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i tnt ine ~ ‘ STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) > "yj | H oO > < Looe 4 + eee: COUNTY OF KERN ) The following is a statement given by Captein John Paul Strapp, ele Flight Test, Yuroc Army Air Field, Nuroc, California, statement given to Mr. Thomas A. MeMillan, CIC Agent, this Stetion, on 12 August 1947. _ At 11:50 hours, 8 July 1947, while the undersigned was sitting in Pe an observation truck located in Area # 3, Rogers Dry Lake, for the pnd purpose of observing a P-82 ejection seat experiment, the following . unfemilierity was observed. : ; The undersigned was gazing upwerd toward a formation of two (2) I, =| P-82's and an A-26 aircraft flying at 20,000 feet, prepsring to out s seat ejection experiment, when I observed a rounded object, white aluminum in color, which at first resembled a parachute canopy. The first impression wes that a premature ejection of the seat and dummy had occurred. This body was ejected at a determined height lower than 20,000 feet, and was falling at three (3) times the rate observed for the parachute which was ejected thirty minutes later. As it fell ee it drifted slightly north of due west against the prevailing wind, to- ape | 3 ward Mount Wilson. The speed, horizontal motion could not be determined, = = but appeared slower than the maximum velocity 50-80 aircraft. a ee. As this object descended through a low enoush level to permit atta observation of its lateral silhouette, it presented a distinct ovular outline, with two (2) projections on the upper surface which might have — been thick fins or nobs. These crossed each other at intervals, suggest= bas} ing either rotetion or oscillation of slow type. ‘ ‘ HONE a ah No smoke flemes, propellar arks, engine noise, or other clasuable (7?) es or visible means of propulsion were noted. The color was Silvery, re= Pe f' sembling aluminum painted febric, and did not appear as dense as a s a Bean parachute canopy. a? RPL When the object dropped to a level such that comes into line of a is vision of the mountain tops, it was lost to the vision of the observer. jie : ‘s See It is estimated that the object was in line of vision about 90 Cat ae: seconds. Of the five (5) people sitéing in the observation truck, four he ieee (4) observed this object and made remarks about it. These people includes Mr..Leng = Civilien, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio Be eet ae (Other names not given) > | ‘ i. The following is my own personal opinions about this object: an 1. I think it was a man-made object, as evidenced distaintly by i the outline and functional appearance. Pa it | : ANID IAATTT AT . pein ya eS — ES Giets pe 8 eee Le at