Australian Saucer Record - Vol 01 No 04 - 1955

Magazine Overview

Title: AUSTRALIAN SAUCER RECORD
Issue: Vol. 1. No. 4.
Date: Last Quarter, 1955
Publisher: The Australian Flying Saucer Research Society
Country: Australia
Price: 2/-

This issue of the Australian Saucer Record, the official organ of the Australian Flying Saucer Research Society (AFSRS), delves into several key aspects of UFO research and society operations in late 1955. It addresses the fundamental question of UFO materiality, reports on the establishment of a new branch, and discusses interactions with governmental bodies. A significant feature is a detailed account of a hypnotic case study involving a young girl named Janet X.

Materiality of UFOs: A Central Debate

The editorial section, titled "METERIAL FOR RESEARCH," highlights a crucial point of contention in flying saucer research: whether UFOs are material or non-material. It contrasts the views of George Adamski, who emphatically states that the saucers and their occupants are solid, material craft with human-like beings from other planets, and Daniel Fry, whose "White Sands Incident" story supports this material interpretation. Conversely, Angelucci's experience is described as psychic or spiritual, with beings who manifest in human form. The Borderland Sciences Research Association also suggests that saucer occupants come from another 'plane of vibration.' The article notes that while psychic sources often describe alien worlds as material, they are less concerned with physical limitations. The confusion is compounded by apparent materialization and dematerialization phenomena, though some instances are attributed to the craft's extreme acceleration, making them appear to vanish.

AFSRS Operations and Developments

The issue details significant organizational activities. A new branch of the AFSRS was formed in New South Wales, taking over the work of the defunct Australian Flying Saucer Bureau. This expansion was spearheaded by President F.P. Stone and Mr. K. Cartwright, who visited Sydney to organize the new branch. Andrew Tomas was elected as the Hon. President of the NSW Branch. The society also reported on a meeting with a representative of the RAAF Security Department in Melbourne. This discussion aimed to clear up past negative experiences and establish confidence in saucer societies, leading to a promise of closer liaison and a united effort across Australia.

Case Study: Janet X

A prominent section is dedicated to "STORIES FROM THE SOCIETY'S CASE BOOK: JANET X." This case, investigated by an Adelaide hypnotist and the AFSRS, involves a ten-year-old schoolgirl named Janet X. Under hypnosis, Janet described a journey in a flying saucer, detailing its occupants (three men with black hair in colored overalls), their actions (operating machinery, going into gravity), and the planet they approached, described as a red and silver ball with a mountain containing a city. Her narrative closely aligned with George Adamski's descriptions. The experiment, which lasted two hours, included questions about the saucer's operation, the planet's environment (lack of air, snow, a banana-shaped moon), and the occupants' appearance and activities. Janet also saw a television device showing Earth and was shown photographs of George Adamski and Desmond Leslie, identifying them as 'important men' and helpers in saucer research, respectively. The report emphasizes that Janet had no prior knowledge of Adamski's book and spoke in her normal voice, with the facts being authenticated.

Other Content and Society Matters

October Meeting: The Hon. President reported on his visit to Sydney and developments arising from it at the Adelaide meeting.

"THIS ISLAND EARTH": Members attended a screening of the film "This Island Earth" in Adelaide, noting its extraterrestrial themes and Hollywood-style flying saucers.

George Adamski Talk: A planned tape-recorded talk by George Adamski was found to be heavily distorted. A transcribed version was read at the meeting, with explanations. Adamski's account of his contacts emphasized the material nature of the saucers and occupants, their advanced development, long lifespans (e.g., a thousand years on Venus), and their peaceful disposition.

Library Books: The society's library has expanded, but some Interstate Members have been slow in returning books, threatening the continuation of the Interstate Library Service. The society also offers copies of "F.S. and Commonsense," "The Case for the U.F.O.," and "F.S. on the Attack" for sale.

Membership: Membership fees were set to increase from January 1st, 1956. The new fees include a subscription to the "Record." Overseas and Interstate members will receive the "Record" by mail.

New Phone Number: The headquarters phone number changed to MB 1233.

Upcoming Features: The next issue will feature a review of George Adamski's book "Inside the Spaceships."

Press Cuttings: The society will only send press cuttings to overseas individuals and societies that reciprocate.

Letter from the National Director

F.P. Stone, the National Director, reflects on the society's first year, expressing gratitude for the loyalty and assistance of members and correspondents. He reiterates the society's established position and the progress made. He outlines what the society can reasonably prove: that UFOs exist, are extraterrestrial, and are controlled by intelligent beings with advanced craft. However, areas that cannot yet be fully proven include their origin, propulsion, the nature of the occupants, and their purpose on Earth. Looking ahead, Stone emphasizes the urgent need to assess the purpose of the UFO visits, linking them to global events and the potential for a "world catastrophe" due to humanity's focus on the material and neglect of the spiritual. He suggests that intervention from a higher power might be the only hope for redemption. He calls for members to collect evidence and form a panel to study findings, urging them to demand action from authorities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of UFOs (material vs. psychic), the experiences of contactees, the operational aspects of UFO research societies, and the broader implications of UFO phenomena for humanity's future. The editorial stance, particularly in the National Director's letter, suggests a belief in the spiritual significance of UFO sightings, linking them to a potential global crisis and the need for humanity to embrace spiritual development. There is a clear emphasis on evidence-based research, as seen in the detailed case study and the call for pooling knowledge, while also acknowledging the more speculative and philosophical dimensions of the subject. The society positions itself as a serious research organization seeking to understand these phenomena and their potential impact.

