Papers d'Ovnis - 2a epoca - No 34

Magazine Overview

Title: Papers d'Ovnis
Issue: Nº 34
Date: Octubre-Diciembre 2003
Publisher: Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios (CEI)

This issue of Papers d'Ovnis, published by the Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios (CEI), focuses on the passing of Charles Berlitz, a notable figure in paranormal research, and delves into various UFO-related topics, including a peculiar sighting in Chile and historical case analyses.

"AVIOVNIS" QUE MATAN CONSENSOS (UFOs That Kill Consensus)

Author: Manuel Borraz

Manuel Borraz opens the issue by discussing the persistent lack of consensus in ufology, likening it to a chronic and congenital illness. He posits that this stems from the need for interpretation in all UFO experiences, as no evidence speaks for itself. Borraz illustrates this with an anecdote of three radio astronomers who mistook a commercial airplane for a UFO due to a peculiar acoustic phenomenon. He then recounts a more perplexing case from Entrimo, Spain, in 1995, where a luminous object transformed into a commercial airplane, a phenomenon that baffled ufologist Manuel Carballal and is categorized under 'transufology.' Borraz also references a comment by Jim Deardorff regarding UFOs appearing in similar locations and times as explicable phenomena like meteors or satellite reentries, suggesting a pattern of misidentification or deliberate obfuscation.

LOS ARCHIVOS DE CASUÍSTICA (II) (The Casuistics Archives II)

Authors: Martí Flò, Josep Mª Orta, Pere Redón, Mª Luisa Romero, Mª Carmen Tamayo

This section transcribes the second part of a discussion held at the CEI headquarters on June 27th, focusing on the relevance and future of UFO casuistics archives. The participants, including Martí Flò and Pere Redón, reflect on the evolution from physical archives to computerized databases and the internet. They discuss the challenges of managing vast amounts of data, the lack of standardized methods in early UFO reporting, and the efforts to create unified catalogs like CUCO (Catalogo Unificado de Casos OVNI). The conversation highlights the dedication of individuals like Juan Pablo González in compiling and computerizing data, aiming to make it accessible for diverse research purposes. The discussion also touches upon the difficulties in verifying and cross-referencing information from different sources and the potential for information overload.

EL CÁNCER DEL PARABRISAS Y EL OVNI DE HELIGOLAND (The Windshield Cancer and the Heligoland UFO)

Author: Martí Flò

This article, a continuation from a previous issue, explores a series of incidents involving damaged windshields, termed 'windshield cancer,' and links them to a purported UFO crash on Heligoland. The author traces the phenomenon back to incidents in Scunthorpe-Dorcaster, England, in 1952, where windshields of vehicles, including a school bus, were mysteriously damaged. Similar reports emerged in the United States, with car owners in Kokomo, Indiana, complaining of holes appearing in their windows. The article discusses various explanations offered by authorities, such as thermal stress and vibrations, which were largely dismissed by witnesses. It then shifts to the alleged crash of a disc-shaped object on Heligoland in 1952, described by Dr. Hans Larsen Løberg. Løberg suggested that magnetic ray cannons from the UFO might have caused the windshield damage and were also implicated in the death of Captain Thomas Mantell in 1948 while he was pursuing a UFO near Fort Knox. The article also touches upon the possibility of these incidents being hoaxes, referencing the case of the Barra da Tijuca photographs in Brazil, which were later revealed to be photomontages. The author notes the historical context of atomic bomb testing during the Cold War as a potential factor influencing these events.

El platillo que fue soviético (The Saucer That Was Soviet)

Author: Martí Flò

This section details the alleged discovery of a Soviet disc-shaped craft in Spitzbergen, Norway, in June 1952. A squadron of Norwegian aircraft reportedly spotted a round object, 40-50 meters in diameter. The craft was later transported for investigation. The article traces the origin of this story to a German newspaper article and its subsequent publication in various international UFO magazines and books. It mentions that the craft was described as having a radio direction finder with a plutonium core and transmitting on an unknown frequency. The object's dimensions were reportedly divisible by seven, and it had no visible engine, propellers, or reactors. The article also discusses the possibility of the craft being a V-7, a German World War II aircraft, and notes that the story evolved over time, with some reports suggesting the wreckage was shared with the Americans. The author also briefly mentions the case of the Heligoland UFO, suggesting it might be a separate incident from the Spitzbergen discovery.

