Four more RAAF UAP files available from the National Archives of Australia

Hi all,

Invisible files:

In about 1994, the RAAF collected its remaining open UAP files, from various bases around Australia, and sent them off to the National Archives of Australia (NAA.) The RAAF did this because at that time, it had decided to get out of the UAP "business."

The NAA re-numbered all of these files as file series A9755, and as their date range fell outside of the Archive Act, no-one was allowed to see the files.


Enter the Disclosure Australia Project:

In  2004, Dominic McNamara and myself were able to convince the RAAF to transfer these files from where they were held in Canberra, to RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. Dom and I spent about 18 hours in total looking through the files under the watchful eyes of RAAF police. We reported on the contents of the files in Disclosure Australia Newsletter number 15 (click here.)

Now, ten years later, the date range of the Archives Act has caught up with these files and parts of eleven of the series have been already digitised on the NAA website, thanks to the efforts of myself and Melbourne based researcher Paul Dean. I have previously reported on these in various blog posts.

Now, thanks to Paul Dean, four more A9755 series files have been opened and digitised. I report on their contents below.


A9755 control symbol 5:

[RAAF Headquarters Support Command, Victoria Barracks, Victoria] UFOs [Unidentified Flying Objects] reports[UAS - Unusual Aerial Sightings]. Date range 1985-1987. Barcode 3533434. Status - open. Formerly file number 6/16/Air Part 1. 153 pages available.

This file consists mainly of large numbers of copies of documents which the Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS) sent in to the RAAF, e.g. copies of the VUFORS Newsletters for March, June and September 1987.

There are however, three sets of interesting papers relating to the 9 June 1987 Learmouth, West Australia, event involving SAS personnel (click here); a letter re a close encounter at Highton, Victoria (click here), and details of a 25 September 1985 unusual radar contact at RAAF Sale (click here).  It should be noted however, that copies of documents on all these three events have already been previously located on other RAAF files, and details given in this blog.

One other item of interest is that this file, unlike others, provides the names of the witnesses to the June 1987 Learmouth event. We had previously not known their names. Likewise, the witness to the Highton event is also named on the file.


A9755 control symbol 3:

[RAAF Headquarters Support Command, Victoria Barracks, Victoria] UAS [Unusual Aerial Sightings] Policy [UFO - Unidentified Flying Objects]. Date range 1983-1987. Status open. Barcode 3533406. 182 pages. Formerly 5/6/Air Part 3. Chief of Air Staff.

This is a policy file and contains a variety of documents including:

* Pages relating to photographic computer enhancement techniques

* Newspaper clippings

* A letter dated 25May 1983 from the Australian Skeptics to Flt. Lt. Biddington

* A copy of a report by researcher Bill Chalker, on what he found when he examined the RAAF files in the early 1980's

* A detailed article by VUFORS member John Auchettl, on the 21 July 1983 Melton, Victoria, sightings by police officers

* Multiple pages on various aspects of the 1983 Bendigo, Victoria, "flap"

* A list of RAAF UAP files.


A9755 control symbol 18:

[RAAF Headquarters No 82 Bomber Wing, Amberley, Queensland] Unusual Aerial Sightings [UAS] [UFO-Unidentified Flying Objects]. Date range 1987-1988. Barcode 3533543. 166 pages. Formerly file 5/113/Air part 7. Status open with exception.

This file contains a number of UAP proformas concerning low interest lights in the sky, from the general public in Queensland. Nothing of great interest here, simply adding more sightings to the existing record.


A9755 control symbol 12:

[RAAF No 92 Wing Headquarters, Edinburgh, South Australia] Unusual Aerial Sightings [UAS] [UFO - Unidentified Flying Objects]. Date range 1987-1992. Barcode 3533466. Status open with exception. 76 pages. Formerly file 5/6/1 Air Part 15.

This file contains a number of UAP proformas from various individuals in South Australia. There are 76 pages available to view through the NAA's website. However, when Dom and I examined the file in 2004, there were 183 pages on the file. At that time, I did take note of the contents of most of the file and I provide a copy of my notes below.

