PROJECT BLUE BOOK

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD
1. DATE 2. LOCATION 12. CONCLUSIONS
0 Was Balloon
11 January 1956 Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan XX Probably Balloon
3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION 0 Possibly Balloon
Local round-Visual Ground-Radar 0 Was Aircraft
00 Probably Aircraft
GMT_ GMT. 11/2340Z (N) AirVisual Air-Visual KAir-Intercept Radar BXAir-Intercept Radar Possibly Aircraft ossrony Aircrom
5. 5. PHOTOS 6. SOURCE 0 Was Astronomical
Yes Yes 0 Probably Astronomical
XXNo Military 0 Possibly Astroromical
7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION B. NUMBER OF OBJECTS B. NUMBER OF OBJECTS 9. COURSE Other. Other.
00 Insufficient Data for Evaluation
: Unkno wn Unknown
15 minutes one to E.
10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING 0. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING 11. COMMENTS
One circular object, orange, noticed One circular object, orange, noticed. Object characteristic of
by control tower operators control tower operato because ecause balloon description and motion
it was an unfamiliar object. Control as well as duration consistant as well as duration consistant
'tower called ai F-89D in area who 'tower called ai F-89D area who with this analysis. A/c radar with this analysis. A/c radar
made a lockon by rada approxi- lockon with cli lockon wi object hioot
mately two minutes wit aircraft also indicates balloon with radar
indicating an overtake fifty reflector. Balloons frequently
knots. Target t hen began to climb, not sighted by pilots.
went off scope, and lockon was broken
:

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD
→
1. DATE 2. LOCATION 12. CONCLUSIONS
0 Was Balloon
16 January 1956 Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan 0 Probably Balloon
3. DATE-TIME GROUP TYPE OF OBSERVATION 0 Possibly Balloon
Local_ X Ground-Visual Ground-Radar 0 Was Aircraft
00 Probobly Aircraft
GMT 17/0108Z to AirVisual Air-Intercept Radar Possibly Aircraft
5. PHOTOS 0112Z N 6. SOURCE 0 Was Astronomical
Yes Probably Astronomical
XIXNo XXNo Military Military 0 Possibly Astronomical Possibly Astronomical
7. 7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION LENGTH OF OBSERVATION B. B. NUMBER OF OBJECTS 9. 9. COURSE COURSE 0 Other_ Other.
XX XOX Insufficient Insufficient Data Data for for Evaluation valuation
0 Unknown
4 minutes one unknown unknown
10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING 10. BRIEF OF SIGHTING 11. COMMENTS
Round oblong shape color milky-white color milky-white Possible balloon sighting. Possible balloon sighting.
then dull then dull greer gree hen bright red. No bright red. No Disappearance Disappearanc fading tends to
trail - no exhaust. Moved up and to rule ou rule out of setting f setting 5 5
the right then faded. Initial observa- the right then faded. Initial observa- astro body astro since type type of of
tion at 05 tion at O5 dgr elevation 250 dgr phenomen: phenomer isappears ith more more
azimuth.. sudden rising. Insufficient data
for evaluation.
ATIC FORM 329 (REV 26 SEP 52)

