NZDF declassified RNZAF UFO files

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

Kelburn Weather Office as being most likely the lighted balloon released by them at the exact time (11.3pm) and going in the same direction as reported by the sighter of the orange-coloured object. The observer, however was certain that it was not a plane, a meteor nor a balloon, he said it was travelling approx 800 mph and appeared to have bulges and at intervals gave off an ice-blue light at it tilted on its side.

March 18, Christchurch. Dr C.D. Ellyet, Senior Lecturer in physics at Canterbury University College, claims all Flying Saucer reports have simple explanations. and that there is no evidence whatsoever to support real ones. C.S.I. would like to see how this Gentleman would face up to a gathering of experienced airmen, skilled radar operators, military and civilian highly trained observers, who are prepared to swear that they have seen real strange-shaped flying craft in our skies. It is significant that those eminent scientists appointed by their respective governments to investigate the phenomena, have not found it easy to draw an answer after 6 years of intensive study. They admit today that there is a high probability of there being real saucers. Conclusions based on five minutes study are shots in the dark and will ultimately possibly prove very embarrassing to their originators.

March 19. Nelson. LOUD EXPLOSIONS IN SKY NEAR NELSON. Loud explosions in the sky followed by swishing noises were heard over a wide area to the north-east of Nelson early yesterday afternoon from Whangamoa, inland on the Nelson-Blenheim state highway to Delaware Bay on the coast. Settlers today reported having heard the strange noises. Observers in the Cable Bay area, heard three bangs high up in the sky and saw a wisp on white smoke. Mr P.S.Berkett, a Whangamoa farmer, said that at 2.35 yesterday afternoon he heard loud sooming noises which he thought for a moment might have been caused by a plane out of control. He saw a round flat object of whitish colour which he estimated at about 4000ft. It appeared to be turning over and falling followed by a trail of smoke. Two other people on his property heard the explosions and saw the smoke. One of them Mr. K.Evans, of Auckland. ( In a letter to the Editor Nelson Evening Mail March 22. A Mr Ellis Dudgeon states in first para. "Three of these men, Messrs Berkett, Appleby and Evans, not only heard noises, but saw a round flat object of whitish colour at 4000ft. The object was turning over and over and falling while emitting loud explosions. It ceased falling, remained stationary for some while and finally ascended out of sight. Surely no intelligent observer could believe these antics to be performed by a meteor." If this is correct C.S.I. confirms the writers view, it would be the most outstanding incident recorded over N.Z, attributed to Flying Saucers. We would like more details on this incident.

It may have been pure coincidence that R.N.Z.A.F. Vampire jets gave an interesting aerial display at 35.000ft over the Nelson area 7 days after the above disturbing incident, We wonder?

March 22. Dunedin, (Just received) Letter to Editor "The Evening Star." Sir, I don't want to appear to be rushing in, but I must put up some defence in answer to the article in Fridays"Star' concerning the report of Dr. Ellyet's address in Christchurch regarding flying saucers , If these men who hold the ear of the people were to remain unchallenged, it would appear that what they had to say was correct. When a person of such standing in the educational arena makes a statement such as Dr, Ellyet has, that flying saucers have a straight forward explanation, it appears that he has