Burlington, MassachusettsMay 1962

Unidentified

Summary

# Burlington, Massachusetts, May 1962

In May 1962, a witness in Burlington, Massachusetts reported seeing an unusual object and submitted photographs taken during the sighting. The object was described as moving in a straight line with an appearance the witness compared to a saucer, with a bluish-grey color. The witness estimated the object's speed at 1,500 mph and its size by comparing it to familiar objects viewed from a distance.

The Air Force examined four photographs submitted with the report, all taken with a Polaroid camera. According to the Air Force's analysis, significant inconsistencies appeared between the witness's account and the physical properties shown in the photographs. The witness stated the object was traveling at roughly 1,500 mph, yet the photographs showed no blurring or motion distortion. The witness also claimed to have pulled the camera's film slide as quickly as possible without allowing the standard developing time, yet the photographs indicated an exposure of at least 30 seconds, suggesting careful control rather than hurried operation.

Additional problems emerged from the witness's own testimony. The object was said to be brighter than direct sunlight, yet the photographs contained clear details. The reported distance of 2,000 feet and stated object size were inconsistent with the level of detail visible in the images. The witness also mentioned a clicking sound and a small appendage moving in and out of the rear of the object, claims that seemed physically implausible given the reported distance and size.

The Air Force concluded that the photographs were obvious hoaxes and changed the case evaluation to "Hoax." The Air Force declined to pursue further investigation, stating it did not allocate resources to answer detailed questions from individuals unless they could demonstrate accreditation as members of the press or bona fide research organizations.

The full case file, comprising 33 pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.

Reported location

Burlington, Massachusetts

Date of incident

May 1962

State / country

MA / US

Page count

33 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unidentified

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 45

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 33

View transcribed text

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§ i PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

3 e—— a —— A ———————— ——————— ee EE Es TCT Eg ee ——— — ———————————————

: { DAE 5 LOCATION (12. CONCLUSIONS

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| BN LS a eg APRIL Sl epee Th PE Rg, FEN > R) Was Balloon

i 3 \2WV LA90& i 1 32ND) 9! 1a ssachusatt 3 ! a 4 4

: hii B PR pe 0 Probably Ball:

, ; | 1 Q robably Balloon

¥ eT TT RN PSST erm eee eg eee] Possibly Ball

| 3% DATE-TIMZ GROUP 4 TYPE OF OBSERVATION duit dh toot

x 2 ™ 4

I 45 3 J HH

1 87. ATRSAaR SE, | 1% Ground- Visual 3 Ground-Radar 0 Was Aircraft

3 ale Re SIR rounc ; i Rade : :
k . ~T | 01 Probobly Aircraft

A GMT Jf WINS | a Air-Visual 1 Ai r ID Possibly Aircraft

) 3 Rd ES ee se Ee 0 Air-Visua C) Air-Intercept Radar

3 ELLE —— = a | pid vdd BCL Ean ae Re SAGA Id hited A Sab EN
4 5. PHO | 6. SOURCE

3 i HOTOS .. Ves wie, roceivy ad, | 6. SOUR 00 Was Astronomical
: Yes 3 Ce Ered 1 Probably Astronomical
§ ; — { Ang Db civilian 0 Possibly Astronomical
3 A emerge ry Ea r= ~ pet J fx

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& 7. LENGTH OF O335RVATION 8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS | 9. COURSE | O% Other CAA RE BA RAEN I

¥ 1h by 2 minutes | one fer te oh Fer Insufficient Data for Evaluation

a Te oC Gr \ { 0 Unknown

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4 eT eR EE TO

: 10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING j11. COMMENTS Rr gd

e \ rd HEELS SEI Re 7 1 rola Rs wi a + i. . “kN Le <

4 | Object in straight Tligne. Appeared to have ey n all probability the object wag an

8 neyvaivieg £0: tdaa. Sh s 14% a8 06 OAasn ale 4 Gat 3 p

E coming from sides. Shape 11X22 3aucer, Passed afc as the speed estl nated by tae

i 12 vent Aaverhead 1 mew Fl) Nos ' 1 a vrs ) ) . = PRR

3 1LYX'CH Cl) overeat. B Lear Of Lznt CY. » UI al hey ati 20, 12 Souna ¢ A iz fy 7) FL oh

3 calor bluish grey, sound ilke planes wings { this apalysis. Also the other 3

‘ aid dtdmm +hvarieoh ade Co ocd dail TERE REIT ESL 1 4 Tg LEE | POR TX cud ER E : . =
Eg | sutting tarcugh air. Spesd estimated at 1500 pu witnesses rafuse to corroborate

1g AT44 +21: and diabancrse com oo PR Co TLE SRS, TF pl Rg RR pets les ET Lat -

E | Altitu ia and distance compared TO a Jeu aly 11m »Y the signting as anything unusual.
iE | except that speed was 3X 5 gr at. Observed fon renort recelvad over one year alter
f one & utd TAL ver o 5 gy Tg Tp got 1. oe { i : 3 Pr =
I | tom of building. Object initial © servation gave sighting and no attempt is neing

2 tive. Witness climbed down ladder and got ¢ mera t present. Case carried as 1 suff!

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28997410