Unusual Radar Target and Observer Questionnaire — Flint, Michigan, April 1952

This document compiles reports and correspondence regarding a series of unidentified aerial phenomena observed on the night of April 20, 1952, in the vicinity of Flint, Michigan. The primary witness, a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve and qualified Naval aviator, reported observing at least twenty flights of objects between 2115 and 2235 hours. The witness described the objects as having a distinct, long, slim shape resembling a kernel of oats or rye, glowing with a light cherry-red color. These objects were observed in groups of two, three, or four, flying in formations that exhibited rapid acceleration and precise mechanical control, including vertical bobbing and formation changes. The witness noted that the objects did not leave vapor trails and were silent. A separate report from a radar maintenance mechanic at the 147th AC&W Squadron confirms that a target was tracked on radar at 310-315 degrees, approximately 70 nautical miles from the station, with a maximum range of 200 nautical miles. The witness, who was at a drive-in theater at the time, emphasized that the maneuvers displayed by these objects could not be duplicated by any known aircraft and expressed concern regarding their potential hazard. The document includes a formal Air Intelligence Information Report prepared by Captain E. M. Shelton of the 33rd Air Division, which summarizes the radar tracking details. The official conclusion recorded on the Project 10073 record card suggests that the objects were likely bird flights, specifically species known to migrate over the Great Lakes region, based on the description of their characteristics. The witness, however, remained skeptical of conventional explanations, explicitly stating his belief that the objects were not planes, reflected lights, or illusions. The report also references a concurrent sighting in Western Ontario, which was reportedly pursued by Canadian jets. The witness provided detailed sketches of the formations and the shape of the objects, noting his professional background in aviation and his current enrollment in aeronautical engineering studies at the University of Michigan, which he believed lent credibility to his observations.