Papers d'Ovnis - 2a epoca - No 14

Magazine Overview

Title: Papers d'OVNIS
Issue: Nº 14, II Época
Date: March-April 1999
Publisher: Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios (CEI)
Country: Spain
Language: Spanish

This issue of *Papers d'OVNIS* presents a diverse range of articles focusing on UFO phenomena, military encounters, and historical investigations. The cover prominently features a dramatic image of a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter jet, hinting at the lead story about a Phantom jet's encounter with a UFO over Madrid. The magazine also explores the controversial topic of 'cloud thief' airplanes and delves into the history of ufology in Spain.

"Expediente X" sobre Madrid: Phantom vs OVNI

This article recounts a significant event on November 28, 1979, when a Spanish Air Force F-4C Phantom jet from Ala 12, based at Torrejón, was scrambled to intercept unidentified flying objects (UFOs) over Madrid. The incident began when Control Madrid reported two strange objects sighted vertically over Madrid, also observed by numerous people on the ground. Radar stations, including EVA 2 at Villatobas, detected multiple static echoes at approximately 58,000 feet, later reported at 80,000 feet. The pilot of the Phantom, identified as 'Delta Tango 51', was alerted and prepared for a scramble. After takeoff, the pilot ascended to 35,000 feet and was directed by radar control towards the reported location. Despite radar contacts, the pilot never achieved visual confirmation of any objects, though radar indicated targets at altitudes corresponding to '80 to 88 angels' and later '38 to 41 angels'. The pilot reported seeing a 'strobe' and a 'flash' behind and to the left, and briefly locked onto a visual target that quickly broke lock. The official conclusion suggested that special meteorological conditions might have caused radio and luminous disturbances that explained the radar echoes and any observed ground phenomena.

De nuevo con las avionetas «antinubes»

This extensive section investigates the persistent claims of 'cloud thief' airplanes, which farmers allege are responsible for dissipating rain clouds and causing droughts. The article traces the origins of these beliefs, noting that while scientific methods for hail suppression exist, the idea of aircraft deliberately stealing rain is largely considered a modern urban legend. It details reports from various regions in Spain, including Catalonia and Soria, where farmers have reported seeing mysterious gray airplanes at high altitudes that appear to disperse clouds. The article highlights the lack of official confirmation for such aircraft and the difficulties in substantiating these claims, with investigations often leading to over- file closures due to lack of evidence. It touches upon the psychological and anthropological aspects of legend formation, suggesting that in the absence of clear explanations for natural phenomena like drought, people tend to invent causes, often involving conspiracy and hidden agendas.

Breve semblanza de un clásico: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

This section provides a brief historical overview of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, a renowned supersonic aircraft. It details its development, widespread service across numerous countries, and its adoption by the US Navy and Air Force. The article notes its role in the Spanish Air Force as a replacement for the F-104 Starfighter and its deterrent function against potential Moroccan ambitions. Despite its declining primacy in the eighties, the Phantom II remained in service in various capacities, including reconnaissance roles in Spain.

Otros países, otros boletines

This section offers a roundup of recent publications and findings from various ufological organizations and journals worldwide. It includes summaries from:

• MUFON UFO Journal: Discusses an extraterrestrial 'corpse' from Varginha, Brazil, and an analysis of crop circles suggesting most are not fraudulent, based on Dr. W. C. Levengood's findings.
• Skeptics UFO Newsletter: Critiques the 'Sturrock Report' and highlights the lack of conclusive evidence for UFOs or extraterrestrial intervention.
• UFO Historical Revue: Features discussions on UFOs photographed by satellites, potentially being comets, and a 1904 sighting interpreted as a meteorite.
• The Skeptic: Focuses on astrology and algae properties, with a mention of connecting with extraterrestrial life via the internet.
• Magonia: Covers topics such as the lack of scientific engagement with UFOs, the difficulty of falsifying extraterrestrial hypotheses, and reports on 'wandering bishops' and book reviews.
• Fortean Times: Discusses 'mummified smokers', the history of the 'When Prophecy Fails' study, and the 'Sturrock Report' as a potential new beginning for ufology.

Actualidad: OVNIs en Canarias en los años setenta. Expertos espaciales confirman que fueron misiles.

This article debunks the sensationalist claims surrounding UFO sightings in the Canary Islands during the 1970s. It reveals that five significant incidents, previously attributed to UFOs, have been identified as ballistic missile launches from US Navy submarines. The investigation, led by Ricardo Campo and involving experts like Jonathan McDowell and James Oberg, correlated the dates and times of these sightings with declassified US Navy records. The missiles involved were identified as Poseidon, launched from submarines operating in the North Atlantic. The article notes that while the exact submarine positions remain classified, the evidence strongly suggests that these luminous phenomena were military tests, not extraterrestrial craft.

40 años del CEI (V): El CEI-Madrid

This installment details the history and activities of the Madrid branch of the Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios (CEI). It traces the origins of the CEI-Madrid group, initially a small nucleus of collaborators, and its eventual formalization. The article highlights the group's significant work, including a comprehensive study on the 1968-1969 UFO wave, which involved statistical analysis using a mainframe computer. It also mentions their critical stance towards the Barcelona headquarters, their independent research, and their eventual dissolution due to members moving on to other pursuits. The section concludes by noting the archival donation of CEI-Madrid's records to the Fundación Anomalía.

