DISCLOSURE / FILE
RNZAF UFO File, AIR 39/3/3 Volume 3 (1979–1980)
Volume 3 of the Royal New Zealand Air Force UFO correspondence file AIR 39/3/3, covering 1979-1980 reports and inquiries in the aftermath of the December 1978 Kaikoura sightings.
DISCLOSURE / FILE
Volume 3 of the Royal New Zealand Air Force UFO correspondence file AIR 39/3/3, covering 1979-1980 reports and inquiries in the aftermath of the December 1978 Kaikoura sightings.
Volume 3 of the Royal New Zealand Air Force UFO correspondence file AIR 39/3/3, covering 1979-1980 reports and inquiries in the aftermath of the December 1978 Kaikoura sightings.
Archives New Zealand released this declassified RNZAF file in December 2010 after vetting completed on 2 September 2010, with access to the original restricted until 2050 for personal-privacy reasons. The volume opens 13 December 1979 and closes 17 December 1980, holding miscellaneous UFO sighting reports, correspondence with overseas researchers in Australia and England seeking the RNZAF's Kaikoura investigation, and a 17 December 1980 minute by Squadron Leader I.W. Collins (Ops 3) concluding a Napier-area dawn sighting was probably Venus. RNZAF Public Relations Officer Squadron Leader C.D. Cole repeatedly tells correspondents that the full RNZAF Kaikoura report will not be released to the public, that only a summary of findings was issued, and that the RNZAF does not normally conduct detailed UFO investigations.
Reports of UFO sightings from members of the public and military personnel. Correspondence from / to UFO research groups in NZ and requests for UFO information from overseas researchers. Press release summary of investigation into the 1975 Kaikoura sightings.p.1
Access to the original files held by Archives New Zealand is restricted up until the year 2080 for Personal Privacy reasons. These copied files have had the personal details of members of the public making UFO reports removed to preserve their privacy.p.2
Our investigations would indicate that it was probably Venus, as this planet is in that position during the timep.8
The RNZAF study will not be released to the public. However the material I passed to you is a summary of the findings of that study.p.10
This particular study was an isolated investigation. The RNZAF does not normally undertake detailed investigations into sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects. We do however, consult with other Government agencies in an endeavour to eliminate any obvious explanations.p.12
The RNZAF does not conduct detailed investigations into sightings and I am not aware of any reported radar observations. Nor am I aware of any activity similar to the Kaikoura sightings of last year. Some sightings were reported in the Hutt Valley area near Wellington.p.19
The decision not to make the report a public document was made by the Air Staff at the time. However a summary of the report including the findings, was released and a copy of this was passed to you on 22 March 1979.p.21
Extracted text · Page 1
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Copy 14 of 36
NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFO) FILES
COPIES FOR RELEASE TO THE PUBLIC
File Number: AIR 39/3/3 Volume 3
File Title: Reports of UFO's
File Timespan: Opened: 1979 - Closed 1980
File Declassified: September 2010
Location of Original File: Held at Archives New Zealand
Access to Original File: Restricted until 2050
File Contains: Reports of UFO sightings from members of the public
and military personnel. Correspondence from / to UFO research
groups in NZ and requests for UFO information from overseas
researchers. Press release summary of investigation into the 1975
Kaikoura sightings.Page 2 · vision OCR
NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE PUBLIC RELEASE OF UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFO) FILES These copied and redacted files of correspondence on Unidentified Flying Objects dating from 1952 to 2009 have been Declassified and released to the public by the New Zealand Defence Force under the Official Information Act. Access to the original files held by Archives New Zealand is restricted up until the year 2080 for Personal Privacy reasons. These copied files have had the personal details of members of the public making UFO reports removed to preserve their privacy. Personal details of service personnel and civilians employed by the New Zealand Defence Force and other Government Departments and Agencies have not been removed. No other information has been removed or omitted from these files. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF FILES Correspondence on Flying Saucers began in New Zealand Defence Force files in 1952 and continued under different names, Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) and Unidentified Aerial Sightings (UAS) until the present. The files contain reports of sightings by private individuals and military personnel, investigations by Defence and other Government Departments and agencies into these reports, newspaper clippings on UFOs and letters from individuals who claim to be in touch with alien beings and craft. While the files are in general date order from 1952 until the present some file periods overlap with one another and the documents within each file are not necessarily in strict date order. There can be duplicate documents within each file and copies of the same documents (particularly media releases and reports) can appear in different files. ACCESS TO UFO FILES These redacted files are available in hard copy from the Defence Library c/o Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force Aitken St Wellington. They are not available in electronic format.
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⑥ BOMB UFO IN CHINA BASED UNAUTHORISED AREAS WITH B-52 BOMBERS [drawings: sketches with crossed lines and aircraft/UFO diagrams]
Concatenated page-by-page transcript. Born-digital pages came through pdf.js; scanned pages were transcribed by Claude vision OCR. Pages marked unreadable failed multiple OCR retries (heavy redaction, microfilm artifacts, or blank separators) and are kept in place for audit.
Copy 14 of 36
NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFO) FILES
COPIES FOR RELEASE TO THE PUBLIC
File Number: AIR 39/3/3 Volume 3
File Title: Reports of UFO's
File Timespan: Opened: 1979 - Closed 1980
File Declassified: September 2010
Location of Original File: Held at Archives New Zealand
Access to Original File: Restricted until 2050
File Contains: Reports of UFO sightings from members of the public
and military personnel. Correspondence from / to UFO research
groups in NZ and requests for UFO information from overseas
researchers. Press release summary of investigation into the 1975
Kaikoura sightings.NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE PUBLIC RELEASE OF UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFO) FILES These copied and redacted files of correspondence on Unidentified Flying Objects dating from 1952 to 2009 have been Declassified and released to the public by the New Zealand Defence Force under the Official Information Act. Access to the original files held by Archives New Zealand is restricted up until the year 2080 for Personal Privacy reasons. These copied files have had the personal details of members of the public making UFO reports removed to preserve their privacy. Personal details of service personnel and civilians employed by the New Zealand Defence Force and other Government Departments and Agencies have not been removed. No other information has been removed or omitted from these files. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF FILES Correspondence on Flying Saucers began in New Zealand Defence Force files in 1952 and continued under different names, Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) and Unidentified Aerial Sightings (UAS) until the present. The files contain reports of sightings by private individuals and military personnel, investigations by Defence and other Government Departments and agencies into these reports, newspaper clippings on UFOs and letters from individuals who claim to be in touch with alien beings and craft. While the files are in general date order from 1952 until the present some file periods overlap with one another and the documents within each file are not necessarily in strict date order. There can be duplicate documents within each file and copies of the same documents (particularly media releases and reports) can appear in different files. ACCESS TO UFO FILES These redacted files are available in hard copy from the Defence Library c/o Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force Aitken St Wellington. They are not available in electronic format.
File No. 39/3/3 VOL. 3 SERIES: REPORTS SUBSERIES: MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECT: REPORTS OF U.F.O.'S File Opened:...T&B...13/79...... Subsequent File:...[ILLEGIBLE]... Previous File:...XO...13/72... File Closed:...[ILLEGIBLE]... Subject: OTHER RELEVANT FILES DISPOSAL CATEGORY: [Stamp: CLOSED] [Stamp: DECLASSIFIED] On 2 SEP 2010 Reference [ILLEGIBLE] Appointment Revision Panel THIS FILE MAY BE RELEASED FOR PUBLIC ACCESS FROM 20__ Date: / / for HQ NZ DEFENCE FORCE TRANSIT DIRECTIONS Folio | Referred to | Date | Actioned by Initials | Date | Folio | Referred to | Date | Actioned by Initials | Date | Folio | Referred to | Date | Actioned by Initials | Date 29 O [ILLEGIBLE] PRO(Air) 99.12 [ILLEGIBLE] 13/2 | PRO(Air) 91/3[ILLEGIBLE] 6 99/3 | PLANS 1 11/3/[ILLEGIBLE] 71 PRO(Air) 7-1-80 [ILLEGIBLE] 3/1 | SASO 14/4/8[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] 24/09/8[ILLEGIBLE] | 92 PRO(Air) [ILLEGIBLE] 1[ILLEGIBLE]/6 [ILLEGIBLE] 16/1 | SASO 1/4/64 [ILLEGIBLE] 21/6 | 93 PRO(Air) 7/1/6[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] 3/1 | SASO 28/1/9[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] 1[ILLEGIBLE]/[ILLEGIBLE]Dec | 94 PRO(Air) 5/3/81 [ILLEGIBLE] 4/2 | AO POL(D) [ILLEGIBLE] 14/18 | 96 PRO(Air) 11/[ILLEGIBLE]/8[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] 17/2 | AO POL(D) 4/3/85 9[ILLEGIBLE]/18 | 97 PRO(Air) 99/[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] 7/3 | SASO 14/5/[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]/38 | 99 PRO(Air) 20/3/31 [ILLEGIBLE] 7/3 | OPS 3 [ILLEGIBLE] 4/7/[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] 8/5[ILLEGIBLE] | 101 PRO(Air) 0/4/3[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] 7/3 | SCOUT ST BASEMENT 11/7/69 | 103 PRO(Air) 27/[ILLEGIBLE]/6[ILLEGIBLE] 23/3 | OPS 4A 1[ILLEGIBLE]/[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] 14/1 | 104 PRO(Air) 1[ILLEGIBLE]/6/81 6 91/6 | RDO 4[ILLEGIBLE]/1/[ILLEGIBLE] | [ILLEGIBLE] OPS 1 9/6 [ILLEGIBLE] 7/6 | OPS 3 (P) 2[ILLEGIBLE]/1/9[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] | [ILLEGIBLE] (Air) 22/1/[ILLEGIBLE] 23/[ILLEGIBLE] | [Stamp: CLOSED] ASAC 24/6/[ILLEGIBLE] | RDO CLK 29/1/[ILLEGIBLE] OPS 2 15 1[ILLEGIBLE]/[ILLEGIBLE] | CLK(P) Reg 2[ILLEGIBLE]/6/[ILLEGIBLE] 11 7/[ILLEGIBLE]/[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] 6/[ILLEGIBLE]/9[ILLEGIBLE] | R.D.O. 1/[ILLEGIBLE]/[ILLEGIBLE] SDI 1/11/93. [ILLEGIBLE] | OPS4 3/[ILLEGIBLE]/98 [ILLEGIBLE] 13/5 DEPARTMENT: AIR PUBLIC ACCESS TO THIS FILE IS RESTRICTED UNTIL 22/2[ILLEGIBLE]2 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRIVACY PROVISIONS OF SECTION 9 OF THE OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT 1982 SIGNED [ILLEGIBLE] DATED [ILLEGIBLE] JULY [ILLEGIBLE]
VETTING RECORD SHEET
PLEASE COMPLETE ONLY ONE PAGE PER RECORD
NZDF STORAGE NO ___________
*HQ NZDF/ARMY/NAVY/AIR FORCE/JSO FILE *Delete as appropriate
FILE NO 39/3/3 LOCATION FRB ARCHIVES NZ
PART NO 3 TYPE [REDACTED] [REDACTED]
(File or Non File Material)
Series REPORTS
Sub-Series MISCELLANEOUS
Subject REPORTS OF UFO's
Date of first document 13/12/1979 Date of last document 17/12/1980
Please Tick the Appropriate Boxes:
[ ] No NZ Documents on File [✓] No Foreign Source Documents on File
[✓] No Classified Documents on File [ ] Some Foreign or Special-Source Documents
placed on restricted Parallel File
[✓] NZ Documents Cleared for Access [ ] Some NZ (Non-NZDF) Documents placed on
Restricted Parallel File
[ ] No Classified NZ Documents on File [ ] Some [ ] All Foreign Source Documents
or Cleared for Access
OR
[✓] Release on 1 January in the Year 2050
[✓] Review again before the Year 2050
VETTING COMMENTS IF NECESSARY
File contains Miscellaneous UFO sighting reports
File also contain copy of media release following
investigation into visual and radar sightings off the
East Coast of the South Island (Kaikoura) in
Dec 78
Access restricted until 2050 for privacy reasons
Vetting commenced 2/9/10 Vetting Completed 2/9/10
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Other NZ Govt Dept classified documents have been cleared for access [struck through]
Foreign Source classified documents have been cleared for access [struck through]
Some foreign-source documents have been placed on a restricted parallel
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Other comments:
.....File contains Miscellaneous UFO sighting reports.........
....File also contains copy of Media release following investigation
...into visual and radar sighting off the East Coast of the South
Island (Kaikoura) in Dec 78
Access restricted until 2050 for privacy reasons
Signed.......[ILLEGIBLE]........................ Date....2/9/2010...
For Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force
NB: Classified documents of other New Zealand
Departments where there is some concern about
declassifying them should be referred to the relevant
department.[folio: 59]
ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO
"ETHOLOGY OF LIGHT" HAVE
BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS FILE TO
A FILE OF OWN 39|3|3A
"UFO'S & ETHOLOGY."[folio: 51]
MINUTE SHEET Department: D OPS 10
Subject:
UFO SIGHTING
File No.
Date: 17 Dec 80
To-
D OPS tow
[Marginal notes:] Noted
[Marginal notes:] Place to the UFO
File. 39/3/3?
1 W/O McAllister, Recruiting Officer at
Napier, was contacted by a [REDACTED]
of 3e Pohue, on UFO sightings
over the last week.
2 Each morning, between 0510 and 0600
[REDACTED] has seen a bright object
rising in the East and slowly climbing,
it was only seen when the sky was
clear.
3 Our investigations would indicate that
it was probably Venus, as this planet
is in that position during the time
Item 504 GYLES 95341To-
stated.
4 S phoned [REDACTED] and passed
on to him the results of our
investigation, and pointed out that the
correct procedure is to pass any
sightings through the Police.
[Signature]
(I W COLLINS)
Sqn Ldr
Ops 3.
Item 504 GYLES 95341xxxx
749-299 Air 39/3/3 PR
15 December 1980
Mr Peter G. Keane
55 Greville Avenue
Flinders Park 5025
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter of 5 December.
There is no objection to you publishing the material I passed
to you. It was published in the media in this country at the time
of its initial release.
The RNZAF study will not be released to the public. However
the material I passed to you is a summary of the findings of that
study.
The news release paper used to carry the material passed to you
is the news release paper used daily by this office to pass
information on RNZAF activities to the media. The footnote is
only included to prompt news editors.
In this instance there is nothing further that I can add to
the information I have already passed to you. However there have
been independent reports including a book called "Kaikoura UFO's"
by Captain Bill Startup and Neal Illingworth. It is published
by Hodder and Stoughton and is priced here at $12.95.
I thank you for your inquiry.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
(C. D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer.
[handwritten: ?] 165/12/80 Peter G.Keane
55 Greville Ave
Flinders Park 5025
South Australia.
[ILLEGIBLE] Squadron Leader Cole,
[ILLEGIBLE] /
I am in receipt of your recent letter regarding earlier
early enquiries of mine re-UFO reports from 1979 and I am particularly appreciative
of your assistance,however,I must implore your help with the following:
I hope that there is no objection to me reproducing the three page RNZAF News Service
release on the recent UFO sightings that you sent me for the publication,"Australian
Unidentified Flying Objects",written with Mr D.W.Mitchell,a writer for the "Scientific
Australian" magazine.
This bulletin will be reproduced in its entirety as an example of official comments
on the NZ UFO events along with the DSIR Report No.659 which deals with the expan-
ations of these sightings and which I have the DSIR's permission to use.
Also I would like to know if the RNZAF's study of the UFO sightings will be released
to the public and if so,when ?
