DOW-UAP-D093, Analysis of Flying Object Incidents in the United States, 1948

━ PAGE 1 ━

DECLASSIFIED Authority: NND 857011 GDECLASSIFIED INTOLLIGENCE DIVISION STUDY (DI /USAT-ONI) AFTA 2 6167 TALYSIS OF FLYING ObJECT INCIDaNIS aT N IN THE UNITED STATES He. USAg 203 10 DECEMBER 1948

━ PAGE 2 ━

━ PAGE 3 ━

MEMO ROUTING SLIP 1 NAME OR TITLE ORGANIZATION AND LOCATION 2 3 4 NEVER ISE YOR APPROVALS, DISAPPROVALS, CONCURRENCES, OR SIMILAR ACTIONS INITIALS CIRCULATE DATE COORDINATION FILE INFORMATION NECESSARY ACTION - NOTE AND RETURN SEE ME SIGNATURE REMARKS are extra copies of This drement see ordered to he destroyed. record purposes oul. It to he disseminated without permission-s Rel 2-7341 FROM NAME OR TITLE ORGANIZATION AND LOCATION Nameregh DATE TELEPHONE DD FEES. 95 Replaces DA AGO Forin 885, 1 Apr 48, and AFHQ Form 12, 10 Nov 47, whith may be used. 16-18487-4 aPO

━ PAGE 4 ━

RET 2 6167 ATR INISTEIGENCE DIVISION STUDY (DI/USAF-ONT) ANATISTS OF ING OBJECT. IN THE U.S. Study No. 203 10 pacember 2948 DISER TBUT TON Air Intel Reg Div Ale Rutimaton Вгало ONT: 43z Intel Diw COPE 1 and 3 DEGLASSIFIED Auhorty AF INA Arena 3/5/05 Ty. SXET MAng Das 3/12/85 COPI NO. 3

━ PAGE 5 ━

TOE OLCRET ANANISIS OE PINCIO OBUNIT TIOLDUTS DA TUIS U.S. INDEX PENDI. "Д" - Analysis of JAvink Obiect Thoidentn in the VoSe and mothetionl ractien Pnplored APPRNDTX NJ" -Roportod strhtinga.of.nAying.Objeots.an.of.1 Aurust, 1948 APPENDTX "C» - Selected Heporte of Flzink Obiect Thotdente APPENDIX "D" - Elying NAng CyPe ASzeraft OP SECRE

━ PAGE 6 ━

CREF 10 Decanber 1948 ANALYSIS OF PLYING QUICE LUCIDINES 3I15U.S. зловім 1. To ecanine pattern of tactien of "Plying Saucerg" (hereimfter roforred to as flying objects) and to devalop conclusious au to the possibility of existence. FACES AND DISCUSSION 2. A dotailad dimoussion of inforation beering on the problem as set forth above la attached as Appendix "A". The main pointe estab- Lohed thoroin are sumerized below. 3. The frequiney of reported incidenta, the sinilarity in many of the caracteriation attributad to the obuerved objecta and the quality of observers considered an a whole, support the contention that aone type of flying objaat has been observad. Approximatoly 210 inoidents have boon veported. Anong the obsorvers reporting on such incidenta are trained and experienoed US. Weather Bureau personnel, USAY rated officers, experienced civilian pilots, technicians ansociated with various research projects and technicians amployed by connereial air- Lines. 4. The possibility that reported observations of ying objecte over the U.S+ were influenced by previous sightings of unidentifiad phenomena in Europo, portioularly over Scandinavia in 1946, and that the observers reporting sach incidents may have beon intereated in ob- taining personal publicity have boan conaidered as posaible explanations. However, these poselbilities soen to be improbable when certain alected reperts such as the one from UJ-S. Weather Bureau at Tielmond are exu anined. Paring observations of worther balloons at the tiehmond Bureau, one well trained obsorvae has stinted abrange metallie dion on thres oscarions and another oiserver his sightad & similar soject on one

━ PAGE 7 ━

oconalon. The last observation of midentified objects was in April, 1947. On all four occasions the weather balloon and the unidentified objeata were in vier through the theodolite. These obaszvations at the Richmond Bureau occurred several manths before publicity on the flying saucers appenzed in a USe newspapar 5• Teseriptions of the flying objeeta fall into three configura- tion categories: (1) dine-shaped (2) rough elgar-ahpod (3) balla of fire. Varying conditions of vinibility and differences in angles at which the objecta may have been viewed introduces a possibility that a ningla bypa object may have been observod rather than threo different types. This possibility in further mubstantiated by the faot that in the areas where such objecta hava been observad the zutio of the thrao general, configurations is approximtely the sane. 6. Thereforo, it appeara that sone object has boon beans however, the identification of that object cannot be readily accomplished on the basta of intomation reported on each incidents It is possible that the object, or objects, may have boon domestically launched devicon such as weather balloons, rockets, experiental. flying wing aireraft, or celat tial phanomena. It is necessary to obtain inforation on such donatio activity to confirm or deny this posalbility Depending upon the degree with which thie may be accomplished, foreten devleen mint then be son- aidered as a posalbility• 7- The pattem of eighting is definable, Sightings have been most intenso throughout the states bordering the Atlantie and Poolfle const lines, and the central states of obto and Kentudicy, A map showing location of eightinga is attached an Appendix "3", S. The origin of the devices la not ascertainable. There are tve passonable possibilitious (1) The objocta are donatio devions, and 11 no, their identifiotion or origin on be antabliahad by a nurvey of all. launchings of airborne objecte, Domestle flying wing type aireract ob- served in various aspoots of light might be responsible for son of the

