Form:
Document Search
Original-recipient: rfc822;nicap@insightbb.com
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:49:13 -0500
From: Francis Ridge nicap@insightbb.com
Subject: The Gandor, Newfoundland, Documents, Re: Feb 10, 1951 Incident, Incl. Transcripts for Search Engine
To: A-Team
Original-recipient: rfc822;nicap@insightbb.com
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:49:13 -0500
From: Francis Ridge nicap@insightbb.com
Subject: The Gandor, Newfoundland, Documents, Re: Feb 10, 1951 Incident, Incl. Transcripts for Search Engine
To: A-Team
|
The previous version of this page
used GIF images of poor documents. This updated page uses direct links
to the actual versions on the Blue Book Archive site, plus new
documents recently found. In the event BB site links might be
temporarily down, all of the documents below can also be accessed in
the following pdf file:
Jan-Feb 1951 Sightings shows
coordinates of 49.50N 50.03W (Atlantic)
http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=NARA-PBB1-40 Incoming Classified Message http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=NARA-PBB89-419 Project 10073 Record Card http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=MAXW-PBB8-1024 PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD
1.
Date
2. LOCATION 12.
CONCLUSIONS
10 Feb
1951
49.50N 50.03W (Atlantic)
3. DATE-TIME
GROUP
4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION
GMT: 0055Z
(N)
Air-Visual
5.
PHOTOS
6.
SOURCE Was
Astronomical
NO
MIL
Au Bore
7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 8.
NUMBER
OF OBJECTS 9. COURSE
7-8
Min
1
E
10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF
SIGHTING 11.
COMMENTS
Yellowish
light, like a fire in
color,
Believed to be Aurora Display by
approached
the observing ACFT and
grew consulting
astronomer.
very bright
and very large with a semi-
circular
shape. It suddenly turned 180 deg
and
disappeared over the horizon at terrific
speed.
ATIC FORM
139 (REV 24 SEP 52)
Letter from NEAC Pepperell AFB NFLD to CSAF wash DC FROM: NEAC PEPPERHILL AFB NFLD
TO : CSAF WASH D C
NR : EN 0212
Unidentified object seen at 0055Z 10 Feb at 49 degrees 52 min north,
50 degrees 03 min west by crew of Navy 6501, VR1,
Patuxent River, MD.
Originally seen as heavy light in distance on the
surface as lights of
city. The yellowish light, like a fire in
color, approached rapidly
and grew very bright and very large with a
semi-circular shape. It was
on a true course at about 125 degrees, plane on a
true course of 225
degrees, as it approached the plane it suddenly
turned about almost 180
degrees and disappeared rapidly over the horizon as a
small ball. Speed
"was terrific". Seen fr an angle of about 45
degrees looking down fr
the plane. Crew all experienced North Atlantic
fliers Lt F.W. Kingdon,
Lt. A. L. Jones, Lt. C.E. Bethune, Lt. N.G.P. Koger,
Lt. C.W. Mayer, all
saw object over a period of fr seven to eight
min. Plane flying at
10,000 altitude.
ACTION: OIN
CAF IN: 97532
(10 Feb
51)
MEL/rof
UNCLASSIFIED http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=MAXW-PBB8-1026 FROM: NORTH EAST AIR COMD, PEPPERRELL AFB, NFLD TO : CSAF WASH D C
NR : EN 0215
10 Feb 51 (DTG 101500Z)
Reference
NEAC EN 0212 DTG 100400Z. Additional info on un-
identified object, wea clear, visibility from 15 mi
to unlimited,
Gander Air Traffic Control reports Navy 650I only
acft in area,
Evaluation B-2. Suggest any additional info be
secured fr Navy
Officers concerned at VRi Sq Patuxent River, Maryland.
