APCIC - Vol 11 No 05 - 1986

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue Date: May 1986
Volume: 11
Issue: No. 5
Publisher: AERIAL PHENOMENON CLIPPING INFORMATION CENTER
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

This issue of UFO NEWS, dated May 1986, presents a collection of articles and reports focusing on aerial phenomena and UFO sightings from various locations, including the UK, USA, and Poland. The cover features a prominent illustration of flying saucers and the main headline "MYSTERY IN THE SKY."

South Wales 'Flying Saucer' Storm in a Welsh Tea Cup

This article details a widespread public reaction to a sighting of mysterious lights over South Wales on March 18, 1986. Police and airport switchboards were inundated with calls from concerned citizens reporting an array of bright lights hovering in the sky. While official sources, including a Cardiff-Wales Airport spokesman, described the event as a military exercise involving a mid-air refueling of DC-10s by the Royal Air Force, many witnesses remained unconvinced. Mrs. Marina Davies, who observed the lights for 15 minutes, stated emphatically that it was "absolutely no way" a military exercise and was convinced it was a UFO. She described how two bright headlights suddenly shot up in the air and then disappeared in different directions. Other witnesses, such as Mr. Howell Willcock, reported seeing six huge lights followed by three more, moving at the speed of a balloon with no sound, and described a faint crooked shape. Mrs. Allison Grove also saw about four or five lights, noting they were lower than an aeroplane and made no noise. The lights were last seen moving out over Swansea Bay. The report also includes a sighting by a Pencoed motorist who saw three bright lights in an inverted triangle formation followed by a very bright object moving at high speed. A woman in Blaengarw Square reported a cigar-shaped object followed by two lights. Mr. Gerry Lacey, secretary of the Swansea Astronomical Society, suggested the sightings could be an aeroplane or a satellite breaking up, but noted the lack of reports of recent satellite breakups.

Tale of UFO Crash Stays Alive in Town

This piece revisits the legendary Aurora, Texas UFO crash of April 19, 1897. S.E. Hayden's account, published in Dallas newspapers, described an airship that collided with the tower of Judge Proctor's windmill, resulting in a terrific explosion and scattering debris. The pilot was believed to be non-terrestrial, with papers found on him written in unknown hieroglyphics. T.J. Weems, a U.S. Signal Service Officer, suggested the pilot was from Mars. The story has persisted for nearly 89 years and formed the basis of the movie "Aurora Encounter." Despite several investigations, the legend remains unproven, with some suggesting it was the product of Hayden's imagination and that Judge Proctor did not own a windmill. Tom Bland, who led a 1973 investigation, remains convinced something happened, citing circumstantial evidence and an unusual amount of melted metal found near a well. The Aurora Cemetery Association, unnerved by investigators, insisted on an end to searches for the spaceman's grave. Residents' reactions to the movie are mixed, with some finding it laughable and others indifferent.

UFO Still a Mystery

This short article highlights an investigation into a mysterious event in rural Washington County, USA, that occurred three weeks prior to the publication date. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences examined weed and dirt samples from the crash site but found no new leads. Jim Small, a trace evidence examiner, stated that they checked for radiation and explosive residue but found nothing unusual. Washington County Sheriff William J. Wheat also reported an empty investigation. Small indicated that unless new information emerges, no further action can be taken.

Family Terrorized by V-shaped UFO

This article recounts a terrifying experience of a family in Chiefland, Florida, in June 1985, when they witnessed a gigantic V-shaped UFO with green and red lights silently gliding overhead. Ten-year-old Daniel Wolf described it as "as big as a bunch of houses." Mrs. Charlotte Myers, the grandmother, initially mistook the lights for an aeroplane but soon realized it was something extraordinary. She recalled the object being "pitch dark" and "close enough to be scary but it was pretty." Her daughter, Caryl Wolf, and other family members got out of the car to get a better look, despite Mrs. Myers' warnings. Caryl described the object as having beautiful lights and no sound. The report notes that this sighting occurred two nights after another UFO sighting in the same area.

Forensics Testing UFO Evidence

This piece from the Mobile Register (March 14, 1986) follows up on the Washington County UFO incident. Examiners from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences are testing evidence, including damaged plants and trees, to determine the origin of the object that apparently exploded and crashed in a backyard on March 5. Jim Small, a trace evidence examiner, stated that the lab would look for explosive residue. The investigation by Washington County Sheriff William J. Wheat yielded no explanation for the explosion or damage.

