Page Content (OCR)
24 Division and was based on a summary of flying-saucer charac- teristics supplied him by Lt. Gen. Nathan Twining, com- mander of the Air Materiel Command. This strange object, or phenomenon, may be considered, in view of certain observations, as long-range aircraft capable of a high rate of climb, high cruising speed and highly maneuverable and capable of being flown in very tight formations. For the purpose of analysis and evaluation of these so-called "flying saucers," the object sighted is being assumed to be a manned craft of unknown origin. While there remains the possibility of Russian manufac- ture, based on perspective thinking and actual accomplishments of the Germans, it is the considered opinion of some elements that the object may in fact represent an interplanetary craft of some kind. [Emphasis added] Moreover, within the order are several references that make little sense unless read in the context of presumed knowledge of a flying saucer that crashed several months earlier in New Mexico. These are shown in boldface in the following partial breakdown of the types of information being sought by USAF oe | Construction. a. Type of material, whether metal, ferrous, non-ferrous or non- metallic. b. Composite or sandwich construction utilizing various com- binations of metals, metallic foils, plastics, and perhaps balsa wood or similar material. c. Unusual fabrication methods to achieve extreme light weight and structural stability. Arrangement. a. Special provisions such as retractable domes to provide unusual observation for the pilot and crew members. CRASH AT CORONA Within the order was the first known official mention of the possibility that some of the flying saucers might be extrater- restrial spacecraft: Intelligence: