Sighting of Unconventional Aircraft

This Central Intelligence Agency information report details a sighting of an unconventional aircraft on October 4, 1955. The witness, traveling by train at 1630 hours, observed a triangular object while passing an airfield. The object was described as being comparable in size to a jet fighter. It featured three lights—one at each point of the triangle—along with two wing lights and a tail light. The witness reported that the object was ejected from a launching site and performed fast spirals in the air before climbing rapidly at an 85-degree angle to a high altitude. The witness characterized the event as a 'launching procedure' rather than a standard take-off, noting that it appeared to be a second launch in rapid succession. Following the sighting, a steward on the train pulled down the blinds, and a companion pointed toward the rear of the car. The document also notes that the party had originally intended to travel by air but were informed that no flights were available between the locations in question, leading to surprise regarding the availability of air travel in the region.