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This NICAP-hosted file reproduces USAF Project Blue Book records on a radar and fighter intercept near Bellefontaine, Ohio, on 1 August 1952. Ground radar near Wright-Patterson AFB tracked an object moving at 400 knots. Two F-86s from the 97th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron were sent to intercept it and filmed a silver round object, but the gun camera film was too indistinct. The file includes a completed radar data sheet, a request from the Air Technical Intelligence Center, and a memo about releasing film frames to TRUE magazine. Early analyses ruled out a balloon, but a later conclusion identified the object as an upper air research balloon cluster.
“Adams”1 page
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# UNCLASSIFIED # PLYOBRPT - 1 Aug 52 - Bellefontaine, Ohio I. Interrogation of Maj Smith and Lt Hemper by Lte Flues and Olsson revealed following: A. F-86's climbed to 48,000 ft., then fell off, then made a second climb to 48,000 ft. Maj Smith made a camera run the second time and received a weak return on his radar gunsight. Homer's sight was "caged", so he received no returns. Smith estimated object at 12-20,000 ft. above him at 48,000 ft. This estimate is substantiated by range capability of radar gunsight. B. Object size, accepting Smith's estimate of distance, is 24-40 ft. in diameter, as computed from the fact that the puright is two miles in diameter and Smith said pip just covered object. C. The films were not sufficiently clear. Object appeared as fuzzy small image in upper right hand corner with discernable motion to lower left. II. The object is not: A. Balloon speed too fast. 15000 radian onde release moves off to east. Object moves against the winds. Blip size is that of normal aircraft. b. Known aircraft. Altitude too high. 0. Astro, Jail renter returns eliminate this. d. Electronic or visual mirage or meteorological phenomena. Radar set is on high beam. Both would not occur simultaneously in same place. Sighting secure 'above the weather'.
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