ACTION: OIN
CAF IN:
97697
(11 Feb
51)
SER/ref
UNCLASSIFIED
http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=MAXW-PBB8-1027 ITEM 4 AMG /CONFIDENTIAL/
FROM JJ RODGERS MCIAXA-1A
TO COL HARRIS AFOIN-V/TC
REFERENCE RECENT RADNOTE MISSAGES
FROM
YOUR HEADQUARTERS CONCERNING SIGHTING OF
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT IN THE VICINITY
OF NEWFOUNDLAND BY NAVY AIRCREW. BASED
UPON THE INFORMATION PRESENTED, IT IS
IMPOSSIBLE TO COME TO DEFINITE CONCLUSIONS
REGARDING THE SIGHTING, HOWEVER, THE MATTER
WAS DISCUSSED IN SOME DETAIL WITH AN ASTRONOMER
ATTACHED TO THE AMC GRADUATE CENTER. AS A
RESULT OF THIS DISCUSSION IT WAS CONCLUDED
THAT WHILE THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF
THE OBJECT SIGHTED BEING A METEOR OR
FIREBALL, THE DESCRIPTION FURNISHED GIVES
REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE AIRCREW SAW
AN UNUSUAL "NORTHERN LIGHTS' DISPLAY. NO
FURTHER ACTION IS CONTEMPLATED ON THIS
INCIDENT UNLESS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
IS RECEIVED WHICH COULD TEND TO CHANGE
OUR ESTIMATE OF THE SITUATION.
END ITEM 4 AMC /CONFIDENTIAL/
TO CGAMC WP AFB OHIO.
AF GRNC
/R E S T R I C T E D/ RADNOTE FOR MCISXD FOR:
AFOIN-C/SD-LD/CAPT OSTREAM
THE FOLLOWING CABLE IS QUOTED FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
"VR-1 PILOTS OFF
LIGHT N-125 ENROUTE KEFLAVIK TO ARGENTIA ON COURSE 225 TRUE
AT 10,000 FEET REPORTED AN UNIDENTIFIED RED AND YELLOW
OBJECT AT
100055Z INTIALLY BEARING 060 RELATIVE. OBJECT APPEARED
TO BE CLOSE
TO SURFACE. SHAPE IDENTIFIED WHEN FIRST SIGHTED LATER
APPEARING
CIRCULAR. DIAMETER ESTIMATE EXCESS 450 FEET.
OBJECT APPROACHED
PLANE, TURNED AND DISAPPEARED OVER HORIZON ON COURSE 290
TRUE AT
TREMENDOUS SPEED. 100055Z POSITION LATITUDE 49-52
NORTH LONG 50-03
WEST. SIGHTING REPORTED TO GANDER ATC PLAIN LANGUAGE."
12/2150Z
Letter to Col. Feiling from Lt. Col. Parrot http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=MAXW-PBB8-1028 SUBJECT: Unidentified Object
MCIA
MCI
14 Feb 51
Col Feiling
Request that you give
me a short resume of action taken in connection with the
enclosed cables concerning an unidentified object in
the general vicinity of
Newfoundland.
3
Incls
/s/ HAROLD E. WATSON Honaker/mb
1. Cy inc msg (1-1p)
51a-20766-1
Colonel, USAF 59210
2. Cy inc msg (1-1p)
51S-20769-2
Chief, Intel Dept Bldg 263B
3. " "
" (1-1p)
51S-22120-2
P B21
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MCI
MCIAXA-1A
20 Feb
51 2
1. The enclosed cables were
reviewed by this office in light of criteria which
have been developed up to the present time in the
investigation of such incidents. The
matter was also discussed with an astronomer attached
to the Graduate Center at Area 3.
2. As a result, it was concluded that while there is a possibility of the object being a meteor or a fireball, the description
furnished gives reason to believe that
the aircrew actually saw an unusual "northern lights"
display.
3. This information is being
passed on to TCB, Hq USAF.
3
Incls:
KENT
PARROT
XXX/epa
n/c
Lt Colonel,
USAF
6-5376
Chief, Aircraft & Propulsion Sev P D-11
Technical Analysis
Division
B 263D
Intelligence Department
IR-4-51, Air Intelligence Information Report http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=MAXW-PBB8-1029 IR-4-51, Air Intelligence Information Report, Page 2 of 2 http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=MAXW-PBB8-1030 http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=MAXW-PBB8-1031 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
AFOIN-7/TC
FEB 26, 1951
SUBJECT: (Unclassified) Sighting of Unidentified
Flying
Object
Commanding General
Air Material Command
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Dayton, Ohio
ATTN: Chief, Intelligence Department
1. Reference is made to radnote, this headquarters, date time
group
132056, concerning unidentified flying object sighting on
10
February 1951. The enclosed statements were obtained upon interro-
gation of the Naval personnel making this sighting.
