AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT: IR-166-52

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (IR-166-52) dated October 30, 1952, concerning an unidentified flying object sighting reported by 1st Lt Edward J. Rau. The incident occurred on October 24, 1952, at 2026 hours CST, while the witness was acting as an observer on a T-11 aircraft flying at 7500 feet with a heading of 075 degrees. The location of the sighting was near Elberton, Alabama. The witness, a navigator with the 52d Bomb Squadron, described the object as a brilliant, deep orange, plate-like shape standing on end. He noted that it appeared larger than a star but smaller than the moon, and it possessed a tail similar to a comet, which he speculated might be an illusion caused by the object's extreme speed. The object maintained a very straight, constant course and speed, exhibiting a constant state of acceleration without any 'floating' characteristics. It appeared 10 to 15 degrees above the horizontal plane of the aircraft and disappeared at approximately 20 degrees above the horizontal plane. The witness, who had significant combat experience in Korea, stated he had never seen anything resembling this object. The report includes a drawing of the object and a signed statement from the observer. Weather conditions were reported as CAVU at 7500 feet with smoke haze up to 7000 feet and visibility of 3 miles in the haze. The report was prepared by the 806th Air Division and evaluated as B-2, indicating a high-quality report from a reliable source. No other air traffic was reported in the area at the time, and no physical evidence or radar contact was associated with the event.