UFO mystery at RAF Lakenheath

Photo:
www.drdavidclarke.co.uk...

Accounts + Links:
farshores.org...
www.nicap.org...
books.google.co.uk... X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result#PPA43,M1
www.ufocasebook.com...
Sceptical outlook:
gonzo.skeptic.googlepages.com...

Observations of unidentified objects by USAF and RAF personnel, extending over 5 hours, and involving ground-radar, airborne-radar, ground visual and airborne-visual sightings of high-speed unconventionally maneuvering objects in the vicinity of two RAF stations at night make this case a true "unexplained.". It is Case 2 in the Condon Report and is there conceded to be unexplained.

On the night of August 13-14, 1956, radar operators at two military bases in the east of England repeatedly tracked single and multiple objects which displayed high speed, as well as rapid changes of speed and direction. Two jet interceptors were sent up, and were able to see and track them in a brief series of maneuvers. According to official U.S. Air Force reports, the sightings could not be explained by radar malfunction or by unusual weather.

It began at 9:30 p.m. when Airman 2nd Class John Vaccare, of the U.S. Air Force at RAF Bentwaters, tracked one UFO on his Ground Controlled Approach radar (type AN/MPN-11A) as it flew 40-50 miles (65 to 80 km.) in 30 seconds, i.e. 4,800 to 6,000 mph (7,500 to 9,500 km./hr.).

A few minutes later Vaccare reported to T/Sergeant L. Whenry that a group of 12 to 15 unidentified targets was tracked from 8 miles (13 km.) southwest of Bentwaters to 40 miles (65 km.) northeast, at which time they "appeared to converge into one very large object, according to the size of the blip on the radar scope, which seemed to be several times larger than a B-36 aircraft [the largest operational bomber in history, with a wingspan of 230 feet or 70 m.]." The single large blip stopped twice for several minutes while being tracked, before flying off the scope.

At 10 p.m., a single unidentified target was tracked from Bentwaters as it covered 55 miles (90 km.) in just 16 seconds. This works out to over 12,000 mph (19,000 km./hr.).

Then, at 10:55 p.m., the Bentwaters GCA radar picked up an unidentified target on the same east-to-west course as the previous one, at an apparent speed of "2,000 to 4,000 mph" (3,200 to 6,400 km./hr.). Someone in the Bentwaters control tower reported seeing "a bright light passing over the field from east to west at about 4,000 feet [1,200 m.]." At about the same time, the pilot of a C-47 twin-engine military transport plane over Bentwaters said, "a bright light streaked under my aircraft travelling east to west at terrific speed." All three reports coincided.

Soon after, radars at Bentwaters and RAF Lakenheath reported a stationary object 20-25 miles (32-40 km.) southwest of the latter base. It suddenly began moving north at 400 to 600 mph (650 to 1,000 km./hr.), but "there was no build-up to this speed - it was constant from the second it started to move until it stopped." It made several abrupt changes of direction without appearing to slow for its turns.

Condon report:
"In summary, this is the most puzzling and unusual case in the radar-visual files. The apparently rational, intelligent behavior of the UFO suggests a mechanical device of unknown origin as the most probable explanation of this sighting".



[edit on 02/10/08 by karl 12]

reply to post by karl 12



mmm the condon report... good job with the investigating but this is pretty old news man. I think you would find the COMETA REPORT done by high ranking french military personnel far more interesting,
Starred and Flagged though.. keep up the good work

Originally posted by Majorion
mmm the condon report... good job with the investigating but this is pretty old news man. I think you would find the COMETA REPORT done by high ranking french military personnel far more interesting,
Starred and Flagged though.. keep up the good work

Majorion~Thanks for the reply
It appears the Lakenheath incident is a pretty credible and intruiging one, if only because the (possibly agenda driven) Condon report still concedes it remains inexplicable.
I found these paragraphs especialy interesting:

It began at 9:30 p.m. when Airman 2nd Class John Vaccare, of the U.S. Air Force at RAF Bentwaters, tracked one UFO on his Ground Controlled Approach radar (type AN/MPN-11A) as it flew 40-50 miles (65 to 80 km.) in 30 seconds, i.e. 4,800 to 6,000 mph (7,500 to 9,500 km./hr.).

