t h e fact t h a t i t appeared t o g a i n
a l t i t u d e would l e n d credence to t h i s explanation. However, among o t h e r items, no
wind d i r e c t i o n i s knom thereby e l i m i n a t i n g a tie-up between t h e o b j e c t ' s p a t h
and upper a i r wlnd c u r r e n t s ,

111. Conclusion
I n s u f f i c i e n t d a t a to evaluate,

UNCLASSIFIED

17
 UNCLASSIFIED

Odessa, M a s l i i n ~ t o n

I. Doocrlption o f I n c i d q n t
Tvro pilots, i n a n F-94 made visual and r a d a r c o n t a c t w i t h a large, round
w h i t e o b j o c t l a r g e r ,than any known t y p e of a i r o r a f t . A dim reddish-white
l i g h t cans from t h e o b j o c t as i t hovered, r e v e r s e d d i r e c t i o n almost i n s t a n -
taneously and t h e n disappearod. The o b j e c t appearod t o be l e v e l ~ 5 t h the
i n t e r c e p t i n g F-94 a t 26,000 to 2'7,000 f e e t . Airborne r a d a r and v i s u a l c o n t a c t
wore s i m l t a n e o u s and l a s t e d f o r 15 minutes. F-94 attempted to c o n t a c t l o c a l
GCA but without succoss. Weather w a s c l e a r above 3,000 f e e t . Time o f sight+
i n g was 1915 PST.

Discussion o f I n c i d o n t

Two a d d i t i o n a l F-94 wore i n t h e g e n e r a l a r e a b u t a t lower a l t i t u d e s and

t h u s are e l i m i n a t e d a s p o s s i b l e cause f o r t h e s i g h t i n g . The d e s c r i p t i o n of
"largo, round and white and extremely l a r g e n i s s i g n i f i c a n t : Uppor a i r r e s e a r o h
balloons a r o tear-shaped and made of t r a n s l u c e n t polyethylene and a t c r u i s i n g
a l t i + , u d e expand t o a s much a s 90 f o o t i n l e n g t h . The equipment hanging below
t h e b a l l o o n i s capable o f making a r e t u r n t o a i r b o r n e . radar. Although A T I C haa
receivod no rocord o f upper air m s o a r c h balloon t r a c k s f o r this d a t e t h e des-
c r i p t i o n of t h e o b j e c t allows a preliminary e v a l u a t i o n o f " p o s s i b l e balloonn,

111. Conclusion

P o s s i b l e balloon.
 UNCLASSIFIED
Anderson AFB, Guam 19 December 1952

I. Description of Incident
From 2050 t o 205s hours an unidentified a e r i a l o b j e c t was sighted from
t h r e e separate points of observation -- (1) ground crew personnel at. Anderson
AFB, Guam, ( 2 ) a Naval O f f i c e r lb miles south of Anderson AFB, and (3) from
an incoljng Us
B-17 miles from G m on a westerly heading. The object o r
o b j e c t s i n a l l cases were reported t o be on a heading of 270°, appeared cy-
U n d r i c a l i n shape, of s i l v e r y color with a b r i g h t flame t r a i l 5 n g from t h e
r e a r . The speed was considered t o b e i n considerable excess of t h a t of a con-
ventional j e t and i n each case t h e s i g h t i n g did not exceed bs seconds.
11. Discussion of Incident
The object was seen a t 0850 a.m. a t which time it would be too b r i g h t t o
s e e a meteor o r s t a r . It appears t h a t a l l observers saw t h e same object s i n c e
descriptions, d i r e c t i o n s given t o t h e unknown, and time of sighting a l l coincide.
The B-17 p i l o t s sighted t h e object 115 m i l - west of Guam, f i v e minutes a f t e r t h e
o t h e r s i g h t i n g s and y e t t h e object was reported t o have been going west of Ander-
son AFB f i v e minutes e a r l i e r . This seeming discrepancy here might b e explained by
t h e f a c t t h a t t h e time e s t l & t e by t h e B-17 p i l o t s was off. The object appears t o
be going too slow t o be a meteor and a l l l o c a l a i r c r a f t have been accounted for.
There was a scheduled balloon launch a t Guam a t 21002 close t o t h e sighting time
b u t t h e description of t h e o b j e c t does not coincide with usual balloon descriptions.
111. Conclusion

Unknown
 UNCLASSIFIED
Cap Ccrson, Colorado

I. D e s c r i ~ t i o nof I n c i d e n t

Observers a t Camp Carson s i g h t e d a s i l v e r y u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g o b j e c t a t

0617 bET. It appeared c i r c u l a r i n shape about t h e s i z e of a baseball, changing
l a t e r t o a ntear-shapedll c o n f i g u r a t i o n and hovered i n view f o r t w o t o t h r e e
minutes a f t e r which it disappeared a t a high r a t e of speed, Observers w=e
t h r e e airmen assigned t o t h i s base and a l l s t a t e d t h a t t h e unknown o b j e c t was
l o c a t e d s o u t h of t h e i r observation p o i n t . The o b j e c t emitted a n i n t e r m i t t e n t
white U g h t w h i l e i n view.

I . 'Discussion of I n c i d e n t
Although t h e s i g h t i n g took .place two hours a f t e r a scheduled p i b a l l balloon
r e l e a s e a t Pueblo, Colorado, t h i s r e p o r t has been evaluated a s p o s s i b l y balloon
due t o t h e d e s c r i p t i o n . Its tear-drop shape i n d i c a t e s t h a t i t may be a l a r g e
pear-shaped upper a i r r e s e a r c h b a l l o o n with a p i l o t l i g h t , ATIC has n o t y e t had
t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o check t h e o b j e c t a g a i n s t known upper a i r r e s e a r c h b a l l o o n
tracks b u t t e n t a t i v e l y e v a l u a t e s . t h e s i g h t i n g as shown below.
Conclusion

P o s s i b l y balloon.

I. Description o f I n c i d o n t

A t 2309 cST a m i l i t a r y p i l o t s i g h t e d an elongated c i g a r - l i k e o b j e a t a b o u t

t h o s i z o o f a medium bombor w i t h a n exhaust about e i g h t times t h e l e n g t h of the
o b j e c t i t s e l f . It t r a v e l e d from e a s t t o west over Albuquerque, New blexico. ~ l l
s i g h t i n g s were v i s u a l f o r a p e r i o d of 1 0 t o 20 seconds. There wero broken high
clouds a t 30,000 f e e t w i t h 40 m i l e s v i s i b i l i t y ,

11. Discussion of I n c i d e n t

A l l a i r t r a f f i c in t h e a r e a was i d e n t i f i e d bg K i r t l a n d Am. The 'object

may have been a meteor s i n c e t h e time of s i g h t i n g was b r i e f , I n a d d l t i o n t h e
o b j e c t had a tail, common t o some moteors, However, n o t enough c o n c r e t e i n f o r -
mation i s a v a i l a b l e t o a f f o r d a p o s s i b l e s o l u t i o n , A T I C i s i n t h e process of
checking p a s t s i g h t i n g s a e d n s t known meteor t r a c k s and a n answer might be found
hero.

I n s u f f i c i e n t information,
 UNCLASSIFIED
Eau G a m e , F l o r i d a

I, Description of I n c i d e n t

A t 2345 3 a c i v i l i a n employee of P a t r i c k AFB observed a n u n i d e n t i f i e d

a e r i a l o b j e c t f o r t h r e e seconds. Source compared t h e o b J e c t t o a f l y i n g Piing
and s a i d t h a t i t was a t a n a l t i t u d e o f l e s s t h a n f i v e hundred f e e t , f l y i n g a t
about 500 mph i n a SSVI d i r e c t i o n , Source s a w a t l e a s t 4 b l u e l i g h t s on t h e
lower s u r f a c e o f t h e obJect. The weather was c o l d and c l e a r w i t h l i t t l e o r no
wind. No o t h e r person observed the o b j e c t .

11. Discussion o f I n c i d e n t
The s o u r c e appeara t o be an u n u s u a l l y r e l i a b l e and experienced observer.

111. Conclusion

Craig, L'ontsro

I. D3scription of I n c i d e n t

A t 0403 S t h r o e sources observed a n a e r i a l o b j e c t 25 t o 40 f e e t l o n g and

14 to 25 fast t h i c k with t h e appearance of two soup bowla put togctthcr. There
were s e v e r a l l i g h t e d windows w t t h what appeared t o be a p o r t h o l s on t h e s i d e .
The o b j e c t moved s l o ~ l ya t first, t h e n began a r a p i d climb. The manner of dis-
appearance was unspecified. The obJect f i r s t appeared a t 200 t o 300 y a r d s
d i s t a n c e from t h e observers a t a n a l t i t u d e of 1 0 t o 15 f e e t ,

Discussion o f I n c i d e n t

An i n v e s t i g a t i o n o f t h e s o u r c e s revealed t h a t t h e y a r e mature, r e l i a b l e
and, a t l e a s t i n one case, r e l a t i v e l y experienced persons.

111. Conclusion
 Larsen Air Force Ease, Washington t3 January 1953

I. Description o f Incident
A t 1515 Z over s i x t y v a r i e d m i l i t a r y and c i v i l i a n sources observed one green,
disc-shaped object. The observations continued f o r f i f t e e n minutes during which
t i n e t h e obdect moved i n a southwesterly d i r e c t i o n while bobbing v e r t i c a l l y and
going sideways. There was no sound. An F-94 a i r c r a f t was scrarr.bled but a t h i r t y
d n u t e search of t h e a r e a produced negative i n t e r c e p t r e s u l t s .
XI. Discussion o f Incident

A check of adjacent radar s f t e s revealed no unusual r e t u r n s o r a c t i v i t y i n

t h e area. The winds were generally from 240° below an overcast a t 12,0001. Thus
t h e . o b j e c t would appear t o move a g a i n s t the wind since it must have been below
t h e clouds. There was no air t r a f f i o reported i n t h e area.

111. Conclusion
Unknown

Sonona, C a l i f o r n i a

I. Description of I n c i d e n t
A t 2345 Z t m o i v i l l a n sources observed one small fl25ng object moving a t a
g r o a t r a t e of speed and performing v i o l e n t maneuvers, The o b j e c t ' s sound was
s i n i l a r t o t h a t of a j e t a i r c r a f t . The o b j e c t made t h r e e 360° r i g h t t u r n s i n
nine seconds then performed abrupt go0 t u r n s =rst t o t h e r i g h t , then t o t h e l e f t , ,
The o b j e c t then stopped, a c c e l e r a t s d t o i t s former speed, rose v e r t i c a l l y and
disappeared.
31, LKscussion o f I n c i d e n t
The only known a e r i a l o b j e c t capable o f appearing t o go through t h e described
maneuvers would be a balloon; however, t h e time f a c t o r s and v e l o c i t y estimates
do n o t support this conclusion.
111. Conclusion

Unknown
 UNCLASSIFIED

Harmon Mr Force Ease, Nmfoundlad 22 January 1953

I, Doscription o f Incident
An u n i d o n t l f l e d flying object described a s red, white and blue and
oval-shaped, was observed v i s u a l l y from the weather station, control tower,
baso operations o f f i c e , and a nearby A&W s i t e a t Hannon AFB, Newfoundland,
a t 0040 Z. An attempt t o contact the object by radnr met 4 t h negative
results.

XI, Discussion o f Incident

Local investigation precluded the p o s s i b i l i t y o f the object being a .

balloon,
111. Conclusion
Insufficient data fir analysis.
C o n t i n m t a l Divide, New Voxico 26 January 1953

Description of I n c i d e n t

On 26 January 1953 a t 2115 MST Air Force personnel s t a t i o n e d a t an AC&W

s t a t i o n i n t h i s a r e a observed an a e r i a l phenomenon simultaneously by e l e c t r o n i c
anl v i s u a l means. To t h e naked eyo t h e o b j e c t appeared a s a v e r y b r i g h t reddish-
w h i t e o b j a c t estimated t o bo 1 0 miles west o f t h e r a d a r s i t e . The o b j e c t passed
bshlnd a hill and then reappeared a p p a r e n t l y heading i n a n o r t h e r l y d i r e c t i o n a t
a slow speed. The airman making this v i s u a l observation r e p o r t e d i t t o p e r s o k
nelmanning tho r a d a r equipment, They s t a t o d t h a t they had an u n i d e n t i f i e d b l i p
on t h e radar scope, appearing west of t h e s t a t i o n approximately 9 miles away.
The scopo showed t h e o b j o c t t o be on a VO0 azimuth a t an a l t i t u d e of 10-15,000,
movlne; away from t h e s i t e a t 12-15 mph, It w a s e v e n t u a l l y l o s t on radar a t t h e
18 mile ranee. The o b j e c t was under v i s u a l and r a d a r o b s e r v a t i o n i n t e r m i t t e n t l y
for 45 minutes. The e l e v a t i o n of t h e s t a t i o n i s 7,5001 above s e a l e v e l .
Weather a t t h e time was charactorixed by a high t h i n o v e r c a s t and low
e c a t t o r e d clouds. Winds a l o f t were from 270" a t 30 knots a t 10-30,0001, An
atmospheric i n v e r s i o n l a y e r e x i s t e d a t 16,0001 with t h e top a t 21,000f.

Discussion o f Incidont

This i s t h e most complete r e p o r t e v e r rsceivod by ATIC on t h e s i g h t i n g o f

an u n i d e n t i f i e d o b j e c t , The i n t o l l l g e n c e o f f i c e r of t h e 34th Air Division, ADC,
i s t o be complimented on h i s i n i t i a t i v e and complete covering of a l l t h e a ~ g l e s
bearing on t h e observation, Moreover, t h e combination v i s u a l - o l e c t r o n i c sighting
is t h e b e s t type of s i g h t i n g t o work with because it a f f o r d s the most information.
The i n t e l l i g e n c e o f f i c e r preparing t h e r e p o r t checked on weather balloon re-
l e a s e s i n t h e a r o s o f observation a s a p o s s i b l e answer t o t h e s i g h t i n g . It was
found t h a t a 91 radiosondo balloon r e l e a s e d from Winslow, Arizona, would o f f e r
t h e only p o s s i b i l i t y . The unlcnown o b j e c t was observed t o move from e a s t t o west,
a g a i n s t t h e p r e v a i l i n g wlnds a l o f t which r u l e s o u t t h e b a l l o o n theory. Also t h e
s i g h t i n g time o f 0415 3 i s 1 hour and 15 minutes a f t e r t h e Winsluw r e l e a s e and
by t h a t t h e it i s probable t h a t t h e radiosonde had b u r s t a t a l t i t u d e long before,

The f a c t t h a t t h e obJect was d e t e c t e d on r a d a r and s e e n v i s u a l l y f o r s o l o n g

a p e r i o d o f time e l i d n a t e s t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of an astronomical s o l u t i o n , such as
a s t a r or f i r e b a l l , a r d e s p e c i a l l y i f both r a d a r and eye were s e e i n g t h e same o b
J e c t , i t i s u n l i k e l y t h a t these o b j e c t s would cause r a d a r r e t u r n s . Since t h e
o b J e c t m s tracked a t 13 t o 15 mph, a i r c r a f t a r e a l s o eliminated as a p o s s i b i l i t y .

