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Reconstruction of Blue Book 'Project 10073 Record Card'


PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

4602d AISS

1. DATE
14-13 August 56

2. LOCATION
Bentwaters-Lakenheath, England
12. CONCLUSIONS

[ ] Was Balloon
[ ] Probably Balloon
[ ] Possibly Balloon

[ ] Was aircraft
[ ] Probably Aircraft
[ ] Possibly Aircraft

[ ] Was Astronomical
[ ] Probably Astronomical
[ ] Possibly Astronomical

[ ] Other Anam. Propagation
[ ] Insufficient Data for Evaluation
[ ] Unknown

2. DATE-TIME GROUP
ZONE:
21200-2200(13 Aug)
0010-0330 (14 Aug)

4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION
[x] Ground-Visual
[x] Ground-Radar
[x] Air Visual
[ ] Air-Intercept

5. PHOTOS

[ ] Yes
[x] No

6. SOURCE

Radar observers - Ground observers, AF pilots

7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION

Total: Approx. 5 hrs

8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS

Varied

9. COURSE

Varied

10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING

1. On 14 August, between 2120-2220 ZI Benwaters radar reported 3 separate UFO tracks suddenly appearaing and disappearing on their screens, with[in] a 2 hr period.
2. Bentwaters station alerted RAF radar unit at Lakenheath. On 14 Aug the RAF unit reported objs were observed intermittently from 0010Z to 0330Z, going from W to SW, stopping for 5 minutes, thence NW, disappearing from scope at 0330Z.

11. COMMENTS

(ATIC)

At first glance, the 2 messages (TT Msgs BOI-485, 16 Aug 56 and IDO-7335, 21 Aug 56) reporting this sighting may give the impression that observations, radar, ground and air, were simultaneous. A review of detailed report IR-1-56, dtd 31 Aug 56, indicates that. although the observations took place within the periods given, they cannot be considered concurrent.

10. Continued)

3. An amber-colored object was observed visually witth 7x50 binoculars near the horizon towards E. SE. This object, the apparent size of a pinhead, remained in sight for approximately 1 hour.
4. Two piots of a local AF interceptor squadron who were vectored to the area returned after a 45 minute search. Nothing found. Both stated, however, that there was a bright star in the horizon East of Bentwaters, that could have been mistaken for a UFO by visual observers.
5. Ground observers reported an unusual amount of "shooting stars" in the sky during this period.

11. Continued

This is confirmed by the original report BOI-485, which states that the radar sightings occurred at a later time than the ground sightings. Comments, on the basis of specific aspects of each sighting:
Radar: The widely divergent tracks and speeds observed on the scopes (SW to NE, E to W, SE to NW, and 80 to 4000 MPH), the sudden appearing, disappearing intermittent stopping, starting and remaining motionless; and other erratic behaviour of blips is characteristic of weather returns and changing atmospheric conditions. This can often be confusing to trained operators, and does not imply lack of capability of reporting personnel.
Visual Ground: It should be noted that the visual sighting by the control-tower chief, using 7x50 binoculars, was of an amber-colored object between 10 to 40 degrees above the horizon towards the SE. The observer further stated that this object remained in sight for approximately (CONTINUED)

11. (Continued)

1 hour, and moved SE. South direction. This coincided with the general location, elevation and movement of Mars for the one hour period in question. (NOTE: Mars, bright and red, was making to closest approach to the Earth in 32 years.)
Visual Airborne: The two AF pilots who were vectored to search the area, remained aloft for 45 minutes. Both stated that a very bright star was observed near the horizon to the East, which, quoting these pilots "could be mistaken for a UFO by visual observers."
Astronomical: Of considerable significance is the fact that an annual meteoric shower, the Perseids, was in prominence at that time (11-13 August). The first report (TT-485) states conclusively that ground observers reported that there was an unusual amount of shooting stars in the sky at that time. This undoubtedly accounts for some of the statements of ground observers that (quote) .. objects travelled at terrific speeds, stopping, and then changing course immediately. . . . ."
Astro-Electronic: The part that meteoric showers may have contributed to the sightings reported for these periods cannot be determined conclusively, However, meteors can produce radar returns because of the ionization of their gaseous trail, which "trace" on radarscopes.
CONCLUSION: On the basis of the above, and the limited data provided, there is no compelling reason to conclude that the radar UFO sightings were other than the result of anomalous propagation, which coincided with visual observations during this period. The inadvertent attempt to relate all the observations is not considered valid.


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