24.53N 150.22W (PACIFIC), August 1961August 1961

Insufficient Data

Summary

On August 18, 1961, at 4:00 p.m., a vapor trail was sighted from east to west on the horizon near position 24 degrees 53 minutes north, 150 degrees 22 minutes west in the Pacific Ocean. The report came from the SS Lurline, a civilian vessel. The vapor trail was low altitude, moved southerly over the vessel, and spread rapidly. The Air Force evaluated the sighting as a probable missile. The description conforms to a missile observation, with location in path of expected down range flight from Vandenberg launch schedule.

Reported location

24.53N 150.22W (PACIFIC), August 1961

Date of incident

August 1961

State / country

? / XX

Page count

2 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 43

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 2

View transcribed text

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

1. DATE: 18 Aug 61

2. LOCATION: 24.53N 150.22W (PACIFIC)

3. DATE-TIME GROUP: GMT 18/1600Z

4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION: XX Ground-Visual, Ground-Radar, Air-Visual, Air-Intercept Radar

5. PHOTOS: Yes, No

6. SOURCE: Civilian

7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION: 5 min

8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS: 1

9. COURSE: S

10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING: Vapor trail fm horizon to horizon. Probable missile. Low altitude vapor trail moved Southerly over vessel and spread rapidly.

11. COMMENTS: Description conforms to missile observation. Location in path of expected down range flight fm Vandenberg. Launch schedule not available fa this location. No info conflicting with analysis as probable missile.

12. CONCLUSIONS: Was Balloon, Probably Balloon, Possibly Balloon, Was Aircraft, Probably Aircraft, Possibly Aircraft, Was Astronomical, Probably Astronomical, Possibly Astronomical, Other Prob Missile, Insufficient Data for Evaluation, Unknown

ATIC FORM 330 (REV 24 SEP 53)

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28994166