APRG Reporter - Vol 1 No 12 - 12 1957

Magazine Overview

The APRG REPORTER, Volume 1, Number 12, published in December 1957 by the Aerial Phenomena Research Group, is a newsletter focused on reports and discussions surrounding unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. The single issue price was 30¢.

La Paz Scoffs at Notion Mystery Objects From Mars

Meteorologist Dr. Lincoln La Paz expressed skepticism regarding the idea that mysterious rocket ships are flitting over the country from Mars. He had received phone calls asking if the objects could be from Mars. Reports described the objects as cigar-shaped, approximately 200 feet long, and glowing with a red light. Some motorists reported their car motors and lighting systems malfunctioning when approaching the objects. La Paz suggested that some sightings might be the result of active imaginations or possibly meteors, though he noted there were no meteor showers expected. He believed any such objects here were likely man-made, not extraterrestrial, and dismissed the Mars theory by referencing a book stating Mars is incapable of supporting life more developed than lichens.

UFO's Nay Be Coming From Mars Says Amateur Astronomer

E.M. Brewer, a Dallas amateur astronomer with over 22 years of experience, offered a different perspective, suggesting that unidentified flying objects seen in the United States might be space ships from Mars. He cited the known changing seasons on Mars and its status as a smaller, colder planet than Earth as reasons to believe life could exist there. Brewer, who had not personally seen a UFO, stated that numerous reliable reports led him to believe they are real. He noted two schools of thought among astronomers: one believing in life on Mars, likely more advanced due to the planet's presumed older age. When asked why occupants might not land, Brewer speculated they might fear being shot or causing panic. He believed the objects were friendly, as they had had ample opportunity to inflict damage if they were not.

Sheriff Burned Up' by Lights Story Doubters

Sheriff Wier Clem of Hockley County, Texas, expressed frustration with the Air Force's downgrading of reports concerning a glowing object seen near Levelland, Texas. The Air Force investigation concluded the phenomenon was likely ball lightning or St. Elmo's fire. Sheriff Clem felt his own theory was more credible than that of an investigator who came from far away. He maintained the object was 'definitely something,' based on reports from 11 witnesses who saw it in the air and three who saw it on the ground, all described as 'reliable people.'

UFO's Not Ball Lightning Says Meteorologist

J.C. Ballard, a meteorologist in charge at the United States Weather Bureau in Atlanta, Ga., stated that if the descriptions of the unidentified flying objects were accurate, they could not be ball lightning. He explained that reported ball lightning is typically seen from a few feet to a few yards distant, is about the size of a man's fist, and does not move in concentric circles as the UFOs reportedly do.

Engineer Saw Flying Object, Air Force Spokesman Says

Despite an official Air Force denial from Washington, D.C., a high-ranking Air Force spokesman at Alamogordo, New Mexico, stated he was personally satisfied that an electronics engineer had indeed seen an unidentified flying object that caused automobile engines to stall. Lt. Col. John McCurdy, public information officer at the Air Force Development Center, said that after extensive questioning, he became convinced the engineer, James Stokes, had sighted such an object. Stokes had documented his sighting on U.S. Highway 54 at White Sands, describing the object as egg-shaped with rings around it, seen about two miles away at an altitude of 3,000 to 5,000 feet. Ten other motorists also reported stalled cars along the route. The Air Force denial from Washington described the sighting as a 'hoax' suggested by the Levelland incident.

Asks New Probe of Sky Objects'

Edward J. Ruppelt, who headed the Air Force UFO investigation from 1951 to 1953, denied that unidentified flying objects could be explained as optical tricks. He mentioned that during his tenure with Project Bluebook, reports included radiation and induction fields associated with UFOs, though the information was often sketchy. Ruppelt noted that Dr. Donald H. Menzel of Harvard College Observatory suggested atmospheric conditions could produce visual objects like mirages. Ruppelt stated that their investigations, including work with UCLA meteorologist Dr. Joseph Kaplan, proved that these were not mirages. He appealed for more investigation and a greater flow of information from the Air Force regarding UFOs.

