Introduction. Page I iii Abstract. Explanation of nicap and its policies
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- Formations and Coordinated Flight
- (a) Geometrical
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12 Powered, Controlled Flight Many observations by competent observers (including engineers and aeronautical experts) suggest that the UFOs they saw were powered objects. The observations sometimes have included visual signs of mechanical-functional construction, in addition to other indicators of the UFOs' being, literally, machines. Most of the cases cited previously in this section contain descriptions of observed "maneuvers." However, the following group of reports by unusually well-qualified observers is worth special mention. UFO Formation Tracked Above Security Area at over 4,500 mph. During the fall of 1949 at a key atomic post, five apparently metallic objects in formation were tracked by radar. The UFOs crossed the 200-mile scope in less than 4 minutes. The officer in charge, who held a top military post, reported to Intelligence that this was a legitimate radar contact with unidentified objects. [4] (Official secrecy conceals other details of this case, in particular information on tracking and other detection of the UFOs by separate military posts. Nevertheless, it tends to substantiate the many other reports by reputable people of UFOs, and UFO formations, moving at spectacular speeds). Technicians at Secret Test Base Observe Mechanical UFO At Muroc AFB (now Edwards AFB) and adjacent Rogers Dry Lake, scientists and engineers test and develop the latest aircraft, including secret projects. Although thoroughly familiar with anything that flies, the base technical personnel had no explanation for the UFOs which maneuvered over the area July 8, 1947. Twice that morning, disc-shaped objects were observed cavorting overhead. Then about 11:50 a.m., a crew of technicians at Rogers saw a round white, apparently metallic object descending, moving west northwest against the wind. They observed thick projections on top which crossed each other at intervals, suggesting either rotation or slow oscillation. In their official report they stated: "It was man-made, as evidenced by the outline and functional appearance." [5] (Next day, near Boise, Idaho, a disc-shaped object maneuvering in front of a cloud bank was observed from a plane by Dave Johnson, aviation editor of the Idaho Statesman. See Section VII.) Top Astronomer Reports "Novel Airborne Device" On July 10, 1947, one of the country's top astronomers reported an elliptical UFO. At 4:47 p.m. in southern New Mexico, the astronomer observed a smooth ellipse with firm regular outline, motionless near some clouds, but wobbling. [See Section XII; Flight Characteristics.] The UFO then moved into the clouds, reappeared and rose quickly at an estimated speed of 600 to 900 mph. In his report to the Air Force, the astronomer stated: "The remarkably sudden ascent convinced me it was an absolutely novel airborne device." [4] Scientist Observes Powered UFO A very similar observation was made nearly three years later by an eminent meteorologist and astronomer. On the grounds of Lowell Observatory, Arizona, May 20, 1950, Dr. Seymour L. Hess, now head of the Department of Meteorology, Florida State University, noticed a disc (or partly illuminated sphere) moving across the front of some cumulus clouds at about 12:15 p.m. Studying the UFO with four-power binoculars, Doctor Hess could see no evidence of exhaust or markings on the object. "The clouds were drifting from the southwest to the northeast at right angles to the motion of the object. Therefore it must have been powered in some way. . . I would estimate its speed at 100 mph, perhaps as high as 200 mph. This too means a powered craft. However, I could hear no engine noise." [Full statement, Section I.] High-Speed Disc Arcs Above Airliner Airline pilots, although not necessarily technically trained in the sense of being scientists or engineers, are experienced observers of the sky, familiar with most atmospheric and astronomical displays. At 9:29 p.m., March 31, 1950, a Chicago & Southern Airlines plane was flying at 2,000 feet on a southwesterly course near Little Rock, Arkansas. Captain Jack Adams and Co-pilot G. W. Anderson, Jr., suddenly noticed a distinct circular object, apparently disc-shaped approaching from the left. The UFO passed in an arc above their plane, proceeding north at an estimated 700 to 1,000 mph. Eight to 10 lighted windows or ports were visible on the underside, and "the strongest blue-white light we've ever seen" flashed intermittently from the top. The pilots told official investigators they believed they had witnessed some secret experimental craft. To this date, the sighting remains unexplained. [6] Aeronautical Engineer Amazed by UFO Performance Another particularly well-qualified observer was "amazed" by a UFO performance he witnessed on the night of July 16, 1952. Paul R. Hill, an aeronautical research engineer of Hampton, Virginia, at 9:00 p.m. saw two amber-colored lights speed in from the south over the Hampton Roads channel. The UFOs slowed and circled rapidly around each other. Two similar objects then approached and joined the first two, one from the south and one from the north, and the formation moved off toward the south. "Their ability to make tight circling turns was amazing," Mr. Hill said. [Full report in Section VI.] Formations and Coordinated Flight A prime indicator of intelligence behind the maneuvers of UFOs is the observation that they often fly in formation, which requires coordination and mechanical control. (Aircraft and birds also fly in formations, but these can often be ruled out as cause of the sightings.) In UFO reports, the formations are of three general types: (a) Geometrical (V's, lines, etc.); (b) clusters, and (c) object with smaller objects maneuvering around it. (a) Geometrical 1904: Circular UFOs Maneuvered Near Ship One of the earliest formation cases was reported February 28, 1904, by a ship in the North Pacific off San Francisco. Three members of the crew of the USS Supply, at 6:10 a.m. local time, sighted an echelon formation of three "remarkable meteors" which appeared near the horizon below clouds, moving directly toward the ship. As they approached, the UFOs began soaring, rose above the cloud layer, and were observed climbing into space, still in echelon. The lead object was egg-shaped and about the size of six suns (about 3 degrees of arc). The other two were smaller and appeared to be perfectly round. They remained visible for over two minutes. [7] (Meteors, of course, do not travel in echelon formation, change course and climb, nor remain visible for two minutes). Precise Formation, Sharp Turn Near Airliner Perhaps the most detailed and instructive formation case on record is the sighting by Capt. William B. Nash, Pan American Airways pilot, and his co-pilot, William Fortenberry, July 14, 1952, near Newport News, Virginia. [See Section V.] In addition to being an example of precise formation flight, the report contains several other elements suggesting intelligent control. When an in-line formation of discs made an abrupt stop, two of the rear objects overrode the front one. This could be interpreted as a sign of pilot error or lag in reaction time. After the six discs flipped over and reversed course, two more sped up and joined the formation. 13 Geometrical Formation Cases (All reports on file at NICAP) Pages 14 & 15 Charts
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