The signal

The signal contains an observation report, probably from one of the Tornado pilots. Click on the picture for a larger version. Source: British Ministry of Defence. © Crown Copyright. Courtesy David Clarke.

In March 2009 re-released signal, containing info about the pilot. Click on the picture for a larger version. Source: British National Archives, DEFE 31-180. © Crown Copyright.

The 'signal' (Teletype) was sent from military air traffic control centre RAF West Drayton to MODUK AIR (Ministry of Defence, division Air Force at Whitehall, London) on November 6, 1990. The signal contains a report on aerial phenomena observed by a pilot flying at Flight Level 270 (altitude 27,000 feet) over Ypenburg Airfield (now closed), which was located a few kilometres east of The Hague. This happened on November 5, 1990, at 1800Z, which is equal to 18:00 UTC, or 19:00 hrs Middle European Time. The pilot was flying on a heading of 100 degrees, practically into easterly direction.

The signal was re-released by the British National Archives in file DEFE 31-180 (p. 182), in March 2009. In this version, section M is largely readable. We can now see that the information in the signal originates from a Squadron Leader (SQNLDR) at Number 2 (Army Cooperation) Squadron (2 AC SQN).

Flight 603

We compared the information in the signal to the recorded radio communications. In the communications, the pilot of flight 603 reports that he observes the unknown air traffic on his right-hand side ("two o'clock") and that it flies slightly higher. Moments later, he reports that he sees the phenomenon at "twelve o'clock" (straight ahead). This conforms largely to the information in the signal, in which is reported that the UFO appeared at the same level on the right-hand side of the aircraft, whereupon it went to "twelve o'clock". Therefore, we deem it likely that the information in the signal came from the pilot of flight 603. Since March 2009, we also know that he was Squadron Leader at No. 2 (AC) Squadron.

Flight 637C and 637A

In the signal is reported that "two others from Laarbruch" also saw the phenomenon. In the recorded communications we hear two other jet fighters: 637C and 637A. The 637A reports that he is airborne from Laarbruch and is approaching Flight Level 60 (altitude 6,000 feet). We can assume that 637C was on the same mission as 637A, since their flight numbers are identical. The letter C indicates that it is the third aircraft of mission 637. 637C reported that he sees "a very large aircraft" on his left-hand side, while flying at Flight Level 150 (altitude 15,000 feet). The 637s were probably en route to the west from Laarbruch, otherwise they would not have contacted Dutch military air traffic control.

Positions and altitudes

We can indicate the likely positions of the Tornados during their observations:

• Flight 603 was on a heading of 100 degrees over Ypenburg Airfield at an altitude of 27,000 feet.


• Flight 637C was on a westerly heading over the Netherlands west of RAF Laarbruch, at an altitude of 15,000 feet.


• Flight 637A was on a westerly heading over the Netherlands west of RAF Laarbruch, at or just below an altitude of 6,000 feet.

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