Project 10073 Record — Hartland, Maine, 24 April 1954

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report concerning an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed on 24 April 1954 near Hartland, Maine. The report, prepared by 1st Lt. Joseph H. Byrne of the 765th AC&W Squadron, details a sighting by a civilian witness who reported the object to a Ground Observer Corps (GOC) outpost. The witness described the object as a very large, silver, oblong shape with a dome on top and a flashing light. The object was observed to remain stationary before disappearing vertically. The sighting lasted approximately 15 minutes. In response to the report, two F-86 aircraft were scrambled to investigate the area. They conducted a search for 30 minutes but reported no results. The report notes that the weather conditions were clear with good visibility. Additionally, the document mentions that a B-36 aircraft was in the vicinity at HJQ 2831 at 2302Z and HJQ 1825 at 2308Z. The official conclusion provided in the record is 'UNIDENTIFIED'. The investigator also noted a potential link to a similar sighting in Pittsfield, Maine. The document was distributed to the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC), the 4711th Defense Wing at Presque Isle AFB, and the 12th Air Division.