Project 10073 Record — Townsend, Massachusetts, 10 November 1954

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report regarding a UFO sighting that occurred on 10 November 1954, at 0610Z, near Townsend, Massachusetts. The report details an observation made by two individuals traveling in a vehicle on Route 13. The witnesses described a single, spherical object, approximately the size of a basketball from their vantage point, which appeared yellow or orange in color. The object featured a pronounced tail of flame or fire extending rearward and was observed for a duration of two to three seconds. The witnesses noted that the object flew in front of their vehicle at a right angle, maintaining a level or slightly climbing flight path at an estimated altitude of 300 to 400 feet. No sound was reported during the sighting. The weather conditions were described as a clear, bright dawn sky with visibility of 15 miles or better. The investigation was conducted by Richard P. Hines of the Air Force Cambridge Research Center. In his analysis, Hines concluded that the short duration and distance of the observation, combined with the lighting conditions, suggested a strong possibility that the object was a jet aircraft in a glide with reduced power. While L. G. Hanscom Field reported no jet activity in the area at the time, the report notes that jet aircraft operating from other nearby installations remained a possibility. The report was approved by Colonel John W. White, Jr. of the USAF. The document includes a Project 10073 record summary and confirms that no photos, physical evidence, or radar contacts were associated with the event.