OVNI y efectos E.M. cerca de Alicante

This brief report describes an incident near Alicante, Spain, where a car and its occupants' electronic devices, including mobile phones and a digital watch, suddenly stopped working. Upon exiting the vehicle, they observed three lights forming a triangle that then took off, causing all electrical systems to function again. The object, described as large and triangular, was directly overhead at about 30 meters, with no noticeable air currents or pressure changes.

The Faculty: otro engendro infumable de Roberto Rodríguez

This is a critical review of the film 'The Faculty', comparing it unfavorably to 'Desperado' and 'From Dusk Till Dawn'. The reviewer describes the plot as involving aliens taking over professors and students in a university, with only a few 'smart' individuals realizing the truth. The review expresses disappointment and questions the film's quality.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, the debunking of sensationalist claims, and the historical documentation of ufology. The magazine adopts a critical and analytical approach, seeking rational explanations for reported sightings, whether they be military tests, natural phenomena, or misidentifications. There is a clear emphasis on scientific rigor and the examination of evidence, as seen in the detailed analysis of the Madrid Phantom incident and the Canary Islands missile launches. The 'cloud thief' article highlights the magazine's interest in folklore and urban legends, while also exploring the psychological underpinnings of such beliefs. The historical accounts of the CEI and various UFO journals underscore a commitment to preserving the history of ufology. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, prioritizing evidence-based analysis over speculation, while acknowledging the enduring fascination with the unknown.

Title: Actualidad
Issue: 11
Volume: 11
Date: September 1998
Publisher: CEI
Country: Spain
Language: Spanish

Main Articles

Fallece Stanley Kubrick

The magazine reports on the passing of the influential American director Stanley Kubrick on March 7th. Kubrick, known for his groundbreaking films, is particularly noted for "2001: A Space Odyssey," released between 1965 and 1967. The film, inspired by the possibility of extraterrestrial civilizations, premiered in Barcelona in October 1968, sponsored by CEI and the newspaper Tele exprés.

OVNI en el CCCB

The Centro de Cultura Contemporánea de Barcelona (CCCB) hosted the V Muestra de Vídeo Independiente y Fenómenos Interactivos from January 26th to 31st. This event, now renamed OVNI (Observatorio de Vídeo no Identificado), featured 98 works by artists from 17 countries. The thematic focus explored the spectrum between the social and the intimate. Notable presentations included statements by Subcommander Marcos in the video "Marcos on media" and two feature films by David Cronenberg.

Ciencia Ficción: Exposiciones y premios

An exhibition at Palau Marc in Barcelona reviewed the history of science fiction literature in Catalan. Titled "Cent un anys de llibres de ciència-ficció i fantasia en llengua catalana (1877-1977)" (One Hundred Years of Science Fiction and Fantasy Books in the Catalan Language), it traced the evolution of the genre from its origins to the post-Franco era. The exhibition displayed a broad bibliographic selection, along with modest scenographic elements such as figures of genre characters, Tintin's rocket, and posters.

The exhibition identified 1877 as the starting point for Catalan science fiction with the publication of Verdaguer's "L'Atlàntida." Other early works mentioned include Cartea i Vidal's "Lo moviment continu" (1878), Folch i Torres' "El gegant dels aires," and Joan Junceda's "Els fills del capità Delmar al pol." Frederic Pujulà's "Homes artificials" was published in 1912. The period also saw an interaction between H. G. Wells and Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona during a Pen Club meeting in 1935, followed by Josep Maria Francès' "Retorn al Sol" in 1936. The quality of these works was considered comparable to international standards, but the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) disrupted this progress, leading to the exile and death of authors like Pujulà and Francès.

The recovery of the genre in Catalan began slowly in the 1950s for original creation, with translations of modern authors taking another twenty years to become regular. While Verne was translated from the 1920s, "Frankenstein" was not translated until the 1980s. Before 1977, only two modern classics by John Wyndham and Howard Fast were translated into Catalan.

Post-war writers highlighted include Antoni Ribera, Joan Perucho, and Pere Calders. Manuel de Pedrolo's "Mecanoscrit del segon origen" (1974) is noted as a milestone, with contributions also from Emili Teixidor, Benet i Jornet, and Maria Aurelia Capmany. The comics of Dani Futur, written by Víctor Mora, are credited with paving the way for normalization and a new generation of authors.

Furthermore, the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya announced the UPC Science Fiction Award 1999, offering a prize of 1,000,000 pesetas and a mention of 250,000 pesetas for unpublished works. Submissions could be in Catalan, Spanish, French, or English. Information was available from the UPC Social Council.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine "Actualidad" appears to cover a range of cultural and artistic topics, with a particular interest in film, science fiction, and literature. The editorial stance seems to be informative and retrospective, as evidenced by the obituary for Stanley Kubrick and the detailed review of Catalan science fiction history. There is also an engagement with contemporary art and media, as seen in the coverage of the OVNI video exhibition.