Magazine Summary
THE A. P. R. O. BULLETIN
Summary
This issue of the APRO Bulletin details numerous UFO sightings from August 1965, including a significant 'Western Flap' across several US states, with reports of diamond-shaped formations, radar contacts, and objects landing. It also covers international sightings in Africa, South America, Europe, and Australia. The publication highlights APRO's growing influence, with staff members participating in a NBC-TV discussion on UFOs. Dr. Olavo T. Fontes' visit to the US is noted as productive. The issue also includes a report on power outages in Minnesota coinciding with unusual lights and a detailed listing of 1965 UFO reports not previously covered.
Magazine Overview
This issue of The A. P. R. O. Bulletin, published by The Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO) in Tucson, Arizona, covers the January-February 1966 period. The publication is dedicated to investigating unidentified aerial objects (UAOs).
TV Production Includes APRO Staff Members
The lead story highlights APRO's involvement in a NBC-TV production titled "The Open Mind," a panel discussion on UFOs. APRO was recommended to the producer by three prominent scientists. The panel included Dr. Donald Menzel, Dr. J. Allen Hynek, and John Fuller, with Eric Goldman moderating. APRO suggested Dr. Frank B. Salisbury (expert on Mars biology) and Dr. R. Leo Sprinkle (social psychologist) as panelists, who were selected. While the visual material prepared by staff artist Richard Beal was not used, the discussion was reportedly lively and heated. The article also mentions Jacques Vallee meeting with Dr. Fontes in Chicago.
Key UFO Sightings and Reports
Landing In Africa
On September 15th, near Pretoria, South Africa, two police officers witnessed a 'sea of flames' on the highway, followed by a top-shaped object ascending at high speed. Jets of flame spurted from its underside, and the asphalt burned for some time afterward. Samples of the asphalt were examined, and a gasoline fire was ruled out as the cause.
Two "Martians" Seen In Mountain Snows
In Peru, Lt. Governor Sebastian Mancha reported seeing two 80 cm high figures on snow, who then disappeared with a loud noise. Subsequently, hundreds of witnesses saw five disc-shaped flying objects, led by a larger disc.
More Sightings Over Spain
On September 17th, a UAO was observed hovering over Medina del Campo, Spain. A pilot discerned its triangular, white shape at 15,000 feet, comparing its size to an Iberian Airlines jet.
In Baza, Province of Granada, Spain, a white rectangular object ending in a cone hovered for five hours.
UAO Over Jordan
A guard near Naplus, Jordan, reported an elongated, flame-colored object maneuvering near the ground. After the guard fired at it, the object left at high speed. Another resident also saw a similar object.
Object Tracked On Radar In Venezuela
The Airport Control Tower at Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela, tracked an unidentified object at 30,000 feet flying from south to north. Residents also saw the luminous object exhibiting movements similar to Earth's precession and rotation.
Power Outages Accompanied By Flashes
On November 26, 1965, East St. Paul, Minnesota, experienced power outages coinciding with unusual lights, described as a welding light, a blue light, and flashes of red, green, yellow, silver, and white. The power company could not determine the cause, and the U.S. weather bureau ruled out lightning.
UAO Buzzes Hotel In Australia
On May 28, 1965, a hotel owner in Queensland, Australia, reported a 'moon with a bank of floodlights' buzzing his hotel. The object, described as a large black disc with three legs, hovered and maneuvered for about 40 minutes, leaving scorch marks on trees.
Landing On Rooftop in Peru
Twenty students and teachers in Lima, Peru, observed a disc-shaped luminous object on a school rooftop. It made strange sounds and vibrated before ascending rapidly and leaving a trail of white smoke.
UAO Watched One Hour
On August 5th, near Ellensburg, Washington, a glowing, red-green oval object was sighted for over an hour. It appeared 5 to 10 times larger than an approaching airplane, which then turned away.
Lightbulb At Bothell, Wash.