ATIC e l e c t r o n i c s s p e c i a l i s t s advanced t h e t h e o r y t h a t t h e slow speed and

l a r g e v i s u a l r a d a r s i z e o f t h e t a r g e t make i t appear t h a t weather e f f e c t s may bs
t h e cause o f t h e e l e c t r o n i c pick-up. However, t h e i n v e r s i o n l a y e r a t 16,0001
appears t o be t o o high t o e f f e c t t h e r a d a r which was tracking t h e o b j e c t a t 10
t o 15,000'. The w e a t h e r e f f e c t explanation cannot, o f course, account f o r t h e
simultaneous v i s u a l s i g h t i n g . There i s a p o s s i b i l i t y which A T I C i s now checking
that t h e r a d a r personnel may have been looking a t t h e p l a n e t Venus, very low and
b r i g h t on t h e western horizon a t this time of year, and t h a t t h e radar p o s s i b l y
encountered t h e aforementioned weather i n t e r f e r e n c e a t t h e same t h e . This
would r o q u i r e a high degree of coincidence, however, and t h e r a d a r and v i s u a l
s i g h t i n g 6 seem t o coincide t o o exactly t o g i v e much weight t o t h e theory t h a t
both were observing d i f f e r e n t objects.
Two o t h e r items added t o t h e completeness of t h e report. ATIC supplied t h e
r e p o r t i n g i n t e l l i g e n c e o f f i o e r with a USAF Technical Information Sheet, o r a
v i s u a l questionnaire, and a n E l e c t r o n i c s Data Sheet covering t h e r a d a r pick-up.
a r t h e r a n a l y s i s o f this s i g h t i n g awaits a d i a b a t i c weather c h a r t s f o r t h e d a t e
and a r e a of a i g h t i n g and u n t i l this information i s receiveds t h i e r e p o r t icr
oarried i n P r o j e c t Blue Book @af i l e s a8 an unknown.
III .
Conolusion

UNCLASSIFIED
R-E''

S a m p s ~ nAir Force Base, New York 26 January 1953

I. Description of I n c i d e n t
A t 2320 8 an airman a t Sampson AFB, New York, v i s u a l l y observed one l a r g e
luminous r e c t a n g u l a r shaped u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g object. I n one minute t h e
o b j e c t t r a v e l e d through an a r c of 70 o r 80 degrees, while emitting a humming
sound.
11. Discussion o f Incident
The o b j e c t above described appeared f o r only one minute, consequently
a n a l y s i s i s v e r y d i f f i c u l t . However, ATIC raquested infoxmation concerning
l o c a l a i r c r a f t and was t o l d t h a t a ccrnmercial f l i g h t was i n t h e a r e a around
t h e s i g h t i n g time.
III. Conclusion
Possibly a i r c r a f t .
 Yuma City, Arizona b February 1953

I. Description of Incident
A t 1 3 9 IGT a meteorological a i d f o r t h e U.S. Weather Bureau w a s searching
f o r a l o s t weather balloon w i t h t h e a i d of aotheodolite when he sighted a s o U d
white, oblong object a t a d i r e c t i o n of 157.2 and elevation of 53.3°. The s i z e
of t h e o b j e c t consisted of one minute of arc.
The object appeared t o be ascending s t r a i g h t up, then l e v e l l e d off and a t
;this point was joined by a second o b j e c t of exactly t h e same description, The
second object l e f t t h e f i e l d of t h e t h e o d o l i t e twice b u t returned each time t o
j o i n t h e original. The both disap eared simultaneously a t an angle of 20h.1°
.
a t an elevation of 29.1 B A t 20h.1 g t h e sky was covered by c i r r u s clouds a t .
approximately 25,000 f t .
The objects remained i n v i s i o n f o r f i v e minutes. The observer s t a t e d that
t h e objects roso more r a p i d l y than any balloon he has ever seen and furthermore
moved against t h e prevailing westerly winds. There appeared t o be no glimmer o r
r e f l e c t i o n from the sun from t h e objects,

XI. Discussion of Incident

From t h e observers obvious experience i n t r a c k i n g balloons, it i s concluded
t h a t these objects could not have been balloons e s p e c i a l l y s i n c e they were seen
t o move against the wind. There were a i r c r a f t i n t h e area b u t t h e observer s t a t e s
ho was a w e of them and could not have confused them with t h e unknown objects.
Becauso of t h e rnaneilvers and t h e tirne of day, astronomical a c t i v i t y must be ruled
out. ATIC has not been a b l e t o f i n d an answer t o this sighting.
111. Conclusion
 UNCLASSIFIED

Guam (Truk I s l a n d ) 6 February 1953

I. D e s c r i p t i o n of I n c i d e n t

k t 1110 l o c a l t h e a n Air Force o f f i c e r i n charge o f t h e Weather Bureau

S t a t i o n on Truk s i g h t e d an u n i d e n t i f i e d bullet-shaped s h i n y o b j e c t t r a v e l i n g
aa estimated 1s mph a t an approfimate a l t i t u d e of LOO t o 500 f t . t h r e e t o four
miles away, The ob3ect appeared t o be ' a s l i g h t l y l a r g e r than a C-47 a i r c r a f t f 1
w i t h no n o t i c e z b l e wings o r t a i l s e c t i o n and gave a s h i n y appearance as i f - of
highly p o l i s h e d metal.

11. M s c m s i o n of I n c i d e n t

A check with Guam f l i g h t s e r v i c e i n d i c a t e s t h a t a C-47 was i n t h e area a t

t h e t i m e of s i g h t i n g , The.&y was c l e a r with a b r i g h t s u n capable of d i s t o r t i n g
t h e normal f e a t u r e s of a C-47.

I11 Ccnclusion

Probably aircrafto
Ramier, Alabama 16 February 1953

I. Description of I n c i d e n t

Two c i v i l i a n men a t thts l o c a t i o n s i g h t e d a n u n i d e n t i f i e d o b j e c t as 1630

EST while watching t h e f l i g h t of a 13-47 a i r c r a f t cross t h e i r f i e l d of v i s i o n .
A m e t a l l i c looking o b j e c t appearing round a t one i n s t a n t and f l a t t h e n e x t was
s e e n a t a n a l t i t u d e of about t u o - t h i r d s t h a t of t h e B-47 which A T I C l e a r n e d was
a t 35,000 f t , Its maneuvers c o n s i s t e d of climbing, diving, and s h a r p a n g l e t u r n s
t o t h e l e f t and r i g h t i n and around a few s c a t t e r e d clouds and it appeared t o be
F a s t e r t h a n t h e B-47. T o t a l time of s i g h t i n g w a s f o r 20 minutes.

XI. Discussion of I n c i d e n t

.Although t h e I.laxwell Radio Range S t a t i o n r e p o r t e d no known a i r c r a f t o t h e r

t h a n t h e B-47 i n t h e a r e a ATIC f e e l s t h a t , on t h e b a s i s of t h e d e s c r i p t i o n sub-
m i t t e d b y t h e tuo r e l a t i v e l y inexperienced observers, t h e y probably s i g h t e d a
f i h t e r t y p e a i r c r a f t , p o s s i b l y a n F-86, maneuvering i n t h e a i r space below t h e
t
B- 7, To s u p p o r t this conclusion i s t h e f a c t t h a t t h e clouds mentioned i n t h e
o r i g i n a l r e p o r t around which t h e o b j e c t was s i g h t e d , were determined t o be a t
20,000 f t . A t this a l t i t u d e a f i g h t o r a i r c r a f t would b e hard t o d i s t i n g u i s h .
The observers d i d s t a t e , however, t h a t t h e o b j e c t appeared t o have swept-back
wings.
111. Conclusion

Possibly aircraft.
 U NCLASSIF iElD

P o r t Austin, bLFchigan 17 February 1953

D ~ s c r i p t l o nof I n c i d e n t

A i 2204 EST an u n i d e n t i f i e d a e r i a l o b j e c t was sightod v i s u a l l y b y members o f

a n A&W Squadron a t P o r t .Austin. The o b j e c t was e i g h t t o t e n miles northwest o f
t h e i r s t a t i o n a t a n estimated 100' above t h e l ~ o r i z o n . I t appeared t o be l a r g e r
and b r i g h t e r t h a n a s t a r and o t h e r t h a n changing c o l o r , t h e r e were no unusual
f m t u r e s v i s i b l e . The o b j e c t was moving s o u t h a t a low r a t e oT speod and even-
t u a l l y faded o u t completely a f t e r becoming much l o s s b r i g h t i n i n t e n s i t y . .T h i s
o b j e c t was viewed v i s u a l l y from 2204 EST f o r f i v e minutes u n t i l 2209 EST.

A t 220g EST, t h e observers tracked t h e o b j e c t on a s e a r c h r a d a r s e t . P o s i t i o n

of t h e o b j e o t on t h e radar s e t was 300° moving i n a 180" course a t 55 knots. The
o b j e c t was observed a t 2208 EST f o r 17 minutes u n t i l 2225 EST. No h e i g h t f i n d i n g
equiprnont was a v a i l a b l e a t p o i n t of observation, b u t t h e observers e s t i m a t e d t h o

were: v i s i b i l i t y and c e i l i n g -
a l t i t u d e a t . 10001 f r o n t h e r a d a r returns. Veathsr c o n d i t i o n s a t time o f s i g h t i n g
unlimited, with moderate winds from t h e west,

XI. Mscuasion o f Incident

The p o s s i b i l i t y of t h a reported o b j e c t being a balloon vms chscked by the re-

p o r t i n g o f f i c e r . The n e a r e s t b ~ l l o o nlaunch s t a t i o n i s a t Waukegan, kichigan,
which is 140 miles from P o r t Austin. A p i b a l l t y p e b a l l o o n was r e l e a s e d from Wau-
kegan a t 03002. It i s not l i k e l y t h a t t h i s balloon caused t h e s i g h t i n g because
t h e o b j e c t i n q u e s t i o n was sightod a t 03042.

Both t h e v i s u a l and e l e c t r o n i c s i g h t i n e s wera mado by t h e same personnel,

c o n s i s t i n g of t.ao o f f i c e r 3 and t h r e e ainnen. A l l o f these men have t h r e e o r more
y e a r s experience i n radar. A r a d a r scope camera was i n s t a l l e d , b u t was not i n
o p e r a t i o n a t t h e time of sighting.

No known m e t e o r o l o ~ i c a ldisturbancee o r a c t i v i t y e d s t e d a t t h e time o f sight-

ing, o r a t a n y time t h a t day.

A f t e r checking w i t h surrounaing bases and f l i g h t p l a n eourcas, I t waa found

t h a t t h e r e were no known a i r c r a f t i n t h o general @ r o a m

The p l a n e t Venus i s very low on t h e northwest harizon a t t h i s t i m e o f y e a r and

is e a s i l y seen. This f a c t mieht e x p l a i n t h e v i s u a l s i g h t i n e , b u t Venus r r i l l n o t
ahow on a r a d a r scope,
h r t h e r a n a l y s i s of t h i s s i g h t l y awaits a d i a b a t i c w e a t h e r c h a r t s f o r t h o d a t e
and a r e a o f s i g h t i n g . Unt3l this information is raceived, t h i s r e p o r t is c a r r i e d
as unknolm.
 STATUS REPORT

PROJECT BLUE BOOK - REPORT NO.11

FORMERLY PROJECT GRUDGE

PROJECT NO. 10073

31 M A Y 1953

AIR TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE
OHIO

Copy No. 74
~ 5 -7362
3
 UNCLASSIFIED

STATUS OF FZOJECT'BLUZ BOOK

A t o t a l of 89 r e p o r t s of u n i d e n t i f i e d a e r i a l o b j e c t s were r e c e i v e d by
P r o j e c t B l u t Book d u r i n g t h s p e r i o d covered by S t a t u s R e p o r t No. 11 ( ~ o r c h ,
A p r i l , arid May 1953). A t ~ t a of l 188 r e p o r t s were s u b m i t t e d f o r December,
J a n u a r y , and F e b r u a r y ; t h e g e n e r a l i n f l u x has t h e r e f o r e dropped n o t i c e a b l y
w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of t h e month of March 1953.

I n March, 59 FLYOIBPTS were r e c e i v e d , 53 p e r c e n t from m i l i t a r y o b c e r v e r s ,

t h e r e m a i n i n g from c i v i l i a n s i n v a r i o u s wnlks of l i f e . Known a s t r o n o m i c a l
phenomena accountetl f o r 2 1 of t h e s i g h t i n 6 3 o r npproximotely 35 p e r c e n t , w i t h
t h e p l a n e t Venus t h e e e t a b l i s h e d c s u o e of 16 f l y i n g o b J e c t r e p o r t s . Venus
a p p e a r s low on t h e h o r i z o n a t t h i s time o f y e a r and i s u n u s u a l l y b r i g h t ; it
i s p o s s i b l e f o r it t o a p p e a r t o chance c o l o r and p e r f o r m e r r a t i c maneuvers
when s e e n t h r o u g h t h i n c l o u d s o r p o u n d haze. I n t h i s c o n n e c t i o n it i s i n -
t e r e s t i n g t o n o t e t h a t e x p e r i e n c e d m i l i t a r y p i l o t s r e p o r t e d t h i s phenbmena
i n f o u r i n s t a n c e s as a n u n i d e n t i f i e d ' a e r i s l o b j e c t . However, t h e m a j o r i t y
o f proven Venus s i g h t i n g 8 were t u r n e d i n b y members of t h e Ground O b s e r v e r
Corps. One w a s r e p o r t e d b y an a i r l i n e e p i l o t .

During t h e l a s t t h r e e months of o p e r a t i o n , P r o j e c t Blue Book h a s r e c e i v e d

a n a v e r a g e o f 10 r e p o r t e per week which i s c o n s i d e r a b l y under t h e f i v e FLYOBRFTB
p e r d a y s u b m i t t e d d u r i n g t h e f a l l of 1952. The volume of r e p o r t s d u r i n g t h e
s p r i n g o f 1953 h a s been t h e l o w e s t i n t h e l a s t two y e a r s and it i s b e l i e v e d
t h e g e n e r a l l y i n c l e m e n t weather t h r o u g h o u t t h e United S t a t e s h a s had much t o
do with t h i s -

It i s a l s o t h e o p i n i o n of P r o j e c t Blue Book, however, t h a t one h i g h l y

p u b l i c i z e d s i g h t i n g c o u l d a & a i n t r i ~ g e ro f f a n o t h e r "saucer" s c a r e w i t h r e -
s u l t i n g p r e s s u r e on t h e A i r F o r c e and ATIC. The d i r e c t r e l a t i o n between
newspapor p u b l i c i t y and t h e number of r e p o r t s s u b m i t t e d h a s been f i r m l y e s -
t a b l i s h e d b y P r o j e c t Blue Book. I n t h i s c o n n e c t i o n and because of l a t e n t
p u b l i c i n t e r e s t and p o s s i b l e h y s t e r i a which a r e b e l i e v e d t o e x i s t , ATIC i s
c u r r e n t l y p r e p a r i n g a s t a t e m e n t on u n i d e n t i f i e d o b j e c t s which w i l l b e i s s u e d
b y P.I.O., Washington, D.C., a t t h e f i r s t I n d i c a t i o n of p u b l i c i t y . It w i l l
g i v e a f u l l a c c o u n t o f ATIC1e f i n d i n g s , i n c l u d i n g p e r c e n t a g e of u n e x p l a i n a b l e
r e p o r t s , percentage of known o b J e c t s o r phenomena s u c h as a i r c r a f t , b a l l o o n s ,
r a d a r i n t e r f e r e n c e , e t c . Thus t h e A i r F o r c e c a n n o t be accused of w i t h h o l d i n g
information. I t is ATIC's p o l i c y t o keep t h e p u b l i c f u l l y informed.

A complete s t a t i s t i c a l s t u d y of a l l r e p o r t e from 1947 t o 1952 i s now

I n t h e f i n a l s t a g e 8 of 1.B.N. p r e p a r a t i o n . A f i n a l r e p o r t i s e x p e c t e d on
15 August 1953. I t w i l l i n c l u d e s t a t i s t i c a l p r o b a b i l i t i e s and i n d e x e s o f
comparisons on u n i d e n t i f i e d o b j e c t s and a g e n e r a l c o m e n t a r y of t h e c o n c l u -
s i o n s reached by t h e study, the first e f f o r t ever rade t o t r e a t s i g n t i n e s
m a t h e m a t i c a l l y . A t o t a l of over 3,000 r e p o r t e w i l l b e p r o c e s s e d i n t h i s s t u d y .

Another i t e m of importance o c c u r r i n g d u r i n g t h e p e r i o d of t h i s S t a t u s Re-

p o r t was t h e c o m p l e t i o n of a b r i c f i n g t o u r of A i r Defense Command u n i t s by
P r o j e c t B l u e Book. T h i s w i l l b e examined i n f u r t h e r d e t a l l on following p a g e s .
 P r o j e c t Blue Book continued t o s c r e e n and e v a l u a t e a l l r e p o r t s as aoon
a e p o s s i b l e a f t e r b e i n g r e c e i v e d . The f o l l o w i n g r e p r e s e n t s a breakdown of
t h e n m b e r of r e p o r t a by month and t h e p e r c e n t a g e breakdown of e v a l u a t i o n s ;

Conclusion -
mo. Percenbge
Aetronomlcal 21 35.6
Balloon 7 11.8
March: - Aircraft 8 13.6
I n s u f f i c i e n t Data 12 20 3
Other * 8 13.6
Unkn o h 3 5.1
Total 59 100.0

Astronomical 4
Balloon 1
April: - Aircraft
Insufficient Data
5
3
Other * 1
Unknown
~ o t a l
-2
16
Astronomical 1
5
May: - Balloon
Aircraft
I n s u f f i c i e n t Data
4
1
Other + 2
Unknown
Total
-1
14

Y anuar y 63 + Water r e f l e c t i o n s
February 75 S t r a n g e cloud f o r m a t i o n s
March 59 Sun-Moon dogs
April 16 F l y l n g paper, e t c .
-14
Total 227 R e p o r t s

An average of 45 r e p o r t s r e c e i v e d monthly s i n c e t h e f i r s t of
1953. 105 of a l l r e p o r t s i n 1953 are c l a s e i f i e d a s unknown.
fI. CANADIAN FLYING SAUCER

In t h e 11 F e b r u a r y 1953 e d i t i o n of t h e "Toronto star" t h e r e appeared an

a r t i c l e e n t i t l e d "Canadian F l y i n g Saucer". T h i s a r t i c l e s t a t e d t h a t a r e v o l u -
t i o n a r y t y p e a i r c r a f t had been produced a t t h e Avro Canada's Malton, O n t a r i o ,
f a c t o r y . T h i s a i r c r a f t was r e p o r t e d t o have a speed of 1 5 0 mph, and t h a t
v e r t i c a l t a k e o f f and hovering would be p o s s i b l e .

