Australian Flying Saucer Review - 1961 02 - vol 1 no 4

Magazine Overview

Title: Australian FLYING SAUCER Review
Issue Date: February, 1961
Volume: N, No. 1
Publisher: Non-Profit Educational Publication

This issue of the Australian FLYING SAUCER Review delves into a range of topics concerning unidentified flying objects (UFOs), extraterrestrial life, and related phenomena, including telepathy. It features reports from various locations, discussions on scientific theories, and commentary on government attitudes towards the subject.

Editorial

The editorial looks forward to the year 1961, a year anticipated for humanity's penetration into outer space. It acknowledges the physical and mental impact this endeavor might have on astronauts. The editorial strongly suggests that visits by beings from other planets are evident, criticizing the Minister for Air for dismissing such possibilities. It highlights recent sightings in Tasmania by the Rev. Browning and in New Guinea by Father Gill, emphasizing that these were reported by credible witnesses and not adequately investigated by authorities. The editorial notes a global trend among governments to adopt a policy of 'hearing all, and saying nothing' regarding UFOs, possibly to avoid admitting that Earth's air forces are outmatched or to prevent public panic about intelligent life elsewhere in the solar system. It concludes with a call to focus on conquering space for peace rather than continuing to conquer each other.

Key Articles and Reports

"Mysterious Ships in Sky"

This section features a report on the sighting by Rev. Lionel Browning, an Anglican minister, and his wife in Cressy, Tasmania, on October 4, 1960. They observed a large, dull-grey, cigar-shaped object, estimated to be 300 feet long, moving at a slow speed. Five or six smaller, disc-shaped craft emerged from above and behind the larger object, moving at high speed. Rev. Browning described the mother ship as having four vertical bands and a device resembling radar or a propeller at the bow. The objects were silent and reversed course before disappearing into the clouds. The report notes the similarity between this sighting and descriptions by George Adamski. The incident prompted questions in the Australian Parliament regarding national defense and territorial sovereignty.

"Tasmanian UFO Stir in Canberra"

This article details how the report of Rev. L. Browning's sighting in Tasmania was brought to the attention of the Australian Federal Government. Melbourne Co-Editor Peter Norris questioned whether unfriendly nations were infringing Australian territorial sovereignty. Hon. L.C. Haylen suggested a parliamentary committee to investigate flying saucers, and Senator O'Byrne inquired about the Defence Department's involvement. The Minister for Air, F.M. Osborne, stated that only three to four percent of reported sightings were unexplained, attributing most to natural phenomena. However, the article questions how Rev. Browning's noiseless, 300-foot object fits this explanation, noting that the Air Minister's statement was general and that the case, like that of Rev. Gill in 1959, was evaded. Wing Commander G. Weller was assigned to interview Mr. Browning, and the R.A.A.F. listened attentively, though the evaluation was not to be shared with Mr. Browning. The Opposition Whip, Mr. Duthie, had his application for UFO files refused by the Minister for Air without stated reasons.

"Epsilon Eridani - Earth"

This piece presents the theories of Soviet scientist M. Agrest, a physico-mathematician, who suggests Earth has been visited by unusual guests from an inhabited planet of a distant star. Agrest posits these visits occurred thousands of years ago, with spacemen arriving in large, high-speed spaceships. He speculates that landings might have occurred in the Dead Sea area or the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, citing puzzling ancient structures like those at Baalbek as potential evidence. Agrest also points to tektites (mysterious glasslike stones) and ancient art, such as drawings on the Tassili plateau depicting figures in what resemble modern space suits, as possible traces of these visits. He further suggests that ancient scientific treatises might contain knowledge handed down by cosmic messengers. Agrest proposes two methods for ascertaining if spacemen visited Earth: establishing interstellar radio communication and searching for secret repositories of scientific knowledge left behind by cosmonauts. He emphasizes the importance of such a quest to prove the limitless possibilities of the human mind.

"SAUCERS IN RUSSIA"

This short note indicates that the feature on the following page is a partial translation from the Soviet newspaper 'Pravda,' which denounces flying saucer reports in Russia. The article aims to show that scientists in the Soviet Union are as divided in their opinions on the phenomenon as those in the West.

"THE FLYING SAUCER" MYTH (Translated extracts from PRAVDA, January 8, 1961)

This section presents a Soviet perspective, featuring an interview with Academician L.A. Artsimovich. Artsimovich dismisses 'flying saucers' as myths, attributing widespread discussions to irresponsible individuals spreading fantastic tales based on American press reports. He cites American astronomer Menzel's conclusion that 'flying saucers' are optical effects. The article also addresses vague rumors of cosmic saucers over Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and a photograph of a saucer taken in northern Russia, which was deemed an optical effect by the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences. Artsimovich concludes that these tales should be stopped.

