PROJECT BLUE BOOK

1. DATE LOCATION

22 Dec i951
3. OATE-TIME GROUP

4 TYPE OF OBSERVATION

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

OO ae er, ee

a .

Sse

f.. Was Balloon
G* Preboabiy Balloon
1) Possibly Seileon

Pilot saw flash in WNW. Object appeared to be
a/e without tail section, Position of object
was 5 miles east of Columbus, Ohio at 20, 000
ft. Object moving East in opposite direct ion
of a/e piloted by observer. Object sighted
for 1 minute and lost in sun. Could not re-
locate object, Observer's a/e at 15,000 ft
air speed 225 Knots. Assumed object speed iin
excess of 300 MPH. No sound, Clear sky.

| ATIC FORM 329 (RPV 26 SEP $2)

Sst OE Ce > TR en I! OOS errr emery com Tren mmm mer

1030 O Was Aivcroft
Lecel 55718302 0 Ground Vi aswel OD Ground-Roder CG Probobly Aircraft
OT 7 * 2k Aim Vi svat © Air-Intereept Rader [9 Possibly Aircraft
5. PHOTOS -— URCE a, DO Was Astronomical
O Yes 0D Probably Astronemical
No Military © Possibly Astronomico!
7. LENGTH OF OSSERVATION | @. NUMBER OF OBJECTS | 9 COURSE O Other. —s
10 Insuffictent Dete for Evalustian
1 to 15 Minutes 1 ESE e vrnrewe
10, BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING * Th). COMMENTS aie i a? aoe

Probably balloon sighting.

_ ‘| > .
Sev vs a ¢ Aled, Kar Der.
2 PassuSle- EXPLA ATi
ye

increased to maximum in turn. Object lost in sun after turn. Bank angle

¢
of observer in turn 45°. Winterized F-84 has tail section painted which would

eliminate flashing in sun, a ee a

Name
Address
Date

—GeNFIDENTHAL @

UNCLASSIFIED
APPLIDIX I

¢

Columbus, Ohio - 22 iecember 1951

I. USSION INCIDENT

On 22 Uecenber 1951 at aprroximately 1030 «ST, an F-84 pilot sighted an
unidentified obfect five miles east of Columbus, Jhio. The object, which
looxed like an aircraft with no tail surfices, apneared to be rolling on its

lateral axis. ‘The object was on a reciprocal heading and higher than the F~86.

The pilot made a turn in an attenct to intercept the object but lost it in the
sun. .

II, STATUS OF INVESTIGATION

At aprroxizately 1000 EST a weather balloon was released from the Colunbus
Municipal airport, The wind, which was from the west, would have blown the
balloon into the general vicinity of the sighting. More definite information
on the balloon launching has been requested,

III. GONCLUSIONS

No conclusisns can be made until more information on the balloon launching
is obtained,

DOWNGRADED AT 3 YEAR INTERVALS:
DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS.
DOD DIR 5200.10

_ UNCLASSIEJER

—

‘on @ —SEERET ag ee tre
 UNELADSIFIE

Columbus, Ohio - 22 December 1951

Z e hs oF INC ENT

On 22 December 1951 at 1030 EST, the pilot of an F-&4 aircraft observed
an unidentified object five miles east of Columbus, Ohio. The F-84 was flying
at 15,000 ft. altitude on a heading of 270°. ‘The object was first sighted at
two o'clock high, It appeared to be rolling on its longitudinal exis and the
shape resenuied an aircraft with no tail surfaces, It was on a heading of
about 90°.

The pilot observed the object for one and one half minutes during which
he made a right turn in an attempt to intercept and identify the object. It
was lost when the pilot turned into the sun to follow the object.

