Project 10073 Record Card — Ventura, California, 1 November 1956

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and associated teletype correspondence regarding an unidentified aerial sighting over Ventura, California, on 1 November 1956. A civilian witness reported observing a single, missile-shaped object with red wings and a silver body for a duration of three minutes. The object was noted for its ability to perform a very short radius of turn and was observed visually at a very high altitude. The weather conditions at the time were reported as clear and unlimited with no clouds or thunderstorms. The 669th ACWRON investigated the report, noting that no optical aids were used by the witness and that no radar contact was established. Furthermore, no aircraft were reported in the area at the time of the sighting. 1st Lt Donald J Barras, the Senior Director of the Delta Crew, explicitly stated his belief that the object was not an aircraft in orbit, having cross-referenced the sighting with other units, including P-2, P-39, and P-59, all of which returned negative results for activity in that position. Because the initial report lacked sufficient detail, the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) initiated a follow-up by sending an ATIC Form 164 to the source on 5 November 1956. The final conclusion recorded on the project card is 'Insufficient Data,' with the intention that the results of the analysis of the returned form would be included in a monthly UPOB summary.