P r o j e c t Blue Book attempted t o o b t a i n more i n f o r m a t i o n through t h e A i r

A t t a c h e i n Ottawa. The r e p l y a t s t e d t h a t t h e r e i e no r e a s o n t o b e l i e v e that
a " f l y i n g eaucer" i s under development i n Canada a t t h e p r e e e n t t L m e .
A . V. Roc, L i n i t c d , of T o r o n t o , Can?,G?-, haV:e i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e y a r e i n t e r e s t e d
i n d c v c l o p f n ~c ~ u p e r s o n i ct ; ~ cof a i r c r c f t . T h i s h a s n o t p r o p e s s e d t o m3re
t h n n a nket,ch s t o r ; c o f d c v e l o p m c n t , and would p r o b a b l y n o t be r e a d y f o r t h e
d r n w i n g b o s r d u n t i l two o r t h r e e > c a r s from t h i s t i n e .

I:umerou3 a r t i c l e s h a v e a p p e a r e d i n t h e Conc.dian p r e s s r e g o r d i n g t h e s u b -
Jcct t h n t h a v e ~ l v e n3.lttle new i r r f o r n ~ t i o n . iIowever, t h e most p u z z l i n ~
i n f o r u ~ z t i o nc a n e t h r o u ~ hUSAF c h a n n e l s . The USAF hns been informed by a con-
f i d e n t i a l c o u r c c t h a t a Canadinn e n c i n e e r , t h e d e s i g n e r of a Canadian a l l -
w e a t h r r i n t e r c e p t o r , i s t h e d e o i c n e r of t h i s " s a u c e r " . The s o u r c e e t a t e s t h a t ,
l?Ct~l.' office:-s have v i s i t e d t h e A . V. Roe f a c t o r y where he works end have s e e n
a d e m a n s t r n t i o n o f a model. The s u b j e c t e n g i n e e r c l a i m e d t h a t he h n s f l o w n
t h i s n o d e l w h i c h i a 12 i n c h e s t o 18 i n c h e s i n d i o ~ n e t e rfrom Malton A i r f i e l d .

C o n s i d e r i n g t h e r e p c r t f r o m t h e A i r A t t a c h e and t h e c o n f l i c t i n g r e p o r t
b y t h e c o n f i d e n t i a l source concerninc the unconventional a i r c r a f t , t h e v e r a c i t y
of t h e d e s i g n e r a n d / o r t h e " c o n f i d e n t i a l oource" a r e open t o some q u e s t i o n i n
t h e o p i n i o n of P r o J e c t . B l u e Book. The Canadion p r e s s h a s g i v e n t h e s u b j e c t
v i d e p u b l i c i t y and many of t h e r e s u l t i n g " f a c t s " may be t h e r e s u l t of w i s h f u l
s p e c u l a t i o n on t h e p a r t o f t h e newspapers.

However, P r o j e c t B l u e Book i s c o n t i n u i n g a n a c t i v e i n t e r e s t I n t h i s
m a t t e r and i s making e v e r y e f f o r t t o g e t t h e t r u e f a c t e .

I n t h e f a l l o f 1 9 5 2 ATIC and IIq ADC a g r e e d upon a p l a n whereby ATIC's

P r o j e c t B l u e Book would b r i e f a l l i n t e r e s t e d u n i t s i n ADC on i t s o p e r a t i o ~ s .
On 9 I-inrch 1953 t h e Western A i r Defense F o r c e wae b r i e f e d ; on 18 A p r i l 1953
t h e C e n t r a l A i r D e f e n s e F o r c e was b r i e f e d ; and on 8 May 1953 a P r o j e c t B l u e
Pook b r i e f i n g was ~ i v e nt o t h e E a s t e r n A i r Defense F o r c e .

A s u r v e y o f a l l FLYOFRPrS r e c e i v e d by ATIC In 1952 r e v e a l e d t h a t t h e A i r

D e f e n s e C o m n d was r e s p o n s i b l e f o r 40 p e r c e n t of a11 r e p o r t s r e c e i v e d . I n t h e
l i g h t o f t h i s , it was f e l t h i g h l y d e s i r a b l e t o a c q u a i n t t h e u n i t s o f t h e A i r
Defense C o m n d w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g two p o i n t s :

1. P r o j e c t B l u e Book's g e n e r a l background, o b j e c t i v e s , and p r o s e s s .

2. How t h e ADC i n t e l l i & e n c e o f f i c e r c o u l d a s s i s t B l u e Book by s u b -
m i t t i n g more d e t a i l e d and a c c u r a t e r e p o r t s , e t r c s s i n g t h e p o i n t s needed f o r
analyzing a sighting.

I n a g e n e r a l e v a l u a t i o n of t h e e f f e c t o f t h e ADC b r i e f i n g t o u r , it is
b e l i e v e d t h a t I t was e x t r e m e l y s u c c e s s f u l i n a c c o m p l i s h i n g - t h e above o b j e c t i v e s .
P r o j e c t B l u e Book feels t h a t i n t e l l i ~ e n c eo f f i c e r s i n NX: are now b e t t e r e q u i p p e d
t o h a n d l e p r o b l e m s concern in^ a e r i a l phenomena. I n t e r r o g a t i o n forms c o v e r i n g
p o u n d o b s e r v a t i o n s , as w e l l as e l e c t r o n i c d e t e c t i o n s , were d i s t r i b u t e d t o e a c h
division visited.

I t was found that mnny o f t h e r e p ~ r t es u b m i t t e d t o e a c h of t h e F o r c e s w e r e

from COC p e r c o n n e l and a l t h o u ~ lo c e r t a i n p e r c e n t a g e of t h e s e r e p o r t s would b e
e i o s s f f i e d b y ATIC as " g ~ o d " , t h e m j o r i t y of them i n v o l v e d r e p o r t i n g known
phenor,enc b y a n i n e - q e r i e n c e d s o u r c e . CGC o f f i c e r s were t o l d t o i n s t i t u t e
4
a n e d u c n t i o n n l p r o p n m on u n i d e n t i f i e d a e r i a l o b j e c t s i n o r d e r t o d e c r e a s e t h e
volume of r e p c r t o of k n ~ w no b J e c t s . They were g i v e n c o p i e s of t h e b r j e f i n g
i t s e l f which o u t l i n e d t h e o u t s t e n d i n e known c a u s e s of " f l y i n e s a u c e r " r e p o r t s
and were a s k e d t~ c i r c u l a t e t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n t o t h e f i l t e r c e n t e r and o b s e r v e r s .

Another p o i n t s t r e s s e d b y t h e b r i e f i n g was t h e f a c t t h a t a n a l y s i o and con-

c l u s i o n s on a s i e h t i n c c o u l d be accomplished by ADC p e r s o n n e l t h e m s e l v e s . ATIC
e n c o u r a g e 8 t h e p r e p a r i n g o f f i c e r of a FLYOBRPT t o a t t e m p t t o arrive a t a c o n c l u -
s i o n a s t o what c a u s e d t h e r e p o r t of a n u n i d e n t i f i e d o b j e c t . They were a d v i s e d
o f t h e main c a t e g o r i e s of c o n v e n t i o n a l o b j e c t s which c a u s e r e p o r t s , s u c h a s ba1,-
l o o n s , a i r c r a f t , and a s t r o n o n i i c n l b o d i e s . A ~ e n e r o lo p i n i o n h e l d b y a l l o f f i c e r s
i n ADC was t h a t t h e r e q u i r e d /iF Form 112 a 8 p e r AF L e t t e r 200-5 c a u s e s a p e a t
d e a l of e x c e s ~ i v ec l e r i c a l work. They s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e s u b j e c t Form 1 1 2
s h o u l d b e e l i m i n a t e d e n t i r e l y . They s t a t e d t h a t i n many i n s t a n c e s t h a t H q NX:
r e q u i r e C many f i l e c o p i e s of b o t h t h e 'i7.X and t h e AF Form 112, and t h a t t h i s
s u b s t a n t i a l l y r e d u c e d t h e number of r e p o r t s s u b m i t t e d t o ATIC. I n m n y i n s t a l l a -
t i o n s t h e r e o r e sirrrpJy n o t enouch c l e r i c a l p e r s o n n e l t o do t h e work. The r e -
s u l t s o f t h i s s u g g e s t i o n and ATIC's o p i n i o n w i l l be examined i n t h e f o l l o w i n g
3 tern.

JX, REVISIOrl OF A R ? FORCE L E T- -

i 3 200-5

A i r F o r c e L e t t e r 200-5 as it r e a d s a t t h e p r e s e n t t i n e r e q u i r e s t h a t a l l
TWX's t o ATIC on a n u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g , o b j e c t w i l l b e f o l l o w e d w i t h i n 7 2 h o u r s
b y a w r i t t e n Form 1 1 2 which e l - a b o r a t e s on t h e s i g h t i n g . I t i s f e l t t h a t t h e
Form 1 1 2 i s s u p e r f l u o u s when t h e s i g h t i n g c a n b e e x p l a i n e d from t h e TWX a l o n e
which, i f t h e TWX has r e l a t i v e l y complete i n f o r m a t i o n , is u s u a l l y t h e c a s e 70
p e r c e n t of t h e t i m e . I n view of t h i s , ATIC i s c u r r e n t l y m e n d i n g A i r F o r c e L e t -
t e r 200-5 t o s t a t e t h a t j u s t a ThX w i l l b e s e n t i n on a n o r i g i n a l FLYOBSPT and
if ATIC f e e l s t h a t more i n f o r m a t i o n i s needed it w i l l i n t u r n c o n t a c t t h e r e -
p o r t i n g u n i t and a s k them f o r t h e Form 112. The new r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r a ?WX w i l l
r e q u e s t more c s m p l e t e i n f o r m a t i o n t h a n w a s p r e v i o u s l y a s k e d .

CONIRACTOR STATUS

P r o j e c t B l u e Book h a s a c o n t r a c t w i t h a c i v i l i a n r e s e a r c h o r g a n i z a t i o n
which s e r v e s t h e p r o j e c t w i t h a n I B F l a n a l y s i s of a l l u n i d e n t i f i e d aerial o b j e c t
r e p o r t s and t e c h n i c a l a n a l y s i s of a n y s p e c i f i c problems s u b m i t t e d . Coding and
e v a l u a t i o n of a l l r e p o r t s f'ron 1947 t o 1952 h a s been completed and t h e f o r m 1
I B M s t u d y i s now b e i n g r u n . Up t o and i n c l u d i n g 1952, 2,500 r e p o r t s were
r e c e i v e d t h r o u g h m f l i t a r y c h a n n e l s . T h i s number d o e s n o t i n c l u d e many l e t t e r s
r e p o r t i n g s f ~ h t i n g ss e n t i n b y t h e p u b l i c a t l a r g e . T r i a l q u e s t i o n n a i r e s were
s e n t o u t t o t h e most r e a s o n a b l e of t h e s e l e t t e r s d u r i n g t h e s m e r of 1952,
when r e p o r t i n g was e x t r e n e l y h i g h . Approximately 1,000 of t h e s e q u e s t i o n n a i r e s
were completed and r e t u r n e d t o P r o j e c t B l u e Book and are now b e i n g i n c o r p o r a + ~ d
i n t o t h e IBM a n a l y s i s . Thus 3,500 s i g h t i n g 6 of u n i d e n t i f i e d a e r i a l o b j e c t s
w i l l be studied.

One two-day e v a l u a t i o n c o n f e r e n c e was h e l d d u r i n g 4 Mnrch and 5 Ykrch 1953.

Two r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s f r o m t h e A i r T e c h n i c a l I n t e l l i g e n c e C e n t e r and t h r e e r e p r e -
s e n t a t i v e s from t h e c o n t r a c t o r g a n i z a t i o n p a r t t c i p a t e d i n t h i s conference
a n d - p r o c e s s e d 265 r e p o r t s . These r e p o r t s were g i v e n f i n a l e v a l u a t i o n s b e f o r e
be in^; s u b n i t t e d t o t h e 1X.i s t u d y . On 24 and 25 A p r i l 1953 o n s t h e r two-day
evn1.untion c o n f e r e n c e was h e l d ; 350 r e p o r t s were examirlcd J o i n t l y a ~ i dg i v e n
f i n n l e v a l un1;ion.

T h e ID19 c r ; n t r e c t o r hqo e a t i m a t x d t h a t o fin81 r e p o r t w i l l be s u b m i t t e d

t o P r o j r c t B1u2 E O O : on ~ 1 5 Au,;ust 1953 i n which s t a t i 6 t i c n l c u r v e 6 of p r o l ~ r i -
b i l i t y , i n d e x e s of comp@rieon on u n i d e n t i f i e d o b J e c t s , ~ n d a & e n e r n 1 cormnentary
on the r e s u l t s of t h e IDb1 study w i l . 1 be % n c l u d o t l . X t I s beliavled that t l r i u
s t u d y \ r i l l b e e x t r e m e l y ~ i g l l i f i c a n ti n t h e f u t u r e e v a l u a t i o n of r e p o r t s of
u n i d e n t i f i e d o b j e c t s and per hap^ t o t h e o p e r a t i o n of P r o J e c t D l u e Book i t s e l f .

VI. VIDEO7J CiU,KiIE\ SThlV3

On 1 J u n e 1953, 73 Videon cameras were d i s t r - i b u t e d t o ILKS t o w e r e i t e s

and ADC r a d a r s i t e s s t r a t e g i c a l l y l o c a t e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s w i t h
r e l a t i o n t o f r e q u e n c y of F1,YOURPTS. The o r i g i n a l p l a n f o r t h e s e cameras w a s
t o t z k e a phn1;ograph of a n o b j e c t t h r o u g h b o t h a n open l e n s and a l e n s e q u i p p e d
w i t h a d i f f r a c t i o n g r a t i n c . The d i f f r a c t i o n g r a t i n g would e n a b l e a e p e c t r o -
s c o p i s t t o a t t e m p t t o i d e n t i f y t h e o b j e c t i n q u e s t i o n b y means of n s p e c t r u m
bar r e c o r d e d on t h e f i l m . 1 t . w f~o u~n d , however, t h a t t h e d i f f r a c t i o n g r a t i n g s
b e c a n t o d e t e r i o r a t e soon a f t e r b e i n g r e c e i v e d by ATIC. I t w a s concluded t h a t
t h e carner0.s would be s e n t o u t w i t h o u t g r a t i n g s i m m e d i ~ t c l yas a n i n s t r u m e n t
f o r o b t a i n i n g p h o t o g r a p h i c i n t e l l i g e n c e on u n i d e n t i f i e d o b j e c t s . When a s u i t -
able p a t i n s i s o b t a i n e d , t h e cameras w i l l be r e c a l l e d fr.om t h e f i e l d and t h e
s u b j e c t p i d s mounted.

VII . ITJSUFFICIENT DATA R E P O R T S

F o r t h e year 1952 22.7% of a l l r e p o r t s were c l o o s i f i e d a0 i n s u f f i c i e n t
d a t a f o r e v a l u a t i o n , o r n o t c o n t a i n i n e enough i n f o r m a t i o n t o e v e n a t t e m p t a n
a n a l y s i s . Thus f a r I n 1953 t h i s c ~ t e g o r yh a s r e d u c e d i t s e l f t o 15.4';. This
. i e a n o t i c e a b l e improvement, b u t s t i l l l e b e l i e v e d t o b e t o o h i g h .

