Form: Investigation Activity Log
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:46:42 -0500

From: Francis Ridge <nicap@insightbb.com>
Subject: Re-opening the Bethune Case from Feb. 10, 1951, Nr. Gandor Newfoundland, Canada
Cat: 11, Sighting from aircraft; possible Cat 9, Radar
Distribution: CE,SHG,NCP


This IAL (Investigation Activity Log) is listed in chronological order and marks a re-investigation of this case. This page contains the latest updates and the dates of entry.

The first step we took was go to the Blue Book Archive site and locate the original jpegs to replace the bad gif files we originally had. Because the next set of documents mentioned some key witnesses, MAXW-PBB8-1029 & 30, we began with them. MAXW-PBB8-1030 names five witnesses. The transcripts are also provided. The directory for this case was then updated. The only thing lacking is the radar report which Bethune alluded to, which he stated was not on microfilm (was not in the Blue Book files we presume), and we were never able to locate.

Francis Ridge
NICAP Site Archivist
_____________________________________

IAL Begins

MAXW-PBB8-1029





  AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT

  Reporting of Information on Unconventional Aircraft/Objects
  North Atlantic                                                                             Dir/Int, Hq NEAC
  12 March 1951                                                                          10 February 1961
                                                                                                    C-54 crew of Navy VR-1 Sq, based
                                                                                                    at Patuxent, Maryland



              Attached is a report on an unidentified air object forwarded in accordance
  with letter, Headquarters, USAF, File AFOIC-CC-1, Subj:  Reporting of Information
  on Unconventional Aircraft, dated 8 September 1950.  Report is unconfirmed by other
  sightings.

                                                                              APPROVED.

                                                                              //signed Kenneth J. Smith//

                                                                              for HUGH D. MAXWELL, Jr.
                                                                              Lt Col, USAF
                                                                              Director of Intelligence




MAXW-PBB8-1030





  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.


Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:09:03 -0500
From: Jan Aldrich <project1947@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Bethune docs MAXW-PBB8-1029 & 1030

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.