Releases / 1 / X-f2e26b2eb7

18_100754_ General 1946-7_Vol_2

Type

Document, 28 pages

Agency

Department of War

Date

12/30/47

Place

N/A

Released

Release 1, May 8, 2026

Open the original on war.gov

The government's description

This file contains memorandums and correspondence related to flying disc/saucer sightings and that those are a matter of concern for the Air Materiel Command.

HqAMC ~•,_ No. 1~4 (Rev It Sep 46)

Wf-1,.7 JAN q

HEADQUARTERS
IN IIULT AODRUS IOTM
COMMUN ICATION AND EN­
VELOPE TO COMMANDING
0 ENE RA L, AIR MATER IEL
COMMAND, ATTENTION
fOLLOWINO OFFICE STMIIOL:

NND 700188

AIR MATERIEL COMMAND
TSDIN/HUM/ig/6-4100
WIICJHT FIELD, DAYTON, OHIO

TSDIN

DEC l 9 A.:if/1
SUBJECT:

Flying Discs

TO:

Chief of Staff
United States lir Force
Washington 25, n. c.
ATTENTION: Director, Research & Developnent
Major General L. c. Craigie

J.

1.
Confirming the recent conversation of ihe undersigned nth
1.ajcr General L. c. Craigie, 9 December 1947, attached as listed below
are copies of the reports from this Headquarters concerning Flying

Discs .
2.
Comments of Headquarters, dr Force on these letters have
never been received by this Command. Conti nued and recent reports
from qualified observers concerning this phenomenon sti.ll makes this
matter one of concern to Headquarters , Air Mat eriel Command. Intelli­
gence Department of this Command i s continuing the collection and
analysis of all available reports.

..

300M

F<R THE CObllANDING GENERAL:

~-~c:On
Colonel, USAF
Chief of Intelligence

2 Attach:
cc ltr to CG, AAF, dtd. 23 .sept 47
subj " ,UC Opinion Concerning
°Flying Discs 11 11
cc ltr to CG, AAF, dtd 24 Sept 47
subj "Flying Discs"

U-53791

S USPENSE DATE:
NO.:
24439 1
FILE D ESIGNATION AND DATE:
TYPE:
SMRY:
'
P 97084
1
,.n"ti.lygio or ' Plyine IJlao' tt port u".
2 inolu.
'f'
il
TO:
TO:
DATE:
DATE:
OTHER ACTION:
HQ AAF

'.

.,

-

col cook/2497/bm
'.F ms

30 December 1947

TO;

Cct~ina

cra1

M.r

toricl Co::!mld
tr.i..t;nt Fiold,
:,ton, l'fuia
Attru

rsum

l.
i
co ia
to three inc1o
3,
yo11r office to trds
dg,1.J.:U't.(sro:- trubJoct n .ab?Va.
2.

rw

:fro

:Ct is Ai?' .Fo?'CO policy not to :i.{;DOr<l roporto of' :,i~ttn;;"

and pen .na in tna atmoophoro but to rocoamae that pert of 1t:s
laistdon is to collect, collate. ovoluntc o.nd net on j.nformt.ion or
thia nature.

3. In imple&cmting thia policy,. i~ ie doairod that the J\.ir
I.bteriel Coi:r.nand net up ~ orojcct tihosc purp.:>:.,c "-f.l to c?ll .ct.,
collate, ovalu te and d1.trt.r3.buto 'to 1.ntore\oted i;ovcrn:i:mt ngcnc.-.1 3
;md contmcton nll intonn:ltion concernin:; aJ.cht~i:, nd pbenomonn
in the atmoapblre which ca-n 1:-o comtrue,. to bo ot ccneorn to tbe
nntiauil security~ It 1a dftciJ"ed toot appropriate rcc0i.-;:.eodat1cms
be f Ol'WOJ'ded to th1a fiCAdq,.iart.oro j) whercYer 11ction ia 1nd.1Cllt.ed
Which Isl.ls oute1do the ticld of tho Mor .,. tcr1el co.sud.
~tt 1.e eu-1":C::tcd t..'1:-it, tho ctivitlos o!'. t.h1a projoct includ.s
tn• Prep4rllt1on and diotribution at an initial roport, an reco
ndod
tn ldelolJUt"e l., m tlut cu-.,noquaat, rc,parta be isaued on a quartorly

ba.8111. suppl-.ntal-7 nport• ahould be 1-rmed at aore treqllltl1t, inter­
Yale th:,uld the no-1 for 21amo 1n 1.n41catod. Thia projoot 1a arsoignod
J,J'iorlty- 2A, w1\h a aocllri.V cla■a1tie'1.tion ~ "Natruted" &Id Code
!tam~ at "6In 111
~ dnt.a. o.t u Cla:wtfiC'.-.tif)Jl hi(jler than Natriotecl
11 balldled by tho pro,1ect ouch dDta ahould bo clrui&il.~cd occornin*.
A c oi,;ploto 1nt.1Jrch'JIJO of data. ohould ~ or1·cetm zs rcccaaandad 1n

Incloav. 1.
Sf CClliAND OF T

n

OBlFJ?