Upon r e c e i v i n g s u c h a r e p o r t , ATIC unue.l l y ??fits t h e o r i g i n a t i n g b o s e ,

b u t i n t h e p a s t h a s r e c e i v e d l i t t l e a d d i t i o n n l i n f o r m a t i o n . The problem is
s i g n i f i c a n t enouch t o mention i n t h i s S t a t u s R e p o r t i n a n a t t e m p t t o d e c r e a s e
t h e number of r e p o r t s w i t h n e b u l o u s i n f o r m a t i o n . Quoted below i e a FLYOBRPT
r e c e i v e d b y ATIC which had t o b e c l a s s i f l e d a s i n s u f f i c i e n t d ~ t , at o e v a l - u n t e :
' " F L Y o ~ ~ Pround
T w i t h t a i l , y e l l o w , s i m i l a r i n s i z e and s h a p e t o hub c a p , l e a v -
in^ t r a i l of b r i e h t y e l l o w f i r e w i t h no o b s e r v e d p r o p u l e i o n s y s t e m n o r a n y
sound b e i n g h e a r d . In s t r o i ~ h ft l i g h t b e a r i n g s l i g h t l y downward, s p e e d v e r y
s l o w . O b j e c t d i s a p p e a r e d b e h i n d c l o u d . Vioual sight in^ b y i n d i v i d u a l i n
Hiram, Georp;ia. O b j e c t was s i c h t i n g n o r t h of o b s e r v e r and bas t r a v e l i n g f r o m
s o u t h t o n o r t h t o t h e l e f t of h i a r i e t t a , G e o r g i a . R e p o r t s u b m i t t e d b y a c i v i l i a n
s o u r c e , I I i r r n , G e o r g i a , Winds a l o f t 1 0 0 0 0 - 2 5 0 / 4 5 ~ : ~ ) 0 ~ - 2 6 0 / 5 w 30000-260/
;
7 0 K ; 40000-260/80~. "

The r e p o r t e d o b j e c t c o u l d b e a s t r o n o m i c a l i n n a t u r e , p o s s i b l y a m e t e o r .
I t s s l o w n a v c n e n t seem t o c o n f l i c t w i t h t h i s s o l u t i o n , however. The i n f o r m -
t i c n e s s e n t i n l t o a n a l y z i n ~t h i s c l g h t i n C ~ f o l l o w s : 1) t h a t t i m e was the o b J e c t
s e e n ? 2 ) IIow l o n ~was it s e e n ? 3 ) t h a t was i t s a z i m u t h a d e l e v a t i o n a t a p -
p c n r n n c c and d i s n p p e n m n c c ? 4 I / b n C u i n r v e l o c i t y a c r o ~ st h e s k y . 5) The name
 UNCLASSJFIED,

and a d d r e s s of t h e i t l d i v i d u a l mnking t h e s i e h t i n g s o t h a t a q u e s t i o n n a i r e c o u l d
b e s e n t . 6) The r e l l n b i l i t y of t h e s o u r c e ; were t h e r e o t h e r o b o e r v e r s ? 7) L o c a l
a i r t r a f f i c . 8) A check w i t h bnee w e a t h e r s e r v i c e t o d e t e r m i n e i f w e a t h e r b a l -
l o o n s o r sny o t h e r phenomenon known t o them c o u l d s o l v e t h e s i ~ h t i n c . 9)
W e ~ t h e rc o n d i t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g c l o u d c o v e r a c e , l i g h t c o n d i t i o n s , t e m p e r a t u r e
o r dew p o i n t i n v e r s i o n s .

1.Iost of t h e above p o i n t s are c o n t a i n e d i n t h e requirements for a Tk31 as

per AFL 200-5 which wae n o t f o l l o w e d i n t h i s i n s t a n c e .

A g ~ o df e a t u r e of t h e r e p o r t i s the f a c t t h a t winds a l o f t are g i v e n . The

most e s s e n t i a l i t e m i s l e f t o u t , however, and t h a t i s t h e l e n g t h o f o b s e r v a t i o n .
If t h i e was a m a t t e r of aeconds, t h e e i g h t i n e w a s p r o b a b l y a b r i g h t meteor.

V I I I . SYIIOPSIS GF REPORTS

A n i n d i v i d u a l suxrmary of t e n c h a r a c t e r i e t i c FLYODRPTS f o r March, A p r l l ,

and bhy f o l l o w s .
Swee t w a t e r , IJevade UNCLASSlFlED l2 1953

I. DESCRIPTION

A t 1510 hours PST, t e n round f l a t m e t a l l i c colored o b j e c t a chan i n g forma-

%Son traveled st an oatlmeted high r a t e of epeed on a headlng of 110' a t an
e s t i m a t e d a l t i t u d e of 7,500 f t . No t r a i l , sound, or exhaust w e r e noted. Objecte
paseed under t h e r i g h t n a c e l l e of t h e o b s e r v e r s ' C-47 type a i r c r a f t , and were
observed by the c o - p i l o t . H e took c o n t r o l of t h e C-47, and turned t o t h e r i g h t
i n 8 t i g h t 3 0 0 ~ t u r nf o r a b e t t e r view of t h e o b J e c t s , Objects were then picked'
up unaeeisted b y two more members of t h e crew. The obJects were observed i n a
r i g h t t u r n of g r e a t e r r a d i u s than t h a t of t h e C-47, and a t a lower a l t i t u d e .
The o b j e c t s were obeerved f o r approximately 1200 of t h e k t u r n , and disappeared
on 8 heading of 300'. Observers were unable t o e s t i m a t e t h e speed of t h e o b j e c t e
because of t h e d i a t a n c e and t h e o b J e c t e ' l a r g e r a d i u s of t u r n ,

I DISCUSSION

No a i r c r a f t were obeerved i n t h e a r e a and t h e p i l o t r e p o r t e d no r a d i o

f a c i l i t i e s a t Sweetwater A i r p o r t .
AF'B, Nevada. Weather a t t h e time
30 miles. Although t h e o b s e r v e r s
I s b e l i e v e d t h a t t h e o b J e c t s were
c o l o r , maneuvers, and d i e a c e at
No r e p o r t wae made u n t i l l a n d i n g a t S t e a d
of s i g h t i n g w a s s l i g h t l y hazy, v i s i b i l i t y
r e p o r t e d s e e i n g no a i r c r a f t In t h e a r e a , it
a i r c r a f t (probably t r a i n e r s ) because of t h e
which t h e y were obaerved,

111. CONCLUSION
P o s s i b l y aircraft,
S o u t h C a r o l i n a Area 5 b b c h 1953

I. -
DESCRIPTION
A t 1545 EST, t h e A s s i s t a n t D i r e c t o r of S e c u r i t y a t t h e Savannah R i v e r
Project observed a s i l v e r c r e s c e n t - s h a p e d o b j e c t v i s u a l l y from t h e ground f o r
a p e r i o d of one hour. Thie o b J e c t wee a t a v e r y h i g h a l t i t u d e , and v e r y l i t t l e
i n f o r m a t i o n was o b t a i n e d t h r o u g h i n t e r r o g a t i o n of t h e o b s e r v e r .

A Detachment of t h e 727th AC&W Squadron a t Congaree, South C a r o l i n a , was

n o t i f i e d as a r e s u l t of t h e above v i s u a l s i g h t i n g . They picked up a n u n i d e n t i -
f i e d p l o t on t h e i r AN/APS-5 t y p e r a d a r a t 1707 EST t h a t w a s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 6 5
m i l e s s o u t h w e s t of Congaree over t h e Savannah R i v e r P r o J e c t . The A i r N a t i o n a l
Guard w a s ' n o t i f i e d w i t h t h e result t h a t an F - 5 1 t y p e a i r c r a f t w a s a i r b o r n e w i t h i n
f i v e minutes. The a i r c r a f t a t t e m p t e d i n t e r c e p t i o n u n t i l 1725 EST when t h e b l i p
.
f a d e d n o r t h w e e t of Congaree . The F-51 r e t u r n e d t o its' b a s e .

A t 1752 EST a n o t h e r detachment of t h e 727th AC&W Squadron a t Camden, S o u t h

C a r o l i n a p i c k e d up a b l i p on t h e i r AN/TPS-lb t y p e r a d a r . A t t h a t t i m e an RF-80
t y p e a i r c r a f t w a s scrambled t o a t t e m p t i n t e r c e p t i o n . T h i s u n i d e n t i f i e d b l i p
was due w e s t of Congaree, and t o b e s u r e he had t h e u n i d e n t i f i e d on h i s scope,
t h e o p e r n t o r hed t h e F-80 d o an i d e n t i f i c a t i o n t u r n . T h i s proved t h a t he d i d
n o t have t h e F-80 on t h e scope. When t h e obdect was f i r s t observed, it was
a p p r o x i m a t e l y 100 m i l e s w e s t of Congaree. It t h e n r e v e r s e d i t s d i r e c t i o n ,
and w a s 85 m i l e s o u t h e a d i n g i n a northwest d i r e c t i o n , t h e n h e a d e d ' e a s t , t h e n
w e s t , and a g a i n t o t h e east, f a d i n g 8%115 m i l e s and 8 d e p e e s from Camden.
F o r a t o t a l of 68 minutes, d u r i n g b o t h r a d a r s i g h t i n g s , a i r c r a f t a t t e m p t e d t o
i n t e r c e p t t h e u n i d e n t i f i e d K i t h negative r e s u l t s . A t a l l times, t h e obJect
s t a y e d a t a n e s t i m s t e d 20,000 f e e t a l t i t u d e , and was d o i n g 200-220 mph.

11. DISCUSSION

A c h e c k was made t o determine i f t h e r e were any a i r c r a f t i n t h e v i c i n i t y

w i t h n e g a t i v e r e s u l t s . There i s a time l a p s e between a l l t h r e e s i g h t i n g 8
(ground v i s u a l l y a t t h e Savannah R i v e r P r o J e c t t o t h e Congaree s i g h t i n g was
22 m i n u t e s , and from t h e Congaree s i g h t i n g t o t h e Camden s i g h t i n g was 27 m i n u t e s ) ,
c a u s i n g some doubt a s t o whether t h e t h r e e s i g h t i n g s were connected w i t h t h e eame
o b j e c t . There w a s r e a l l y n o t enough i n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a i n e d i n t h e r e p o r t con-
c e r n i n g t h e s i g h t i n g a t t h e Savannah R i v e r P r o j e c t . F o r t h e o b s e r v e r t o s e e
an o b j e c t f o r t h a t l o n g a p e r i o d , it would have t o b e t r a v e l i n g a t a v e r y slow
r a t e of speed and a t a v e r y h i g h a l t i t u d e f o r t h e obdect s t a y e d overhead f o r t h e
e n t i r e p e r i o d . The r a d a r o b s e r v e r s were v e r y w e l l q u a l i f i e d i n t h e i r f i e l d s ,
and t h e i r equipment wae i n o p e r a t i n g c o n d i t i o n . The r a d a r r e t u r n s were simflar
t o t h o s e made b y c o n v e n t i o n a l a i r c r a f t .
T h i s s i g h t i n g w a s s e n t t o t h e E l e c t r o n i c s Branch o f ATIC f o r a n a l y s i s .
T h i s b r a n c h , a f t e r c a r e f u l l y r e v i e w i n g t h e r e p o r t , e v a l u a t e d it as p o s s i b l y
a flying aircraft.

111. COKCLUSION

Possibly a i r c r a f t .
UNCLASSIFIED
Luke hFf3, Arizona

I n t h i s i n s t a n c e , t h e o b j e c t was never observed, b u t a high a l t i t u d e con-

d e n s a t i o n pattern wag obeerved. When f i r s t s i g h t e d , t h e c o n t r a i l was a p p r o x i -
x m t e l y 300-500 f e e t i n diameter. Tho pattern began w i t h a smooth k n i f e - l i k e
l e o d i n ~e d ~ e ,v e r y t h i n i n depth and w i t h an i r r e g u l a r t r a i l h g edge. A s t h e
s o u r c e gave chase, t h e c o n t r a i l made a s l i g h t d i p t o t h e 1;W and began c l i m b i n g
a t 20 d e g c e s . During t h i s maneuver, s o u r c e and o b j e c t were a t r i g h t a n ~ l e e
and he observed t h e p a t t e r n t o appear as a s h a r p nosed, v e r y t h i n o b j e c t a b o u t
300-5100f e e t l o n g w i t h an 1 r r e e ; ~ l a . rwhispy
~ t r a i l i n g edge. l k m e d i a t e l y , a
heavy c o n d e n s a t i o n t r a i l began t o form and extended f o r approximately 1000 f t .
back, a t which p o i n t it s e p a r a t e d i n t o a double t r a i l which a g a i n was a p p r o x i -
m t e l y 1000 f t . long, ending abr.uptly. A t t h i s t i m e , t h e o b j e c t w a s t r a v e l i n g
a t a n e s t i m a t e d 400 mph t r u e a i r speed. The most unusual f e a t u r e was t h a t t h e
c o n t r a i l s t a y e d w i t h t h e unsighted o b j e c t , and d i d n o t extend a c r o s s t h e s k y
as i n t h e c a s e o f c o n v e n t i o n a l a i r c r a f t c o n t r a i l s .

11, DISCUSSION

The c o n t r a i l was observed by t h e p i l o t s of t h r e e F-84 t y p e a i r c r a f t w i t h

o n l y one g i v i n g chase. T h i s p i l o t chased t h e c o n t r a i l f o r 50-60 m i l e s b e f o r e
b r e a k i n g o f f , A full armament and f u e l l o a d was b e i n g c a r r i e d , however, s o u r c e
stated h e w a s c l o s i n g w i t h t h e o b j e c t f a i r l y w e l l . During t h e c h a s e , t h i s
p i l o t t o o k approximately 30 f e e t of gun camera f i l m , T h i s f i l m vas r e c e i v e d
i n v e r y good c o n d i t i o n , and h a s been analyzed by t h e photographic l a b o r a t o r y
a t WADC. T h e i r c o n c l u s i o n s are:

a , The w h i t e s t r e a k photographed i s p r o b a b l y a vapor t r a i l from a r a p i d l y

moving o b j e c t of unknown v e l o c i t y . The o b J e c t i t s e l f is i n v i s i b l e i n t h e
photopaphs .
b, The e x h a u s t vapor t r a i l , a p p a r e n t l y from a txZn p r o p u l s i o n u n i t , i s
more pronounced a t . t h e end of t h e f i l m t h a n a t t h e start, as though t h e o b j e c t
were a c c e l e r a t i n g i n response t o p u r s u i t . The c o n f i g u r a t i o n s i n t h e t r a i l
a p p e a r t o be due t o maneuvers performed by t h e o b j e c t .

c, An a d d i t i o n a l vapor t r a i l , thought t o be due t o l i f t i n g surfaces, i s

a l s o i n e v i d e n c e , b u t It d i s s i p a t e s r a p i d l y . T h i s a d d i t i o n a l vapor t r a i l appear6
t o be c e n t e r e d about t h e e x h a u s t t r a i l .

d, Within the period, of t i m e r e p r e s e n t e d b y t h e f i l m , t h e photographic

? l a n e may have reduced t h e d i s t a n c e between t h e o b j e c t and i t s e l f . However,
the f l i g h t p a t h s are n o t p a r a l l e l b y a c o n s i d e r a b l e angle, s o t h a t the obcjects
d i s t a n c e and v e l o c i t y w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e p l a n e cannot be determined w i t h use-
Ful p r e c i s i o n .
S i n c e t h e r e -was nothing gained by photo-analysie t h a t would a c t u a l l y a i d i n
i d e n t i f y i n g the o b j e c t involved, this r e p o r t is b e h g aent t o the A i r c r a f t
Laboratory of WADC f o r further * a n a l y s l e . Until the r e p o r t i s returned from
WADC, thie i n c i d e n t w i l l be carried by P r o J e c t Blue Book ae unknown.

Unknown.
 SIGHTINCS'FOR 1WY 1953
DATE
_I -
PLACE EVALUATION
1 Gmse AFB, Labrad~r Unkn~wn
1 G~oseAFB, Labrador Insufficient Date
7 San Antmio, Texas Probably Balloon
11 Seattle, Waehingtm Probably Balloon - Moby Dick
11 Tehran, Iran - Was Aircraft
12 D a y t ~ n ,Ohir, Was Ballom

15 OJibway, Wiecansin ' Other -- Possibly Cloud

16 Inyokern, California Possibly Balloon - Moby Dick
17 E. St. Lauis,.Illinaie Other - Unreliable Report
18 Abadan, Iran Ineufficient Data

19 Ellington AFB, Texae Poeeibly Aircraft

23 Lacklnnd A D J Texas Probably Aircraft

25 Rai~me, Ontari~,Canada Possibly Balloon

27 San Antanlo, Texas Was Aircraft

28 Daytan, Ohio Was Astron3rnical

30 Florieeant, Miaeouri Possibly Balloon

31 Darlington, Wiecansin Was AstronomicaZ - Venue

 SIGETINCS FOR AFRXL 1953

-
DATE -
PLACE EVALUATION

3 N/U Korea P r ~ b a b l yMeteor

4 Webster Village, Naryland Probably Astronomical

5 D e t r o i t b k e e , Minnesota I n s u f f i c i e n t Data

8 Fukuoka, Japan Unknmrn

8 S o n d r e 8 t ~ mAFB, Greenland Was Astronomical

8 6an Juan, Puerto Rico Probably Balloon

12 Sweetwater, Nevada Possibly Aircraft

15 Tucson, A r i z ~ n a Unknown

16 E a s t P r a i r i e , Mise3uri Possibly Aircraft

19 Calumet, Michigan Other - Radar I n t e r f e r e n c e

20 Brmklyn, Hew York Was Astronamical - Meteor

23 Addism, New York Possibly Aircraft

28 Klamath -118, Oreg~n Probably Astronomical

28 Fontam, C a l i f m n i a Possibly Aircraft

29 Syracuse, Mew York Prabably A i r c r a f t

 SXCIITXNGS FOR bSARCII 1953

-
DATE -
PLACE EVALUATION

1 Mieawa, Japan Was Astr~n3mical - Venus

1 Olean, New Yark Probably Astronomical - Venus

1 Dover A F B I Delaware Was Astronanical - Venus
1 Princetan, New Jersey Was Astranamical - Venus

2 Cambria, California P r ~ b a b l yAetronomical - Venus

3 Luke A D , Arizona Unknown

4 Syracuse, New York Ineuf f i c i e n t Data

5 Baltimore, Maryland Probably Astronamical

5 Erie, Pennsylvania P r ~ b a b l yAstronamlcel

5 Leeds Center, M a h e Insuf f 1ci e n t Data

5 Congaree, 6. C Probably Alrcraf t

5 Shaw AFB, C a r o l i n a P r ~ b a b l yAlrcraf t

6 Greene, Maine Possibly Balloon

7 Tokyo Japan Insufficient D a t e

7 Hamilton, Mantana Possibly A i r c r a f t

7 Kents H i l l , Maine Was Astronomical - Venus

8 Ashyia Am, Japan I n s u f f i c i e n t Data

8 Ashyia AFB, Japan Other - Lighted Ship

Warwlck, Massachusette W 6 s Astronomical - Venus
Ramilton, Montana Insufficient D a t a