In addition is it possible to obtain further detailed information on the RNZAF in-
vestigated UFO sightings for DEC/JAN.(1978/79),particularly the proposed explanations
for them( a printed caption on the bottom of the News Service release states that,"...
further information can be obtained from the Public Relations Officer...Defence Head-
quarters,Wellington") ?
Your assistance in these matters is greatly appreciated and is of considerable
importance to my investigation.
In hoping that you will assist,I am,sincerely,
[handwritten:] ↑ Kaikoura UFO's
[Signature]
Peter G.Keane.
[handwritten notes at bottom:]
/ Capt Bill Startup
and Neal
14 + S. [ILLEGIBLE] a wit
$12.95
[Signature/initials at bottom]xxxxxx
749-299 Air 39/3/3 PR
25 November 1980
Mr Peter G. Keane
55 Greville Ave
Flinders Park 5025
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter of 13 November seeking a copy of
the RNZAF study into Unidentified Flying Objects in the Clarence
River/Kaikoura regions.
The report on the RNZAF's investigation has not been made
public. However a statement containing the findings of the
investigation was released at the time. I have enclosed a copy
for you.
This particular study was an isolated investigation.
The RNZAF does not normally undertake detailed investigations into
sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects. We do however, consult
with other Government agencies in an endeavour to eliminate any
obvious explanations.
I thank you for your interest.
Yours faithfully,
(C. D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer
[Signatures/stamps]13/11/80 Peter G.Keane
55 Greville Ave
Flinders Park 5025
Sth.Australia
[ILLEGIBLE] Sir,
[ILLEGIBLE]
Recently it has come to my attention that the New Zealand Air Force
has prepared a study of the New Zealand UFO sightings in the Clarence
River - Cook Strait regions between December 20th,1978 and January 10th,
1979 which is available to the general public.
I am at present compiling a publication entitled "Australian Unidentified
Flying Objects"(written in collaboration with Mr D.W.Mitchell,a writer
for the "Scientific Australian" magazine) which is a skeptical work on this
subject and which in part deals with the above dated New Zealand UFO
events.
Therefore I request one copy of the NZAF official report on these sight-
ings and any other publication by the Air Force available to the public
that provides explanations for these phenomena.
Please notify me as to what costs are required to obtain these.
I have recently obtained a copy of the Department of Scientific and
Industrial Research Organisation's Report No.659("Unfamiliar Observa-
tions of Lights in the Night Sky",by Mr W.Ireland) which has provided
me with an excellent study of these occurrences,however,I also desire
the Air Force's report on these matters to,a) establish beyond doubt that
perfectly natural explanations exist for these sightings,b)to provide a
most detailed analysis of the sightings from both sides,pro or con,for
a balanced symposium and c) to verify its conclusions for each particular
UFO case with those in the DSIR Report.
Any further information that you may require will be gladly supplied
and in hoping that you will assist,I thank you for your time and energy.
Yours sincerely,
[Signature]
Peter G.Keane.
[Additional handwritten signature/stamp at bottom]xxxxx
749-299 Air 39/3/3 PR
25 November 1980
Mr H. Nickson
167 Saabank Road
Wallasey
Merseyside L45 7QL
ENGLAND
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter of 3 November seeking information
concerning an RNZAF investigation into unidentified aircraft.
I believe the investigation you are referring to occurred early
in 1979 when the RNZAF investigated reported sightings of
Unidentified Flying Objects on the north-east coast of the South
Island of New Zealand.
The RNZAF does not undertake detailed investigations into
sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects and the investigation
carried out at that time was an isolated instance.
The investigation report has not been made public but a
statement of the findings of the investigation was released at the
time.
A copy of that statement which will provide the information you
seek, is enclosed.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
(C. D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer
[Signatures/stamps at bottom][Top right: F12 26/3/85]
H. NICKSON, M.Ch.S. 167 SEABANK ROAD
State Registered Chiropodist WALLASEY
— MERSEYSIDE
Tel. 051-639 2410 England L45 7QL
The Controller,
The Air Force,
New Zealand.
I will be most grateful if you can enlighten
me as to the eventual outcome of an incident,
during last year or the early part of 1980, when
reported unidentified aircraft(or similar) caused
a wide-spread investigation by your Air Force.
Harry Nickson. 3 November 80
[Signature]
[Envelope image:]
The Controller,
New Zealand Air Force
NEW ZEALAND
[Routing table:]
[ILLEGIBLE] TO
O
H(M)[Top right: 77]
[Top right: AIR 39/3/3 47]
RESTRICTED
NO UNCLASSIFIED
REPLY OR REFERENCE
UU LKB929BFA892 HH
PP RZYXCE
DE RZYWTT 1443 2870330
ZNY RRRRR
P 1302052 OCT 80
FM RNZAF AUCKLAND
TO RZYXCE/NZDEF AIR
RZYWTT/OPHQ RNZAF
BT
R E S T R I C T E D
DIG KSZ
706 REF TELECON XOTW AND AIROPS AND AIRSTAFF OPHQ 122230Z SUBJECT
UNIDENTIFIED RADAR RETURN PD ANDOVER 7625 DEPARTED WELLINGTON
1223282 TO INVESTIGATE PD FOLLOWING IS TEXT OF FU REPORT PD
A UNITED STATES UNIDENT TYPE SERNO 972 DDG SER NO 1066
B POSITION 122 MAG 47 NM WELLINGTON 1223452
C SER NO 972 STEAMING 030M/20KTS SER NO 1066 STEAMING 015M/15KTS
D 972 FLYING HELICOPTER GRUMMAN SEASTRIKE
E NZ7625 ANDOVER DUXFIELD
F NIL
BT
RESTRICTED
NO UNCLASSIFIED
REPLY OR REFERENCE
NNNN
KSZ 0
ACTION OPS3 11
INFO
[Handwritten:] file
[Handwritten:] 04
[Handwritten:] DO[Top right: 40 X]
xxxxxx
749-299 Air 39/3/3 PR
10 July 1980
Mr K.W. Hastings
5 Carkeek Street
Seddon
MARLBOROUGH
Dear Keith,
Thank you for your letter seeking information on
Unidentified Flying Objects for a school project. Please
accept my sincere apologies for not replying sooner but I have
been overseas.
I am afraid I am unable to help you as the RNZAF
does not undertake detailed investigations into UFO sightings.
There are a number of organisations in New Zealand
that undertake research into sightings and I would suggest that
you contact the New Zealand UFO Studio Centre, 5 Ngahu Crescent,
Eladon, Wellington.
I thank you for your enquiry.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
(C. D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer
FILE.
1/10K.W.Hastings
5 Carkeek St
Seddon
Marlborough
19/6/80
[RECEIVED stamp: 24 JUN 1980
CENT. REGISTRY
DEFENCE HDQTRS]
Officer in Charge
Ministry of Defence
Wellington
Dear Sir,
I am writing to you because of
an assignment we are doing at school.
This assignment is to research about a
peculiar occupation and each student is
expected to do a brief talk on the subject
they have chosen. I have selected a U.F.O
Investigator.
I thought you might be able to help me
in my task, and would be very much obliged
if you could send me some information.
If you are unable to assist me,
could you possibly pass this request on
to some other appropriate source.
Thank-you for your Co-operation
Yours Faithfully
Keith Hastings[Top right: 69]
xxxxx
749-299 Air 39/3/3 PR
11 June 1980
Mr Darren W Mitchell
434 Magill Road
Kensington Gardens
South Australia 5068
AUSTRALIA
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter concerning investigations by
the RNZAF into recent sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects.
I am afraid you have been misled by AAP reports emphasising
radar observations and Air Force investigations into recent
UFO sightings.
The RNZAF does not conduct detailed investigations into
sightings and I am not aware of any reported radar observations.
Nor am I aware of any activity similar to the Kaikoura sightings
of last year. Some sightings were reported in the Hutt Valley
area near Wellington.
I thank you for your inquiry.
Yours faithfully,
(C. D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer
[Signature]434 Magill Road,Kensington Gdn
South Australia 5068
16/5/80
[RECEIVED stamp: 5 JUN 1980 [ILLEGIBLE]]
Ministry of Defence
AIR STAFF Headquarters
Wellington,N.Z.
AIR 39/3/3
Dear Mr.C.D.Cole(RNZAF Public Relations Officer),
Would you please be able
to supply me with full details of the RNZAF investigation of recent UFO
reports.Australian Associated Press information led me to believe that there
is renewed 'activity' similar to that reported a little over a year ago.The
press material emphasised radar observations and Air force 'aerial' investigat-
ion.Any details pertaining to these recent events and possible explanations,
whether official or personal would be of great help.
Thanking you in my investigations,
Darren W.Mitchell
[Signature]6644
XXXXX Air 39/3/3 PR
749-299
13 May 1980
Mr Harry Harris
346 Manchester Road
West Timperley
Altrincham
Cheshire
ENGLAND
Dear Sir,
I thank you for your letter of 15 April enclosing
a copy of your letter of 12 February,to which you had not
received a reply. Obviously the mails are slow for your
letter of 12 February reached this Headquarters on 7 May.
The decision not to make the report a public
document was made by the Air Staff at the time. However
a summary of the report including the findings, was released
and a copy of this was passed to you on 22 March 1979.
Yours faithfully,
[signature]
(C. D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer
[initials] [signature]HARRY HARRIS A2 39/3/3 65A
Solicitor LP3
Telephone: 061-962 6240 & 969 3943 346 Manchester Road
(Washway Road)
OUR REF: HH/SLT West Timperley
YOUR REF: AIR 39/3/3PR. Altrincham
Cheshire
ENGLAND
15th April 1980.
For the attention of C.D. Cole Esq.,
The Ministry of Defence,
The chief of Air Staff,
Defence Headquarters,
Private Bag,
Wellington
New Zealand.
Dear Sir,
re: 'U.F.O. matter.
I enclose a photocopy of my letter to you on 12th February last I would be
grateful to receive your reply.
Yours sincerely,
[signature]
FILE.
1 /19 [initials]HH/SH
AIR 39/3/3PR
12th February 1980
For the attention of C.D. Cole Esq.,
The Ministry of Defence
The Chief of Air Staff
Defence Headquarters,
Private Bag,
Wellington
New Zealand
Dear Sir,
re: 'U.F.O.'. matter
I thank you for your letter of the 30th ultimo and would be grateful if you would
kindly indicate why a report on the matter is being kept as "confidential".
Thanking you in anticipation,
Yours faithfully,
[handwritten: nee]
[handwritten: Original letter not recd.]
[signature]
FILE.
1 /19 [initials]HARRY HARRIS Air 39/3/3 s42
Solicitor
Telephone: 061-962 6240 & 969 3943 346 Manchester Road
(Washway Road)
OUR REF: HH/SH West Timperley
YOUR REF: AIR 39/3/3PR Altrincham
Cheshire
12th February 1980
For the attention of C.D. Cole Esq.,
The Ministry of Defence
The Chief of Air Staff
Defence Headquarters,
Private Bag,
Wellington
New Zealand
Dear Sir,
re: 'U.F.O.'. matter
I thank you for your letter of the 30th ultimo and would be grateful if you would
kindly indicate why [a]report on the matter is being kept as "confidential".
Thanking you in anticipation,
Yours faithfully,
[signature]
REFERRED TO
PRO
[initials]
FILE.
1 /19 [initials]
RECEIVED
7 MAY 1980
CENT. REGISTRY
DEFENCE HDQTRSMUTUAL UFO NETWORK INC. [crossed out ref]
103 Oldtowne Road, Sequin, Texas 78155, U.S.A. Air 39/3/3
UFO Phenomena MUTUAL UFO NETWORK
Study since 1945 Director for N.Z.
HAROLD H. FULTON
Founder & Dom Pres. 81 Sutherland Cres.
CSI (NZ) 1952-59 Palmerston North
New Zealand
RNZAF Aircraft Office 88-455
Engineering 1941-65 Business 68-079
MUFON
(4)
February 3rd 1980
Wing Commander G.T. Clarke,
Director of Public Relations,
RNZAF Headquarters,
Wellington.
Dear Sir,
A little time has lapsed since you on behalf of the RNZAF released
a Press statement in early Jan 1979 which expressed findings on
the December 1978 Kaikoura, Cape Campbell, Clarence River Mouth
area,radar-visual and photographic record of the unusual phenomena
reported in those coastal zones.
Would you still have a copy of that Press Release which you could
spare, I would like to add it to my files. Illness and attendent
difficulties have precluded my making this request much sooner.
As you and your fellow Officers will be very much aware, the subject
of these particular ufo events are still much in the limelight with
two books dealing directly with the saga due for publication shortly
and a third not far away which will include the [ILLEGIBLE] content
of these Kaikaura events.
May I have the pleasure of receiving copy of the Press Release
as requested and any further public released material on the events
in question you or your information department may have offered
subsequently.
Yours Faithfully,
[signature]
Harold H Fulton
Dir MUFON(NZ)
[handwritten below signature:]
[Response:]
Please dig out
a copy of this release
Feb or found 79 I think
[initials]
do so
[further initials/text ILLEGIBLE]
[RECEIVED stamp: MINISTRY OF PUBLIC RELATIONS]
BRING UP
ON ......
TO ......
INITIALS ......
FILE
DATE 4/2/80
INITIALS [initials]
DPA [Initx] [Date]
DDPR
PRO NAVY
PRO A[ILLEGIBLE]MY
PRO [ILLEGIBLE]
ACCT A[ILLEGIBLE]Y
ASET AIR
CCLK[Routing table at top:]
[NATURE by]
[DATE DISPATCH to]
[ILLEGIBLE to ILLEGIBLE Initials]
[ 30 January 1980 to]
[signature]
57
41
Air 39/3/3 PR
30 January 1980
Mr Harry Harris
346 Manchester Road
West Timperley
Altrincham
Cheshire
ENGLAND
Dear Sir,
I thank you for your letter of 17 January seeking a
more detailed and scientific explanation of, I assume, the
Kaikoura unidentified flying object sightings 12 months ago.
Your letter of 9 October, 1979, was not recorded as being
received.
I must refer you to my letter of 28 June in which I
indicated that the RNZAF report on the sightings would not be
released. That policy is unchanged.
However I understand that the New Zealand UFO Studies
Centre carried out a study on the sightings and an approach
to the Centre through Dr J F deBock of 5 Ngahue Crescent,
Elsdon, New Zealand, may provide the information you seek.
Yours faithfully,
[signature]
(C D COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations OfficerHARRY HARRIS [ILLEGIBLE ref top right]
Solicitor 56
Telephone: 061-962 6240 & 969 3943 346 Manchester Road
(Washway Road)
OUR REF: HH/SH West Timperley
YOUR REF: Altrincham
Cheshire
17th January 1980
Ministry of Defence
Air Staff
Defence Headquarters
Wellington
New Zealand
Dear Sirs,
re: U.F.O.'s
I refer to my letter of the 9th October last and would be grateful to hear from
you with a more detailed and scientific explanation of the events in question
by reference to, if possible, a diagram.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Yours faithfully,
[signature]
RECEIVED
28 JAN 1980
CENT. REGISTRY
DEFENCE HDQTRS
REFERRED TO
PRO [ILLEGIBLE]
[signature: Jil.]38
Air 39/3/3PR
3 September 1979
Mr Niall Fanning
12 Winter Road
Geeson Park
Dublin 6
IRELAND
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter seeking information on
Unidentified Flying Objects.
It is regretted that I am unable to provide you
with this information. The RNZAF does not undertake detailed
investigations into reports on Unidentified Flying Objects.