16 17/01082
ned
T JAn 17 22 3'55
4F4
RD211
WPG211 YMA226BWA351
PP RJEDEN RJEPNB RJEDWP RJEPHQ RJEDFJ
DE RJEDBW 51
P 172020Z AOTION -
FM COMDR 3OTH ADIV WRAES BELLEVILLE MICH FM COMDR SOIH ADIV WRAES BELLEVILLE MICH
TO RJEDEN/COMDR ADC ENT AFB COLO -
RJEPNB/COMDR EADF STEWART AFB NY
RJEDWP/COMDR ATIC W-PATT AFB OHIO
RJEDFJ/COMDR FLT RJEDFJ/COMDR FLT 3C 4602D AISS 4602D AISS SELFRIDGE AFB MICH AFB MICH
BT OT
/UNCASSIFIED/DI 328 UFOB. 1. SHAPE-ROUND OR OBLONG. 2. SIZE-NEG. 3. (
COLOR-MILKY WHITE THEN DULL GREEN THEN BRIGHT RED. 4. NIMBER-ONE 5.
FORMATION-NEG. 6. DISCERNABLE FEATURES-NEG. 7. TAIL, TRAIL, EXHUAST-
NEG. 8. SOUND-NEG. 9. UNUSUAL FEATURES-NEG. 10. WHY NOTCED-LOOKING FOR
ANOTHER AIRCRAFT. 11. INITIAL ELEVATION AND AZIMUTH-Z05DEGREES TC
250 DEGREES. 12. SAME AS NO. 11. 13. TRACK AND MANEUVERABILITY-UP
AND TO THE RIGHT• 14. MANNER OF DISAPPERANCE-FADE. 15. LIGHT AT TIME
OF SIGHT-DARK, MOON AT 1/0 DEGREES AT 35 DEGREES ELEVATION. 16. METHOD OF
OBSERVANCE-VISUAL. 17. OPTICAL ADSBINOUCAULARS• 18. AIRBOURNE SIGHTING-
NEG. 19. DATE TIME GROUP-2138Z T0 2112Z 17 JAN 1955 22. TIME OF DAY-NIGHT
21. LOCATION OF OBSEVER-WURTSMITH ALERT HANGER. 22. OBSERVER NAME-
CAPT SZABO, P DT. 23. ACTUAL WEATHER-CLEAR AND TEN ISABILITY.
24.INTER

ETESHO DAVE MAER DC
)
LICF-H ICF-LY B OHIO
TTEBWRY OUDK E )
1O BEDEMACONDS NDO EML VIT COTO DB VTM vi soro
LU CONDY SLH VDIA WWHER-REPPEAIETE ICN
6 1154585
STEDTA 3N
STEDEk K1EeMn VoEDes vtl'g youiLo
156511 )
711 55 1 3.20
.
.).
2.

CESERVER IN F-8SD.
AIRPORNE SIGHTING-AIRBORNE RADAR ONLY. 1 1S. DATE TIME GROUP-11/2340Z.
20. TIME OF DAY-NIGHT. 21. LOCATION OF CBSERVER-WURTSMITH AFB CONTROL
TOWER AND OBSERVER IN F-ESD. 2 2. OBSERVERS-S SGT COMPLAER 2030
∴.
AACS SQDN 4YRS SERVICE 3YRS 6MOS CONTROL TOWER. S SGT PORTER
2030 AACS SQDN 4YRS SERVICE 3YRS 6MON EXP GCA TEAM TCWER. A/3C
SEGER 2030 AACS SQDN 10MON 3MON EXP CONTROL TOWER OPERATOR. LT
CULPEPPER 445FIS PIL0T 6YRS SERVICE 2YRS 2 M0S RATED. LT FREELAND 445FIS
RADAR OSBSEVER 2YRS SERVICE 6MOS EXP AS RO. 23. ACCOUNT OF WEAHTER-
TWO THOUSAND BROKEN TWENTY THOUSAND BROKEN VIS 15, 24. INTERCEPT OR
ACTION TAKEN-TIPTOE EASY WAS COMING TO LAND AND HE CONTACTED CONTROL
TOWER ASKED TOPTOE EASY TO INVESTIGATE OBJECT ON AN AZIMUTH OF 240
DEGREES FROM WURTSMITH TOWER. CONTROL TOWER WAS OBSERVING
BOTH TIPTOE EASY AND ORJECT. BOTH TIPTOE EASY AND OR CT. CONTROL TOVER TOLD TIPTOE EASY THAT CONTROL TOWER TOLD TIPTOE EASY THAT
OBJECT WAS ON EASTERN SIDE OF HIM AND LOW. OBJECT WAS ON EASTERN SIDE OF HIM AND LOW. TIPTOE EASY DROPPED TIPTOE EASY DROPPED D
GOUN TO SEVEN THOUSAND FEET AND THE RADAR OBSERVER LOCKED ON TO A GOWN TO SEVEN THOUSAND FEET AND THE RADAR OBSERVER LOCKED ON TO A ,
INDICATING FIFTY KNOTS OVERTAKE SPEED THEN TARGET BEGAN TO CLIEE. INDICATING FIFTY KNOTS OVERTAKE SPEED THEN TARGET BEGAN TO CLIME.
TIPTOE EASY CLIMBED TO ELEVEN THOUSAND FEET AND TARGET WENT OFF SCOPE TIPTOE EASY CLIMBED TO ELEVEN THOUSAND FEET AND TARGET
AND LOCKCN WAS BROKEN NO VISUAL OR RADAR CONTACT WAS MADE AFTER THAT.
7
AIRCRAFT WAS 2400 A/C NO. 465.
BT )
12/1606Z JAN RJEDBW
'n
!
,
.

