Air Intelligence Information Report: UFOB Sighting, Baltimore, Maryland, 15 June 1956

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (Report No. 3D-UFOB-4-56) regarding a UFO sighting in Baltimore, Maryland, on 15 June 1956. The report details the accounts of two primary witnesses who observed a cigar-shaped object with lights and exhaust trails. One witness, a former U.S. Navy aerial photographer, described the object as having a solid appearance similar to a model airplane fuselage, emitting no sound, and traveling at an estimated 2000 m.p.h. before accelerating to an 'unbelievable speed.' The second witness, an insurance executive, described the object as yellow-orange with fuzzy edges and red/blue exhaust trails.

Following the reports, the 4602d AISS conducted a thorough investigation. They checked with the Baltimore Filter Center, the Civil Defense, the U.S. Weather Bureau, and local airports. Radar checks by the 647th AC&W Squadron at Manassas, Virginia, yielded negative results, and an F-86D interceptor scrambled to the area found only commercial airliners and ground searchlights.

Investigators eventually identified the source of the sighting as a BT-13 aircraft operated by Mr. Dean Castang of Hagerstown, Maryland. The aircraft was hired by Ash Sales Co. to perform an advertising stunt over Baltimore on the evening of 14 June 1956. The aircraft featured a lighting arrangement on its wings that spelled 'ASH SALES.' The investigating officer, 2nd Lt. James F. Barton, concluded that the witnesses had observed this advertising aircraft. He noted that the sighting times, flight paths, and lighting descriptions were consistent with the aircraft's operation. The perceived high speed and unusual appearance were attributed to the short duration of the observation, the low altitude of the aircraft, and atmospheric haze. The report was approved by Colonel John M. White Jr., who concurred with the finding that the sighting was caused by the advertising aircraft.