━ PAGE 8 ━

reported flying objects, particularly those described as disks and rough cigar shapes. (See Appendices "(" and "D".) Among those which have been operational in recent years are the XPSU-1 ("Flying Flapjacks") developed by Chance-Vaught, the Northrup B-35, and the turbo-jet powered Northrup YB-49. The present existence of any privately developed flying- wing type aircraft has not been deternined but one such aircraft, the Arup tailless monoplane, wae operational at south Bend, Indiana, prior to 1935. (2) Objects are foreign, and if so, it would seem most logi- cal to consider that they are from a Soviet source. The Soviets possess information on a number of German flying-wing type aircraft such as the Cotha P60A, Junkers EP 130 long-range, high-speed jet bomber and the Horten 229 twin-jet flenter, which particularly resembles some of the descriptions of unidentified flying objects (See Appendix "D"). As carly as 1924 Tscheranowely developed a "Parabola" aircraft, an all wing design, which was the outeome of considerable Soviet experimentation with gliders of the same goneral form. Soviet aireraft based on such designa might have spods approaching transonie apeeds attributed to some flying objects or greater overall performance assuming the succossful. development of some unusual propulsion device such as atomie energy engine. 9. That the Sovieta have a current interest in flying wing type aireraft in suggested by their utilination of Dr. Quenther Bock who, at the end of World War IT, was in charge of the flying-wing program in Gerany (See Appendix "A", paragraph 3, page 4)• Achievementa satia- factory to the U.S.S.R. are indirectly indioated by the personal recog- nition he is reported to be receiving in the U.S.S.R. Recently it has been reported that the U.S.S.R. ia planning to build a fleet of 1,800 Horten flying wing aireraft. Information of low evaluation has been received stating that a regiment of jet night fighters, Model Horten XIII, 1B at Kunikhs, an air base two miles southrest of Irkutak.

━ PAGE 9 ━

AD-SECRE Kuzmikha is identified as one of a nunber of airfielda for the pro- tection of an atomic energy plant at Irkutsk. The Horten XILI as developed by Germany was a glider. 10. Assuming that the objects might eventually be identified as foreign or foreign-sponsored devices, the possible reason for their appearance over the U.S. requires consideration. Several possible ex- planations appear noteworthy, via: a. To negate U.S. confidence in the aton bomb as the most advanced and docisive weapon in warfare. b. To perform photographic reconnaissance missions. c. To test U.S. air defenses. d. To conduct familiarization flights over U.S. territory. CONCLUSIONS 11. Since the Air Force is responsible for control of the air in the defense of the U.S., it is imperative that all other agencies co- operate in confirming or denying the possibility that these objects have a domestic origin. Otherwise, if it is firmly indicated that there is no domestic explanation, the objecte are a threat and warrant more active efforts of identificntion and interception. 12. It must be secepted that some type of flying objects have been observed, although their identification and origin are not discemable. In the interest of national defense it would be unise to overlook the possibility that some of these objecte may be of foreign origin. 4 Inels: Appêndix "Д" - Analyeis of Flying Objeet Incidents in the U.S. and Hypothetical Tactics Employed Appendix "3" - Plot of Flying Object Sightings in the U.S. Appendix "(" - Selected Reports of Flying Object Inoidenta Appendix #p" - Plying Wing Type Airerarb

━ PAGE 10 ━

APPENDIX "A" ANALYSIS OF TAXING OBJECT INCIDINES IN THE U.S: AND HYPOYHINICAL TAONIOS IMPLOYED 1. Introduction. To formulate the possible tactics of flying ob- jects reported over the U.S, assumes from the outset that firm conclu- sions have been reached on both the existence and origin of the reported flying objects. The current status of information on such incidente and overall analysis does not allow substantiation for such conclusions. However, the lack of such firm conclusions points to the necessity for an immediate and sound statistical annlysis of every aspect of the situa- tion and does not preclude a concurrent examination of the reported in- cidents to develop explanations of their possible tactics. The latter will be useful at some future date should the existence and origin of the flying objects be definitely established. Therefore, the following analysis of available informtion is advanced in order to present evi- dence on the actual existence of some type flying object and to relate same to tactical purposes for which the objects are possibly designed. The following discussion must be considered a provinional analysis, pending a further detailed analysis of all aspects of the problen. 2. Some Aspects Rogerdine Ilyine Object Incidente. A cursory examination of evidence on reported incidents has been made and it is possible to olte certain generalities which it appears may be borne out when detailed analyses have been completed. Among the incidents reported there are many statements by reliable and experienced persone which tend to confirm that flying ob- Jecta have been seen. The deseription of such objects seems to fall roughly into three categories: (1) Silver disks or balls, approximating a Horton wing type aireraft; (3) Balle of fire of various colors and intensition; (3) Olgar or pencil-shaped objects similar in appearance to V-2 type rockete in horisontal flight. The numbere of configurations SADE BY CHAS. C.

━ PAGE 11 ━

P-GEORET might be further reduced with the following considerations in mind: Silver disks or balls have, for the greater part, been observed in daylight and a number under clear weather conditions with visibility unlinited. In most instances, balla of fire have been observed at night. Cigar, or pencil-shaped objects have been sighted in fever numbers out with about equal distribution in daylight and at night. A few accounts tell of the disks having a rough cigar-shape when viewed while maneuvering. Some of the diske are described as having luminosity in daylight. It therefore is possible that a single type of object may be involved in all sightings, and differences in des- cription ney result fron viewing the objects at various angles and under differing conditions of visibility. The above tends to indicate that some type object has been seen and the possibility exists that the object or objects seen are conven- tional domentio devices, such as wenther balloons, teat rockets, or jet- equipped aircraft with pancake or flying wing configurations. The possibility existe that the reporting of flying objects may have been influenced by earlier reports on similar ineidents in Scandinavia and Central Durope. The publication in newspapers of de- taile on such incidents, both foreign and domestic, ney have induced some of the description provided in reported domestic incidents. However, one of the earliest reported sightings in the U.S. was the one observed by U.S. Weather Pureau personnel in April 1947, at Richmond, Virginin, and on the basis of this one report it appears that the diske are not balloons. It would seen that this nighting was not influenced by the re- ports of forelen incidents, the newspaper accounts of domestic ineidents, nor by maidentification of a conventional object. Although reported domestie insidente are widely sottered through- out the U,S., frequenoy of sighting and number of obeerters per sighting

