January 12, 1950 — Gulf of Mexico
11:25 p.m. A B-29 aircraft is flying over the Gulf of Mexico (southwest of Florida) on a course of 260° when three objects are noted on the radar scope orbiting the B-29 from all quadrants. The objects are noticed by the radar operator, aircraft commander, navigator, and bombardier. One object is first sighted on a bearing of 330° traveling south. The objects travel across the scope in approximately 15–20 seconds on the 100-mile range setting. In a few minutes this object is joined by two others, which disappear in a few minutes. At short ranges the object is large and well-defined on the radar scope. The object goes off for about 100 miles, turns and comes in as if for an attack, passes through the center of the scope, and emerges on the other side. The estimated speed of the object is 2,500–3,000 mph. The one object remains on the radar scope for approximately 30 minutes, following the B-29 all the time. The radar operator switches ranges on the scope and picks up the object on the 20- and 50-mile settings. Twice the object comes to within 20 miles of the aircraft and then apparently has the ability to hover, because the movement on the radar scope ceases for 5–15 seconds. After altering course the object no longer appears, but the radar is jammed for approximately 10 minutes. The crew makes no visual sighting. [Eberhart]
Record Card:
AF-112 Report:
Source:
Brad Sparks, Blue Books Unknowns Catalogue, Case 321, p. 79;
Jerome Clark, The UFO Encyclopedia, 3rd Ed., p. 58;
Jerome Clark, The UFO Encyclopedia, 4th Ed., pp. 78–79;
NICAP, “B-29 Radar Tracks Objects”;