APRG Reporter - Vol 1 No 09 - 09 1957

Magazine Overview

Title: A.P.R.G. Reporter
Issue: Vol. 1 No. 9
Date: September 1957
Publisher: Aerial Phenomena Research Group
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the A.P.R.G. Reporter delves into a variety of topics related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and broader cosmological and geological theories. It features news, investigative reports, and speculative articles, reflecting the ufological interests of the time.

Key Articles and Reports

UFOs Called Menace by Hudson Congress Aspirant

Joseph S. Mans, an aspiring Independent Democratic candidate for the 13th Congressional District, called for a complete Congressional investigation into unidentified flying objects. Mans expressed his conviction that "a threat of interplanetary invasion exists" and urged international cooperation to prevent panic should extraterrestrial aggressors arrive. His beliefs are based on a publication concerning UFOs. The editors note that no evidence of UFO hostility has been presented and question if politicians are using this issue to gain votes.

Flying Disc Patented

New York, New York – Constantin P. Lent, a mechanical engineer and former vice-president of the American Rocket Society, has patented a design for a flying disc. This craft is designed to rise vertically, hover at altitudes from five to 50,000 feet, and travel at supersonic speeds. While a prototype would cost approximately $1,000,000, volume production could reduce the cost for commuter-type discs to $8,000 or less. The design features a flat circular wing with a cabin on top and a doughnut-like hole in the middle. An engine draws air down through this hole and forces it outwards, creating lift. Additional engines provide forward motion. Mr. Lent claims the disc can land or take off vertically at elevator speed or less and remain airborne as long as fuel lasts. In case of engine failure, the circular wing would act as a parachute. A wing twenty feet in diameter is estimated to accommodate three passengers, three crew members, and baggage.

Outer Space Expert? Isn't Sold on Men Who Have Been to Mars

James Rigberg, described as an occultist, book dealer, and publisher of the monthly offset magazine "Flying Saucer News," expressed skepticism about the "flying saucer crowd." He believes they "don't give the public anything positive" and are capitalizing on their experiences for personal gain. Rigberg faithfully chronicles UFO sightings and comments on the phenomena and alleged "little green men." He offers a $2.00 annual membership to the Flying Saucer Fan Club, a branch of the Cosmic Circle of Friendship, Inc., which includes monthly copies of his magazine.

Trip in Spacecraft Made Public

Joao de Freitas Guimaraes, a 48-year-old respected professor of Roman law at Santos' Catholic University in Brazil, claimed to have taken an hour-long trip through outer space in a flying disc. He recounted being on a beach at Sao Sebastiao when a 60-foot disc, about 18 feet high with three-ball landing gear, appeared. Two six-foot-tall men emerged. Guimaraes attempted communication in multiple languages without success. The beings then communicated telepathically, inviting him aboard. Once inside, the crew, described as having blond hair, green eyes, and yellowish shoes, took him for a ride. He was reassured telepathically that they were leaving Earth's atmosphere. After an hour, the disc landed back on the beach, and Guimaraes was left in a daze. The story gained attention, leading to reporters besieging the professor. The Brazilian Air Force reportedly monitored the rendezvous beach. Guimaraes later appeared on television to clarify his account but refused to elaborate on the telepathic communication, stating, "It is wiser not to divulge it. The authorities know all the details." The article notes that many viewers were convinced he had been drinking.

The Second Coming of Noah's Flood

Adam D. Barber, Managing Trustee of Barber Scientific Foundation, presents a theory connecting a "flip" in the Earth's axis to earthquakes. He posits that a gyroscopic force causes the Earth's axis to shift, moving the south pole 600 miles off its original position and altering the equator's position by 600 miles in some areas. This shift causes the Earth's bulge to move, leading to sinkings and risings of land, and thus, earthquakes. Barber claims earthquakes are occurring more rapidly than reported. He states the Earth's diameter from pole to pole is 18 miles less than from equator to equator. He cites the sinking of parts of Los Angeles by up to 23 feet and fears for the city's future. Other locations like Detroit, Mexico City, and a town in South Dakota are also reportedly suffering similar ailments. Barber sent his findings to the California legislature and the Governor. He refers readers to his book, "The Coming Disaster", for detailed scientific, gyroscopic, and mathematical proofs. Barber also interprets biblical passages, particularly from Amos, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, as predictions of another flood caused by a shift of the Earth's axis and heavens. He argues that the rainbow promise in Genesis 9:11 only guarantees against destruction by water, not fire or other means. He believes the Bible is divinely inspired, but not more so than his own calculations, some of which were reportedly worked out in a dream.

The Brazilian UFO Review

Dr. Olavo Fontes, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, discusses the public's readiness to believe various explanations for UFOs, ranging from optical illusions to aircraft. He notes that while many people imagine "visitors" from other planets, statistical evidence from thousands of sightings proves nothing beyond probabilities. Fontes emphasizes the importance of individual, inexplicable cases to prove the existence of extraterrestrial intelligences. He has spent four years investigating UFO sightings in Brazil, collecting data, and interviewing witnesses. He categorizes sightings based on the observer's credibility, including military and civilian aircrews, scientists, police, journalists, and ordinary citizens. He also considers series sightings, reports classified as "unknowns" by the Brazilian Air Force, and incidents involving "physical evidence." Fontes concludes that UFOs are tri-dimensional, solid aerial crafts controlled by unknown intelligences, conducting a long-ranged survey of Earth with a future objective.

