14 JANUARY 1948

  SUBJECT:  Report of Unusual Circumstance
 

  TO     :  Commanding Officer
               332nd Fighter Wing
               Lockbourne Army Air Base
               Columbus 17, Ohio.
 
 

       On Wednesday January 7, 1948 at about 1925 Eastern time I observed
  in the sky an object which I could not identify.  It appeared to hover in
  one position for quite some time, moving very little.  It disappeared once
  for about one minute and I assumed it entered the overcast, which was at
  about 10,000 feet.  After descending again below the overcast it circled one
  place for the duration of three 360 degree turns, then moved to another
  position to circle some more.  Turns required approximately 30 to 40 sec-
  onds each, diameter estimated about two miles.

       In moving from one place to another a tail was visible of approximately
  five times the length of the object.  Not knowing how close or how far the
  object was from me at the time, I could not estimate the size very accur-
  ately, but it appeared as large or larger than one of our C 47 planes, and
  of a different shape.  Either round or oval shaped.  Just before leaving
  it came to very near the ground, staying down for about ten seconds, then
  climbed at a very fast rate back to its original altitude, 10,000 feet,
  leveling off and disappearing into the overcast heading 120 degrees.  Its speed
  was greater than 500 mph in level flight.  It was visible to me for a per-
  iod of twenty minutes.  No noise or sound could be detected.  The color
  was amber light but not sufficiently bright to cover or obscure the out-
  line of the configuration was was approximately round.  During up and
  down movement no maneuvering took place.  Motions was same as an elevator,
  climbing and descending vertically.  Exhaust trail was noticeable only dur-
  ing forward speed.  It appeared as a thin mist approximately same color
  (amber) as the object.  Length about 5 times length of object.

       During descent it appeared to touch the ground or was very close to
  touching it.  It was approximately 3 to 5 miles away from Lockbourne Air
  Base in immediate vicinity of COMMERCIAL POINT.  It positively was not
  a star, comet or any astronomical body to the best of my knowledge of such
  thing.  I also rule out the possibility of it being a balloon, flare,
  dirigible, military or private aircraft.

                                          Original Document
 

  Ltr, Subj:  Report of Unusual Circumstance, 14 Jan 48 (Cont'd)

       I am 26 years old and in good health and have excellent vision.  I
  have been actively engaged in aviation 6 years.  I have a private pilot
  license and spent 3 years 10 months in the U. S. Army Air Corps as a
  Sergeant link trainer instructor, instrument flight observer.

       The statements made herin are true and accurate to the best of my
  knowledge and may be used for any official purpose as deemed necessary.
 

                                                  //signed//
                                               ALBERT R. PICKERING
                                               VHF/DF Operator
                                               CAF 7 

 Mantell Doc. 5