2. Forwarded for you information. BY COMMAND OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF: 7
Incls
LESTER S. HARRIS
1. Statement fr LT
Kingdon Colonel,
USAF
2. Statement fr LTJG
Jones Chief,
Technical Capabilities Branch
3. Statement fr LT
Koger
Evaluations Division
4. Statement fr LT
Bethune
Directorate of Intelligence
5. Statement fr LT Meyer
6. Statement fr ALC Shiever
7. Statement fr AB3 Daniels
Lt. Kingdon Report http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=MAXW-PBB8-1032 http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=MAXW-PBB8-1033 FLEET LOGISTIC AIR WING, ATLANTIC/CONTINENTAL 10 February 1951 MEMORANDUM REPORT to Commanding Officer, Air Transport
Squadron ONE
Subj: Report of Unusual Sighting on Flight 125/9
February 1951
At 0055Z on 10 February 1951 while serving as second Plane
Commander
on above flight, I was an eye witness to an unusual sighting
of an un-
identified object. This occurrence took place at
approximately 49-50 N
and 50-03 W, which is approximately 200 miles north east of
Argentia,
Newfoundland. We were at 10,000 feet altitude cruising
on a true course
of about 230 degrees at time of incident.
At the time of the sighting I was occupying the right hand
(copilots) seat and
the left hand (pilots) seat was occupied by Lieutenant G. E.
BETHUNE.
My attention was first called to the occurrence by Mr.
BETHUNE, who
asked me to look at an unusual light which was to my
right. I then saw
that there was a glowing light beneath a thin layer of
strato-form clouds
beneath us. This light was to my right and down at an
angle of about 45 degrees.
This object appeared to lie on the surface and was throwing
a yellowish-
orange glare through the cloud deck. It appeared to be
very large and I
first thought that it could be a large ship completely
illuminated.
Mr. BETHUNE and I watched the object for several minutes in
trying to
determine its nature. We then called our Navigator,
Lieutenant N. J. P.
KOGER to the cockpit to scrutinize the object and render his
opinion as to
its nature.
While further observing the object I saw that it suddenly
started ascending
through the cloud layer and it then became quite
bright. The object was
very large and was circular with a glowing yellow-orange
right around its
outer edge. This object appeared to be climbing and
moving at a tremendous
speed, and it appeared to be on a more or less collision
course with our
aircraft. When it appeared that there was a
possibility of collision the
object appeared to make a 180 degree turn and disappeared
over the horizon at a
terrific speed. During the course of events LTJG A. L.
JONES had come to
the cockpit and he made a turn in the direction of the
object but it went
out of sight in a short period of time.
Due to the fact that this object was seen over water at
night it would
be most difficult for me to estimate speed, size or distance
we were from
it during the course of events. However, the speed was
tremendous and the
size was at least 200 to 300 feet in diameter. The
object was close
<>enough to me to see and observe it clearly. Upon request, I will attempt to submit a more detailed and
complete
report of my observations.
Upon arrival at NAS, Argentia, I was contacted by Capt. D.
H. PAULSEN,
USAF, who interrogated me relative to the subject./s/Fred W. KINGDON, Jr. Lt., U. S. Navy
FLEET LOGISTIC AIR WING, ATLANTIC/CONTINENTAL AIR TRANSPORT SQUADRON ONE
U. S. NAVAL AIR STATION
PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND
10 February 1951
MEMORANDUM REPORT to Commanding Officer, Air Transport
Squadron ONE
Subj: Report of Unusual Sighting on Flight 125/9
February 1951
1. At 0055Z on 10 February 1951, I was the Plane
Commander of Flight 125/09
R5D Bureau Number 56501, enroute from Keflavik, Iceland to
Argentia,
Newfoundland at 10,000 feet on an instrument flight
plan. Our position
at 10/0055Z was 49-50 North, 40-03 West, on a true heading
of 230 degrees, ground
speed 118 knots. The weather was clear with about 60
miles visibility and
thin stratus clouds at about 4,000.
