Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Project 10073 Record: Flying Saucer Hoax, Danforth, Illinois
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AI-Generated Summary
An alleged 'Flying Saucer' recovered in Danforth, Illinois, was determined by the Air Materiel Command to be a hoax composed of salvaged electronic parts. The investigation confirmed no connection to any military research projects, including Project Mogul.
This intelligence report details the investigation of an alleged 'Flying Saucer' specimen recovered from a farm near Danforth, Illinois, in August 1947. The object was initially reported by a local farmer who claimed it landed on his property, creating a circular area of burned weeds approximately 1.5 feet in diameter. The physical remains were recovered by Sheriff Merle T. Wilnoth of Watseka, Illinois, and subsequently transferred to the FBI, who provided them to the Air Materiel Command (AMC) at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, for technical analysis.
Upon examination by the Analysis Division (T-2) and the Electronics Sub-division (T-3), the object was identified as a composite of various unrelated, outmoded, and salvaged electronic components. The primary structure consisted of a plaster of paris body with an oval cavity. Embedded within or attached to this body were a power microphone manufactured by Nathaniel Baldwin Inc. (patented in 1910 and 1916), a 'Polymet' filter condenser, and two bakelite cylinders wrapped with fine copper wire. The investigators noted that the copper wire had been crudely re-wrapped by someone unfamiliar with coil construction. Additionally, a metallic box was identified as the remains of an electronic filter condenser from the Polymet Manufacturing Company, and a metallic magnetic ring was found that could not be associated with any known device.
The AMC concluded that the object had no connection to the 'Flying Saucer' phenomenon or any research and development projects under their purview. Specifically, the Electronics Sub-division confirmed the specimens had no relation to the 'Mogul' project. The report explicitly characterizes the object as a hoax, likely created by an individual seeking publicity. The document includes instructions for the FBI to inform various agencies across the United States on how to handle similar future incidents. The report was signed by Colonel H. M. McCoy and prepared by A. C. Loedding of the Analysis Division.
These specimens, therefore, are considered as part of a hoax that could be perpetrated by almost anyone seeking publicity or for other reasons.
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Official Assessment
These specimens, therefore, are considered as part of a hoax that could be perpetrated by almost anyone seeking publicity or for other reasons.
The object was determined to be a collection of unrelated components, including a plaster of paris body, a 1910-era magnetic speaker diaphragm, and other electronic parts. Analysis by the Analysis Division (T-2) and Electronics Sub-division (T-3) confirmed no connection to 'Flying Saucers' or any Air Materiel Command research projects.
Witnesses
Key Persons
- Merle T. WilnothSheriff
- George GarrettLt. Col.
- H. M. McCoyColonel, Air Corps
- Malcolm D. SeashoreLt. Colonel, Air Corps, Actg Chief, Analysis Division Intelligence (T-2)