If a report is passed on to us we do, however, consult a
number of other Government agencies to eliminate any obvious
explanations.
Yours faithfully,
[signature]
(C.D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer[RECEIVED
1 OCT 1979
CENT. REGISTRY
DEFENCE HDQTRS]
Avon School,
Hamlet Street,
STRATFORD.
25 September
Dear Sir,
I would like to know a little about the sightings of U.F.O.s
because I am reading about this topic. Here is a little
about it. There's these two boys that find a gismo and
then they ask there mother what it is, but she doesn't
know so then they ask there father and he doesn't know
either. But they don't know that it has fallen off a U.F.O.
And that's a bit about the book.
So could you please send me some information on U.F.O.s.
Yours faithfully,
Kerry Lehmann
KJL:KAL48
39
Air 39/3/3
3 October 1979
Kerry Lehmann
Avon School
Hamlet Street
STRATFORD
Dear Kerry,
Thank you very much for your letter
concerning the book you are reading on Unidentified
Flying Objects. I am also puzzled as to what the
gismo might be.
The RNZAF does not undertake detailed
investigations into reports on UFOs nor do we
collect information on them. I therefore regret
that I am unable to help you.
Your book certainly sounds interesting.
Yours faithfully,
[signature]
(C D COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer
[signature: Jil.]Niall Fanning, 12 Winton Road, Leeson Park, Dublin 6, Ireland.
5.
Dear Sir,
Please could you send
me some information on U.F.Os.45
31
Air 39/3/3 PR
12 July 1979
Miss Johanna Perry
6 Brett Avenue
Takapuna
AUCKLAND 9
Dear Johanna,
Thank you for your letter, passed to me by our
Auckland office, seeking information and photographs of
Unidentified Flying Objects. Unfortunately your letter
has been delayed in the post and only reached me this
morning.
I regret that I do not hold information or
photographs concerning Unidentified Flying Objects, as the
RNZAF does not undertake detailed investigations into
reports of UFOs. If a report is passed to us we do however
consult a number of Government agencies to eliminate any
obvious explanations.
Yours faithfully,
[signature]
(C.D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer
[signature: Jil.]Air 39/3/3 6 Brett Ave Takapuna Auckland 9 Public Relations officer Ministry of defence Dear Sir, Could you please send me some information about UFOs and sightings of them. Also do you think you might have some pictures for a project. Could I please have it by the 19th of June. Yours sincerely Johanna Perry
43
36
Air 39/3/3 PR
28 June 1979
Mr Harry Harris
346 Manchester Road
West Timperley
Altrincham
Cheshire
ENGLAND
Dear Sir,
I thank you for your letter of 1 June concerning
the RNZAF's report on the investigation into the sightings off
the Kaikoura coast.
At the time of the investigation it was decided that
a summary of the findings would be made public in the form of
a news release. A copy of that summary was passed to you
earlier. This policy in respect of releasing the report is
still adhered to and is unlikely to change.
Yours faithfully,
[signature]
(C.D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer
[stamp/initials]42
35
Air 39/3/3 PR
28 June 1979
Dr J.F. deBock
5 Ngahue Crescent
ELSDON
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter of 5 June enclosing
Dr Bruce Maccabee's provisional report on the Kaikoura UFO
sightings and seeking our participation in an advisory
committee.
The RNZAF does not undertake detailed investigations
into reports of Unidentified Flying Objects. The investigation
carried out earlier on the Kaikoura sightings was an isolated
instance.
The RNZAF does, however, consult a number of
Government agencies on receipt of a report, to eliminate any
obvious explanations.
I thank you for the opportunity to join the Centre's
advisory committee which, for the reasons outlined, must be
declined.
Yours faithfully,
[signature]
(C.D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer
[stamp/initials]MINUTE SHEET
Subject: Department:
File No.:
Date: 18 Jn 79
To - [signature/initials]
DDSy
1 The NUSC is a section of
ECRA (Earth Colonisation Research Assn)
2. Dr deBock is the investigating
officer of NUSC. He is Dutch and
has been in NZ about 2 yrs. His
doctorate is in 'stone and cement' -
the works of a Cement firm at
Gracefield
3. The President of ECRA is 'Rocky' Wood -
Varsity student who works for Around
Freightways part time. The organisation
is run from his home in Papaparaumu
4. A private magazine is on sale
at Haggars Bookshops, Cuba Street.
[signature]
[initials]
I believe the answer to deBock is
"thank you but no thank you" on the
basis that RNZAF does not normally
undertake detailed investigations of UFOs
[signature]
DDDSy
18/6
Item 503[Routing form:]
1 ORIGINATOR'S INITIALS [ILLEGIBLE]
2 BEFORE SIGNATURE to
3 FOR SIGNATURE by [initials]
4 BEFORE DISPATCH to [date/initials]
5 DISPATCH [Date: 5.JUN.19[79]] Initials: [ILLEGIBLE]
6 AFTER DISPATCH to
7 BRING UP on to
8 FILE Date Initials
[handwritten: additional ref nos/initials at top]
30
42
(39/3/3)
33
14 June 1979
The Director of Civil Defence,
Bowen State Building,
WELLINGTON 1.
I am referring to you the enclosed letter from
Mr Colin Amery, "else known as John Citizen," who writes to
alert the Civil Defence authorities to the possibility that
a large piece of Skylab will fall in Wellington, specifically
in the suburb of Kelburn, any time between 13 and 30 June 1979.
As you will see from the attached press clipping
Mr Amery claims to have a good track record for premonitions
about public events. It seems that what he has to say is more
a subject for the Civil Defence rather than the Defence
organization. You may feel you will need further information.
In the meantime I have replied saying that I was referring the
matter to you.
D. B. G. McLEAN
(D.B.G. McLean)
Secretary of Defence
Encls[Routing form:]
1 ORIGINATOR'S INITIALS
2 BEFORE SIGNATURE to
FOR SIGNATURE by
BEFORE DISPATCH to
5 DISPATCH 1[ILLEGIBLE] JUN [date] Initials: [ILLEGIBLE]
6 AFTER DISPATCH to
7 BRING UP on to
8 FILE Date Initials
P.D. 32
39/3/3
14 June 1979
Mr C. Amery,
25 Hilton Road,
Highcliff,
DUNEDIN, 2RD.
Dear Mr Amery,
Thank you for your letter of 5 June, passing on information
about the likely end of Skylab. I know that the Minister will
be interested to receive the details you have provided and I shall
refer your letter to him.
The organisation which would coordinate services in the
event of an emergency of the kind you describe would be the
Ministry of Civil Defence and I have accordingly passed your letter
to my colleague, the Director of Civil Defence.
Yours faithfully,
D. B. G. McLEAN
(D.B.G. McLean)
Secretary of DefenceSec Def. I notice that this one is addressed to you [signature]
5Y/3/3
OFFICE OF
MINISTER OF DEFENCE
[stamp: RECEIVED
[ILLEGIBLE] JUN [ILLEGIBLE]]
25 Hilton Road,
Highcliff,
Dunedin, 2RD.
5th June.
Dear Mr McLean,
I am writing to you as the civil servant w[ho is]
responsible to Mr. Frank Gill, Minister of Defence.
I wish to alert the civil defence authorities in
Wellington to the possibility that a large piece of Skylab will
fall on the capital and land in the suburb of Kelburn. The dates
I have been given are between 13th-30th June,1979.
.2
This information has been received from 2 quite separate
psychic sources and I think some credence should be placed upon it.
There is the possibility of widespread damage to property by fire and
the more serious danger of injury to civilian personnel.
I feel that the best way this information can be explained
is by personal interview with either your good self or the Minister.
Can you please reply by return mail, as I am shortly to leave
Dunedin on a lecture tour.
Yours sincerely
[signature]
(Colin Amery also known as John Citizen)
P.S. I enclose clippings from Auckland stat
as a reminder what happened -
before when our warnings were
ignored. 4 lives were needlessly
lost.
C.A.
[REFERRED TO box — empty][Airmail envelope, front] [Postmark: DUNED[IN] 1 PM 5 JUN 1979 N.Z.] JUNE IS— MOTOR RELIC MONTH— VIA AIR MAIL • PAR AVION [REDACTED] Mr T. F[ILLEGIBLE] F[ILLEGIBLE]lean c/- [Mr.] McLean Minister of Police / Defence Parliament Building, WELLINGTON.
[Airmail envelope, back] [SEAL-EASI partial text at top] [REDACTED] SENDER'S NAME AND ADDRESS C.L. Amery 25 Hilton Rd, Highcliff, Dunedin 2RD
HARRY HARRIS
Solicitor
AIR 39/3/3 38
31
Telephone: 061-962 6240 & 969 3943
346 Manchester Road
(Washway Road)
West Timperley
Altrincham
Cheshire
OUR REF: HH/SL
YOUR REF: Air/39/3/3/PR
1st June, 1979
[stamp: RECEIVED
11 JUN 1979]
The Ministry of Defence of New Zealand,
Air Staff,
Defence Headquarters,
Wellington,
NEW ZEALAND.
Dear Sirs,
re: "U.F.O.'S"
I thank you for your letter of the 18th April last and, with regard to
the actual investigation report, would be grateful if you would kindly indicate
why this report is not to be made public if it only relates to "atmospheric
conditions"? — The same enquiry is repeated in relation to the names and
addresses of the witnesses concerned.
Yours faithfully,
[signature]
REFERRED TO
OR6
(RW2)30
NFF
Letter from Dr. F.J. DeBock, 5 Ngahue Cres., Elsden
dated 5 June 1979 and its attached report by Dr.
Bruce S. Maccabee 'What Really Happened in NZ'
transferred to file Air 17/4/897 on 29 JUN 81
on instructions from WG CDR WALLINGFORD, D OPS, AIR
STAFF.
[signature]
F. David I. Taylor/p.
w/o/c ASAC[crossed-out numbers]
29
Air 39/3/3 PR
22 May 1979
Commanding Officer
RNZAF Base Ohakea
Private Bag
PALMERSTON NORTH
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT SIGHTING
1. The report from Squadron Leader G.R. Allin on the sightings
of Unidentified Flying Objects on 26 April whilst he was duty
operations officer is noted with interest.
2. It is requested that he be advised that the RNZAF does
not undertake detailed investigations of UFO's but in some
instances consults a number of Government agencies in an
endeavour to eliminate any obvious explanations.
3. In this instance there is nothing of significance to
indicate that the object might have been anything other than
natural phenomena.
(C.D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer
[initials][crossed-out numbers]
[33]
Air 39/3/3 PR
22 May 1979
WANGANUI
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter to the Commanding Officer of
RNZAF Base Ohakea and passed to the Air Staff, concerning the
objects sighted over Palmerston North.
We were naturally interested in your sighting, however,
the RNZAF does not undertake detailed investigations into
sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects. The investigation
carried out earlier this year in respect of the sightings on
the north-east coast of the South Island was an isolated instance.
The RNZAF does, however, consult a number of Government
agencies in an endeavour to eliminate any obvious explanations.
An earlier sighting over Palmerston North was found to
have the characteristics of a radar balloon carrying a lamp
attached to the reflector, and with your sighting, there is
nothing to suggest that the objects were anything but natural
phenomena.
Yours faithfully,
[signature]
(C.D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer
[initials]MINUTE SHEET Department: Air [Staff] [ILLEGIBLE] 30
[34]
Subject: U.F.O.'s. File No. 39/3/3[4]
Date: 14.5.79
To—
[J.ops]
[signature]
16/5
1. Please see folio No 30
2. Any comments.
[signature]
PRO (F) [signature]
1. We should perhaps S/L
advise Ohakea to discourage PRo (air)
-rather then encourage these sorts →
of reports.
2. Other than that I suggest the
'standard' answer to a civilian — ie 16/5
interested, but nothing to suggest it might have [be]
[Item text] been anything other than natural phenomena.AIR 39/3/S. 27
26
Telephone: Palmerston North RNZAF Base Ohakea
Private Bag
PALMERSTON NORTH
In reply quote: OH 3/17/AIR
9th May 1979
[stamp: RECEIVED
10 MAY 1979
CENT. REGISTRY
DEFENCE HDQTRS]
The Chief of Air Staff
Royal New Zealand Air Force
Defence Headquarters
Private Bag
WELLINGTON
UFO SIGHTING
Enclosed is a UFO sighting report from
Wanganui.
[signature]
(B.R. ANDERSON)
Flight Lieutenant
for Commanding Officer
[ENCLOSURE
RECEIVED stamp]
REFERRED TO
PRO | AIRWANGANUI
The Commanding Officer
RNZAF Base Ohakea
Private Bag
PALMERSTON NORTH
Dear Sir,
I am writing, as requested, to inform you of my sightings of
the UFO's over Palmerston North on Thursday. I am a member of the
band [REDACTED] who all saw the UFO's.
At approximately 10.30 pm on Thursday night we left the
Lounge Bar of the Albert Motor Lodge to return to our accommodation.
While crossing the carpark (cnr Main/Albert) we noticed an "orange
ball" in the sky, which we later estimated at roughly 5,000 ft high,
and about 45° up from us. The ball moved quite rapidly, considering
its size, from a northerly to a SSE direction. At its closest point
it gave the appearance that it was burning, as the edges seemed somewhat
jaggered and constantly changing like fire. It also pulsated from very
pale to darker orange.
As the object got further to the south, it "appeared" to send
off showers of red sparks at 10 - 15 second intervals. This may have
been atmospheric conditions. Also on two or three occasions, as it
headed away, it appeared to dip and move from side to side very rapidly,
and without the normal turning room a plane would need. It would move
and return to its continuous line in a matter of one second or less.
This object was in our view for 5 - 7 minutes at a guess,
before becoming too distant to see with the naked eye. We then decided
to return home, but as we turned around, we saw three similar objects,
in a shallow V formation, in approximately the same position we saw the
first. The three moved and looked the same as the first, but tended to
move to a slightly more easterly direction. None of the objects made
any sound that we could directly relate to them, there was the odd
swishing sound, but it wasn't constant, so was probably traffic in the
city.
Before the three were out of sight, myself, [REDACTED] and
a [REDACTED] who was staying at the Albert went to the reception and
rang Ohakea, who was not in a position to ring Palmerston North Airport, but there was
no reply. The Police were no help, so we rang Ohakea again, but didn't
get very far. So [REDACTED] tried and eventually got through to someone
in charge.
If you should require any further information please contact
our base address, [REDACTED] Wanganui. We'll possibly
be there after next week for about a fortnight, otherwise one of the guys
in the flat will know where we are. Best ring late at night.
I look forward to being of assistance.
Yours faithfully,
[signature]Commanding Officer File No. 3/17/air
R.N.Z.A.F. Action B.A.XI
OHI EA Information
WANGANUI
CENTRAL P[OST OFFICE]
-7 MAY 1979
RNZAF OHAKEA
Dear Sir,
I AM WRITING, AS REQUESTED, TO INFORM YOU OF
MY SIGHTINGS OF THE U.F.O'S OVER PALMERSTON ON
THURSDAY. I AM A MEMBER OF THE BAND [REDACTED] [WHO ALL SAW
THE UFOs]
AT APPROXIMATELY 10.30P.M. ON THURSDAY NIGHT
WE LEFT THE LOUNGE BAR OF THE ALBERT MTR
LODGE TO RETURN TO OUR ACCOMMODATION.
WHILE CROSSING THE CARPARK (CNR MAIN/ALBERT)
WE NOTICED AN "ORANGE BALL" IN THE SKY,
WHICH WE LATER ESTIMATED AT ROUGHLY
5,000 FT HIGH, AND ABOUT 45° UP FROM US.
