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PDF page 5 and 6 Washington Newspaper reporter called Capt E.J. Ruppelt to obtain a statement for the press. The caller was advised that
Capt Ruppelt could make no statement for the press.
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PDF page 7 Major Fournet was going to contact the command post so he could request operational control over the investigation:
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PDF page 10 A new agency ( Topical Intelligence Division / Current intelligence Branch) is handling the unidentified object reports - Major
Fournet is no longer the contact man for this…
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PDF page 12
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Pdf page 13 Memo dated 17 April 1960 stated that the Air Force conclusion on the 1952 Wash sightings was “ Anomalous radar returns caused
by temperature inversions”
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PDF page 14 to 73 Witness reports – Traffic Control radar operator reports – Newspaper articles
The overview and conclusion –
PDF page 73
On 19/20 and 26/27 July 1952, a great amount of excitement vas generated in the Nation's Capitol due to sightings of unidentified flying objects,
both visually and on radar. Most of the sightings occurred between midnight and dawn. The objects were picked up by more then one radar in the
Washington area and were reported to have speeds on the order of 7500 miles per hour.
Jet intercepts were unsuccessfully attempted, FTD (Foreign Technology Division) reports contained unconfirmed information that the President of the
United States had taken an active interest in the sightings.
Visual sightings were reported by both ground and airborne witnesses.
The descriptions by the witnesses were generally the same. The objects
were described changing from orange to green and back to red.
The numbers varied from one to six, with no apparent set formation.
Three objects were reported to have left trails. The motions the objects
for the most part appeared erratic. In some instances the object. were
described as meteors.
~
Unfortunately the only day for which weather data was obtained was for
26 July 1952. The data on this day showed that there was a temperature inversion at 800feet and at 4000feet.
It was concluded that 'the radar sightings were probably due
to anomalous propagation; sometimes referred to as "bending”, "ducting,"
."guided propagation, "tapping" or "super refraction" of the radar
electromagnetic wave; the inversion and moisture conditions being responsible for the unusual functioning of the radar. The "ducting," "tapping,
etc. being responsible for detecting ground targets which are not normally seen. Bending of the radar waves, so that ground targets were not giving
"solid" returns for every antenna sweep, thereby
caused the misinterpretation that what were probably stationary ground
targets where in motion.
As to the visual sightings, these individuals were probably experiencing
the same effect as the radar (mirage) and were seeing objects normally
beyond their range of vision. There is also the probability to inconsistencies
in the layers to air of different temperature causing lenses of air which resulted in distortion of some of the lower stars. It is significant to note
that all instruments where it could be determined the altitude of the airborne witnesses was approximately 4000 feet, the level of the higher
inversion layer. Sightings of meteors coupled with the normal excitement of the witnesses also contributed to this sighting.
The FTD conclusion is that the radar and visual sightings on the 26 July 1952 were due to the mirage effects created by a double inversion. It is also
concluded that since the circumstances of 19/20 and 27 July 1952 parallel to those of the 26 July 1952, that similar conditions existed and that the
sightings were due to the same cause.
Archivist note:
I’m sure, many would have questioned the explanation from the FTD.
The conclusion is absurd, on the other hand if that was true, we would have a lot of mirage conditions.
No need to read between the lines to find anything suspicious about the handling of this incident.
PDF page 91: objects where observed by pilots – the object is traveling at tremendous rate of speed.
PDF page 92 to 107: Witness reports
Maybe the drawing on
PDF page 80 will shed some light on this
[edit on 14-2-2008 by frozen_snowman]