2. I was in the cabin of the plane checking the
passengers when one of the
navigators, Lieutenant N. JJ P. KOGER, came aft and pointed
to this
phenomena. I watched it for a minute and went forward
to the cockpit to get
a better view. Upon reaching the cockpit, I took the
plane off of the auto-
pilot and turned to a true heading of 290 degrees in pursuit
of the object. The
object left on a heading of about 290 degrees true and went
over the horizon in a
very short time.
3. I would guess the speed to be well over 1500 miles
per hour, and the
diameter to be at least 300 feet.
4. My first view of it resemble a huge fiery orange
disc on its edge.
As it went further away the center became darker, but the
edge still threw
off a fiery hue. When it went over the horizon, it
seemed to go from a
vertical position to a horizontal position, with only the
trailing edge
showing in a half-moon effect. Since I was not the
first to see it, it was
going away from the plane when I was notified. Copilot
Lieutenant G. E.
BETHUNE was flying the plane and Second Plane Commander
Lieutenant Fred
KINGDON was flying on the right side at the time of the
incident.
5. At 10/0104Z, I called Gander Tower on VHF and asked
them if Gander
A. T. C. had any information of an aircraft at that position
and time. They
had no such information and notified the military of our
sighting. When
we landed at Argentia at 10/0240Z, we were interrogated by
Capt. D. H.
PAULSEN, USAF, Pepperell AFB, and CDB WEHMEYER, C.O., VP-8,
Argentia. The
extreme speed, maneuverability, and brilliance of the object
made our
estimates as to the distance and size very difficult.
/s/A. L. JONES
LTJG, U. S. NAVY
FLEET LOGISTIC AIR WING, ATLANTIC/CONTINENTAL
AIR TRANSPORT SQUADRON ONE
U. S. NAVAL AIR STATION
PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND
10 February 1951
MEMORANDUM REPORT to Commanding Officer, Air Transport
Squadron ONE
Subj: Report of Unusual Sighting on Flight 125/9
February 1951
1. I was navigator on flight 125/09 from Keflavik,
Iceland to NAS,
Argentia.
2. At approximately 0050Z/10 February 1951, I was
reporting our position
and ETA Argentia to the Pilot, Lieutenant KINGDON. At
that time we were
on a true heading of 230 degrees, true air speed 190 knots,
and a ground speed of
120 knots due to a 70 knot headwind.
3. Lieutenant KINGDON pointed out an orange colored
object about 060 degrees
relative, or 290 degrees, true, saying it appeared like a
small village or a
ship. Due to our position, I was certain it wasn't a
village.
4. I had been looking at the object about thirty
seconds, which it
appeared to me was another demonstration of the "northern
lights"
phenomena which occur at that latitude, when the object
suddenly started
getting much brighter, taking on shape and coming in our
direction at a
great rate of speed. Before getting a good view of the
object, I left
the cockpit to inform LTJG JONES. Due to the crowded
cockpit, I did not
get another look.
5. The best view I had of the object showed it to be a
circular, bright
orange-red disc, which was approaching us at a very great,
undeterminable
speed.
/s//NOEL J. P. KOGER
Lt, U. S. NAVY
FLEET LOGISTIC AIR WING, ATLANTIC/CONTINENTAL
AIR TRANSPORT SQUADRON ONE
U. S. NAVAL AIR STATION
PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND
10 February 1951
MEMORANDUM REPORT to Commanding Officer, Air Transport
Squadron ONE
Subj: Report of Unusual Sighting on Flight 125/9
February 1951
I, Graham E. Bethune, was Co-Pilot on Flight 125 from
Keflavik, Iceland
to Naval Air Station, Argentia on the 10th of February
1951. At 0055Z
I sighted and observed the following object:
While flying in the left seat at 10,000 feet on a true
course of
230 degrees at a position of 49-50 North 40-30 West, I
observed a glow of
light below the horizon about 1,000 to 1,500 feet above the
water. Its
bearing was about 2 O'Clock. There was no overcast,
there was a thin
transparent group of scuds at about 2,000 feet
altitude. After examining
the object for 40 to 50 seconds I called it to the attention
of Lieutenant
KINGDON in the right had seat. It was under the thin
scuds at roughly 30
to 40 miles away. I asked "What is it, a ship lighted
up or a city, I know
it can't be a city because we are over 250 miles out".
