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NZDF declassified RNZAF UFO files

NZDF / RNZAF via Internet Archive · 2010-12 · 445 pages · text by GLM-OCR

This is a New Zealand Defence Force public release of RNZAF file AIR 39/3/3, "Flying Saucers," which covers 1952 to 1955 and was declassified in September 2010 under the Official Information Act. It collects sighting reports from the public and military personnel, press clippings, and a table of 1952 sightings. It also holds Carter Observatory opinions attributing some reports to meteors. A large part covers the inquiry into lights seen from National Airways Corporation Flight 108 on 31 October 1955, which the RNZAF could not fully explain as Venus.

  • p. 10 …They passed over Christchurch about 1.30 p.m. As the aircraft moved on, they left…
  • p. 24 25 NOV 1955 # AIR DEPARTMENT. CHRISTCHURCH, N.W.4. 23rd November, 1955. The Director of Civil…
  • p. 25 …2 R.D. , CHRISTCHURCH. The Regional Superintendent, Civil Aviation Administration, CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT. Dear Sir, The following…
  • p. 36 …12168 0182/50652 90/12165 17/16399 CHRISTCHURCH/AUCKLAND: 67/39485 CA 90/34627 CA WELLINGTON…
  • p. 165 …It was also seen by Palmerston North and Christchurch residents in N.Z. about that time…
  • p. 186 …which he witnessed from his home in Christchurch at 10.21 p.m. on the 20th…
  • p. 211 …The "Star-Sun" reporter and his wife were travelling by car towards Christchurch at 3.46…
  • p. 219 …Coutts Island to the back of the Christchurch Airport and though the cloud bank was about…
  • p. 226 …Carter had reported the incident to the Christchurch, N.Z., Press, and later decided to write…
  • p. 255 …had the pleasure of meeting for the first time, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin Representatives, Branch leaders…
  • p. 266 …It made a whizzing noise like a spinning top, they said. # MYSTERIOUS LIGHT IN SKY CHRISTCHURCH…
  • p. 299 …REPRESENTATIVES Two further representatives have been appointed in two southern cities, Christchurch and Dunedin. Representatives are…
  • p. 307 …Secretary 55 Tedder Avenue Christchurch E.3. ## WAS IT A METEOR? ## PERHAPS ONE DAY WE WILL…
  • p. 312 …received two other reports around this time one from a lady in Christchurch and another from…
  • p. 313 …August 25th Christchurch 6.40 p.m. fast moving strange light horizon tal course, in view…
  • p. 314 ## FLYING SAUCERS PAGE 18 November 17th Christchurch 11p.m. two further observers of fast m ing…
  • p. 332 …8.30 Palmerston North, Wellington, and Christchurch. A bright object, reported by many to be round…
  • p. 333 …March 18, Christchurch. Dr C.D. Ellyet, Senior Lecturer in physics at Canterbury University College, claims…
  • p. 359 …Sam Rix, Tauranga; Miss Ethne Hamber, Christchurch; Miss V.E.J.Allan, Dunedin; Dr.Benjamin D…
  • p. 393 …A passenger on the Express from Christchurch saw an unusual light in the sky near Camara…
  • p. 394 …Southland, North Otago, the West Coast and Christchurch. Some people who said they had seen it…
  • p. 396 …was travelling with his son from Christchurch to Wellington on the Saturday night when they saw…
  • p. 397 …The Christchurch observers given an apparent size of half a crown indicating a height of 6000…
  • p. 398 …Nelson Yellow/White 10.30? Cheviot? Blue Green Christchurch Blue S. Hissing Camara Blue 11.8…
  • p. 400 …9 17 minutes Christchurch/New Brighton 29.10.52 9 p.m. 1 Taradale, Napier 30…
  • p. 412 …Cigar South Nil GREEN LIGHT. Moving swiftly. Christchurch 13.10.52 Nil One 5 secs Starline…
  • p. 413 …minutes Saucer Nil Nil Redlights around lights Christchurch 3.11.52 1115 pm Two one minute…
  • p. 414 …Christchurch 6.12.52 1015 pm One 30 secs Disc South Hissing Blue in colour Ryeburn…
  • p. 418 …Williamson, has written to the "Evening Post" to say that the "flying saucer" seen in Christchurch…
  • p. 421 # BLUE DISC THAT HISSED South-Bound 'Saucer' Seen At Three Points PEOPLE in Christchurch, Kyeburn, and…
  • p. 428 …Otago, from the West Coast and from Christchurch, among others. Some people, who said they had…
  • p. 436 …Auckland astronomers and meter- ## Riccarton Run Confused By CHRISTCHURCH, November unsettled nature of the weather heavy…