STAFF:

~

c
,

~

Al<'Ulit-CUJCol Garrett/ lwd/4544
..
-
18 Dec '4?
..
Ii ,11)
,:-
Eaeic Ltr fr Rq. Fourth .Air Force, HwniltQl Fld, calit., datod 5 Dec '47,
subjects Plying Disc.
AFOIR-C0-5
let Ind.
Dopt. ot tho Air Force, Lq. USAF, nashingtcn 25 , D. C.
~OE.C 19471 )
TO:
Cantm:nding General, Fourth Air Force, Hacilton Fiold, California •
. (
. Xt9? ~
•
1. The marks appearing a, the'li}oto~}i'ls_ incl~ed in basic letter
are believ«?d to btt detects in the film, paper, or cm:tera and not pictures
of 11 f]iing disco".
2 . It io request.Gd that no further invectigation be 1:1ade of thie
incident.
FOR 'fi! E QIIEF OF STAFF:
DOUGL1.._S • .E ~
Lt. Colo1,el. \J ~
•
Executive. All" i::., • 11~..e~c~ .RequireJJe.ats Div.
J>beoto1•ate of l.lltelligonae
~ -n/c
1177845
file ref:
B/L fr hq. r·ourth Jdr Force, Hamilton f'ld,Calif. dated 5 Dec '47
subj: as above
a.
m-~-=:.z..:.~-
\.l
s.
4.
~~~~~.~,w;:;::;.u.i;;._ - - - - - - - l - - - - - - 1 - - - - - ­
5
coo~''rci~
off
~__-.::._ _-..::..:..:~+d.~~----..L------L-----_l.------l
l&-2924)-:1
U, •• OOVIHMlNf PIUNflNQ OfflCe,

~
so:.CzlEi'TiJ.L
~ lton l'Id, cali:'
T~
'DtJC
{,7
fUSPENSE DATE:
I NO.:
242 134
FILE DESIGNATION ANO DATE:
't
1177846
TYPE: -~,.,r
SMRY:
F'ly.i.ug Disc .. ~a.ry L HeITon
3 Incls:
'
T O:
TO:
TO:
DATE:
DATE :
DATE:
FILED (PµCE);
OTHER ACTION:
HQ A AF

C0 1'-TFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE

Offico of the Assistant Chiof of Starr. A-2
Intolligence
Hrunilton Fie ld. Cnli£ornia

SUBJECT,

Flying Disc.

TOa

Chief of Staff
United States Air Foroo
naBhington 25. D. c.
ATTNt Dir ector of Intelligence

• ------

•

· 1. The attached photographs were forwarded to this office
ya very roliable sourc~ of information, obtninod from a l!o.ry L.
rren...-1728 S. W. Bidwell Avenu_e. Portland 2. Orogon. Siic>advises
eae photographs were talcen eome time betTTeen November 5th nnd
12th. 1946 . in the vicinity of Jefferson, Oregon, nnd points out
the formation in the photograph~ ns being objects she did not recall
seeing hersolf but oho thought might possibly be flying discs .

2 . Tho objects roforrad to appear in the sky aroa of eaoh
a.ooor.ipanyinr, photograph. The uniformity of tho markines would
tend to indicate that the cQrtorn or f'ilm used to tnke these pictures
was possibly defootive. lfo incidents of' flying discs have
been reported from that vicinity on or about the inclusive dates
named above •
3. llrs. lierren baa requested the ret:irn of the negatiTea. If
desired. this office will obtain the negatives and forward them at
your request.

DONALD L. SPRIRGER
3 I nclat

Lt. Colonel, USAF
AC of' s. A-2

Photograph, .

<

C~T\IFIDEN'f AL

•
HEADQUARTERS
'
AIR MATERIEL COMMAND
IN REPL~ Y -DRESS BOTH
COMIAUNIC
QN AND ENVELOPE
ATTENTION OF
FOLLO NG OFFIC~
MBQL:
TSNAD-2B/ACL/Qlllb
WRIGHT FIELD, DAYTON, OHIO
TSNAD- 2B
18 NOV 1947
SUBJECT:
Flying Discs
TO:
Chier of Staff
United States Air Force
Washington 25, D. c.
ATTENTION; Offi ce. Directer 0£ Intel ligence
Lt Col onel George Garrett, Jr.
1, -- 1 tf-S-
1. The inclosed newspaper clippings are submitted fer your informa.­
t i on and comment. The incident reported in Seattle appeared in the " Dayton
Journal" on 12 November 1947, and should be followed up if possibl e.
•
2 . The story by Lionel Shapi ro r egarding wa.r weapons developed i n
Spain evidently was printed in a number of leading newspapers throughout
the country. The significance of this article wi ll be dependent upon cert~in essenti a l e l ements for such alleged important devel opments, such-as
funds, m.a.terials, experimental t esting faci lities, and technological
" Jcnow- howll. The latter is supposed to be suppUed by German scientists.
The German scientists a.t this Hq indicate that no i mportant scientists
from Germany are worlci.ng in Spain, and those mentioned in this article
are not lalown to them.
r-....
'-._;.
;; . If possible, th,re:t'ore . &n. e:t'tort should be made to obta.in names,
~\
