Heflin Polaroids — Santa Ana

Orange County highway traffic investigator Rex Heflin was photographing road signs from his work van when he saw a hat-shaped object cross the road ahead. He took three Polaroid pictures through the windshield and side window, then a fourth of a smoke ring it seemed to leave behind. The photos were printed in the Santa Ana Register and studied by the Air Force and the Condon Committee.

Explanation

Project Blue Book classed the photographs as a hoax. Analysts argued the "UFO" was a small object hung or thrown near the van. Supporters point out that Heflin's originals were never shown to be faked.

What was seen

Shape: Hat-shaped disc; a smoke ring
Witnesses: 1 (Rex Heflin, highway traffic investigator)
Duration: About 20 seconds

Sources

• Condon Report, case 52 — Santa Ana, California, photographs
• UFOs at close sight — the Rex Heflin photographs, 1965

Browse

• United States
• 1960s
• Disputed
• Photo and video cases
• Official government documents
• Photographs
• Discs and saucers

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