THE BALL MOVED QUITE RAPIDLY, CONSIDERING IT'S
SIZE FROM A NORTHERLY, TO A SSE DIRECTION.
AT IT'S CLOSEST POINT IT GAVE THE APPEARANCE
THAT IT WAS BURNING, AS THE EDGES SEEMED
SOMEWHAT JAGGERED AND CONSTANTLY CHANGING
LIKE FIRE. IT ALSO PULSATED FROM VERY
PALE TO DARKER ORANGE.
AS THE OBJECT GOT FURTHER TO THE SOUTH,
IT "APPEARED" TO SEND OFF SHOWERS OF RED
SPARKS AT 10-15 SECOND INTERVALS. THIS MAY
HAVE BEEN ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS.
ALSO ON 2 OR 3 OCCASSIONS, AS IT
HEADED AWAY, IT APPEARED TO DIP AND
MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE VARY RAPIDLY,
[crossed out] AND WITHOUT THE NORMAL TURNING ROOM
A PLANE WOULD NEED. IT WOULD MOVE
AND RETURN TO IT'S CONTINUOUS LINE IN
A MATTER OF ONE SECOND OR LESS.
THIS OBJECT WAS IN OUR VIEW FOR 5-7
MINUTES AT A GUESS, BEFORE BECOMING
TOO DISTANT TO SEE WITH THE NAKED EYE.
WE THEN DECIDED TO RETURN HOME, BUT AS
WE TURNED AROUND, WE SAW THREE [SIMILAR] OBJECTS,
IN A SHALLOW V FORMATION, IN APPROXIMATELY
THE SAME POSITION WE SAW THE FIRST.THE THREE MOVED AND LOOKED THE SAME
AS THE FIRST, BUT TENDED TO MOVE TO
A. SLIGHTLY MORE EASTERLY DIRECTION.
NONE OF THE OBJECTS MADE ANY SOUND THAT
WE COULD DIRECTLY RELATE TO THEM. THERE
WAS THE ODD SWISHING SOUND, BUT IT WASN'T
CONSTANT, SO WAS PROBABLY TRAFFIC IN THE
CITY.
BEFORE THE THREE WERE OUT OF SIGHT, MYSELF,
J. WHO WAS STAYING
AT THE ALBERT WENT TO THE RECEPTION AND
RANG OHAKEA, WHO TOLD US TO RING P.N. AIRPORT,
BUT THERE WAS NO REPLY. THE POLICE WERE
NO HELP, SO WE RANG OHAKEA AGAIN, BUT
DIDN'T GET VERY FAR, SO [REDACTED] TRIED,
AND EVENTUALLY GOT THROUGH TO SOMEONE IN
CHARGE.
IF YOU SHOULD REQUIRE ANY FURTHER INFORMAT-
ION PLEASE CONTACT OUR BASE ADDRESS,
WANGANUI.
WE'LL POSSIBLY BE THERE AFTER NEXT WEEK
FOR ABOUT A FORTNIGHT, OTHERWISE ONE OF
THE GUYS IN THE FLAT WILL KNOW WHERE
WE ARE. BEST RING LATE AT NIGHT.
I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING OF ASSISTANCE.
YOURS FAITHFULLY[crossed-out numbers]
25
Air 39/3/3 PR
4 May 1979
Commanding Officer
RNZAF Base Ohakea
Private Bag
PALMERSTON NORTH
REPORT ON UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
FROM SQUADRON LEADER G.R. ALLIN
1. Squadron Leader Allin's reported sighting of an Unidentified
Flying Object on the night of 21 April has been passed to me in
accordance with standard action procedure.
2. From the description and behaviour of the light, it appeared
to have the characteristics of a radar balloon carrying a lamp
attached to the radar reflector. This is supported by the Superintendent of Physical Meteorology in the Ministry of Transport and although
a balloon had not been launched from Ohakea at the time approximate
to the sighting, it is not uncommon for these balloons to be found
in the hands of others outside the Meteorological Service.
3. It should be explained to Squadron Leader Allin that the
investigation carried out by the RNZAF earlier this year on the
sightings off the Kaikoura coast, was an isolated case and that the
RNZAF does not normally undertake detailed investigations of
Unidentified Flying Object sightings.
4. However, as with this sighting, the RNZAF consults a
number of Government agencies in an endeavour to eliminate any
obvious explanations.
[signature]
(C.D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer
[initials]ALLIN
6 DROYLSDEN PLACE
PALMERSTON NORTH
NEW ZEALAND
telephone 71 383
AERIAL PHENOMENON
1. On 26th April 1979, I was the Duty Operations Officer for RNZAF
OHAKEA. Whilst at home, on call, I was contacted by the Ohakea telephone operator, who, at 2255 hours, informed me that she had been contacted by several residents of PALMERSTON NORTH, who were enquiring
about the 'orange lights' that were traversing the city. One such caller, a [REDACTED] was put through to me. He stated that he, and several others, had observed coloured lights travelling from north to south
above the city. I asked him to submit a written report to the Base
Commanding Officer.
2. Shortly afterwards, whilst I was exercising my dog in Featherston Street, I observed a single orange light, approaching from the
north north east, and at about fifteen degrees above the horizon.
Being a single light source, it was difficult to estimate range, but I
assessed it to be about eight kilometres away and tracking along the
watershed of the northern TARARUA Range. The weather was calm, clear
and cold but it is unlikely if any noise would have been heard at that
range.
3. As my family and I had observed an aerial phenomenon on the
evening of 20th April, I was anxious to find witnesses of this sighting.
Across the road, two youths were operating a C.B. radio. I asked them
to confirm the sighting, and for their names and addresses. These are
included in the Appendix.
4. At 2305 hours, I arrived back at my house. In transit, the
lighted disc had been observed against a moving background, but the impression was gained that its track curved [crossed out: might] from south south west to
south east. For two or three minutes, my family and I observed the now
stationary disc, still at an elevation of about fifteen degrees and at
a range of about fifteen kilometres. With the aid of 8x30 binoculars
it was possible to make out the disc shape of yellow light, surrounded
by thin corona of red light.
5. At 2307 hours, the size of the distant disc grew smaller, giving
the impression of a rapid climb, directly away from these four observers
on a heading of 130 degrees True, and with an angle of climb of 25 degrees, until it disappeared into the background of stars.
6. I then rang the WELLINGTON Air Traffic Control Centre, and spoke
with the duty radar operator. He was informed of the sighting and informed me that he had neither known traffic nor unidentified blip in
the area to the south east of Palmerston North. The Defence Duty Staff
Officer was next informed of the sighting, with the coincidence of last
point of observation being identical to that sighting of the 20th April.
7. At 2335 hours, [REDACTED] rang me again, stating that the initial
sighting had been of a single light source at 2230 hours, seen initially
at an elevation of 45 degrees, to the north. The disc had passed overhead of the observer and his two companions, who were standing in the
forecourt of the ALBERT Motor Lodge, Albert Street, Palmerston North.
As it did so, at an estimated five to eight thousand feet, a pulsating
swishing noise was heard. It was not thought that this could be mistaken for traffic noise. As the disc passed to the south, it was observed to emit sparks, which remained incandescent until they fell from
sight behind the immediate horizon. The disc disappeared from sight in
a like manner. The course of this first disc appeared to be erratic
about south south east.(2)
8. At 2235 hours, the three observers saw a shallow vic formation of
three orange discs of light. These flew on a course of approximately
SSE, overflying from the north. These too, disappeared from sight behind the local horizon. Again, [REDACTED] was asked to submit a report
in writing to the Base Commander.
9. In the absence of the Base Orderly Officer, the Ohakea telephone
operator was asked to request the Orderly Officer to inform the Base
Commander of these sightings and to anticipate the receipt of report(s).
10. I have no objection to this report being made available to the
media.
[signature]
(G.R.Allin)
APPENDIX
WITNESSES OF AERIAL PHENOMENA 26th APRIL 1979
Initial Report received from: [REDACTED] TAWA, Wellington.
His associates: [REDACTED]
ASHHURST.
Palmerston North.
Witnesses of sighting at 2300 hours:
Self, wife, son and mother.
[REDACTED] ASHHURST. Telephone
Palmerston North. Tel. [REDACTED]
Copies to:
Commanding Officer
OXO
SATCOMINUTE SHEET Department: Air Staff 21
Subject: LIGHTS OVER PALMERSTON File No. 39/3/3
Date: 1 May 79
To—
[D.A/OFF]
[signature/initials]
1. They're coming thick and fast — as you
can see.
2. In view of the second copy, passed through
to Ohakea, may I suggest that you
also send a letter to CO Ohakea (or just
send one to him) asking that S/L Allin
be de-briefed on the Air Force position.
That might be more appropriate than getting
too involved in a dialogue with S/c Allin who
is obviously rather keen on these 'phenomena'.
It would also serve to put CO Off in the picture
and enable him to take appropriate action
at Base level. for DOPS (275[c])Air 39/3 BAKER-NUNN SPACETRACK
P.O. Box 73
Lake Tekapo, N.Z. 93
Bendix
Field Engineering 9250 Route 108
Corporation Columbia, Maryland 21045
Tel (301) 730-3700
A Subsidiary of
The Bendix Corporation
30 April 79
RNZAF Base Ohakea
Private Bag
PALMERSTON NORTH
Attn: Squadron Leader M.J.[D.] Fuller
Reference your 3/16/AIR of 24 April 1979, Subj: Satellite Transits
Visible in New Zealand
Dear Sir,
I regret that I cannot be of much assistance to you in this matter.
There are currently over 4600 objects catalogued in orbit about the earth.
The orbits of a great number of these satellites take them over New Zealand
from time to time. When and how often is a function of the actual orbit of
the satellite. We ourselves concentrate on only a small amount of this
total, about 200, called Deep Space satellites. It is only on these that
we maintain any information, and their nature is such that they normally
wouldn't be visible to the naked eye anyway. We ourselves frequently get
a satellite on the film that we cannot identify — not because it's a "UFO",
but simply because we don't have any data on that particular satellite.
All of the information necessary to attempt to correllate a sighting with a
particular satellite is maintained by computers in the Space Computational
Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, but I hope you can appreciate the
scope of the task involved in accomplishing this, and in this case it is
just not feasible. Again, I am sorry that I can't be of any more help to you.
PRO/F Sincerely,
[signature]
1. This passed down by Ohakea. Richard C. Prucha
2. Did you respond to previous Station Manager
letter with met balloon suggestion? Mt John
3. Have we pointed out to Base Off
that S/L A should be briefed on the
RNZAF position regarding these things?
4. Suggest an acknowledgement to Off
and appropriate reminder that they
might consider turning these off at source
in view of our 'policy'. Pse discuss
further if you wish.
[initials: /bc DOPS (275[c])]MINUTE SHEET
Subject: Department: DASO
UFO SIGHTING REPORT File No.: Air 39/3/3
Date: 27 APR 79
To—
D.Ops
[J/B]
30/4
PRO (F)
1. Would you 1. At 2320 hours last night I
be kind enough received a telephone report from S/L
to answer then G. Allin, Ohakea Operations Flight Commander
pse. and the Duty Operations Officer, concerning
2. For S/L Allin, a UFO sighted over Palmerston North
where two reports
are more readable 2 The following is the contents of his
I suggest we give verbal report which he intends to follow
the 'Air Staff' view, up with a written report:
ie, we are interested
in all such reports "AT 262245 H the Ohakea Teleop contacted
but except in the the Duty Officer regarding UFOs over
most unusual circum- Palmerston North. AT 262300 H the Duty
stances do not intend to Officer sighted the UFO similar in
launch aircraft appearance, course and pattern to the
to investigate. sighting on 21 April 79 to which there
Use as a reference were also 3 family witnesses plus
[ILLEGIBLE] witness 2 nearby civilians.
notes care to try to
shed more light The UFO was on a SSW course,
on the sightings — height approx 4-5000 ft, about 8 miles
rather than just away (approx) over the mountain range
state what he along the watershed. UFO motion
saw. ceased at 2302 deviation +20° at
3. I will talk approx position 130°T Palmerston
with me own North Township at a distance approx
airfield Supt 10 miles. It then receded gradually
about our views. on 130°T to approx 20 miles range,
4. Pse discuss remained steady until 2305 then
further if you gradually receded into the star
wish. background"
/bt
30/4.MINUTE SHEET
Subject: 2. Department:
File No.:
Date:
To—
"At 2306 Allin contacted the Radar
Controller at WN ACC who reported
no radar or traffic movement in
the area at that time.
A civilian observer will be
forwarding a separate written report
to CO, RNZAF Ohakea. This observer
is a [REDACTED] who was staying
at the Albert Motor Lodge, Albert St,
Palmerston North, last night. His
residential address is:
[REDACTED]
WGTN. (No telephone)"
End of Report.
* 3. A few minutes after Allin had
NBF finished his report I received a further
Have spoken call — this time from Mr Moyes,
with D OPS[E]. No Duty Supervisor, WN ACC. He rang to
further confirm that he had spoken with Allin.
action needed He advised that he had been radar
a [this] operator prior to and during Allin's
report. observations and that he had not
observed any unusual sightings
/bt at that time or any other time during
DAPS the evening. (other than normal traffic)
1/5 He [crossed out] did observe, though, that WNradar was not renown for its reliability
and that it would not be capable of
picking up an object at 4000' over
Palmerston North. The report in the
ACC log confirms Allin's verbal report.
I advised Moyes that a written
report was not required. Note: Moyes
in conversation made the comment that
he considered UFO phenomena do exist
and that a scientific survey should
be set up!
[signature]
(P.J. GOSNELL)
Sqn Ldr
DASOAir 39/3/3 P
27 April 1979
Officer Commanding
No 5 Squadron
RNZAF Base Auckland
Private Bag 2
AUCKLAND
For Information:
Headquarters Operations Group
UFO INVESTIGATION
1. The information provided by Flying Officer B.J. Godwin
concerning the radar contact made during a patrol on 9 April has
been retained by Air Staff for future reference.
2. Flying Officer Godwin is to be complimented on the
effort he put into this report.
(C.D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer
[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]D. Ops.
[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]
60 Col 4c
To: ~ 26/14/79 [ILLEGIBLE]
b.
....PRO.AIR........
.........................
.........................
FILE NO: .39...3....3.
SUBJECT: .......Reports..on..UFO's...................
1. The above file was marked out to ..PRO.Air..... on 20:4:79
2. Please advise :
(a) Whether the file is required to action the attached
correspondence. Yes/No.
(b) If the file is not required immediately, whether it
will be required at a later date for follow-up action.
Yes .............(Date) / No.
for Registrar ([ILLEGIBLE])MINUTE SHEET Department: Air Staff [ILLEGIBLE]A
Subject: Radar Ducting. File No. 39/3/3 19
Date: 23.4.79
To-
1. Please see folio to below.
D.Ops.
for 2. All this 'G' talk is too
38/4 much for me to handle!
6/1
PRO(p) up!
3. Any comments.
1. Thanks. It's
certainly worth retaining
for future reference - should [ILLEGIBLE] Col
we get any more of the Dec/Jan
type 'sightings'. I did include S/c
a comment on this theory in my PRo (air)
original report.
2. Would you be kind enough to
reply to FgOff Goodwin, thanking him for
his efforts and advising him we will retain [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]
for future reference. I do not think there ([ILLEGIBLE])
Item 504 is any point in making a [ILLEGIBLE] 9060B—140,000 pads/2/77 DMINUTE SHEET Department: OXO OHAKEA 18
Subject: UFO SIGHTING REPORT AIR39/3/13 [ILLEGIBLE]
File No.