qual ifications, or any ini'ormation that might help to identify the alleged \'
German scientists working in Spain.
~
J
"
1
4. A brief statement was nads in a recent intelligence report .from
Bq USAF, AC/AS-2, reg&rding a f lying diso incident in Al aska in September.
Tb; close range sighting reported should render a mor e detailed observati n
than what was reported, which also suggests a fo ll~-up .
s. It is .further requested that this office be advised as to progresa
being m,ade on the plot ting of all f l ying disc i ncidents to date, particularly in North America. It was understood that Dr. Carroll was goint to
~ •the ,e incidents, but no further word was received regardi"l: this 0£(
J
R THE COMMANDING G~La
r::CifG- 1 ',;\>/ ef._~. ~
/ .ik/-71/47"
~
k ,,R.,
l
1,...t
1
clippings
tP
H. M. McCOY
·,
olonel. Air Corpe
Chi e ~~ Intelligenoe
S Jr:_
.JL~ i
{b I....
~~

HqAMC Form No. 10-.5 14 (Rev. 1 Aug 45)
HEADQUARTERS
AIR MATERIEL COMMAND
IN REPLY A DDRESS BOTH
COMMUNICATION AND EN­
V ELO PE TO
ATTENTION
TSNAD- 2B/A.CL/e.mb
OF
FOLLOWING OFFICE SYMBOL:
WRIGHT FIHD, DAYTON, OHIO
'.l.'SNAD- 2B
SUBJECT:
TO:
24 NOV 1947
Flyinr; Discs
/ -Y" ~
Chief of Staff
United States Air Force
Washin~ton 25,. D. c.
ATTENTI0:N s
•
Office ., Director of Intel li~ence
Lt Colonel Georie Garrett., Jr •
Reference l etter,. subject as aboTe, dated 18 November 1947,. it is
requested that i mmediate action be taken to appropriately mark or stBITtp
this cor respondence with the classification "secret'' • This classi1"1ca­
tion number is as fo llows, U-48983
FOR TilE COMMANDING GENERAL ;
~.
H. •
olonel, USAF
Chief of Intelligence
WF-L.29 APR 46 300M

..

WF-L-7 JAN 47 300M

.~ ., H~.C. .£(.ml· No: f ~14 (Rev \0 Sep 46)

SECREI
HEADQUARTERS

IN REPLY ADDRESS BOTH
COMMUNICATION AND EN•
VELOPE TO COMMANDING
GENER A L, AIR MATERIEL
COMMAND, ATTENTION
FOLLOWING OFFICE SYMBOL:

AIR MATERIEL COMMAND

TSDIN/HJAM/ig/6-4100
WRI GHT FIELD, DAYTON, OHIO

TSDIN

' £? /4 31947
SUBJECT:

AMC Opinion Concerning "Flying Discs

TO:

c'onmanding General
Arn\Y' Air Forces
Washington 25, D. c.
ATTENTIOO : Brig. General George Schulgen
AC/ AS-2

11

l. As requested by AC/AS-2 there is presented below the considered
opinion of this Conmand concerning the so-called " F ~ Discs11 • Thi s
opinion is based on interrogation report data furnished by AC/AS-2 and
pr eliminary studies ey personnel of T-2 and Aircraf t Laboratory, Engineer-_____ ing Divisicn T-3. This opinion was arri ved at in a conference between
persormel from the Air Institute of Technology, Intelligence T-2, Office,
Chief of Engineering Division, and the Aircraft, Power Plant and Propeller
Laboratories of Engineering Division T-;.
2.

It is the opinion that:

a.
The phenoioonon reported is something real and not visioruu7
or fictitious.
b.
'Illere are objects probably approximat ing the shape of a
disc, of such appreciable size as to appi ar to, be a s large as man-made
aircraf t .
c•
There is a possibility that some of the incidents may be
caused by natural phenomena, such as meteors.
d.
The reported operating characteristics such as extreme
r at es of climb, maneuverability (particularly in roll), and action which
must be considered evasive when sighted or contact ed by friendly air­
craft and r adar, lend belief to the possibil ity that some of the objects
are controlled either manually, automatical.47 or remote:cy-.
e.

The appar ent common description of the objects is as follows: ­
(1)

Metallic or light ref lecting surf ace .

•

U-39552
SECHE-f

SECRE'r

.....

.. .. ,

Basic Ltr fr CG, AMC, WF to CG, AAF, Wash. D. C. subj "AID Opinion Con­
cerning • Flying Discsu.
(2)

Absence of trail, except in a few instances when the
object apparently was operating under hi gh perfor­
mance conditions.

(3)

Circular or elliptical in shape, flat on bottom and
domed on top.

(4) Several reports of well kept f ormation f lights varying
from three to nine objects.
(5)

Normally no associated sound, except in three instances
