Project 10073 Record — Unidentified Flying Object Report, Norfolk, England, 14 May 1954

On 14 May 1954, at 1540Z, a flight of three pilots from the 81st Fighter-Bomber Wing, led by Captain Kenneth J. Scott Jr., encountered an unidentified aerial object near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. The object was described as round, silver or gray in color, and approximately 30 feet in diameter when viewed at arm's length. The encounter lasted for 90 seconds. The object was observed at an altitude between 50,000 and 60,000 feet, while the intercepting F-86 aircraft were at 35,000 to 40,000 feet. The object performed a 180-degree turn and disappeared. Radar tracking indicated an airspeed of 240 knots. Despite G.C.I. (Ground Controlled Interception) assistance, the formation was unable to close in on the object. The reporting officer noted that the radar maneuvers were considered improbable for conventional aircraft. However, the official conclusion reached by the Air Intelligence Information Report was that the object was a balloon, with its flight characteristics and radar signature falling within the capabilities of upper-air balloons. The report includes evaluations from the wing intelligence officer and notes that the source, Captain Scott, was an experienced pilot with 3,000 flight hours. The document is marked as unclassified and was subject to periodic downgrading.