APRO Bulletin - 1972 05 00 - May-June

Magazine Overview

This issue of THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN, dated May-June 1972, is published by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization Inc. (APRO) and focuses on recent UFO reports from various international locations, alongside a significant review of J. Allen Hynek's book "The UFO Experience". The publication aims to document and investigate unidentified flying object phenomena.

Recent Reports from New Zealand

Norman Alford, APRO's Representative for New Zealand, submitted two detailed reports. The first involved a bullet-shaped object observed for an hour over Havelock Hills by Sergeant J. McCormack, Constable J. Gosman, and Mr. Russell Orr. They sighted the object, described as the size of Jupiter, moving erratically and pulsating with colors. Mr. Orr noted its progression was not constant, sometimes appearing to stand still, then speeding up.

The second New Zealand report came from Timaru, South Island, where eight persons reported seeing eight objects in a single file formation that scattered and disappeared. Following this sighting, a large metal sphere, approximately 16 inches in diameter, was found on a farm near Asburton, with subsequent similar balls discovered. One ball reportedly had Russian lettering.

More On French Landing Case

Further information was provided on a French landing case previously reported. The witness, Mr. M. Lauretz, described an object about 4 to 5 meters in diameter and 2.5 meters tall, with two openings resembling elliptical portholes. The object landed rapidly, and a small red ball on top blinked out. GEPA's investigator noted a discrepancy in size estimation, but acknowledged witness estimates can be imprecise.

Press Reports

Several international press reports on UFO sightings are summarized:

• Philippines: The Philippine News Service reported sightings in Tukuran, where one individual fired a pistol at an object that then vanished. Laborers reported seeing a "horse-like" vehicle emerge from a huge airship.
• Australia: A farmer from Riverina claimed to have seen a "flying saucer" hovering motionless, described as "like a saucer on its side". The object later streaked upwards and disappeared.
• Canada: Residents of Scarboro, Ontario, reported a steady white light that dimmed, made a sharp left turn, and disappeared over Toronto. An observatory official suggested it might be the planet Venus.

UFO Over Michigan

Mr. Carl Van Dam of Muskegon, Michigan, reported seeing a yellowish light that traveled across the sky, changing color, then reappeared brighter and stopped suddenly. The case is considered worth pursuing due to multiple witnesses, including law enforcement personnel.

APRO-NICAP Discussions

Mr. Stuart Nixon, Executive Director of NICAP, visited APRO headquarters to discuss improving field investigations, APRO-NICAP coordination, and the future of UFO research.

Member Hit By Flood

APRO member and Field Investigator A. J. (Joe) Graziano of Baltimore, Maryland, and his dogs were rescued from his home during a flood. Much of his property and irreplaceable items, including an extensive UFO library, were ruined.

Tucson UFOs Sighted

Mr. Ervin R. Cooper of Tucson observed several UFOs from his patio, including a large "banana-shaped" object from which three smaller objects emerged. His wife also saw one of the smaller objects.

Trappers Report UFOs

An article from The Minneapolis Star detailed sightings by two Canadian trappers, Allen Kielczewski and Horace Bowes, who independently reported seeing rows of symmetrical lights hovering over a frozen lake. Both described objects that were large and silent, lifting off vertically and disappearing.

UFO Wave Over Chile

This section continues the report on UFO activity in Chile. It describes sightings by the crew of a schooner, including a red ball of light that sank into the water. Another report details two sisters observing a "half-Moon shape" object flying at high speed. Sightings by soldiers and civilians, including a bright blue light and a luminous round object, are also mentioned. The issue concludes with a report of a LAN-Chile Boeing 727 aircraft encountering multiple lights that joined formations and maintained irregular distances.

Book Review: The UFO Experience by J. Allen Hynek

This extensive review analyzes J. Allen Hynek's book, which argues that UFO observations may represent "new empirical facts" requiring a revolution in scientific thought. The review praises Hynek's credentials as a former scientific consultant to the Air Force and criticizes the methodologies and conclusions of Project Blue Book and the Condon Report. Hynek's definition of a UFO and his proposed typology of sightings (Nocturnal Lights, Daylight Discs, Radar-Visual Sightings, Close Encounters of the First, Second, and Third Kind) are discussed. The review highlights Hynek's argument that the scientific community has historically resisted UFO data and that a more systematic approach is needed for future research.

Microfilming Project

APRO has microfilmed nearly 2,500 UFO reports, providing a breakdown of reports by historical periods, dating back to 1600 B.C. This project aims to better understand the chronological distribution of UFO sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the documentation of UFO sightings from diverse geographical locations, the investigation of physical trace evidence, and a critical examination of scientific approaches to the UFO phenomenon. The editorial stance, as reflected in the review of Hynek's book and the reporting of various cases, is one of serious inquiry into UFOs as a potentially significant area of research, challenging established scientific paradigms and past governmental investigations. The bulletin emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and the need for the scientific community to address the UFO problem more openly and systematically.