━ PAGE 12 ━

assumes a definable pattern. There is a large concentration of sight- ings along the Tastern Seaboard; another large concentration through- out the Western Const states, and a few sightings in the Middle West. Distribution of incidents by configuration of object and description of maneuverability is approximately equal. in each of these areas and this is believed to further substantiate the possibility thet one type of object might have been observed in different aspects of flight. If sightings are induced by rumor, it seens unusual that nore incidents have not been reported from the areas with high concentra- tion of population. Reports from such areas would also have greater facility in chenneling either to newspapers or official reporting agen- cies. For the most part, sightings have been made in fairly open country where there are few restrictions to visibility, which may indicate that obstructed vision has reduced sightings in built-up areas. It therefore seems that some type of flying object has been ob- served; the identification of its origin requires the conpletion of other analyses. 3. Bossable Origin of Ununnl Mying Objects. Provided, upon the completion of analyses, it is indicated that some or all of the reported flying objects over the U.S. are of foreign origin, the objects could from a logical viewpoint, be connidered Soviet. It is evident from the performance characteristion attributed to the unidentified objeets at this time that if they are forelen, they involve efficiencies of per- formance which have not been realised in any operational airborne de- vice in this country. It would, therefore, be a mistake to analyze the technical aspects of the situation within the limits of our own knowl- edge of practical developments. It is more desirable to consider then the outer limits of poesible Soviet developments and objectives in at- tempting to formulate some idea of the taction which might be involved.

━ PAGE 13 ━

First of all, the scientific objectives of the U.S.S.R. have been stated many times and indicated in many forms. the most clear- cut statement of this objective is probably the one contained in the preamble to the Fourth Five-year Plan (1946-1950) which states that the objective of Soviet science is to overtake and surpass the scienti- fio and technical developmente of the capitalist nations. It apparently would be an impossible task for the Soviet Union to accomplish such an objective by proceeding step-by-step along the same lines of develop- ment already achieved in the capitalist nations. This would mean that it would be necessary to rapidly proceed through each phase of aero- nautical development that hes already been accomplished in this country. and this probably would never have any prospects of accelerating Soviet develop- ment beyond any point reached by the U.S. The obvious answer to accon- plish their objective of not only overtaking, but surpassing the capitalist countrios would be a scientific shorteut. This possibility le not so re- mote when examined on the basis of our knowledge of the current situation in the U.S.S.R. Provided Soviet emphasis was given to the most promising and advanced ideas acquired from Germany in 1945 and the work aided by German scientists, the possibility of catching up and possibly surpassing other nations in technical developmente becomes more realistic. It be- comes even more realistic if the Soviets have shown a tendency to concen- trate on certain developments which have still not received a maximun of priority in our own programs. It is known that the U.S.S.R. has since 1945 enlisted the ser- vices of Dr. Guenther Rock, a Germen who headed all development of low aspect ratio (flying wing) type aireraft in Germony. Dr. Bock is believed to be the top German scientist in charge at TSAGI and ISIAM which are "Air Materiel Command" type orgonizations in the U.S.S.R. Further, It 1e belleved that Dr. Bock has made available all German plans for fly- ing wing type aireraft to the Soviets. Among the designs connidered by 4

━ PAGE 14 ━

the Germans end possibly exploited by the t.S.S.R., ere jet-propelled, flying wing type aircraft whose configuration would be similar to des- criptions of certain objects reported flying over the U.S. The esti- mated speeds of such aircraft are within range of the lower limits of speed attributed to flying objects over the U.S. It is not impossible that emphasis on surpassing foreign developments has led to unusual pro- gress in fuelsand propulsion by the U.S.S.R. In connection with pos- sible advancenents in the field of fuels and propulsion, it should be observed that the Russian oil situation (regardless of estimated o1l reserves) is quite different from that in the U.S. For example, U.S. o1l industry is prepared to turn out tremendous quantities of highly fractionated petroleum produsts, while the U.S.S.R. cannot reasonably approach such capabilities. Thie consideration dictates different solu- tions on fuels for propulsion in the two countries and in turn, dictates the direction taken in development of jet motors or the use of other pro- pulsive devices. We must therefore, arrive at the conclusion that any Soviet device which may have made its appearance over the U.ß. as des- cribed, would possess unusual performance characteristics which, in all probability, would include unusual range. The possibility that they could have been launched at fairly close range should not be discarded. 4. Possible RoBBOns x Lection for the Use_of Soviet Unconventional Aireraft Over the U.S. Predicated on all the foregoing asmumptions, Soviet unconventional aircraft may have been flown over the U.s. for one, all, or a combination of the following reasons: A. To pResto U.S, confidence An atom bomb as the most ad- zanced and declaive wernon. It the objects have been used in a propaganda sense, 1t would be reasonable to assume that the Soviets would choose first to frighten pro-Amerion nations in Jurope with the appearance of a radially

