The Trent Photos

On May 11, 1950, farmer Paul Trent photographed a disc-shaped object hovering over his McMinnville, Oregon farm. His wife Evelyn also witnessed the craft. The two photographs, extensively analyzed over decades, remain among the most credible UFO images in existence.

The Witnesses

Paul and Evelyn Trent:

• Oregon farmers
• Simple life
• No UFO interest
• Reluctant witnesses
• Credible characters

The Evening

May 11, 1950:

• Around 7:30 PM
• Evelyn outside
• Feeding rabbits
• Saw object
• Called Paul

The Sighting

They observed:

• Metallic disc
• Hovering over farm
• Silent
• Moving slowly
• Clear view

The Photographs

Paul Trent:

• Grabbed camera
• Took two photos
• Different angles
• Black and white film
• Historic images

The Object

Photos show:

• Disc-shaped craft
• Flat bottom
• Slightly raised top
• Metallic appearance
• Clear silhouette

Delayed Publication

The Trents:

• Didn’t publicize immediately
• Friends saw photos
• Local paper got interested
• Life magazine published
• National attention

The Analysis

Experts examined:

• Original negatives
• Shadow analysis
• Focus patterns
• No signs of hoax
• Appear genuine

Condon Committee

University of Colorado:

• Analyzed photos 1968
• Found consistent
• “One of the few cases”
• No evidence of hoax
• Significant finding

William Hartmann

Condon analyst:

• Studied extensively
• “Consistent with object”
• Several meters diameter
• Moderate distance
• Scientific opinion

The Skeptics

Some argued:

• Truck mirror hoax
• Model on string
• Various theories
• But analysis supports
• Genuine object

The Trents

Paul and Evelyn:

• Never sought money
• Consistent story
• Simple farmers
• No profit motive
• Died maintaining truth

The Annual Festival

McMinnville today:

• UFO Festival
• Third largest UFO event
• Every May
• Celebrates photos
• Town identity

Recent Analysis

Modern techniques:

• Applied to images
• Some support authenticity
• Debate continues
• No definitive proof
• Either way

Significance

McMinnville photos significant for:

• Early UFO images
• Scientific analysis
• Witness credibility
• Historical importance
• Ongoing study

Legacy

The McMinnville UFO photographs remain among the most credible in UFO history. The Trents’ character, the scientific analysis, and the absence of evident hoax markers ensure these images continue to be studied and debated.