CIA-UAP-D021: Analysis of Unconventional Aircraft Sightings, 1955

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19 [illegible] 1955
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FORM NO. 26 USE PREVIOUS EDITIONS.
1 APR 55

TOP SECRET

(40)

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BEST COPY
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence

SUBJECT       : Flying Saucers or Unconventional Aircraft

    1. A dispatch from Prague, C-103, dated 13 October 1955,
reported the sighting of two flying saucers or disc-like
unconventional aircraft. An interview with Mr. Efron,
one of the four observers of these aircraft, failed to
confirm in several respects the information given in the
dispatch.

    2. His observations were limited to sighting two
lights which initially arose vertically and then approached
the train and passed over head at a high altitude. He
failed to observe the body of the object and had no feeling
as to whether it was round, disc-like or even square. His
only reason for describing an unconventional nature to the
object was that it rose vertically and appeared to glide in
a manner unlike any aircraft he had previously seen. However,
in view of the fact that it was dusk, that he thought the
aircraft quite high (9000 feet) and that his observations
were undoubtedly conditioned by Senator Russell's remarks
that he had seen a flying saucer, too much confidence cannot
be given to his observation. The fact that no noise was
heard may also have influenced his opinion on the
unconventional characteristic of the object. He also failed
to confirm the excitement of the train official following the
incident. It is my belief that Efron's testimony alone could
not confirm the existence of any unconventional aircraft.
However, he was not in a position to have as good a look as
were the other members of the party. A very careful
interrogation of the other members is in order.

    3. Two years ago, Dr. Robertson headed a group which
investigated U.S. sightings of flying saucers. This group
was able to explain almost all the sightings and reached
the conclusion that these phenomena represented no threat
to the security of the U.S. Even if the present sightings

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SUBJECT: Flying Saucers or Unconventional Aircraft

in Russia are confirmed, it should not be assumed that these
unconventional aircraft have actually been flying around
the U.S. and were the source of U.S. public speculation.

    4. The USAF is supporting a Project "Y" at Avro
Aircraft Ltd. in Canada for the development of unconventional
saucer-like aircraft. However, this development is still in
the early research and development stages with three or more
years being required before the production of a first
prototype. If the development proves out successful, the
calculations indicate that such an aircraft might have a
very high ceiling (up to 100,000 feet) with speeds up to
1800 miles per hour, a range of 700 miles and rate of climb
of 120,000 feet a minute. A vertical take-off characteristic
would, of course, be extremely valuable. Project Y is being
directed by John Frost. Mr. Frost is reported to have gotten
his original idea for the flying machine from a group of
Germans just after World War II. The Soviets may also have
obtained information from this German group. (It is suggested
that you ask General Samford to report on the progress of
the Air Force project at the IAC meeting.)

                              HERBERT SCOVILLE, JR.
                              Assistant Director
                              Scientific Intelligence

cc: DD/I

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