ASTION
ui
WPG152 YMA159 YYC115BWA040
=
DFJ RJEPHQ
DE RJEDEW 24
P 121550Z 344
TO RJEDEN/COMDR ADC ENT AFE· 34-4x2
RJEDWP/COMDR ATIC WRIGHT PATT AFE OHIO
RJEPNB/COMDR EADF STEWART AFB
ROEDFJ/ COMDR FLT 3C 4602 AISS SELFRIDGE AFB MICH I -
RJEPH HEDUSAF WASH DC
ET
UNCLASSIFIED/DI245. UFOB 1. SHAPE-CIRCULAR. UFOB 1. SHAPE-CIRCULAR. 2. SIZE-NOT
DETERMINABLE. 3. COLOR ORANGE. 4. 4. NO. OF OBJECTS-ONE. 5 NO. OF OBJECTS-ONE. 5 FORMATION 5. FORMATION
-NEG. 6. DISCERIBLE FEATURES-NEG. 7. TAIL, TRAIL OR EXHAUST-NEG. -NEG. 6. DISCERIBLE FEATURES-NEG. 7. TAIL, TRAIL OR EXHAUST-NEG.
8. SOUND-NEG. 9. UNUSUAL FEATURES-NEG. 19. WHY NOTICED UNFAMILIAR 8. SCUND-NEG. 9. UNUSUAL FEATURES-NEG. 1 19. WHY NOTICED UNFAMILIAR
OBJECT TO CONTROL TOWER OPERATOR. OBJECT TO CONTROL TOVER OPERATOR. 11. INITIAL ELEV AND AZIMUTH-15
TO 20 DEGREES APPROXIMATELY 240 DEGREES. 12. SAME AS NO. 11. 13. 4
TRACK AND MANEUVERABILITY UNDETERMINABLE E SMAE HEADING AWAY FROM CONTROL
TOWER OPERATOR CLCMED AWAY FROM RADAR OBSERVER SCOPE. 1 14. MANNER
OF DISAPPEARANCE-FASH CLIMB. 15 LGT OF TIME IN SIGHT-APPROXIMATELY
15 MINUTES. 16. METHOD OF OBSERVATION-VISUAL AND BY LOCKON BY RADAR
CT
PAGF TWO R.IEDBW 24

II. RELIABILITII SOURCE bas worked in the GCA and Control Tower field
for over three years Yas emphatic in stating g that object could not have been
a star, and seemed positive of all times and descriptions. SOURCE is due for
discharge frcm service in one month.
IEI, SOURCE'S DESCRIPTION OF SIGETING: *I was on standby duty in GCA
on the night of 1 Jannary 1956 when Sgt Compean called my attantion to an
object hovering off the approach end of runway O6 at approximately l840 1 EST
(12340z). As he told ms to beep an eye on·it called Paperdoll (754th
acaw Sq, Purt Anstin, Miehigan). I picked up binocolars and continned to
wateh the object. In appearanee it was a reddish-orange ball similar to a jet
aircraft flying direetly away from ms. The object waan't perfeotly rourd-I
believe it was bigher than it was wide. It vas approxinately believe it was bighar than it was wide. It vas approxinately the the sisa of a
nickel beld at ax nickel beld at rm's Length away.  There vas no apparent motion although it although it
did grow dim as if it was going in a atraight Iine-away fram from me. me. Paperdell Paperdell
sent Tip-Toe-Basy (Wurtsmith baaed F-89, airaraft #465) dcam sent Tip-Toe-Basy (Wurtsnith baaed F-89, airaraft #465) dow for for a look. Tip-
Toe-Easy came owar om tower frequency and we told hin the object was below him Toe-Easy came ovar on tower frequeney and we told hin the object was below him
and te his left, He then reported a temporary 2 radar leck-on. A few nments
later be reported he had lost the target and would come in to land, He touched
dowm at 1910 EST (120010z). We Later called the pilot in the alert hanger; he
porary radar lock-on 12 o'clock from his position,
ll miles out. The object suddenly elimbed degree angle to his position
and the Radar Observer lost it. I would estimate the object's altitude to be
between: 6500 and 7000 feet. At one time I had both Tip-Tce-Easy and the objeat
in sight, so tbey could not have been one and the Same, compared the object
with a nearby star at the time and it seemed much duller than the star. The
began mbing I knew it was
gaing too fast to be a star."
IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES. EXCEP BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF
INTELLIGENCE, USAF.
UNCLASSIEIED
(CLASSIFICATION) 10-35870-1  0.1. SOVTRNNENT P9INTIN E7IC
>

