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This combined Project Sign file, drawn from USAF records, documents the 1 October 1948 encounter over Fargo, North Dakota, in which Air National Guard pilot 2nd Lt. George F. Gorman chased a small round white light in his F-51 for 27 minutes. The file holds checklists, interrogation reports by Major Paul Kubala of the ATI Field Office at Wright-Patterson, tower witness statements, Geiger readings on the aircraft and press clippings. It concludes that Gorman's statements should be accepted as truth until proven wrong.
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intending to cut the object off anf ran it since he had clearly seen that the lighted object appeared no larger than 8 inches in diameter. He reasoned that the damage to his own plane would not be too great should he succeed. The subject's plane at the turn indicated 425 MPH, yet he saw the object on a wider turn (as indicated by the symbol "o" on the chart) circle him twice in the time it took him to complete his 360 dog. turn. Accordingly, he believes that the object was traveling at estimated speeds of 650 to 700 MPH. Consequently in support of his previous statement, Lt. Gorman feels certain that the object became aware of his approach, despite his approach from above and behind and in spite of his prior advantage in flying speed. b. The maneuvers of the object, both evasive and aggressive not only matched but effectively coped with the interception tactics performed by the F-51 pilot. Thus the subject is convinced that intelligence directed the movements of his target. c. To explain his convictions that the object was definitely bound by the laws of inertia, Lt. Gorman explained that when he first approached the object it accelerated very rapidly, but not immediately. Although it turned "tighter" than the F-51 and at far greater speeds, it always followed a natural curve. At no time did it turn at a right angle. Having tried without success to turn with the object while trailing it dead ahead, no wash was felt; however, the subject blacked out momentarily on a few turns. Consequently, Lt. Gorman feels convinced that few living pilots (if any) could have turned as sharply and at the speeds attained by the object. d. As to flying characteristics, besides evidence as to degree of turn, level flying speeds, and maneuverability, subject pilot drew a vertical cross-section of his final maneuvers (submitted as Exhibit "C") to show the rate of climb of the object. e. Letting down from 12,000 feet, the F-51 indicated 60" of mercury at 3,000 RPM, estimated airspeed 400 MPH, and began a steep climb to cut off the object as it, in turn, aggressively came flying toward his aircraft. As indicated by "b", the F-51 fell off in a power stall at 14,500 feet altitude. When asked if he had lost sight of his target at this point, Lt. Gorman responded that he had kept his eyes fixed on his target and had watched it climbing vertically and on a slightly increasing angle of climb as indicated by "c" until distance caused it to disappear. When asked why he had not broken the seal for military power, the subject replied that he had indicated 60" of mercury at 3,000 RPM for 15 minutes and he felt further abuse of the engine would possibly injure it beyond repair. The subject stated that the object's rate of climb was constant despite the steepness of its ascent. ## RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. That scientific and technical analysis of known factors in this and similar cases be continued so that data may be compiled to prove or disprove the following allegations: CONFIDENTIAL 2 Exhibit "K" hye 2 of 4 pages
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