The McMinnville UFO Photographs

On May 11, 1950, farm couple Paul and Evelyn Trent photographed a disc-shaped object over their property near McMinnville, Oregon. The two photographs they captured have been subjected to more scientific analysis than perhaps any other UFO images, and no conclusive evidence of hoax has ever been found.

The Witnesses

Paul and Evelyn Trent:

• Farm couple
• Near McMinnville
• Simple lifestyle
• No profit motive
• Never changed story

The Day

May 11, 1950:

• Early evening
• Evelyn saw object first
• Called Paul
• He grabbed camera
• Two photos taken

The Sighting

Evelyn was:

• Feeding rabbits
• Looked up
• Saw disc in sky
• Metallic appearance
• Moving slowly

The Camera

Paul used:

• Basic Brownie camera
• 1940s technology
• Two exposures
• Quick sequence
• Both captured object

The Photos

The images show:

• Disc-shaped object
• Tilted angle
• Clear outline
• Against sky
• Consistent in both

Early Analysis

Photos examined:

• By Life magazine
• Deemed genuine
• Published widely
• National attention
• No manipulation found

The Condon Study

1969 analysis:

• University of Colorado
• Examined thoroughly
• “Most complete”
• Photographic evidence
• No definitive conclusion

William Hartmann

Condon researcher:

• Studied photos
• Found no evidence of hoax
• Noted consistency
• “One of the few”
• UFO photos unexplained

Ground Saucer Watch

1970s analysis:

• Computer enhancement
• Found no wires
• No model evidence
• Supported authenticity
• Technical examination

Skeptical Analysis

Some researchers:

• Found possible issues
• Lighting questions
• Shadow directions
• Debate continues
• No proof of hoax

The Trents

Throughout their lives:

• Never profited
• Maintained account
• Consistent story
• Down-to-earth couple
• Credible witnesses

The Festival

McMinnville created:

• UFO Festival
• Annual event
• Third weekend May
• Major attraction
• Celebrates sighting

Object Description

The photos show:

• Flat disc
• Dome on top possible
• Metallic surface
• Tilted flight
• Consistent with sightings

Photo Quality

For the era:

• Remarkably clear
• Good detail
• Multiple angles
• Both successful exposures
• Excellent evidence

Ongoing Study

Researchers continue:

• To analyze photos
• New techniques applied
• Original negatives examined
• No resolution
• Mystery persists

Significance

The McMinnville photos are significant for:

• Clarity of images
• Decades of analysis
• No hoax proven
• Witness credibility
• Iconic status

Legacy

The McMinnville UFO photographs remain among the most analyzed and compelling pieces of UFO photographic evidence. The lack of any proven hoax, combined with the Trents’ credibility, ensures these images maintain their importance in UFO research.