North Atlantic east of Gander, Newfoundland, International / U.S. Navy flight
The Navy R7V-2 Giant Disc Encounter
Donald Keyhoe published a dramatic account in which U.S. Navy commander George Benton and a transport carrying roughly 30 naval airmen allegedly encountered a giant luminous disc east of Gander in 1956. Keyhoe said the object paced the R7V-2 at close range and that Gander radar had a nearby return.
Why This Case Matters
Potentially extraordinary because of the claimed witness count and radar element, but source confidence is much lower than the story's military detail suggests.
Chronology
- 1956 alleged Atlantic encounter
- crew reportedly sees lights rise into giant disc and pace transport
- Keyhoe says Gander radar detects nearby object and crew is debriefed
- early 1959 Keyhoe learns story through Adm Delmar Fahrney/Capt James Taylor
- later published in UFO literature
- NICAP compilation enters CIA archive
The Witnesses
Evidence
The following evidence types are documented for this case:
Conventional explanations: Misidentified ship/aircraft lights, atmospheric reflection, radar coincidence or narrative embellishment remain possible. Without the original mission/radar/debrief records, the spectacular size/speed estimates cannot be audited.
What Remains Unresolved
- Exact event date
- aircraft bureau number/flight number
- Gander radar logs
- Navy/Air Force debrief
- crew statements independent of Keyhoe
- whether the named crew identities can be verified against flight records.
Key Takeaways
- The case has high potential but low primary-document confidence. Do not equate a CIA-hosted NICAP compilation with CIA confirmation of the event.
Sources
Primary and secondary sources for this case file: