[UPDATE 3] National Archives ‘Zodiac’ File Unit – All Documents

To catch you up, here’s my original post, the first update, the second update, and a link to the online file unit.

Special Thanks

I want to extend my gratitude to u/bubbacow2, who volunteered to scan the documents ahead of the usual 90-120 day waiting period. For context, they’re the individual behind this insightful post from a couple of years ago. After verifying their identity multiple times, I can confirm they are indeed who they claim to be, and their portfolio aligns perfectly with their assertions.

They also wanted to share this message with everyone:

Just a heads up: I’m still deeply engaged in this subject, speaking with incoming administration officials—exciting times ahead! And for those who know my identity, please refrain from sending pictures of your… personal items to my government email! 😅

The Zodiac File Unit

Check out this GitHub repository and a Google Drive link for access to all the documents, including some interesting extras related to Italian balloon wrecks. There’s also a PDF of the Zodiac records, although keep in mind that text recognition may not be the best due to Adobe Acrobat’s limitations.

I wasn’t able to locate these specific documents anywhere else online.

Here are some notable highlights:

• A letter from H.A. Strauss, Chief of the Lighter-Than-Air Section, discussing the stress analysis of the “Proposed Zodiac Airship Car Structure,” along with references to attached drawings that weren’t found.

• Documents state the Zodiac Airship is intended for “Short Range Reconnaissance.”

• Critiques of the Zodiac Airship written by Norman W. Peek, a representative from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, addressed to the Chief of the Engineering Division at McCook Field (later WPAFB).

• References to “blueprints” and “drawings” appear throughout, but none are included.

• Chief of Engineering Division documents from McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio (which eventually became WPAFB).

• Correspondences from the general manager of The Connecticut Aircraft Co. about the “Zodiac Envelope”, again mentioning McCook Field.

• Material specifications for the Zodiac Airship’s construction.

• References to the “Airship Manufacturing Company of America” based in Hammondsport, New York, sent to the Chief of Engineering Division at McCook Field.

• Connections to Langley Field and mentions of “Zodiac Envelopes.”

Speculation and Conclusions

Please take my interpretations lightly; I encourage you to read the documents yourself before forming any conclusions.

Based on the released files, it seems the “Zodiac” unit has little relevance to UAPs and isn’t a formal “program”. Rather, it’s focused on airships and balloons developed by the Zodiac Dirigible Airship Company within the Lighter-Than-Air Section. There are also links to the Airship Manufacturing Company of America and the Irving Air Chute Company. Notably, the documents do touch on aerial vehicles and retrieval of crashed materials, specifically balloons.

During my initial research, I found no information linking “Zodiac” to the USAF until I added the term “Airship.”

Theory #1:
It’s possible that some whistleblowers were misinformed about the real nature of “Zodiac.” While it may involve aerial vehicles and crash retrieval, it’s not a classified program regarding UAPs, but rather pertains to airships and balloons. This could explain reports of crash retrieval operations in Italy—though the dates