Australian Flying Saucer Review - 1965 12 - no 4 VFSRS

Magazine Overview

Title: AUSTRALIAN flying saucer REVIEW
Issue: No. 4
Volume: Victorian Edition
Date: December 1965
Publisher: Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society
Country: Australia
Price: 3/6 (35) Aust.

This issue of the Australian Flying Saucer Review, a non-profit educational publication from the Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society, focuses on UFO phenomena, their associated effects, and methods of analysis. The society's aim is to collect and disseminate information on Flying Saucers and Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs).

Office Bearers and Society Information

The issue lists the office bearers of the V.F.S.R.S., including President Peter E. Norris, Vice-President & Program Officer Judith M. Magee, Secretary Sylvia Sutton, Treasurer Dorothy Farmer, Librarian Wendy Sutton, Sighting Investigations Officer Geoff. Rumpf, Public Relations Officer Paul Norman, and Technical Advisor Harry Aitchison. Subscription rates for full membership and for pensioners & juniors are provided, along with the price for a single copy. Communications are to be addressed to the V.F.S.R.S. at P.O. Box 43, Moorabbin, Victoria. The review welcomes articles, letters, and news clippings, and notes that published material does not necessarily reflect the society's policy.

Committee Profile: Vice President Judith Magee

A profile of Vice President Mrs. Judith Magee highlights her long-standing membership in the V.F.S.R.S. since 1958 and as a committee member since 1959. Her background includes secretarial training, work in a Melbourne radio station and bank, and service in the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service. She also worked as an air hostess, was a finalist in a flying scholarship, and has experience as a diathermy operator, mannequin, and saleswoman. Mrs. Magee advocates for a 'middle-of-the-road' approach to flying saucer research, emphasizing factual presentation to the public.

Editorial: The UFO and the Mars Probe

The editorial discusses the events of July 14th, 1965, coinciding with the Mariner 4 probe's approach to Mars. It notes unusual difficulties experienced by tracking stations in Australia and California, occurring simultaneously with reports of a mystery disc hovering near the Tidbinbilla Deep Space Tracking Station. Irregularities in messages received at Goldstone, California, and a question from the Associated Press about 'coincidence' are highlighted. The editorial suggests that UFO secrecy was being challenged by verified reports from credible sources such as scientists and pilots, leading to a mild arousal of interest among orthodox astronomers and scientists.

It further examines the initial photos from Mars, particularly the 'haze' and an oval 'crater' with a 'W' shape. The fading of the radio signal as Mariner 4 passed behind Mars suggested a thin atmosphere, contradicting the earlier explanation of a thick fog. The editorial questions how a fog could exist in such a limited atmosphere, especially when space probes had indicated no oxygen on Earth. The article notes that many commentators were rejecting official explanations for UFO sightings, leading to confusion among UFO policy makers about whether to end secrecy or implement more drastic cover-up actions. Examples of ridiculous explanations for UFO sightings, such as diamond formations tracked at high speeds being explained as stars, are cited. Personnel at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory were reportedly ordered not to release more photos, and those who had previously accused ufologists of hoaxing were now acting secretively.

The editorial also touches upon the purpose of the Mars probe, which was to determine if Phobos was natural or artificial. It mentions the U.S.A.F.'s concern about unsolved sightings and the possibility of an underground civilization on Mars. The discovery of a metallic surface spot on Mars was quickly explained away as iron ore, and public statements declared 'no life possible on Mars.' However, behind closed doors, experts were pondering the possibility of a Martian atmosphere locked in underground cities, leading to preparations for future probes with greater emphasis on sterilization. The enigma of Mars is presented as intriguing, with UFO research continuing based on appearances on Earth rather than Martian atmospheric conditions.

The Electro-Magnetic Effect of the UFO by Paul Norman

This article details the significant association between UFO sightings and electromagnetic phenomena observed during October and November 1957. It reports at least 35 cases of interference with television and radio sets, motor cars stalling, headlights dimming, and power failures in several countries. A specific incident near Wonthaggi, Victoria, on September 19, 1963, is described, where a mystery object caused TV malfunctions for about 60 witnesses over 25 minutes.

The author cites numerous examples from around the world: TV picture distortions in Tokyo (1954), Toronto (1957), and Ringwood, Illinois (1957); radio beeping and TV blackouts in Hammond, Indiana (1957); car ignition failures and wet ignition systems cited as explanations for stalled cars (1957); car radios stopping and street lights going out in Baltimore, Maryland (1957); airliner cabin lights going out and engines sputtering near Joinville, Brazil (1957); and electrical system failures in Itapu Fort, Brazil (1957). Power failures were reported in Tamoroa, Illinois (1957), and city lights failed in Mogi Marim, Brazil (1957). Cases of house lights pulsating in sync with UFOs, electric shock, minor burns, and headaches caused by UFO proximity are also mentioned.