UFOs 'Common' Over Batley

This article from the Yorkshire Reporter (March 20, 1986) discusses an upcoming conference on UFOs in Batley, UK, organized by the Yorkshire UFO Society. Philip Mantle, an organizer and investigator, notes numerous reports of large circular objects over Batley and Spen. He mentions a sighting of a large red glowing object over Dewsbury. The conference will feature speakers like Timothy Good and Jenny Randles. Philip Mantle will be handing over the title of Young Investigator of the Year.

Muhammad Ali's UFO Encounters

This article from the Examiner (April 18, 1986) details former boxing champion Muhammad Ali's numerous UFO sightings, stating he has seen UFOs 18 times and is convinced of their importance. Ali describes himself as a "flying saucer buff" despite his usual skepticism. He recounts a sighting in the summer of 1974 at his training camp in Pennsylvania, where he saw a brightly glowing orb descend and hover, moving away and returning multiple times over two hours. He described the UFO as streamlined and cigar-shaped. His business manager, Gene Kilroy, confirmed the sighting. Ali also recalls a sighting in the mid-1960s on the New Jersey Turnpike where an enormous UFO with glowing portholes buzzed his car. Another sighting in 1971 with his manager, Angelo Dundee, involved a "real big sucker," silent and brilliantly glowing, passing overhead in Central Park, New York City. Ali believes UFOs enter Earth's atmosphere to replenish oxygen and connects them to biblical descriptions of wheels within wheels and a "Mother of Planes" ship.

Encounters with the Unknown

This article from the Bradford Telegraph + Argus (March 21, 1986) discusses UFO sightings in the Bradford area, UK, and suggests the city is on a major UFO flightpath. Mark Birdsal, Research Director of the Yorkshire UFO Society, highlights several cases. One classic example from 1960 involved two women seeing a dark grey saucer with illuminated portholes hovering silently. A terrified witness in 1967 described an enormous domed saucer, bright silver with flashing lights, estimated at 150 ft. The article notes that modern investigations are challenged by advanced aviation technology. It recounts a sighting on November 7, 1981, of a strange sphere cruising at treetop level near Bradford, with a smaller sphere entering it. In June of the same year, a large saucer was reported hovering over West Bradford, with similar sightings later that evening. A disturbing incident near Haworth on September 17, 1982, involved two women encountering a cluster of multi-coloured lights that formed a dark structure emitting a white beam, causing them to lose control of their car and experience a time distortion. The article mentions a conference being staged by the Yorkshire UFO Society in Leeds.

Subcelestial Close and Distant Encounters (Poland)

This section features reports from Poland. Mr. Tadeusz Figiel of Ryczywół observed three orange-coloured objects in a straight line on October 24, 1979, which approached each other and extinguished. He noted that this appearance did not resemble any known astronomical phenomenon. On April 18, 1984, Barbara Sławińska and her daughter Alicja in Koszalin observed a bright, dark orange ball that changed color from dark orange to yellow to blue. This object was approached by another dark orange object, and the phenomenon lasted about 5-7 minutes, with the ball disappearing rather than switching off.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO NEWS include the persistent nature of UFO sightings across different regions and time periods, the challenges faced by investigators in corroborating evidence, and the contrast between official explanations and eyewitness accounts. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of presenting these reports and investigations to the public, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while highlighting the ongoing mystery surrounding aerial phenomena. The editorial team, led by Harry R. Cohen, along with foreign correspondents, contributes to a broad coverage of global UFO activity. The publication emphasizes the importance of witness testimony and the ongoing efforts to understand these unexplained events.

This issue of the Columbus Dispatch (May 4, 1986, Vol. 1381) features a prominent article titled "UFO expert uncovers U.S. deceit" by Pat Hampton, focusing on Robert Hastings' claims of government cover-ups regarding UFO sightings. The magazine also includes articles on cattle mutilations, the legacy of J. Allen Hynek, and the activities of the Yorkshire UFO Society.

UFO Expert Uncovers U.S. Deceit

Robert Hastings, a 36-year-old UFO expert, asserts that once-secret documents prove the U.S. government has attempted to discredit UFO sightings to "minimize concern and potential panic." Hastings, whose specialty is obtaining military reports of UFO sightings from 1947 to the present, presented a 90-minute slide show titled "UFOs: The Hidden History." He has lectured since 1981 about a government cover-up of UFOs, sharing once-classified CIA, FBI, and Air Force documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

Hastings became interested in UFOs in late 1967 when his father, who was in the Air Force at Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls, Montana, witnessed five UFOs on multiple radar scopes. These objects exhibited extreme acceleration and hovering capabilities, disappearing at speeds of "plus or minus 4,800 mph" when two jets were sent to investigate. Later, Hastings learned they were hovering over nuclear silos.

