Project 10073 Record Card: Sighting of 24 November 1955, Hokkaido, Japan

This document collection details the investigation of an aerial sighting reported by a U.S. Air Force F-86 pilot on November 24, 1955, over Hokkaido, Japan. The pilot, identified as 1st Lt. Durfey of the 339th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, reported observing a stationary, high-intensity red glow while flying at an altitude of 25,000 feet. The object initially appeared spherical, resembling an aircraft on fire or using an afterburner, before changing to an oblong shape and eventually fading over a five-minute period. The pilot noted that the glow was deep red with an orange tint and that a dark, cloud-like object appeared to block part of the sphere. The pilot also reported that his wingman's radio became inoperative during the mission, preventing verification of the sighting. The incident was initially treated as a potential nuclear explosion, given the pilot's previous experience with such events, but this was dismissed due to a lack of historical records of nuclear tests in the area and negative reports from seismic sources. The Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) conducted a thorough evaluation of the report, including a review of the pilot's testimony and the atmospheric conditions at the time. The investigation identified a significant discrepancy in the reported azimuth of the moon, which led to a series of internal communications between ATIC, Far East Air Forces (FEAF), and Air Defense Command (ADC) to clarify the moon's position. Ultimately, ATIC concluded that the sighting was a natural phenomenon caused by the refraction of the setting moon's light through a cloud layer. The cloud layer, existing between 6,000 and 12,000 feet, acted as a filter, creating the reddish-orange glow observed by the pilot while obscuring the moon itself from direct view. The report includes technical correspondence, message forms, and a detailed evaluation of the pilot's statement, ultimately classifying the event as an explained sighting.