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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.
“Christchurch”32 pages
The object was in itself radiating a light, and it was no reflection from any cloud effects, because when sighted it was clear of any cloud. It is difficult to believe that the authorities can believe that two airline pilots cannot tell the difference between an object passing between 5 - 15 miles from the aircraft, (that is allowing for F/O Trounce's belief that it was more like 5 miles than my 15 mile estimation), and a planet on the horizon. After observing the planet Venus six nights after sighting this object, I kept a continuous watch on the planet for 65 minutes under similar conditions, and at no time was there any comparison, especially in regards to the distance and the size of the object. When the object was at its minimum brilliance it was far smaller than Venus, but at its maximum brilliance, it gave an impression of being far brighter and larger. A point that I would like you to investigate is, at the time I received my clearance to descend to 4,000 ft., the object was still in full sight, slightly ahead and below, and above 8/8th cloud. Now the time of obtaining this clearance was not given, therefore could you please check and see if it was after the planet had set, when this clearance was obtained. This is apart from the facts that at that time it was close in, above 8/8th cloud, ahead of us, and below, and appeared to be west of Waikato River mouth. Mr. Gibson stated that we would receive the fullest consideration if any pilots reported any further of these objects, but personally after all the newspaper reports, phone calls, R.N.Z.A.F. statements plus personal embarrassment, I would have to have the little men waving to me before I made any further reports of this nature. Please do not consider this at all personal; I do not refer to you when I mention authorities, but I wonder what other excuse they would make up if the planet Venus was not in this area at the same time. Please include this in my personal report. Enclosed you will find a typical letter, one of the many received. FILE Yours faithfully. N. d. L. Kansbiew
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