a substantial rumbling r oar was noted.

(6)

Level flight speeds norma~ above 300 knots are estimat ed.
,

f.
It i s possi ble within the pr esent u. s. knowledge - pro­
vided extensive detailed development is undertaken - to construct a
piloted aircraft which has the general description of the object in sub­
paragr aph (e) above which would be capable of an approximate r ange of
7000 miles at subsonic speeds.
g.
Any developments in this country along the lines indicated
would be extremely expensi ve, t ime consuming and at the considerable ex­
pense of current projects and t herefore, if directed, should be set up in­
dependently of existing projects.
h.

3.

Due consideration must be given the follovring:(1)

The possibility that these objects are Qf domestic
origin - the product of some high seclll1.ty project
not known t o AC/AS-2 or this Cormnand.

(2)

The Jack of physical evidence in the shape of crash
recovered exhibits which 'WOUld undeniably prove the
existence of these objects.

(3)

The possibility that some foreign nation has a form
of propulsion possibly nuclear, which is outside of
our domestic knowledge.

It is recomnended that~-

a. Headquarters, Arn\r Air Forces issue a directive assigning
a priority, security classification and Code Name f or a detailed stucy- of
thiS matter to incl ude the pr eparation of complete sets of all available
and pertinent data "flhich will then be nade available to the ArrfU~ Naq,
Atomic Energy Commission, JRDB, the Air Force Scientific Advisory Group,
NACA, and the RAND and NEPA projects for comments and r ecoDDJ1eniations,
-,dth a preliminary r eport to be forwarded within 15 days of receipt of
the data and a detailed report thereafter evecy- 30 days as the 1nvesti-

SE.CRQ
-2-

U-39552

SECRET
Basic Ltr fr CG, AMC, i1F to CG, AAF, Wash. D.C. subj 11.AMC Opinion Con­
cerning "Flying Discs"
gation develops.
A complete :interchange of data should be effected.
4.
Awaiting a specific directive AMC will contimle the investi ­
gation within its current resources in order to more closely define the
nature of the phenomenon. Detailed Essential EleIOOnt s of Infarrration
will be formulated immediatezy for transmittal thru channels •
.
• F. 'IWINillG
Lieutenant General, u.s.A.
Comrratrill€
tJ-39552

TSDIN/HMU/ig/6-4100
23 September 1947
TSDIN

SUBJECT:

AMC Opinion Concerning "Flying Discs 11
Commanding_ General

TO:

Arizy Air Forces

Was ~.ington 25, n. c.
ATTENTION: Brig. G~neral George Schul gen

AC/AS-2
1.
As requested by AC/AS-2 there is presented below the considered
opinion of this Command concerning the so-called 11 Flying Discs11 •
This
opinion is based on interrogation report data furnished by AC/AS-2 and
preliminary studies by personnel of T-2 am ~ircraft Laboratory, Engineer­
ing Division T-3. This opinion was arrived at in a conference between
personnel from the Air Institute of Technology, Intelligence T-2, Office,
Chief of Engineering Division, am the Aircraft, Power Plant and Propeller
Laboratories of Engineering Division T-3.

2.

It is the opinion that:

a.
The phenomenon r e ported is something real and not visionary
or fictitious.
b.
There are objects probably approximating the shape of a
disc, of such appreciable size as to appear to be as 1a rge as man-made
aircraft.
c.
There is a possibility that soroo of the incidents may be
caused by natural phenomena, such as meteors.

d. The reported operating characteristics such as extreme
rates of climb, maneuverability (particularly in roll), and action 'Which
must be considered evasive when sighted or contacted by friendly air­
craft ans radar , land belief to the possibility that sona of the objects
are controlled either manually, automatically or remotely.
e.

The apparent common description of the obje cts is aa follows:
(1)

Metallic or light r eflecting surface.

)

u-39552

,, 11 •
CU, A!t<J., tn>
Dis
J:1baer:ica o trtdl, ex pt 1,; .a .to
ob.1 ct 41>parou.tq, au ·o ornti Uhdo
