Incident Report: Unidentified Flying Object Sighting, Windsor, Newfoundland, 19 October 1953

This document collection details the investigation of an unidentified flying object reported on 19 October 1953 near Windsor, Newfoundland. The sighting occurred at approximately 0830Z and involved two primary witnesses: RCMP Constable Barry Dawson and a civilian, Mr. George Taylor, an employee of the Canadian National Railways with some background in astronomy. The witnesses described a brilliant, fluorescent blue object that descended vertically before moving in a horizontal, south-southeasterly direction at an estimated altitude of 2,000 feet. The object reportedly changed color from blue to orange and then red, with Constable Dawson noting that it resembled a magnesium flare he had previously seen in England. The observation lasted between 10 and 13 minutes. The witnesses reported no sound, no exhaust, and no unusual maneuvers. Following the report, the 64th Air Division (DEF) initiated an investigation at the request of the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The investigation included a review of flight plans in the Gander area, which revealed no correlation with known friendly activity. Ultimately, the incident was evaluated as a radiosonde weather balloon. This conclusion was supported by the recovery of radiosonde equipment in the immediate vicinity of the sighting, which was reported to have fallen at approximately the same time as the observation. The correspondence between the various military commands, including the 64th Air Division and ATIC, reflects the standard procedure for reporting and evaluating such sightings under Project Blue Book, emphasizing the need for prompt investigation and the collection of sufficient data to rule out astronomical or conventional phenomena.