1951 New Delhi Flying Club UFO Sighting

Sighting Details

On March 15, 1951, at approximately 10:20 a.m., 25 members of the Delhi Flying Club, including Chief Aerial Engineer George F. Floate, observed an extraordinary aerial phenomenon. As they watched the sky near the club's hangar at an altitude of 4,000 feet, witnesses first noted a swirling white cloud approximately 700 feet across. Within minutes, the cloud seemed to stretch and compress, and from its edge emerged a distinct bullet-shaped object resembling a C-47 Skytrain fuselage, measuring approximately 100 feet in length.

Maneuvers and Movement

The object moved southward for three minutes before performing a smooth, controlled loop. At the apex of the loop, it briefly vanished from sight entirely before reappearing without any jolt or deceleration. Observers estimated its speed at nearly 1,500 mph—approximately three times faster than the contemporary British Vampire jet, the fastest aircraft available at that time. The object then continued southwest before disappearing from sight entirely.

Witness Credibility

The sighting was particularly significant due to the expertise of the observers. George F. Floate, as chief aerial engineer, possessed intimate knowledge of aircraft performance, design, and capabilities. Additional witnesses included trained flying club members and ground personnel with professional aviation experience. Seventeen to twenty additional observers beyond the initial 25 members witnessed portions of the event, bringing the total witness count to approximately 40-45 credible observers. All witnesses were highly familiar with conventional aircraft and atmospheric phenomena, making this a radar-visual sighting of exceptional documentary value.

Coverage and Legacy

The incident received contemporary coverage in the Indian press and was recorded by the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), contributing to the growing international record of mid-20th-century UFO observations. The detailed nature of the sighting and the professional credentials of the witnesses make it one of India's most well-documented early UAP incidents.