"Pictures From Planets"

Dr. E.G. Bowen, chief of the C.S.I.R.O. Radio-physics Division, stated that Australia might be the first country to receive pictures of possible living matter on another planet. He mentioned that the U.S. planned to land 'probe' rockets on the moon, Mars, and Venus within two years, and the C.S.I.R.O.'s new radio-telescope at Parkes, N.S.W., would be crucial for receiving these signals. Dr. Bowen speculated that living matter might exist on Mars and that radio pictures could be transmitted back to Earth. He also noted that Britain's radio-telescope would not be operational in time for these landings.

"CRASH TO EARTH"

Four people in Brisbane reported seeing an object resembling a large rocket crash near Capalaba. Witnesses described a bright red object with a long red tail dropping swiftly towards the horizon. The Brisbane Weather Bureau stated it could not have been a fireball or a weather balloon.

"SECOND METEOR SCARE IN U.S."

For the second consecutive night, a streak of light across the Californian sky caused widespread alarm. Thousands reported seeing a 'giant ball of fire,' which weather officials identified as another meteor. Reports of sightings spanned a large area, from San Diego to Marin County, and were also seen by a weatherman in Las Vegas. The object was described as a fireball with a multi-colored tail.

"BALL OF FIRE" PUZZLES DUTCH

Dozens of people in Holland reported seeing an enormous red ball of fire over the Wadden Islands. An observation post at Terschelling Island sighted an 'unknown object' at an estimated height of 15 miles, which disappeared in a northerly direction. The Utrecht University observatory invited witnesses to contact them, stating the object was definitely not a meteor due to its prolonged visibility.

"CIGAR-SHAPED" OBJECT SEEN

An Army officer, Captain M. J. Masscy-Beresford, reported seeing a dazzling white object descend from the sky near Warminster, Wiltshire. The object, described as cigar-shaped and flaming, was also seen by other residents and was initially thought to be a meteorite or a satellite. Separately, in Australia, several people reported seeing cigar-shaped objects, some described as orange glows, moving slowly in the sky near Ostlands and Ross.

"SENTRY" IN SPACE

The U.S. Air Force announced plans for a space vehicle named 'Saint' to intercept and identify unknown orbiting objects. The project aims to determine the nature and intentions of these objects, which cannot be assessed from a distance.

"MYSTERY OBJECT IN OUTER SPACE"

A tracking camera photographed a mysterious red object circling the Earth, appearing one-tenth the size of the Echo 1 balloon satellite and traveling twice as fast. Sightings were reported across the United States, with experts suggesting it was neither an artificial satellite nor a meteor.

"Sky disc seen"

A glowing, mystery flying object, possibly a new Russian satellite, was reported over Texas and California. Trinity University's moonwatch team observed the object, described as disc-shaped, moving south-south-west. Other reports mentioned an 'enormous glowing thing' arching across the sky from horizon to horizon.

"MAN SAYS 'I SAW FLYING SAUCERS'"

A Brunswick man reported seeing two formations of 'flying saucers' over the Dandenongs, consisting of 12 and 15 copper-colored, cylindrical objects with short wings, which sped off to the east without noise.

"Strange lights"

Two individuals reported seeing 'strange sky lights.' Warrant Officer D. D. McEwen described a bright light hovering above his house, which he believed was not an aircraft or helicopter. Mrs. A. Henrikson saw a strange light traveling quickly from west to east.

"Mystery craft "in formation""

At least 20 observers in Plumas County, Northern California, reported seeing mysterious oval-shaped objects 'flying in formation and emitting a red glow.' Three sheriff's deputies described the objects as dipping, diving, and moving at unbelievable speeds without sound.

"CIGAR-SHAPED OBJECT SEEN"

Several people in Tasmania reported seeing a cigar-shaped object in the sky, described as slowly moving, hovering, and emitting an orange light.

"CRASH SEQUEL 'Object' spotted by radar"

A radar observer told the TAA Fokker crash inquiry that he plotted a stationary object off Mackay twice on the night the plane crashed. The object could not be identified. Witnesses also reported hearing an explosion around the time of the crash.

"Investigation of Sighting of 'Saucer'"

An Air Force expert was to be sent to Cressy, Tasmania, to investigate 'flying saucers' reported by Rev. Lionel Browning. Wing Commander G. Waller was assigned to interview Mr. Browning and others.

