and tend to extend 111 rather homogeneous form over large horizoPtal
distances. '111l' ray-tracing of this profi Ie, rll~. 23 pro-
pagation as the cause of the radar echoes, the first possibly being
an aircraft. The visual object was apparently a meteor.
Coincidentally, the ship, 55 Hampton Hoads,at 27°S0'N 9J.°12'W
sighted a round, glowing object high in the sky that faded as dark-
ness approached at 1740-1750 LST. 111.15 ohject apT,0ared to move with
the upper winds. AF investigators concluded that it was in all
probability a weather balloon.
i.Ol-F3. Canal Zone, 25 November 1952, 180(J-2349 LST. Weather:
generally clt:ar, a few scattered clouds, ceiling and visibility
unlimited. VIsibility at 2,000 ft. was 50 mi. Radio refractivity profile~
for Balboa, lOOO and 2200 LS'I' 2S Novemher 1952, are shown j n Fi gs. 24 and :.!5.
T\\'o unidentified objects were tracked by gUIl- h~ying rad,lT d1.tring the
period 1806-2349 LST. These objects, never present simultaneously,
could have represented two tracks of the same ohj ect. 'Ilte radar
retl\l'ns were described as "firm arlu consistent," and the objects were
said to maneuver ill a "conventional manner" at an ~v('ragc speed of 275
knots. Appa1'lnt1y the track speeds weN ~s high as 720-96C1 mph ,. at
times. T~o B-26s, a 8-17, and (l rR~1wcre scrambled but TlO radar or
visual ' a meteor.
Coincidentally, the ship,SS l1ampton Honds,at 27°!)O'N 9J.°12'W
sighted a round, glo\dng clJject high jn the sky that faded ,!S dark-
ness approac1led at 1740-1750 LST. 11lIs ohjcct apT,('ared to move with
the upper winds. AI' investigators concluded that it wa~ in all
probability a weather balloon.
lOl-f3. Canal Zone, 25 November 1952, 180()-2349 LS'f, Weath~r:
generally cl('ar, a few scattered cluuds, ceiling and visibility
unlimited, vIsibility at 2,000 ft. wus 50 mi. Radio refractivity rrofile~
fOT Balboa, lOOO and 2200 l.ST 2S Novemher 1952, are shown in Figs. 24 and ~5.
1\1'0 unidentified objects were trRcked by g\w-l •.!ying rad,l]' dllring the
period 18\16-2349 LST, lhesc objects, never present simultaneously,
r.:o\lld have represented two trilcks of the same ohject. '11\8 radar
retlll'TlS were described as "firm and con5i~teJlt," and the objects were
said to maneuver in a "conventional manner" at an Clveruge ::;peecl of ::'75
knots. Appanl1tly the track spceUR weN as hIgh as 72(J~96(1 mph, at
times. T"o ll-26s, a B-17, anu a rR~lwere scramhled hut 110 radar or
visual (.ontact could hI.' made with the unknowns. The UFOs were not
spotted fr(:11\ the ground, with the C'xccpti'." of a single repurt that
an officer 5:11.... low in tht:' sky, an "t'lungateJ ),ellow glow" i~ivin)~
a 'loft li~',ht likc II camllc. 1t moved quld.. Jy, dis:tJlpeal'ill~: Lll thl'
253