Since 1973, Hastings has worked to uncover the secrecy surrounding UFO sightings. His acquired documents reveal that UFOs were commonly sighted over nuclear facilities in 1966, 1967, and 1975. CIA memos from 1950 and 1952 explain the motives for discrediting UFO sightings, suggesting that admitting the existence of such craft would make U.S. citizens consider the country vulnerable. The CIA allegedly used mass media in 1953 to plant an official line to minimize concern. Hastings notes that other governments, such as France (which reversed its secrecy policy in 1979), Brazil, and Argentina, have admitted sightings. He also mentions that in the late 1950s, Soviet scientists published papers on UFOs, indicating a consensus that they were real and possibly extraterrestrial, though the Western media, after initial reporting, dropped the story.

Hastings observes a lull in public UFO sightings and access to government reports, attributing it partly to President Reagan exempting the CIA from Freedom of Information requests. Sightings, he notes, come in waves, with the last significant wave occurring in late 1978 and early 1979.

Grotesque Cattle Mutilations Continue

The article "Grotesque cattle mutilations continue, but ranchers tend to stay mum" by Jane Hulse discusses the ongoing phenomenon of cattle mutilations, which began in earnest about 10 years prior in Colorado. The "phantom surgeons of the plains" have continued their inexplicable slaughter, though less frequently. Ranchhand Jeff Fellhauer described finding dead crows circling a herd on the Bow and Arrow Ranch southeast of Walsenburg.

Dave Perkins, who has spent 10 years investigating these killings, has compiled extensive files with hundreds of pins marking mutilation sites across the country, particularly in the Midwest and Colorado. He notes a pattern in these mutilations: removal of sex organs, coring of the rectum, removal of udders in females, and sometimes eyes, ears, tongues, and patches of skin. Often, the blood is drained, and there is no sign of struggle or footprints.

Perkins dismisses predator theories as an "insult," citing the surgical precision of the cuts. He speculates about various culprits, including Satanic cults, government experiments, and extraterrestrials. He has examined about two dozen mutilated cattle and estimates that about 600 cattle have been mutilated in Colorado since 1975, with the number remaining constant since 1980.

Billie Trembly recounts a mutilation of a cow in south Elbert County, where the rectum was cored out, a piece of hide was cut from the udder, and the uterus was taken, with no blood or footprints. She believes the government is involved, possibly using lasers for the surgery, and notes that animals and birds avoided the carcass.

Perkins is exploring "metaphysical thinking," referencing Carl Jung and the concept of a collective unconsciousness. He suggests that perhaps humans are part of a process to make these mutilations happen, possibly representing a new religion or an effort at communication from extraterrestrials.

The Mystery of Carleton Moor

An article from the Yorkshire Post Leeds (April 12, 1986) and the Evening Post Leeds (March 24, 1986) details baffling incidents around Carleton Moor, near Skipton. A 14-year-old boy was temporarily blinded by a strange object. U.S. military officials spent three days combing the area after "something" nearly hit a radar station. Mr. Mark Birdsall, director of research for the Yorkshire UFO Society, outlined four incidents between August 18 and September 8 that were not coincidental. These included a bright shape seen over Carleton Moor on August 18 and a red glowing spinning top structure that terrified a family on August 21. On August 31, a 14-year-old boy was blinded after seeing bright lights in Carleton. U.S. officials were seen asking for directions to the radar tower in the early hours of the morning, suggesting that something "hit or very nearly hit the radar tower at Carleton Moor, probably on August 14."

Mr. Odd Gunnar-Roed, a top UFO investigator from Norway, also highlighted sightings in the Hessdalen area in central Norway.

Yorkshire UFO Society

Roger Cross reports on the Yorkshire UFO Society, which has nearly 300 members and is considered very active globally. Their bi-monthly magazine circulates worldwide, and their data on 1,000 encounters is stored on floppy discs. Philip Mantle, a 28-year-old engineer, serves as the nerve center for his part of the society's operations. He admits he doesn't know the ultimate answer to UFO phenomena but believes the riddle can be solved. The society investigates sightings thoroughly, facing challenges from government apathy and limited finances.

