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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.
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## Description of Incident At 1551Z, a radar track appeared 20 miles NW of W-P APD. The course was 240° at 400 knots. Two P-66's under GCI control were then located ten miles SW of that position. The fighters were vectored and made visual contact at 1555Z. Fighters stayed with the object until 1615Z. Interrogation of sources, an AF major and lieutenant, reveal the following: a. The F-86's climbed to 12,000', fell off, and then made a second climb to 15,000'. The major made a camera run the second time and received a weak return on his radar gun sight. The lieutenant's sight was "caged" so he received no return. The major estimated the object at 12,000-20,000' above his altitude of 15,000'. This estimate was substantiated by the range capability of the radar gun sight. The object's size, accepting source's estimate of distance, was 24-40' in diameter and source said his optical sight just covered the object. The films were not sufficiently clear. The object appeared as a fuzzy, small image in the upper right hand corner with discernable motion to lower left. b. The AQN Squadron established two important facts: Re-affirmation that the UFO moved at 400 knots and indication that the two F-86's and UFO appeared simultaneously on the GCI scope. It is obvious that all eyes and antennas were fixed on the same object. ## Comments The object was not a balloon, since the speed was too fast. A rawingonde was released at 1500Z and moved off to the east. The object moved against the wind. The blip size was that of a normal aircraft. The object was not a known aircraft because the altitude was too high. The object was not astronomical as dual radar returns eliminate this. Electronic or visual mirage of meteorological phenomenon is out of the question as the radar set was on high beam, and both would not occur simultaneously in the same place. The sighting occurred "above the weather". ## Conclusion
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