 RADCAT Case Directory Category 9, RADAR Preliminary Rating: 5 |
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| RADCAT is a revitalized special
project now being conducted
jointly by NICAP &
Project 1947 with the help and
cooperation of the original compiler of RADCAT, Martin Shough, to create a comprehensive listing
of radar cases with detailed
documentation from all
previous catalogues, including
UFOCAT and original
RADCAT. |
RC-121D
Has IFF Radar Targets
August 3, 1957
San Francisco, California
August 3, 1957
San Francisco, California
| Brad
Sparks:: Aug. 3, 1957; About 175 miles SW of San Francisco, Calif. ( (BBU) 7:45-8:24 a.m. (PDT). USAF 965th Aircraft Early Warning & Control Sq (552nd AEW&C Wing), pilot 1st Lt. Robert J. Springer, Jr., Tech. Sgt. Herman L. Giles, and 16 other air crewmen, while on routine Airborne Operations Center radar early warning patrol over the Pacific aboard RC-121D aircraft (s/n 53-3400) detected a target on IFF Mode 2 transponder only. At 7:56 the IFF target became a direct radar "skinpaint," at 8:02 the IFF equipment APX-6/APX-7 was turned off but target was still tracked on airborne radar. At 8:15 target was at 2 o'clock position 10 miles range when aircraft started a right turn to reverse course putting target at dead ahead and target "suddenly" took off to the NW at "very high" speed, disappearing at 58 miles range (within 1-2 mins? at 1,800-3,600 mph?). Regained radar contact at 8:18 at 1 o'clock position 22 miles range moving right to left, crossed in front of aircraft again, closing distance to 8 miles at 11 o'clock position at 8:20 when target turned to head on parallel path. Lost contact at 8:24 at 7 o'clock position behind the plane at 15 miles, IFF remaining off, no visuals. (Jan Aldrich) 37-39 mins |