━ PAGE 15 ━

-SEORE new weapon to counteract the ability of the U.S. to obtain full propaganda effectiveness with the atom bomb. It will be remembered that strange objects first appeared over the Scandinavian countries in 1946. The ob- jects observed there had unusual range and unusual performance characteris- tics. As this demonstration over the Scandinavian countries occurred the U.S. was making a vigorous campaign for the economic and political alignment of these nations with other pro-American Western Turopean na- tions. When these Incidents subsided, strange flying objects began to be observed at an increasing rate over the U.s. The conclusion on this point is that flying objects may have been used to frighten both Juro- pean nations and the U.S, by the appearance of a new device, and that failure to identify such a Soviet object would give them invaluable in- dication that U,S, development is far behind that of the Soviets. Except for this indication, it is belleved that the use of the objects to promote fear has been worthless in that the U.S. public has tended to characterise these incidente entirely as hallucinations by "crack pota", misidentification of conventional objecte, or that they represent a secret American project which should not be publicized. Any fear that might re- sult from Soviet use will come only by a discovery that the objects have been Soviet aircraft and that they involve radical developments which are in advance of our own accomplisments. b. For photographic reconnaissance. It is possible that the Soviets have employed the flying objects for the collection of photographie intelligence or the mapping of certain areas in the U.S. The evasive netion employed by all objects sighted indicates not so much an attempt to avoid being sighted, as an attempt to prevent discloure of the exact type of flying eraft and 1ts mission. The sighting of objects over the U.S. has been mont intense in Mastern and Western Coastal States. In addition, sightinge of flying objecte 6

━ PAGE 16 ━

have been made near Oak Ridge, Tenn., Ins Cruces, I. Mo, and in the general area of the Hanford Worke in Oregon. Generally, sightings have not been made over what we consider strategic industrial areas. The reason for this might be either that the flying objects have been ob- served only enroute to or from missions over these more concentrated strategic areas, or that the Soviets obtained sufficient information during their World War II liaison with U,S. industry to satisfy their intelligence requirements and have a more active requirement for informa- tion on industries and areas which were not avallable to them during World War II contacts. This is of interest in connection with the sightings near Oak Ridge, Las Cruces, and in the general area of the Hanford Works mince these establishments were not, and are not, accessible to Soviet collectors of photographic intelligence, c. Zest. of. U.S. Defenses. It is possible that the use of Soviet flying objects over the U.S. is intended only to determine the ability of the U.S. defenses to spot foreign aireraft. Thie would be of extrene importance to the U.S.S.R. in the event that a one-vay all-out attack of Soviet strate- gic bombers in planned. Ability to operate over the U,S. uninhibited at a time when the U.S. Is supposedly re-arming and putting great stress on defenses would proviãe valuable information on which to base estimates for probability of success in bombing strategie objectives in the U.S. d. Jamiliarination Dichts over U.S. Texaltery. This possible reason 1s perhaps the most improbable. It le assuned that, should this purpose be involved, other purpones are probably aleo accomplished in its execution. Provided the U.S.S.R. has unurunlly high performance airereft they might find it advantageous to faniliarise thenselves with the topography of the T.S. in antieipation of future combat missions to strategie targets.

━ PAGE 17 ━

5- Conclusion• The conclusion that some type of flying object has been observed over the U.S. seens to be substantiated. It is not known at this time whether these observations are misidentifications of domestically launched devices, natural phenomena, or foreign un- conventional aircraft. It is, therefore, impossible to make any re- Ilable explanation for their appearance over the U.S. or the tactics which they may employ if the objects observed include any foreien developments in aeronautical fields. It is lilewise impossible at this time to contain discussions of possible performance characteristice or tactics within limits of practical reason, if for no other reason than the fact that proof of the existence of a foreign development of this type would necessarily introduce considerations of new principals and means not yet considered practical possibilities in our own re- search and development.

━ PAGE 18 ━

PRITISH N Cedar City heyeine North Platte Putti Dode Durango adelphia As of 1 August 1948 M E GULF ROPIC OF CANCER, • Dioks uh cigar shape • Ba11 of Fire Cone o? Fire • Configuration Undetermined AR ZOVN 15. OF 1 AUG RAPORTED SIGHTINGS OF FLYING OBJECTS APPENDIX "3"

━ PAGE 19 ━

CONFIDENTIAL

━ PAGE 20 ━

APPENDIX "G" SELECEED, REPORTS OF ELYING OBJECT INCIDENES 1. A number of reports on unidentified flying objects come from observers who, because of their technical background and experience do not appear to be influenced by unfounded sensationaliam nor inclined to report explanable phenomena as new types of airborne devices. Some of the details of their reports are presented in this appendix, along with those fron possibly less reliable sources who have reported evidence which is of such a nature that it cannot be entirely ignored. 2. Descriptions of significant incidents, arranged chronologically, follows a. During April, 1947, two employees of the Weather Bureau Station at Richmond, Virginia reported seeing a strenge metallic disk on three occasions through the theodolite while, making PIBAL observa- tions. One observation was at 15,000 feet when a disk was followed for 15 seconds. The disk appeared metallic, shaped sonething like an ollipse with a flat botton and a round top. It appeared below the balloon and was much larger in size. The disk appeared to be moving rather rapidly, although it was impossible to estimate its apeed. The other observationa were made at 27,000 feet in like manner. bo The following month, Byron 3. Savage, a field engineer for Radio Corporation of en, reported a disk flying near his home in Oklahoma City, Oklahona. The chject was thought to be at an altitude between 10,000 foet and 18,000 feet, and was moving toward the north at a high rate of apted, leving no trailing effecte. c. Whilo flying de 10,000 feet on a course of 300 degrees, 30 1d.10n northwest of de, Nevado, an Air Force lieutenant re- ported seeing five keiraular objects in closs formation traveling at an estimated apeed of 285 miles per hour. This eighting oceuered on 28 June 1947•

