Reported Sighting of Unconventional Aircraft (CIA Memorandum, 19 October 1955)
This declassified memorandum, dated 19 October 1955 and released via the CIA reading room, discusses a reported sighting of two unconventional aircraft. The objects are described as similar to Project "Y," a circular-wing aircraft concept then in the research stage at Avro Aircraft Ltd. in Canada under U.S. Air Force-sponsored wind-tunnel testing (funded to roughly $3,800,000). The design called for a 30-ft-diameter, ~1.2-ft-thick circular wing with high climb rate and ceiling. The effort was directed by John Frost, who is reported to have derived his original idea from a group of Germans just after World War II. The memo speculates that the Soviets may possess a similar concept, but finds it inconsistent that they would continue conventional aircraft programs if such a craft were operational. It notes that since first learning of Project "Y" in early 1953, the Air Scientific/Intelligence group had watched for signs of a Soviet equivalent, with none found prior to this sighting. The Air Force arranged for technically competent personnel to question the witnesses to properly evaluate the report.
Description
A 19 October 1955 CIA/Air Force 'Memorandum for Information' analyzing a reported sighting of unconventional aircraft, noting resemblance to Project "Y" — a circular-wing (flying saucer) research effort at Avro Aircraft Ltd. in Canada directed by John Frost — and weighing whether the Soviets may have fielded a comparable craft.
Claims
The reportedly sighted objects were described as similar to 'Project Y,' a circular-wing aircraft ~30 ft in diameter in research at Avro Aircraft Ltd, Canada.
85%The Air Force arranged for technically competent persons to question the party who reported the sighting.
80%The sighted objects were described as similar to Project "Y," a circular-wing aircraft in the research stage at Avro Aircraft Ltd., Canada.
75%Project "Y" called for a circular wing 30 ft in diameter and about 1.2 ft thick, sponsored by the US Air Force to the extent of about $3,800,000.
70%US Air Force sponsored wind-tunnel testing of Project 'Y' to the extent of about $800,000.
70%Project 'Y' is directed by John Frost, who reportedly obtained his original idea from a group of Germans just after World War II.
60%John Frost is reported to have obtained his original idea for the flying machine from a group of Germans just after World War II.
50%Two objects were reportedly seen in operation at one time in an area where experimental flying was unlikely, suggesting they were in service.
50%The Soviets may possess a similar craft, but its operational service would be inconsistent with their continued conventional aircraft programs.
45%Because two objects were seen in an unlikely area, they may already be in service, possibly indicating rapid Soviet progress.
40%
Events
Reported sighting of unconventional aircraft
Two disc-like objects reportedly seen operating simultaneously; described as similar to Project 'Y'.
Dec 31, 1952
First intelligence on Project "Y"
Air Scientific/Intelligence group first received information on Project "Y" in early 1953.
Oct 18, 1955
Memorandum issued
Memorandum for Information analyzing the reported sighting.
Oct 18, 1955
Memorandum for Information issued
Intelligence memo assessing the sighting and Project 'Y' connections.
Dec 31, 1952
First information on Project 'Y'
Analysts began watching for Soviet equivalents from early 1953.
Dates mentioned
Keywords
Entities
Programs
People
Places
Extracted text (OCR)
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: 19 October 1955 .
MENORANDUM FOR INFORMATION, === i.
SUBJECT: Reported Sighting of Unconventional Aircraft — oo: a ee
F . : . . ve - an - 4 o - .
<1. The objects re rtedly sighted beam ey Mare
- @sserized to be sinilar t > Project "Y9 waice is in 1 the ¥ = an
stege at ivro Aircraft Lid, Canada, under, contract ta the w- rc ee
° ee Sev eral. eesign studies have deen ‘nade ¢ on 1 Project opr —— — :
The present study calls for a circular wing 30 ft. in dianster ~
end etout 1,2 ft. thick. —its perfors cance is to be as follows:
Rate of clinb = > ~320,000- ft. ran rane ="
Ceilings —-302°000° er
| Range 0 a
3s. Toe present. ef th consists of wind tunael testing 24, oO
sponsored to the exten oe "3800, 3000 by tha US Air Force oS
bh. Project "x? gs Doing direc etead by Jonn F Prost. 3 Ere Frost
is reported to have obtai- ned-his-original-idea for the flying :
rachice from a group of S2rrans just after World Yar IL. Theo
Se2imd inforration fron this Cernen group.
:
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Soviets 5 Pre) ¥ also. have o>
5.. Since two obfe>*: 3 *ere- reportedly sean in operation’ ato .
one tire in en erea wiere it is most unlikely that experinental ; ee
flying vould te conducted, “it is likely that thesa objects wre ne
in service, This would imitate very rapid progress in this
Gévelosnent for. the Soviets. It doas, hovever, Seen inconsisteat
that ihe Soviets, if ine2y have-such an object in service, would
_. continze their larg? Cevelorment and production programs on ooo
_conventisnel tyse aizereft. costae
; 6. Since ovr first information on Fro Project bY? in early 1953, ;
ASD hes teen on th 2 let t for information which right indicate that
thepSoviets were » sing on such a project. Frior to the sichting
»9 such information has been available.
SuinDadles iter ten tant 2
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MESORANDUM FOR INFORMATION . ae
“ 2. Several cesien s
SUBJECT: Reported Sighting of vacoaventionda fireraft | OS
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3 : . : no . - mo 77 8
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<1. The objects reportedly signted vf Sw: are
. Agscrized to be similar to Project "1° waics is in the ree arch
stage es tvro Aircreft ides Canada » under contract ta tha wB
Studies have been" rade on \ Project © cya,
AY UCtODEr LYDD | .
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Tae present study calls for a circular wing 30 ft. in diamster_< Leste, .
and about 1,1 ft. thick.
tts performance” is" to be as follows
nan
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-.., Spesd M ~ > :
Rate of climb = . 120,000 it. rin. . oo
Ceiling. _ & 102,000 ft. at
- Range 7 FOO nate fn, a ek
3.. Tae present_effor'
sponsered to the extent o
bh. . Project "x" is D>eing directed = Jonn Frost. Er. Frost
is report
rachice from e group” of S
ie
a
Soviets may_also, hava-o> aid)
S.. Sinse two. odjee
on2 tine in en ere2 Ww
ie ‘e
ed to have odtzine nak
is original idea for the flying
as. just “after Yorld War JI. The
+6 were reportedly seen in operation’ at |
ig
- {Tying vould be. con?ae
in servicz» Tals to al2 indie: ate very rapid progress in this ss
ts. It doas, however,. Seen Anconsisteat
have such an object in servica, would
Logneat and ‘production, p progreas O08
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dbyeloszent for the Svie
that ihe Soviets, if wey
continse their_lerg2 Cave
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2 At is most unlikely that experinental. -
y itis likely that these objects | rere
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snforaation’on P Froject rye tH early. 1953, a as
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2S were vesing:
on th2 siert for information which righ} indicate that _
information fron, ‘this Gernen BTOUD»
on such a” project. Frior.to the sighting
ote ae iy os . ae '
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2 such infornation has deen avallable,- -.- = - =. 2-2)
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. . In order to properly evaluate the report wheter” _
2525. Ey A group, it will be necessary to have additkenal | ve ee
“{nforve tion and details of the sighting. Tne Air Force has~ aan oo -
made arrangemants for technically “compatent persons to question — |
the party. :
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