Date: 23APR79
To-
D OPS ✓ Sir,
Herewith the report subject of our conversation
[stamp: today the Carter Observatory informed
RECEIVED that at this time of year UFO reports are
2 4 APR 1979 generated by sightings of satellites. The
CENT. REGISTRY altitude of the satellite puts it in sunlight
DEFENCE HQDTRS] while the ground observer is in the dark
and then the satellite may disappear
in the Earth's shadows. I will write to
the US satellite tracking station at
Tekapo and ask for a schedule of
satellite passages; if it looks useful
I will send for a copy. Sincerely
[CLOSURE] [ILLEGIBLE signature]
Item 504 9060[ILLEGIBLE]—140,000 pads/2/77 DALLIN
6 DROYLSDEN PLACE
PALMERSTON NORTH
NEW ZEALAND
telephone 71 383
AERIAL PHENOMENON
1. At approximately 1850 hours, local, on Saturday, 21st April 1979,
my thirteen year old son walked from the back door of our house; a dist-
ance of some ten metres to the side door of our workshop garage, wherein
I was working, in order to call me for our evening meal. Before reach-
ing the door, he called me, in an urgent voice, to "come and have a look
at this light in the sky." Aware of his youthful penchant about UFOs,
I was somewhat sceptical, but nevertheless went to the door.
2. It was completely dark, civil evening twilight being at about
1800 hours, and the immediate area was unlit. I looked in the direct-
ion that he indicated and, against the cloudy night sky, saw a steady
white light, moving slowly from left to right. Initially, because a
Cessna 206 had been seen earlier, engaged in skydiving manoeuvres from
Wilson Airport, I assumed this to be the same aircraft embarking on a
night drop, or maybe a James Aviation Cessna 402, in a right hand climb-
ing turn after taking off from Runway 07 and with landing light illumin-
ated
3. However, this light had none of the characteristics of any air-
craft light of which I am aware. Both my son and I moved to our back
door and called for my wife and my mother to observe this phenomenon.
I then requested that my son fetch my binoculars. These have a magni-
fication of eight and, as they had been used earlier in the day to ob-
serve the skydivers, were correctly adjusted to my vision. Thus, I
was immediately able to study the light.
4. Initially, with the naked eye, it appeared as a small ball of
fire, similar in appearance to the tailpipe view of a single engined
jet aircraft with reheat engaged. This is a sight with which I am
most conversant, having flown such aircraft for seventeen years.
As it was a single light, I could only assume its course by the steady
angle of its approach. This I have ascertained, by use of NZMS 1, 17,
and 242A Lands and Survey maps, aerial photographs of my house and a
service Marching Compass, to be 235°True or 215°Magnetic. The visual
appearance of this single light gave the impression of flight on steady
heading, at a height of about 2000 feet and, tracking from the direction
AOKAUTERE, when first sighted, towards HOKOWHITU; more precisely 40°20'S
175°42'E to 40°22'S/175°39'E. This approximates overflying the general
axis of the MANAWATU River, upstream of PALMERSTON NORTH, for a distance
of 6.5 kilometres. Our house is situated at 40°20'51"S/175°36'47"E, or
1100 metres north of the centre of PALMERSTON NORTH.
5. Although the light was seen initially on a True Bearing of 080°
from our position, its progress slowed as it moved to a bearing of 130°
True. During this period, its angle of elevation increased from 25°
steadily to 35° above the horizon.
6. Just prior to its motion ceasing, the light was studied with the
aid of the binoculars. The magnified image appeared to be an unflick-
ering, naked flame, with KELVIN characteristics similar to the flame of
a kerosene Hurricane lamp. The light source was quite circular and was
large enough to present itself as a disc and not as a pin-point of light.
In no way did it resemble a reflected image as no mirage 'trembling' was
evident. To either side and above the disc was a small area of red
light. The definite impression gained was of an oncoming, aerially
mounted 6 volt old car headlight, shining alongside a red painted sur-
face.
REFERRED TO
D.Ops.
[ILLEGIBLE](2) The closest comparison that I can draw, to a personally observed source is of an RAF Support Command, scarlet painted Whirlwind helicopter, with only its belly spot light illuminated and shining forward, partly illum- inating the under fuselage. Another valid comparison would be of a wax- en night light flame, at the bottom of a sherry glass, the far side of which was painted red and illuminated by the flame. 7. At this time, I left my mother, wife and son on the back steps, and decided to investigate further. I rang RNZAF Base OHAKEA and asked for Air Traffic Control, in order to check for aircraft movements and radar echoes. I noted the time as 1854 hours. With no answer, I then rang Palmerston North tower. No answer [ILLEGIBLE], so I rang Ohakea again and identified myself as the Operations Flight Commander, asking to be connected to the Radar Supervisor at the WELLINGTON Air Traffic Control Centre as quickly as possible. I then returned to the back door. 8. My family informed me that, in my absence, the light had remained stationary for a time, then had moved back on its original track slightly before growing dimmer and changing its position in elevation. I noted the time as 1900 hours. 9. The light, indeed much dimmer, was still on a bearing of 130°True but now about 30° above the horizon and growing noticeably less bright and smaller as it apparently climbed away on a heading of about 130 True or 110 Magnetic towards PAHIATUA. As it, apparently, climbed, the light was seen to vary or pulse in intensity. This, I assumed, coincided with transit of the thin layer of Altostratus cloud at about 10,000 feet. At this time, the pulsing light was surrounded closely by a slight halo effect, such as a light seen through thin mist. Again, there was a marked similarity to an aircraft climbing directly away from the observer whilst in reheat. Eventually, after another minute or so, the light became so faint that it was lost in the reflected glow from the city. At that time, an occasional sight of stars was made through the thin cloud. At no time was the sound of an aircraft heard, only the muted noise of nearby road traffic, in itself infrequent. 10. At 1905 hours the telephone rang and, after a short delay, I was connected to the Radar Supervisor at Wellington and to whom I gave brief details of our sighting. He stated that no aircraft was airborne in our area, that Ohakea had closed watch earlier and that he would en- quire of Palmerston North tower. 11. I next informed the Ohakea Orderly Officer of our sighting and checked weather conditions with the duty meteorologist. These were estimated to be broken Altostratus cloud at approximately 10,000 feet with half cover of Cirrus at 28,000 feet; calm conditions and unlimited visibility. 12. My wife and my son studied the phenomenon through my binoculars. 13. With twenty seven years experience in aviation, I consider myself to be an unbiased, expert witness. Using my personal experience as the only criterion for this opinion, I consider that the phenomenon observed was a sphere of steady flame, of comparatively low temperature, below 1000°Celsius, less than 2 metres in diameter and backed closely on one side by a crimson coloured material. There was no possibility of the
(3)
light emanating through a lens or from a jet pipe, as the intensity of
the light remained evenly spread and the circular appearance did not
become elliptical as the source changed its relative position and direct-
ion.
14. I have no objection to this report being made available to the
media.
[signature]
(G.R.ALLIN)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF
Copy to : OXO
ATC SupervisorAIR 39/3/3[ILLEGIBLE]
MD 121 MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
TRANSFER OF DOCUMENTS
[stamp: RECEIVED
2 4 APR 1979
CENT. REGD TO
DEFENCE HQ 521947]
TYPE:....................... Date: 23 Apr 79........
(Insert Type, i.e. Accounting/Pay/Personal/Non Classified)
TO:......Air Staff....... FROM:....Pers Co..................
.......Defence Headquarters .......RNZAF Base..............
.......Wellington .......Ohakea..................
*Details of Vouchers/Documents Documents Transferred Reason for Transfer
*Number *Name
.Report..on..Aerial..Phenomenon............................ For your info.
....................................................... and action
........................................................
........................................................
........................................................
........................................................
........................................................
........................................................
........................................................
........................................................
REFERRED TO
PRO Air
D Ops
.......
.......
.......
.......
.......
.......
.......
.......
*Delete as applicable. [ENCLOSURE stamp] Documents returned with receipt ........................ (date)ALLIN 11
6 DROYLSDEN PLACE 21A
PALMERSTON NORTH
NEW ZEALAND
telephone 71 383
AERIAL PHENOMENON
1. At approximately 1850 hours, local, on Saturday, 21st April 1979,
my thirteen year old son walked from the back door of our house; a dist-
ance of some ten metres to the side door of our workshop garage, wherein
I was working, in order to call me for our evening meal. Before reach-
ing the door, he called me, in an urgent voice, to "come and have a look
at this light in the sky." Aware of his youthful penchant about UFOs,
I was somewhat sceptical, but nevertheless went to the door.
2. It was completely dark, civil evening twilight being at about
1800 hours, and the immediate area was unlit. I looked in the direct-
ion that he indicated and, against the cloudy night sky, saw a steady
white light, moving slowly from left to right. Initially, because a
Cessna 206 had been seen earlier, engaged in skydiving manoeuvres from
Wilson Airport, I assumed this to be the same aircraft embarking on a
night drop, or maybe a James Aviation Cessna 402, in a right hand climb-
ing turn after taking off from Runway 07 and with landing light illumin-
ated
3. However, this light had none of the characteristics of any air-
craft light of which I am aware. Both my son and I moved to our back
door and called for my wife and my mother to observe this phenomenon.
I then requested that my son fetch my binoculars. These [ILLEGIBLE] a magni-
fication of eight and, as they had been used earlier in the day to ob-
serve the skydivers, were correctly adjusted to my vision. Thus, I
was immediately able to study the light.
4. Initially, with the naked eye, it appeared as a small ball of
fire, similar in appearance to the tailpipe view of a single engined
jet aircraft with reheat engaged. This is a sight with which I am
most conversant, having flown such aircraft for seventeen years.
As it was a single light, I could only assume its course by the steady
angle of its approach. This I have ascertained, by use of NZMS 1, 17,
and 242A Lands and Survey maps, aerial photographs of my house and a
service Marching Compass, to be 235°True or 215°Magnetic. The visual
appearance of this single light gave the impression of flight on steady
heading, at a height of about 2000 feet and, tracking from the direction
AOKAUTERE, when first sighted, towards HOKOWHITU; more precisely 40°20'S
175°42'E to 40°22'S/175°39'E. This approximates overflying the general
axis of the MANAWATU River, upstream of PALMERSTON NORTH, for a distance
of 6.5 kilometres. Our house is situated at 40°20'51"S/175°36'47"E, or
1100 metres north of the centre of PALMERSTON NORTH.
5. Although the light was seen initially on a True Bearing of 080°
from our position, its progress slowed as it moved to a bearing of 130°
True. During this period, its angle of elevation increased from 25°
steadily to 35° above the horizon.
6. Just prior to its motion ceasing, the light was studied with the
aid of the binoculars. The magnified image appeared to be an unflick-
ering, naked flame, with KELVIN characteristics similar to the flame of
a kerosene Hurricane lamp. The light source was quite circular and was
large enough to present itself as a disc and not as a pin-point of light.
In no way did it resemble a reflected image as no mirage 'trembling' was
evident. To either side and above the disc was a small area of red [ILLEGIBLE]
light. The definite impression gained was of an oncoming, aerially
mounted 6 volt old car headlight, shining alongside a red painted sur-
face.(2) The closest comparison that I can draw, to a personally observed source is of an RAF Support Command, scarlet painted Whirlwind helicopter, with only its belly spot light illuminated and shining forward, partly illum- inating the under fuselage. Another valid comparison would be of a wax- en night light flame, at the bottom of a sherry glass, the far side of which was painted red and illuminated by the flame. 7. At this time, I left my mother, wife and son on the back steps, and decided to investigate further. I rang RNZAF Base OHAKEA and asked for Air Traffic Control, in order to check for aircraft movements and radar echoes. I noted the time as 1854 hours. With no answer, I then rang Palmerston North tower. No answer [ILLEGIBLE], so I rang Ohakea again and identified myself as the Operations Flight Commander, asking to be connected to the Radar Supervisor at the WELLINGTON Air Traffic Control Centre as quickly as possible. I then returned to the back door. 8. My family informed me that, in my absence, the light had remained stationary for a time, then had moved back on its original track slightly before growing dimmer and changing its position in elevation. I noted the time as 1900 hours. 9. The light, indeed much dimmer, was still on a bearing of 130°True but now about 30° above the horizon and growing noticeably less bright and smaller as it apparently climbed away on a heading of about 130 True or 110 Magnetic towards PAHIATUA. As it, apparently, climbed, the light was seen to vary or pulse in intensity. This, I assumed, coincided with transit of the thin layer of Altostratus cloud at about 10,000 feet. At this time, the pulsing light was surrounded closely by a slight halo effect, such as a light seen through thin mist. Again, there was a marked similarity to an aircraft climbing directly away from the observer whilst in reheat. Eventually, after another minute or so, the light became so faint that it was lost in the reflected glow from the city. At that time, an occasional sight of stars was made through the thin cloud. At no time was the sound of an aircraft heard, only the muted noise of nearby road traffic, in itself infrequent. 10. At 1905 hours the telephone rang and, after a short delay, I was connected to the Radar Supervisor at Wellington and to whom I gave brief details of our sighting. He stated that no aircraft was airborne in our area, that Ohakea had closed watch earlier and that he would en- quire of Palmerston North tower. 11. I next informed the Ohakea Orderly Officer of our sighting and checked weather conditions with the duty meteorologist. These were estimated to be broken Altostratus cloud at approximately 10,000 feet with half cover of Cirrus at 28,000 feet; calm conditions and unlimited visibility. 12. My wife and my son studied the phenomenon through my binoculars. 13. With twenty seven years experience in aviation, I consider myself to be an unbiased, expert witness. Using my personal experience as the only criterion for this opinion, I consider that the phenomenon observed was a sphere of steady flame, of comparatively low temperature, below 1000°Celsius, less than 2 metres in diameter and backed closely on one side by a crimson coloured material. There was no possibility of the
(3)
light emanating through a lens or from a jet pipe, as the intensity of
the light remained evenly spread and the circular appearance did not
become elliptical as the source changed its relative position and direct-
ion.
14. I have no objection to this report being made available to the
media.
[signature]
(G.R.ALLIN)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF
Copy to : OXO
ATC SupervisorAir 39/3/3/PR 15
18 April 1979
Mr Harry Harris
346 Manchester Road
West Timperley
Altincham
Cheshire
BRITAIN
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter of 2 April in which you
posed a number of questions relating to the sightings of
Unidentified Flying Objects and sought a copy of the investigation
report.
The news reports concerning a squadron of aircraft on
special alert was in fact an exaggeration by the media. One
Skyhawk was placed on standby to investigate further sightings
and an Orion aircraft in fact carried out a patrol of the area
in which the sightings were being made.
Yes, the pilot of the aircraft carrying the television
crew disagreed. However, the pilot also did not believe that
the film taken from the aircraft was a good representation of
what they actually saw.
Unusual atmospheric conditions on the east coast of the
South Island have been well documented since 1948, with many
mirage-type effects being witnessed over the years. The specific
conditions which prevailed recently were a very clear atmosphere
for this time of the year; marked inversion layers and a strong
north-west wind aloft causing a föhn effect.
It was suggested that the most likely objects photo-
graphed were possibly refracted images of Venus or a squid fleet.
The suggestion that the lights from trains and cars could have
been responsible for some of the inshore sightings could have
been true.
The radar was, at the time, giving so many spurious
returns that there was at best only a slight chance of whether or
not the lights sighted and the various radar returns were
coincident. Bearing in mind that the radar has no height
finding facility and that visual observations are not very
accurate in term of range, height or bearing, there was very
little, if any, correlation between the various sightings.
[ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE] Initials2.
The RNZAF investigation report has not been made public
and it is unlikely that it will be released. The news release
is a summary of the findings of the report which was not as
categoric as reported by the media. Its findings were confined
to the most likely causes.
Because of the report not being released the RNZAF is
not in a position to release the names and addresses of the
witnesses concerned.
Yours faithfully,
[signature]
(C.D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public RelationsOHMS [ILLEGIBLE date] [Mailing label on envelope: The Chief of Air Staff Royal New Zealand Air Force, Defence Headquarters (Air) Private Bag, WELLINGTON. Attention [ILLEGIBLE]]
F/T WELLINGTON 1) Refraction & Rumblings NNNNZCZC AMA336 100021 BF GG N7WPYM 1 00007 NZKLYM 2) TANGAROA 39.85/179.8 E YOUR 092332 AND 23457 EXAMINATION OF CLOUD PICTURES FOR ABOUT 090300Z SHOW LITTLE SIGNIFICANT CLOUD IN SIGNIFICANT CLOUD IN AREA YOU MENTION. THERE WAS A BELT OF HIGH TOP CLOUD RUNNING NORTHEAST/SOUTHWEST THROUGH 4CSOUTH 18C WHICH IS MUCH CLOSER TO COAST THAN 200MILES AND EVEN THIS CONSIDERING VISIBLE AND INFRA READ TOGETHER DOES NOT LOOK THE SORT OF THING THAT WOULD PRODUCE STRONG ECHOES.
[ILLEGIBLE] AMA346 090026 BF JJ NZZZAL 091203M NZWNYY TANGAROA/ZMKL 99397 31798 08213 33218 99020 18620 31700 01209 00119 30402 05403 REPEAT TANGAROA/ZMKL 1130 411 33505 98011 ///// 33602 1130 312 71405 97022 ///// 721// 1200 574 60406 99032 //// 00808 // / 2/000 1130 318 73406 96C2[ILLEGIBLE] //// 757// //// NNNNZCZC AMA347 090027 CD JJ NZZZEL 090021 N TUYF METREP N E E METREP MC 1220 330/15-20 VIS 60KM 1/8 SC 6000 2/8 AS 11000 3/8 CS ABV T17 QNH 1014
ZCZC AMA191 082012 BD FF NZZZKD 081957 NZKLYM BRIEFING STATEMENT VALID TO 1500HR NORTH ISLAND DECR WESTERLY FLOW WITH ISOL TCU CB RASH GRADU CONFINED TO RANGES VIS OCNL BELOW 4000M AND BASE 800-1200 AT TIMES IN SH BUT SLOW IMPROVEMENT ISOL TCU CB TOPS TO 25000 SUBSIDING IN GISBORNE HAWKES BAY AND WAIRARAPA CLOUD OFTEN SCT AND SH INFREQUENT AWAY FROM RANGES FZ 10-11000 SOUTH ISLAND IN CANTERBURY AREAS FOG TIL ABOUT 0900HR EXTENSIVE LOW ST AND FOG OVER SEAS AND ABOUT COASTS SOUTH OF OU-MF WITH BASE 300-600 AND AREAS MORNING DZ VIS DOWN TO 2000M SCT TCU CB ABOUT AND WEST ALPS WITH TOPS TO 25000 SUBSIDING AND RASH VIS 3000M AT TIMES BEC LESS FRQ FZ 8-9000
NNNNZCZC AMA448 090406 AD
GG NZZZRA
090405 NZAKYF
1600HR AEROS
KT 011 72911 82152 81820 83825 86362 02116 1017.7=
WR 058 82010 75152 83816 84650 86360 1017.4=
WP 112 83207 65616 82710 84818 88460 01817 1017.8=
AK 115 83006 60616 82712 83640 88460 01817 1018.1 (QFF)=
AA 119 83204 60606 81705 83810 88460 01817 1018.1=
AR 136 83004 58616 82707 84710 88625 1018.2=
HN 172 MIS=
TG 185 MIS=
RO 246 MIS=
AP 243 70000 80152 82818 87462 01715 T01[ILLEGIBLE]=
NNNNZCZC AMA452 [ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE]
1600 HR SOUTHERN AEROS
CH 780 70612 80052 83709 84470 87278 01512 1012.8=
WG 783 70711 80052 83609 84470 87272 1012.7=
MF 720 73509 70606 81710 83720 87850 1013.7=
OU 795 70506 70022 87706 01411 1012.7=
KI 677 70000 86032 81845 83367 86075 01713 1013.7=
WS 514 70805 84152 84825 83650 1016.2=
QN 830 52508 86012 85850 0171 E E E 85850 01707 1011.2 ACCI=
HK 614 50108 81152 81710 83820 85640 01813 1015.3=
NV 844 71611 80802 81820 87645 01613 1010.7=
TU 772 71203 80022 84711 87615 1012.3=
DN 890 70000 70602 81705 87540 01514 1011.9=
NNNNZCZC AMA460 090440 BB
GG NZZZRF
090437 NZWNYF
LATE ADDN CENTRALS
PM 405 72612 82052 82825 85835 85365 018// 1015.5=
090405 NZWNYF
1600HRS CENTRAL AEROS
NP 308 72904 81162 86820 01816 1017.3=
WN 436 50115 86012 84813 019// 1014.4=
GS 291 73111 83152 81820 87075 02313 1015.7=
OH 401 73011 82052 81822 84635 86070 01914 1016.0=
PP 417 50307 84012 82816 84078 01916 1015.8=
NS 545 10510 87010 81840 01812 1014.8=
KL 434 63115 84012 82812 83364 01813 QFF 1014.2 G34=
WU 325 72812 82052 83830 86359 019// 1016.9=
BR 585 33325 82011 82915 82357 83077 24 //=
BM 577 43112 88010 82845 022// 1013.0=
NNNNZCZC AMA454 090419 AB
GG N7ZZRA
090415 NZAKYF
1600HR AEROS
TG 185 83006 70802 83810 87460 01916 1017.7=
HN 172 83403 70505 87712 1017.6=
RO 246 82806 81602 81820 83635 87460 01815 1017.4=NNNNZCZC AMA422 090312 CB GG NZZZRK 090302 NZCHYF 1500HR SOUTHERN AEROS CH 780 70611 82052 83710 87278 01612 1012.8= TU 772 71106 80022 84711 87615 01614 1012.6= NV 844 71702 86152 81820 87650 0171- 1010.7= WS 514 70707 84152 82825 85650 1016.2= MF 720 83612 70606 81710 83720 87850 1013.9= [ILLEGIBLE] 83800 87645 01714 1015.6= GG NZZZRA 090305 NZAKYF 1500HR AEROS KT 011 72912 82152 83830 85360 87362 02217 1017.7= WR 058 83107 80252 83818 87650 1017.3= WP 112 83007 85606 81710 82818 88460 01918 1017.9= AK 115 82907 60616 82712 83640 88460 01918 1018.3 (QFF)= AR 136 83404 83207 88630 1018.4= HN 172 83204 70605 82710 84625 87460 01917 1017.9 LT RA COMM 1450 VIS RED TO S AND W= TG 185 83308 70152 85710 85620 88458 01917 1017.7= WK 190 83210 58808 82708 86625 01817 1017.5 VIS 40KM TO W= RO 246 82907 82152 81820 84645 87410 01915 1017.3= AA 119 83305 60616 81705 84810 88460 01918 1018.2= NNNNZCZC AMB224 090315 BE GG NZZZRF 090305 NZWNYF 1500HR CENTRAL AEROS NS 545 30113 87011 81840 01912 1015.0= PM 405 62812 82052 83825 84835 85365 020// 1015.5= OH 401 53012 81052 81822 85070 01914 1016.2= PP 417 73509 84052 83816 86078 01915 1015.8= BM 577 69905 89022 81850 84270 02214 1013.1= WU 325 52810 82052 83830 85462 01915 1016.0= NR 372 71410 86022 84835 87462 02216 1014.7= NP 308 63505 81162 81825 86075 02016 1017.1= GS 291 73309 86152 81820 87075 02412 1015.9 VIS 45KM TO NW= WN 436 70114 86022 81813 87075 019// 1014.3= KL 434 73213 84022 82812 87075 01813 QFF 1014.3= GG NZZLNN 090310 NZCHYF LATE AERO 1500 0U795 70610 70022 87706 01412 1014.0= NNNNZCZC AMA426 090319 CH NNNNZCZC AMA427 09C320 AF GG NZZZRA 090317 NZAKYF 1500HR AEROS CONTD AP 243 80000 80152 82818 88464 01715 1016.5=
[Aeronautical chart of New Zealand showing navigation aids, NDB/VOR/DME locations, place names, and terrain elevation figures across North and South Islands.]
Handwritten annotations:
Final observation 024DZ
ZD
Initial contact
0328Z
116°T
120°T
[Chart labels include: NORTH ISLAND, AWANUI NDB(UHF), WHANGAREI NDB DME 200, WHENUAPAI TACAN NDB(UHF) SRE, WHENUAPAI NDB DME 200, AUCKLAND VOR DME 200, WESTPOINT NDB, WAIUKU NDB, HAMILTON NDB, HAMILTON NDB DME 200, NEW PLYMOUTH NDB(UHF) NDB DME 200, WAVERLEY NDB DME 200, WANGANUI NDB, OHAKEA TACAN NDB(UHF) NDB DME 200 SRE, PARAPARAUMU NDB DME 200, THE BROTHERS NDB, NELSON NDB DME 200, WESTPORT NDB DME 200, WOODBOURNE NDB(UHF), SEAVIEW NDB(UHF), HOKITIKA NDB DME 200, CHRISTCHURCH NDB, CHRISTCHURCH TACAN VOR DME 200, IRISH NDB DME 200, ASHBURTON NDB, TIMARU NDB DME 200, FOREST NDB, CAPE CAMPBELL NDB, KAIKOURA NDB DME 200, BLENHEIM NDB DME 200, PORIRUA NDB, NEWLANDS NDB, WELLINGTON VOR NDB DME 200-SRE, MASTERTON, PAHIATUA NDB, TAUPO NDB DME 200, ROTORUA NDB, ROTORUA VOR DME 200, TAURANGA NDB(UHF) NDB DME 200, GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, IZE, SURREY NDB, WHAKATANE NDB, and various elevation figures]K- 18°30'E K-
7NM
36°
J- J-
37°
H- 8NM H-
180° A D 19°30'E 175° 174°
38°
G- G-
GISBORNE
VOR NDB
DME 200
73 14
39°
F- F- MET ZONE 76
[handwritten track markings with annotations: HIGH 1% and other ILLEGIBLE handwritten text
showing aircraft track with circles indicating course changes along the North Island coastline]
40° 8NM 20°30'E 40°
E- E-
41°
D- 8NM 21°30'E D-
42°
C- 160° 175° 174° C- MET ZONE 77
43°
B- 9NM 22°30'E B-
* The Sisters
CHATHAM IS
* CHATHAM ISLAND
4548 *93
CHATHAM IS
NDB DME 200
Pitt I 44°
A- A-14°30'E 160° 36°
J-
MET ZONE 76 6NM 37°
H-
157°
15°30'E Y D
38°
G-
T A S M A I
5NM
F- 39°
16°30'E
160°
40° 40° 40°
E-
41°
D-
5NM
42°
157° 17°30'E 160°
C-
43°
4NM
B-
18°30'E
44°
A-
6NM6NM AWANUI
NDB (UHF)
Z D
6NM
S E A
40°
40° 40°
6NM
4190
420
4093 NELSON
WESTPORT NDB DME 200
NDB DME 200
8[?] 6155
Cape F[oulwind] WOODBOURNE
4720 NDB (UHF)
*7550
[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] SEAVIEW
[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] NDB (UHF)
Greymouth 4810
[ILLEGIBLE] 170° HOKITIKA
[ILLEGIBLE] 146 43 6520 FOREST
HOKITIKA NDB
NDB DME 200 7450
8675 CHRISTCHURCH
SOUTH ISLAND NDB
[ILLEGIBLE] 634[?] 301
HAAST *7643 CHRISTCHURCH
NDB WIGRAM
Jackson Bay HAAST IRISH NDB (UHF) NDB
22 35 NDB DME 200A
MILFORD SOUND *12349 ASHBURTON
NDB DME 200 5NM Mt Cook NDB
6464 *7144 300 4
10 30 *7275
*9960 CORONET PEAK *6266 4340 89 43 TIMARU
St Anne Point DME 200 COOK NDB DME 200
MILFORD SOUND 1550 50 6840 NDB
10 30 *9308 QUEENSTOWN CROMWELL DAMARIU
*8984 NDB DME 200[Envelope/folder image with circular stamp reading:] RECEIVED 17 APR 1979 CENT. REGISTR. DEFENCE HQTRS
RESTRICTED AIK 3Y/3/1-
RNZAF 345
13
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE
TELEPHONE: WEI 3000 Ext 886 No 5 Squadron
RNZAF Base Auckland
Private Bag 2
AUCKLAND
IN REPLY QUOTE .............................. 12th April 1979
The Chief of Air Staff
Royal New Zealand Air Force
6 2/[?]
Attention: Public Relations Officer
For Information:
Operations Group
[RECEIVED stamp:
19 APR 1979
CENT REGISTR
DEFENCE HQTRS]
UFO'S ?
1. At 0330 on 9th April 1979 we were on the north bound leg of a
patrol at 9,000 feet when a radar contact was obtained in position 3710S
17130W. This contact, bearing 116/20nm from the aircraft appeared to be
keeping formation with the aircraft.
2. We turned on to investigate, and, whilst homing on, the target was
sectored upon and the tilt control varied. The target was most distinct
at -1.3° of tilt, indicating a target below us, and had the appearance
of a light-medium cloud, 3nm long, along track (116°) about 1nm wide.
Throughout the homing to "On Top" there was no target movement. After the
"On Top" the contact was lost (i.e. aircraft to the east of target) but
was regained when the aircraft was again to the west of the target.
Despite two homings to "On Top" nothing that could explain the target was
seen either above or below us.
3. As the AEO and Radar Operator I believe this contact to have
been a cloud contact at a true distance of 404nm on a bearing of 116° true
from its apparent position.
4. The P3B radar has a PRF of 400 PPS giving a PRT of 2500 micro-
seconds, this limits the max. theoretical range of the radar, (due to time
available to "listen" for an echo) to 202nm. Normally at that range the
power output would be insufficient to allow detection of anything but the
most perfect reflector. However, with atmospheric ducting this range
could be increased significantly, allowing the echo to come back not in
the listening time for its own pulse, but in time for the next, or even
one after that. This would mean that targets would be displayed at a
range of X-202 or 404 or 606 etc where X = the actual range of the target
from the radar.
5. If this phenomena were to happen in an aircraft travelling at say
300 kts and the real target were say 424nm away, then the target would
appear to be at a distance of only 20nm. Furthermore the target would
appear to keep formation with the aircraft because the true relative
RESTRICTED
/bearing
REFERRED TO
PRO PIRRESTRICTED
-2-
bearing would only alter very slowly. The radar would only be able
to pick up the contact outside of 404nm because as the range closed
to say 403nm the echo would arrive back in time, not for zero range
on the third pulse, but in time to appear as 202nm on the second
pulse's "listening time". Although the contact was not observed
coming in at extreme range after the "On Top" due to display limitations,
I believe the above to be an explanation of the contact we gained.