On August 10, 1965, a small, round glowing object was seen by a woman in Bothell, Washington. It appeared to be about 18 inches in diameter and moved at varying speeds. It hovered directly over her car, glowing downwards, before speeding away. Another witness in the same area reported a similar object.
Executive Tells Of Encounter With Disc
Dr. Silva Guillen, president of a sugar refining corporation in Venezuela, recounted an encounter with a round, metallic disc hovering near his car. He had been a skeptic prior to this experience.
Four UAOS Over Cuzco Peru
On September 3rd, four UAOs were seen over Cuzco, Peru, by thousands of people. One object left the formation, increased in size, then rejoined the others. The objects performed maneuvers for about two hours.
UAO Hovers Over Lake
On August 4th, at Cass Lake, Minnesota, a 'strange craft' hovered over the lake, sweeping the shore with a blinding white light. It left with flashing colored lights.
Police Report First Of Western Flap
On July 31st, Oklahoma State Highway Patrol reported radar tracking of an object near Wynnewood, Oklahoma. Officer Lewis Sikes described it as emitting red, white, and blue lights, hovering for 45 minutes at an altitude of 8,000 feet. The object was tracked by radar at Tinker Air Force Base and Carswell Air Force Base, Texas, before disappearing.
August-Formations In Western Flap
During the Great Western Flap in early August, multiple sightings occurred. Diamond-shaped formations of white objects were seen in Oklahoma. In Shawnee, officers observed a diamond-shaped formation for 30 minutes, with objects changing color and moving north. A kite-shaped object with a red revolving light was also reported. Reports from Wyoming indicated cylinder-shaped objects over Warren Air Force Base. In New Mexico, a round white object with an orange tail was seen. In Texas, flashes were seen, and one report described an 'exploding object' that disintegrated. Wichita, Kansas, reported radar tracking of several objects at high altitudes. The Air Force stated that wind speeds and temperature distribution could promote inversions and 'scintillation' of stars and planets.
Formations
Reports from Broken Bow and Grand Island, Nebraska, described glowing red objects streaking through the sky, with white objects encircling them. A Sioux City, Iowa, teacher reported seeing a yellowish, zigzagging object replaced by a red light with white lights. An Air Force weather observer in Oklahoma City reported repeatedly seeing unusual objects, one described as having a flat top and bottom with two rings. Kansas youths reported objects moving rapidly east-west. In Arizona, cases are under investigation. In Colorado, two tower guards observed a glowing white object for 30 minutes.
Kansas Police See Landed UAO
Following the Wichita radar track, Deputy Sheriff Everett Tucker in Wellington, Kansas, reported seeing an egg-shaped object trailing red vapor, moving rapidly north. Police officers Dave Lowe and Eddie Roberts in Caldwell, Kansas, also observed glowing objects, one described as an egg-shaped object, about a hundred yards long, with white, red, and bluish-green lights.
Police See UAOS In Iowa
In Iowa City, Iowa, policemen observed an object flying in circles and changing color. Another unusual object was seen moving east.
Landing At Blanquilla, Venezuela
Fishermen near La Blanquilla Island, Venezuela, saw a spinning top-shaped object take off vertically from the ground, leaving a long trail of smoke. The object had several 'windows' emitting orange light.
Strange Dwarves In Peru
A strange craft landed at Sacsahuaman, Peru, from which two small dwarves emerged. This incident occurred in Incaic ruins.
Plane And UAO Nearly Collide
A pilot flying over the Auyantepuy area in Venezuela encountered a UAO. He managed to take several photos before maneuvering to avoid the object.
Orange Disc Seen By Many At Marinas
A giant orange disc-shaped object was seen by a crowd in Barinas, Venezuela, flying at low altitude before veering sharply upward and speeding out of sight.
