Clarifying the situation
The 1972 fly-by that ultimately led to the discovery of the Swamp Ghost wasn't the first time the UFO had been seen since the end of hostilities. In reality, a man named Frank Gray observed it during a day flight seven years earlier, in 1965. Afterward, he and his three friends embarked on a gruelling journey to search for the jet. It took them three attempts, and they travelled the last quarter mile of the trek in over four hours, but they eventually got there. Surprisingly, everything appeared to be operating normally, but unfortunately, their local guides were eager to return to their town, so not much could be learnt.