━ PAGE 21 ━

d. The following day a parby of three, two of them scientists, were motoring alon away. 72 toward th te Sand, New Mexico, V-2 fring grounds and reported seging aglarge disk or sphere noving hori- zonan 21g al high apogd, and on est mated altitude of 10,000 Lecte It was of uniforn shape and had no protzuding surfacos such as wings. The objeot was in sight for about 60 seconds before it disappeared to the northeast. The thres observers agreed on the details of the sighting except that one thought he had goon vapor trails. • On 7 July 1947, five Portland, Oregon police officers ro- ported varying numbers of dinka flying over different parta of the city. A11 observations were made within a minute or two of 1305 hours. f. On the same day, 1111iam Rhoads of Phoenix, Arizona al- legedly saw a dish circling his locality during sunset and took two pho to graphe. The with a round front and a squa An plan form. These photographs have bean examtried by mo siate they are ta images and do not appoar to be imperfection in the emilsion or imper- fections in the lens. (See Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 44) ORIGINAL, PHOTOGRAPHS BY MR. RIDADS Fig•

━ PAGE 22 ━

ORIORIAL PHOROORARIS 71g+ 4 Be On 10 July 1947, Mr. Woodruff, a Pan-American Armys unchanto reported a eiroutar object flying at high voloity, paralleling the earthta surface and Zasving a trail which appeared an a "burning up of the eloud formation, The sighbing ogdurred nose Harron Pield, Werfoundland. Two other parsona also gav trall which ronined in the sky for about an hour and win photographed by another PAA anployas, The resulting photo- graphs support It. Woodrutzve obtarvation as far an the sley elosvago da concerned. (Sas F1gh- 5 and 6-)

━ PAGE 23 ━

FiRe

━ PAGE 24 ━

CONFIDEN TIAt

━ PAGE 25 ━

━ PAGE 26 ━

━ PAGE 27 ━

━ PAGE 28 ━

• 6

━ PAGE 29 ━

On 29 Juzy 2947, Kenneth Amold, widle flying neur Tobons, mahington, reported a Coration of flying objects Ma setah of thate ahape corresponde alossly to that abom in the photographe sade by MPe Khoadde On the sane day, two ta5e Air Pores pilots at Handlton Field riported two flying diake tratling a R-8O, following it torurd oakland, callroentas 1o On 4 Auguat 2947, the pilot and eo-pilot of a Do-3, Flying for one Al Jonet, near Bethal, Alnaka, reported a flying diake larger then their atroraft. This diak oroaned their path at about 1000 fest and they turned to give chase. The DC-3 was flying at 170 nph, but the dick flew out of sight in four minutes. 0a 32 Novenber 3947, two Flying diske trudling jet-lLio strene of fire were reportedly alghted fron the bridge of the tanier Tieonderois, ascording te the second offleer. The Cleonderogs wan 20 adJes off the Oregon shore. This offione snid the diaice vere in sliht 45 sosonds, moving at a spood estlanted ab 700-900 agh, durving in a long, lou are. Ko On 7 Januny 1948, a Mational Ouard pilot ma killed while attempting to chase an unidentified object up to 30,000 feato While it sa presuned that thie pilot suffered anoxia, resulting in his cranb, hia Jast musago to the tover was, "it appoure to be metallie objecte.ee of trenendous alsore dirtly ahend and lightly abovo.... I an trying so close for a better looks," Z• On 5 April 2948, three tratned balloon observers fron the (sophyales Laborutory Section, Watson Taboratories, lla Jo reported soning a round, indistinet object in the vicinity of Hollnan Air Force 1080, New Vexied. It ma vary high and fast, and appetred to execute violent maneuvers at higa ayoed, The object mus under obsurvation for approzinately 30 assonde and disappenred suddenly.

━ PAGE 30 ━

# A yellor on 21cht dolored sphere, 25 to 40 feeb in dianter was reported by It» Conde. Marous L+ Lown, US Just south of Anagontia Naval, Ate Station, Dade, while he was Clying on 30 Apell 1948- I6 wan moving at a spoed of approsinatoly 100 milos per hour at an altitude of about 4500 faste Although winds aloft wore tron the north-northwest, §ta course von to the north. na 0o L July 3948, tralvo diake were reported over the Rapto Clty Air 308e by Major Hamore Thase disin were oval-shaped, about 200 feet lone, Mytat in excess of an estimated 500 mph. Descending fros 10,000 feet, these diake ide a 30-degrue to 40-tagree elimbing burn acelerating very rapidly unidl, out of alghte 0o On 17 July 1948, a report from Kirtland Ate Toco» Bage deserttes a alenting in Sin vointly of son loneta, Nur Macieo, of neven unidentified objoote flying in a "j" fortion at an setinated holght of 20,000 feet above the terrain. The foration varied from "3" to "L" to eurolo after passing the setthe Vinahes from the objoota vere outerved after pansing 30 degraos bayond the monith but there we no snoice or vapor traile the zeported altitude la correot the speed was asti- nated at 3500 adlos per hour, aocarding to the report. po Other eightangs of lighte and tratie, rathor then diaki, have been reported, vias (2) on 22 Septenter 194%, the pilot and co-pliot of a Pan Anarican aireraft, en route from llidway to Honolulu, our a blus-hite light approtching, changing to twin reddish glows upon withdraml. The pilot estimated the speed of • 1ight at about 2,000 knots. On 15 June 2949, 1r, Somnevi2lo, territovy manager for the Be To Goodeich Company, observed a reddish dow with a jet exhaust in the vicinity of Milon