1965 Report Listings
This section provides brief descriptions of 1965 UAO reports not covered elsewhere. These include sightings from Venezuela, Australia, Florida, Maine, Hawaii, Ohio, Arizona, Ireland, Massachusetts, Brazil, Connecticut, Michigan, New Hampshire, Chile, Sydney, Australia, St. Paul, Minnesota, Nebraska, El Salvador, Guatemala, and California. The reports detail various object shapes, colors, speeds, and behaviors, with some mentioning sounds, lights, and physical traces.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings across the globe in 1965, the increasing detail and boldness of reported encounters, and the growing involvement of official organizations and media in UFO investigations. APRO positions itself as a key organization in documenting and analyzing these phenomena, emphasizing the need for cooperation and detailed reporting. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into the UAO phenomenon, encouraging members to participate and contribute to the organization's efforts to understand these events.
We need people who are willing to cooperate, investigate and participate in order to effect as complete coverage of reports as possible before the next wave.
Key Incidents
A 'sea of flames' on the highway was followed by a top-shaped object ascending at high speed, leaving burning asphalt.
An unidentified object at 30,000 feet was tracked by the airport control tower, exhibiting precession and rotation.
Two 80 cm high figures were seen on snow, followed by five disc-shaped flying objects.
A triangular, white UAO was seen hovering at 15,000 feet, compared in size to a jet plane.
A white rectangular object ending in a cone hovered for five hours.
An elongated, flame-colored object was seen maneuvering near the ground, then departed at high speed after being fired upon.
A hotel owner reported a 'moon with a bank of floodlights' buzzing his hotel, described as a large black disc with three legs.
Twenty students and teachers observed a disc-shaped luminous object on a school rooftop, which left a trail of white smoke.
Power outages coincided with flashes of light, including a huge welding light and a blue light.
A glowing, red-green oval object was sighted for over an hour, appearing 5 to 10 times larger than an airplane.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the APRO Bulletin?
The A. P. R. O. Bulletin is the official copyrighted publication of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO), issued every other month to members only, dedicated to the solution of the mystery of unidentified objects.
What was the significance of the August 1965 'Western Flap'?
The August 1965 activity is noted as a new pattern of UFO behavior, with objects coming over cities, hovering, maneuvering, and occasionally landing at near-ground level, suggesting increased boldness.
Did APRO staff participate in any TV productions?
Yes, APRO staff members, including Dr. Frank B. Salisbury and Dr. R. Leo Sprinkle, were panelists on NBC-TV's 'The Open Mind' discussing UFOs.
What types of UFOs were reported in this issue?
Reports included disc-shaped, triangular, oval, egg-shaped, cigar-shaped, and cylinder-shaped objects, often described with various colors, lights, and unusual maneuvers.
What is the purpose of the '1965 Report Listings' section?
This section provides brief descriptions of 1965 UFO reports not given space elsewhere in the Bulletin, arranged chronologically and considered 'good' UAO cases, for members doing statistical studies.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- Coral E. LorenzenEditor
- L. J. LorenzenInternational Director
- A. E. BrownDirector of Research
- John T. Hopf
- Richard BealArtist
- Dr. Olavo T. FontesM.D., Brazilian representative
- K. Gosta Rehn
- P. M. H. EdwardsPh. D.
- Gerald Romas
- Aime Michel
- Horacio Gonzales Gauteaume
- Peter E. NorrisL.L.D.
- +8 more
Organisations
- Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO)
- NICAP
- NBC-TV
- Air Force
- Project Bluebook
- Saturday Review
- LOOK magazine
- Iberian Airlines
- Northern States Power Co.
- U.S. weather bureau
- Tinker Air Force Base
- Carswell Air Force Base
- McConnell Air Force Base
- Warren Air Force Base
- +2 more
Locations
- Pretoria, South Africa, South Africa
- Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela, Venezuela
- Boyaca Street, Venezuela
- Santa Barbara, Peru, Peru
- Ceulacocha Lake, Peru
- Medina del Campo, Spain, Spain
- Baza, Province of Granada, Spain
- Naplus, Jordan, Jordan
- Harvard, USA
- Exeter, New Hampshire, USA
- Boinai, New Guinea, New Guinea
- St. George, Minnesota, USA
- Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Los Angeles, USA
- +6 more