Albert R. Pickering Statement

 

Source: http://www.nicap.org/bb/USAF-SIGN8-217.jpg  (http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=USAF-SIGN8-217)

 

CHECK-LIST – UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS

 

 

 

1.     Date                                     7 Jan 48                                                                                Incident # 30a

2.     Time                                    1925  

3.     Location                               N/S – presumably near Lockbourne    

4.     Name of observer                 Albert R. Pickering          

5.     Occupation of observer         VHF/DF Operator (CAF-7)   

6.     Address of observer             332d Fighter Wing, Lockbourne

7.     Place of observation             Lockbourne – objects seen over Commercial Point 

8.     Number of objects                      1   

9.     Distance of object from observer           Approx 3 to 5 miles (Rpts f/Godman Fld & Clinton Cy Airport & from pilot over Columbus indicate

                                                                        distance much farther)          

10.   Time in Sight                        20 minutes     

11.   Altitude                                Around 10,000 ft -         

12.   Speed                                  greater than 500 MPH in level flight        

13.   Direction of flight                 120° (East)  

14.   Tactics                                Climbed and descended vertically – performed circles – it circled one place for duration of 3 360° turns then

                                                        moved to another position and again circled  

15.   Sound                                  None                                

16.   Size                                     Larger than C-47

17.     Color                                   Amber 

18.     Shape                                  Round or oval

19.   Odor detected                     N/S

20.   Apparent construction          N/S

21.   Exhaust trails                      Amber exhaust trail about 5 times the length of object  

22.   Weather conditions             High overcast at 10,000 ft  

23.   Effect on clouds                 occasionally entered overcast   

24.   Sketches or photographs     none     

25.   Manner of disappearance    Leveled off and disappeared into overcast at 120°

26.   Remarks                      (over) 

 


 

Source: http://www.nicap.org/bb/USAF-SIGN8-218.jpg   (http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=USAF-SIGN8-218)

 

When first sighted around 1925 Eastern Standard Time, the object appeared to hover in one position for quite some time, moving very little. It disappeared once for about a minute (presumably entering overcast). After emerging below the overcast it circled one place for the duration of three 360° turns, then moved to another position and circled some more. Turns required approximately 30 to 40 seconds each – diameter estimated about 2 miles.

 

In moving from one place to another a tail (approximately the same color – amber – as the object) appeared which seemed to be about 5 times the length of the object. The shape of the object was either round or oval and appeared about the size of a C-47 plane. Just before disappearing it came very near the ground, stayed about 10”, then climbed back to its original position at a very fast rate of speed, leveled off, and disappeared into the overcast (10,000 ft) heading 120” (120°). Its speed was greater than 500 MPH in level flight. Visible for some 30 minutes. No noise or sound could be heard. The color of the object itself was an amber light but the intensity was not sufficient to obscure the outline of the configuration which was approximately round. During the up and down movement no maneuvering took place. Motions like that of an elevator – climbing and descending vertically. The exhaust trail was noticeable only during forward speed. At one time the object appeared to touch the ground.

 

NOTE:             Appeared approximately 3 to 5 miles away from Lockbourne in immediate vicinity of

Commercial Point (Reports from Clinton Cy Airport, Godman Fld & from pilot of plane in vicinity of Columbus indicate the distance to be much greater)

 

 

NOTE ON RELIABILITY:            See incidents 30, 30b and 30c – corroborating accounts

 

 

 


Source: http://www.nicap.org/bb/USAF-SIGN1-263.jpg    (http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=USAF-SIGN1-263)

 

DETACHMENT 733rd AF BASE UNIT

103rd AACS SQUARDON

LOCKBOURNE ARMY AIR BASE

COLUMBUS 17, OHIO

 

 

SUBJECT:       Report of Unusual Circumstance.

 

TO:                  Commanding Officer

332d Fighter Wing

Lockbourne Army Air Base

Columbus 17, Ohio

 

On Wednesday January 7, 1948 at about 1925 Eastern time I observed in the sky an object which I could not identify. It appeared to hover in one position for quite some time, moving very little. It disappeared once for about a minute and I assumed it entered the overcast, which was about 10,000 feet. After descending again below the overcast it circled one place for the duration of three 360 degree turns, then moved to another position to circle some more. Turns required approximately 30 to 40 seconds each, diameter estimated about two miles.

          In moving from one place to another a tail was visible or approximate five times the length of the object. Not knowing how close or far the object was from me at the time, I could not estimate the size very accurately, but it appeared as large or larger than one of our C 47 planes, and of a different shape. Either round or oval shaped. Just before leaving it came to very near the ground, staying down for about ten seconds, then climbed at a very fast rate back to its original altitude, 10,000 feet, leveling off and disappearing into the overcast heading 120°. Its speed was greater than 500 mph in level flight. It was visible to me for a period of twenty minutes. No noise or sound could be detected. The color was amber light but not sufficiently bright to cover or obscure the outline of the configuration which was approximately round. During up and down movement no maneuvering took place. Motions was same as an elevator, climbing and decending vertically. Exhaust trail was noticeable only during forward speed. It appeared as a thin mist approximately same color (amber) as the object. Length about 5 times length of object.

            During descent it appeared to touch the ground or was very close to touching it. It was approximately 3 to 5 miles away from Lockbourne Air Base in immediate vicinity of COMMERCIAL POINT. It positively was not a star, comet or any astronomical body to the best of my knowledge of such things. I also rule out the possibility of it being a balloon, flare, dirigble, military or private aircraft.

 


 

Source: http://www.nicap.org/bb/USAF-SIGN1-264.jpg   (http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=USAF-SIGN1-264)

 

Ltr, Subj:            Report of Unusual Circumstance, 14 Jan 48 (Cont’d)           

 

             I am 26 years old and in good health and have excellent vision. I have been actively engaged in aviation for 6 years. I have a private pilot license and spent 3 years 10 months in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a Sergeant link trainer instructor, instrument flight observer.

             The statements made herein are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and may be used for any official purpose as deemed necessary.

ALBERT R. PICKERING
VHF/DF Operator
CAF

 

 

 

 

Back to Incident Statements Page