APRO Bulletin - 1977 07 00 - Vol 26 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN
Issue: VOL. 26, NO. 1
Date: July, 1977
Publisher: AERIAL PHENOMENA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION, INC.
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the APRO Bulletin focuses on UFO-related incidents and investigations, including corrections to a previous report, a detailed account of a Chilean abduction, analysis of UFO sightings in Arizona, and a re-examination of the Mantell case.

Colusa Report Corrections

The bulletin begins by acknowledging and correcting printing errors in the February, March, and April 1977 issues concerning the Colusa, California, close encounter. These corrections include details about the number of upper-surface hatches, specific wording adjustments, and clarification of the UFO's beams seeming to lengthen and shorten with ground proximity. Other corrections involve the spelling of 'hangar,' the deletion of exclamation marks, and the precise wording of witness statements regarding the UFO chase sequence and the location of residences.

The Chilean Abduction

This section details a mysterious UFO encounter experienced by Corporal Armando Valdes and his six-man patrol near Putre, Chile, on April 25, 1977. The patrol witnessed two bright violet lights land, one of which approached their position. Valdes disappeared for approximately 15 minutes, reappearing visibly shaken, with a beard growth equivalent to several days and his watch showing a date five days advanced. He reported no memory of the time he was missing. The patrol also noted the UFO's silent motion and its large diameter. The incident is presented as exceptional due to the accelerated clock time and beard growth.

Domed Cone UFOs by Wendelle C. Stevens

This article explores cases of 'ice-cream-cone'-shaped UFOs, referencing 31 such reports in the last decade and more from APRO files. It focuses on a sighting in Mesa, Arizona, on November 11, 1972, where a pear-shaped object, lacking 'tentacle-like' appendages, was observed for about an hour by thousands of witnesses, including a television crew. Four color photographs were taken, and later, a black and white photograph from a different perspective of the same object was received. The article also discusses a similar object photographed in Cocoyoc, Mexico, in 1973. The author notes the apparent public apathy towards such sightings, partly attributed to a concurrent hot air balloon contest.

The Mesa sighting involved young witnesses who alerted Mr. Lee Elders, who then photographed the object. The object was described as a small, bright shiny dot, later detailed as a small child's toy top or a short, fat ice-cream cone with the large end up. It was observed moving slowly and steadily. Other witnesses, including reporters at a football game, also observed the object, describing it as a strange balloon-like craft that moved slowly and then disappeared abruptly. The article contrasts these observations with the characteristics of hot air balloons, noting the lack of suspension lines, baskets, and the steady, non-bobbling movement of the UFO.

Further investigation into a silver balloon launched by Marvin Cooley on November 4, 1977, is discussed, with witnesses confirming the balloon's launch and its flight path. However, the article questions whether this was a case of UFO mimicry, as no balloons were reported flying on November 11, the date of the Mesa sighting, and the object's behavior and disappearance remain unexplained. The remarkable similarity between four craft photographs is highlighted, suggesting a potential link to the Cocoyoc landing witnesses.

Mantell Case Analysis

This section revisits the Mantell case, presenting testimony from a witness who observed an object on the night of the Mantell accident. The witness describes an object that started from a stationary position, made a circle of the entire base (estimated at over 6 miles in diameter), accelerated to over a thousand miles per hour, stopped instantly, and then descended vertically to the ground for 10-15 seconds before rising back into the overcast. The witness states the object was a perfectly round sphere, not a disc, and had a smooth surface that appeared heated to a red-orange color. No exhaust, markings, or landing gear were visible.

The witness was interviewed multiple times by Project Blue Book investigators at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. They were asked about the object's characteristics, its motion, and the circumstances of the sighting. The witness was unable to provide definitive answers about the object's size or temperature but estimated it was larger than a one-car garage and smaller than a two-car garage. No physical trace evidence was found at the landing site. The witness also recounted hearing transmissions related to Mantell's death, including the last words: "I'm closing in on the object. It's gigantic and it's metallic."

The witness discusses the difficulty in identifying the object, ruling out the moon, Venus, or balloons due to their behavior. The witness also describes the object's motion as a slow, drifting movement without a discernible pattern before it made its circle and descended. The witness was ordered to the site and provided a written report, but the investigation was classified.

Letters

Richard M. Rendler's letter suggests a cautious approach to UFO studies, advocating for critical and open-minded appraisal of sightings. He argues that UFOs are beyond current scientific explanation and proposes accepting encounters at face value, studying their impact on mankind, and treating phenomena as unique until more definitive revelations are made.

Research

James P. Barrett is seeking contact with individuals researching UFOs during the early period from 1850 to 1950, particularly for chronological listings.

Note

This section mentions that a response from Williams H. Spaulding of Ground Saucer Watch (GSW) regarding criticisms of their computer-aided photo analysis will be published in the next issue due to its length.

"Hidden" UFO Experiences and the Pendulum Technique

This article explores the possibility of 'hidden' UFO abduction memories that can be recovered through hypnosis or other methods. It introduces the 'pendulum technique' as an effective way to access unconscious memories without hypnosis. The technique involves using a suspended weight to obtain yes/no answers to questions, which can help identify subjects who may have experienced UFO-related events. The article outlines a series of questions designed to probe for such memories, focusing on significant past experiences, encounters with strange people or beings, and potential UFO experiences. It encourages APRO Field Investigators to refer cases to headquarters or specific researchers for further investigation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The APRO Bulletin consistently focuses on detailed case studies, witness testimonies, and investigative reports related to UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry and documentation, aiming to collect and analyze evidence, correct inaccuracies in reporting, and explore various hypotheses, including potential abduction experiences and the limitations of current scientific understanding. The publication encourages members to contribute to research and share information, while also cautioning against premature conclusions and advocating for a methodical approach to the study of UFOs.