"MYSTERY 'RED BALL' AT ROBE"

Primary school children in Robe, South Australia, saw an object resembling a 'red cricket ball' fly overhead and into the sea, described as zig-zagging and leaving a trail of smoke.

"UFOs AND TELEPATHY"

This section explores the possibility of interstellar communication via radio waves and telepathy. It references theories by Prof. R.N. Bracewell about satellites broadcasting messages and Dr. Frank Drake's attempt to pick up signals. Professor Hermann Oberth suggests that outer-space beings might use 'para-psychological power' or telepathy. Dr. Nandor Fodor theorizes that humans should sharpen their extra-sensory perception to interpret outer-space signals. The article discusses Upton Sinclair's experiments in thought transference and mentions scientific studies on telepathy conducted by universities. It highlights a telepathic contact between a 'skyship' and Earth witnessed in Sydney in 1951.

"Mystery lights over city"

An exclusive picture shows mysterious lights over Sydney, photographed by Belfield Observatory. Mr. G. Patston, director, stated they were 'almost certainly man-made,' resembling balloon-borne magnesium flares. Observers noted the lights appeared as reddish-colored lights that turned brilliant white and then faded again.

"WHAT DOES OUR EARTH LOOK LIKE FROM OUT THERE IN SPACE?"

This section features an image from the American television weather satellite TIROS, showing Earth from space. It discusses scientists working on interplanetary stations to photograph Mars or Venus and relay images via TV, drawing parallels with Lunik III and TIROS. It poses the question of whether Mars might reveal signs of intelligent life, such as city lights and canals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings across Australia and internationally, the potential for extraterrestrial visitation, and the skepticism or secrecy exhibited by governments and some scientific circles. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of acknowledging and investigating UFO phenomena, criticizing official dismissals and advocating for open inquiry. The magazine also explores speculative scientific concepts like telepathy as a means of communication with potential alien intelligences, suggesting a belief in the possibility of advanced life beyond Earth. There is a consistent emphasis on witness credibility and the need for authorities to take reports seriously, contrasting with the official explanations often provided.

This issue of "Saucer" magazine, dated July 15, 1952, focuses on a wave of flying saucer sightings reported globally. The cover headline, "Saucer tells of 'flying saucers' WAVED at by 'illuminated men'," highlights a key story about an encounter in New Guinea. The magazine features reports from various locations, including New York, Fiji, Canada, Virginia, and Britain, detailing sightings of unidentified aerial phenomena.

Key Articles and Reports

New York and Global Sightings

The issue notes that flying saucers have reappeared in the news, possibly in the skies, following reports of an unidentified aircraft. This includes a report from Western Ontario, Canada, where a vapor trail and a speed exceeding 1,000 m.p.h. were observed.

Fiji Government Report

The Fiji Government reported sighting a mysterious, dazzling flying object. This sighting is mentioned in the context of a broader increase in UFO reports.

U.S. Pilot's Encounter

A significant report comes from a U.S. airline pilot who described an encounter with an "unidentified flying object" that glowed brightly and performed violent maneuvers, described as "sharper than any known aircraft." The pilot noted that the object's movements were "definitely inter-controlled, but humans could not physically endure the centrifugal force that would be imposed on them 'when making turns of such violence'." This encounter occurred in front of his own aircraft.

Virginia Sighting

Pilots from Airways reported seeing eight "flying saucers" near Norfolk, Virginia, on Monday. These objects were described as plate-like and dark gray, flying at altitudes between 6,000 and 10,000 feet before disappearing. One pilot, V. B. Nash, stated that the objects were "definitely inter-controlled."

New Guinea Encounter

A report from New Guinea describes flying saucers bathed in a blue light, carrying "illuminated men." This sighting was relayed by an Airways pilot.

British Radar Alert

In Britain, R.A.F. radar stations were alerted on Saturday to watch for unidentified reports, indicating a heightened state of vigilance regarding aerial phenomena.

Object Characteristics

Descriptions of the objects include shapes like plates, colors described as blue, and behaviors such as pulsating, disappearing, performing sharp turns, and hovering. Speeds were estimated at over 1,000 m.p.h., with altitudes ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 feet. One report mentions a vapor trail as physical trace evidence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence and variety of flying saucer sightings across different continents, the involvement of pilots and official bodies like the R.A.F., and the mysterious nature of the "illuminated men" reportedly seen within the craft. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these incidents with a degree of seriousness, presenting pilot testimonies and official alerts as credible evidence of unexplained aerial phenomena.