APRO Bulletin - 1963 05 00 - May

Magazine Overview

This issue of THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN, dated May 1963, is published by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (A.P.R.O.) and focuses on reports of unidentified aerial objects (UAOs) and related phenomena. The publication aims to contribute to the eventual solution of the mystery of unidentified objects in the skies.

Key Articles and Reports

UAO Lands At Buenos Aires Airport

On December 23, 1962, a glowing football-shaped object landed on the runway at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Technician Horacio Alora and tower operator Jose Besutti observed the object park near section 40-28. They described it as flowing and football-shaped. The object ascended vertically at high speed, disappearing over the horizon in level flight. The report notes that this is the sum of information available, with further details to be published if forthcoming.

The X-15 And The UFO

On May 10, 1962, test pilot Joe Walker reported that film from his X-15 flight showed unidentified objects. Col. John Glenn also appeared at a conference discussing strange objects he had seen during his globe orbit. Walker described the objects seen on film as disc-shaped and white, appearing on footage taken at an altitude of 246,700 feet. He admitted he hadn't seen them himself but viewed them on the film afterward. Authorities had speculated they were "snowflakes" or paint peeling off the capsule, but Glenn dismissed these explanations, stating some objects were coming toward him. Walker could not estimate their size or distance, suggesting they might be remote-controlled monitoring devices.

Saucer Dunks In Reservoir

On the evening of September 15, 1962, three boys in Oradell, New Jersey, reported seeing a strange, saucer-shaped object land in the Oradell reservoir with a loud splash, then take off at high speed. The object was described as disc-shaped with a band around the middle and a "fin" protruding from the lower half. The next morning, they found what they thought were bear tracks and strange indentations. Police contacted Air Force authorities, who asked for drawings of the object. A man working nearby heard a loud splash around the same time. Later sightings by other witnesses confirmed the initial report. An unsigned letter suggested the event was a hoax involving a balsa wood frame and helium balloons, but the article questions this, noting other sightings occurred on subsequent nights.

Strange Light "Goes Out"

On September 1, between 9:30 and 10 p.m., Gene Hunter observed a round object with a fan-shaped white light traveling from north to southwest near Dover Center, Ohio. The object made no noise. Suddenly, the light was extinguished, or the object moved in a way that made it invisible. This sighting correlates with a November 23, 1960, sighting in Indiana and Ohio.

Object Seen Again Near Quarry

On September 21, four policemen and William Stock observed a brightly lit object above Hawthorne, N. J. Stock had seen a similar object the previous morning. Patrolmen confirmed Stock's report. Saal, a former AF pilot, estimated the object's altitude at between 20,000 and 25,000 feet. The object, which had two visible lights, hovered for about 25 minutes before moving off rapidly. The sky was clear with a three-quarter moon.

Submarine Saucers

This section discusses reports of "mystery submarines" spotted since 1947 that have not been successfully tracked or identified. An article from the Los Angeles Times mentioned "Soviet Subs." On July 28, 1962, a skipper of a chartered fishing boat spotted lights in the darkness near Avalon, Catalina, which appeared to be the stern of a submarine with several men working. The object moved away at surprising speed without noise or a wake. The Navy investigated but stated "There's nothing to it." The article questions how a U.S. submarine could travel at high surface speed without leaving a wake.

1831 Sighting Of 80-Minute Meteor

An account from the Corvallis Gazette-Times describes a meteor sighted off Puget Sound on May 31, 1831. The meteor was described as a "blaze of fire" that shot across the heavens, illuminating the sky, and lasted for one hour and twenty-five minutes. Another "meteoric display" from 1843 is also mentioned, involving a ball of fire followed by a streak of blue smoke and a loud report.

Another Wandering "Star"

On April 24, 1962, Dorothy Lefler of Cincinnati, Ohio, observed what appeared to be a variable star that seemed to be moving. Using guide lines, she confirmed the object had moved across telephone wires. It traveled in a straight line across the northern sky. The object was estimated to have traveled approximately 160 degrees of arc in about 5 minutes.

Fireball Over Israel

On September 26, 1962, a fireball described as a "blaze of colors" leaving a trail of smoke passed over Israel. Theories included a small rocket from Jordan or an American satellite launched in 1960, but the timing did not match the satellite theory.

Yellow Light At Amboy, California

On August 16, 1962, Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Lorenzen observed a large, yellow light at about 15 degrees elevation over Amboy, California. The object blinked out and on again multiple times. It appeared to be about four times the size of Venus at peak brilliance. Cars were stopped along the highway, with occupants looking at the light.

Strange Light-N. Zealand

On July 22, 1962, J. Baker and his family observed a bright green light near Greymouth, New Zealand. The object changed color to yellow and then pale pink and appeared to emit sparks.

Colored Ball Over Dunedin, Hovers

On July 11, 1962, residents of Dunedin, New Zealand, watched a vari-colored ball of light flash over the city and hover over the sea. Descriptions varied, including blue, green, red, and yellowish balls with blue tails.

Twin Dumbbells Seen In Wisconsin

On July 18, 1962, Mrs. Florence Cummins observed two unusual objects resembling dumbbells with thick "bars" and bulging ends. The objects were bright silver, with the rear object glowing red underneath. They disappeared rapidly to the southwest.

"Wronk-Way” Satellites

On July 26, 27, and 28, 1962, Mr. and Mrs. E. Vaughan of Phoenix, Arizona, observed unidentified objects that appeared to be satellites, traversing the sky in about 5 minutes. They also observed a similar object moving in the opposite direction.

Objects Over Washington State

On March 19, 1962, Gene Thrune observed two objects climbing at an extremely fast rate, leaving "S"-shaped contrails. The objects and their contrails vanished suddenly, moving straight up. The "S" part of the contrail remained visible for 38 miles.

Monitoring And Scanning UFOS (Continued)

This section continues a report by C. W. Fitch about an encounter experienced by McGrady and his brother. They observed a "white" object, described as a dishpan turned over, about 4 to 6 inches in diameter, with a light gray color and a gray light in front. It made 25 to 30 trips in an area of about 200 feet over an hour, without making any noise. The object appeared to disappear in mid-air. The brothers checked a tree near where the object passed and found the leaves were dying, as if from frost. The smoke from the object had no noticeable odor. The writer visited McGrady and found his account sincere, supported by the evidence of the dying tree.

The article also discusses cases where UFOs have been fired at, including the Washington, D.C. 1952 incident, the Lloyd C. Booth sighting, and the Mark George Muza, Jr. encounter. Muza, a tenth grader, fired at a UFO about four feet in diameter with a silver rim. He reported hearing metal striking metal. The article notes that such encounters can cause physical effects, including burns, and discusses the manipulation of electric, magnetic, and tempic fields as a possible explanation for these phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the observation and reporting of unidentified aerial objects (UAOs) and related phenomena. The A.P.R.O. Bulletin consistently presents eyewitness accounts, often with detailed descriptions of the objects' appearance, behavior, and perceived characteristics. The publication appears to maintain an open but investigative stance, documenting sightings and exploring potential explanations, while also acknowledging the rarity of direct contact and the need for further study. The editorial stance emphasizes the importance of collecting and disseminating such information to contribute to understanding these phenomena.