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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.
“Bartholomew”1 page
An unidentified object was observed at the on radar, and fighters were retooned in for an attempt to identify the unidentified radar return. Fighters were able to see the object, but were not able to get near it because of the altitude of the object. The object is observed in this sighting has positively been identified as a type of upper air research balloon. This object actually consisted of four balloons attached to one "load". A this load weighed approximately 500 pounds, and consisted of metal measuring devices that would give a radar return.
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