CIA analysis of the 1955 train UFO sighting

[PAGE 1] TOP SECRET [stamped, struck through] Approved for Release 2026. [handwritten, top right: "19 OCT 1955", "ASD-6", "4-9-4", "A-4"; large handwritten "A" in the top-right corner] SIGNATURE RECORD AND COVER SHEET DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: SOURCE [blank]. DOC. NO. [blank]. DOC. DATE [handwritten, illegible]. COPY NO. [handwritten, illegible]. NUMBER OF PAGES [blank]. NUMBER OF ATTACHMENTS [blank, handwritten "HB" beside it]. REGISTRY: CIA CONTROL NO. 115469. DATE DOCUMENT RECEIVED [blank]. LOGGED BY [blank]. ATTENTION: This form will be placed on top of and attached to each Top Secret document received by the Central Intelligence Agency or classified Top Secret within the CIA and will remain attached to the document until such time as it is downgraded, destroyed, or transmitted outside of CIA. Access to Top Secret matter is limited to Top Secret Control personnel and those individuals whose official duties relate to the matter. Top Secret Control Officers who receive and/or release the attached Top Secret material will sign this form and indicate period of custody in the left-hand columns provided. Each individual who sees the Top Secret document will sign and indicate the date of handling in the right-hand columns. REFERRED TO (OFFICE) / RECEIVED (SIGNATURE, DATE, TIME) / RELEASED (DATE, TIME) / SEEN BY (SIGNATURE AND OFFICE, DATE): OSI — received 8 Oct 55, 1150. OSI/ASD — received 19 Oct, 1155/1250. [illegible office]/DSD. Released 24 Oct, [time illegible]. "Seen by" column has a run of handwritten dates with illegible signatures/offices: 18 Oct, 19 Oct 55, 19 Oct 55, 19 Oct 55, 28 Oct 55, 26 Oct 55, 8/11/[55?], 30 Oct [19]55, and an illegible initialed entry ("ADB" or similar). Bottom of form, left: handwritten "10". NOTICE OF DETACHMENT: When this form is detached from Top Secret material it shall be completed in the appropriate spaces below and transmitted to Central Top Secret Control for record. DOWNGRADED TO / BY (Signature) / DATE. DESTROYED / BY (Signature) / WITNESSED BY (Signature) / DATE. DISPATCHED (OUTSIDE CIA) TO / BY (Signature) / OFFICE / DATE. [All blank.] FORM NO. 26 (USE PREVIOUS EDITIONS) 1 APR 55 TOP SECRET [struck through] (40) [PAGE 2] [Diagram: archival placeholder page, no document content — printed/stamped text reads "BEST COPY Available" centered on an otherwise blank page, bordered top and bottom by a horizontal rule.] [PAGE 3] [Handwritten page markings, upper right: "4-9-4", "A-9"] MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence SUBJECT: Flying Saucers or Unconventional Aircraft 1. A dispatch from Prague, C-103, dated 13 October 1955, reported the sighting of two flying saucers or disc-like unconventional aircraft. An interview with Mr. Efron, one of the four observers of these aircraft, failed to confirm in several respects the information given in the dispatch. 2. His observations were limited to sighting two lights which initially arose vertically and then approached the train and passed overhead at a high altitude. He failed to observe the body of the object and had no feeling as to whether it was round, disc-like or even square. His only reason for describing an unconventional nature to the object was that it rose vertically and appeared to glide in a manner unlike any aircraft he had previously seen. However, in view of the fact that it was dusk, that he thought the aircraft quite high (9000 feet) and that his observations were undoubtedly conditioned by Senator Russell's remarks that he had seen a flying saucer, too much confidence cannot be given to his observation. The fact that no noise was heard may also have influenced his opinion on the unconventional characteristic of the object. He also failed to confirm the excitement of the train official following the incident. It is my belief that Efron's testimony alone could not confirm the existence of any unconventional aircraft. However, he was not in a position to have as good a look as were the other members of the party. A very careful interrogation of the other members is in order. 3. Two years ago, Dr. Robertson headed a group which investigated U.S. sightings of flying saucers. This group was able to explain almost all the sightings and reached the conclusion that these phenomena represented no threat to the security of the U.S. Even if the present sightings [PAGE 4] SUBJECT: Flying Saucers or Unconventional Aircraft in Russia are confirmed, it should not be assumed that these unconventional aircraft have actually been flying around the U.S. and were the source of U.S. public speculation. 4. The USAF is supporting a Project "Y" at Avro Aircraft Ltd. in Canada for the development of unconventional saucer-like aircraft. However, this development is still in the early research and development stages with three or more years being required before the production of a first prototype. If the development proves out successful, the calculations indicate that such an aircraft might have a very high ceiling (up to 100,000 feet) with speeds up to 1500 miles per hour, a range of 700 miles and rate of climb of 120,000 feet a minute. A vertical take-off characteristic would, of course, be extremely valuable. Project Y is being directed by John Frost. Mr. Frost is reported to have gotten his original idea for the flying machine from a group of Germans just after World War II. The Soviets may also have obtained information from this German group. (It is suggested that you ask General Samford to report on the progress of the Air Force project at the IAC meeting.) HERBERT SCOVILLE, JR. Assistant Director Scientific Intelligence cc: DD/I DISTRIBUTION Orig & 1 - fwd 1 - DD/I 2 - AD/SI 2 - ASD/SI -2-