10
t
c-.nneo coaditiono.
Circular or lliptical
domed on top.
J
Several reportb of well :ep
m
obj~ota.
f :ln
ormot
n o
m
•
al y no aooo tatcd suun(l, o~~c
8 roQ.r nnu no
iT.ally: ~bc>V&
mtod•
.f.
•
-
l t 1o poosible within tho pN! ant U. S. knowl<1due - - pro-
xton61v• dot.ailed devclo11 nt 10 und.ortfl :cm -- t6 c:onstruct o. •
piloted aircraft which hu:s tho (!enoral doncripti't>n or t:lio ob:Joot in eub,,:.
pnr'1ijrnph (e) ubovo w.hich tloulu 'bo capnbla or an npprorl • to rttncc or
7000 ;::zilea a.t oubsonic ape d!'..
nded
g . Jiny develop=ents in thi~ count17 alon. the liut!B innicatea
m,uld bo extr~mly oxpensiva, tiina con:nminc ond at 1,hc Gonsidcroble ex­
pom,e or curren1; pro,1octo and therorore, ti' dirllctecl, ,ahciuld be act 11v in•
dOpendsntly 0£ ~xiotina -pro.)octo.
h. IJu com,ldor:.ation muot be given the f ollowinR: (1)
Tho ~os1bility that theBa ob.locts "l'CI of dOCU\lotic
or1Uin - the product or sorw high secu1~1ty pro,1ect
not known to t. /MJ-2 or tl11n ,ot'!JWld.
(2) Th~ lack Q.£ ph.Y lo
in tbo ohape 01' 01·auh
recovoroci enhi-b 3
ch would undflnic.b).y t,row 'the
exictance of tlieuo ob.l~cte .
(3)
Tho r.>oollibility that notlf> 1'01•oit,'Il nation hnn
form
of propu13icn poooibly nuolenr, wldd1 itt outnido of
our co a tic lmo11ledttt.
~.
I t 1o recom:Mlndad thati-
u. IICN1dquo.rtoris -.Arey Air Voroon iusue a cli rocti w aan1!<fl1n(t
a priorii1, eecurity olaesiricat1on nnd Oudo Hm~ f<•r a dot.ailed etuey of
th1.o i:mttor to incl.\1do t.ho prep.lU'cttic,n of conpluto eutu or ull. avuUCLbl
&md P9rttncint d&ta which "ill thtm bo do vuilulJle to the •cry, r:nvy,
Atamio Energy Co:runioaion, ,JPl>B, the Air Forco Soicmt11'1o ,\dvuory Group,
l/J.CA, and tho P..At'D nnd th.PA pr-o.1eota for CCJ!emnto &nd racol'.2llon&ltiona,
1tith a prolimn~ roport tc> bt. foni rdod within 15 dayc or. rc,coipt or
the dtlta nnd a dotailod report; thor utter evory ,0 &3,·e ao tho tnveati-
..0 0__J> Y...,
~
-

Basic Ltr fr CG, AMC, WF to
cerning 11 Flying Discs"
gation develop:3.
en, AAF, Wash . D.C. Subj
0
AMC Opinion Con­
A. complete interchange of data should be effected.
4. Awaiting a si;eci.fic directive .AMc w.i.11 continae the investi­
gation within its current resources in order to more closely define the
nature of the i;ehnomenon. Detailed Essential Elements of Information
will be formulated immediately for transmittal t hru channels.
N. F. TWINING
Lieutenant General, U.S. 4 •
C9fflillanding
..

r
TSNAD-2B/ACL:eec
24 .5ept ember 1947
TSNAD-2B
SUBJECT:
"Fl ying Dis c"
TO:
Commanding General
A.rm::! Air Forces
Washington 25, D. C,
ATTN:
A.C/AS-2
Major Gere ral George McDom ld
l.
In compliance with Gener al McDonald's tel ephone conversa­
tion, t his date, t o Col onel H. M. McCoy, T-2, Hq. AMC, attached
herewith 1s a copy of a draWing entitled, "Loedding Flying Dis c",
des ignated LD-2. Because of patent rigbts invol ved, it is reques­
ted that a record be kept of all persons reviewing this drawing by
witnessing with signatures and dates directly on the drawing,
2.
Thi s drawing should be returned to t h is offi ce when it
has served its purpose so that it can be turned over to the Patent
Office Hq. Al(C for off:i,,9ial record.
../) •
~~ ~ ~ 1 •
/\ 1
-I ,.. ' I
-uvr~ ...~
3. I nclosed herewith is al so a report prepared by t he Royal
Aircr~f t Est ablishment, Technical Note, AERO 1703, which describes
the lforte~ess aircraft_ '!be follo,ing references are invited
whic1i'"'I's""considered sibrnificant in relating the Horten brothers per­
spective thinking and accomplishments toward the alleged "Flying
ucer" cas e:
a.
Page 5, Paragrapli 4 and 6.
b.
Page 6, Paragraph lam 7.
c.
Page 26, Paragrai;h 3 and 10.
d.
Page 27, Paragraph 12.
e.
Page 2g, Paragr,phs 1 t hrough 5.
f.
Page 54, Photograph of Horten "Parabola".
COPY
,-
/ , • '"'
U-39942

Basic ltr, dtd 24 Sep 47, to CG, Hq AAF, Wash, subjt "Flying Disc"
g.
Page 69, The Horten VI I I.
h.
Pages 71 and 72, Photogra}:ils of the Horten IX Versions .
