Captain Thomas F. Mantell – Statement from reported radio conversations
Source: http://www.nicap.org/bb/USAF-SIGN8-238.jpg (http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=USAF-SIGN8-238)
CHECK-LIST – UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 7 January 1948 Incident #33f
2. Time 1445
3. Location Godman Field, Ky.
4. Name of observer Flight Leader NG 869 (Capt. Thomas F. Mantell)
5. Occupation of observer Flight Leader
6. Address of observer
7. Place of observation Over Godman Field, Ky.
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer Not stated
10. Time in Sight xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Apparently over 1 hour and a half
11. Altitude above xxxx 20,000 ft
12. Speed Approximately 500 mph
13. Direction of flight approximately 210° from Godman Field
14. Tactics None
15. Sound Not stated
16. Size Tremendous
17. Color Metallic
18. Shape Not stated
19. Odor detected Not stated
20. Apparent construction Metallic
21. Exhaust trails Not stated
22. Weather conditions Not stated
23. Effect on clouds Not stated
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance Not stated
26. Remarks: This information taken from a report describing a radio conversation between Flt. leader NG869 who investigated the object at the request of Godman Field Tower. The Flt. leader Capt. Thomas F. Mantell crashed and was killed after his last radio contact with Godman Field at 1515 hrs.
Source: http://www.nicap.org/bb/USAF-SIGN8-239.jpg (http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=USAF-SIGN8-239)
Info taken from reports of radio conversation between Control at Godman and ng 869 essentially as follows:
Col. Hix’s account. NG 869: “Object traveling at 180 MPH – half my speed”
Lt. Orner’s account. NG 869: “high and traveling about ½ my speed at 12 o’clock position”
Later: “Closing in to take a good look”
No further word heard by Orner
T/Sgt. Quinton A. Blackwell: NG 869: At 1445. “Object traveling at 180 MPH
Directly ahead of & above me now and moving at about ½ my speed.”
Later: “I.m trying to close in for a better look”
At 15,000 ft: “Object directly ahead of and above me now and moving about ½ my speed. It appears metallic of tremendous size. I’m trying to close in for better look”
No other word heard by Blackwell from NG 869.
Capt. Cary W. Carter: NG 869: “Object going up and forward as fast as he was” – approx 360 MPH
“going to 20,000 ft and if no closer will abandon chase”
No further contact heard by Capt. Carter – “apparently last word ever received from NG 869.
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