APRO Bulletin - 1974 05 00 - May-June

Magazine Overview

Title: THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN
Issue: VOL. 22, NO. 6
Date: MAY-JUNE 1974
Publisher: AERIAL PHENOMENA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION, INC.
Country: USA

This issue of the APRO Bulletin delves into several significant UFO cases and research updates from the early to mid-1970s, highlighting investigations into landings, aerial phenomena, and potential vehicle interference. The publication also introduces new scientific consultants and features discussions on the scientific community's approach to UFO research.

Key Articles and Reports

E-M Case in Pennsylvania

Field Investigator Kevin Randle presents a detailed account of a landing case in rural Iowa on June 6, 1972. The witness, identified as Mr. T., observed an unusual egg-shaped object descend into his cornfield. After landing, legs or landing gear emerged, and "some people" exited the craft. These individuals "messed around" in the corn before returning to the craft, which then took off with a blue flame from its bottom. The corn stalks in the area were blown down as if by a whirlwind, but there was no burned area. Mr. T. estimated the beings to be about five feet tall and wearing one-piece "flying suits." He estimated the craft's size to be between 15 to 20 feet tall.

Repeat Cases In Arizona

The bulletin reports on repeat UFO sightings in Arizona, specifically in the extreme south and Flagstaff, as well as Tucson. On two consecutive days in September 1973, the same object was reportedly seen in the Tucson area. Mrs. Jack Miller described seeing an object descending at a steep angle with a fluttering motion. Her husband, Mr. Miller, initially thought it was a "child's balloon" but his wife noted it looked metallic and had a reddish part, estimating its size to be that of a Cessna 150. The object's motion was described as a "drop-turn." The next day, the Miller's son spotted a "silver grey and white" object moving from west to east. Mrs. Miller observed it performing a "whirling" motion, elongating and shrinking. Mr. Miller described its motion as swinging, getting thinner when swinging away and larger and circular when swinging toward him, with a bright flash. The object was estimated to be 1 inch at arm's length, at an altitude of about 4,000 feet, and moving at a "powered and controlled" speed. Later, magnetometer tracings from the U.S. Geological Survey Magnetic Observatory showed glitches coinciding with the sightings.

E-M Case in Pennsylvania (Continued)

This section details the experience of Mr. E. D., a 47-year-old man from Allentown, Pennsylvania, on October 15, 1973. While driving, he observed a bright light reflection on his car hood. He saw an object described as the size of a tractor tire at arm's length, with rotating bands of alternating red, green, and white lights. His car began to turn right uncontrollably, despite his attempts to steer left. A humming noise accompanied the object's lights, which became higher in pitch. The car came to rest against a tree, facing the opposite direction from which it had been traveling. Mr. D. noted that the car's interior became warm when the object's lights were visible, and the roof and hood were extremely hot afterward. The case is noted as pending further investigation.

Arizona (Continued)

Mrs. Miller provided further details on the Arizona sightings, estimating the object's size as a dime at arm's length, which appeared to grow. She described the object as egg-shaped, with the narrow end pointing east, and noted it appeared to "flash" when it came toward her. Mr. Miller described its motion as swinging and getting thinner, then larger and circular with a protrusion on the bottom. He also saw a bright flash. He estimated the size as 1 inch at arm's length and the altitude at about 4,000 feet. The object was described as "powered and controlled." Before disappearing, it appeared to go into a "spin" with flashes coming more quickly. The second sighting involved the object moving east in level flight, increasing in angular size, suggesting a southerly direction. Checks with the FAA and local airports confirmed no aircraft were in the air at the time of the sightings. Magnetometer tracings showed glitches coinciding with the sightings.

Landing (Continued)

This section compares the 1972 Iowa landing case to the 1964 Socorro, New Mexico sighting by Patrolman Lonnie Zamora. Similarities are noted in the craft's three legs (compared to Zamora's four) and the description of the "people" and their clothing. The witness, Mr. T., was awed by the experience, which lasted about 30 minutes.

