box Incident Summaries 173-233

Incident 176 On 23 Sept 1948 Mr Sylvester Bentham was talking to Col Bakins when the Colonel called Bentham's attention to a single object in the sky. Object first appeared in the northeast and was moving faster than any airplane that Bentham had ever seen. Object appeared very high. Both Bakins and Bentham watched it for at least 3 minutes. It moved toward the northwest in a straight line at a constant speed finally turning to the North and faded from view. To Bentham the object appeared to have a regular rectangular outline with sharp corners. It was buff or gray in color with several darker vertical lines like ribs. (See drawing attached.) Object appeared like a "vegetable crate" flying thru the air and seemed to be covered with a translucent material. It made no noise and left no exhaust or trail. Apparent size was approximately 2 inches by 1 inch by 1 inch. Mr Bentham's description as to the shape, direction and overall appearance of this object is in direct contradiction with statements made by Col Horace Bakins. Mr Bentham further stated that neither he nor col Bakins were wearing glasses at the time and that he wears glasses only for reading. Mr. Bentham is 70 years of age. He is a retired butcher.