6. After extensive enquiries about cloud formations around New
Zealand at that time, the Wellington Met Office informed me that the
only significant cloud at that time was a belt of high top cloud
running north east/south west through 40S 180E/W which coincides with
the position of our contact in position 4045S 17915W. This position
is calculated by taking 404nm from the apparent targets initial position
on the initial bearing of 116°T, and 404nm from the last seen position
of the apparent target on the final bearing of 120°T.
7. Had this contact been picked up by a less flexible and well
equipped platform the result would almost certainly have been another
UFO sighting report. Perhaps this incident, as a proveable example
of radar ducting is of public relations value.
[Signature]
(B.J. GODWIN)
Flying Officer
for Officer Commanding
Enclosures: 1. Chart
2. Weather Reports
ENCLOSURE
RECEIVED
[ILLEGIBLE date stamp]
RESTRICTEDAir 39/3/3 PR
12 April 1979
Master Timothy Bourne
Takeley County Primary School
Takeley Bishop's Stortford
Herts
BRITAIN
Dear Timothy,
Thank you for your letter of 16 January asking for
information on Unidentified Flying Objects.
There is no official RNZAF policy on Unidentified
Flying Objects and no general study of UFO sightings is made
by the RNZAF or a specific group within the RNZAF.
I regret that I cannot provide the information you
require.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
(C.D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer
[Second signature]HARRY HARRIS HIK 3Y/3/S. 11
Solicitor
6 x6
Telephone: 061-962 6240 & 969 3943
342 Manchester Road
OUR REF: HH/CH AIRMAIL (Washway Road)
YOUR REF: AIR 39/3/3 PR West Timperley
Altrincham
2nd April 1979 Cheshire
Ministry of Defence,
Chief of Air Staff,
Defence Headquarters,
Private Bag,
Wellington,
New Zealand.
[RECEIVED stamp:
9 APR 1979
CENT. REGISTR.
DEFENCE HQTRS]
Dear Sirs,
Re: "U.F.O. Sightings"
I thank you for your letter of the 22nd ultimo with its enclosure and
trust that you would not consider me presumptuous if I ventured to raise the
following questions arising out of my perusal of the report which you sent to me,
namely:-
1. According to reports in the British Press, a Squadron of planes was placed on
special "alert standby" to chase any further "mystery" objects? Are these Press
reports correct?
x 2. Would it be possible to have the names and addresses of the witnesses concerned?
3. According to reports in the British press, the pilot of the plane which took
x the television pictures disagreed with your official explanation - have you any
comment to make?
4. I refer to the fourth paragraph of your "news release" document - is there
any record of the rather "unusual" atmospheric conditions occurring before at this
time of the year with similar results? If not perhaps you could kindly specify
exactly what these atmospheric conditions were that were so peculiar to this
year and which, apparently, have not occurred before.
5. Are you suggesting that that which was photographed by the television cameras
x was the planet Venus or the light from the Japanese Squid Ships or lights from
trains or vehicles travelling in the vicinity of the Clarence River Mouth?
6. I refer to the fifth paragraph on page 2 of your "news release" and am somewhat
surprised when you state that the large "light" which was filmed by the television
team was not seen on radar screen since it is my recollection from a filmed interview
x on British Television of one of your Radar operators to the effect that this
gentleman stated that he had never seen so many "unidentified" objects on his screen
before - it is also my recollection that this gentleman stated that he had been
a Radar operator for some 20 - 30 years (I forget which) - have you any comment?
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
.S. Is it possible to have an actual copy of the airforce investigation report?
[Signature]
REFERRED TO
OPS AIREssex County Council 45
Takeley County Primary School 71
Takeley Bishop's Stortford Herts
Headmaster [REDACTED]
telephone Bishop's Stortford 870541 date 16/1/79
Dear Sir,
Two friends and I have
decided to do a project on
ufo's, and we were wondering
if you could send us some
information on ufo's, where
they were sighted and when.
If you could we would
be much obliged.
yours faithfully
Timothy Bourne.
REFERRED TO
PRO AIR
[Stamp: REGISTRY
6 APR 1979
DEFENCE HQTRS]1 ORIGINATOR'S INITIALS DBGMcL
2 BEFORE SIGNATURE to
3 FOR SIGNATURE by SecDef [ILLEGIBLE]
4 BEFORE DISPATCH to
5 DISPATCH 9/4/[7]1 [Initials]
6 AFTER DISPATCH to
7 BRING UP on to
8 FILE 9/[Date]/79/[Initials]
CL 3784 Air 39/3/3
10A
9 April 1979
Mrs Eileen McCallum,
Dear Mrs McCallum,
Thank you for your letter of 4 April about the requests
you have been receiving for release of your information about
UFO's. I am happy to know your view on the matter. You may rest
assured that this Ministry will do nothing to release the
results of the enquiry conducted by Air Force without your
permission. I have made this point in response to enquiries I
have received from a press and television journalist. The sole
interest of the Ministry of Defence in this matter is to protect
your confidences and privacy arising out of your association with
Defence at the time the incident took place.
Yours sincerely,
[Signature]
(D.B.G. McLean)
Secretary of Defence44+
10
Air 39/3/3 PR
3 April 1979
Mrs Elsie Reaston
140 Common Road
Low Moor
Bradford
ENGLAND
Dear Mrs Reaston,
Thank you for your letter concerning the photograph that
appeared in your daily paper in relation to the sightings of
Unidentified Flying Objects in the Christmas/New Year period.
Although I am not aware of the photograph that appeared
in your paper, it was most likely the photograph taken from the
television film that was made at the time. Photographs were not
taken by the RNZAF.
Your identification of three faces in the object of the
photograph is certainly an interesting discovery.
The RNZAF investigation into the sightings concluded
that they were the result of natural but unusual atmospheric
phenomena. It was highly likely that the object photographed
was the planet Venus, which at the time of the sightings was
rising early in the morning and at that time of the year was
unusually bright in appearance.
I regret I cannot satisfy your request for a photograph
of the object.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
(C.D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Officer[Diagram at top of page showing circular object with the following annotations:] Three Masked Faces [Arrow pointing to interior of circle] OBSERVE BLACK STRIP VERTICAL AND YOU WILL SEE THREE IMAGES. THIS TILTED 90° CARTAGONAL PHOTOGRAPH POSITION THUS [Second oval shape to the right of circle] [Left margin text:] Mr Elsie Reaston 140 Common Road Low Moor BRADFORD. [Main body handwritten text:] Ministry of Defence New Zealand. Dear Sir, I am writing to you concerning the U.F.O. that was published in your daily newspaper. In I closely inspected the picture with [a] magnifying glass. I also turned the [it] photograph 90° and found how it was in the [ILLEGIBLE]. I found and [ILLEGIBLE] three masked faces and [identified] in the black strip [ILLEGIBLE] faces in the black strip
[Top portion: stamp visible]
[Stamp: 5 6 MCO 1979
CENT. REGISTR.
DEFENCE HQTRS]
[Handwritten text at bottom of page:]
Will you please send me
a [copy] and if possible
a large gloss photograph.
I would be very grateful
and would send you the
cost. Please inspect the
picture as this may be
the first photograph of
the first space visitors.
Yours Sincerely
Mrs Elsie Reaston.U.F.O. Sightings Bearu.
Ministry of Defence
New Zealand.
[Postmark cancellation lines]DEFENCE [NZ Defence crest]
NZ NEWS
RELEASE
Address all inquiries to:
Public Relations,
Defence Headquarters, 63 6
Wellington, N.Z.
Telephone: 49 800 Ext. 802 or 792.
RNZAF UFO SIGHTING REPORT
The unidentified radar and visual sightings reported by aircraft and
the Air Traffic Control radars off the north east coast of the South Island
recently, are the result of natural but unusual atmospheric phenomena.
This is the conclusion arrived at in the Air Force's just completed
investigation into the sightings.
Before arriving at his conclusions, the investigating officer
interviewed all the principle witnesses involved in the sightings on the
nights of 20 and 30 December. He also worked closely with the Department
of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Civil Aviation Division of the
Ministry of Transport, and the Meteorological Service.
His report reveals that during the months of December and early
January, atmospheric conditions over New Zealand were conducive to freak
effects on radar and light waves. Also, the planet Venus was rising in the
eastern sky early in the morning, and at this time of the year is unusually
bright in appearance.
)
It was also revealed that for some time the Wellington Air Traffic
Control radar has been giving spurious returns off the east coast of the
South Island.
Over the period more than 50 Japanese squid boats sailed from
Wellington to a position 120 miles off Banks Peninsula.
Not only would the squid boats give a good source of radar return
whilst in transit to the squid fishing grounds, but they generate a very
large amount of light when fishing at night. Each boat generates about
200 kilowatts of light to attract squid to its lures, and this light source
cannot be discounted as a cause of some of the visual sightings.2.
The investigating officer also speculates that lights seen in the
Clarence River mouth could have come from trains or vehicles travelling
along the coast, and affected by unusual atmospheric reflections and
refractions.
There is no evidence to connect the many radar and visual sightings
in the Clarence River and the larger lights seen to the east.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the Ministry was completely
satisfied there were no unexplained physical objects in the skies at the
time of the sightings.
The lights were almost certainly from surface or planetary sources
affected by atmospheric reflection, refraction and distortion.
Radar sets are known to be subject to spurious returns, and it was
significant that on the occasions the large light was being filmed by a
television team on board the Argosy freighter, neither Christchurch or
Wellington radars reported any related visual sightings on their screens.
)
The spokesman said that the Ministry of Defence was not specifically
charged with formal responsibility for investigating so-called unidentified
flying objects in peacetime. However, the Ministry does take an active
interest in all such reports and within the limitations of its resources,
conducts investigations as necessary.
Commenting on some media speculation that the country was defenceless
against air attack, the spokesman said that New Zealand did not have
a complex air defence system, comprising sophisticated radar equipment
and a force of missiles and interceptor aircraft.3.
The recently announced Defence Review explains that over the next
decade at least, a physical threat to New Zealand's security, by sea
or from the air, is so remote that expenditure of funds on
sophisticated air defence equipments could not be justified.
No costing of a comprehensive air defence system for New Zealand
had been done, but the Defence spokesman said that the bill would be
enormous and well beyond current resource levels.
)
The Defence spokesman concluded by saying that the Ministry totally
discounts the possibility of visits to New Zealand, and particularly
to the areas of the country where the recent reports have suggested, of
alien aircraft or other flying machines. It also categorically discounts
any suggestion that air activity of any kind has taken place which poses
any threat to New Zealand's security. Defence does not share the view of
those who believe we are visited from outer space, or covertly by the air-
craft or machines of potentially unfriendly nations.
)COPY 17/ 75
39/3/3
* UFO/45/MEMO/066/78
* MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF AERIAL STUDIES
* ***[C]ASSIFIED TO ALL PERSONNEL BELOW AGDO 2
* CONTACT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 22/2/78. (23) AS FOLLOWS:
* K5634 J.MITCHELL LEICESTER 559/7C CLASS 5 23/ 5/77 0935 *
* K5635 O.KRAMER BRADFORD,... 11A/? CLASS 5 24/ 5/77 4116 *
* K5636 D.M.SMITH LONDON (SW) 559/7C CLASS 3 15/ 6/77 0600 *
* K5637 F.W.SHOEMAKER
* K5638 K.L.DOORS LONDON (SW) 559/7C CLASS 5 23/ 7/77 4755 *
* K5639 T.BETTS FALMOUTH 558/0?X CLASS 2D 23/ 7/77 1721 *
* K5640 - W.M.GRANGER LLANELLI 555/C4S CLASS 5 1/ 8/77 0931 *
* K5641 T.D.PATEL SOUTHALL 6400KW/2 CLASS 1E 11/ 8/77 1155 *
* K5642 S.L.D.O'BRIEN LEEDS 559/7C CLASS 5 18/10/77 0445 *
* K5643 T.MCNAMARA BELFAST 0BB/23 CLASS 1E 22/11/77 2350 *
* K5644 E.F.WEST ABERDEEN 0BB/23 CLASS 6 23/11/77 0020 *
* K5645 T.BRANDENBURGER SLOUGH 559/7C CLASS 5 14/12/77 1807 *
* K5646 F.K.SPINNER BELPER HE/44/46 CLASS 1C 23/12/77 2302 *
* K5647 W.W.WEIGHT DERBY 559/7C CLASS 5 31/12/77 1305 *
* K5648 T.M.SLABY TRURO 559/? CLASS 8 2/ 1/78 0430 *
* K5649 D.W.MELLIE [ILLEGIBLE] 1[ILLEGIBLE]10/4[ILLEGIBLE] CLASS 1C 23/ 1/78 105[ILLEGIBLE] *
* K5650 F.ANDREWS GLASGOW 559SERIES CLASS 5 1/ 2/78 0945 *
* K5651 D.T.SMEDLEY LONDON (E) 7F/7C CLASS 23 22/ 2/78 1201 *
* /*ENDLIST
* CLASSIFICATION NOTIFIED TO THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS:
* METROPOLITAN POLICE
* DEFENCE (AIR FORCE)
* DEFENCE (CIVIL)
* SPECIAL PATROL GROUPS
* E.E.C. (INTELLIGENCE BRANCH)
* SUB-REGIONAL CONTROLS
* COMPUTER DATA SECTION
* MICROWAVE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
* /*ENDLIST
[Stamp: SECRETARY OF DEFENCE
RECEIVED 3 MAR 1979
DEFENCE HQTRS]
[Stamp: Private Secretary]
[Handwritten date: 29 II 3 7/19]
* FURTHER CONTROLS AND DATELINE NETWORK OMDAR * VIA NDHQ CHELTENHAM *
* OPERATION 23 NOTIFICATION TO SECTIONS B H W Z VIA NDHQ CHELTENHAM *
* NORAD CYBER *
* DATA COMPILATION NETWORK SECTIONS H K W
* FURTHER NOTIFICATION FOR ACTION TO BE TAKEN VIA COMM 46 (7B) *
* RLD CIA NORAD UFO 23
* ***LISTED AND CLASSIFIED
* /*END COPY 17/ 75 CLASSIFIED 2298[ILLEGIBLE]
[Bottom: REFERRED TO box with handwritten initials]
[FILE with date notations]42
7
In the recent debate in the House of Lords
that the government is operating a cover-up
on U.F.O. Lord Strabolgi who spoke on
behalf of the Minister of Defence was under
a great deal of pressure to deny the
existance of U.F.O and that the government
had every intention in the future to deny
any accusations from every quarter of a
cover-up. The public interest in this matter
subject has never been higher and the public
gallery during the U.F.O Debate was jam packed.
More than expected interest the day after when
very many more Peers than usual asked the
Printed Paper Office in the House of Lords for
copies of Hansard containing the U.F.O Debate.
They ran out of copies, so the Printed Paper Office
contacted H.M Stationery Office to ask for more
copies. No luck! That has not happened before.
The General Public had bought them all up.
