PROJECT BLUE BOOK

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD
12. CONCLUSIONS
1. DATE Was Balloon
0 Probably Balloon
15 Sep 59 Pittsburgh, Pa 00 Possibly Balloon
3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4 TYPE OF OBSERVATION Was Aircraft
Local 2400 Ground-Visual Ground-Radar 000 Probably Aircraft
Air-Intercept Radar Possibly Aircraft
GMT AirVi sual
6. SOURCE 0 Was Astronomical
5. PHOTOS 0 Probably Astronomical
Yes 0 Possibly Astronomical
No Civilian
8. NUMBER OBJECTS 9. COURSE Other Hoax
7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 0 Insufficient Data for Evaluation
0 Unknown
11/A one N/A
10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING 11. COMMENTS
A loud explosion was heard fm the Sq. All evidence indieated upon invexti-
Hill area of Pittsburgh. Upon investigation,//gation that the obj was not airborne
an obj was found which measured 9" in or flying at time. It is the opinid:
of ATIc that this obj & the explosion
flashing red light eneared in plastie was were all part of a hoax. . Happening , as
The body was made of it did at the beginning int of the school
mounted on top. the prank of of
plastic, yellow Lor w/three wires yeor, this was probably
like antenna protruding below the red college studente.
light. The weight was about light. The weight was about 12 potnds. 12 potnds. .
(OSTECT IN PATSICAL POSTECT IN PAtSiCAL SRECMEN ALE SPECMENALE) 1
ATIC FORM 329 (REV 26 SEP 52)
a
T

Capt Trombley
Investigation in the neighborhood at point of impact or vicinity of
revealed. ollowing information was
Ciroular impression in ground approximtely 12"
burnt area, could be point o impact located in Frick diameter
of any point of contract Park 200 - 250 yds from Eeechwood road. No other indications
s vicinity.
approximately 2400 hours 14 Sept 1959. coured
1
s/Major John H. Hatten
S-2
"CERTIFIED TRUE COPY"
Dy Lly
Captain/USAF Captain/USAF 0
,
ITTACHMENT #2

The batteries, mercury switches, electric motor, and light bulb all wired;
however, the electric motor was not connected mechanically to The
antenna and transformer were not a part the circuit.
Wilson's of Cleveland, manufa the tiny atom electric motor. when con-
tacted concerning chief o obby shops.
In view of the relatively great weight, inaccessability, overall I lack of any
productive function. and crudness this is ruled out as device designed
that time. An object
weighing twelve pounds yould, upon falling to earth from any appreciable altitude,
have left an impressio ground which would have been noticed during inves-
tigation. Further indication that the object had not fellen was the fact that
the light bulb and fragile plastic cover were found intact.
It is the Air Force conclusion that this object and the explosion were all part
of a hoax. The red light, flashed by mercury switches, and the whirring of the T
little electric motor were designed to create further mystery for the finder.
Since this incident happened at the beginning of the school term, this was pro-
bably a prank or college students.

Commanding Officer the 2253d Support Squadron, 2253d Air Base Group
at the Greater Pitt Airport further investigation and
forwarded the ob jec IMTC Captain Trombley pointed
out in his report that probably a Rawinsonde, a balloon
carried device used by service to determine meteorological
data (Attachment #3).
4 The object measured nine inches in diameter at the base and eleven
inches in height. The body was of polyethylene plastic, yellow in color.
Three wires appearing like antenna Three wires appearing like antenna protruded from the top just below a from the top just below a
red light. Attached to the side was a "U" bolt with two feet of "U" bolt with two feet of inch
steel cable attached to it with  inch bolts.
was twelve pounds. Around the edges of
5. Attempts were made to open the object without destroying it, but
this proved impossible. Under the outer coat of plastic, which averaged
general
contours. Contained in the aluninum were the following items, all
embedded in a glue like substance which was used to fill the entire
interior:

was contacted by
Friend that they do not have a contract to supply the U. S. Government
with these motors. It was also pointed out by Mr. Greenwald thet one of
their chief outlets for these motors are hobby shops.
In view of the relatively ereat weight, absence of any transmitter
or meteorological equipment, and the inaccessability and overall lack
of an obvious productive function, this object is ruled out as a Rawin-
sonde or any device used by the government.
9. All evidence indicates that this object
at any time. An object weighing twelve at any time. An object weighing twelve pounds pounds would, upon falling to would, upon falling to
earth from any appreciable altitude, have left earth from any appreciable altitude, have left an impression that would an impression that would
have been worth special mention in the reports of Major Hatten and Captain
Trombley. Further indication that the object had not fallen was the fact
that the light bulb and its red plastic cover were found intact.
10.
part of s hoax. The red light, flashed by mercury switches, was put on
to help attract attention, while the whirring of the little electric
motor was to create further mystery for the finder. Happening as it did,
at the beginning of the school year, this was probably the prank of
college students.
2

