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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
August 1952 Description of Incident At 1551 a radar track appeared 20 miles NW of W-P AFD. The course was 240 degrees at 400 knots. Two P-30's under OCI control were then on of that position. The fighters were vectored and made visual contact at 1555. Vigilant stayed with the object until 1613. a. The T-66's climbed to 40,000', fell off, and then made a second climb to 40,000'. The pilot made a camera run. The major estimated the object at 50 to 70,000'. The object's size, accepting source's estimate of distance was 24-60' in diameter and source said his optical sight just covered the object. The films were not sufficiently clear. The object appeared as a furry, small image in the upper right hand corner with discernable motion to lower left. b. Two important facts were established. Re-effraction that the UFO moved at 400 knots and infliction that the two 2-00's and UFO appeared simultaneously on the ground radar scope. It is obvious that all eyes and antennas were fixed on the same object. The object was not a balloon, since the speed was too fast. A ravinsonde was released at 1500L and moved off to the east. The object moved against the wind. The blip size was that of a normal a/c. The object was not a known a/c because the altitude was too high. The object was not astronomical as dual radar returns eliminate this. Electronic or visual mirage of meteorological phenomena 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".
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