Read from the scan by GLM-OCR; expect the odd misread word.

## Havelock North 3 June (near Napier)

Asks the Daily Telegraph. Is there an aircraft in New Zealand that can break the sound barrier? At least 5 Havelock North residents are sure they heard the weird bang of a plane breaking the barrier. They state that they actually saw the plane which they believe did it. Reports of strange rushing sounds in the air have come from other residents too. Said one observer: "We were standing outside sometime before midday, when we heard a loud booming noise, something like the sound of blasting. It was followed by the charact eristic jet whine", "we looked up and saw a flashing silver plane very high up and moving very fast. White vapour trails broke behind it as it travelled south. We watched it for several minutes". Mr H.J.Taylor and a Fernhill wom an also heard the noises. Mr Taylor was sure it was a plane flying very high and leaving a distinct vapour trail. C.S.I. has not checked with Ohakea to confirm if Vampire jets were in the area, however, we do know that the Vampires are not fast enough or permitted to try to reach sufficient speed to break the sound barrier.

## Huntly and Hillcrest IO June (Waikato Times IO'II &I2th June)

Many separate parties reported to the "Waikato Times", that they had seen one or more strange objects in the sky between 7-8 a.m. 10th June. Some described the object as a bright orange colour and another as "a large golden oval". All agreed that the strange object's light appeared to fluctuate. Some saw the object moving at high speed and others observed it to fly a semi-circular path. A few people reported later, that they too, had seen an object in the sky on the morning, but were certain it was just the sun reflecting off a conventional aircraft. Rukuhia flying control authorities stated that they knew of no aircraft in the air at that early hour. It could of been a top dressing machine, but this was considered most unlikely, as the only fabric covered silver aircraft in the area was grounded.

## Pipiwai I2th June (near Whangarei)

Mr. N. Clarich reported to the Northern Advocate that whilst driving along Titoki road Saturday I2th June at sunset, he noticed a long dark object in the eastern sky. Stopping his car he got out and watched closely. He said the object might have been a 100 feet long and appeared out of a clear sky, and could not have been a cloud. It was travelling fast, faster than any aeroplane he had seen, north to south. The object entered light cloud to the south and could be discerned until it gradually disappeared. Mr Clarich had no idea what the object was or represented.

## Auckland June 25th

A brilliant flash of light over the Waitakere Ranges startled many early risers in Auckland. The phenomenon which appeared like a ball of fire up in the northern sky shortly after 6.30 a.m. fell slowly until it disappeared behind the southern end of the ranges. One witness thought it was an aircraft falling in flames. "Undoubtedly a meteor"said Mr R.A.McIntosh, Director of the Meteor Section of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand.

## Warkworth June 25th

Both the "N.Z.Herald" and C.S.I. received a written statement from Mr Milfred Matthews (15 yrs.,old) who claims to have spent two nights in the open with a camera, (plate) waiting and watching for the possible appearance of flying saucers. On the second night he claims to have been successful and his developed plates (two) were enclosed with the communication to the "Herald". (two prints not plates were received by the "Herald", my error Ed.) Close

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Document, cited by the archive. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is above. The text was read from the page images by GLM-OCR; expect the odd misread word. 445 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.