━ PAGE 31 ━

C1t7, Montens. This glowing light undo no sound, traveled about twice the speed of a conventional alroreft and flow fron north to south several times In a wide aro, finally disappearing over the horizon. 1. During the early norning of 25 July 1948, two Rantern Airlines pilots reported having seen a huge flying craft sinilar to a V-3 pass their aircraft in flight. (See Wigs. 7 and 8.) The attached drawiage unde by these two observers very closely resemble a flying ob- Jeet reported to have been seen on 20 July 1948, by A. D. Otter, chief Investigator of Gourt of Daunge Inquiry, and hin daughter at Araham, Hetherlands. This object appeared to be a winglons aireraft having two docks. The craft, sighted four timen through scattered clouds and un- limited Visibility, was travoling at high speed at a high altitude. A sound similar to that mede by a V-2 was reported. r. An object, similar in shape to the one in the preceding ineident was reported by an experienced American newspeper reporter about 25 Isloneters northeast of Moscow on 3 August 1948. A Russian acquaintanco identified it as a rigid airchip but the reporter disagrees because it flew at a high, but not exceeive speed. S. On 1 October 1948 at approximately 2030 hours the pilot of a T-51 airereft, and It. George T. Corana (ilorth Iekota Air Mational Guard), flying near Tergo, Worth Delota, sighted m Internittent white light about 3,000 feet below his 4500 feet eruleine altitude. The pilot pursued the light which appeared to then teke evasive tactics. The object or light out-turned, out-speeded, and out-climbed the T-51 In every instance during the attempt to intercept. The pilot lost contaet 37 minutes after the initial sighting. The same light was observed by three other witnesses from the ground, Nr. I.D. Jeasen, Air Traffic Controller, Mr. Manuel T. Johnson, Assistant Fraffic Con- troller, and Dr. I. N. Cannon, Occulint. A comparison of all testinony

━ PAGE 32 ━

revealed that one object was sighted and that it consisted only of a mall round ball of clear white light with no apparent shape attached. It was about 6 to 8 inches in alameter. At tinee it travoled faster than the T-51 and performed maneuvers in an evasive nanner. When 21re5 sighted the ball of light was traveling at an estluated 250 miles per hour. Vador this condition, the light was not continuons but blinked off and on. At high performnnce the white light as continuous. Sub- sequent investigation eliminated the possibility that this ineident may have been another aireraft or a meteorological balloon. t.. On 18 November 1948 at approximately 2145 hours, three re- serve pilots, and It. Keuwood W. Jackeon, 2nd It. Glen I. Stalker, and 2nd It. Henry G. Combs, flying near Andrewe F1eld, Anzylend, encountered an unidentifiable flying object. When firet nighted, it appenred to be lighted and flying at about 1700 feet. Three or four passes vere made in an atteupt to identify 1t. The pilot of the aireraft stated that while alving hin airereft at approxiantely 240 miles per hour, the object would climb vertically and then would drop below the aireraft from behind and continue to circle. On the last pass, the lending 11ght was switched on and momentarily a dull cray flow fron the object was ob- served. It. Combs stated he mintained contact for about ten minutes with the object flying between the lighte of Veshlogtoz, D. C. and his airoraft. M1l that could be observed was an oblong ball with one light, no wings and no exhaust flame. It finally made a very bight turn and headed toward the east coast at an ostimated 500 to 600 miles ver hour. At the sone time Staff Sergeant John J. Kushner ohserved fron the ground an unsual dojeet in the nir over Androva Tiold. He stated that it was not very high and that it did not look 11k0 an aircraft. 3. Reports of rader intercepts point to unusual nir activity which my be reinted to flying objects.

━ PAGE 33 ━

HENRY GRA ON PEACHT ATTANI 7 100l ein dengli Chiles ev hit свой сли на сочну но рис A- 34919A

━ PAGE 34 ━

━ PAGE 35 ━

11g. 7

━ PAGE 36 ━

OLINGE SKED 100. CORNG TH ESTIMATES FOBONT. UIEMI open 1919AC

━ PAGE 37 ━

━ PAGE 38 ━

━ PAGE 39 ━

8. On 1 July 1947, a GdA radar at lokkuido, Japan picked up an unidentified target at 16 miles, with a speed in excess of 500 mph. This taxget split Into two targots, onch estimated to be larger than a P-bl. D. On 16 Septenber 1947, en KAV radar at Pulcuolta, Japan, picked up a targot at 89 miles and trailed it to 19 miles, where it faded. Speed was 840-900 mph. The spoed measurement, made by a 600d crew through a 70-aile track, is belloved accurate. 4. Investigations conducted by Headquarters, Mir linteriel Con- mand, have definitely established the identification of 18 of approxi- nately 210 so-called flying snucers which havo been reported. Approxi- nately nine per cent of the total nunber of incidents are, therefore, eliminated from further specific consideration. Among those incidents positively explained, three were hoaxes, two vero from unrelieble wit- nesses. In the romaining 13 eliminated incidents, objecte vere actually soon but investigation hns shown that they were celestial bodies or phenomena, meteorological and carnival balloons, and airborne cosmic ray exporimental equipment. The following examples are presentod for cou- parison of the information reported by witnesses and true identification of the object involved: B. On 22 July 1918, Captain Henry Glover (Ordnance Reserve) and his wife observed at Van Wuys, California, an objeet which they were unble to positively identify. Object at fizet appeared to be round and looked like a weather blloon at about 2,000 feet but there was no characteristic bobbing. The wind was blowing on the ground bat the object wan quite stoady. During the time it was under observation, about an hour, it traveled through a vertienl are of about twenty-five (25°) degrees or more. The observer concluded that it was not a celestial body. It hnd, a bluish luninescence and as the sun set, the object's color gradually changed to ornnge at dusk and ceased to be illuminated

