APRG Reporter - Vol 1 No 10 - 10 1957

Magazine Overview

Title: A. P. R. G. REPORTER
Issue: Vol. 1 No. 10
Date: October 1957
Publisher: Aerial Phenomena Research Group
Country: USA
Price: Single Issue 30¢

This issue of the A.P.R.G. Reporter, dated October 1957, presents a collection of reports on unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related aerial phenomena from various locations, primarily in the United States, but also including New Zealand and the Far East. The magazine focuses on eyewitness accounts, official statements, and preliminary investigations into these events.

Key Articles and Reports

Jet Chased Flying Disc

An unofficial report from the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) details an incident where an Air Force jet chased a large, speedy, circular flying object in the Far East in December of the previous year. The jet reportedly closed to within five nautical miles before the object accelerated to an estimated speed between 1,800 and 2,160 miles per hour. The object was described as golden tan in color and made a shallow left turn before ascending rapidly. The jet's radar was reportedly jammed during the pursuit. The source cited is the "UFO Investigator" magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times.

Mystery Space Objects Puzzle New Zealand

Reports from Wellington, New Zealand, indicate that scientists have been observing mysterious objects in space approximately 70 miles above the South Island since June 20. These objects, observed on International Geophysical Year radar screens, were seen traveling north and then doubling back. Dr. Michael Gadsen, an authority on auroral activity, speculated that they might be steered by beings or be "ionized articles rushing about," admitting that "we don't know what is going on up there." The source is the Seattle, Wash. Post Intelligencer.

Snoopy UFO Gets Into Act

"Washington UFO intelligence," a group of enthusiasts led by retired Army Major Wayne S. Alhoe, suggested that a shiny object seen by an Alaskan scientist on October 6 might be a "snooping UFO." They plan to discuss this possibility in their publication, "Little Listening Post." The group notes that UFOs have been known to haunt atomic installations and follow rockets. With Russia's satellite success, they believe governments may now openly study UFOs to learn about their powers. The source is the Portland, Ore., Journal.

Ice-From-Sky Prober Is Irked

Malcolm J. Reider, a Reading, Pennsylvania chemist, expressed frustration with weather bureau officials regarding his analysis of several pieces of ice that fell from the sky. Reider believes the ice consists of fused hailstones picked up by the jet stream and then "dumped" in the Lehigh Valley area. The material contained recognizable organic forms like pollen and algae. He admitted that some elements were unfamiliar and, stretching a point, could possibly come from outer space, though he expressed uncertainty. He questioned why the weather bureau seemed so interested in ignoring the phenomenon, wondering if they were withholding information or were afraid to admit ice had fallen. Eight instances of falling ice were noted, including a large sheet of ice in Mechanicsburg and another near Annendale.

Scientist Proposes H-Bombs Be Tested on Moon

Professor S. Fred Singer of the University of Maryland proposed using the moon as a testing ground for H-bombs. He stated that photographs of such explosions on the moon would provide significant information about the universe while avoiding radioactive fallout on Earth. Russian scientists at the International Astronautical Federation meeting showed interest in this proposal. The source is the Seattle, Wash., Times.

Space Travel Predicted By Rickenbacker

Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, president of Eastern Air Lines, predicted that interplanetary travel would be common within 50 years, with atomic-powered luxury spaceships carrying 2,000 people. He also suggested that by 2007, some spaceships would be "semiself-sustaining planets within themselves." These remarks were made at the dedication of a new terminal at Pinellas International Airport. The source is the Seattle, Wash., Times.

What Are The Newspapers Saying?

This section compiles various newspaper clippings on UFO sightings and related topics:

• Au Sable Forks, New York, Record-Post (7/18/57): Predicts a nuclear-powered rocket to the moon within 20 years. Suggests moon explorers might find evidence of life, including artificial structures and flying objects.
• Huntington, Indiana, News (8/8/57): Features opinions on flying saucers. R. Morris believes they are linked to life on other planets, while K. Bonam claims to have spoken to a "little man from Mars."
• Shelbyville, Indiana, News (8/20/57): Expresses regret that a witness to a mysterious flying object did not report her name, fearing scorn. The writer assumes the objects are spaceships from another planet.
• Houston, Mo., Herald (8/22/57): The writer expresses belief in flying saucers, acknowledging that many sightings are explained as reflections or weather balloons, but prefers to believe in the possibility of advanced alien technology.
• Troy, New York, Record (8/29/57): A weather balloon spotlighted by the setting sun caused curiosity. The article notes a "flying saucer mania" among some individuals who see things others do not.
• Spokane, Wash. Chronicle (10/57): A script writer's idea of a visitor from outer space arriving in an old-fashioned plane is seen as a boost to human ego, suggesting Earth leads the universe technologically, except in space travel.