II. STATUS -JESTIGATION

The pilot of the F-24 wes interrogated by project personnel. No new
facts were brought out. It was established, however, that the pilot could
have observed a telloon launcned from Port Columbus Airport at about 1000

EST, The wind was 30 imots from 270° which would place the balloon in the
general area of the sighting. The pilot could not pinpoint his location

other than about five miles east of Solumbus",
III, §SONCLUSIONS

Tne F-84 possibly sighted a weather balloon launched from Port
Columbus Airport. Tne resorted actions of and shape of the object cannot
be attributed to a ballocn, however, crevicus reports have indicated that
= belloon can te very deceptive when viewed from a high sveed aircraft,

DOWNGRADED AT 3 YEAR INTERVALS;
DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS.
DOD DIR 5200.10

URICLASSIFIED | 152-5836

Port Colicabus Airport

—— | ; A

tana =

Colu-bus, Ohio Sun

omeee=m [nlloon Path
oannrn=- istiretet Aircraft

DOWNGRADED AT 3 y |
7 =] 4 4 FA : Yr : a
DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 yang
DOD DIR 5200.19

© pee |ED.
a > lee

ee

=

166TH FIGHTER-INTERCEPTOR SQUADRON ~ 9). ga
142D FIGHTER-INTERCEPTOR GROUP /
LOCKBOURNE AIR FORCE BASS
—~COLTMBUS 17, OBTO

27 December 1951

SUBJECT: Information on Unconventional Aircraft

TO: Commanding General
Air Materiel Command
ATTN: MCIS
Wright-Patterson AF Base:
Dayton, Ohio

1. In compliance with Air Defense Command Letter 200-1 dated 11]

April 1951 and in lieu of AF Form 112 the following information is sub-
mitted;

a. The object appeared to be an airplane of unknown si ze with-
out a tail section and was silver in color. No trail or exhaust was seen
and the propulsion system was undetermined. The observer was flying in
the opposite direction and the object appeared to be travelling at a speed
greater than 300 miles per hour. No sound was heard and the odject con-
tinued to tumble or roll until it was lost in the sun.

b. Object was sighted at approx imately’ 10308 on 22 December 195]

ne ee,

and was observed for approximately one (1) minute. ee

GC. The object was observed visually from the air. The observer
was flying in an F-84C tyne aircraft at approximately 15,000 feet with an
indicated air speed of 225.

d. The observer was approximately firs (5) miles east of Columbus,
Ohic heading west at an sltisude of 15,900 reet when the object was first
sighted. The object was at two o'clock hizh from the observer, heading in
an easterly direction at an aititude of at isast 20,000 fset.

e. The high degree of reliability of the observer is shown in
the fact that he is a jet fighter pilot with approximately 1700 flying
hours and served a tour of duty in the Pacific theatre of operations dur-
ing World War II.

’. The sky was clear at time of sizh}i~gNGRADED aA, Sen 1a EARS.
DEC 00.19 -
&- None. DOD DIB be?

. ——

--*

A

h. None.

i. Observer started to turn to cive chase but object was lost in

the sun.

ie ee ee Tn

- ° mr tee Se - ’ =e

~ - - . -_-
. »* - ‘se * rly ~
tal
e 2

~s he

WHELASSIFIED

ae

je Although other squadron airorsft were flying in the local area
none were in the immediate area of the sighting.

2. Enclosed with this report is a statement of the observer concerning
the sighting of the object.

ARL E.

Major USAF
- 1 Enol Commanding |
Observer's Statement

Copy to:

CG, Air Defense Command
ATTN: Dir of Intell

ee mee
_— _—s

Th et oO ee ae

: oe - . ’ ~, —? . “
3 er wT a MELASSIF:
. } & ~o ee Le eS oe - ® iia i Ve A Pe Pe ’ .
F = ao 0! ' . s
0. teow! fF - »
: “ere . -~ \. 7 ‘ we 2
Qe eee is > 3 ee io

166TH FIGHTER-INTERCEPTOR SQUADRON
142D FIGHTER-INTERCEPTOR GROUP
LOCKBOURNE AIR FORCE BASE
COLUMBUS 17, OHIO

27 December 195]

STATEMENT ON SIGHTING
OF
UNCONVENTIONAL AIRCRAFT

’

At approximately 1030 hours on 22 December 1951 I was flying
locally at 15,000 feet. I observed an object which appeared to be an

eircraft without a tail section either tumbling or rollinz. Position
of the object was about five (5) miles east of Columbus, Ohio heading
east at an altitude of at least 20,000 feet. I was piloting an F-84C0
type aircraft in the opposite direction.

