APRG Reporter - Vol 1 No 03 - 03 1957

Magazine Overview

Title: A.P.R.G. Reporter
Issue: Vol. 1 No. 3
Date: March 1957
Publisher: Aerial Phenomena Research Group

This issue of the A.P.R.G. Reporter delves into various aspects of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena, featuring pilot testimonies, astronomical observations, and a digest of recent sightings.

Airliner Forced to Dodge Fiery Object

This lead article recounts the experience of Captain Matthew A. Van Winkle of Pan American Airways. On March 9th, while piloting Flight 257, he had to swerve sharply to avoid a "luminous flying object" that appeared to be on a collision course. Van Winkle described the object as looking like a "big spotlight," possibly round, and appearing "out of nowhere." His flight engineer, John Washuta, also spotted it. Van Winkle, a pilot with 15 years of experience, stated he had never seen anything like it and ruled out it being a meteor or a jet fighter intercept. He noted that the object's glow resembled the afterglow from a jet exhaust. He also mentioned that another Pan Am pilot, Captain Ed. Perry, flying about 175 miles behind him, had also seen the object.

Blue "Canals" On Mars Seen By Scientists

This section reports on an observation made by Dr. Robert S. Richardson, a California astronomer. Using the Mt. Wilson 60-inch telescope in the pre-dawn hours of June 3, 1956, he observed a network of irregular blue lines on the planet Mars. These markings were seen fleetingly as Mars approached Earth, reaching its closest point on September 7th. Dr. Richardson suggested these might be canals, but noted they differed from the long, straight lines previously seen by astronomers. He described the blue lines as looking like veins running through a mineral chunk.

Sky Object Flits Over Houston, Texas At 2,000 Miles Per Hour

This report details an incident on February 28th where an unidentified flying object was observed over Houston, Texas. An Air Force Lieutenant estimated its speed at 2,000 miles per hour. F.J. Cornell of a Ground Observer Corps crew reported seeing the object make several sweeps across the sky between 8 and 9 p.m. Additionally, seven men from a radar crew at Ellington saw the object and attempted to track it on their radar scope, but were unsuccessful.

Two Veteran Pilots Chase UFO

Written by A.P.R.G. Staff Correspondent Ray Stanford, this article features the account of two experienced Houston pilots, Victor Hancock and Guy Miller. On March 9th, while flying a Tennessee Gas Transmission Co. DC-3, they encountered an unidentified flying object that hovered about a quarter mile from their plane. The object reportedly darted away at speeds far exceeding their own. Hancock, who has been flying since 1942, and Miller, with 12 years of experience, described the object as being the size of their plane and seeming to "mess around" with them. They noted it would stop or appear to stop just under them, and then disappear when they tried to get closer.

The Universe By Carol Honey

This article explores scientific theories and observations about the moon and the sun. The author discusses the moon as the most observable celestial body, noting past controversies regarding flares and moving lights on its surface. It mentions the confirmation of a bridge-like structure in the Mare Crisium by Dr. H. Percy Wilkins. The article posits that someone might be using the moon as a base for observing Earth. It then contrasts accepted scientific theory about the sun's surface temperature (10,000 degrees) and its magnetic effects with observations that suggest a conflict, questioning why a substance would lose its magnetism when heated, yet magnetic effects are recorded on the sun. It also references experiments by Dumont Labs suggesting the speed of light may have been exceeded.

The article also previews future installments covering neighboring planets and references Sir William Herschel's suggestion that the sun might be a cool body, which would imply moderate temperatures on other planets. A section discusses the approaching Arend-Roland Comet, noting its speed and potential for spectacular displays, and mentions De Cheseaux's comet having six tails.

The Brazilian UFO Review By Olavo Fontes

This section details an encounter from November 20, 1954, involving a military plane (T-15-1166) from an Air Force Base in Uberaba, Brazil. The pilot, Lieutenant A. Sobral, and co-pilot, Lieutenant Francisco, were on a scheduled trip when they observed a strange, eerie glow from a small island in the Rio Grande river. Lieutenant Hardy described a glowing object, shaped like a spherical dome with a platform around its base, approximately eight to ten meters in diameter and three to four meters high. The object emitted a chrome-yellow and silver-white luminous halo. The object then ascended sharply and moved away at high speed.