Page	Folio	Contents
17	11	Handwritten note. Report 1850hrs. Mypolonga SA. Large mass of bright white light. Round. 10000 feet high. Sighted above Murray bridge. Moved ESE. Disappeared behind cloud.
18	12	Letter. Jul 87. Ed to Mypolonga reporter. Please complete pro forma.
19-21	13	Pro forma Mypolonga. “Assessed as having no military significance.”
22	14	Letter. 31 Jul 87. Ed to OIC Police Jamestown. “Chief Inspector… advises that you have recently received a report on the occurrence of an unexplained phenomenon suggestive of a UFO sighting from a local farmer…” details please.
23-24		Pro forma Witness A. Aged 51. Farmer near Jamestown. 25 Jul 87. 1815hrs to 1945hrs. Clear weather at time.  First seen 6o feet from ground to the north. “Craft sighted whilst it parked on ground.” Craft approx 20 yards wide. Colour- light-iridescent bright red. Craft-bright aluminium appearance. Size-light-cone shape travelling to ground. Craft-12 feet wide 8-9 feet high. Portholes approximately 4 feet above ground. No sound from craft. “Sound of shuffling type of walk treading on plastic heard outside while I was inside house…” “Don’t know how craft left. The light just went off like they had been switched off. Light appeared to be sued for directional purposes only.” “Ground was marked by flattened grass and dried ground and slight indentation.” There was a witness to part of the event-son in law aged 28 was there ion the appearance of the first light only he then left to go home. Form signed by witness on 4 Aug 87.
25-30	15	Copy of Police report on Jamestown case. Police officer visited site and reported trace faintly visible.   Ref: SAPOL H2 88 U2. Letter from SAPOL to RAAD Ed dated 5 Aug 87.
31	16	Record of conversation. Broken Hill newspaper. Report UAS. Bus driver 2000hrs 11 Aug 87 near Peterborough SA. A bright green light travelled parallel to bus. Affected bus electrics. RAAF have not heard of this report.

Page	Folio	Contents
32	17	Record of conversation. ABC Broken Hill. Inquiry re sightings around BH. No specific reports received by RAAF.
33	18	Letter. 14 Aug 87. Ed to witness A at Jamestown. “Thank you for your well documented report of the inexplicable phenomenon which you recently witnessed. Reports of unusual aerial sightings (or UFOs) on the ground are infrequently received by thus office. Your report has seen investigated, but I cannot provide an explanation as to what you saw.   Notwithstanding, the sighting is assessed as having no defence or security implications, and in accordance with Departmental policy will not be investigated further.” However, I’d like your consent to pass your report on to Mr Brunt.
34-40	19	A T Brunt. Article titled “Understanding UFOs”
41-43		Pro forma. Copy. Jamestown.
44-50		Original of SAPOL report on Jamestown.
51	20	Letter. Aug 87. Squadron Leader at Ed to A Brunt. Herewith report from Jamestown.
52	21	Letter. 31 Aug 87. From A T Brunt to witness at Jamestown. Some suggestions as to possible cause of the light portion of the sighting.
53-54	22	Letter 17 Aug 87. Re civilian sighting at Broken Hill.
55	23	Minute. 3 Oct 87. Flt Lt O/O Big white blob over City
56	24	News paper clipping. “UFO buzzed me, farmer claims.” Jamestown case.
57	25	Letter. 6 Oct 87. Ed to witness to sighting at Wentworth.
58	26	Letter. 6 Oct 87. Pro forma please from witness in 3 Oct 87 case.
59		O/O log. 1945hrs. From witness at Virginia. Jet flying over house plus a white light.
60	27	Record of conversation. 8 Oct 87. Dakota and Mirage were in area of Virginia.
61	28	O/o log. 2030hrs. Civilian at Morphett Vale. Stationary blue/green light.
62	29	Letter. 13 Oct 87. To witness 61 pro forma please.
63		O/o log. 2200hrs UFO flew over Parafield. 2145hrs. Bright ball. No noise. 9 Oct 87.
64	30	Minute. Witness to 63 contacted.
65	31	News paper clipping. Advertiser 21 Jan 88. Mundrabilla.
66	32	Letter. 21 Jan 88. Ed to witness-pro  forma please.
67	33	Newspaper clipping. Advertiser. Mundrabilla }Probably a meteorite.”