PART ONE: Deseription of Sighting by S/Sgt Paul D. Porter.
PART THREE: Desoription of Sighting by A/3C Kenneth J. . - i
PART FouR: Supplementary Investigative Efforts.
II. II. S SUMARY SUMMARY: Investigation concluded. Investigating Officer unable to
datermine cause of sighting. ug
III. INVESTH ATOR: L/LT PAUL J. FINAZZO TOR: L/LT PAUL J. FINAZZOA 3019508 O 3019508
IBRARY SUBIECT & AREA & AREA CODES CODES
5-01N 5-01IN ulJFinazzo Finazzo
1/56 PAUL J. ENAZZO PAUL J. ENAZZO
603 6 V 1/Lt., USAF LLt.. ISAF
Officer in Charge
M
20 16103 22
APPROVED:
tmm white r
JOHN M WHITE JR
Colonel, USAF
Eone LNCLS. Commander
ABU
DIST ORIGINATOR
D/I, L602d AISS; OIC, F1t 3-C, 4602d AISS
0396057
NOTE THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OFTHE ESPIONAGE ACT. 5O U. S C. -
IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART. BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE. USAF.
UNCLASSIFIED_ OFFICE
(CLASSIFICATION)

II, I RELIABILITY: SOURCE seemed quite sure of himself in his ability
as a Radar Observer. He stated that before this incident occurred he always
believed that UrOBs were only called in by Eprank ers". SOURCE is married
III. SOURCE'S DESCRIPTION OF I RADAR CONTACT: "Upon returning from a
seramble we were told by Paperdoll that the Wurtsmith tower had an unidentified
object in sight. We contaeted the tower and they' told us the object was
beading appreximataly 240 beading g appreximataly 240 degrees. We rolled out on a heading of degrees, We rolled out on a heading of 230 degrees degrees
and the tower informed us that they had us in sight and the object object was was to to our
left and alightly. lower.. We leveled off at 7oco feet and I left and slightly. lower.. We leveled off at 7ooo feet and I obtained a contact
5u degrees atarboard, level and ll miles in range. degrees atarboard, level and Il miles in range. lock-on lock-on was was obtained and obtained and
we had appraximately a.50 knot over-take a.50 knot over-take speed, tine was approrimately ed, time W88 approximately 1850
EST (il2soz). Wo flew far. abeat two minutes and then tho target EST (ilyoe). We flew for. abeat- two minutes and then tho target started to
gain altitude as indicated by the elevation dot on the radar scope. indieater.
We started a elimb at 450 knots Tas but were unable to keep We started a elimb at 45o knots TAs but were unable to keep the target within
the elevation Limits of the radar. The target was climbing the elevation Liaits of the radar. The target was climbing mueh faster than
we were. The automatie gain i control cut out at this tims which led me to
believe that I ne longer had a loak-on. I immediately went to habd control
but could not nake contact. We than returned to the field and landed at
apprarimately 1910 EST (120010z)."
31 AND 3. AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.
IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES. EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENGE, USAF.
UNCLASSIFIED
(CLASSIFICATION) 10-55370-1 5. GOVTRNNE NG OFTICE