i.
Page 74, Dral'ling or the "Parabolaf.
This document should also be returned when it has served, its-, i ntended
ye, .
•
{ L,Lsca. I~~-~~
purpose.
4. A recent report f'rom the u. ;:;. Military attac~ }los cow, USSR,
dated 9 June 1947, indicates that 1800 afrcraft, directly or indirectly
based on the Horten VIII design ( six engi ne pusher, having a l'fing spread
of 131 feet and a gross weight of approXimately thirty-three thousand
pounds) are being built for bomber squadron use. The Russian version,
however, is jet propelled, reference report whose identification No. is
\
XO r 5
v-,2291-8.
5. The T-2 r e port "German Flying \\ings Designed by Horten Brothers" ....,.
No. F-SU-1110-Hd, also inclosed her ewith, may be :n:tained tfy your office
if desired.
FOO THE COW!A'NDING GENERAL:
H. M. McCOY
Colonel, nir Corps
Deputy Commanding General
Ihtelligence (T-2)
3 Incls:
1. Dravting
2.
3.
]
RAE Tech Note, AERO 170~
T-2 Rpt, No. F-SU-1110-HD
u

,
"ORM NO. MR• l (2)
30 Oct 47
INDEX :
000,9 Fl3'iJlg Saucer - Hlena::iena
jll
TO :
FROM :
..
Sl,IMMARY:
CSGIJ>, PlamJ and Collecticm Bra...ch
Chief~ Air Intoll~ Roqdr01nents Division, AC/S-2
lnt&Uigenaa Requirements on Flying Sauaer 'l'ypG Ail'craft
D/F
Fl LED:
INDEXER:
350.09 Intelligence
-C
REMARKS:
I
HEADQUART ERS ARMY A I R FO RCES
CORRESPONDENCE REFERENCE FORM

Wrtn 22 Oct 1947
Lt Col Garrett/dl /4544
AFBIR- C0-5
AFi.lIR-CO•S
Hq., USAF. :iashingt on 25 , D. O.
Toa
IS
Corr.:no.ndint General, •1r f&~eriel Co':Ul!And,
( Attentions • T•2)
1.
A repreaentotive ot· thia headquarter• has oontaetod Lt. Colonel
r.erb8rt C. Gee oonoernin£ Uro. Morohant'e theor1 on the £lyin~ diao,,
~• expresaed to Generol Ere~tnall.
.::;<e
.
.
\.
'
no
' 2.
It is reoo:unended tho. t
aotion bo taken to intel"rog•t•
·•ra. l!arch!t.n~ ond that thia oaH be cloted .
/
..
Inol1 - n/o
DOUGr.ASS W, 'EISEMAN
Lt. Col onel, A;±r Coap;; US.AF
~eo\..t.iv
' i , r u-. e • ~ :quir ements Division
Ott1oe ot Ass 't Chier of~ Staft-2
ffCS~,;p .
i 8 OC,1947
4!.A- UIL ~
I
OFFICE SYM60L
1
.
p 94646
3
4
SIONATUBE 01'
REsroNsmu~ O•lrlC£1l
l1'Tl!RNA-L OFFICE
COORDU<ATION
~-
- ---
5
6

Hee.dquartere
'AIR :iATERIEL C ~ D

TSNAD-2B/\CL/a.'llc
,1right Field, Dayton, Ohio

SUBJECT:

''Flying Di sea"

TO:

Chief of St~ff
United States Air ~o rce
~ash ircton 25, D, c,
ATn1 :

13 Oct 1947

AC/AS-2

Lt Col George Garrett
1,
!ttached copies of communications are self-explanatory
end indicate action taven to obtain additional information regarding
subject. Assistance shown from Lt Col Herbert c. Gee was with
reference to the social standing and character of t'rs. tJerchant to
determine justification for further investigation of her theories .

2.
In view of Lt Col Gee ' s transfer to ,fashington, D. c . ., it
is suggested that a representative from Headouarters , AC/aS- 2 con­
tact and interview him.

3.
General Brentnall stated that Mrs . Merchant was extr emely
talkative and seemed quite intent on promoting a personal enterprise
inste~d of cooperating to help solve an intelligence problem .
4,
Co, nents and sugt:;estions, therefore, regardin 6 further
action to interrogate 1!rs . Merc~ant would be appreciated in order to
close this case as soon as possible.
FOR T£IB co~~ff~DING GENER.AL:

2 Incls
1. Cy 11 C, T-2 .i..tr, 9/29/47,
"Flyinr; Discs''
2. Cy 1st Ind , 10/2/47, fr
Fq. Kirtland Field,
lbuquerque, New~exico

•
/s/ " . R. Clingernan, Col., A. C.
for
H. r.~. 1rcDOY

Col onel, :ir Corps
Deputy CoMmanding CTeneral
Intellirence (r-2)

C

0

p
y

..
C
0

p
y

29 September 1947
13 Oct 1947
SUBJECT:

''r lyin~ Discs"

TO:

Co'Tl.~andinc Officer
Operating Location No. 16 of

731st A.~FBU {101st A.Ji.CS Sq)
l(irtland li'ield

Albuquerque, New Mexico

ATTN :

C,ol. Howard .G. Bunker

1.
General "Rrentno.11, duri~t, n recent visit nt Las Vesas,
wa.s cortacted b~ a J.: rs. ·adeline Gwynne Kerchant, 3ante E'o, :rei:r
liexico, w:no described rhat !!lay be termed .,_ novel theory concerninc
"Flyin._. tiscs".