We both observed its
course and motion for about 4 or 5 minutes before calling it
to the
attention of the other crew members. Its first glow
was a dull yellow. We
were on an intercepting course. Suddenly its angle of
attack changed, its
altitude and size increased as though its speed was in
excess of 1,000 miles
per hour. It closed in so fast that the first feeling
was we would collide
in mid air. At this time its angle changed and the
color changed. It
then was definitely circular and reddish orange on its
perimeter. It reverse
its course and tripled its speed until it was last seen
disappearing over
the horizon. Because of our altitude and misleading
distance over water it
is almost impossible to estimate its size, distance and
speed. A rough
estimate would be at least 300 feet in diameter, over 1,000
miles per hour
in speed and approached within 5 miles of the aircraft.
/s/Graham E. BETHUNE
Lt, U. S. Naval Reserve
FLEET LOGISTIC AIR WING, ATLANTIC/CONTINENTAL
AIR TRANSPORT SQUADRON ONE
U. S. NAVAL AIR STATION
PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND
10 February 1951
MEMORANDUM REPORT to Commanding Officer, Air Transport
Squadron ONE
Subj: Report of Unusual Sighting on Flight 125/9
February 1951
On February 10, 1951, enroute from Keflavik, Iceland to
Argentia, New-
foundland as a crew member on flight 125 a strange sight was
witnessed by
Lieutenant KINGDON and Lieutenant BETHUNE who were piloting
the aircraft
at the time. I had left the cockpit approximately 1
hour prior to this
sighting. The time of the sighting was 0055Z and the
position of the
aircraft was 49-50N Lat and 50-03W Longitude. I was
called to the cockpit
by Lieutenant KINGDON to witness this scene.
When I first saw the sight it was far away from us and
rapidly disappearing
over the horizon. Not being too familiar with flying
in this particular
area my first impression was the celestial setting of the
moon and the fact
that stratus layers were present to cause the bright red
glow and the halo
effect that was apparent.
I did not witness the entire proceedings as did some of the
other pilots,
but from what little I did see of it this was the impression
I received.
The object disappeared on a true course of approximately 290
degrees.
/s/John M. MEIER
Lt, U. S. NAVY
Lt. Shiever Report
FLEET LOGISTIC AIR WING, ATLANTIC/CONTINENTAL
AIR TRANSPORT SQUADRON ONE
U. S. NAVAL AIR STATION
PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND
10 February 1951 MEMORANDUM REPORT to Commanding Officer, Air Transport
Squadron ONE
Subj: Report of Unusual Sighting on Flight 125/9
February 1951
When flight NN125 departed Keflavik, Iceland for Argencia,
Newfoudland
I had the first radio watch for the first 5-1/2 or 6
hours. After being
relieved of the watch by Reed, M.E., ALAN I went aft in the
Passenger
Compartment and went to sleep. After being asleep for
awhile I heard
someone say something about an object or something to the
starboard of the
aircraft. I raised my head to the window and saw a
round object which to
me looked like it was round with a color of fire. I
didn't see it only
for a few seconds then it was gone.
/s/Quentin R. SHIEVER
ALC, U. S. NAVY
AE3 Daniels Report
FLEET LOGISTIC AIR WING, ATLANTIC/CONTINENTAL
AIR TRANSPORT SQUADRON ONE
U. S. NAVAL AIR STATION
PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND
10 February 1951
MEMORANDUM REPORT to Commanding Officer, Air Transport
Squadron ONE
Subj: Report of Unusual Sighting on Flight 125/9
February 1951
We were off the coast of Newfoundland about 2 hours on
flight 125 from
Iceland on the 9th of February 1951, when I went forward to
find out if
the pilots or crew would like any coffee, soup, or
etc. When I entered
the cockpit compartment the co-pilot called my attention to
a light at
about 2 O'Clock and slightly lower than us. It looked
very much like an
eclipse of the sun, which was about three fourths of total
eclipse,
in size, shape, and color, but the speed of the light must
have been at
least 520 knots if not more. The distance the light
seemed to be was
from three-quarters to a mile away. At that time Mr.
JONES came forward
and I went aft with the passengers.
/s/Gerald R. DANIELS
AE3, U. S.
Navy
End of document files |