APRO Bulletin - 1976 06 00 - Vol 24 No 12

Magazine Overview

The APRO Bulletin, Volume 24, Number 12, dated June 1976, is a publication of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc. (A.P.R.O.). This issue focuses on late June reports, particularly from Florida, and includes an Australian UFO chronicle, a scientific rebuttal, and research into Soviet UFO investigations.

Late June Reports in Florida

This section details two sightings in Orlando, Florida, on June 25 and June 30, 1976. The first witness, an articulate individual, described a circular, gliding object approximately 500 feet above the Colonial Plaza Shopping Mall. The object had a rim of lights that dimmed and brightened, and it moved in a northeasterly direction before heading north. The witness was accompanied by a friend who will provide a separate report. The second sighting, on June 30, involved three witnesses observing a circular disc of lights flying from north to southwest, tipping sideways, and exhibiting dimming and brightening lights. The object was described as circular with lights around the rim. The witnesses emphasized their analytical nature and certainty that the objects were not airliners.

More On Star Map

This article presents a rebuttal by Walter N. Webb, APRO's consultant in Astronomy, to an article by Robert Shaeffer in "Official UFO" Magazine. Shaeffer's article purportedly removed credibility from the Marjorie Fish "Betty Hill star map model." Webb argues that Shaeffer's denunciation is selective and ignores key features of the Hills' testimony. He defends the Fish/Hill star map by emphasizing its stringent criteria, meticulous six-year search, and the fact that it connects stars that are solely candidates for life, with all such candidates in the encompassing volume of space included in the map. Webb also points out that other models, including Atterberg's, do not match these criteria, and that Atterberg's stars are often unsuitable for life. He refutes Sheaffer's claims about background stars, stating they were randomly included by Mrs. Hill to show a backdrop. Webb concedes that only one radar report of unidentified targets occurred the same night as the Hill experience, approximately 80 miles away, which might be explained by anomalous propagation.

An Australian Chronicle

Part Two of a series, this article details a 1973 Australian UFO event. On May 29, 1973, nine people in four independent locations witnessed two "very agile" lights for about an hour between 11 p.m. and midnight. William Chalker, who conducted the original investigations for APRO, noted that Marwin Copland and his wife Jenny photographed the objects. Copland used a Yashica Electro camera with a 600 mm Hanimex lens and a 3X converter, attached to a heavy wooden tripod with a remote control shutter to eliminate camera shake. The objects were observed moving in the north-northwest and north-northeast. One object was described as a bright light that stayed in one general position relative to two stars, moving up and down, and making oblique descents and fast vertical climbs. At approximately 11:12 p.m., the bright light made another oblique descent and disappeared behind a mountain, failing to reappear. Other independent witnesses reported it remained visible until midnight. On Saturday night, June 2nd, two objects were seen in conjunction with one another at about 11 p.m. at magnetic north and northwest. Chalker reports the objects performed synchronous "antics," including horizontal zig-zags, backward and forward motions, and vertical and horizontal accelerations. One object stopped, performed a loop-the-loop, and then dropped like a stone, lighting up the area behind Boney Mountain with a brilliant blue-white light. When Marwin Copland, Jill Cotmore, and the Fords drove to the assumed landing site, their compass began spinning rapidly. Early Monday morning, Jill Cotmore awoke with a feeling of fright, and her room was engulfed with an extremely bright light from outside, despite dark red curtains. The horse outside was also agitated. The article notes that these experiences are part of many documented by William Chalker and will continue in the next issue.

UFO Identified

APRO Consultant in Astrophysics, Dr. Richard C. Henry, identified an object described in the April 1976 Bulletin as Venus. The object was described as a "huge, bright, white light hovering northwest of them" with intense "bright rays." Dr. Henry's computations confirmed it as Venus.

In All Fairness

This section addresses the story of Johnny Sands, a country-western singer, and his alleged encounter with strange beings. The article details an attempt by David Dunn Productions, Inc., to film Sands "on location." Gene Marvin, an associate of Mr. Dunn, recounts that Sands was "stoned" and had difficulty staying on the road. Upon arrival at the desert location, Sands began hallucinating and passed out. The filming was an ad-lib segment due to Sands' condition. The article notes that over 20 witnesses can attest to this. Marvin also mentions that Sands developed a "heat rash" and back pain, and decided to go on sick call without mentioning the UFO incident.

UFO Research In Russia

By James D. White, this article continues a series on Soviet UFO research. Many sighting cases come from the northern arctic rim, often involving crescent-shaped glowing objects. One detailed case from April 27, 1961, involved an object that came in low at great speed over Lake Onega, 200 miles northeast of Leningrad. It hit the bank, ploughed a furrow through frozen ground, and continued. The impact blasted ice, revealing a strange green underside. Analysis of ice samples and metal grains found on the lake bed revealed tiny quantities of magnesium, aluminum, barium, silicone, titanium, and lithium. Scientists concluded the object was not a meteorite and exhibited none of the characteristics of a natural phenomenon. Zigel suggests the possibility of extra-terrestrial probes in orbit and emphasizes the need for cooperation between Soviet and international scientists. He cites the Soyuz-Apollo mission as a precedent. Other Soviet viewpoints include Dr. Vyacheslav Zaitsev, who believes more UFO occurrences have happened in Russia than officially admitted, and Prof. Sergai Bozhich, who theorizes UFO activity began in 1942. Yuri Fomin, an engineer, became interested in UFOs after translating Aime Michel's book and realized some UFOs acted like automatic devices. The article concludes by stating that sightings continue and the subject of UFOs remains valid. Zigel poses three cardinal problems for scientists: (1) the objectives of UFO observations of our civilization, (2) whether UFOs affect the course of events on earth, and (3) how to establish contact.

The Moody Case

This case report by L. J. Lorenzen details a letter from a Sergeant in the United States Air Force stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The Sergeant, who wishes to remain anonymous due to his high security clearance, reported an experience on August 12, 1975, around 1:20 a.m. after observing meteors. He described a dull metallic object that dropped from the sky and hovered with a wobbling motion about 100 feet away and 10 to 15 feet off the ground. The object stopped, and the Sergeant felt fear. He then jumped into his car, but it would not start, and the dome light and courtesy lights did not work. The object, estimated to be about 50 feet across and 18 to 20 feet thick, was dead still about 70-80 feet away. At a window-like opening, he saw shadows of what appeared to be humanoid forms. A high-pitched sound stopped, and he felt a feeling of numbness and peaceful calmness, like floating on a cloud. The object then lifted very fast and was gone without sound, leaving only a slight glow. After the object left, his car started perfectly. He checked his watch and found that the time was 0245 hours, indicating a loss of approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes. He planned to see a doctor in El Paso and requested confidentiality. He also reported physical symptoms, including back pain and a rash, in the following days.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The APRO Bulletin consistently reports on UFO sightings with a focus on detailed witness testimony and scientific analysis. The organization appears dedicated to the "eventual solution of the phenomenon of unidentified flying objects" through rigorous investigation and the collection of evidence. The editorial stance supports the validity of UFO studies, advocating for international cooperation and the continued pursuit of understanding this phenomenon, despite its controversial nature. The publication aims to provide a platform for documented cases and scientific perspectives, encouraging members and the public to report their observations.