U.S. Air Force Analysis of Flying Objects in the United States, 1-100

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At 1600 P. M., 4 Aug 47, midway between Everett, Mass, and the Bedford Radio Beacon, pilot and navigator sighted an unidentified serial object. The following conditions existed:

Visibility: good
Cloud coverage: 6-8/10ths; tops: 10,000 ft
Wind at 8,000 ft: 270/25 mph
Aircraft: 8,000 ft
Airspeed: 265 mph
Course: 240° magnetic.

Mr White, Navigator, called Mr Powell's attention to a bright orange object slightly below the level of their aircraft. Mr Powell was unable to see the object from his position (left side of cockpit) as he had no visibility to the right and down, from his position. But, upon glancing out his side window he noticed at a 45° angle to the left an unidentified flying object. It was one mile away at approximately 7,800 ft. Mr. Powell then banked to obtain a better view. He described it as being the length of a P-40 fuselage, blunt at both ends, cylindrical in shape and having a bright orange hue. The object had a definite shape and there was no suggestion of gaseous dissociation (as there would be if the orange color were the result of exhaust from a rocket or jet aircraft). It was traveling at approximately 150 mph, on a course 200° magnetic. It was under observation for approximately 30 seconds. Mr. Powell lost sight of the object when a cloud came between their aircraft and the object.

AGENT'S NOTES: Mr. A. O. Powell is a graduate of the Aviation Corps Flying Trng Program, and has over 4,000 command pilot hours to his credit. He appears calm, and intelligent and not given to flights of fancy. He has a fear of publicity. He stated that he has seen numerous pilot balloons, radio sonic devices and tow targets but that the object was definitely not one of them.

EVALUATION: of source: "C"; of information: "3"