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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.
“Sea”47 pages
## FLYING SAUCERS PAGE 14 Dec 6 1953 Auckland. A member of C.S.I.'s committee Mr Jack Connell reports that while observing a fire on Waiheki Island (popular pleasure resort three to four out from Auckland Habour) just on dusk, approx 7.45 p.m., his attention was drawn to a whitish light that appeared to move across the sky at great speed to disappear behind a cloud. The light was twice momentary screened by loose cloud while being observed. An Air Force Sgt From Whenuapai Air Station known by the President of C.S.I. also reported seeing a strange light just on dusk the same evening. He said: "While walking towards the city my attention was drawn on a number of times to a dull orangy light that appeared to be hovering. The light was quite large with a kind of hallow around it, the outer fringe appeared to be the brighter source of light. I had just began to wonder what it was, when on looking again I was surprised to find that it had quite disappeared. Neither party claim it was a flying saucer. Dec 6 Tauranga 8 pm. An object in the sky "which might have been a flying saucer", was seen by Mrs H. Spencer, of Fraser Street at 8. p.m. The object, said Mrs Spencer appeared to be hovering in the sky at no great distance, a little to the north. It was round, bright and silvery and gave the appearance of a great chandelier. Suddenly it shot upwards with a terrific hiss, turned and streaked across the sky to the south-east. After the object had disappeared a trail of pink and white "cloud" hung in the sky for about five minutes. ( It was reported the following day in the press that several residents had seen a bright meteor that same evening.) Dec 24 Strange cloud formation observed. A cloud looming over Tangiwai at the time Thursdays Rail disaster, was of strange formation, clearly resembling the form of a Lion ready to spring; this cloud stood out boldly in an otherwise lightly clouded sky. Others reported it as being cigar-shaped and a photo confirming this was published in NZ Herald. Jan 8th Dunedin 10.45 pm Miss V.E.J.Allen C.S.I.Dunedin Rep. reports I saw a cigar-shaped object flying from the south-east to north-east at amazing speed. I thought at first it was a meteor, but there was a long trail of golden sparks behind it. It was very high up, almost overhead and was gone after 4 seconds. Looking about two inches long the object appeared to accelerate rapidly after discharging a burst of sparks. Jan 19 Wellington. Letter to Editor by Mr Geoff Bqnallack C.S.I. Tawa Flat "Honorary Observer". Sir, Having read Leslie's and Adamski's book, I can agree with Kickshaws, who reviewed it last Fridays issue. that it is poorly worded in parts, specially in Leslie's opening chapters; but in fairness to the authors and in particular to Adamski, I think Kickshaws should have mentioned that the book contains photographs of the sworn affidavits of several witnesses to the alleged meeting between Adamski and the supposed Venusian. It is difficult to see how these witnesses could benefit themselves by giving false statements. I agree with Kickshaws that the photos of the saucer could of been faked, but there are some very searching scientific methods of checking this and why should Adamski and his photographer, whose name is given, lay themselves open to almost certain discovery? Many sightings of saucers are doubtless meteorological balloons, but experienced pilots are very firm in their refusal to admit that balloons of any kind can fly rings round them and then shoot off like a shell from a gun into the upper atmosphere. Many sightings are certainly meteors But not the ones that go into reverse. Others are cars headlights reflected
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