West Carmlton, Ohia Insufficient D a t a

M i a m i sbure, Oh13 Ineuff i c i e n t D a t a

Kents H i l l , Maine Probably A8trono;nical - Venus

Great F a l l s , &fontam Other - Possibly Searchlight
Leeds Center, 1,Isine Wae A s t r o n ~ n i c a l - Venus
l . I ~ n t ho f l!.?rcll ( ~ ~ n t d )

10-11 ~ a c k e t t s t ~ mN., J. Other - P r ~ b a b l yF l o a d l i g h t s

11 Watertown, N. Y. W a s Astranomicnl - Venus
12 Maxwell AFB, Alabama Insufficient D a t a

12 b n c a s t e r , N. Y. Prabably A i r c r a f t

13 B a r t l e s v i l l e , Okla. Was A s t r ~ n a m i c a l - Venus

13 Greenville, 'bIiseiesippi Prabably Bnlloan

14 Ancharage, Alaska P r ~ b a b l yAstronomical - Venus

15 Erding AFB, Germany Prabably As tronomicel

15 Le Moye, Alabama Other - C o n f l i c t i n g Report

17 Great F a l l s , Mantana Possibly Astranmical - Venue

18 W i l l i a m s AFB, Arizona Other - Paper i n A i r

19 Crystal Lake, Ohio Possibly Aircraft

19 Barman AFB, Newfoundland Was Balloon

19 Tonawnnda, No Y. Ineuff i c i e n t D a t a
19 Cape Vincent, N. Yo Was Astronomical - Venue

20 Lake Superior Region I n s u f f i c i e n t Data

21 E l m i r e , New York Other - P o s s i b l y Paper i n A i r

23 Bay City, Michifgm P o s s i b l y AstroncJmical

23 Pasadena, Texas Other - Conflicting R e p ~ r t

23 Casper, Wyodng Was B a l l o m

24 Kent, England Ineufficient D a t a

25 Rabat, French Moracco Was A i r c r a f t

25 Panama City, F l o r i d a Probably A i r c r a f t

25 S n Antonio, l k x a s Unknown

27 E o r n ~ nA m , Newfaundland I n s u f f i c i e n t Data
T53-7362 24
 UNCLASSIFIED

M ~ n t hof March ( C ~ n t d )

27 Mt. Thylor, New blexic:, Possibly Ballom

28 Scott AFB, Illinoie Possibly Balloon

29 Cochransville, Penn. Ineufficient Data

29 Spoaner, Wisconsin Ineufflcient D a t a

30 Lyle, Waahington Probably Balloon

31 Conrad, Montana Vae Astronomical - Venue

31 Williams m,Arizona Possibly Balloon

31 Honehu, Japan Unknown

 REPORT

PROJECT BLUE BOOK - REPORT NO. 12

FORMERLY PROJECT GRUDGE

PROJECT NO. 10073

30 SEPTEMBER 1953

AIR TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE
OHIO

Copy-No.
.
c?a
.--
T53-11156
N o c o p y r l g h f m a t e r l a l 1. c o n t a l n e d in f h l a p u b l l c a t l o n .
 SE X e f
STATUS OF PilOJECT B L E BCOK

I. OVERALL STATUS

A t o t a l of 91 r e p o r t 8 of u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g o b J e c t s were r e c e i v e d
b y P r o j e c t B l u e Book d u r i n g t h e p e r i o d covered b y t h i s s t a t u s r e p o r t
( ~ u n e ,J u l y , August 1 9 5 3 ) . T h i s i s a n . i n c r e a s e of 2 r e p o r t s over t h o s e
r e c e i v e d d u r i n g t h e p e r i o d c o v e r e d b y S t a t u s R e p o r t 130. 11 arch, A p r i l ,
May 1 9 5 3 ) . An a v e r a g e o f 6 . 9 r e p o r t s p e r week has been r e c e i v e d b y t h e
A i r T e c h n i c a l I n t e l l i g e n c e C e n t e r f o r t h e p a s t s i x months.

Because of t h e d e c r e a s e i n newspaper p u b l i c i t y , fewer r e p o r t s

have b e e n r e c e i v e d from c i v i l i a n s w i t h t h e r e s u l t t h a t m i l i t a r y s i g h t -
i n g ~now a c c o u n t f o r a p p r o x i m a t e l y 60 p e r c e n t of w . i d e n t i f i e d f l y l n g
o b j e c t (UFOB) r e p o r t s . I n s p i t e of t h e d r o p p i n g of t h e s u b j e c t b y t h e
n a t i o n a l p r e s s , it i s s i g n i f i c a n t t o n o t e t h a t a s t e a d y i n f l u x o f 6 . 9
r e p o r t s per week are r e c e i v e d b y P r o j e c t Blue Bock from p e r s o n s who s i n -
c e r e l y b e l i e v e t h e y observed u n u s u a l a i r b o r n e o b j e c t s . T h i s i s one of
t h e r e a s o n s why t h i s p r o j e c t is b e i n g c o n t i n u e d .

E v e r y e f f o r t t o improve t h e q u a l i t y of r e p o r t s h a s b e e n made b y
P r o j e c t B l u e Book. B r i e f i n g s t o t h e A i r Defense Comcand were c o n d u c t e d
s t r e s s i n g t h e need f o r more complete and s c i e n t i f i c d a t a i n o r d e r t o
p r o p e r l y e v a l u a t e t h e o b s e r v a t i o n s . A manual h a s been p r e p a r e d r e c e n t -
l y f o r t h e purpose of i n s t r u c t i n g r e p o r t i n g o f f i c e r s on what i n f o r m a t i o n
i s d e a i r e d on a n u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g o b j e c t o b s e r v s t i o n . R e p o r t i n g o f f i -
c e r s have b e e n r e q u e s t e d t o h o l d p r e l i m i n a r y i n v e s t i g a t i o n s b e f o r e f o r -
w a r d i n g t h e r e p o r t t o t h i s C e n t e r . A i r F o r c e R e g u l a t i o n 200-2 sets up
new r e p o r t i n g p r o c e d u r e s on u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g o b j e c t s s o t h a t r e p o r t s
w i l l be more complete. The q u a l i t y of t h e r e p o r t s h a s i n c r e a s e d c o n s i -
d e r a b l y and t h e r e s u l t h a s been t h a t a p p r o x i m a t e l y 9 p e r c e n t of t h e
o b s e r v a t i o n s are b e i n g e x p l a i n e d . T h i s l e a v e s 10 per c e n t u n e x p l a i n e d
as compared w i t h 2 0 p e r c e n t u n e x p l a i n e d i n 1952.

A complete s t a t i s t i c a l s t u d y of a l l r e p o r t s from 1947 t o 1952 i s

e x p e c t e d n o t l a t e r t h a n 15 October 1953. T h i s s t u d y w i l l i n c l u d e s t a -
t i s t i c a l p r o b a b i l i t i e s on i n d e x e s of c o ~ p a r i s o n son u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y l n g
o b j e c t s and a g e n e r a l commentary of t h e c o n c l u s i o n s r e a c h e d b y t h e
s t u d y . T h i s i s t h e f i r s t e f f o r t e v e r made t o t r e a t s i g h t i n g s
mathematically.

The A i r T e c h n i c a l I n t e l l i g e n c e C e n t e r h a s s e t up a p o l i c y t o k e e p
t h e American p u b l i c informed on t h e o p e r a t i o n s of t h i s p r o j e c t . A l l
r e l e a s e s of p u b l i c i n f o r m a t i o n are handled b y t h e O f f i c e o f . P u b l i c In-
f o r m a t i o n , Department o f Defense, Washington 25, D. C.

Project B l u e Book c o n t i n u e d t o s c r e e n and evaluate a l l r e p o r t s as

s o o n as p o s s i b l e a f t e r b e i n g r e c e i v e d . The f o l l o w i n g r e p r e s e n t s a b r e a k -
down o f t h e number of r e p o r t s b~ $ ~ ~ ~ ~ e r c breakdovn e n t aof g ~
evaluations.
 IOI?
COITCLUS-- -
NO. PZilCZ1;TAGE:

Astronomical
June : - Balloon
Aircraft
Sources I n s u f f i c i e n t Data
~ i 62.5
i Other
Civ 37.5 Unsolved
Total

Astronomical
July: - Balloon
Aircraft
Sources I n s u f f i c i e n t Datn
M i l 50 Other
c i v 50 Unsolved
Total ,

Astronomical 5
August : - Balloon
Aircraft
6
4
Sources I n s u f f i c i e n t Data 7
~ i 46.1
l Other 2
c i v 53-9 Unsolved 2
Total 27

P r o J e c t B l u e Book h a s r e c e i v e d s e v e r a l r e p o r t s from t h e A i r A t t a c h e
i n O t t a w a , O n t a r i o , Canada, s u b s t a n t i a t i n e t h e f a c t t h a t e x p e r i m e n t s on
a " f l y i n g s a u c e r " are a c t u a l l y b e i n g conducted a t A. V. Roe, L i m i t e d ,
T o r o n t o , Canada.

bk. Jack F r o s t , t h e d e s i g n e r - e n g i n e e r , h a s been working on t h i s

p a r t i c u l a r p r o j e c t f o r t h e p a s t t h r e e y e a r s a t A. V. Roe, T o r o n t o ,
Canada. D u r i n g t h i s p e r i o d he h a s made s e v e r a l a t t e m p t s t o g a i n t h e
i n t e r e s t of v a r i o u s a g e n c i e s i n h i s p r o j e c t , b u t w i t h o u t a p p a r e n t s u c -
cess; h e v i s i t e d t h e U n i t e d Kingdom and was u n a b l e t o a r o u s e a n y i n t e r e s t
i n h i s p r o j e c t . Approximately two o r three y e w s ago, h e a l s o v i s i t e d
W r i g h t - P a t t e r s o n AF Base, Ohio ( s u p p o s e d l y on o t h e r b u s i n e s s ) , and o u t -
l i n e d h i s i d e a s t o as y e t anonymous p e r s o n n e l . R e c e n t l y , and p r e s u m a b l y
as a r e s u l t o f V i s c o u n t hIontgomeryts b r i e f i n g on t h i s p r o j e c t , Mr. F r o s t
vas a g a i n s e n t t o t h e B r i t i s h I s l e s b y A . V. Roe, L i m i t e d , s u p p o s e d l y t o
wind t u n n e l t e s t h i s model, b u t i n f a c t t o p r e s e n t h i s i d e a s and d e s i g n
t o prominent B r i t i s h a u t h o r i t i e s .
Mr. F r o s t i s p r e s m e d t o be i n t h e U n i t e d Kingdom a t t h e p r e s e n t
t h e . . A r e c e n t l e t t e r r e c e i v e d b y t h e Defense Board o f Canada *on t h e i r
l i a i s o n o f f i c e r i n t h e U n i t e d Kingdom i n d i c a t e d t h a t Mr. F r o s t r e c e i v e d
a c o r d i a l r e c e p t i o n f r o m a r i t i s h s c i e n t i f i c p e r s o n n e l and h a s c o n v i n c e d
s e v e r a l o f h i s major c r i t i c s t h a t h i s i d e a s are sound. It h a s a l s o b e e n
r e p o r t e d f r o m a n o t h e r s o u r c e t h a t t h e U n i t e d Kingdoa ( f i r m o r i n d i v i d u a l
unknown) h a s b e e n working on a s i ~ i l a rd e s i g n , b u t t h a t :.lr. F r o ~ ti s much
f u r t h e r a l o n g and t h e U n i t e d F i n ~ d o nIs c o n s i d e r i n c h i s p r o p o s a l w i t h a
view toward a d o p t i n g h i o p r o p o s a l s a t t h e experice of t h e i r o m .

The Defenoe R e s e a r c h Board o f Canada and t h e Royal C ~ n n d i n nA i r

F o r c e have b e e n aware of bLr. F r o s t ' s work f o r sometime. S e v e r a l months
a g o t h e y t o o k a n i n t e r e s t i n t h e p r o j e c t and a p r o p o s a l w a s amde t o t h e
M i n i s t e r of D e f e n s e recommending t h a t a d e v e l o p m e n t a l c o n t r a c t b e l e t t o
A.V. Roe, L i m i t e d , t o d e v e l o p t h i s c o n c e p t . The M i n i s t e r , a t C a b i n e t
h e a r i n g s , recommended a p p r o v a l which was r e j e c t e d b e c a u s e of t h e f a c t
t h a t t h e CF-100 p r o s a n had been s u c h a n e x p e n s i v e v e n t u r e t h a t i t was
n o t p r a c t i c a l t o c o n s i d e r c o n t r a c t i n g f o r a n y new d e s i g n a t t h e t i m e .

It was s t a t e d t h a t t h e D e f e n s e R e s e a r c h Board and t h e i7CAF hove

b e e n u n a b l e t o p u s h t h i s p r o j e c t r e ~ u d l e s sof t h e p e r s o n a l e n t h u s i a s m o f
t h e m e m b e r s of b o t h o r g a n i z a t i o n s .

I n t h e l i g h t o f M r . F r o s t ' s r e c e p t i o n i n England, it c a n b e a n t i c i -
p a t e d t h a t t h e e n t i r e p r o j e c t w i l l be r e c o n s i d e r e d a t t h e h i g h e s t govern-
ment l e v e l s .

It must be remembered t h a t t h i s p r o j e c t a t t h e p r e s e n t t i m e i s
e n t i r e l y s u p p o r t e d b y A. V. Roe, L i m i t e d , and t h a t t h e company h a s p a t -
ented c e r t a i n design features. I t must a l s o be remembered t h a t M r .
F r o s t was t h e p r o j e c t e n z i n e e r o f t h e CF-100, a n a l l - w e a t h e r i n t e r c e p t e r .
A k e y m e m b e r o f t h e D e f e n s e R e s e a r c h Board h a s i n d i c a t e d t h a t he b e l i e v e s
t h e p r o j e c t w i l l r e c e i v e f a v o r a b l e r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n . If a p p r o v a l i s ob-
t a i n e d and a d e f i n i t e Department of D e f e n s e p r o j e c t i s e s t a b l i s h e d , t h e
U . S . A i r A t t a c h e i n O t t a v a h a s bee'n a s s u r e d t h a t USAF a u t h o r i t i e s w i l l
be g i v e n e v e r y o p p o r t u n i t y t o c o o p e r a t e i n t h e f u r t h e r a n c e o f t h i s
development. U n t i l t h i s a p p r o v a l i s - a n t e d , t h e Department o f D e -
f e n s e has no o f f i c i a l p o s i t i o n i n r e l a t i o n t o t h e e n t i r e p r o j e c t .

It h a s b e e n d e t e r m i n e d t h a t FIr. F r o s t h a s n o t a c t u a l l y flown a
small model. H e has a r r a n g e d a n o d e l on a t e s t s t a n d and h a s used com-
p r e s s e d a i r as a m o t i v e power r a t h e r t h a n a combustion e n g i n e . M r .
F r o s t c l a i m e d t h a t h e had flown t h e model f r o m Malten A i r f i e l d a n d it
i s a c t u a l l y a. " f l y i n g s a u c e r " t y p e .