UFO Digest For January, 1957

This section provides a chronological listing of numerous UFO sightings reported in January 1957:

• Jan 1: A half-moon object exploded into six balls of fire near Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Three discs maneuvered violently near Bowman, North Dakota. A triangular object was reported over Ashby, Minnesota. A citizen in Savannah, Georgia, fired shots at a disc hovering 30 feet off the ground. A portion of Seattle, Washington, was shaken by a sky quake. A blue-green UFO passed over San Francisco and Vallejo, California.
• Jan 2: A red and green UFO was seen moving erratically near Herrid, South Dakota. A green light dropped toward earth near Warren, Connecticut.
• Jan 3: A mysterious fireball fell near Marseilles, Illinois, and another near Barrington, Illinois.
• Jan 4: A red fireball was seen over Webster Groves, Clayton, and South St. Louis, Missouri.
• Jan 5: An orange oval-shaped object was seen near Williston, North Dakota.
• Jan 6: A red ball that dipped close to the ground was seen near Montevideo, Minnesota. A red UFO was seen near Hamill, South Dakota.
• Jan 10: Two lights that stopped in flight were seen near Arcata, California.
• Jan 14: A UFO moving up and down was seen near Garvin, Minnesota. A sky quake shook Glendale, California.
• Jan 15: A fireball was seen over Nampa, Idaho, with ash-like material falling from the object.
• Jan 16: A bluish-white round object stopped in flight for ten seconds before climbing rapidly near Nampa, Idaho. A UFO moving up and down was seen near Garvin, Minnesota. A round golden object was seen near Peoria, Illinois.
• Jan 17: A mysterious white ball was seen at Las Vegas, Nevada. Sky quakes rocked Pekin, Bloomington, and Peoria, Illinois. A fireball passed under an airliner near Salt Lake City, Utah. Fireballs were also seen near Reno, Nevada; Battle Ground, Spokane, Yakima, Orchards, and Ellensburg, Washington; and Portland, Oregon; Boise, and Twin Falls, Idaho.
• Jan 18: A mysterious yellow light was seen near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. A whirring fireball fell toward earth near Mount Dora, Florida.
• Jan 19: Two sky quakes rocked Sacramento, California.
• Jan 20: Four round objects moving in a straight line were seen at Covington, Indiana.
• Jan 21: A mysterious UFO was seen near Cle Elum, Washington. A silver, cigar-shaped object that lit up the ground was seen at Wenatchee, Washington. A streak of fire exploded over Wenatchee. A bright sky flash was seen by airline pilots over Selah and Easton, Washington. A blue sky flash accompanied by a sky quake was seen at Yakima and Wenatchee, Washington. An orange ball of light fell toward earth at Wenatchee, breaking into five parts. A fireball was seen falling near Leavenworth, Washington. A blue sky flash was seen at Ellensburg, Washington.
• Jan 23: A golden disc was seen over Peoria, Illinois, leaving a trail of mist.
• Jan 24: A dome-shaped object flew in a zig-zag course over Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

New Book: Other Tongues--Other Flesh

This section reviews "Other Tongues--Other Flesh" by George Hunt Williamson. The book is described as a history, collection of proof, and theory about the existence of other living beings on other worlds and in other universes. It suggests that earthbound man may one day journey to discover other beings. The review highlights three core tenets: 1) Science and religion are one; 2) The universe is magnetic, influencing culture; and 3) Space visitors mentioned in the Bible and mythology have been coming to Earth. The book reportedly includes references from authentic UFO reports.

Germans Had Discs, Says Author

This short piece references a book by Rudolf Lussar, who claims Nazi Germany developed flying discs that flew over 1,000 miles per hour. According to Lussar, these discs were designed by three German engineers and an Italian, were 138 feet in diameter, and the first flew on February 14, 1945, at Prague, reaching over 40,000 feet and a speed of 1,250 miles per hour.

Germans Had No Flying Discs

This section presents a counterpoint, quoting veteran airman James H. Doolittle and Hugh L. Dryden (director of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics), who discount the claim that Nazi Germany developed flying discs. They state there is no truth to such statements.

UFO Forum Bibliography & Flying Objects Analysis

Brief mentions of available resources for UFO enthusiasts, including a bibliography of UFO organizations, books, and magazines for $1.00, and an analysis of the Air Force Blue Book report No. 14 for $1.00.

Advertisement

An advertisement for Evangelist Johnnie Robinson preaching about the destruction of America by flying saucers is included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The A.P.R.G. Reporter consistently focuses on UFO sightings, pilot testimonies, and unexplained aerial phenomena. The publication appears to lean towards presenting evidence and accounts that suggest the reality of UFOs, often contrasting these with official explanations or skepticism. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional scientific understanding, as evidenced by the articles on Mars, the moon, and the sun's magnetic properties. The inclusion of both detailed sighting reports and theoretical discussions indicates a broad interest in the UFO topic.