REF: UAP/1950s/031Unexplained
1952-07-19 & 26

Washington D.C. radar incidents ('Washington flap')

Washington, D.C. · USA·Radar-visual over capital·1950s
Unexplained
§ ASummary

On two weekends, multiple targets tracked simultaneously by National Airport & Andrews AFB radars with visual confirmations; jets scrambled; largest Pentagon press conference since WWII followed.

§ BWitnesses

ARTC controllers (Harry Barnes), airline & F-94 pilots

§ CEvidence & Documentation

Radar scope data from 3 sites; controller logs; Gen. Samford press conference 7/29/52

§ DOfficial Investigation

Project Blue Book; CIA attention leading to Robertson Panel

§ EStatus Assessment

Official: temperature inversions/anomalous propagation; controllers & Ruppelt disputed; still contested

§ FVerifiable Sources

Ruppelt (1956); Blue Book files; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_Washington,_D.C._UFO_incident