Australian Flying Saucer Review - 1966 12 - no 6 VFSRS

Magazine Overview

Title: AUSTRALIAN FLYING SAUCER REVIEW
Issue: No. 6, Victorian Edition
Date: December 1966
Publisher: Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society
Price: 40¢

Editorial Stance and Key Articles

The December 1966 issue of the Australian Flying Saucer Review, published by the Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society, reflects a growing global interest in UFO phenomena and a critical stance towards official explanations and secrecy. The editorial, penned by G. Rumpf, welcomes the US Air Force's statement urging "put up or shut up" regarding UFOs and the subsequent $300,000 grant to the University of Colorado for research. It criticizes the USAF for neglecting its own twenty-year investment in UFO investigations and calls for the Australian government to similarly fund research through CSIRO or a university.

Youth Will Show the Way

An extensive article by Brinsley Le Poer Trench, author of "The Flying Saucer Story," highlights the "International Sky Scouts" movement, which boasts over 10,000 members in eighteen countries. Trench details his trip to Japan, where he was invited by Yusuke J. Matsumura, Head Counsellor of the Cosmic Brotherhood Association (CBA), to inaugurate the Sun Pyramid. This ceremony, held on June 24th (International Flying Saucer Sighting Day), was attended by nineteen Ambassadors, underscoring the growing diplomatic interest in the subject. The article emphasizes the belief that young people will be instrumental in achieving general recognition of flying saucers.

A significant message from Ferdinand E. Marcos, President of the Philippines, is included, expressing excitement about the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors and encouraging open examination of the subject. Another message of good wishes was received from President Nasser of the United Arab Republic.

Trench recounts his experiences in Japan, including visits to local ancient sites and a smooth train journey. He describes the Sun Pyramid ceremony at Haiopira, built as a memorial to Okikurumi-kamui, a legendary figure from the Ainu people who supposedly landed from the skies in a 'shinta' (golden cradle).

Second CAPIO Conference

The issue reports on the second CAPIO (Commonwealth Aerial Phenomena Investigation Organisation) Convention held in Adelaide, South Australia, on October 8th and 9th. Key discussions included the US Air Force's grant for UFO research, leading to a proposal for the Australian Minister for Air to establish a similar scheme involving CSIRO or a university. Other matters discussed were the establishment of Sky Scouts branches in Australian states, the potential for an international UFO Society, and the publication of a CAPIO magazine. Mr. Brian Whitehead was appointed CAPIO Sightings Evaluator to standardize sighting investigations. The convention concluded with the election of CAPIO officers for 1966/67, with Mr. Peter Norris elected President.

The Problem of the Unidentified Flying Objects

This section features a condensation of a talk by James E. McDonald, Senior Physicist at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, University of Arizona. McDonald argues that past official UFO investigations, particularly Project Bluebook, have been "completely superficial" and influenced by a CIA directive from 1953 to systematically "debunk" UFO reports, viewing them as a national security problem. He categorizes potential explanations for UFOs and concludes that the extraterrestrial hypothesis is the least unsatisfactory explanation for credible, unexplained sightings. He highlights the strictures imposed by Air Force Regulation 200-2 and JANAP-146, which made public release of UFO information a crime.

Report on UFO Photographed at Balwyn

A detailed report describes a UFO sighting and photograph taken at Balwyn, Australia, on April 2nd, 1966. The report includes data on the camera, the object's apparent size and elevation, and calculations of its height and diameter. The object was described as dark grey to black, oval-shaped, and stationary, with six smaller objects appearing nearby. The analysis suggests a possible height of the UFO ranging from 109 to 545 feet, with diameters from 3.2 to 16.0 feet.

Flying Saucers and Hydromagnetic Fields

An article by Hans Lauritzen explores the connection between flying saucers and hydromagnetic fields. It discusses how particles of matter possess magnetism and how advanced flying saucers might utilize magnetohydrodynamic plasma motors. The article touches upon the interaction between geomagnetic fields and solar radiations, creating "quasimagnetism." It notes that the Earth's magnetic field has been decreasing, potentially leading to an increase in observations of these phenomena. Lauritzen criticizes the secrecy surrounding this information, deeming it unworthy of an intelligent civilization. He mentions several US Air Force services involved in research related to quasimagnetism, including those at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and Holloman Air Force Base.

Report by R.S. Whyte & S. Cain

This report details a sighting on January 27th, 1959, near Green Head anchorage, Western Australia. A large oval-shaped object, dark grey to black, was observed, followed by six smaller objects. Subsequent sightings of similar objects occurred over approximately 30 minutes. The observers reported a feeling of fright and noted the absence of noise, light, or smoke.

Book Review

The issue includes a positive review of Jacques Vallee's book "Anatomy of a Phenomenon," praising its scientific and factual accuracy and its contribution to establishing ufology as a legitimate field of scientific investigation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the idea that UFO phenomena are real and warrant serious scientific investigation. There is a strong undercurrent of criticism towards government secrecy and official attempts to debunk sightings. The publication champions the role of civilian research groups and the younger generation (Sky Scouts) in advancing the understanding of UFOs. The international scope of the UFO movement is emphasized, with particular attention given to developments in Japan and Australia. The issue advocates for transparency and a proactive approach to understanding what it refers to as the "Sky People."

This document, titled 'STOP PRESS', appears to be a short article or excerpt from a publication focused on UFO phenomena. It discusses the historical stance of the U.S. Air Force and orthodox science in discrediting UFO sightings and highlights the efforts of Dr. Hynek, the Chief UFO Scientific Consultant, to promote a more realistic approach.

Air Force's Historical Stance and Dr. Hynek's Influence

The article begins by criticizing the Air Forces of the world for using orthodox science to 'ridicule ufologists and disprove flying saucers.' It then introduces a significant development: the Chief UFO Scientific Consultant for the U.S. Air Force has revealed the existence of sightings that are not easily explained. The text references disclosures made by Dr. Hynek in The Saturday Evening Post and Science Magazines, detailing his efforts since 1952 to encourage the Air Force to adopt a more realistic perspective on unidentified flying objects. Dr. Hynek is quoted as stating, '20th century science appears to forget there will be a 21st century science.' The article suggests that this shift has led an increasing number of scientists and astronomers to question established orthodoxies.

Front Cover Photo Incident

The document then describes a 'FRONT COVER PHOTO' which features a UFO pacing a Martin B-57 aircraft near Edwards Air Force Base, California. It notes that most photos of UFOs interacting with aircraft are confiscated and never made public. This particular photograph caused panic at the Martin Company, the manufacturer of the aircraft, when it came into the possession of ufologists. The company, which manufactures aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, issued contradictory statements to obscure the incident, likely to avoid financial repercussions related to potential Air Force orders. The article asserts that the photo has been analyzed and confirmed as genuine by Ralph Rankow, who is identified as the Photographic Adviser to NICAP.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance appears to be critical of official obfuscation regarding UFO phenomena and supportive of ufologists and those seeking a more open and scientific investigation. The themes revolve around government secrecy, the limitations of conventional scientific explanations for anomalous aerial phenomena, and the validation of photographic evidence of UFOs. The article champions the idea that UFO sightings are real and warrant serious investigation, contrasting this with the historical dismissiveness of military and scientific establishments.