A few minutes later Vaccare reported to T/Sergeant L. Whenry that a group of 12 to 15 unidentified targets was tracked from 8 miles (13 km.) southwest of Bentwaters to 40 miles (65 km.) northeast, at which time they "appeared to converge into one very large object, according to the size of the blip on the radar scope, which seemed to be several times larger than a B-36 aircraft [the largest operational bomber in history, with a wingspan of 230 feet or 70 m.]." The single large blip stopped twice for several minutes while being tracked, before flying off the scope.

And its revealing that those cheeky radar operators in Bentwaters tower were actually drawing UFO graffitti on their instrument panels as early as 1956

Pic


I also agree with your comments about the French Cometa report and it should be read by everybody with an interest in this subject (preferably on a rainy day as its 90 pages).
The Rockefeller briefing document is defintiely worth a look as well.
The Cometa report:
www.ufoevidence.org...
The Rockefeller briefing document:
www.bibliotecapleyades.net...
www.abovetopsecret.com...
Cheers.

More on Lakenheath ,1956:

Soon after, radars at Bentwaters and RAF Lakenheath reported a stationary object 20-25 miles (32-40 km.) southwest of the latter base. It suddenly began moving north at 400 to 600 mph (650 to 1,000 km./hr.), but "there was no build-up to this speed - it was constant from the second it started to move until it stopped." It made several abrupt changes of direction without appearing to slow for its turns.

Around 11:30 p.m., the RAF launched a deHavilland Venom jet interceptor, from RAF Waterbeach. According to the U.S. Air Force UFO report:

"Pilot advised he had a bright white light in sight and would investigate. At 13 miles west he reported loss of target and white light. Lakenheath (radar) vectored him to a target 10 miles east of Lakenheath and pilot advised (that) target was on his radar and was 'locking on.' Pilot then reported he had lost target on his radar.

"Lakenheath GCA reports that as the Venom passed the target on radar, the target began a tail chase of the friendly fighter. Radar requested pilot acknowledge this chase. Pilot acknowledged and stated he would try to circle and get behind the target. Pilot advised he was unable to 'shake' the target off his tail and requested assistance.

"One additional Venom was scrambled from RAF station. Original pilot stated: 'Clearest target I have ever seen on radar."
The following conversation between the two Venom fighter pilots was heard by the Lakenheath watch supervisor:

"Did you see anything?" [Pilot #2]

"I saw something, but I'll be damned if I know what it was." [Pilot #1]

"What happened?" [Pilot #2]

"He - or it - got behind me and I did everything I could to get behind him and I couldn't. It's the damndest thing I've ever seen." [Pilot #1]

www.ufologie.net...

[edit on 02/10/08 by karl 12]

I don't know what i would do if i had an ET craft on my tail. That would be a scary situation. It would take a real ace and a hell of a maneuverable jet to shake one. Where any reports of the UFO firing on the first pilot?

This is one of the best documented UFO incidents recorded in the u.k, 24 years before high speed target's would once again be tracked on multiple radar device's flying over the area with a possible landing.
Have read about RAF watton tracking high speed objects on the 27 dec, 80 which caused a panic, and base security seeing lights and other strange activity outside the base. do you know about this.
a reply to: karl 12

a reply to: wobbs62

Woah mate this thread is 14 years old lol.

Lots of new info has come to light since then (thought Martin Shough conducted some great research here) and decided not to include the case in this pilot section.

Don't know about RAF Watton but there's another Lakenheath thread here with lots of flags and pages.

a reply to: karl 12
Yes, I know the thread is old but one of the best British UFO incidents, watton is the base colonel halt was contacting during RFI, was one of the area's main radar stations.