III. SOURCE'S DESCRIPTION OF SIGHTING:
1956, at 1840 1956, at 1840 EST, the EST, the personnel in the Control Tower, S/Sgt Porter, S/Sgt personnel in the Control Tower, S/Sgt Porter, S/Sgt
Compeau Compeau and a and myself spotted an object off the approach end an object off the approach er of runway O at runway O6 at
about 7000 feet. about 7000 feet. The bbject looked like an aircraft that had just departed
and we ware looking at it from the raar. logking from We observed it through the binoculars
and it didn't seem to mo We called Paperdoll to see if they had to see if they had an aircraft an aircraft
under their control and they stated under their control and they stated that Tip Toe-Basy was returning that TipToe-Basy was returning from a
B-47 intercept. A few minutes later B-47 intercept. A few minutas later and asked if we asked if we
still had the objeet in sight. We said we did. We then had the object and still had the obieet in sight. Ho said d. We then had the object and
aireraft in sight and told Tip-Foe-Lasy aireraft in sight and told Tip-Toe-Lasy position of the objeet from his position of the object from his
present position. He than began approaching the cbject. He said he had a present position. He than began approaching the cbject. He said he had a
temporary lock-on, but had no visual contact. He stated its position as ll temporary lock-on, but had no visual contact. He stated its position as ll
miles aheed but then said he bad Ioat the object due to its rapid but then said be bad Iost the object due to its rapid climb. I
Saw the ebjeet gain altitude rapidly and then disappear. We later talked to gbbet gain altitude rapidly and then disappear. We later talked to
the pllot and he atated i no other i facts. We had lost sight of the objeet
appreximately the same time Tip-Toe-Easy lost radar contact and didn't observe
it after that."
MOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 5O U. S. C.-
3I AND . AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.
IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES. BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF
INTELLIGENCE, USAF.
UNCLASSIFIED
(CLASSIFICATION) 16--63570-1 * MNENT PRINTING SPPICE

3. Contaet was later made with Dr. Everett R. Phelps. Pre Pessor of
Physics and Astramamy at Wajpe University in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Phelps
stated that the planet Venus was in one of its brighter stages during the
time of the uroB observation. He also stated that the position of Verus
during the UrOB sighting was 30 the south-
western portion of the sky.
4. The pilot of the F-89 pilot of the F-89 aireraft, l/Lt aireraft, l/Lt Culpepper, could not be not be
contacted during the course of the investigation due to his contacted d during the course of the investigation due to his participation participation
in a cross country flight. S/Sgt. Compeau was on country flight. S/Sgt. Compean was pass casa and could not be could not be
reached either.
Je
T
:
31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.
IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED L WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF
INTELLIGENCE, USAF.
UNCLASSIFIED
(CLASSIFICATION) 10-36570-1 snce
3

Part Five
Flt 3-C, 4602d AISS PAGE 6 OF 6 PAGES
COMMENTS of Preparing Officer:
l. It is the opinion of the Preparing Officer that although the planet
Venus was located in the Same area of sky as the UFCB on the night of the
observation, there can be no correlation between the two because of the
following reasons:.
a. Sgt. Parter compared the UrOB to a nearby star (which could have
as the star.
b. Sgt, Porter also stated the color being reddish
colors te, blue and yellow.
A e. A radar-equipped F-89 aireraft camnot make radar contact with
Venus or any other celestial body when flying straight and level at 7ooo feet.
as T
dThe UFOB made a steep angle climby which was observed both visnally
from the tower and with the F-89 radar indicator.
gFinazzo
PAUL .BINAZZ
l/Lto, USAP
Offieer in Charge
COMENTS of ApproVing Offieer:
can appear to be in the air. A radar lock-on can be made on a ground target in
this situation.
. 2. Astronomical bedies viewed fron the ground through this temperature
inversion would appear te be distorted and could appear to bounce, and/or
take on various colers of the spectru.
3. After consideration of the statements f the SouRcEs, the location of
the planet Verus, and the existdnce of a pronounced inversion, it is the opinion
of this headquarters that the sighting was prebably caused by an electronie and
optical reflection due to meteorolcgical conditiems.
ts
IT WAY NOT BE RSPRODUCED IN WHOLE CR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES., EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF
INTELLIGENCE, USAF.
(CLASSIFICATION) 10-85079-1 .2/71cs