Page	Folio	Contents
68	34	Letter. 9 Feb 88. Ed to Police station Port Augusta. Please fill in a pro forma re two Police Officers re sighting 8 Feb 88.
69-72	35	Pro forma. 8 Feb 88. 2340hrs. Police officer. 12.4km NNW from Highway 87 on Carieweerloo Homestead Road. Clear sky to N. Cloud to S. Fine/mild. Very bright white light seen. Police were responding to civilian report of UFO but saw nothing at first. Then 2 Police Officers saw very bright white light-increased in intensity and appeared to rise by 2-3 degrees then disappeared. 6 witnesses altogether.
73	36	o/o log. 0700hrs. Elizabeth North man saw green light going very fast E to N trailing orange.
74	37	Letter. Pro forma to witness 17 Mar 88.
75-78	38	Pro forma. Witness aged 61. 7 Mar 88. 0653HRS. 8SECS. 10 DEG EL. 045 DEG Mag az. Lost at 10 deg el 355deg Mag az. Bright green light.
79-81	39	Pro forma. Witness 67 yrs. Findon. 17 mar 88. 0050hrs. 7mins. Object near civilian aircraft.
82	40	Occurrence log. Barmera. Big bright blue/silver and gold light over Lake Bonney. 17 Aug 88. 2330hrs.
83	41	Letter. Ed 26 Aug 88 to witness 82.
84	42	Letter. 12 Sep 88. Ed to Strathalbyn witness. Pro forma please.
85-87	43	Pro forma. Strathalbyn SA 8 Sep 88. 1850hrrs to 2115hrs. 45 deg NE. Very fast light in sky.
88	44	Occurrence log. UFO report. 312250k. At 2000hrs Golden Grove. Falling large red and white light.
89	45	File note. 11 Nov 88. 2248hrs. W Hindmarsh. Long shape-oval. Pro forma mailed.
90	46	Occurrence report. 2205hrs. Hope Valley-light.
91	47	Letter. 7 Mar 88. Ed to Hope Valley reporter. Pro forma please.
92		Occurrence log. 1845hrs. Medindie. Bright light.
93	48	Letter. 22 May 89. Ed to witness 92.
94	49	Letter. 21 Jul 89. Ed to witness Aberfoyle Park 21 Jul 89. Complete pro forma.
95	50	Message form. Meadows via Stirling Police. 2300hrs. SW sky. Blue light. 4-5secs.
96	51	Message form. From 92QWG to HQAMB. Please interview Qld reporter re complex story.
97	52	News clipping. Advertiser 11 Sep 89. “’Space junk’ trail in sky.”
98	53	Hand written note. Names and phone numbers.
99	54	Hand written note. 9 Sep 89. 1045hrs. Whyalla. Witness at Williams Creek hotel. 20 aircraft travelling at 2500-3000 km/hr.
100	55	Record of conversation. Checked re-entry of USA-42 at 09115Z
101	56	Minute. 28 Sep 89. Paralowie. 2115 and 2145hrs. 27 Sep 89. Bright white/yellow/orange light in W.
102	57	Letter. Ed to witness 101.
103-146	58	Pages from Allen Hendry’s UFO guide book
147	59	Letter. 22 Nov 89. Ed to witness-complete pro forma.

