Project 10073 Record — Heyford, England, 21 October 1954

This document is a Project 10073 record detailing an aerial sighting reported on October 21, 1954, at 1953Z near Upper Heyford, England. The primary witness was Captain Ralph C. Guisinger of the 4th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, who was piloting a B-47 aircraft (tail number 52711) at an altitude of 35,000 feet. Captain Guisinger reported observing a single tubular object, estimated to be twice the size of a B-47 fuselage, traveling at approximately 1000 knots. The object was described as having red sparks trailing behind it. The duration of the observation was brief, lasting only two to three seconds. The flight path was recorded as moving from 45 degrees elevation at 315 degrees azimuth to 45 degrees elevation at 135 degrees azimuth. The weather conditions at the time were clear with starlight and scattered clouds below. The report notes that Captain Guisinger was the only crew member to witness the object. The investigating officer, 2nd Lieutenant John E. Pendergast, noted that while the aircraft commander was the sole witness, he remained firm in his belief that the object was a comet or meteorite. The official conclusion reached by the project was that the phenomenon was an astronomical event, specifically a meteor. The document is marked as unclassified and includes instructions for downgrading at three-year intervals and declassification after twelve years, in accordance with DQD DIR 5200.10.