Project 10073 Record Card and Joint Messageform — Hamilton, California, 21 August 1956

On 21 August 1956, at approximately 1935Z, a flight crew from the 84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, consisting of pilot 2/Lt Robert C. Morelli and radar observer 2/Lt John W. Curtis, encountered an unidentified aerial object near Hamilton, California. The object was described as a round, clear silver object, appearing to be the size of a dime at arm's length. The sighting occurred at an altitude of approximately 20,000 feet, near the contrail of a B-47 aircraft. The object's flight path was observed to be straight and climbing. The interceptor crew attempted to close in on the object, noting that it appeared to be positioned between their aircraft and the B-47's contrail. The pilot initiated maximum performance of his F-89D aircraft, but the object appeared to pull away and climb. The object remained visible for approximately ten minutes. Radar observations were conducted by the radar observer in the F-89D, although the report notes that the radar was inoperative on the aircraft. Following the encounter, the interceptor returned to base due to low fuel. Subsequent investigation by the Air Technical Intelligence Center and the 28th Air Division Defense concluded that the object was a balloon. This conclusion was supported by data indicating a balloon launch from Vernalis, California, at 1432Z on the same day. The report notes that the size, shape, ascending movement, and westerly course of the object were consistent with balloon characteristics, despite initial weather reports stating no balloons were released in the area at the time of the sighting. The pilot also noted that the aircraft canopy appeared to magnify the object as he turned toward home base.