The article posits that these electromagnetic effects, along with the silence and speed of UFOs, suggest a propulsion system far superior to Earth's technology. It proposes that the unknown propulsion element requires periodic recharging, possibly by utilizing Earth's magnetic field or interacting with other UFOs. The principle of electricity generation, where a conductor cutting magnetic lines of force produces a charge, is presented as a potential basis for understanding UFO propulsion. The article also references an incident on May 3, 1954, involving officials from the U.S. State Department, CIA, NSA, NASA, Army, and Navy, investigated by the American Embassy in Canberra, concerning a UFO recharging operation between two spacecraft.

Earthquakes and U.F.O.'s by Roy Russell

This section explores a potential correlation between UFO activity and seismic events, noting that UFO sightings increased significantly around the time of the International Geophysical Year (1957-58) and the launch of major space programs. The author suggests that UFOs show a scientific interest in Earth's geophysical conditions and habitability, often appearing near rocket proving grounds, space research centers, and aerodromes, as well as earthquake zones.

Robert J. Gribble's research is cited, listing 21 instances in 1960 where UFOs were sighted over active earthquake zones, with sightings preceding quakes in 7 cases and following them in 14 cases. The article questions why UFOs would be interested in mundane earthquakes, but then introduces the theory of Earth's crust shifting due to the centrifugal effect of the Antarctic ice-cap, causing increased frequency and intensity of earthquakes. The sun's polarity reversal in 1957/58 is also suggested as a factor that might be upsetting Earth's weather, air and sea currents, and earthquake patterns.

Statistical data on major earthquakes (force 6 or higher on the Richter Scale) from 1945 to 1965 is presented, showing a dramatic increase from an average of 10 per year before the UFO flap to 62 in the first six months of 1965. The author dismisses the idea that improved I.G.Y. equipment alone explains these figures, as major earthquakes are detectable even with older equipment.

The Analysis of U.F.O. Activity: A Scientific Approach by Jacques Vallee

Jacques Vallee, a scientist with degrees in mathematics and astronomy, introduces a systematic approach to analyzing UFO reports. He emphasizes that science deals with reproducible and objectively analyzable phenomena, which 'flying saucers' generally are not, appearing more often to laypeople than scientists and leaving few traces. However, the phenomenon of UFO reports themselves is observable and analyzable, regardless of their cause (hallucinations, misinterpretations, or genuine unknown craft).

Vallee discusses the challenge of processing the vast number of UFO reports, noting that while most (50-85%) can be explained by conventional phenomena, the remaining cases warrant special study. He critiques the NICAP publication 'UFO EVIDENCE' for generating confusion rather than clarification due to a lack of indexing systems. He mentions the U.S. Air Force's use of codification systems and his own earlier classification/codification method published in the British Flying Saucer Review in 1963, which has been used in computer applications since 1961.

Vallee explains that his current system classifies sightings based on behavior, as this is less affected by witness inexperience or media distortion. He introduces a classification system with types (I-VI) and categories (A-E), and a 'weight' column indicating the reliability and significance of a report. Sightings marked with a star (*) are considered most interesting due to numerous or qualified witnesses and good observing conditions. Plus signs (+) indicate significant observations where sincerity is not doubted. Minus signs (-) denote reports to be disregarded, and equal signs (=) represent cases that could be interpreted conventionally, but with difficulty.

He defines UFO 'activity' not just by the number of reports but by the quality and nature of the sightings, introducing 'INDEXES OF UFO ACTIVITY' to help distinguish 'signal' from 'noise.' The use of powerful data-processing methods signifies a changing attitude among professional scientists toward UFO research, offering hope for obtaining the truth about the phenomenon.

UFO Sightings and Reports

The issue includes several detailed sighting reports:

