APRO Bulletin - 1968 11 00 - November-December

Magazine Overview

This issue of THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN, dated November-December 1968, is published by THE AERIAL PHENOMENA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION (APRO) and features a prominent cover headline about the American Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics (AIAA) expressing interest in UFOs.

Key Articles and Reports

AIAA Voices Interest in UFOs

The lead article discusses a statement from the December issue of Astronautics and Aeronautics, where the AIAA's Committee on Atmospheric Environment and the Committee on Space and Atmospheric Physics concluded that the UFO controversy requires further quantitative scientific study. This statement, resulting from a year-long study by a subcommittee including prominent scientists, is seen as heartening and indicative of increased qualified scientific personnel involvement in UFO research. The article notes that the AIAA plans to develop recommendations and provide insights into its reasoning in future issues.

Night Watchman Claims UAO Crew Attacked Him

A nightwatchman in Sao Paulo, Brazil, reported an encounter with unusual creatures at 1 a.m. He described being attacked and overcome by three entities, one of whom was dressed in yellow clothing. The entities then departed in a small vehicle resembling a Volkswagen station wagon, which flew off into the air. The watchman's experience was compared to a similar incident in Lins, and a representative of the President of Brazil was sent to interview him.

Planes Paced By UFOs Over Florida

On November 27th, two pilots of small planes flying over the Southeastern U.S. reported being followed by football-shaped objects. Robert Holder described them as bright moving lights, while L. P. Duplantis provided a more detailed account, describing four objects in echelon formation. Duplantis stated that one object descended to a landing in a swampy area near a restricted U.S. Air Force bombing range. His passenger, a student, described the objects as glowing red and disc-shaped, larger than most cars.

Hoax Story Leads To Good Report

An initial report about an alleged UFO encounter in Kent, Indiana, involving the kidnapping of a man by UFO occupants, was investigated by APRO representative Donald Worley. It was determined to be a hoax. However, during his investigation, Worley uncovered two other cases, including a sighting of a large, round, aluminum-colored object hovering over a tobacco patch near Brooksburg, Indiana.

Colo. Meeting Big Success

A report on a meeting of the Colorado APRO Station Section held on October 26th, 1968, details a briefing on investigative procedures. Speakers included Herb Roth on the VFON network, Andy Gassman on astronomical considerations in UFO reports, Ian Stewart on obtaining cooperation from local authorities, Les Huntley on triangulating observed objects, and Gordon Snow on photographic procedures. Mike Kellenbarger discussed the use of Citizens Band Radio in UFO investigations, and Charles Trenholm spoke on 'Nightwatch Procedures.' Dr. R. Leo Sprinkle discussed the use of hypnosis in UFO investigations. Other speakers included Robert Young, Charles Upp, Donald Richmond, and Ken Steinmetz, who showed UFO slides and discussed the 'Snippy' case. The meeting was attended by 150 people.

Watchman-- (Continued from Page One)

This section continues the report on the Sao Paulo incident, stating that further information will be presented in the Bulletin and that a considerable number of close encounters have taken place.

Hoax-- (Continued from Page One)

This section continues the report on the hoax in Indiana and the subsequent discovery of another UFO sighting.

House Symposium Document Out of Print

The House Committee on Science and Astronautics has exhausted its printing of the document from the 7/29/68 Symposium on UFOs. Offset reproductions are available for $3.00 from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information.

Globe-- (Continued from Page Six)

This section continues reports of UFO sightings from around the world:

• Quebec, Canada: Reports of nude little men and a strange 'tumbling' ball of fire on July 2nd.
• Ceres, California: Two young men reported seeing strangely lit and maneuvering objects on August 8th.
• Las Vegas, Nevada: Three objects were observed on October 28th, including colored lights and a bright white light.
• Vancouver, B.C., Canada: A man and woman observed a formation of up to ten strange objects on October 30th.
• Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia: A man and his wife observed a white disc on the first week of November.
• Kalgoorlie, Australia: Eighteen people, including female prisoners, reported sighting three shiny, round objects on November 7th.
• Westlock, Alberta, Canada: A family reported seeing a bluish-green object with lights around its circumference on November 7th.
• Pennsylvania: A saucer-shaped object was reported hovering above an open field on November 14th.
• San Jose, Costa Rica: Two silvery discs were spotted on November 17th, causing traffic jams.
• Guarulhos, Brazil: An orange-colored UFO was allegedly spotted on the night of November 19th.

Strange Crater in New York

For several years, a 'boom' and an unexplained crater have been found on the night of November 12th near Venice Center, New York. The most recent crater, found in 1968, is 18 feet wide and five feet deep. Geologists have ruled out ordinary explosives as the cause.

Shrimper Crew Sight UFO

Three crewmen of a shrimp boat near Biloxi, Mississippi, reported seeing a white, glowing disc that trailed their boat, hovered, and then shot up into the air.

"UFOs - Yes" - A Must

This is a review of the book "UFOs Yes" by David R. Saunders and R. Roger Harkins, praising its quality and factual presentation, particularly Saunders' background as a physical scientist and psychologist.

Spate of Reports in Georgia

Reports from Conyers, Georgia, mention a 70-80-foot object hovering in a swamp. Other incidents include a bank employee's car experiencing electrical failure when a UFO approached, and three coon hunters being frightened by a strange object.

Hoax Is Exposed

A humanoid case reported at Naplo Beach, Peru, on August 25th, has been proven false after investigation by APRO members.

Disc Seen at Brasilia

A typical disc-shaped object was reported over Brasilia, Brazil, on November 8th, described as two overlapping plates with a rotating bottom section.

Flying Saucers and The Falling Leaf

This article by Rayford R. Sanders, a consulting aeronautical engineer and APRO member, proposes a theory for the 'falling leaf' motion observed in some UFOs. The theory suggests a disc-shaped object uses a primary electromagnetic/anti-gravity propulsion system for high-speed flight and a secondary system for low-speed, fine control. The falling leaf motion may occur when the secondary system and gyros are not fully operational during a transition period or descent, leading to instability.

House Ad Hoc Committee To Form

Following the investigation of the Redlands UFO case by Dr. Philip Seff, Congressman Jerry L. Pettis has requested the establishment of an Ad Hoc Congressional Committee to investigate the need for an accelerated study of the UFO problem. Pettis, a member of the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, was influenced by the objective handling of the Redlands case.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The APRO Bulletin consistently reports on UFO sightings from around the world, emphasizing the need for scientific investigation and data collection. The organization actively works to expand its network, publish findings, and engage with scientific and governmental bodies. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, aiming to demonstrate its respectability through factual reporting and objective analysis, while cautioning against excessive fervor that might alienate potential supporters.