CONFIDENTIAL
R.N.Z.A.F. Station,
WHENUAPAI
4th April, 1955
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AFTER FLIGHT REPORT.
Sir,
I have the honour to report that while acting as Navigator on NZ 5904 (Capt. F/O CHEAL) on a Night Cross Country which departed from Whenuapai at 311950M, I sighted an unidentified object flying on a course of 270°T and at about 12,000' in the vicinity of Gisborne. We were at 9000' on a course of 037°T and whilst taking a relative bearing on Gisborne at 2135M I noticed a large blue light approaching from 045° REL. There was 8/8 Altostratus cloud base at about 15000' and the object crossed our bow at considerable speed in a flat flight path. The Captain was adjusting the auto-pilot at the time of sighting, and by the time I had drawn his attention to the object, it had vanished towards Lake Taupo.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant
Ian McMurtrie
(IAN McMURTRIE)
Sgt. Navigator.
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The Commanding Officer,
R.N.Z.A.F. Station,
Whenuapai