 RADCAT Case Directory Category 9, RADAR Preliminary Rating: 5 |
|
|
| RADCAT is a
revitalized special project now being conducted jointly
by NICAP & Project 1947 with the help and
cooperation of the original compiler of
RADCAT, Martin Shough, to create a
comprehensive listing of radar cases with detailed
documentation from all previous catalogues, including UFOCAT
and original RADCAT. |
F6F's
& SJS Attempt Interceptions
Jan-Feb, 1945
Pasco NAS, Washington
Jan-Feb, 1945
Pasco NAS, Washington
| Fran Ridge: Jan.-Feb, 1945; Pasco NAS, Washington Commander R. W. Hendershot, USNR, reported that radar targets were detected and interception was attempted at least twice by F6F Hellcats with negative results. Flying an SJS, Hendershot attempted an interception of high altitude, of slow-moving blips. Negative results. (Chester, page 142. Letter from Hendershot to APRO in NICAP files. 4th Air Force Intel Summaries indicate overflight of Hanford Lab, and possible countermeasures using Navy assets at Pasco NAS [NARA]). Jan Aldrich: The Hanford Nuclear Reservation was established in 1943 on the Columbia River in the town of Hanford, Washington State. It became home to the "B Reactor", the first large-scale reactor for the production of plutonium necessary for the construction of the atomic bombs that were soon to be used against Japan. The development and purpose of Hanford was classified Top Secret. Located some 60 miles northwest of Hanford was the Pasco Naval Air Station. Pasco was responsible for the training of navy pilots in carrier-based combat flying. In 1945, after a series of "unidentified aircraft" were detected overflying Hanford's highly classified location, Pasco was asked by Headquarters, Fourth Air Force, to employ both radar and fighter aircraft in an attempt to intercept the mysterious intruders. Without giving any clue as to the purpose of the Hanford plant, the military declared the air space over the facility a "Danger Area", with military pilots authorised to open fire on any unidentified aircraft intruding into it. Throughout the latter part of 1944 and early 1945, a number of "unknowns" were detected by radar, flying over the Hanford facility. Aircraft were dispatched to intercept them, but without success. One such attempted intercept was carried out by Commander R.W. Hendershot who revealed details of his mission many decades later. For years all we had of Hendershot's statement was a quarter sheet of typed paper in the CUFOS files. Now we have Commander Hendershot's original handwritten statement from the Donald E. Keyhoe Archives. * |