1l. The Electronic Technology Laboratory and the Aerial Reconnaissance
Laboratory assisted with the evaluation this object.
FHILIP G. EVANS S 4 Atch:
Colonel, USAF 1. Drawing of Obj
Deputy for Sciences and Components 2. Cy Rpt by Maj Hatten
3. Cy Rpt by Capt Trombley
4. Cy Rpt of Explosion
3

was made
Enclosed as attachment 2 is a statement to the undersi ned
stationed at South
Park Military Roseivition with the l8th Major
Hatten received the object and a copy of Police report
from the Pittsburgh City Police.
2.
of your office, proceeded to South Park, and picked up the
object. Upon return to the base it was suggested that the
object was possibly a part of a weather balloon radio trans-
mitter. A call was made to the weather office at Olmsted
Flight Service nd the object was described to them. Before
a complete description was given, the weather mn furnished
an accurate description of the object to me Shortly after
the phone call was completed, a transient pilot who was at
Base Cperations, saw the object and identified it as a
Rawinsonde Transmitter. The pilot stated he he had been
stationed with a weather squadron at stationed with a weather squadron at one time and had seen one time and had seen
instruments such as this. ,
3. by the Pittsourgh Police and Major
could be determined. It is folt by the undersigned that the
finding of the object was coincidental to the explosion and
had nothing to do with it.
2 Atch
Caotain,VUSAF 1. Report of Exolosion
Commander 2. Statoment by lajor Hatcen

D.C. by a Majo Carson. Message follows:
"At 0600Z, 15 Sep 59, a small cone shaped object with
cable attached fell in the Squirrel Hill district of
Pittsburgh causing a small explosion when it struck the
ground. Object is cone shaped eight inches across the
bottom, teo inches in height with 3 antennas surrounding
a blinking light. The light blinks when the object sits
on base but does not burn or on base Dut Goes noc burn or bllnk blink when object laid on when Osject Jaid on
side. Has yellow plastic antennas molded into plastic. molded into plastic.
Bottom or base of of object is scorched and has two foot
cable attached by by belt. Object possession possession of Squirrel
Hill police."
0500 - AC Command Post called and AIC Command Post called and reported receipt of following
message from ArcIn Indications Center. "Air Force Comnand message from AFcIN Indications Center. "Air Force Comnand
Post tells ArciN that Squirrel Hill Police dismantled Post tells AFciN that Squirrel Hill Police dismantled
unidentified objec unidentified objec reported earli and report nothing and report nothing
to identify it with military. to identify it with military. Squirrel olice inclined lice inclined
to believe incident a hoax."
Did not call Major Friend again because of short time remaining Did not call Major Friend again because of short time remaining
before duty hours. before duty bours. He should be notified however as he plans should be n howeuar a be.plans
to take sone positive action this morning.
OHN MoNEILL
aptain, USAF
AFCIN-4X2a

-
appearing like antenna protude from the nose below the red light and a "U"
bolt with a two foot " steel cable is attached Che side with $\frac {2}$ bolts.
The weight of the thing is about 12 pounds. The weight of the thing is about l2 pounds.
The object after being held at #ll Police Station and not being The object after being held at #ll Police Station and not being
- Department of
this outfit - to identify.
Respectfully,
Lieut._ FRANCIS J. WALSH
#ll Station - Night
THIS IS A TRUE EXTRACT COPY:
JOHN H. HATTEN
Major Arty
A. Pischke - D.0. S2
C
0
P
Y Ctelt4

Weight - 12 1bs
Antenna-like Wires
Red Light
T
1 H Steel
1 Cable
|
I
Transformer
11" 11"
I
1 1
Aluminum
Plastic
7
1
1 1 :
9" 1