David Clarke and Andy Roberts are regular FT contributors and long-time researchers of assorted fortean phenomena.

This is our Top Ten list of ‘classic’ unresolved UFO cases, incorporating our two ‘best’ cases, and reflecting our bias towards UK incidents that we have personally investigated or researched:

1. RAF Lakenheath-Bentwaters. A complex series of anomalous radar ‘sightings’ both from the ground and the air over East Anglia on the night of 13–14 August 1956 ( see FT213:28–32). This case sums up the UFO mystery: partly resolved, but leaving many technical and human questions unanswered.

2. RAF Farnborough, Hampshire. A close-range sighting of a ‘flying saucer’ by RAF test pilot Stan Hubbard in August 1950, followed by a multi-witness report of a similar UFO at greater distance by a group of RAF personnel. Investigated by the MoD’s Flying Saucer Working Party who dismissed both reports as “optical illusions” (see FT164:43).

3. Livingston incident, Scotland, 1979 In a ‘close encounter’ at Livingston, Scotland, on 9 November 1979, forestry worker Bob Taylor saw a huge, dome-shaped, semi-transparent object sitting in a clearing in Dechmont Woods. He was then approached by two objects like wartime mines that emerged from the larger object; he lost consciousness and suffered some physical after-effects. Traces were found at the site and a police investigation was launched. Taylor was an impressive witness who never changed his story. Attempts to find a rational explanation have been unconvincing and the case remains inexplicable to this day.

4. Exercise Mainbrace sightings, September and October 1952. These include both the RAF Topcliffe sighting and the sighting by Flt Lt Michael Swiney and Lt Cdr David Crofts from their Meteor jet of “three saucer-shaped objects” high above the West Country. This report was apparently confirmed by ground radar.

5. Rendlesham Forest Although many aspects of this ‘classic’ case appear resolved, the initial sighting – by three USAF airmen – of a luminous object in Rendlesham Forest, outside the gate of RAF Woodbridge, early hours of 26 December 1980, remains a puzzle despite the contradictory nature of the witness narratives (see FT204:32–39).

6. PC Alan Godfrey’s close encounter, Todmorden, West Yorkshire, early hours of 28 November 1980. Policeman sights and sketches huge UFO before ‘missing time’ ensues. Regression brings memories of spacecraft and medical exam, with two types of entities and even a black dog! Other police in area see UFO in same general area at same time.

7. Cynthia Appleton “contactee” story, Birmingham, 1957–58. Housewife repeatedly visited by ‘spacemen’ who show her technological secrets and impregnate her with space baby which is duly born. Entire family appear to disappear following these events. Alien contact or fantastic excuse for result of extra-marital affair? (see FT191:32–38)

8. Ilkley alien photo, West Yorkshire, 1 December 1987. Walker catches sight of ‘alien’ and photographs it running back to its UFO, which is seen taking off. Photo as yet unexplained. Witness totally uninterested in publicity.

9. Stephen Darbishire photo, Coniston, Cumbria, February 1954. Schoolboy photographs Adamski-like craft. Mainstay of UK ufology for over 50 years. Photographer alternates between “it’s a real UFO photo” and “I hoaxed it”. Big impact on UK UFO scene.

10. Alitalia UFO, 21 April 1991. Crew of airliner carrying 57 passengers from Milan to London sighted a dark, missile-shaped object which passed within 300m (980ft) of the aircraft at 6,700m (22,000 feet) above Kent. An unknown track was seen on radar at the relevant time. MoD and CAA investigation lists sighting as “an unidentified flying object.” (See FT194:23).

And our special category of ‘Most over-hyped UFO Case’
This has to be Roswell. Government and public all agree ‘something’ happened at Roswell. No one can agree what! Decades of wishful thinking and selective interpretation of the available evidence has muddied the waters to the extent that the ufologists are convinced an alien craft landed and no amount of contrary evidence is going to change their minds.