Project 10073 Record Card: Sighting Report — Korea, 29 January 1952

This collection of documents details a series of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sightings reported by B-29 bomber crews over Korea on the night of 29 January 1952. The primary incident involved a globe-shaped, light-orange object with a slight teardrop effect, which appeared to have an internal churning movement resembling flames or fiery gases. The object was observed by the tail, left, and top gunners of a B-29 for approximately five minutes while flying at 22,500 feet. A second, identical sighting occurred later that night near Sunchon, observed by the left and tail gunners of a different B-29 for one minute. The crews involved were experienced World War II combat veterans who emphatically stated that the objects bore no resemblance to anything they had previously encountered, such as flak, flares, or rockets. The Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) conducted a thorough evaluation of these reports. Investigators ruled out conventional jet exhaust, unguided missiles, and standard aircraft. The reports were compared to 'fireball-fighter' phenomena observed during World War II, though no definitive explanation was reached. ATIC personnel considered the possibility that the objects were a new type of enemy flare device or a trailed bomb weapon, noting that the objects appeared to be propelled. The intelligence officers emphasized the need for further data, including the use of fire control equipment to measure distances and sizes in future sightings. Despite the lack of firm conclusions, the reports were treated with significant interest, leading to internal correspondence between ATIC, FEAF Bomber Command, and the Air Staff to determine if these sightings represented a new enemy warfare technique. The documents reflect the military's systematic attempt to categorize these sightings while acknowledging the limitations of the available data.