38_143685_box_Incident_Summaries_101-172

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pilot

At about 0230 on July 24, 1948, C. Kingsley/and Capt Perry R. Mansfield saw what they thought was an unusual meteor. It was brighter than any ever seen before and traveling in a horizontal direction, slightly above the horizon. It was observed for 3 seconds before it died out. At no time did it appear to travel in a downward direction. Kingsley & Mansfield discussed the matter that the meteor appeared to be traveling horizontally.

At the time they were traveling between Blackstone, Va., and Greensboro, S. C., The sky was clear and the visibility unlimited. They were on a magnetic heading of 240° and estimated the object to be on a bearing of about 210° from them - that is - about 30° to the left of their heading. It appeared to be traveling in a southerly direction, above, but close to the horizon.

NOTE: There is a 15 minute variance in xmm time f/this sighting (0230) to the rocket sighting at 0245 in Atlanta some 400 to 475 miles distant. The time (0230) also tallies with Inc 144a Pilot Louis Feldwary's account of sighting a jet or rocket trail just after leaving Blackstone.

CONFIDENTIAL