On two known o c c a s i o n s , M r . F r o s t b r i e f e d RCAF and U n i t e d Kingdom

o f f i c e r s o n h i s p r o j e c t . On 13 May 1953 RCAF o f f i c e r s went down t o t h e
A. V. Roe a i r c r a f t f a c t o r y f o r t h e p u r p o s e of v i e w i n g a " f l y i n g s a u c e r "
d e m o n s t r a t i o n b y M r . J a c k F r o s t . bk. F r o s t was d e l i g h t e d b y t h e i r i n -
terest a n d w e n t i n t o great d e t a i l i n ' e x p l a i n i n g h i s p e t p r o j e c t . F o l -
l o w i n g t h i s i n t e r v i e w , t h e o f f i c e r s r e t u r n e d t o Ottawa w i t h g l o w i n g
19
a c c o u n t o f M r . F r o s t ' s r e m k a b l e f l y i n g oaucer". On t h e o t h e r o c c a -
s i o n , a U n i t e d Kingdom A m y o f f i c e r v i s i t e d t h e f a c t o r y and r e c ~ i v e da
comprehensive b r i e f i n g b y 3lr. F r o s t . The o f f i c e r w a s r e p o r t e d l y en-
t h u s i a s t i c a l l y i m p r e s s e d and a p p e a r e d t o u n d e r s t a n d f u l l y t h e a i r - f l o w
c o n c e p t s i n v o l v e 2 . He. c l a i m d t h a t it was t h e p e a t e s t thin^ he ha&
ever s e e n .
 l4.r. F r o s t i s r e p e r t e d l y a v e r y s e r i o u s , u n p r e t e n t i o u s man who wants
only t o b u i l d h i s "saucer". If t h e B r i t i s h o r t h e Canadians r e f u s e t o
b a c k him, i t i s b e l i e v e d t h a < he would go somewhere e l s e . H e hns r e a d
many s t o r i e s of fly in^ s a u c e r s " and t h e y a l l seem t o f i t i n With h i s own
c o n c e p t s , s u c h a s t h e h o u s i n e , extreme s p e e d s , e t c . H e c l a i m s i t is b a s -
i c a l l y s i m p l e and i s emi~zedt h a t it h a s n ' t b e e n produced b e f o r e . F o r
t h i s r e a s o n he c l a i m e m p h a t i c a l l y t h a t he i s n o t t h e f i r s t t o b u i l d a
" s a u c e r " ; he f e e l s c o n f i d e n t t h a t t h q R u s s i a n s have a s i m i l a r model and
have b e e n o p e r a t i n g it from submarines. He h a s checked w i t h m e d i c a l
a u t h o r i t i e s who have confirmed h i s p o ~ i t i o n i n go f t h e p i l o t a s i n a
s e a t e d p o s i t i o n , l e g s s l i z h t l y a p a r t , u p p e r - t r u n k of body l e a n i n g f o r -
ward f o r v e r t i c a l v i s i o n , up arid down.

M r . F r o s t i s e x t r e m e l y c o n f i d e n t t h a t h i s r a d i c a l d e s i g n w i l l work
and w i l l a t t a i n f a n t a s t i c s p e e d s . His f i r s t p r o t o t y p e he claims w i l l be
24 f e e t a c r o s s , t r a v e l a t s p e e d s up t o 3000 bPH, b e c a p a b l e of b e i n g
o p e r a t e d f r o m a submarine o r o t h e r s m a l l s p a c e , b e housed i n a n o r d i n a r y
g a r a g e , and have tremendous payload c a p a c i t y . H e c l a i m s t h a t it w i l l
have a r a n g e o f 1 0 0 0 m i l e s a t extreme s p e e d s and b e a b l e t o hover over
one s p o t and t h e n ' d a r t o f f a g a i n i n a n y d e s i r e d d i r e c t i o n . F r o s t claims
t h a t he c a n p r o d u c e f o u r " s a u c e r s " f o r t h e p r i c e of one F-86.

P r o j e c t B l u e Book i s c o n t i n u i n g a n a c t i v e i n t e r e s t I n t h i s matter
a n d - making e v e r y e f f o r t t o o b t a i n t h e l a t e s t t r u e f a c t s on t h e "saucer".
More p e r t i n e n t i n f o r m a t i o n i s e x p e c t e d from t h e U.S. A i r A t t a c h e i n
London, E n ~ l a n d .

111. AIR FORCE REGULATION 200-2

A i r F o r c e R e g u l a t i o n 200-2 d a t e d 26 A u ~ s 1953 t supersedes A i r
F o r c e L e t t e r 200-5 d a t e d 2 9 A p r i l 1952. T h i s r e g u l a t i o n r e q u i r e s more
complete i n f o r m a t i o n which w i l l s i m p l i f y t h e e v a l u a t i o n of u n i d e n t i f i e d
f l y i n g o b J e c t (UFOB) r e p o r t s . I n s t e a d of a TWX b e i n g f o l l o w e d b y a
w r i t t e n r e p o r t w i t h i n 72 h o u r s , a s w a s p r e s c r i b e d i n AFL 200-5, AFii 200-2
r e q u i r e s t h a t o n l y a d e t a i l e d TWX be f o r w a r d e d t o ATIC e x c e p t when
r e q u e s t e s . By s e t t i n g up more a p p r o p r i a t e methods, it i s b e l i e v e d t h a t
t h i s new d i r e c t i v e w i l l a i d P r o J e c t B l u e Book i n t h e a n a l y s i s o f u n i -
dentif led f l y i n g obJect reports.

IV. CONTRACTOR STATUS

A r e p r e s e n t a t i v e from t h e c i v i l i a c r e s e a r c h organization, P r o j e c t
S t o r k , which i s p r e p a r i n g t h e D M s t u d y on r e p o r t s o f u n i d e n t i f i e d
f l y i n g o b j e c t s f r o m 1947 t o 1952 v i s i t e d P r o j e c t B l u e Book on 20 August
1953 f o r t h e p u r p a s e o f e x p l a i n i n g t h e s t a t u s o f t h e s t u d y . These r e -
p o r t s do n o t i n c l u d e t h e many letters t h a t w e r e r e c e i v e d d i r e c t l y from
t h e p u b l i c , b u t t h e y do Include a l l s i g h t i n g s r e p o r t e d through n i l i t a r y
c h a n n e l s a n d q u e s t i o n n a i r e s f i l l e d o u t by o b s e r v e r s and forwarded d i -
r e c t l y t o t h e A i r T e c h n i c a l I n t e l l i ~ e n c eC e n t e r . The r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s a t e d
t h a t t h e s t a t i s t i c s on a l l t h e s e s i g h t i n ~ swould be completed n o t later

UNCLASSIFIED
t h a n 1 September 1353. I t was a a e e d t h ~ at l . 1 unsolved r e p o r t s s h o u l d
b e reviewed by P r o J e c t S t o r k b e f o r e t h e f i n a l s t u d y i s completed. The
f i n n l s t u d y i s e x p e c t e d n o t l a t e r t h a n 15 October 1953. It i s b e l i e v e d
t h a t t h i ~s t u d y w i l l b e e x t r e r c c l y s i g n i f i c a n t I n f u t u r e e v a l u a t i o n s and
o p e r a t i o n s of P r o j e c t Blue Book.

P r o j e c t S t o r k is a l s o s e c u r i n g new d i f f r a c t i o n g r a t i n g s f o r t h e
Vldeon carcera which is c u r r e n t l y o u t i n t h e f i e l d . The s u i t a b l e g a t -
i n g ~are e x p e c t e d t h e l a t t e r p a r t of October 1953.

V. VIDEON CAMERA STATUS

The d i s t r i ' o u t i o n of 73 Videon c m c r a c w i t h o u t s u i t a b l e d i f f r a c t i o n

g r a t i n g s vss completed 1 June 1953. T h i s d i s t r i b u t i o n was made t o s e -
l e c t e d AACS t o w e r s and ADC r a d a r s i t e s t h r o u g h o u t t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
Although t h e cameras c o u l d n o t b e used i n o b t a i n i n g a l i g h t spectrum,
it w a s a g r e e d t h a t cameras b e s e n t f o r t h e p u r p o s e s of f a m i l i a r i z a t i o n
and p h y s i c a l e v i d e n c e of u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g o b j e c t s . A f e w of t h e
camera sites have u t i l i z e d t h e cameras i n p h o t o g r a p h i n g u n i d e n t i f i e d ob-
j e c t s , b u t i n e a c h c a s e t h e image was t o o small t o p r o p e r l y a n a l y z e .
P r o j e c t Blue Book h a s encouraged a l l t h e above mentioned s i t e s t o u t i l i z e
t h i s camera under v a r i e d l i g h t c o n d i t i o n s s o t h a t p e r s o n n e l o p e r a t i n g t h e
cameras w i l l have a s u f f i c i e n t knowledge of i t s o p e r a t i o n s t o p r o p e r l y
photograph a n u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g o b j e c t under a n y l i g h t c o n d i t i o n .

When t h e s u i t a b l e g r a t i n g s a r e r e c e i v e d , t h e cameras w i l l b e r e -
c a l l e d , t h e c a t i n g s mounted and r e d i s t r i b u t e d t o t h e sites. T h i s
o p e r a t i o n i s e x p e c t e d t o t a k e p l a c e i n November 1953.

VI. FLYOBRPT MAMJAL

The F l y o b r p t Manual i a i n t e n d e d f o r u s e b y i n t e l l i g e n c e o f f i c e r s ,
o p e r a t i o n s o f f i c e r s , o r anyone who may a t some f u t u r e d a t e be r e q u i r e d
t o s u b m i t a r e p o r t of a n u r ~ i d e n t iife d f l y i n g o b j e c t . T h i s manual s e r v e s
as a g u i d e t o r e p o r t i n g o f f i c e r s on t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n s , r e p o r t i n g p r o c e -
dures, and o p e r a t i o n s of P r o j e c t Blue Book.

Although t h e q u a l i t y of r e p o r t s h a s c o n t i n u e d t o improve d u r i n g t h e
past year, i n many c a s e s t h e ' d a t a t h a t i s forwarded h a s been t o o nebulous
t o be of much v a l u e f o r e n a l y s i s . It i s r e a l i z e d t h a t i n many c a s e s o n l y
a l i m i t e d amount of s p e c i f i c d a t a c a n be o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e s o u r c e . One
o f t h e most i m p o r t a n t g o a l s of t h i s p r o j e c t i s t h a t e v e r y p o s s i b l e e f f o r t
be made t o c o l l e c t s u p p o r t i n g i n f o r m e t i o n on an o b s e r v a t i o n .

It is b e l i e v e d t h a t t h i s manual w i l l a i d i n p o i n t i n g o u t what i n -
f o r m a t i o n i s wanted and make t h e c o l l e c t i o n of i n f o r m a t i o n a a e a s y and
fast as p o s s i b l e . The e n t i r e maul h a s been s l a n t e d toward o b t a i n i n g
t h e g r e a t e s t amount o f d a t a w i t h o u t i n c r e a s i n g t h e workload of t h e r e -
porting of f i c e r .
T h i s manual is b e i n g forwarded t o A i r F o r c e i n s t a l l a t i o n commanders
t h r o u g h o u t t h e Zone of I n t e r i o r .
 VII. SYhTOPSIS OF R F P O 3 T S
An i n d i v i d u a l s u m a r y of twelve c h a r a c t e r i s t i c u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y -
i n g o b j e c t r e p o r t s f o r June, J u l y , and August follows.

Ramore, Ontar l o , Cenada

AINCLASSIFIED
Deecription

A t a p p r o x i m a t e l y 2345 EDST on 30 June 1953 an u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g

o b J e c t w a s observed f o r a p e r i o d of twenty minutes i n t h e n o r t h e r n s k y
moving t o t h e e o u t h e a s t by a t l e a s t 10 p e r e o m e l of t h e 912th AC&W
Squadron, Remore, O n t a r i o , Canada. The f i r s t person t o observe t h i s
o b J e c t w a s a n airman who came o u t of t h e maintenance room t o i n s p e c t
t h e power u n i t which caused a minor breakdown of t h e s e a r c h r a d a r e e t .
H e c a l l e d two o t h e r airmen t o w i t n e s s t h e o b j e c t . One of t h e two
t h c u g h t t h e o b d e c t was t h e moon. The airman who o r i g i n a l l y observed
t h e o b d e c t g o t h y s t e r i c a l and c a l l e d t h e Charge of Q u a r t e r s a t t h e
Domeetic Area t h r e e m i l e s t o t h e southwest. A t l e a s t seven w i t n e s s e e
a t the Domestic Area saw t h e o b j e c t and two o f them r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e
moon was v i e i b l e a t t h e t i m e and t h a t t h e o b j e c t w a s d i s t i n c t and s e p -
arate k o m t h e moon. The obdect was d e s c r i b e d a s orange c o l o r e d end
o v a l shaped. It was d e s c r i b e d as moving from t h e n o r t h t o e o u t h e a s t
and t h e n f a d i n g back t o t h e n o r t h . No g r e a t speed was a t t r i b u t e d t o
t h e o b J e c t b y any of t h e w i t n e s s e s who s a i d t h e y saw movcment. It
wae r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e obJect had no v i s i b l e meane of p r o p u l e i o n and
t h a t t h e r e uae no s i m i l a r i t y t o a n y known f l y i n g obdect.

The s i g h t i n g was made a few minutes a f t e r t h e Bcheduled t i m e f o r

t h e moon r i e e . The ehape of t h e moon t h a t n i g h t waa s i m i l a r t o t h e
d e e c r i p t i o n of t h e obdect, however, any e x p l a n a t i o n 8s t h a t o f t h e lcoon
18 i n c o n f l i c t w i t h t,he r e p o r t e d o b s e r v e t i o n o f t h e two w i t n e s s e e e e e -
i n g b o t h t h e moon and t h e obdect a t t h e eametime. There was a heavy
broken o v e r c a s t a t t h e time of t h e e i g h t i n g . There i e a p r o b a b i l i t y
t h a t t h e o b j e c t - w a e t h e moon r e f l e c t i n g o f f t h e cloude.

Conclusion

P o s s i b l y set r o n o m i c a l -
10 June 1953 D e t r o i t , Michigan

Deecr i p t i o n

A t 2310 EST on 10 June 1953 an AFROTC cadet a t Wayne U n i v e r s i t y ob-

served one l a r g e b r i g h t o b j e c t t h a t was white o r l i g h t yellow i n c o l o r ,
round i n shspe and l a r g e r than a star. This o b j e c t moved from a high
w e s t e r l y p o e i t i o n i n a f a l l i n g a r c toward t h e n o r t h and then leveled off
and proceeded a t a high rake of speed t o t h e n o r t h i n a e t r a i g h t l i n e .
Thie ob3ect made these maneuvers i n a period of 60 seconds and disap-
peared over t h e northern horizon. The obJect, though b r i g h t , c a e t no
beam nor l e f t any t r a i l or exhaust. No eound wae noticed.

Discussion

Mowmente of t h i s ob3ect and length of observation e l i m i n a t e t h e

p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t it wae of astronomical o r i g i n . Checks with a i r p o r t e
i n t h e v i c i n i t y revealed t h a t t h e r e was one a i r c r a f t i n t h e area. Thie
tras a DC-4 enroute t o Chicago on a heading of 270 deg and was probably
n o t i n t h e area. A check was made with t h e weather bureau t o determine
whether o r n o t t h e y had a balloon i n t h e area. A balloon wae r e l e a e e d
a t 03002, b u t it could n o t have caused t h e s i g h t i n g eince it b u r e t
before 04102 (time of s i g h t i n g ) .

Conclueion

16 June 1953 San Antonio, Texae

UNCLASSIFIED
Description

S e v e r a l airmen i n t h e c o n t r o l tower a t Kelly AF Base observed on urr

i d e n t i f i e d f l y l n g o b j e c t a t 1945 CST 16 June 1953 f o r a p p r o x i m t e l y 5
minutes. This o b j e c t was e l l i p t i c a l shaped and appeared t o be equal t o
t h e s i z e of a 4& by inch envelope held a t ann'e length. No aerody-
namic f e a t u r e e , t r a i l , exhauet,\.or propuleion eystem were noted. Object
dieappeared q u i c k l y i n much t h e same manner ae would a l i g h t being
extinguiehed. Observers e t a t e d t h a t o b j e c t was q u i t e e i m i l a r t o s cloud
o r smoke through which a l i g h t was shining.

Diecuss i o n

A check with s i r f i e l d e i n t h e v i c i n i t y determined that t h e r e were

no s i r c r a f t i n t h e a r e a a t t h e t i m e of s i g h t i n g . The l o c a l AC&W equad-
ron wae contacted with no r e s u l t s . The observermestatement --
t h e p h y s i c a l makeup of t h e obJect, t h i e s i g h t i n g could be explained as
"Due t o

t h e r e f l e c t i o n of t h e sun on a high c i r r u s cloud.

Concluei o n

Other - Probably l i g h t r e f l e c t i o n on cloud.

24 J u l y 1 9 5 3
UNCLASSIFIED Florina
Description

Between t h e h o u r s of 2200 and 2230 EST, a s t u d e n t a t t h e F l e e t S o n a r

S c h o o l , U n i t e d S t a t e s Naval Base, Key West, F l o r i d a , observed a n uniden-
t i f i e d f l y i n g o b j e c t i n t h e sky over t h e town of Key West. The o b J e c t
a p p e a r e d t o be a p p r o x i m a t e l y t h e s i z e of a p i n p o i n t o r a star, v e r y
b r i g h t w h i t e i n c o l o r , proceeded r a p i d l y from low on t h e w e s t e r n sky-
l i n e t o a p o i n t d i r e c t l y f o r w a r d and overhead. The o b J e c t t h e n b l i n k e d
o u t momentarily b e f o r e d e s c e n d i n g below t h e e a s t e r n s k y l i n e . No a e r o -
dynamic features, t r a i l , e x h a u s t , p r o p u l s i o n system, o r sound were noted.
Speed w a s r e p o r t e d a s unknown, s i n c e t h e o b s e r v e r d i d n o t know t h e ob-
J e c t ' e t r u e s i z e o r i t s d i s t a n c e from h i m . The o b s e r v e r s t a t e d that t h e
o b j e c t a p p e a r e d t o move i n r e g u l a r smooth circles.