NECROLÓGICA: CHARLES BERLITZ

Author: Oliver Stephenson

This obituary commemorates Charles Berlitz, a renowned linguist and author, who passed away on December 18, 2003, at the age of 90. Berlitz, grandson of Maximilian Berlitz, founder of the Berlitz language schools, was a polyglot fluent in several languages. While he had a distinguished career in linguistics and education, he is most widely recognized for his best-selling books on paranormal phenomena, including "The Bermuda Triangle" (1974), "Without Trace" (1977), "The Philadelphia Experiment-Project Invisibility" (1979), and "The Roswell Incident" (1980). The obituary highlights his dedication to research and his belief in the importance of investigating the unknown. It notes his service in the US Army during World War II and his later investigations into the Bermuda Triangle and Atlantis.

CARTAS DE LOS LECTORES (Letters from the Readers)

Author: Iker Jiménez, Juan Antonio Montón

This section features letters from readers. Iker Jiménez expresses his frustration with the sensationalism and lack of scientific rigor in some UFO-related media, particularly referencing a film that depicted UFOlogists as fanatics. He emphasizes the importance of serious, scientific investigation into the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Juan Antonio Montón, a long-time member of CEI, echoes this sentiment, highlighting the center's commitment to scientific inquiry and distinguishing it from those who seek personal gain from UFO phenomena. He praises the dedication of CEI members in their pursuit of 'The Truth' and laments that such pursuit is not financially rewarded.

FE DE ERRORES (Errata)

This brief note corrects an error in the previous issue (No. 33), stating that a reported UFO sighting and pursuit in Gipuzkoa occurred in 1985, not the current year, as the information was sourced from an older newspaper article.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Papers d'Ovnis revolve around the challenges of UFO research, including the lack of consensus, the difficulties in data collection and archiving, and the persistent issue of misidentification. The magazine also explores historical UFO cases and alleged paranormal phenomena, maintaining a stance that favors serious, scientific investigation while acknowledging the complexities and controversies within the field. The editorial team appears committed to presenting a range of perspectives and historical accounts, encouraging critical thinking among its readers.

Title: Papers d'Ovnis
Issue: 34
Date: October-December 2003
Publisher: CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS INTERPLANETARIOS (CEI)
Country: SPAIN
Language: Spanish

This issue of Papers d'Ovnis delves into various aspects of ufology and the paranormal, featuring a prominent cover story on a mysterious creature found in the Chilean desert. The magazine also includes reviews of books and other publications, discussions of historical UFO cases, and contributions from both proponents and skeptics within the field.

Featured Articles and Reviews

"OVNIS SOBRE ZAMORA" by Federico Acosta Noriega

This section reviews a posthumously published book by Federico Acosta Noriega, a judge and poet who lived in Zamora and was interested in UFOs. The book, compiled by his daughter Carmen, contains over a hundred pages of his research and investigations into UFO phenomena in the Zamora province. It covers his attendance at a Ufology Congress in Barcelona in 1977, specific cases like the 'OVNI de Alcañices' and 'OVNI de Villaester', and his thoughts on static UFOs, UFOs that 'send', and photographic evidence. The book includes photographs, drawings, and maps.

"ASTURIAS, PARAISO SOBRENATURAL" by Antonio Fontela Talín

This review discusses a book by Antonio Fontela Talín, who holds degrees in Geography and History. While his primary field is art and its history, he is fascinated by enigmatic and paranormal subjects. His book, over 360 pages, is divided into three parts: Asturias and the Philosopher's Stone, Asturias and Apparitions, and Asturias and UFOs. The UFO section spans 125 pages and covers extraterrestrials, testimonies, and evidence. The reviewer notes the absence of a map to help locate the events and a lack of photographs or drawings.

"EXTRAÑA CRIATURA HALLADA EN EL DESIERTO DE CHILE"

This cover story details the discovery of a peculiar skeletal creature, approximately 14-15 centimeters long, by Oscar Muñoz in the Chilean desert near La Noria. The creature is described as having sharp teeth, a bulging skull, a dark, scaly body, and nine ribs. Photographs were taken by Alejandro Dávalos Aliaga and shared with investigators. The creature was reportedly sold to a collector for 30,000 pesos. Ufologist Rodrigo Fuenzalida, director of AION, investigated the case, with local representative Mario Pizarro attempting to locate the buyer. Fuenzalida, accompanied by two doctors, examined the creature through glass and provided a detailed description, noting its rabbit-like teeth and unusual cranial formation.

