Tampa: Military pilot encounters luminous cylinder

Incident Details Captain Jack E. Puckett, an Air Force pilot, was operating a C-47 transport aircraft over Tampa, Florida on August 1, 1946 at approximately 6:00 p.m. when he observed an unusual aerial phenomenon.

Object Description The craft appeared as an elongated cylinder, approximately twice the size of a B-29 Superfortress bomber. The object displayed luminous portholes along its fuselage, suggesting an internal light source or illuminated openings.

Encounter Duration and Departure The sighting lasted approximately three minutes before the object accelerated and disappeared from view. The departure velocity was estimated at 1,500 miles per hour, far exceeding contemporary aircraft capabilities.

Significance This military encounter represents a documented observation by a trained Air Force pilot with professional credibility. The object's characteristics—size, luminosity, and extreme speed—remained unexplained through conventional aircraft identification.