UFOs Return and You Read It Here First

Mike Nichols' column discusses the resurgence of UFO interest in the news, particularly in tabloids. He touches upon common UFO claims, such as the recovery of alien craft by the Air Force, and reviews various theories about UFOs, including those proposing advanced civilizations that have eliminated conflict, or alien voyeurs observing Earth. Nichols also recounts some explained and unexplained UFO cases, such as Jess Blodgett's encounter with a "metallic starship" and Miss Winona Nibbs' abduction by an alien who later sent child support payments from a bank millions of light-years away.

J. Allen Hynek, Headed Air Force Probe of UFOs

An obituary for J. Allen Hynek, a renowned astrophysicist and former director of the Air Force's Project Blue Book, notes his death at age 75. Hynek, who taught at Northwestern University, was instrumental in giving legitimacy to UFO research through his scientific approach. He was involved in the Air Force UFO research effort from 1948 to 1969, founded the Center for UFO Studies, coined the phrase "close encounters of the third kind," and was a technical consultant for Steven Spielberg's movie of the same name. Hynek stated in 1966 that he wouldn't mind being remembered not as an astronomer, but as the man who made UFOs respectable. He was dispatched to Michigan in 1966 after reported sightings near Dexter and Hillsdale, with instructions to debunk the case. He later expressed dissatisfaction with the Air Force's slipshod methods and its conclusion that there was no evidence of extraterrestrial craft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent mystery of UFOs, alleged government cover-ups, and the unexplained phenomenon of cattle mutilations. There is a consistent focus on presenting evidence, witness accounts, and expert opinions, while also acknowledging the skepticism and ridicule often associated with the subject. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, encouraging readers to consider the possibility of extraterrestrial involvement and government secrecy, while also providing factual reporting on investigations and expert analyses.

This issue of the Houston Chronicle, dated April 28, 1986, features a prominent cover story titled "Sightings of UFOs drop significantly, but debate continues," by Marjie Lundstrom. The article explores the perceived decline in UFO activity and the ongoing controversy surrounding the phenomenon.

UFO Sightings Decline and the Condon Commission

The article begins by recounting a personal UFO sighting by reporter Bill Jackson in 1975, describing an enormous airborne craft. It then notes that UFO sightings, which were once prevalent, seem to have vanished from the skies. Kendrick Frazier, a science writer and editor of "The Skeptical Inquirer," states that interest in UFOs is at a low ebb, possibly the lowest in 10 years. This decline is contrasted with the past, when the skies seemed under siege by unusual objects.

The narrative shifts to the University of Colorado's controversial study in 1966, which was awarded a prestigious Air Force contract to investigate UFO sightings. The study concluded that due to a lack of concrete evidence, further scientific investigation was unnecessary. This conclusion led to the disbandment of several major UFO groups. The Center for UFO Studies acknowledges receiving about a third fewer reports.

Philip J. Klass, a journalist and author who debunks UFO claims, suggests that the UFO movement is losing momentum for two main reasons: the sophistication of the news media and the fading mystique of space travel. He argues that after nearly 40 years, there is still no physical artifact or incontestable photographic evidence of extraterrestrial craft.

However, UFO enthusiasts disagree. Richard Sigismond, who has investigated the phenomenon for over 30 years, believes the planet is under surveillance by a highly advanced, unknown society. He asserts that there is enough evidence to support this claim.

The year 1966 is highlighted as a turning point in the UFO debate, with widespread reports coinciding with the popularity of shows like "The Twilight Zone." The Air Force selected the University of Colorado for an exhaustive probe, building on the nearly two decades of investigation in Project Blue Book. The project, headed by physicist Edward U. Condon, aimed to determine if sightings warranted further scientific investigation. The article notes that this project became tarnished by a bitter debate.

The Condon Commission Controversy

David Saunders, a former psychology professor at the University of Colorado who worked on the Condon project, claims the investigation was never intended to be serious and was designed to give the Air Force an excuse to close Project Blue Book, which was seen as an embarrassment. Saunders, who was fired by Condon, wrote a book titled "UFOs? Yes." detailing his perspective.

Condon, described as an avowed skeptic, concluded in a 1,465-page report released in January 1969 that further study of UFOs was not worth it, finding no evidence that "flying saucers" were extraterrestrial. Shortly after, the Air Force closed Project Blue Book.