Fiery Object Tours West Coast States

This section reports on numerous sightings of unidentified flying objects along the U.S. West Coast in August and November 1957. On August 1, 1957, thousands of witnesses from Seattle, Washington, to Southern California reported seeing a bright blue-green object described as a meteor by some. The object was oblong, appeared suddenly, and moved at high speed southwest. It emitted fiery fragments and smaller spheres before disappearing. Witnesses included Mike Forbes, an editor, and Deputy Allen Morris, who described the object as not being a meteor. The object was also reported near White Swan, Washington, and its information was classified by McChord Air Force Base. On November 6, 1957, a huge disc-shaped object, silvery-white, was sighted over Curitiba, Brazil, hovering silently before climbing steeply and disappearing. It was photographed by Romario. The same day, a large oval-shaped object, metallic-grey, was seen over Sao Paulo at high speed. On November 2nd, alien craft were sighted in four different cities in Brazil, including Porto Alegre. The object there appeared as a luminous sphere, glowing brightly and moving silently. On November 3rd, a similar object was seen again over Porto Alegre. That night, a flying disc was reported over Cordoba, Argentina, witnessed by meteorologists. The article suggests these might be two different UFOs. On November 4th, a "space-creature" story emerged from Pontal, Sao Paulo, involving "three little men" from a metallic machine. The article promises further details on physical evidence in a future issue.

West Coast Sightings (Continued)

Further reports detail UFO activity on the West Coast. On November 2nd, a blazing blue-green object was seen over Salem, Oregon, described as oblong and moving at high speed. It emitted fiery fragments and smaller spheres. Mrs. Silas Perlich reported a stationary object that picked up speed. Five teen-age girls reported a small burning object. Deputy Allen Morris saw a blue light illuminating a highway, describing a bright blue object about 100-125 feet in the air, possibly two feet in diameter, emitting bluish particles. The object was described as not being a meteor. The object was also seen near White Swan, Washington, and information was classified by McChord Air Force Base. Traffic controllers at Portland International Airport reported a flat green object traveling at high speed. The object was seen at Elma, Washington, at high altitude, going west then north, appearing like a star with a blue tail. It was seen at Petaluma, California, elongated in shape. An eyewitness in Modesto, California, described a horizontal course, not a meteorite or conventional aircraft. Mrs. J.A. Kergel reported a bluish-green glow moving north at low altitude. Thousands in Sacramento, California, witnessed a flaming object moving southeasterly to northwesterly. The Sacramento Air Defense Filter Center received numerous calls. In San Francisco, five minutes later, an object was seen by Emil Ott, who described it as a "big green light coming right at me." Ott, a chemist, suggested it was made of a strong copper substance, but the editors note meteors do not contain copper. A teardrop-shaped object was seen near Sacramento. Bob Currey, CAA controller at Oakland airport, reported an object rising from hills near Contra Costa County. Mrs. H.A. Long saw a huge object "all aflame" with fiery fragments dropping. At Ontario, California, UFOs were seen for three hours. Residents of Redwood City and Eureka reported an object passing overhead. Walnut Creek, California, also reported an object. At Walla Walla, Washington, a UFO was seen several times, described as a "ball of white light." Dr. John Adams and his wife saw a bright green object with a tail from their porch. Mrs. Louis Eggebrecht saw an object shortly after 8:30 p.m. A witness near San Francisco reported a UFO passing over the city at 9:30 p.m. P.D.T. and later saw an object from their window moving west to east. At Red Bluff, California, the UFO lit up the sky. W.J. Rolland described an object shaped like a torpedo, with a bulky, transparent front, lit from inside with blue and yellow lights, and bearing initials like Greek letters and Roman numerals. At Menlo Park, California, an object stopped in flight for several seconds. Police Chief Etzio Ghiringhelli reported an object in view for at least 30 seconds. A couple driving from Santa Rosa to Healdsburg, California, saw an object that did not appear to be a meteor. A witness at Healdsburg reported a giant sound, like the hum of a high-frequency radio. A pilot from Santa Ana, California, reported a mysterious green object in the sky over Hawthorne, California.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The A.P.R.G. Reporter consistently focuses on UFO sightings and related phenomena, presenting them as credible events requiring serious investigation. The magazine appears to lean towards the belief that UFOs represent extraterrestrial intelligence, emphasizing the need to analyze individual cases that defy conventional explanation. There is also a strong undercurrent of speculative theories, such as the Earth's axis shift and its potential catastrophic consequences, often intertwined with biblical interpretations. The editorial stance, as indicated by the editors' notes, is critical of political opportunism regarding UFOs and skeptical of explanations that dismiss the phenomena without thorough investigation. The publication aims to provide factual reporting based on witness accounts and investigations, while also exploring more esoteric theories about Earth's geological and cosmic future.