I hope this offers a couple of new doors for investigation, but I have to say up front that this is anecdotal: As a member of MUFON-GA in 2003-2004, I
attended a meeting (can't remember if it was the end of 2003 or early 2004) hosted by a particular member who had done a bit of research on this
topic, presented it with a powerpoint presentation, and I think may have been planning a related book. I am no longer a member of MUFON-GA, having
moved to NY last year. I am currently trying to track down the aforementioned MUFON-GA member to see if he would be willing to contribute to this
thread. (But given that I recall him talking about working on a book about this topic, he may not be more forthcoming beyond what I'm about to
relate):
Here's what I remember from the presentation of evidence; again, this is purely anecdotal at this point, since I haven't done the research myself,
though I'm hoping this maybe helps point your diligent researchers in the right direction:
Regarding the AA batteries and the klieg lights: One potential reason for secrecy surrounding this event is that this was a first-time military use of
a system that incorporated using a mobile radar attached to the klieg lights attached to the mobile guns. So that perhaps makes somewhat irrelevant
the discussion of the placement of the guns and lights; I do not recall from the research that person X did whether the guns were emplaced or mobile
mounts that could be mounted on any available hilltop. However, of greater importance (at least to him) was that the system being employed was locking
onto a single blip, which caused all of the lights to be focused in that area, and which caused the related guns to be focused along the same paths.
The significance here (according to person X) is that multiple separate batteries employing the same new defense system all locked onto the same
target, which caused the related guns to fire on that same target. If I remember correctly, he backed his claims via FOIA requests related to the
deployment of this heretofore classified system of radar tracking tied to the illuminating units and firing units. Again, my recollection is that
these were highly mobile, thus looking at map placements now for emplaced batteries may not yield much in terms of a logistical placement of either
the lights in the photo nor the size and placement of the object itself. Rather, a look at the placement of these mobile units would be a better place
to investigate.
If I remember correctly, the number of these units was either 12 or 15. I think that not all of the units locked onto the target at first but that
eventually all did. Whether or not that's true, that may lead to an explanation for additional 'beam width' for some of the spotlights in the photo
in question. Assume perhaps 12 spots at a minimum. Again, the lock-on was radar controlled regarding the lights. The guns were firing up the light
beams, assuming the kliegs had radar lock on a solid target.
There was more physical evidence of the incident beyond the 3 direct and 3 indirect deaths: there was also property damage. Some of that was
associated with the 'direct' deaths. Further damage included damaged car and house roofs from falling debris.
Obviously, no craft was actually shot down. After hovering throughout the battle, visual reports have the 'craft' moving south down the coast and
then west out to sea, where it was eventually lost to radar contact.
It's my understanding that the negative of the LA Times photo no longer exists. For anyone who claims differently and would use that for a basis for
photo analysis, I'd appreciate some info on where I might be able to examine it.
WFA: I am working on identifying the person I refer to as 'person X' who did a bit of this legwork a few years ago. If I have any more info, I will
pass it along. In the meantime, I suggest per what I commented on above, looking into classified radar arrays deployed in LA at that time.