It's Costly To Hunt UFO's, Says Air Force

The Air Force estimates that each major UFO track-down costs approximately $10,000, covering personnel, transportation, aircraft for investigation, and photography, plus administrative work. The editor humorously offers to be a traveling investigator for $1,000 per track-down, saving $9,000 per case.

UFO's Watch Satellite

A recent news broadcast from Radio Moscow reported that Russian scientists were concerned about unidentifiable objects near their satellite, which were described as 'flying saucers.'

Mysterious Object Paces 2nd Satellite

An unknown object was reported to be pacing Sputnik II, maintaining an orbit about three minutes ahead of it. William B. Doe of the Argonne National Laboratory Astronomy Club sighted the object while observing Sputnik II, describing it as much dimmer than the satellite.

Flying Objects For All to See Predicted Soon

Jim Lee of Abilene, Texas, who has studied UFOs for 20 years, predicted that 'they will soon come in large numbers for all to see.' He criticized Dr. Donald H. Menzel's explanation of the Levelland object as 'ridiculous and not based on known facts.' Lee stated that skeptics would soon have no place to hide, as even large cities would witness these ships. He leads a group called the Interplanetary Space Patrol, which reportedly has chapters worldwide.

Anti-Aircraft Gun Hunted To Capture "Thing"

In Asheville, North Carolina, a resident who saw strange lights in the sky on November 6, 1957, contacted the police to inquire about obtaining an anti-aircraft gun to shoot down the object.

The Editors Have Their Say

This section compiles excerpts from various newspapers commenting on the UFO phenomenon. The Citizen (Lima, Ohio) notes the Air Force's investigation into 'mystery objects' as a difference from past 'flying saucer' investigations. The Recorder (Porterville, Calif.) categorizes people into three groups: believers, skeptics, and those who wonder. The Chief Union (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) observes a resurgence of reports similar to the 'flying saucer' craze of years past, questioning Dr. Menzel's mirage explanation. The Times (Melbourne, Florida) suggests a widespread feeling that the Department of Defense might soon confirm flying saucers as space ships. The Plain Dealer (Wabash, Indiana) quotes Maj. Gen. A.H. Leuhman, suggesting a correlation between world politics and UFO sightings. The News (Jackson, Mississippi) humorously notes the frequency of sightings and suggests the nation is 'constipated' if spots before the eyes are the cause.

UFO's, Pro and Com

Dr. E.C. Tupes, a San Antonio psychologist, believes recent sightings go beyond mere imagination, especially if cars are stopping. Dr. Raymond E. Chrystal, another San Antonio psychologist, agrees that sightings are not entirely imaginary and cannot be explained by mass hysteria, suggesting people have definitely seen something, though not necessarily from another world. Dr. Richard P. Barthol, a UCLA psychologist, offers a calm explanation: people tend to see what they expect to see, and many reports are based on what witnesses think they saw. Dr. H.W. Ritchey of Thiokol Chemical Corp. stated that the possibility of craft from another planet cannot be discounted, especially if reports of objects stopping car engines and lights are reliable, referencing a hypothetical machine capable of nullifying gravity. Professors at Texas Christian University labeled UFOs a 'spoofnik,' with one chemist suggesting mass hysteria related to Sputnik could create 'flying spoofniks.' However, they could not explain reports of objects stalling cars.

