AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT
Dir/Int, Hq
NEAC
IR-4-51 page 2 of 2 pages
1. The following
described unidentified aircraft/object was sighted off the
coast of Newfoundland by MATS Navy C-54 crew.
a. Originally sighted as a single, heavy, yellowish light,
similar in
appearance to that of a city. As object approached
observing aircraft, it grew
very bright and large, and appeared to be semi-circular in
shape. Near aircraft,
it did a 180 degree turn and was last seen as a small ball
disappearing over the horizon.
The speed was "terrific" and the size "tremendous" to quote
observers. The dif-
ference in size between the time it was first seen and last
seen as a small ball
going over the horizon was described as tremendous, at
least 100 times larger.
b. Sighted at 0055Z on 10 February 1951 and remained visible for
approxi-
mately 7 or 8 minutes.
c. Visually observed from MATS Navy C-54 #56501 of VR-1 Squadron
based at
Patuxent, Maryland, flying at 10,000 feet altitude, 182
knots air speed, 225 degrees true
course.
d. Observing aircraft was at 4950N 5030W at the time of
observation.
Object appeared over the water's surface at approximately a
45 degree downward
angle from the observing aircraft and was making good a
true course of approximately
125 degrees. Upon approaching observing aircraft, it
executed a sudden turn approximating
180 degrees and disappeared very rapidly over the horizon.
e. Object sighted by 5 crew members, listed below, of the above
aircraft,
who are all experienced North Atlantic fliers. Gander
Traffic Control reports no
other aircraft known to be in the vicinity at time of
sighting. All 5 observers
agree on facts as stated, but there has been no
confirmation from other sources.
Believe C-3 appropriate.
Lt Fred W. Kingdon - 173390 (First to see object)
Lt A. L. Jones - 391096
Lt G. E. Bethune - 299055
Lt N. G. S. Koger - 305875
Lt J. M. Mayer - 283836
f. Weather clear, visibility from 15 miles to unlimited, no other
weather
information available.
g. No unusual meteorological activity known to exist and having
any in-
fluence on the sighting. This object could not have
been a comet as the object
was below and between the aircraft and ocean.
h. No physical evidence available.
i. No interception action taken.
2. The above information was
forwarded from this Headquarters to Headquarters,
USAF by TWX on 10 February 1951 by TWX Nos. NEAC EN
0212 and EX 0215.
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:40:57 -0500
From: Jan Aldrich
<project1947@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Bethune docs
MAXW-PBB8-1029 & 1030
Dewey Fournet spoke to US Naval Intellignece Class IX as part of his
duties. Several Naval officers related UFO experiences to Fournet which
they had previous had. One of the officers Lt George P. Williams
told Fournet that he piloted a Navy Fleet Logistics Air Wing aircraft
aid he and 9 other crewmen had encountered a UFO over the North
Atlantic on 21 Feb 1951. They were heading towards Newfoundland
at 10,000 feet when they encountered the object. Williams
mentioned that he saw the moon prior to see the UFO. Except for the
date, Williams' account sounds like Bethune's.
Bill Pitts had Fournet's brief case which was filled with material
he took when he left the Service.
Bill let Tom and I copy the material. Tom was of the opinion
that Lt. George Williams' account does not relate to Bethunes' because
of the date.
When I talked to Bethune he had a copy of the Naval Intelligence
report on the incident with all names of the crew.
Willaims told Fournet that he was the pilot. The date he
gave was 21 Feb 51 and the location approx. 60 N 33 W sighting was 0300
hours (local?). Flying at 10,000 feet with thin cumulus clouds below
with tops about 3000 feet. The location even allowing for error is
quite different from Bethune's.
The possibility of a similar sighting just a few days after would
be very interesting.