1

2.
.,.ccording to her thoery, "Fl~·inE, ,.,iscs'' are being f'irod
fro~ a locality in Centrrl Mexico fro~ a laboratory which is
being operFted by the ttus~inns. She clqims thQy ure beiPg ~i~cd
at the Fnited stctes for the purpose of sighting in on importo.nt
atomic energy and aircraft iostallations.

3.
General Brentnall states thnt he does not have any
further interest in o.n interrot;a.tion of !!rs. JJerchant since ,it is
not a.n engineerinc matter. Fowover • he recommends thl'lt if H:;t, nir
Mo.teriel Co•:uno.nd, 1'-2, wi:ihes to sponsor an interrot;&.tion of this
r.etura thot Col. Ho,:e.rd Bunkor sho•..1ld be cor.tacted to determine
the name o.nJ e.ddress of the colo::1el at Las Vegv s v,ho has knov;ledge
of this case. In view of Gencrcl Brentnall ' s suggestion, no
direct con tact will be '!lade with l'rs. llerchant.

4.
It is requested, therefore, tr~t the r ne and address of
the ~povo mer.tioned colonel be ~ade available tc this office as
soon o.s possible so that f'urther action, as deemed advjsable, can
be to.ken .
F, R 1'FJ.; CO' 'ANDING GENAA~.L:
/s/

}.~ . E . Goll
tr. ;,r . l'cCOY
Colonel, Jir Corps
' ueput;y Commandine Genernl

In~elligence (T·2}
C
0
p
y

B/L fr 'Iqs 1 .JtMC, ~.right Fiold. , Dayton, Ohio, File ':.'Si'AD-2B, 29 Sep 47 ,
Subj : ''Flying Dices"
lat Ind
HGll : ns
i]"EAD~UARTERS, Kirtland. Field, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2 October 1947
TO:

Co!lUllandini; 0enera.l, :1.ir •!ntericl Command,
ATTErTic~i: T-2

lr.ight lisld, Ohio

1.
The o~ficer. referred to in Par. 3 is Lt . Col~ Horbert C. Gee,
0-19717, who v,as f'ornerly ComMD.ndine; O!'.!'icer at Los .~lamos rather than
Las Vegas, as stated. Lt. Col. Gee is now stationed in the office,
Chiai' of' ngineers, .::ivil 11orks Division, ,ashir- 6 ton, I) , C.

2.
There is no repl~cement for Lt. Col . Gee at Los llanos ruid no
ir.fcrmation is available to indicate that any individual in this vicinit,/
has ~ore information concerning wra. Merchant ' s theory than Brig. Gen .
Brentnall of N'C vrho personally conducted an interview with her .

H0,7A,.1D G. -aUNKEI{

Co l onel ,

•

C

1 ·-­
SUSPENSE DATE:
NO.:
234015
F ILE DESIGNATION AND DATE:
TYPE, L t r .
SMRY:
P 94846
•
"i"l yine Disce"
.,; 2 Incls.
/$ ~
O:
TO:
TO:
TO:
DATE:
DATE:
DATE:
OTHER ACTION:
HQ AAF

'l
I
AF'.BIP-CO/Lt Col Grurett/df/4544
6 Oct 46
/o/
~I/-,,/
/I/
Basic:
L tr fr Hq, AMC , Wright ?.Ld, Dayton, O. 24 Sept 47 , Subj :
"Flying Saucer s"
~ .t1 :
Cyo 0£ l nol uren i n k-2 "iloo
P 94380
1,t 1
.Di~
lf01
nt ot the Air Jore . llq_, m
ATTU:
n
TSNAD- 2B
7
C
"-.ht
• Atr ' terlel Co
.:m.11. V-.rtBJi
tt chtd h r t.o t.1 lntor-.tton r
I
AIR JORO a
DOUGLASS w. EIS..!L'i
...t. Colonel , AiP Ct,l~ JJ/r P
·~ daut.ive •..Hr lntel • Re·,ui~emeuts DivJ.11lo
OFFICE SYMBOL
GRADE .AND
SURNAME OF
COORDINATING
OFFICERS
I.
aylor
:ru=;
- - - - - - Lilil~~~lf'ulga
Lt Col G
US.A

C
0
p
y
Hr.JJ>Q.UARTERS
AIR MATERISL CO t.!AND .
~SNJJJ-2b/JCL/ePC
Wright Fl~ ,D 7ton,O.
24 Sept 47
TSNAD-2l3
"ilying Sauoora 11
Oolll!:Wldilll; General, Arrt/f Air J'oro: W : : g t : ...26,
A!l!rll1 A~/ AS• 2 , Lt Col Garrott /I
(I P "
I
o.c •
~J
'j ,, {,f-,,,
1 101
It ie rcq_ueat'=d t13t thio office 'be furmat cl w./4t.1):>le
information conce1 ning an alleged 11 Fly1ng Saucer" t'Ught si ghting
mde by a radar otation in /apan. Thio incident ~ao mentioned 'by
( Dr. Chr..Tloo Carroll during e conference in Br16 Gan Schu1gen••
office attended by ~1r .. APC. 1oedd1nc. T- 2 representative, ol1 5
So_p_!;ecb r 1947 .
l'OR Tll C0}1 ANDINO GIW ~Lt
/ a/ M.E. Goll
/t/
H. ll . McCOT
Colonel , Air Corpe
Doputy Commnding Oencrnl
Intelligence T- Z
)

L
AFEI . C /LtCol.Garrett/rm/4.54'-i
8 ... ~1Jt 47
1 SEP
WCJE-c'l'~ Reported Siditinge ot Fl.fin8 Disco.
ro
,
Co!rrnonding Gonoral
A1r llator1ol. Cotimand
lb'1gbt Fiolda Dayton, Ohio
Attcnt.ion:
'l'-.2.
l . lte orronac4 verb~ '11th Ur. Loectdina, inolonad 1D tho
ccr.ploto tile ma1ntn1nod by thie Otti~o on roport,od aightingo ot
•