Discussion

I n q u i r y WAS made a8 t o t h e o b s e r v e r ' s g e n e r a l r e p u t a t i o n and

c h a r a c t e r . H i s s u p e r v i s o r i n Sonar O p e r a t i o n s s t a t e d t h a t he had no
knowledge o f t h e o b s e r v e r e x c e p t d u r i n g d u t y h o u r s . The s u p e r v i s o r
gave him a c h a r a c t e r r a t i n g of " v e r y good", I t above reproach", and d e s -
c r i b e d him as a q u i e t , c o n e c i e n t i o u s , good s t u d e n t - not outstanding
b u t above a v e r a g e . The i n t e r v i e w e r s t a t e d t h a t t h e o b s e r v e r a p p e a r e d
t o be s t a b l e , w e l l - a d j u s t e d , and v e r y c o n s i s t e n t w i t h h i s answers after
considerable questioning.

The w e a t h e r a t t h e time of t h e o b s e r v a t i o n was r e p o r t e d as a broken

o v e r c a s t . Clouds were r e p o r t e d t o be s o l i d t o t h e w e s t where t h e o b J e c t
d i s a p p e a r e d . A chepk w i t h CAA o f f i c e of U.S. Weather Bureau a t Boca
C h i c a Key r e v e a l e d a c e i l i n g of 22,300 f e e t .

T h e r e were s e v e r a l aircraft i n t h e area end one o f them was e q u i p -

ped w i t h a s e a r c h l i g h t . There is a p r o b a b i l i t y t h a t t h e o b e e r v e r eaw
t h e s e a r c h l i g h t s c a ~ i n gt h e area.

c o n cl u si o n

Other - P r o b a b l y s e a r c h l i g h t on aircraft.
 UNCLASSIFIED
Reno, Nevada

Description

A t 1145 A.M. MST 3 J u n e 1953 two c i v i l i a n a vcre s i t t i n g on a lorn

a t E a s t 9 t h and Lake S t r e e t s , Reno, Nevada. One o b s e r v e r was l o o k i n g
up t h r o u g h some t r e e b r a n c h e s when s h e saw a p i n - p o i n t of l i g h t a t a
v e r y h i g h a l t i t u d e . She c a l l e d h e r husband's a t t e n t i o n t o t h e o b J e c t
and h e watched t h i s o b J e c t f o r 8 m i n u t e s , t h i n k i n g it v a s a w e a t h e r
balloon. H e t h o u g h t t h a t it waS n o t l i k e l y t o be a star, b e c a u s e t h e
d a y waa b r i g h t ( h o t ) and c l o u d l e s s . However, it n e i t h e r moved n o r
changed i t s a p p a r e n t s i z e . The o b s e r v e r l e f t h i s w i f e t o watch t h e
o b J e c t w h i l e he r e p o r t e d it t o t h e a u t h o r i t i e s . F i r s t h e r e p o r t e d it
t o 8 policeman who r e f e r r e d him t o t h e P o l i c e S t a t j o n . They were n o t
i n t e r e s t e d and t o l d him t o r e p o r t it t o t h e s h e r i f f ' s o f f i c e . The s h e r -
iff's o f f i c e e t a t e d t h a t t h i e s i g h t i n g w a s o u t of t h e i r j u r i s d i c t i o n and
f o r him t o c a l l t h e FBI. T h e , F B I t o o k h i s name and a d d r e s s . The o b s e r -
v e r t o l d t h e FBI t h a t h e c o u l d n ' t l o c a t e t h e o b J e c t u n l e s s h e had t h i s
p a r t i c u l a r tree as a r e f e r e n c e p o i n t . H e t h e n r e t u r n e d t o t h e p o i n t o f
o b s e r v a t i o n where h i e w i f c s t i l l had t h e o b j e c t i n view. After 20 min-
u t e s , b e i n g somewhat s u r p r i s e d t h a t no one had a p p e a r e d t o v e r i f y t h e
r i g h t i n g and c o n s i d e r i n g t h e p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t a m i s t a k e had been made
8s t o t h e r e p o r t e d l o c a t i o n of t h e s i g h t i n g , he a g a i n t e l e p h o n e d t h e FBI.
H e w a s t o l d t h a t t h e matter had been r e f e r r e d t o S t e a d AF Base. The
o b s e r v e r becoming aware t h a t it was going t o b e d i f f i c u l t t o g e t a n y
o f f i c i a l v e r i f i c a t i o n w h i l e t h e o b j e c t waa s t i l l i n view o b t a i n e d t h e
name o f t h e USAF c o l o n e l t o which t h e r e p o r t hed been made. After some
d i f f i c u l t y , t h e o b s e r v e r r e a c h e d t h i s c o l o n e l by t e l e p h o n e . T h i s c o l o n e l
r e f e r r e d t h e i n c i d e n t t o a n o t h e r c o l o n e l who i n t u r n r e f e r r e d him t o a
t h i r d c o l o n e l . From t h e l a s t c o l o n e l t h a t he t a l k e d t o , he g o t t h e Im-
p r e s s i o n t h a t someohe would tome t o v e r i f y t h e s i g h t i n g and r e t u r n e d
t o t h e s c e n e where t h e o b j e c t w a s s t i l l v i s i b l e . While n o t a p p e a r i n g
t o move, it had s h i f t e d p o s i t i o n s l i g h t l y because it was n e c e s s a r y f o r
him t o move o c c a s i o n a l l y t o p r e v e n t i t s b e i n g obscured b y t h e t r e e
branchee. A f t e r w a i t i n g 30 minutee, t h e o b s e r v e r a g a i n c a l l e d t h e A i r
F o r c e c o l o n e l t o a s k him i f h e c o u l d n ' t send someone t o v e r i f y t h e
e i g h t i n g . The c o l o n e l r e q u e s t e d t h a t t h e o b s e r v e r s t a n d b y t h e t e l e p h o n e
and he would c a l l him back. T h i s t h e c o l o n e l d i d 15 minutes l a t e r , re-
q u e s t i n g t h a t t h e observer o b t a i n a d i s i n t e r e s t e d person t o v e r i f y t h e
r i g h t i n g . Observer r e t u r n e d t o s i t e of o b s e r v a t i o n and t h e o b j e c t w a s
e t i l l v i s i b l e . He s t o p p e d a c a r and r e q u e s t e d t h e d r i v e r t o o b s e r v e t h e
o b j e c t . The d r i v e r o f t h e car w a s a p r o f e s s o r a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y of
Hevada and a v e r y good o b s e r v e r . Observer a g a i n c a l l e d t h e A i r F o r c e
c o l o n e l and r e p o r t e d t h e v e r i f i c a t t o n . The c o l o n e l t h e n s t a t e d t h a t
h e would s e n d 2 e n l i s t e d men t o t h e o b s e r v e r s ' m o t e l f o r a d e b r i e f i n g .
m o s e r g e a n t s v i s i t e d t h e observers a t t h e i r motel e x p r e s s i n g a p p r e c i a -
t i o n f o r t h e o b s e r v e r s ' e f f o r t a and s t a t i n g t h a t t h e A i r F o r c e w a s v e r y
i n t e r e s t e d i n e u c h r e p o r t s . Observer p o i n t e d o u t t o t h e s e r g e a n t s t h a t
the A i r F o r c e had b e e n aware o f t h e s i g h t i n g f o r o v e r a n hour d u r i n g
v h t c h time t h e o b j e c t c o u l d b e s e e n b u t h a d n ' t been i n t e r e s t e d enough
to l o o k at it.
3 J u l y 1953 - Reno, Nevada (contd)
'Diecussion

T h i e s i g h t i n g is one of t h e b e s t i n P r o j e c t Blue Book's f i l e s as

far 8s c i v i l i a n o b s e r v e r s are concerned. These c i v i l i a n s w e r e v e r y
d i l i g e n t i n t h e i r e f f o r t s t o r e p o r t t h e s i g h t i n g and it is u n f o r t u n a t e
t h a t t h e o f f i c i a l s I n t h a t area were n o t aware of t h e procedure f o r r e p o r t -
i n g u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g o b J e c t s . The d e s c r i p t i o n of t h i s obJect, and t h e
l e n g t h of time observed r u l e s o u t a n y c o n v e n t i o n a l obJecte I n our atmosphere.
R o J e c t Blue Bookme c o n t r a c t astronomers were contacted. They s t a t e d t h a t
t h i s e i g h t i n g ' w a s undoubtedly caused b y t h e p l a n e t Venus.

Conclusion

Was a s t r o n o m i c s l (venue).'

A t l a n t n , Georgia

Deecription

On t h e n i g h t of 7 J u l y 1953, t h r e e o b s e r v e r s from A t l a n t a were d r i w

i n g on Hiehway 78 near Mapleton, Georgia, when t h e y encountered a " f l y -
i n g saucer" i n t h e middle of t h e road. There were t h r e e small animals
near t h i s r e d c o l o r e d w s a u c e r w . A s t h e o b s e r v e r s b o r e down on t h i s ob-
j e c t , two of t h e animals e n t e r e d ' t h e "saucer" and escaped. A s t h e
1)
s a u c e r " r o s e and disappeared a t a 45 degree a n g l e , it turned a l i g h t
b l u e i n c o l o r , Observers* c a r s t r u c k t h e t h i r d animal and knocked him
unconecious. ,After g e t t i n g o u t of t h e c a r and f i n d i n g t h i s animal
which wae approximately 2 1 i n c h e s i n l e n g t h , had l o n g ears, no h a i r ,
and no t a i l , o b s e r v e r s s t a y e d a t t h e scene and s e v e r a l o t h e r automobilee
stopped, The animal d i e d i n a b o u t 30 minutes and wae taken t o one of
t h e A t l a n t a newspapers. A r e p o r t e r f o r t h e newspaper c a l l e d t h e FBI,
who i n t u r n c a l l e d t h e O S I t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e i n c i d e n t ,

Discussion

!This animal w a s f i r s t examined by a l o c a l v e t e r i n a r i a n wno s t a t e d

t h a t he had never seen ouch an animal b e f o r e . L a t e r t h e animal w a s
t a k e n t o Emory U n i v e r s i t y where an Emory a u t h o r i t y i d e n t i f i e d it a8 a
member of t h e monkey f a m i l y and n o t an It animal from space". A member
of t h e S t a t e C r i m e L a b r a t o r y and another m e m b e r of t h e Emory U n i v e r s i t y
s t a f f i d e n t i f i e d t h e animal a s a monkey which had been shaved and from
which t h e t a i l had been removed. Observers confirmed t h a t t h e whole
s t o r y was a hoax r e s u l t i n g from a $10.00 B e t w i t h a f r i e n d t h a t he (ob-
s e r v e r ) could n o t ge,t h i s p i c t u r e I n t h e paper. Observer was f i n e d
$40.00 f o r o b e t r u c t i n g t h e highway and wee r e l e a s e d a t t h a t time.

Conclusion

.Other - Hoax.
Note: T h i s is one of many similar r e p o r t s r e c e i v e d b y R o J e c t Blue
Book.
 U N C u ~1lnpi.d
~ c~ i t y ,~
S o u~ ED
t h Dakota

S i n c c t h i s s i g h t i n g was 8 combined a i r - v i s u a l , g r o u n d - v i s u a l , a i r -
r a d a r , and g r o u n d - r a d a r r e p o r t , i t was d e c i d e d t h a t P r o j e c t Blue B m k
would send an i n v e s t i g a t o r t o t h e scene. The c o n t r o l l e r on d u t y a t
t h e t i m e o f t h e I n c i d e n t w a s I n t e r v i e w e d . H i s a c c o u n t of t h e i q c i d c n t
was a l m o s t i d e n t i c a l t o t h a t g i v e n i n t h e i n i t i ~ TWX. l H e w a s on d u t y
a t 2005 14ST when a GOC p o s t o b s e r v e r c a l l e d i n a n u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g
o b j e c t s i g h t e d n o r t h e a s t o f h e r p o s t a t Blackhawk, South.Dakota. (Kate:
S u n s e t 1920 blST - m i l i g h t 33 m i n u t e s . ) She r e p o r t e d t h r o u g h t h e Aqpid
C i t y F i l t e r C e n t e r . She r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e o b j e c t w a s s t a t i o n a r y , t h e n
moved s o u t h toward Rapid C i t y . When t h e c v n t r o l l e r g o t t h e r e p o r t t h a t
t h e o b J e c t o r l i g h t w a s headed toward Rapid C i t y , he s e n t 3 a i r n e n from
t h e r a d a r s i t e t o l o o k f o r it v i s u a l l y . They r e p o r t e d a l i g h t moving
f r o m g e n e r a l l y n o r t h t o e o u t h a t a h i g h r a t e 3f s p e e d . A t t h i s t i n e
t h e c o n t r o l l e r observed 2 b l i p s goi~ie;s o u t h on t h e scope. H e c o u l d n o t
get a d i s t i n c t t r a c k b e c a u s e of ground c l u t t e r i n t h e area. I n a few
m i n u t e s t h e COC p o s t i n Blackhawk c a l l e d i n t h a t t h e l i g h t was back i n
n e a r l y i t s o r i g i n a l p o s i t i o n . An a i r b o r n e F-84 w a s v e c t o r e d i n t o t h e
area and after a s e a r c h made v i e l ~ a lc o n t a c t . The F-84 w a s v e c t o r e d
i n t o t h e b l i p t h a t was r e m a i n i n g s t a t i o n a r y a t a b o u t 1 5 m i l e s n o r t h e a s t
o f Blackhawk. The c o n t r o l l e r s a i d t h a t he b e l i e v e d t h e F-81(p i l o t saw
t h e t a r ~ e t h a t w a s on t h e s c o p e . S h o r t l y a f t e r t h e v i s u a l s i g h t i n g b y
t h e p i l o t , t h e t a r g e t starteZ t o move on a head in^ o f a b o u t 320 d e g e c s
magnetic. Four good b l i p s w e r e o b t a l n e d . P h o t o s o f t h i s t r a c k w e r e
t a k e n b u t t h e camera malfunctioned and t h e p h o t o s w e r e no good. The
l a s t b l i p o c c u r r e d a t 70 m i l e e and a t t h a t p o i n t t h e a i r c r a f t was re-
t u r n e d t o t h e b a s e . The GOC o b s e r v e r r e p o r t e d s e e i n g t h e aircraft and
t h e o b j e c t , and b o t h w e r e moving. The o b j e c t seemed t o b e o u t - d i s t a n c i n g
t h e F-84. A s soon as t h e F-84 l a n d e d , a n o t h e r F-84 t o o k o f f f o r C>P.
J u s t a b o u t t h a t t i m e , t h e Blackhawk GOC p o s t c a l l e d t h e t h i r d ti= s t a t -
i n g t h a t t h e o b J e c t w a s b a c k a g a i n . Ilothing was on t h e s c o p e ( t h e r e
w a s p o s s i b l y a t a r g e t i n t h e ground c l u t t e r ) , s o t h e F-84 was v e c t o r e d
i n on t h e v i s u a l r e p o r t . The p i l o t soon g o t a v i s u a l and s t a r t e d a n
i n t e r c e p t . About t h a t t i m e , t h e c . o n t r o l l e r p i c k e d up b o t h a n unknown
t a r g e t and t h e F-84. Both w e r e on a h e a d i n g of a b o u t 360 d e p e e s
m a g n e t i c , The b l i p seemed t o s t a y a b o u t 5-10 m i l e s ahead o f t h e F-84.
The c h a s e c o n t i n u e d u n t i l t h e a i r c r a f t w a s a b o u t 80 miles o u t , t h e n t h e
i n t e r c e p t was broken o f f , The t a r g e t c o n t i n u e d o f f t h e scope. A t t h i s
t i m e t h e Bismarck F i l t e r C e n t e r was a l e r t e d t o l o o k f o r u n i d e n t i f i e d
f l y i n g o b j e c t s . When t h e p i l o t g o t back o v e r t h e b a s e , he s a w a n o t h e r
l i g h t . T h i s w a s n o t p i c k e d up on t h e s c o p e , b u t t h e c o n t r o l l e r d i d g e t
a r e t u r n o n t h e h e i g h t f i n d e r equipment i n t h e g e n e r a l d i r e c t i o n of the
l i g h t , it was 8000 f e e t . A t 0023 E T , B i s a ~ r c kb e a n t o c a l l i n r e p o r t s .

