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CIA Analysis of Unconventional Aircraft Sightings, 1955 (CIA-UAP-D021)
Prepared summary.
A 1955 CIA memorandum from Harvey Scoville Jr., Assistant Director of Scientific Intelligence, addressed to the Director of Central Intelligence, analyzes a Prague dispatch dated 13 October 1955 reporting the sighting of two "flying saucers or disc-like unconventional aircraft." Mr. Efron, one of four observers, told interviewers he saw only two lights rise vertically and pass overhead at roughly 9,000 feet, and could not describe the body or shape of the objects.
PragueMr. Efron, observerSenator Russell, observerProject Y (USAF/Avro Aircraft Ltd., Canada, saucer-like unconventional aircraft development)Light or glare
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[page 1] TOP SECRET A Approved for Release 2026 # SIGNATURE RECORD AND COVER SHEET 19 00 1955 ASD - 6 a H 9 - A A - 4 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION SOURCE: <empty> DOC. NO.: <empty> DOC. DATE: 11.2.83 COPY NO.: <empty> NUMBER OF PAGES: <empty> NUMBER OF ATTACHMENTS: <empty> HB aced on top of and attached to each Top Secret documen REGISTRY CIA CONTROL NO.: 115469 DATE DOCUMENT RECEIVED: <empty> LOGGED BY: <empty> ATTENTION: This form will be placed on top of and attached to each Top Secret document received by the Central In tel- ligence Agency or classified Top Secret within the CIA and will remain attached to the doc um en t until s1cch time as it is downgraded, destroyed, or transmitted outside of CIA. Access to Top Secret matter is limited to Top Secret Control. personnel and those individuals whose official duties relate to the matter. Top Secret Control Officers who receive and/or release the attached Top Secret material will sign this form and indicate period of custody in the left•hand columns provided. Each individual who sees the Top Secret document will sign and indicate the date of handling in the right-hand columns. # SIGNATURE RECORD AND COVER SHEET (cont.) | REFERRED TO | RECEIVED | RECEIVED | RECEIVED | RELEASED | RELEASED | SEEN BY | SEEN BY | |-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| | OFFICE | SIGNATURE<br />Boct | DATE | TIME | DATE | TIME | SIGNATURE AND OFFICE | DATE | | 051 | | 55 | 1150 | [ ] | [ ] | 19<br />19007<br />28<br />26a/33<br /><br />[ ] ES<br />[ ] APB<br />[ ] | 180rt | | OS1/ASD | [ ] | 185et.<br /><br />1705 | 12,50 | [ ] | [ ] | 19<br />19007<br />28<br />26a/33<br /><br />[ ] ES<br />[ ] APB<br />[ ] | | | | | | | [ ] | [ ] | 19<br />19007<br />28<br />26a/33<br /><br />[ ] ES<br />[ ] APB<br />[ ] | 190.755 | | | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | 19<br />19007<br />28<br />26a/33<br /><br />[ ] ES<br />[ ] APB<br />[ ] | Oct 5'5 | | | | [ ] | [ ] | 24<br />Oct | 752 | 19<br />19007<br />28<br />26a/33<br /><br />[ ] ES<br />[ ] APB<br />[ ] | 55 | | | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | 19<br />19007<br />28<br />26a/33<br /><br />[ ] ES<br />[ ] APB<br />[ ] | art or | | | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | 19<br />19007<br />28<br />26a/33<br /><br />[ ] ES<br />[ ] APB<br />[ ] | | | | | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | 19<br />19007<br />28<br />26a/33<br /><br />[ ] ES<br />[ ] APB<br />[ ] | 8/11/3 | | | | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | | 19<br />19007<br />28<br />26a/33<br /><br />[ ] ES<br />[ ] APB<br />[ ] | 30 ST | | | | | [ ] | [ ] | | 19<br />19007<br />28<br />26a/33<br /><br />[ ] ES<br />[ ] APB<br />[ ] | 30 | | | | | [ ] | [ ] | | 19<br />19007<br />28<br />26a/33<br /><br />[ ] ES<br />[ ] APB<br />[ ] | | | | | | [ ] | [ ] | | | | | | | | | [ ] | | | | | | | | [ ] | [ ] | | | | | TO | | | [ ] | [ ] | | | | [page 2] # BEST COPY Available [page 3] ・ターダ A-9 MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence SUBJECT : Flying Saucers or Unconventional Aircraft 1. A dispatch from Prague, C-103, dated 13 October 1955, reported the sighting of two flying saucers or disc-like unconventional aircraft. An interview with Mr. Efron, one of the four observers of these aircraft, failed to confirm in several respects the information given in the dispatch. # BEST COPY Available (cont.) 2. His observations were limited to sighting two lights which initially arose vertically and then approached the train and passed over head at a high altitude. He failed to observe the body of the object and had no feeling as to whether it was round, disc-like or even square. Nis only reason for describing an unconventional nature to the object was that it rose vertically and appeared to glide in a manner unlike any aircraft be hind previously seen. However, in view of the fact that it was du that he thought the aircraft quite high (9000 feet) and that his observations vere undoubtedly conditioned by Senator Russell's remarks that be had seen a flying saucer, too much confidence cannot be given to his observation. The fact that no noise us beard may also have influenced his opinion on the unconventional characteristic of the object. He also falled to confirm the excitement of the train official following the incident. It is my belief that Efron's testimony alone could not confirm the existence of any unemventional aircraft. However, be was not in s position to have as good a look as were the other members of the party. A very careful interrogation of the other members is in order. # SUBJECT: Flying Saucers or ventional Aircraft La Russie are confirmed, it should not be assumed that these unconventional aircraft have actually been flying around the U.S. and were the source of U.S. public speculation. 4. The USAF is supporting a Project "y" at Avro Aircraft Ltd. in Canada for the development of unconventional saucer-like aircraft. However, this development is still in the early research and development stages with three or more years being required before the production of a first prototype. If the development proves out successful, the calculations indicate that such an aircraft might have a very high ceiling (up to 100,000 feet) with speeds up to 1000 miles per hour, a range of 700 miles and rate of clisb of 120,000 feet a minute. A vertical take-off characteristic would, of course, be extremely valuable. Project Y is being directed by John Frost. Mr. Freat is reported to have gotten his original idea for the flying machine from a group of Germans just after World War II. The Soviets may also have obtained information from this German grow. (It is suggested that you ask General Samford to report on rogress of the Air Force project at the IAC meeting.) # SUBJECT: Flying Saucers or ventional Aircraft (cont.) HARVEY SCOVILLE, JR. Assistant Director Scientific Intelligence ee: DD/I DISTRIBUTION Orig & 1 - fwd 1 - DD/I 2 - AD/SI 2 - ASD/SI
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