Checks were made on Easy and Fox channels but all squadron
pilots stated that they were not in that area and at that altitude. The
object was about two o'clock high to ma, rolling or tumbling at a high
rate of roll. I observed ten or more rolls in a period of one (1) min-
ute when I lost it in the sun. It was rolling when I lost it.

When I first sighted it I started a turn in an attempt to inter-
cept the object, but it was lost in the sun. Further search failed to
bring the object in sizht.

The speed appeared to be about that of a jet fighter. It did

not gain or lose altitude. When last seen it was heading in an east-
south easterly direction.

Gig btn Doty

Captain, USAF 7
166th Ftr-Intcp Sq

YEAR IN« rae
DOWNGRAS cue eek 12 YBa
DOD — _

1000 E
Altitude Direct Velocity
2000 t 260° 20 K
4000! 270° 30 K
6000! 270° 50 K
8000! 270° 35 K
1600 E
Altitude Direct Velocity
10,000! 280° 55 K
12,000! 290° 60 kK
14,000! 290° 70 K

16,000! 280° 75 XK

1, APPROVAL NO.

13

2. DIVISION, OFFICE, SECTION A ARANCH

ADOTI-ATIAAR2s

Lt J, KX. "othstein

| 5S. NAME OF PERSON TO MAKE CALL:

3. NAME & LOCATION OF ACTIVITY TO BE CALLZ0:

146th Fichter Interceptor owe Lockbourne AFB,

REQUEST FOR
AUTHORIZATION OF LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE CALL
_ —— ]
4. DATE
5/1 10 Jan 52

| 6, EXT. NO. ni a7 ae
|
9, PERSON TO BE CONTACTED: | 10. EST. DUZATICN OF |

CALL (MIN)

11, SUMMARY OF SUBJECT MATTER TO BE DISCUSSED:

Unidentified serial object and aprointment to interview witnesses.

“12. REASON WHY OTHER MEANS OF COMMUNICATION CAN ‘NOT BE USED: 3

Time glensanat.

AMC Form 75
(Rav 18 sud 51)

Supersedes AMC Form 75, 28 Jen 46,
which will be used.

. SIGNATURE OR INITIAL OF APPROVING OFFICER:

Air Force WPAPB-4-11 SEPT 51 340m

Re

36
he

De

7.

9.

Date ovject was observed 22 December 1951

Time object was first seen 1030

Place from which you observed the object _ 4ir - near Columbus, Ohio

How was object observed (naked eye, binoculars, etc.) Eye

What were you doing when the object was first observed? Flying

What attracted your attention to the object? Flesh

Path of object.

a. Direction from which object appeared (degrees or direction)
WNW

b. Direction in which object disappeared (degrees or direction)

ESE
c, Elevation object appeared (degrees above horizon ——
d, Elevation object disapseared (degrees above horizon) -—

e, Shape of flight path of object (straight and level, arched, etc.)

Straight

f. How did object disappear (grow dimmer, go out suddenly, etc.) :
Lost in sun
Length of time the object was observed 1 - 11/2 min,

Description of object.

a. How many objects were seen? One

1 * — eee TC 2 - , ~ mn _ 4 5
De AOSBr>eny SiZe Oi sbiec t? 2-34 at 25,000

o+
Ys ad | “ pied

& ;

Apparent speed of object? F-84
*
Apparent altitude of object? __ At least 25,000 ft, if F-84 size

Shape of object? F-84 without tail
Color of object? Silver

a TR LY

Did object perform any maneuvers, if so describe _ Rolled 7-10 tines
like pencil rolled 5/sec. roll or faster.

Did object make any sound, if so describe __ None audible

i, Were any tails or trails seen No tail
j. Draw sketch
>

10. Clouds.

a. Were any clouds in sky at time of observation None

If so, how much of sky was covered (overcast, scattered, etc, )
CAT

b. Did object pass above, below, or near any clouds ~—<-

c. Did object reflect light on the clouds + asa
11, What is your occupation Jet Pilot
12, Any details that cannot be fully exolained by the above questions.

Descrintion of object is based on observer's experience with F-S4's in

fi

icht. Sneed of observer's plane indicated air speed 180 MPH which