━ PAGE 40 ━

almost instantaneously. The outline was clear and the air was elear with visibility linited. The objest traveled from the aunt to the weet. This object was determined by investigation to have been a balloon carrying cosmie ray equipment. b. Oa 19 Auguot 1948, at approximately 1050 hours an unidentl- fled flying object was voible fron the ground at Godnan Air Force Base, Kentucky. This objeot was estimated to be at about 30,000 to 40,000 feet altitude, spherical in shape, bright silver color and gave a bright reflection from the sun. An l-51 was dispatched fron Standiford Air Jorce Baso, Kentuely, to observe the object. During observetion from the grond, there van no change in the elevation of the object and it seemed to be moving southwest fron Goduan Air Jorce Base. The J-51 which was flying over fodunn Alß at an aititude of 30,000 to 35,000 feet reported that it was unable to locate the object although it was still visible fron the ground with the naied eye. Animuth and eleva- tion readings were taken by theodolite every uinute and the path of the object was charted. The object was deternined to be the planet Venue by Ar. Moore, the head astronomer at the University of Louisville, Louieville, Ken- tucky. It in believed that earlier incidents at Godmen Wield (reference paragraph al, page 6, Appendix C) my also have been observations of the planet Venus. 5. Among those incidents still not positively explained, reported observations differ to some extent, but three general categories of sightings energe - the flying diel, the ball of fire and the large jet rocket. Interesting observations that were noted are: a. Most of the objects are a thin dick, round on too and flat on the bottom. The front half of the disk is often circular, sweeping back to a square tail across the full width. 13

━ PAGE 41 ━

b. A high rate of elimb ne vell as the apparent ability to remin notionless or hover for a conniderable length of time is indi- eated. ° Hoported sises have varied fron that of a 25-cent piece to 250 feot in dianetor, and fron the sire of a purnult plane to the bulk of six 3-29 airplanes. d. Speeds have been entiunted throughout the entire range fron very slow or hovering to supersonia. • . Souada and visual trails are not nornally associated with the aightinge. 14

━ PAGE 42 ━

APPADIX вр" DYING WING TYPE AIRORATE 1. Aeronautioal engineers in several countries have been engaged for some time in the design, construction, and flight of flying wing type aireraft. The study of flying objects requires, at least, a brief examination of proposed and existing unconventional aircraft whose con- figurations, when seen by the uninitiated, could lend to reports of strange flying devices. A description of some of the more significant types by country followe. 2• Sermony At the end of World War II, German aircraft designers had numerous projects under way concerning tailless aircraft which con- ceivably could be mistaken for "Flying Saucers" or disc-like objeets. It in not clear just what the Soviets are doing in the way of develop- ing these projects but it isconsidered that Germen studies on tailless. delta-wing, and related configurations are available to the U.S.S.R. Arado Mieht and Bad Weather Tiehter, Project I This is atilless, low-wing monoplane with swept-back wing of large root chord and havine a lone, narrow fuselage. Span 60.3 feet Length 42.5 feet Power Plant 2 HeS 011 turbo jet units Max. Speed (sea level) 441. mph. Max. Speed (39,500 feet) 503 mph. b. Arado. E 581-4 A high-wing tailless single-senter with a single jet unit mounted in the fuselage. Pin and rudder units are mounted on the wing midway between fuselage and wing tip at the trailing edge. Span 29.3 feet Length 18.4 feet Power Plant 1 Bes 011 turbo jet unit Max. Speed (sea level) Nax. Speed (service ceiling)

━ PAGE 43 ━

IDENTIA c. Sothe 2.60 A This was the first of the P 60 series of jet fighters. It is a flying wing type and, since the pilot and observer 11e prone, there is no projeoting canopy, thus permitting a particularly clean design. The jet units are mounted at the rear of the center section, one above and one below. Span Wing Area Power Plant Max. Speed (23,000 feet) đ. Boinkel. P 1080 40 feet 8} in. 504 square feet 2 BMW 003 turbo jet unite 596 miles per hour This is a single-seat fighter with a sharply swept-bac wine, resembling a flying wing type, but having a single fin and rud- der with no tail plane. Span 29.2 feet Wing area 218 square feet No perfornance estimates are available. 6. Junkers BE 1,80 Of the flying wing type, this project was established as a long-range, high-speed jet bomber. Span Wing Area Power Plant Max. Speed. Range 78.8 feet 1290 equare feet 4 HeS 011 turbo jet 620 miles per hour, 3700 miles nits f. - Me 329 This is a tailless mid-wing monoplane driven by two pusher propellers with the engines centrally located in the wings on each side of the stubby rounded fuselage. Span Length Max. Speed. Power Plant 56 feet 25.4 feet 455-465 miles per hour 2 DB 603 reciprocating engines E. Losten fing The closest resemblance to the estimated configuration of "Flying Disks" is represented by the Horten Wing aircraft. Work on 3

━ PAGE 44 ━

the Horten 239, a twin jet fighter, had progressed to the final stages at the end of World War II. Ite prototype, a Horten elides, suecess- fully soared to an altitude of 14,200 feet an early as 1938, proving the soundness of this design. (Tigs. 1, 2, and 3) H1E. 1 CONFRENTN

━ PAGE 45 ━

Fig. 2 34918A.C,

━ PAGE 46 ━

MRIGU DMI2, 0520 oe 2h0 Heston 2292 J3ging wiag tineongzzo 1ot rigatent voo an 453 sinichang GHAGĐS SÒ ĐE DUẢ DỮ HO LẠC, ThO DáZỐC Đữ thío aaplice cub ta tão noce, bosucon she tro jot unito. Tão courdnoco of tazu desiga io psouca os carly es 1938 ubos o boaton gliãss, protobyge 02 a00 229: 292230 to co altaimio od 111,800 Pcot: IREDIE: *DoS. AIN DOZOE E2020, e WASR: DOS." •«ha.-a.. Ldd.deoaA. Be aeer wit

━ PAGE 47 ━

Pig. 2

━ PAGE 48 ━

Fig. 3

━ PAGE 49 ━

33567 A.C. -WRIGHT FIELD, ORIO - Tho Harten 229, flying wing twin-ongine jot fighter, was in its finiehing stagos at tho end of tho war. Tho pilos of this airplano sat in the none, between the two jot units. Che soundness of thie dosign vas proved an early ae 1938 when a Horten glidez, prototype of the 229, soazed to an altitude of 14,200 feet. CREDIE: "U.8, AIR FORCE PROTO., WASH, D.C."