Despite the official conclusion, many UFO enthusiasts, including Sigismond, insist the Condon commission was wrong. The article includes personal accounts, such as Betty Ricigliano's vivid recollection of a cigar-shaped object in 1960. Carol Del Duca recounts an alleged abduction experience in western Kansas in 1976, involving "balls of light," physical rashes, and lost time, which she recalled under hypnosis.

Sigismond has interviewed other couples who claim to have been abducted and medically examined. He also documented a 1980 abduction claim from Longmont, Colorado, where the man sketched a saucer-shaped craft and a humanoid face. Supporters of the UFO phenomenon believe it is vastly under-reported due to public fear of ridicule, as stated by Sherman Larsen, co-founder of the Center for UFO Studies.

UFO Mystery Lives On

A separate article, "UFO mystery still lives," from the OH-DI AKRON BEACON JOURNAL dated May 1, 1986, reflects on the enduring mystery of UFOs. It notes that while real-life adventures might have dulled public interest, thousands of UFOs were sighted globally in the years following World War II. The article mentions Allen Hynek, a University of Chicago-trained scientist who headed Project Blue Book and coined the term "close encounters of the third kind." Hynek, who died recently at age 75, became disenchanted with the Air Force study, believing the government was shunning scientific study. He continued his involvement to access information and avoid being labeled a "UFO nut." The article concludes that despite extensive study, UFOs remain an enduring mystery, with many sightings unexplained.

High over Hutch: Military Planes as UFO Explanations

A third article, "High over Hutch: Large planes may explain recent rash of UFO reports," by Doug Ward from The Hutchinson News (April 27, 1986), addresses recent sightings in Hutchinson, Kansas. Connie Albright reported seeing a diamond-shaped object with intense white and dim red lights that appeared to hover before moving southwest. Other witnesses also reported similar objects.

Federal Aviation Administration officials initially had no explanation. However, a Hutchinson airport spokesman suggested the descriptions fit military refueling flights. A KC-135 tanker from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita had reportedly met up with F-4 fighters from Lincoln, Neb. The spokesman stated with "100 percent" certainty that these were military refueling flights and not UFOs.

Officials at McConnell Air Force Base denied that refueling flights took place on Thursday night, stating a mission occurred Thursday morning. A spokesman at Lincoln Municipal Airport confirmed that F-4s frequently fly from their base. The Hutchinson tower spokesman, who saw the object from home, admitted that military refueling missions can look "weird looking" from the ground, especially at night.

He explained that the planes, flying at 14,000 to 17,000 feet, have quiet engines that are further muffled by wind, making them difficult to hear. The lights on the planes are used for navigation during refueling. The Hutchinson official concluded that the objects were likely military refueling flights.

Mrs. Albright expressed relief upon hearing this explanation.

Star Wars? A Load of Old UFOs

A fourth article, "Star Wars? A load of old UFOs" by Derek Jameson from TODAY LONDON (May 7, 1986), discusses an official report signed by a US Air Force Colonel detailing sightings by his men in Suffolk in late December 1980. The report, by Lt Col Charles Halt, deputy commander of the USAF base at RAF Woodbridge, described an object that was metallic, triangular, and illuminated the forest with white light, featuring pulsating red and blue lights. It was seen hovering or on legs and maneuvered through trees.

The following day, three depressions were found where the object had been sighted. The next night, a red sun-like light was observed, which pulsed, threw off glowing particles, and then disappeared, followed by star-like objects. Lt Col Halt himself witnessed these activities.

The Ministry of Defence admitted unusual lights were sighted but offered no explanation. Scoffers suggested the lights came from a lighthouse and the ground indentations were made by rabbits, but Jameson dismisses these explanations.

The article highlights the work of three British women – Jenny Randles, Brenda Butler, and Dot Street – who have investigated this phenomenon. Their findings are detailed in a paperback called "Sky Crash." Ralph Noyes, former head of MoD intelligence, stated that the Ministry has lied and covered up the case. Jameson suggests a conspiracy of silence continues.

He speculates that the UFO was not from a distant planet but was an American military spacecraft on an illegal mission, years ahead of President Reagan's "Star Wars" program.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the dichotomy between official skepticism and persistent belief in UFO phenomena. The articles highlight the decline in reported sightings, the impact of official investigations like the Condon Commission, and the search for rational explanations, such as military aircraft. However, personal testimonies and allegations of government cover-ups underscore the enduring mystery and the continued interest in the subject. The overall stance appears to be one of presenting different viewpoints, from debunking to strong belief, while acknowledging the lack of definitive proof and the persistence of the debate.