Page	Folio	Contents
148	60	File note. Hand written. Report 2230hrs Smithfield. Very bright star.
149	61	Occurrence log. Group of lights 0940hrs in N sky. Moving around.
150	62	Letter. Ed to witness 22 Nov 89. pro forma please.
151	63	Hand written note. “thought associated with sky show.”
152	64	Letter. Ed 31 Jan 90. To witness re 30 Jan 89 report. Pro forma please.
153-155	65	Pro forma. Darlington. 25 Jan 90. 25mins 45 deg NNE.
156	66	Letter. Ed 20 Feb 90. to witness 20 Feb 90. Pro forma please.
157	67	Occurrence log. 012025 Report SW to NE. Very bright light.
158	68	Letter. Ed 4 Apr 90. To witness re 2 Apr 90. Pro forma please.
159	69	Letter. 21 Aug 90. To witness Paralowie sighting.
160	70	Letter. 15 Oct 90. To civilian witness Dulwich. Pro forma please.
161-163	71	Pro forma. Male 62 yrs. 9 Oct 90. Near Auburn SA. Driving south on highway 83. 2230hrs ¼ sec. Clear sky. First seen 20 deg W. Blue/orange ball with sparks.
164	72	Handwritten note. 30 Oct 80. Terowie SA. “A UFO may have landed in his wheat crop. 30 foot diameter circle. Wheat within circle flattened in anti-clockwise direction. Area at about 4 feet from circle where wheat upright and another circle at about ten feet where wheat flattened anticlockwise. Wheat greater than two feet high. Witness ex-army. Photos taken.
165	73	Occurrence log. 18 Jan 91. 2200hrs. UFO sighting. Francis SA. 30 deg NE. Bright yellow stationary light.
166	74	UFO sighting 6. Male. At Clare/Burra turn off. Travelling SW. Bright green light. 2030hrs. 20 may 91.
167	75	UFO sighting 5. Vale Park. Blue light surrounded by white. 2020hrs.
168	76	UFO sighting 4. 20 May 91. Blue light white tail. Glandore.
169	77	UFO sighting 3. 20 May 91. 2020hrs. Advertiser called re “giant meteorite.”
170	78	UFO sighting 2. 2020hrs. 20 May 91. Seacliff. NW sky. Green flash very fast. Smoke trail to W.
171	79	UFO sighting 1. 20 May 91. Paralowie. 1M. 2020hrs. Very bright. SE to NW. Left trail.
172	80	Letter. Ed to Lobethal witness.
173-175	81	Pro forma. Lobethal. 1F 3 Jul 91. 0525hrs. 45 deg NW Green glow. Downward. Rapid. Vanished.
176	82	Minute. 12 Jul 91. UFO report. One Tree Hill. 1M. Bright green light. White. SW. Travelling NE to SW. 80-10secs. 2155hrs.
177	83	Occurrence log. 12 Jul 91. 1530hrs. St Peters. 1M. Bright light in NW sky.
178	84	Letter. 27 Sep 91. Letter. 1M. Campbelltown. Pro forma please.
179-181	85	Pro forma. 1M 26 Sep 91. 15mins. 45 deg ENE. Two lights. Yellow. Campbelltown.
182		Letter 21 Jan 92. Port Pirie. Pro forma please.
183		“This file was checked and found to be complete 15 Jul 94.”

Any more files?

I compared a list of RAAF UAP files I found on A9755 control symbol 3, with file numbers already known to me. The following files remain un-located.

* 6/9/Air part 2

* 17/9/Air Part 7

* 5/6/Air Part 1.

In addition, file 5/1/11/Air Part 1, which was seen at RAAF Base Edinburgh in 2004, also remains un-located in the NAA to date.

These four files, may of course, be part of the A9755 file series, which are not yet visible on the NAA's RecordSearch. Only time will tell. The next NAA notification of so far unseen RAAF UAP files will be on 1 January 2015, when anything new will simply appear on RecordSearch on that day.


Thanks:

UAP researchers should note the generosity of Paul Dean of Melbourne who paid to have the above files digitised (at a cost of about Aus. $60 per file.)


PDF copies:

It is of interest to note that two of the above mentioned files are also available in PDF, and thus you can download the entire file for yourself, as opposed to reading the digitised version.