fl..Vin3 Diocr; •
2.
'l'hio f1lo .io forward d no that pllot.ostate .cay be mad.a 1n
order to proV1de ~cur Comoo.nd with a duplicate not of these oiah't.inno•
,.
3. \1hon p}1otostat1ng thio mo.teM.oJ. for your purpooo, it will
be Qpprociatod 1t ono extra cot 1o 1:u1.ei• tor th1a O!tico and roturnod
o.t the GOOP tic tbe orlginalo nre rcturnod.
4. Thin file, end tho duplicatco, should bo rot.umod as econ
s poooibl to t:hia Hoadquartero, Attention,
AC/A,.,-2~ Air lntoll1ccnc•
ltC)qu.irOlilonto Divioion, Collection llranch.
BX CliWAilD CF Glln.JW. SPAATZ&
•
P 93805
noum.. .,) ' . F. • s·21rum
Lt Colonel.. Air Curi: s
AU ii~
Ex;cutive. Air Iutol. Requirement!! Divis1ou
Office of Ass't. Chief of Air Staff•2
1 : SEP194l
nv
3.
OFF ICE SYMBOL
GRADE AND
SURNAME OF
COORDINATING
OFFICERS
r. l. Tay~
~~g
1 1 - - - ---, ➔-tt~":,fti~~1---­
•. rrett
4.
5.
---
- - - - - - - ---------- -------

µ . RQ.-J 3 (20 MAY 44 )
RESTRICTED
HEADQUARTER S ARMY AIR FORCES
ROUTING
AND
TALLY
NO.
RECORD SHEET
FILE
NO.
·I
Flying Saucer Phenomena
ro ,
Deputy Chief of Air Staff for Research & Development
FROM:
AC/AS-2, Air Intelligence Requirements Division
Collection Branch
DATE
22 August 1947
COMMENT No. --"1,---....,....
Lt Col Garrett/nc/4544
1. From a detailed study of certain reported observations on the flying saucers,
selected for their veracity and reliability, it is appar ent that s everal aspects of
their appearance have a common patterne
2 . Before pursuing its investigation of these objects any further, this Office
r equests assurance that no research project of the Army Air Forces, at present being
t-flown, has the following characteristics and that it may therefore be assumed
recent flying saucer 11 .ll\Ystery11 is not of United States origin:
•
a.
Surface is metallic - indicating a metallic skin, at least.
When a trail is observed, it is a lightly col ored blue-brown haze, similar
to a rocket engine's exhaust. Contrary to a rocket of the solid type, one observati on
indicates that the fuel may be throttl ed, which would indicate a liquid rocket engine.
b.
c. As to shape, all ob@ervationo @tate that the object i a circular,
least ellipticai, r i at on the bottom and s11ght1y domed on the top.
d.
or at
Size estimates pl ace it somewhere near the size of a C-54 or Constellation
as they would appear while flying at 10,000 •.
•
e. Some repor ts describe t wo tabs located at the rear and symmet rical about
a,d.s of flight motions
Flights have been r eported containing f rom thr ee t o nine objects, flying
good formation on each other, with speeds always above 300 knots.
f.
g.
The discs oscillate laterally while flying along, which could be snaking.
~~Q~-s~
ROBERT TAYLO!i 3RD
Colonel, Air Corps
Chief, Collect ion Branch
Air Intelligence Requirements Division
AC/ AS-2
RESTRICTED
PAGE_
J•ll e,f .
1-F ( • t t
20 IIA V 44 }

FORM NO. MR·1 (•)
D ATE:
I N D EX :
TO:
FROM:
SUMMARY:
5 Aug 47
000 . 9
Phenomena
Chief, Intelligence Group, Intell.' L ence Division, \':ar Dept Gen Staff
Executive, Air Intel, Requirements Div:i sion, AC/1.S- 2
Request for F. B. I. Investj gation on Background of Certt.in \'1itnesses
to ''Flying Discs 11 •
Memo
FILED:
I NDEXER:
333~5
Investigstion
ejb
REMARKS:
H EADQUARTERS ARMY Al R FORCES
~ORRESPONDENCE REFERENCE FORM

RESTRICTED
HEADQUARTERS ARMY AIR FORCES
ROUTING
AND
RECORD
TALLY
NO.
SHEET
FILE
NO.
SUBJECT :
Flying Saucer Phenomena
Air Intelligence Requirezrents Division, AC/.AS- 2
Attn: Collection Branch
FROM :
Deputy Chief of Air staff for Research & Developroont
DATE
AUG 2 9 1947
COMMENT No. -----'2.c.__
fr R~
•
mo/73/421
~~
The Arrrry Air Forces has no research II' oject viith the characteristics described
in Comm3nt No. 1.
cAw.RENCE:
AFDRE C
~
p/J,,.. -1--t .(/
I~ E•." i,~i,ij,y (J_,J
~
Maj or General, U. S. Ar my
Deputy Chief of Air Staff for
Research and De velopment
JiFD.'fZ-2~ ­
AFD..11E- 3-"~H,1,¥f-''---~=-;.-.;-··-
-
-
-
-
AFDRE- 4
G,/4,Z.... ~ ,,-
•
RtSiffitrto
1•11 09 .
AP (REY 2 0 MAY 44 )