• Censorship Again: An Ansett A.N.A. DC6 was paced by a spherical UFO near Port Moresby in May 1965. The pilot's film was confiscated by Australian UFO censors upon landing in Canberra, and the pilot was ordered to silence. A similar case involving Mr. T.C. Drury's film of a UFO over Port Moresby in 1953 is mentioned, where part of the film was missing upon return, and the RAAF later disclaimed knowledge of the incident.
• New 'Unidentified Flying Objects' Outbreak Spreads to Space Center: Reports of strange orange and yellow lights, including objects in diamond formation, were sighted by police near the Cape Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Similar sightings were reported in the midwest and southwest.
• RAAF probes 46 'saucers': The Royal Australian Air Force investigated 46 reports of UFO sightings in the year, double the number from previous years. This increase is partly attributed to reports from Tasmania and Papua-New Guinea.
• Sighting Reports (Victoria): Mr. A.F. Robertson and two farmhands witnessed a circular object that became saucer-shaped and reflected sunlight near Gruyere, Victoria. Mrs. Pearman of Warburton reported seeing a brightly illuminated, pulsating, saucer-shaped object hovering stationary.
• Sighting Reports (England): Geoffrey Maskey recounts an incident in Felixstowe, Suffolk, where a glowing orange object with a high-pitched humming noise was observed, causing a man to collapse.
• Overseas Reports (England): A correspondent reported seeing a cigar-shaped object with dark bands near South Gippsland Road, Australia.
• Stop Press: Reports include a cigar-shaped object seen near South Gippsland Road, a white oval with orange flashing lights seen in Ballarat, a torch-like light appearing near Mt. Gravatt, and a ball of light hovering over houses in Dooroolly.
• Table 1: A comprehensive list of UFO sightings from 1964 and 1965, detailing date, time, area, type of object, number of objects, country, and source code.

UFO Classification System

Table II presents a 'Scientific Classification of UFO Reports,' categorizing sightings into seven types:

• Type I: Reports of unidentified objects in the immediate vicinity of the Earth's surface ('landings').
• Type II: Reports of cloud cigars, vertical cigars, and generation of secondary objects.
• Type III: Reports of flying objects hovering or maneuvering.
• Type IV: Reports of objects flying on uninterrupted course.
• Type V: Star-like objects and other luminous aerial phenomena.
• Type VI: Unexplained phenomena not involving a flying object ('Fortean item').

Each type is further broken down into categories (A, B, C, D, E) describing specific characteristics. A note clarifies that Adamski-type claims are excluded, and 'contact' with occupants means a gesture exchange.

Index of UFO Activity (Table 3)

Table 3 provides an 'Index of UFO Activity,' which appears to be a numerical representation derived from the classification system. It shows varying activity levels across different types and categories. The accompanying text notes that when this system is used, most Type 5 and all Type 6 sightings vanish from the analysis, and poor reports have little or no contribution to the evaluated activity.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the pervasive nature of UFO sightings globally, the electromagnetic effects associated with these phenomena, and the persistent issue of government secrecy and cover-ups. The publication strongly advocates for a scientific and analytical approach to UFO research, as exemplified by Jacques Vallee's classification system and the society's own data processing efforts. There is a clear editorial stance favoring rigorous investigation and factual reporting, moving beyond anecdotal evidence to systematic analysis. The potential connection between UFOs and geophysical events like earthquakes also emerges as a significant area of interest. The society positions itself as a central hub for collecting and disseminating this information, encouraging contributions from the public and researchers alike.

Title: Flying Saucer Review
Issue: March 1974 (Volume XX)
Publisher: Flying Saucer Review Publications
Country: United Kingdom
Editor: Charles Bowen
Price: 25p
ISSN: 0015-4757

This issue of Flying Saucer Review, dated March 1974, is dominated by the cover headline "THE MARS CONSPIRACY." The cover features a minimalist design with abstract black lines and celestial imagery, possibly alluding to the theme of Mars or astronomical phenomena. The magazine is dedicated to exploring UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial theories, and potential cover-ups.

Key Articles and Themes

The central theme of this issue revolves around a "Mars Conspiracy," suggesting that there may be hidden truths or suppressed information related to the planet Mars and potential extraterrestrial involvement. While specific article titles beyond the cover headline are not detailed in the provided scan, the overall focus indicates an exploration of astronomical mysteries, alien theories, and the possibility of a deliberate concealment of facts by authorities.

The magazine's content likely delves into speculative theories, eyewitness accounts, and analytical discussions concerning UFO sightings and their potential connection to celestial bodies like Mars. The inclusion of themes such as 'Conspiracy' and 'UFOs' points towards an investigative approach, aiming to uncover or present evidence that supports these controversial ideas.

Editorial Stance

As a publication focused on flying saucers and related phenomena, Flying Saucer Review, under the editorship of Charles Bowen, typically adopts a stance that is open to investigating and presenting evidence for the existence of UFOs and extraterrestrial intelligence. The "Mars Conspiracy" theme suggests a continued exploration of unconventional theories and a critical examination of official narratives. The magazine aims to provide a platform for discussions and research into unexplained aerial phenomena and their implications.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue reinforces the magazine's commitment to exploring the unexplained, with a particular focus on potential extraterrestrial connections to Mars. The editorial stance is one of inquiry and the presentation of alternative perspectives on scientific and governmental information. The magazine serves as a conduit for enthusiasts and researchers interested in the deeper mysteries of space and potential alien contact.