━ PAGE 50 ━

Tig. 3 5 INSOLIN

━ PAGE 51 ━

3. Strent 3xLtain a. The Armatron Whitivorth The AV 52 0, a glider, and the AW 52, a twin-jot airplane, are British designs of tailless alreraft. The vertical stabilizers are locatel at the tips of the swept-back wing. (lige. 4 and 5) Date on the AW 52 appear below. Span Lenth Max. Speed (20,000 feet) Range Power Plent 90 feet 37 feet 435 knots 435 knots 417 knote 1300 nautical miles 3 Mene II turbo jet unite ARMSTRONG WHITWORTH A. W. 52 Experimental Flying-wing Aircraft (cf. No. 1403) Pig. 4 6

━ PAGE 52 ━

- AIR FORCE PHOTO -- HEADQUARIZRS U.S.A.F. WASH, D.C

━ PAGE 53 ━

A.W. 52 G (PROTOTYPE) MARCH 1945 A -32714 A .C

━ PAGE 54 ━

A-32714 A.C, Armetrong Whitworth A,W. 52 G. Prototype March 1945. ONE - CHEDIE: "U,S. AIR JORCH PHOPO., WASH, D.C."

━ PAGE 55 ━

716. 5 ARGENTIA

━ PAGE 56 ━

+3162

━ PAGE 57 ━

31622 A,C, -IOS AIGETES IOOKS UP AT THE PUPURE, Tho U,S, Air Jorce Mortimop built XB-35 "Tlying Wing" casta a ahadow of things to como over Loa Angelos. Thie radicold'eparture from conventionel airplane design de capable of carzying the aton balb oz a 10,000 1b. boub load 20,000 milea. The Tlying Wing" Inn comploted firat tent flights. This airplano hia e apon of 172 feet and a longth of only 53 feet. CREDIR: "U,S, AIR JORCE PROJO., WASH, D.G."

━ PAGE 58 ━

4. United States a. Northror 355 This is a flying wing type aireraft, powered by four re- oiprocating engines and has a wing span of 172 feet and a length of only 58 feet. (See 71g-6) • Fig. 6 TURN HA

━ PAGE 59 ━

━ PAGE 60 ━

34420 A.C.-Aerial vion of the YB-49, Jot-propollod version of the forthrop Vlying Hing, Fasteot largo bomber yet built for the U,S, Air Force, tho y8-49 1e povered by eight jet engines. It is undergoing extensive tosts at Muroc Air Forco Beno, California, whero thie photograpa wes mede. CREDIE: "U,S. AIR FORCE PHODO., WASI, D.C."

━ PAGE 61 ━

• G, Chance- aucht 10953-1 Developed by Chance-Vaught Airereft, this radioal de- sien promises the reality of high and low peed performance. Powered by two R-2000-2 engines, the airplane will lave a speed range of from 40 to 425 miles per hour. (See F1g. 8) Fig. 8 не 19

━ PAGE 62 ━

32984

━ PAGE 63 ━

32989 A.0. -WAVY EXPKRINKNNS MICH SH HIGH-ICH SPEHD EIGHTER. Doveloped by Chanco «Tought Kirozaft in a verolutionary new Havy fighter, designated XI50-1, which prontaos the roality of extremoly high and Jou spoode in the besto plano, end has the added feature of one engine being able to turn over both propellors in the event of a fallure. Pomozad by two R-2000-2 onginos, the plane w111 hate a spead. renge of fron 80 to k25 milos per how.

━ PAGE 64 ━

b. Northron YB 49 Povered by eight turbo-jet engines, this airplone is the jet-propelled version of the Worthrop Flying Wing (3 35). (See 71g• 7) Tig• " 9

━ PAGE 65 ━

d. ARUP Polliest Nononlene Jane'a "A11 the Verld'e Alreraft" (1935 edition) describes this airplane as "a two-seat machine with a 70 hop. LeBlond engine.... This has a high aspect ratio wing with straight loading-edge and built in nacelle...." In plan form, the wing la almost seni-circular. An Air Force film, "Aeronautical Oddities", hows this airplane in flight at South Bend, Indiana and in sone attitudes appeare - 1denticel to the photograph included in Appendix "C" as Tigure 4. 41- though it is believed that the ARUP Manufacturing Co. 1s no longer in exietence, It le possible that later nodels of thie or similar U.S. civil aireraft may have been observed. Spen Length Power Plant Max. Speed 22 feet 19 feet 1 Deßlond engine 86 miles per hour 12B3A ARUP THE INC. R Leaga SOT TIBITE IND 34924 A.C. Three views of an Experimental Arup tailless Monoplane. 11g. 9

━ PAGE 66 ━

sod trinal 40.191 тата 11513 - AIR FORCE POTO -- HEADQUARTERS U.S.A.F. WASH, D.C. Eit 1. 1n

━ PAGE 67 ━

b. Northron YB 49 Povered by eight turbo-jet engines, this airplene is the jet-propelled version of the Northrop Flying Wing (B 35). (See Fig. 7) Fig. ? 9 COMADENTAE NW 91410 Docld:34750978 Page 46