The p i l o t who was on t h e f i r s t CAP was i n t e r v i e w e d n e x t . H e s t a t e d

t h a t he had been making p a s s e s a t a B-36 n o r t h of Rapid C i t y when GTI
called and s a i d t h e y hcd a t a r g e t w e s t of Rapid C i t y . H e s e a r c n o d f o r
UNCLASSIFJED
 UNCLASSIFIED

a b o u t 20 minutes w e s t and s o u t h of Rapid C i t y b u t saw nothing. I l e re-

t u r n e d t o base and was a b o u t t o l a n d when he observed a l i g h t northwest
of t h e base. H e s t a r t e d o u t on a heading of 350 d e g r e e s magnetic, t h e
o b j e c t was high (30 deg - 45 deg) a t 11 o'clock from him. H e checked
t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of a r e f l e c t i o n and determined t h a t t h i s wee n o t t h e
cause. H e continued h i s couree keeping t h e o b j e c t a t 11 o'clock f o r a
b e t t e r view. A f t e r a b o u t 30 seconds, it d i s a p p e a r e d t h e n reappenred
f o r a n o t h e r 30 seconds a t t h e end of which it a b r u p t l y faded and was
n o t s e e n again. The o b j e c t w a s s i l v e r i n c o l o r and v a r i e d i n i n t e n s i t y .
It appeared t o " p u l l away" because i t g o t s m a l l e r . The comment as t o
s i z e was t h a t it was " b r i g h t e r t h a n t h e b r i g h t e s t star I ' v e e v e r seen".

The p i l o t who f l e w t h e second CAP'was interviewed n e x t . H e s t a t e d

t h a t he took o f f and s t a r t e d t o climb when CCI t o l d him t h a t GOC had 8
l i g h t . H e was n o r t h of E l l s w o r t h AFB on a heading of 360 d e g r e e s mag-
n e t i c when he s a w a l i g h t 30-40 d e g r e e s t o h i s r i g h t and l e v e l . H e
t h o u g h t it was a star o r p l a n e t b u t as he looked away it appeared t o
"jump" 15-20 d e g r e e s i n e l e v a t i o n . ( ~ o t e :Due t o t h e speed of t h e a i r -
c r a f t and t h e f a c t t h a t t h e p i l o t wao i n t e n t on i d e n t i f y i n g t h e o b j e c t , .
he was n o t e x a c t l y sure of h i s p o s i t i o n s . A l l p o s i t i o n e are s u b j e c t t o
eome, e r r o r . ) The l i ~ h seemed
t t o be p a r a l l e l l i n g h i s course. The f i r s t
t h i n g t h e p i l o t d i d w a s t o check f o r r e f l e c t i o n s i n t h e c o c k p i t ( i . e . ,
canopy, g u n s i g h t head, e t c . ) . H e was s u r e t h e l i g h t was no r e f l e c t i o n i n
t h e aircraft. The l i g h t , which t h e p i l o t e s t i m a t e d t o be c o n s i d e r a b l y
b r i g h t e r t h a n 8 star, changed i n t e n s i t y and changed i n c o l o r from white
t o green. When t h e o b j e c t w a s f i r s t s i g h t e d , t h e a i r c r a f t was a t 15,000
feet. The p i l o t s t a r t e d t o climb and t h e l i g h t appeared t o climb f a s t e r .
Thle was because t h e a n g l e of e l e v a t i o n i n c r e a s e d . H e climbed t o 26,000
feet. A l l t h i e t i m e b o t h t h e r a d a r b l i p o f b o t h t h e o b j e c t and t h e air-
c r a f t w e r e b e i n g c a r r i e d and t h e p i l o t was t a l k i n g t o t h e c o n t r o l l e r on
UHF'. A s t h e p i l o t t u r n e d i n t o t h e l i g h t on h i s i n i t i a l s i g h t i n g , he
t u r n e d on h i s r a d a r gunsight. A s he swung o n t o t h e t a r g e t , t h e warning
l i g h t came on. No r a n @ was obtained s i n c e t h e s i g h t starts t o measure
a t a b o u t 4,000 yards. A l l t h i s might i n d i c a t e w a s t h a t something w a s
beyond 4,000 yards. The l i g h t remained on u n t i l t h e chase was broken off.
After t h e c h a s e , on t h e way home, t h e l i g h t b l i n k e d on and o f f s e v e r a l
tinmes i n d i c a t i n g a p o s s i b l e malfunction. The s i g h t was n o t checked b y
nraintenance on r e t u r n and had n o t been checked s i n c e .

The F-e4 chased t h e l i g h t f o r a b o u t f i v e minutes, o r t o a b o u t 80

m l l e e n o r t h of t h e base. The l i g h t appeared t o make slow changes i n
c o l o r and i n t e n s i t y . The p i l o t s t a t e d t h a t t h e l i g h t d e f i n i t e l y moved
i n r e l e t i o n t o t h e stars. After t h e i n t e r c e p t was broken o f f , t h e a i r -
craft r e t u r n e d toward base.
About 20 m i l e s o u t of base he g o t 8 v i s u a l on a s i m i l a r l i g h t t h a t
changed from r e d t o white. He was on 8 h e a d i ~ gof 180 d e g r e e s magnetic
a t 12-14,000 f e e t and t h e l i g h t w e s 10 d e g r e e s low t o t h e r i g h t . H e
t h o u g h t It was a car going around c u r v e s i n t h e h i l l s b u t changed h i s
mind when t h e r e d and w h i t e l i g h t s were of e q u a l i n t e n s i t y . T h i s t a r g e t
was i n t h e ground c l u t t e r of t h e r a d a r b u t somethine a t 8000 f e e t was
picked up on t h e h e i g h t f i n d e r r a d a r . The l i g h t s l o w l y v e n t o u t then
 UNCLASSIFIED
came back i n . I t ceernzd t o be w e s t m o v i n ~~ i n c ethq a i . r c r a f t r::.:; ?-.*I t
on a c o n s t a n t heading and t h e a n ~ l cof azimutli atid c L ~ v 3 t j o r .i ~ i c.-:.-.-
- .a.
The l i c h t was f i r s t observed f o r 30 seconds, it faded, rc.-,p~t.::rcci, ti:.-.:>
f a d e d spin a f t e r 30 seconds.

A s t h e p i l o t caxe around t h e w e s t s i d e of t h e a i r bnsc nnd up t ! ~ c

e a s t s i d e , he s a w a n o t h e r l i g h t and t u r n e d i n t o it t o t a k e gum c c l i c r a
photos. (The p h o t o s w e r e no good).

Discussion

A v i s i t w a s made t o t h e Weather Bureau s t a t i o n a t the Rapid C i t y

Municipal A i r p o r t t o check weather and b a l l o o n l a u n c h c ~( ~ o t e :The a i r
b a s e launches no b a l l o o n s ) . The o b s e r v e r on d u t y looked up t h e b a l i m n
t r a c k f o r t h e b a l l o o n launched a t 2000 ElST on 5 August 1953 and it v e n t
s o u t h from t h e Municipal A i r p o r t . T h i s p u t s it o u t of t h e area o f t h e
s i g h t i n g . Dnta on i n v e r s i o n s w a s n o t a v a i l a b l e as it had been forwarded
t o A s h e v i l l e , North C a r o l i n a . ( ~ o t e : The b a l l o o n t r ~ c k sand w e a t h e r
f o r 2000 MSI' on 5 A u w a t h a s been r e q u e s t e d from A s h e v i l l e . )

No a t t e m p t was made t o c o n t a c t t h e COC o b s e r v e r s a t Blackhawk. Tney

had b e e q i n t e r r o g a t e d by b a s e p e r s o n n e l and w e r e " a l l e x c i t e d " . I t %as
b e l i e v e d t h a t a n i n v e s t i g a t o r t a l k i n g t o them would o n l y f u r t h e r e x c i t e
t h e m n e e d l e s s l y . A l l t h e s i g h t i n g s a t Bismarck are d o u b t f u l . The ACEcW
S t a t i o n c a l l e d t h e Bismarck F i l t e r C e n t e r and t o l d them t o "look f o r
f l y i n g s a u c e r s " , a p e r f e c t s e t up t o s e e e v e r y star move around.

The upper a i r r e s e e r c h b a l l o o n t r a c k s a t Lowry w e r e checked. Two

b a l l o o n s were l o s t and could have been i n t h e area a t t h e t i m e o f t h e
si g h t i n e .

A few comments on t h e s ~ u r c e sc a n be made:

C o n t r o l l e r l e f t t h e impression t h a t he was t r y i n g t o prove t h e e x i s

t e n c e of a n u n i d e n t i f i e d f l y i n g o b j e c t . I t is v e r y u n f o r t u n a t e t h a t no
scope p h o t o s w e r e a v a i l a b l e t o c o l l a b o r a t e h i s s t o r y . He s a w t a r g e t s on
t h e scope, t h e r e is no doubt a b o l ~ tit, b u t whether t h e y a c t e d e x a c t l y as
he s t a t e d i s unknown.

The t w airmen~ t h a t went o u t s i d e t o observe t h e o b j e c t t h a t was

b e i n g c a r r i e d on r a d a r and r e p o r t e d by t h e GOC were n o t sure of v h z t
t h e y saw, a t least t h i s is t h e impression t h e y l e f t . They were t o l d t o
go o u t and look f o r a l i g h t s o t h e y s a w one. T h e i r d e s c r i p t i o n f i t s
that o f a meteor. They o n l y s a w a " s t r e a k " i n t h e sky. They d i d n o t
see it r e t u r n n o r t h , o n l y go s o u t h .

The first p i l o t o n l y e0t.a glimpse of a l i g h t s o he c o u l d n o t add

much.

The second p i l o t e v e t h e impression of b e i n g "on t h e b a l l " . Ee.

o b v i o u s l y was t r y i n g t o convince himself t h e l i g h t was a star, b u t vas
UNCLASSIFIED
h a v i n g d i f f i c u l t y . H e took a r e a l i s t i c approach and had done some l o g i -
c a l r e a s o n i n g . H e wee w o r r i e d a b o u t t h e f e c t t h a t t h e l i g h t moved
r e l a t i v e t o t h e stars.

By e l i m i n a t i n g d o u b t f u l s i g h t i n g s , t h e o n l y t h i n g t h a t c a n be rea-
s o n a b l y a s s u r e d i s t h a t a GOC p o s t observed a l i g h t . T h i s c o u l d be a
b a l l o o n o r star. Radar picked up something i n t h e g e n e r a l area of t h e
GOC p o e t and v e c t o r e d a n a i r c r a f t toward it. The p i l o t s a w a l i g h t and
c h a s e d it. H e g o t a radar l o c k on i t , b u t t h i s c o u l d have been a mal-
f u n c t i o n . The star C a p e l l e is p o s s i b l y v i s i b l e low on t h e h o r i z o n t o
t h e n o r t h and t h e p i l o t c o u l d have s e e n t h i s . Pending f u r t h e r s t u d y ,
this i n c i d e n t is c a r r i e d as Unsolved.
Conclusion

Unsolved.

UNCLASSIFIED
23
 SICHTINGS FOR JUNE 1953

-
DATE LOCATION EVALUATION

30 Ramore, O n t a r i o , Canada P r o b a b l y Astronomical

30 Mather AF Base, C a l i f o r n i a Insufficient D a t a

24 Washington, D. C. Insufficient D a t a

24 Annapolis,Maryland Balloon

24 IWO ~ i m a Unsolved

24 New London, C o n n e c t i c u t Aircraft

24 Cincinnati, 0hio Probably Astronomical - Meteor

24 S i m i u t e k , Greenland Unsolved

23 D e l R i o , Texas P o s s i b l y Astronomical - Meteor

22 Goose AF Base, Labrador Insufficient D a t a

21 P e p p e r r e l l AFB, Newfoundland P o s s i b l y Astronomical

21 Okinawa Probably A i r c r a f t

20 Shawnee, Kansas Insufficient D a t a

18 KeyWest,Florida Other - Searchlight on a i r c r a f t

17 Iwo Jima Other - P o s s i b l y weather e f f e c t s

on r a d a r
16 San Antonio, Texas Other - L i g h t r e f l e c t i o n s on
clouds
12 Covington, Georgia P o s ~ i b l yBalloon

10 Goose AF' Base, Labrador Other - Weather Phenomena

10 I ) e t r o i t , Michigan Possibly Aircraft

9 North Korea Probably Balloon

9 Tillamook, Oregon A s tronornical - Venus

8 Bethesda, Maryland P o s s i b l y Balloon

7 Norwood, Ohio I n s u f f i c i e n t Data

4 G a i n e s v i l l e , Texas Uns ~ l v e d
Sightin~sfor the,month of June 1953 continued.

-
DATE LOCATION EVALUATION

2 San Antonio, Texas Other - Possibly light reflection

2 Lake Charles,Louisiana Probably Astronomical - Meteor

2 Newton, Mississippi Probably Astronomical - Meteor

UNCLASSIFIED
25
 SIGIITINGS FOR J7JT.Y 1953

DATE LOCAT1011 EVALUATION

C r e o l a , Alabama P t o b a b l y Astronomical - Meteor

S p r i n g f i e l d , Ohio Probably Balloon

Dayton, Ohio Balloon

N e l l i e AF Base, Nevada h-obably B a l l o o n - UAR

Tinker,AF Base, Oklahoma Weather Balloon

Washington, D. C. P r o b a b l y Astronomical

Dayton, Ohio I n s u f f i c i e n t Data

P e r r i n AF Base,. Texas P o s s i b l y Balloon

C e n t r a l House, Aleeka Balloon

24 Key West, F l o r i d a Other - Probably s e a r c h l i g h t on

aircraft
22 A t l a n t i c C i t y , New J e r s e y Insufficient nata

20 O f f u t t A F Base, Nebraska Unsolved

19 La Grande, Oregon Balloon - UAR

18 Key West, F l o r i d a I n s u f f i c i e n t Data

18 S h e r idan, Wyoming P r o b a b l y Astronomical - Meteor

18 Brooklyn, New York Probably A i r c r a f t

14 F a i r b o r n , Ohio P r o b a b l y -B a l l o o n

14 Opportunity, Montana I n s u f f i c i e n t Data

13 Shaw AF Base, S o u t h C a r o l i n a P o s s i b l y Astronomical - Meteor

12 Adrian, Michigan Possibly Balloon

11 Godman AF Base, Kentucky Astronomical

10 Forrest City, Arkansa~ P o s s i b l y Balloon

9 F t . Worth, Texas Possibly Aircraft

9 Sheppard AF Base, Texas Possibly hircraf t

8 C o l v i l l e , Washington Probably Astronocical

~53-11156 26
 UNCLASSIFIED

S i g h t i n g s f o r t h e month of J u l y 1953 continued

-
DATE LCCATIaN ENALUATION

8 T i n k e r AF Base, Oklahoma Probably Balloon

7 A t l a n t a , Georgia Other - Hoax

6 S t i l l v a t e r , Oklahoma Other - Searchlight reflections
4 T i n k e r AF Base, Oklahoma Balloon

3 Middletown, New York Possibly Aircraft

3 T i p p C i t y , Ohio Unsolved

3 Reno, Nevada Astronomical - Venus

3 Fremont, Wisconsin P o s s i b l y Aircraft

2 T i n k e r AF Base, Oklahoma Unsolved

2 Shaw AF Base, S o u t h C a r o l i n a Probably Astrononical

I La Crande, Oregon Possibly Balloon

1 Ramore, O n t a r i o , Canada P r o b a b l y As t r o n o n i c a l
 SIGHTIEGS FOR AUGL'ST 1953

-
DATE LOCATIO?l' =ALUATI ON
28 T u r n e r AF B a s e , G e g r g i s P o s s i b l y Balloon

28 Jamestown, North Dakota I n s u f f i c l e n t Data

28 San R a f a e l , C a l i f o r n i a ProSably Astronomical

27 F a l l s Church, V i r g i n 1 2 Insut'f i c i e n t D a t a

27 Greenville, Mississippi Insuff i cl e n t D a t a

26 Bermuda I n s u f f i c i e n t Data

23 P o r t Moresby, New Guinea I n s u f f i c i e n t Data

22 San Antonio, Texas P o s s i b l y Aircraft

20 C a l i f o r n i a Area Insuff ici e n t D a t a

17 C r e o l a , Alabama Probably Astronomical . - Ke t e o r

17 South C e n t r a l France Possibly Balloon

17 Wethersf i e l d , England Probably Balloon

17 Peoria, I l l i n o i s P o s s i b l y Astronomical

16 Ramore, O n t a r i o , Canada UnsolveC

15 Madison, *Wisconsin P o s s i b l y Balloon

12 Ventura, C a l i f o r n i a Probably A i r c r a f t

12 Leesburg, V i r g i n i a Probably A i r c r a f t

11 B a r k s d a l e AF' Base, L o u i s i a n a Probably Astronomical - Xeteor

10 Wilmington, North C a r o l i n a Other - Unreliable Source

g Moscow, I d a h o Other - Probably l i g h t r e f l e c t i o n s

on c l o u d s
7 M a r t h a l s V i n e y a r d , Mass. Possibly A s tronomlcal

5 S a n Antonio, Texas Possibly Balloon

5 Rapid C i t y , S o u t h Dakota Unsolved

4 O n i d a , S o u t h Dskota I n s u f f i c i e n t Data

4 Wcst P o i n t , Nebraska Possibly Aircraft

~53-11156 28
S i g h t i n e s f o r t h e month of A u p s t 1953 c o n t i n u e d

-
DATE
1
LOCATION EVALUATION-
3 Dayton, Ohio Unsolved

1 Key tlest, Florida Possibly Balloon