962-52 / FLYOBRPT 6-Mar-1953 — 1953-03-03 — Parker Dam Area, Arizona (near Luke AFB)

Captain Roderick D. Thompson of Luke AFB, leading a flight of three T-33s on a simulated combat strike to Nellis AFB on 3 March 1953 at 1325M, observed an unusual condensation pattern at 35,000-45,000 feet. The contrail had a smooth knifelike leading edge developing into a crescent, was 300-500 feet in diameter, and the unsighted object trailed two separated 1000-foot contrails. He chased it 50-60 miles in his F-84 (25,000-30,000 ft, 500-560 MPH) before breaking off, observing the contrail stayed with the object rather than extending across the sky.

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