It was a very good debate with 14 speakers
but despite the denials of a cover-up by
Lord Strabolgi, we have had all alongindisputable proof of it, and it is high time the people should be told the truth about U.F.O and their capability to disarm all the Defence systems of the major powers, which has already been put to the test when governments up until quite recently get trigger happy. Since the sightings of UFO over the western front in 1943 and the first release of atomic energy information has been pouring in from all corners of the globe and continues to do so every 24 hours. Evidence of people being maltreated, a lot of well documented evidence of people being killed by U.F.O, who have suffered radiation burns, some badly by unknown forms of rays. People carried off and certainly never returned. A whole neighbourhood next to an American airforce base being terrorised by beings 3ft tall with large ears, and silver. The airforce were quickly on the scene to witness these beings as people were shooting at point blank range at these creatures to no effect. Airforce on the scene later described what they had seen to USAF artists and the press were allowed to print the impressions. Then there are the countless cases of blood being taken from people, semen, and ova from women, and
many cases of sexual intercourse that would stand up to scrutiny. The many cases of cattle being taken away. It's nice to know some like beef, but there are other cases where their interest in other forms of protein are very alarming, because we do not know the implications. This is only the tip of the Iceberg and this hardly looks like the behaviour of benevolent beings. — Are we in fact not the first humanity there has been on this planet because others have been wiped out or come unstuck. Man is not just the product of chance of the ordinary workings of evolution. He is that plus something else, the result of some very superior genetic engineering by somebody somewhere, and I think that opposed to those forces the creative powers of the Cosmos there are others you could describe as the opposition or the people who are throwing the spanners in the works. We suspect there is a very great struggle going on for control of us. Very recently a group of serious responsible people in America who have managed to penetrate some of the most secret CIA files say they now have irrefutable proof there are four different lots who are fighting for control of Homo-Sap, and they are certainly not all benevolent. Now this would explain as to why these beings are never seen in their different shapes and sizes in accounts
with each other, nor is it reported in the daily newspapers, radio and television. It is no longer the popular accepted theory that UFO come from other worlds and are trying to make contact with us, because if this were the case, they have been around for far too long just wasting time in the attempt. Information has turned up from top secret CIA files that Defence Chiefs have had meetings with the benevolent type creatures described as most humanlike in appearance except for pink eyes without any pupils. The height of these beings averaged out at around 6', and the clothes they were wearing were described as as looking rather like ski suits. Then 48 hours after the meeting the Defence Chiefs suffered skin spots and rashes and the medical reports indicated they were all suffering from radiation sickness. It looks like the CIA are giving out more information to requests from very strong pressure groups around the world and this will we hope be the start of a CIA education programme to prepare the people of the real truth about U.F.O and of the real threat that they mean to our whole world defences. The British Government will always be the last to tell its people! _______________
Air 39/3/3 PF
22 March 1979
Mr Harry Harris
346 Manchester Road
West Timperley
Altrincham
Cheshire
ENGLAND
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter of 13 March asking for details
of the report on the sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects
during the Christmas/New Year period.
The Air Force's investigation report was not made public.
However, I have enclosed a copy of the statement containing the
findings of the investigation that was released to the media.
I believe this statement will provide you with the
information you seek.
Yours faithfully,
[signature]
(C.D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF Public Relations Offic[er]
EnclosureAIR39/3/3. 5
70
HARRY HARRIS
Solicitor
Telephone: 061-962 6240 & 969 3942
346 Manchester Road
OUR REF: HH/CH AIRMAIL (Washway Road)
West Timperley
YOUR REF: Altrincham
13th March, 1979 Cheshire
Ministry of Defence, [RECEIVED
Private Bag, 20 MAR 1979
Wellington, CENT. REGISTRY
New Zealand. DEFENCE HQTRS]
Dear Sirs,
Re: "New Years Eve U.F.O Sightings etc"
I would be grateful to receive details of your Government's official
explanation for the above incident as the whole topic interests me immensely.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Yours faithfully,
[signature]
[REFERRED TO]
[PRO AIR]MINUTE SHEET a. 4
Subject: / Department: Air Staff
UFO INVESTIGATION File No.: A-39/3/3
JAN 79 Date: 15 Mar 79
To— [initials]
DCAS 20/3
DOPS [initials]
[Left margin handwritten notes:]
1. Although, critics invariably say the
numerous investigations are inadequate when
they are made up all the statements
made by the investigators.
2. Since the USAF (with its resources) could reach
no textual conclusion in over 2400 sightings
it is unlikely that the odd person in NZ is
going to solve what is a mystery – in other
words do the Uffindells of this world believe that
if you had done your job properly you would
have got the answer! No – he is annoyed
your solution doesn't tie in with his.
3. Before you let CO WB know we have
seen [Uffindells] Uffindells letter believe his
story that he saw lights and that we
know as much [?] does about what caused
him to see lights. When we, or any other
agency discovers the answer, everyone will
be informed – until then the Airforce will take the
attitude that if there are valid explanations, which do not include
beings from outer space, or covert activities by the Vietnamese or
Albanians, or [Chatham Islanders].
4. CO WB should be informed it was within his power to
deal with this matter, and that Air Staff is concerned he should
see fit to pass it up the command chain. He is aware of the Defence
position and is to support it unless he can throw [incontrovertible] evidence
to the contrary.
[Main body:]
1. Reference E8.
2. I am rather surprised at the 'tone' of W/O
Uffindell's letter and equally surprised at the
manner in which CO Woodbourne has chosen
to handle the matter! Nevertheless, since the
papers have wended their way through the
command chain, and because my integrity
is being questioned, I consider it appropriate
that you decide whether Air Staff wants to
respond.
3. CO Woodbourne has seen a copy of my
report since he wrote the covering letter
to W/O Uffindell's submission, thus it might
be appropriate to ask CO Woodbourne to de-brief
W/O Uffindell.
4. Request your advice please.
[Right margin:]
√SC DOPS
(2754) NPF
Ref DCAS instruction
for DOPS to verbally apprise
CO Woodbourne of DCAS
views (opposite). CO WB
so advised 70/3.
/AC DOPS
(2754)RESTRICTED
COVERING RESTRICTED AIR 39/3/3. 8
4
Telephone: Christchurch 794-240 RNZAF Support Group
Ext 734 RNZAF Base Wigram
Private Bag
CHRISTCHURCH
In reply quote: SG 2/13/AIR 2nd March 1979
[RECEIVED
6 MAR 1979
CENT. REGISTRY
DEFENCE HQTRS]
The Chief of Air Staff
Royal New Zealand Air Force
Defence Headquarters
Private Bag
WELLINGTON
RNZAF/DSIR INVESTIGATION INTO
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
Forwarded for your action is a letter from Warrant Officer
Uffindell regarding the recent interdepartmental investigation into
unidentified flying objects. Commanding Officer Woodbourne's
covering letter is attached.
[signature]
(H.S.R. SAUNDERS)
Squadron Leader
for Commander
Enclosure: 1. Letter from Warrant Officer Uffindell, dated
30th January 1979.
[ENCLOSURE 2. Covering letter from Commanding Officer RNZAF
RECEIVED] Base Woodbourne, 4/AIR, dated 31st January 1979.
[REFERRED TO]
[PRO AIR S 7.3.79]
[D.OL Be 14/3]
COVERING RESTRICTED
RESTRICTEDRESTRICTED RNZAF 345
(8A)
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE
TELEPHONE: Blenheim 28511 RNZAF Base
Ext 600 WOODBOURNE
Private Bag
BLENHEIM
IN REPLY QUOTE 4/AIR 31 January 1979
The Commander
RNZAF Support Group
RNZAF Base
WIGRAM
Private Bag
CHRISTCHURCH
RNZAF/DSIR INVESTIGATION INTO
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Attached is a letter from Warrant Officer I.B. Uffindell
in which he expresses his reservations about the results of the inter-
departmental inquiry into the South Island east coast UFO sightings in
December 1978.
2. Warrant Officer Uffindell observed objects from this Base
the night of 22/23 December while these were simultaneously plotted
by Wellington Radar. The duty Flight Service Officer, Mr Bill Frame,
corroborates the Warrant Officer's observations. Thus Uffindell had
a personal and professional interest in the outcome of the inquiry.
3. The inter-departmental team visited Woodbourne on Friday,
5 January 1979, and during my time with them I gained the firm impres-
sion that they were here to "whitewash" the affair. The DSIR chaps
had the answers before they heard the evidence, and when the evidence
did not fit the preconceived theory, then it was seemingly put aside.
4. I hold no particular views on the matter, but do agree
with Warrant Officer Uffindell's opinion that the RNZAF has gained no
benefit from the affair. The Safe Air captains involved have both
been quite critical of the outcome of the inquiry, and therefore,
indirectly, of the RNZAF.
RESTRICTEDRESTRICTED
-2- (8b)
5. The Warrant Officer's submission is forwarded with the
recommendation that Air Staff be advised of the dissatisfaction of
one of its prime witnesses.
[signature]
(W.R. DONALDSON)
Wing Commander
Commanding Officer
RESTRICTEDA302381
W/O I.B. Uffindell
Tech(M) (8c)
No 4TTS
30th January 1979
The Commanding Officer
RNZAF Base Woodbourne
UFO INVESTIGATION
1. I feel that the findings of the Defence Investigation
Committee on UFO's off the Marlborough coast Dec 78/Jan 79 are an
insult to all those involved in the sightings and subsequent
investigation.
2. Whilst the committee was comprised of men with a high
degree of intelligence, and scientific background, I believe they
were all biased towards the type of finding they arrived at, before
they even commenced their inquiry. This was particularly true of
Mr Thompson from the meteorlogical service. He had rubbished the
idea of anything but atmospheric conditions being the cause, on
numerous occasions on the TV news.
3. Furthermore, Wg Cdr Clements, the committee chairman, stated
that he had no doubts whatever that they would find the cause to be
astronomical or meteorlogical phenomena, and the other three members
agreed. This was on Friday 5th January, the inquiry was then still
in its first day!
4. Wg Cdr Clements further stated that CDS had ordered the
inquiry, that they were dragging all the old files out of the archives,
and that they were going to try and find the cause or source of the
sightings, no matter how long it took. Yet exactly three weeks later
on Thursday 25th January the findings are out, case is closed and we
don't want to hear anything more about it.
5. On Monday 22nd January Mr Bill Frame and I took bearings
and elevations from the Woodbourne control tower to where we had
witnessed three UFO's for an hour. I don't think he even had time to
send them to the committee, yet they had requested that we take them.
6. Sir, it is my opinion that this inquiry was a farce from
beginning to end and has done much to tarnish the RNZAF's image in
the public's eye. I request you draw CDS's attention to the points
I have raised and urge him to re-open the inquiry, this time with at
least some people who hold an open mind on such matters.
[signature]
(I.B. UFFINDELL)[handwritten at top:] UFO Sale
Thinks UFOs
could be
foam bubbles
NEW PLYMOUTH, Today (PA).—A
Waitara man came up yesterday with a
bubbling new theory on UFOs — foam
wafted from the sea into the air.
Recent UFO sightings over Kaikoura could be explained
by the bubble theory, Mr I L Wood said.
He said UFOs were transparent light-reflecting bubbles that rose off the sea from patches of foam produced by pollution. The wind carried the bubbles great distances, and at high speed the oil or other pollutants in them gave them bright colours.
"I have studied these for years, and have watched them lift off the sea around Waitara They are about the size of a basketball."
The bubbles could look bigger than they were, and when the wind got too strong they burst, deceiving people into thinking they had seen a UFO disappear at high speed, he said.
He said steep hills in the Kaikoura region produced strong updraughts which could carry the bubbles to great heights.
Mr Wood has written to the Ministry of Defence about his theory.
"This has opened the whole thing up for me. The things science has been looking at for years are produced in the sea," he said.
FILE 6
/ /19 — [initials]Air 39/3/3PR
(4a) 9.
16 February 1979
WAITARA
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter of 12 February, in which
you promoted further theories in respect of Unidentified
Flying Objects.
Your comments and observations have been noted.
Yours faithfully,
[signature]
(C.D. COLE)
Squadron Leader
RNZAF PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FILE 6
' /19 [initials]AIR39/3/3/2/2/79
Defence Headquarters [RECEIVED
14 FEB 1979
CENT. REGISTRY
DEFENCE HQTRS]
Waitara
Dear Sir
In reply to your letter quote no 39/3/3
I would like to make a few other
comments about the U4Os.
I stated that they are made of froth
plus Pollution and I mean very
firm on this question. As having
seen this take place at odd
times in summer.
If you are in any doubt as to
whether or not this is right I
would like you to refer to
the book (Bermuda Triangle)
where you will have to admit
that we have equally the same
mystery in this case. Since this
U4o mystery I also have discovered
conditions that tie in with the
triangle. and can describe in
detail exactly what takes place
at the time. It dose offer that
[PRO (AIR)]2 with what I now know that I am the only person that has the answer. You will recall that the airforce reported the terrible turbulence down that coast the following night this is the (Important factor)! This is what takes place having seen and been on the edge of it Out of a very still air along our coastline there are some places that appear to be the trouble spots First time on the beach the air was still and all at once there was a terrible strong wind coming from up above at a 40 deg angle which forced the sea down [strikethrough] making a hole 12 to 18 inches in the water and then blasted out the side in a fantail pattern which flattened all the over of water and cut under froth and leaving wind patter on the sea It appears that it can strike
3 many times in the same place through out the day and moves along the water, as fast as one can walk & I have been on the outer edge of this swirling air which I believe that had it been much stronger I would have been sucked into it. Where I was standing a leaf took off and did a circle out and around and droped out at the back of me. I estimated that the distance was 60 feet across the centre from where I was standing. Now in the core of this whirl wind is terrible strong and could suck things out of the sky. I have no doubt that it is capable of ditching a plane. as it only lasts for app 15-20 seconds. I had no way of timing it. Now it is the only wind from this that is strong enough lift everything including froth ect. I have watched this action on
21
a number of times and have
seen the bubbles in the making
There are many, other things
I can explain as to the shapes
of the so called U4os.
If you are still interested
I am still available at the
above address or any other
person wishing to know all the
details.
Yours faithfully
Waitara② THESE CRAFT TRAVEL AT SPEEDS EXCESS 2000 MILES PER HOUR CAPABLE OF SHOOTING DOWN THE SLOW USA CRUISE MISSILE WHICH TRAVELS A SLOW 500 MILES AN HOUR. CHINA IS OVER POPULATED. AND SEES AUSTRALIA AS ITS NEAR FUTURE SOURCE OF FOOD REC ONLY UFOS AT ALL NEW ZEALAND PARTS AND OF AUSTRALIA UFOS BIG AS BATTLESHIPS CAPABLE OF CARRYING THOUSANDS OF TACTICAL NUCLEAR AND TROOPS WEAPONS. READY AT * THIS MOMENT TO DESCEND AND OBLITERATE AUSTRALIAN NAVY AIR FORCE AND AUSTRALIAN ARMY BASES AND ALSO NE[W ZEALAND?] [RECEIVED stamp: 5 FEB 1979 CENT. REGISTRY DEFENCE HQTRS] [PRO AIR markings]
② THESE CRAFT ZIG ZAG SURFACE TO AIR MISSILES TO AVOID . [sketch of elongated oval/disc shape] RECENTLY A LARGE UFO WAS SEEN 45 MILES FROM PUCKAPUNYAL AUSTRALIAS LARGEST ARMY BASE. COUNTERS TO THE UFOS SPLIT UP ARMY BASES TO THE ARMY BASES AND TROOPS, AND TANKS IN GURILLA UNI-. AVOID TACTICAL NUCLEAR STRIKES. REDIRECT OF MILLIONS WOULD DOLLARS BE SPENT ON USELESS BATTLESHIPS AS ONE FROM A CHINESE MISSILE UFO WOULD PUT THEM ON THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN. THE MONEY TO REDIRECT THIS BUILDING HEAVY MACHINE
⑥ GUNS AND LIGHT MACHINE GUNS PLANS THINK WILL BE MANS CHILDREN AMBUSH FROM THE GIANT UFOS [drawings: multiple sketches of crossed lines and aircraft/UFO diagrams with notation] 100
⑥ BOMB UFO IN CHINA BASED UNAUTHORISED AREAS WITH B-52 BOMBERS [drawings: sketches with crossed lines and aircraft/UFO diagrams]