Claims Contact With UFO Occupants

Arthur Campbell of St. Joseph, Missouri, claims that flying discs controlled by beings from other planets have appeared over St. Joseph at least four times in recent years. He states he has been in mental telepathic contact with these beings and has learned that people on seven different planets are making and controlling these objects. Some objects are described as being 14 miles long and three miles in diameter, with speeds up to 18,000 mph. The source is the St. Joseph, Mo., News-Press.

Reports Of Aerial Phenomena

• Santa Barbara, California (10/1/57): H.F. Hoag reported a red-colored object moving at over 1,500 mph for 15 seconds. Two other witnesses saw the object, described as about 100 feet in diameter, with no sound or trail.
• Monterey, California (10/7/57): Four residents reported a mysterious white light hovering motionless off the Big Sur coast for over 45 minutes before disappearing westerly. The light shimmered and was described as neither a star, flare, nor ship.
• Cocoa, Florida (10/7/57): Air Force officials are investigating reports of an unidentified flying object, a whitish light, oval in shape, near the Cape Canaveral guided missile test center. Witnesses described it as a "flying saucer" at an estimated height of 5,000 feet, changing directions and visible intermittently. Hundreds of calls were received regarding a similar object on October 4th.
• Ketchikan, Alaska (10/9/57): Numerous residents reported sighting a bright star-like object that traveled rapidly and disappeared over the horizon. The object was described as eight inches in diameter when viewed with binoculars.

Kemmerer, Wyoming Sighting

On October 10, 1957, a drilling crew observed a flying object spouting red and blue flame, heading south at about 500 feet from the ground. Described as whale-like with a rounded nose, fins, and a broad tail, the object was seen for about three minutes. The report notes that similar sightings occurred from Texas to Montana.

Denver, Colorado Sighting

A huge unidentified flying object reportedly streaked across Western skies, narrowly missing a Navy transport plane. The pilot reported the "fireball" came very close and crashed near the Colorado-Utah boundary, with another report placing the crash east of Myton, Utah. Sheriff A.B. Ritter received reports of a bright light followed by an explosion, and a motorist described the object as giving off a bright light that caused him to hide under trees.

Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin Sighting

An unidentified flying object hovered over Fort Atkinson for over an hour. Estimated by police to be about 150 yards high, it was described as having four red stars in a square on its lower rim, with a flashing light from its center. The object moved northwesterly and disappeared horizontally without gaining altitude.

Tacoma, Washington Sighting

A reddish object with glowing tails was seen streaking through the heavens. Witnesses described it as trailing reddish tails and later as looking like "20 stars." One witness described a "round disc, humming, and moving away in jerking motions like it was being pulled by an invisible string."

Seattle, Washington Sighting

An unexplained brilliant light was observed in the sky southeast of Seattle.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Sighting

Jim Frey and his wife Elsie reported seeing two multi-colored "fireballs" over Bethlehem. Professor Ralph VanArnham of Lehigh University supported their account, noting that the objects moved too fast to be planes and could not be explained as fireballs.

The Brazilian UFO Review

This section, continued from the September issue, details sightings over Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Reports include a saucer-shaped object hovering and then rapidly ascending, and a luminous sphere with a glowing halo. Photos were taken of one object. The review notes the variety of shapes observed and suggests a planned direction for UFO activity in Brazil, moving from south to north.

London, England Sighting

Intelligence agents of the Royal Air Force investigated a mysterious "unidentified flying object" that doused its light and sped away when spotted over a British atomic-bomber base. The object was detected by a night fighter pilot and radar.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence and variety of UFO sightings, the challenges in explaining them scientifically, and the growing public and official interest in the phenomenon. The A.P.R.G. Reporter consistently presents eyewitness accounts and investigative reports, often citing newspaper sources and members' contributions. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting the data and allowing readers to draw conclusions, while implicitly suggesting that many sightings point towards genuine, unexplained aerial phenomena rather than simple misidentifications or hoaxes. The publication emphasizes the need for serious study and dismisses overly simplistic "scientific" explanations that ignore credible reports. The inclusion of predictions about space travel and the mention of UFOs near atomic installations suggest a broader interest in the implications of advanced technology and potential extraterrestrial contact.