APRO Bulletin - 1963 09 00 - September

Magazine Overview

Title: THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN
Issue Date: September, 1963
Publisher: THE AERIAL PHENOMENA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION
Country of Publication: USA
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the APRO Bulletin delves into various UFO sightings and related phenomena, featuring a prominent cover story on 'The Case of the Frightened Cows.' The publication aims to investigate and provide information on unidentified aerial phenomena.

Key Articles and Reports

The Case of the Frightened Cows

The lead story details an incident on February 15, 1963, involving Farmer Charlie Brew and his son Trevor in Moe, Australia. They witnessed a disc-shaped object, described as battleship gray and about 25 feet in diameter, descend near their cows. The cows became extremely agitated, and horses panicked. The object, with a band of what appeared to be 'perspex' or plastic around its circumference and scoop-like protrusions, suddenly shot off westward at high speed. The report includes a transcript of an interview with Mr. Brew by Peter Norris of the Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society, where Brew describes the object's appearance, behavior, and the unusual headache he experienced afterward, which C.S.I.R.O. representatives suggested might be related to electromagnetic effects.

Solar Transit Made By UFO

On February 15, 1963, Mr. Cyrus Fernald of Tangerine, Florida, observed an object transiting the sun. Using a Questar telescope with a 40x eyepiece, he described the object as perfectly round, black, and well-defined. Its apparent size was between 1/30 and 1/20 of the sun's diameter, with a transit time of about 20 seconds. Clinton D. Ford suggested it might have been a Saturn C-5 rocket, a theory Fernald views with skepticism.

Blue Light Seen In Ark.

On July 2, 1963, APRO member Frank Hudson observed a rapidly moving unidentified object near Huntsville, Arkansas. The object emitted a steady blue-tinged glow and passed directly overhead. Hudson described its speed as faster than a jet plane. The UFO was lost from sight as it moved toward the south, disappearing behind clouds.

Disc Buzzes House

In Weymouth, Massachusetts, on June 26, 1963, Mr. and Mrs. Enrico Gilberti reported an encounter with an unconventional flying machine. They described a low-flying object resembling two inverted saucers joined edge-to-edge, with lights on the top and bottom shaped like Turkish fez hats. The object hovered momentarily at an estimated altitude of 100 feet and was approximately the size of a 10-wheel trailer truck. Neighbors also heard the vehicle. Investigations with the local Naval Air Station revealed no active jet aircraft in the area at the time.

Ice Fall In Russia

Russian scientists are studying approximately 11 pounds of ice that fell from the sky in an orchard near Domodedovo, Moscow. The Soviet News Agency Tass reported that tests were being conducted, and scientists assume it is part of an ice meteorite, though science has no precedent for such an event.

Menzel's Book - A Further Extension on An Old Theme

This lengthy critique addresses Dr. Donald Menzel's book, 'Flying Saucers,' and his co-author Mrs. Lyle Boyd's work. The APRO authors argue that Menzel's methods are unscientific and his motives questionable. They dispute Menzel's claims about APRO's challenge for a joint test of magnesium samples and his portrayal of James Stokes. The article highlights Menzel's alleged misrepresentation of an official Brazilian Navy release concerning the Trindade Island incident, where Menzel reportedly altered wording to change the meaning of the statement. The authors also point out Menzel's omission of relevant information and his focus on 'cult leaders' while neglecting other significant works.

Keyhoe On Menzel's Book

This section further elaborates on the critique of Menzel's book, specifically addressing a footnote where Menzel alleges that Major Donald E. Keyhoe refused permission to quote from his books. The publishers, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., reportedly sent galleys to Keyhoe, who found that Menzel had combined partial quotations with incorrect paraphrasing, creating misleading effects. Keyhoe also noted that Menzel attributed details and witness statements to his imagination that were actually declassified Air Force Intelligence records.

RNZAF Pilot Spots UFO

On March 26, 1963, Flying Officer Hosie of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) sighted an unidentified object while piloting a Canberra light bomber. The object appeared as a rapidly flashing white light, moving at high speed, approximately 40 miles northeast of the Ahakea RNZAF Base. The object was observed for about a minute, moving easterly.

Strange Substances Falls On Ranch In Washington

Larry Robinson of Sequim, Washington, discovered an unknown object on his ranch on May 2, 1963. The object, which appeared to have fallen from the sky, was described as lava-like, porous, and gray, covered in a white powder. A local science teacher suggested it was not a meteorite. Samples were sent for analysis.

Strange Lights Over Long Island

Reports from March 26, 1963, describe mysterious lights seen over Long Island, New York, by police officers, residents, and airport officials. Mr. Victor Agne described an object traveling at high speed, similar in shape to a jet, fluorescent green, and emitting white fire streaks. Another witness, Dr. Lang, reported a streak of light plummeting into Long Island Sound.

Added Data On Long Island Sighting

Further details on the Long Island sighting from March 25, 1963, include observations of unidentified lights by Dr. Lang and Mr. Victor Agne. Agne described a circular object giving off a fluorescent greenish light and trailing white sparks, estimated to be moving five times the speed of a jet plane.

Blue "Satellite" Over Ark.

On June 29, 1963, Frank Hudson and his family in Huntsville, Arkansas, observed a fast-moving UFO described as larger than the Echo I Communications satellite, with a bluish tinge. It moved noiselessly from south to north at a steady speed, leaving no vapor trail.

Strange Object Over Canada

On August 1, 1963, Lyle and Kim Crosbie in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, witnessed an orange-red object shaped like a pipe, moving at high speed. Its color changed to gray as it slowed, and it appeared to shrink. Other strange objects, described as 'i'-shaped contrails, emerged from its rear. A dome-shaped object appeared on its side, emitting flashes of 'white lightning' before the UFO sank from view.

Phoenix Lights Seen On Three Nights

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Vaughan of Phoenix, Arizona, reported observing bright white, high-altitude UFOs on July 6, 7, and 8, 1963. The objects traveled in straight lines, with one altering its course. Mr. Vaughan expressed doubt that these were man-made satellites.

Cloud and Light Phenomena Observed by Ship Crew

On April 4, 1963, the Captain and Junior Second Officer of the Swedish Motor vessel Kungsholm observed a strange white cloud bearing 315 degrees at an elevation of 45 degrees. The cloud broke into concentric rings, with bright star-like dots appearing in the center. The entire formation moved westward swiftly.

Greek Ship Sights Strange Fireball

On March 18, 1963, the second officer and Captain of the Greek M.V. Hellenic Laurel observed a bright fireball-type object moving across the sky, leaving a thick white contrail. The object traveled from 290 degrees to 45 degrees and was visible for one minute.

Whining Object Seen At Invercargill, NZ

Witnesses in Invercargill, New Zealand, reported a strange oval-shaped object, described as silver with a blue hue, making a whining or whirring sound. The incident occurred on February 24, 1963. The report also mentions a slowly moving cigar-shaped light blue object seen in June 1962.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The APRO Bulletin consistently promotes the investigation of UFO phenomena, presenting witness testimonies and attempting to debunk skeptical explanations, particularly those put forth by astronomers like Dr. Donald Menzel. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of the reality of UFOs as potentially non-terrestrial craft, often highlighting perceived biases and inaccuracies in mainstream scientific or governmental explanations. The publication encourages skepticism towards official denials and promotes the idea that UFOs represent a significant mystery requiring serious study. There is a strong emphasis on detailed witness accounts and the physical characteristics of observed objects. The critique of Dr. Menzel's book is a central theme, aiming to discredit his work and defend the credibility of UFO researchers.