Reports of Aerial Phenomena

This section details numerous specific sightings from late 1957:

• December 17, 1957: Crew members of the trawler Ella Hewett reported a great flash and their vessel's bridge turning pink while in the Irish Sea.
• December 14, 1957: Radio Ankara reported a bright object plunging from the sky near the Anatolian plateau, exploding with a loud noise and leaving no trace.
• December 11, 1957: Mrs. Robert Averett described a huge, bright object that moved in a slow arc and burst into green color over the ground.
• December 7, 1957: A sharp skyquake shook parts of the Imperial Valley, California, cracking windows.
• November 30, 1957: Frank Orlando in Harlem, Montana, observed a teardrop-shaped ball of fire moving fast and changing color.
• November 30, 1957: Norman Juel in Scoby, Montana, saw an object resembling a 'boxcar on fire,' accompanied by a skyquake.
• November 30, 1957: An inspector for the Mississippi Highway Patrol reported seeing a mysterious ball of fire, about six to eight feet in diameter, burning red.
• November 30, 1957: Walter Gamulski in Ojai, California, saw an orange UFO moving from south to north, performing up-and-down motions.
• November 30, 1957: Roy N. Griffin in Los Altos, California, sighted an unidentified flying object brighter than Venus.
• November 30, 1957: An unidentified flying object passed over Regina, Sask., Canada, described as a brilliant fireball with a horizontal and steeply curved path, unlike a typical meteor.
• November 29, 1957: Dr. C. Gordon Little observed a 'very bright fireball' in Fairbanks, Alaska, noting its rarity and similarity to Sputnik's plunge.
• November 29, 1957: Gene Rogge in Fairbanks, Alaska, saw an object heading southeast, trailing flame from a ball of fire.
• November 26, 1957: A blazing ball of fire streaked over Portland, Oregon, described by Dr. Fred L. Wipple as a spectacular fireball, common globally at a rate of 'one' a day.
• November 26, 1957: Several people near Olympia, Washington, saw a 'flying neon sign' traveling northeast, then west, changing color.
• November 21, 1957: A large fireball lit the sky over New England states around 7:45 p.m.
• November 21, 1957: A skyquake shook Youngstown, Ohio.
• November 19, 1957: An unidentified flying object was spotted over Houston, Texas, moving much faster than a jet plane.
• November 14, 1957: Mrs. John Riead in Perry County, Illinois, reported a bright light and a power failure.
• November 14, 1957: Miss Sandra Schaub in Ketchikan, Alaska, described a pinkish-violet ball of light that turned brilliant red before disappearing.
• November 11, 1957: Harold George in Dallas, Texas, and other motorists observed two UFOs flying in a wide circle, emitting bright light but no sound.

Brazilian UFO Review

This section, continued from the November issue, details flight characteristics of UFOs observed in Brazil. Objects were categorized by shape (cigars, saucers/discs, spherical/round) and flight behavior (steady flight, hovering, climbing, turning, oscillating, zig-zagging, etc.). Descriptions included hemispherical projections, red rings emitting flashes, orange-red lights, and pulsating white lights. No objects with wings, propellers, or jets were reported, nor was 'angel hair.' The author, Olavo Fontes, concluded that the data from 27 'good unknowns' suggested the UFOs were craft from outer space.

Secrets of Space Flight

The article references a book by Lloyd Mallan, 'Secrets of Space Flight,' which analyzed 4,000 Air Force reports. Mallan claimed only 12 'good unknowns' were identified, with the rest explained or lacking detail. The author of the APRG Reporter article disputes this, stating his own collection of 27 'good unknowns' in less than a month, compared to the USAF's 12 over nearly 9 years. He suggests Mallan's analysis might be biased. The article then quotes Capt. F.J. Ruppelt from a 1954 'True' magazine article, stating that in 1952, the USAF extracted the best sightings, with 434 out of 2,199 (19.7 percent) remaining unknown.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the diverse witness accounts of unidentified aerial phenomena, the conflicting explanations offered by scientists and authorities, and the ongoing debate about the nature and origin of these objects. The editorial stance, as indicated by the publication's focus and the inclusion of various perspectives, is one of serious inquiry into UFO reports, encouraging investigation and the sharing of information, while acknowledging the skepticism and official explanations that often accompany such sightings. The publication itself is presented as a source of non-fiction information gathered from investigations, correspondents, members, and the press.