The article below was published in the daily newspaper Le Figaro, Paris, France, page 2, on October 21, 1954.
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After the passage of a large jet over the Rhône Valley
Vienne, October 20. -- A "Stratojet" aircraft, which daily flies over the Rhône Valley at an altitude of about ten thousand meters, was yesterday mistaken by some observers for a flying saucer.
The president of the Vienne Aeroclub immediately clarified the situation for the overly imaginative witnesses, but a strange phenomenon occurred after the passage of the powerful jet. In the sky, parachute-like shapes animated with bizarre movements appeared, resembling light veils, which soon reached the ground.
Witnesses of the phenomenon touched this substance, which was very soft and slightly rubbery in consistency. Upon reaching the ground, it quickly vanished, probably due to the temperature.
One witness placed some of the material in a box and had it photographed immediately. A few hours later, the contents of the box, despite being sealed, had evaporated.
This phenomenon, caused by condensation in the rarefied and cold atmosphere of certain elements of the Stratojet's fuel, can create white or iridescent formations moving at high speed at high altitude, leading to more or less fanciful interpretations.
This observation, made above the Vienne airfield, is identical to one previously reported by a resident of Oloron.