Consultants

The bulletin introduces three new consultants to APRO's panels: Dr. Michael A. Persinger, Dr. Kathleen M. Squadrito, and Mr. Charles E. Martin. Dr. Persinger is an assistant professor of psychology specializing in environmental psychophysiology and ELF electromagnetic fields. Dr. Squadrito is an assistant professor of philosophy with interests in metaphysics, epistemology, and the history of philosophy. Mr. Martin is a consulting engineer specializing in soil engineering, with a primary interest in UFO landings and landing vehicles.

Car Disabled By UFO?

This report from the Santa Ana Register describes a U-Haul truck that was allegedly disabled by UFOs on February 14, 1974. Two brothers claimed that while driving in Nevada, their truck's engine and systems mysteriously quit working after encountering five UFOs. The truck lost speed, lights flickered, and the engine missed. The transmission selector jumped into neutral, causing the truck to coast to a stop. The brothers described a large silver ball with a dome and sharp-pointed wings, and a large light on the road with a red light on top. The truck's rear end required extensive repairs, including replacement of the tires, rear axle, and gears. Dr. J. Allen Hynek commented that it was a "good" UFO case but the axle failure seemed unrelated.

Hoax

This section critically examines the "Car Disabled By UFO?" case, questioning the credibility of the witness, Mrs. Robinson, due to her anonymity and the inconsistencies in her account, particularly her ability to raise the car hood despite the extreme heat. The author suggests the case may be a hoax motivated by various factors.

UFOs: Interplanetary Visitors

A review of Raymond Fowler's book, "UFOs: Interplanetary Visitors," is presented. The reviewer acknowledges Fowler's contribution in detailing investigative procedures and presenting anomalous data. The book covers cases that remain unexplained and those that are explained, offering a vivid account of UFO investigation. The reviewer discusses Fowler's adherence to the conspiracy hypothesis and his examination of the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH), suggesting that while the ETH may be incorrect, its implications warrant further study.

Visitors

This section discusses the significance of the 1969 AAAS UFO Symposium. The author argues that the symposium's purpose was not to legitimize UFO research but to attract bright minds away from the "occult" and demonstrate the beauty of the scientific method. The author also critiques Fowler's adherence to the conspiracy hypothesis, suggesting that James McDonald's notion of a "grand foul up" by the scientific community might be more viable than a grand cover-up.

Comments

This section includes several letters from readers commenting on various aspects of UFO research. John J. Brooks and R. C. Henry critique Mr. Duncan Lunan's work on a "message map" related to the constellation Bootes, pointing out omissions and discrepancies in star positions and magnitudes. B. C. Sparks also expresses agreement with Lunan's preliminary findings about the difficulty of confirming the probe's existence. H. C. Dudley offers a speculative explanation for UFO re-entry, suggesting a mechanism involving positive charge and ionization to prevent burn-up and counteract inertia. He also notes the extreme speeds reported in some sightings.

Creegan Continues Lectures

Dr. Robert F. Creegan, a consultant in philosophy to APRO, continues to give lectures on the subject of "Extraterrestrial UFOs."

Foreign Books

Several APRO books, including "Flying Saucer," "Flying Saucer Occupants," and "UFOs Over the Americas" by Lorenzen, are announced for publication in Denmark. "UFOs The Whole Story" will be published in Yugoslavia.

22 Years Ago In The Bulletin

A new regular column, "22 Years Ago In The Bulletin," will feature notable cases and articles from past issues, beginning with the July-August 1974 issue.

Address Changes

Members are reminded to include their zip codes with address changes to facilitate efficient processing.

Proceedings of the Eastern UFO Symposium

Members are encouraged to obtain the proceedings of the Eastern UFO Symposium held in Baltimore, Maryland, on January 23, 1971.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The APRO Bulletin consistently focuses on detailed case investigations, witness testimonies, and scientific analysis of UFO phenomena. The publication appears to maintain a skeptical yet open-minded stance, critically evaluating reports while acknowledging the existence of unexplained physical phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on rigorous investigation, with consultants from various scientific fields contributing their expertise. The magazine also highlights the challenges of UFO research, including the scientific community's historical reluctance to engage with the topic and the potential for hoaxes. The editorial stance encourages continued research and the dissemination of information to a global audience.