The Early Arizona Photos

On July 7, 1947—just two weeks after Kenneth Arnold’s famous sighting—Phoenix resident William Rhodes photographed a disc-shaped object from his backyard. The Air Force confiscated his negatives, and the case became an early example of alleged evidence suppression.

The Date

July 7, 1947:

• Early UFO era
• Days after Arnold
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Backyard sighting
• Historic timing

The Witness

William Rhodes:

• Phoenix resident
• Amateur scientist
• Had camera ready
• Quick reaction
• Two photos taken

The Sighting

What happened:

• Heard whooshing
• Looked up
• Saw disc
• Grabbed camera
• Photographed

The Object

What he captured:

• Heel-shaped disc
• Dark surface
• Clearly defined
• Moving fast
• Unusual shape

The Photos

Two images:

• Different angles
• Same object
• Clear definition
• Similar to Arnold description
• Historic evidence

The Heel Shape

Distinctive feature:

• Not classic disc
• Rounded front
• Pointed rear
• Consistent shape
• Both photos

Air Force Interest

Military response:

• Agents visited
• Requested negatives
• Rhodes cooperated
• Never returned
• Evidence lost?

The Confiscation

What happened:

• Negatives taken
• Promised return
• Never happened
• Lost to public
• Suppressed?

Contemporary Reports

Validation:

• Matched Arnold description
• Same general period
• Similar shape
• Corroboration
• Pattern emerging

Analysis

Photos showed:

• Solid object
• Structured craft
• Consistent lighting
• No obvious fake
• Compelling evidence

Project Sign

Military investigation:

• Included Rhodes case
• Analyzed photos
• Classified
• Taken seriously
• Official interest

Later Developments

Rhodes’ experience:

• Became advocate
• Documented case
• Never recovered negatives
• Cautionary tale
• Evidence loss

Historical Significance

Part of pattern:

• Early UFO photos
• Government confiscation
• Evidence disappearance
• Consistent approach
• Suppression pattern?

Significance

Early UFO photographs showing consistent object description, confiscated by military and never returned.

Legacy

The Rhodes photos represent the early pattern of UFO evidence confiscation—a civilian captured important images that were taken by authorities and never returned, a story repeated throughout UFO history.