"OTROS PAISES, OTROS BOLETINES" by Luís R. González

This section provides a roundup of various UFO-related publications and news from different countries:

• The Skeptic (Vol. 15, No. 3, Autumn 2002): Features an article by David Hambling discussing a 1947 memorandum by Lieutenant General Twining that listed six characteristics of flying saucers. Hambling connects these to the Mogul, Skyhook, and other secret spy balloon programs, suggesting a possible link to the Roswell incident.
• The Skeptic (Vol. 15, No. 4, Winter 2002): Contains no direct UFO articles but mentions Bonnybridge's attempt to promote itself as a UFO hotspot, similar to Roswell.
• Fortean Times (No. 164, November 2002): Focuses on crop circles, including designs with pyramids and images of 'greys'. It also reports on F-16s encountering a possible UFO over Washington and UFO encounters in Greece. An article by David Clarke and Andy Roberts discusses what the British Ministry of Defence knows about UFOs.
• Fortean Times (No. 165): Opens with a report on a possible UFO-related murder and an anonymous photograph. Karl Pflock offers his perspective on the Candy Jones story. A 1975 Hollywood sighting of a hovering UFO is also mentioned.
• Fortean Times (No. 166, January 2003): Features Elvis Presley on the cover. UFO references are scarce, including a mention of a tiny humanoid found in Chile and a skeptical view of 'Naga' fireballs.
• Fortean Times (No. 167): The cover and main article discuss 'alien big cats' in the English countryside. It also touches on 'orbs' in digital photography and sleepwalking.
• International UFO Reporter (Vol. 27, No. 1, Spring 2002): Reviews the 1952 Nash and Fortenberry sighting, deemed unexplained. It also features an article by Mark Rodeghier on UFO/vehicle collisions.
• Skeptical Inquirer (Vol. 26, No. 6): Discusses the politicization of Marian apparitions and includes comments on the 50th anniversary of the Washington sightings, attributing radar echoes to thermal inversions. It also mentions Nancy Lieder's prophecies about Planet X.
• International UFO Reporter (Vol. 27, No. 2, Summer 2002): Explores whether atomic installations attract UFOs, finding a higher percentage of sightings in US counties with such facilities. It also critiques the sensationalism surrounding the closure of a British UFO group.
• International UFO Reporter (Vol. 27, No. 3, Autumn 2002): Features a case from August 2002 of a massive, silent triangular object. It also discusses the Roswell case, with Kevin Randle pointing out potential biases in interpreting photographic evidence. Jenny Randles reviews David Clarke and Andy Roberts' book "Out of the Shadows."
• INFO-RESPACER (No. 105): Announces the availability of an index for the first 100 issues. It includes an article on how French researchers are cataloging UFO material at risk of disappearing, and a case from April 1955 investigated by SOS OVNI.
• La Nave de los Locos (Nos. 18 & 19): Focuses on ufology in Argentina, with contributions on Capilla del Monte and a tribute to Guillermo Roncoroni. Alejandro Agostinelli discusses Jacques Vallee's "Messengers of Deception."
• La Nave de los Locos (No. 20, January 2003): Concludes the dossier on Argentinian ufology with an analysis of the Ventura Maceiras case (rejuvenation) and the Vidal family's alleged teleportation. It includes an interview with Alejandro Agostinelli and a review of Steven Spielberg's miniseries "Taken."

Other Mentions

• Keith Basterfield comments on 'angel hair' cases.
• Jerome Clark critiques a book by Pflock and Moseley.
• Donald A. Johnson finds a correlation between atomic installations and UFO sightings in the USA.
• Kevin Randle and Mark Rodeghier discuss Frank Kaufmann's alleged falsification of documents related to the Roswell case.
• Stuart Apelle reports on Harvard University's conclusion that abduction memories are a result of imagination.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers a wide range of UFO and paranormal topics, from specific sightings and alleged creature discoveries to reviews of books and research. There is a clear inclusion of both ufological investigations and skeptical viewpoints, as seen in the reviews of publications like 'The Skeptic' and 'Skeptical Inquirer'. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various cases and perspectives without necessarily endorsing any single explanation, while also critically examining claims and potential hoaxes. The recurring theme of international UFO activity is evident, with reports from Chile, Spain, the USA, and Europe.