This issue of the AUSTRALIAN SAUCER RECORD (Issue 19) delves into various aspects of the flying saucer phenomenon, featuring book reviews, news of publications, reports of sightings, and commentary from researchers and the public. The magazine is published by the Australian Flying Saucer Research Society.

Book Reviews

"The Saucers Speak"

The issue critically reviews "The Saucers Speak" by G.H. Williamson and A.C. Bailey. The reviewer, a telecommunications technician, expresses skepticism about the authors' claims of radio contact with extraterrestrial beings. The reviewer questions the technical basis of their arguments, particularly their refutation of spirit contact and their interpretation of signals received not through an aerial. The reviewer suggests that the messages might be due to local interference or paranormal reception rather than genuine extraterrestrial communication.

"The White Sands Incident"

Daniel Fry's "The White Sands Incident" is presented as the first published account of a flying saucer encounter by a scientifically-minded individual. The book offers an engineer's perspective on a saucer and its propulsion. The reviewer notes that while Fry did not directly meet the being controlling the craft, the being conveyed an impression of being human and physical. An unusual detail mentioned is that the being's ancestors came from the lost continent of Lemuria on Earth.

"I Rode a Flying Saucer"

This book by G. Van Tassel is described as having a title that is not fully substantiated by its content. The reviewer suggests that the book's messages, which include phrases like "I am Elcar, 6th. projection, 42nd. wave, 4th. sector patrol, realms of Schare...", appear to be normal spirit communications, with Van Tassel acting as a medium. The reviewer notes that prophetic messages are common in spirit communications and that the beings claim their craft and themselves are composed of "light" substance.

"The Secret of the Saucers"

Orfeo Angelucci's "The Secret of the Saucers" is discussed, with the reviewer noting that the book provides many details not previously mentioned and offers a better perspective. A recurring pattern in such stories is identified: the selection of seemingly unsuitable individuals, a process of conditioning, an initial contact, translation into the visitors' environment, a glimpse of otherworldly life, and a reminder of Earth's history and the warning of potential self-destruction. The reviewer concludes that while the book cannot explain all saucer phenomena, its story is not unacceptable to the serious mind.

News of Saucer Books

The magazine provides a roundup of recently published and upcoming books on flying saucers, including:

• "Inside the Spaceships" by Messrs. Arco and Neville Spearman (UK edition expected April 1956).
• Donald Keyhoe's "The Flying Saucer Conspiracy" (US edition published December 1955).
• H.T. Wilkins' "Will the Spaceships Land?" (US edition June 1955).
• The English translation of the French edition "Leurs sur les Soucoupes Volantes", titled "Light on the Flying Saucers" (to be published by Robert Hale Ltd.).
• "Steps to the Stars" by Daniel Fry (published November 1955), containing a scientific message received during saucer contacts.
• "The Ether Ship Mystery" by Meade Layne, published by the Borderland Sciences Research Association.

Publications Received

A list of publications received by the Australian Saucer Record is provided:

• "Flying Saucers" (Official Journal, Civilian Saucer Investigation (N.Z.))
• "Orbit" (Civilian Research, Interplanetary Flying Objects)
• "The Saucerian" (Flying Saucer News)
• "Saucers" (Flying Saucers International)
• "Uranus" (Flying Saucers and Space Travel)
• "The Vinana" (Courier of the New Cosmic Cycle)

Letters to the Editor

S.H. Fullerton writes that it is easy for skeptics to deny UFOs, but recent research by eminent scientists and philosophers has evolved theories about the universe. The writer infers that life in many worlds is far advanced compared to Earth, leading to intelligences in higher realms. The writer suggests that UFOs may be mild manifestations of these powers and that groups and societies form to gather information for research.

Press Digest

This section compiles various news reports and editorial comments on flying saucers:

• A Sydney woman, Mrs. Helen Robertson, received a book from George Adamski, describing her experience with his messages from space people as a message of brotherly love and infinite wisdom.
• A "mystery object" was seen by dozens of people in Melbourne, described as conical and slow-moving, with some reports detailing its shape and speed.
• The "Daily Express" (London) reported that flying saucers were official, with plans to launch metal saucers that could travel at 18,000 miles per hour.
• The U.S. Air Force concluded an eight-year study of flying saucer sightings, finding no evidence of their existence and attributing most sightings to known phenomena, with only three percent remaining "unknown".
• A letter to the Editor of "Advertiser" discusses the U.S. Secretary of Air's statement and suggests that the Air Department was forced to make a public statement due to increasing sightings.
• Fred Stone, National Director of A.F.S.R.S., criticizes the frame-up on the public and suggests that admitting three percent of cases remain unexplainable is a cover for future events.
• The "Daily Telegraph" (Sydney) reported that Air Force security officials would question two airline pilots who sighted a mysterious flying object near Hamilton, New Zealand. The Acting Defence Minister and the Inspector-General of the R.N.Z.A.F. were involved, with the Inspector-General stating he could not identify the object but thought it was a planet. The pilot described the object as well-lighted, flying parallel, and disappearing at high speed, with fluctuating lights. Both pilots were convinced it was not a planet.
• The "Sunday Telegraph" (Sydney) reported on the U.S. Air Force's "Project Blue Book", a study of 4965 sightings, which concluded that most sightings could be explained in non-sensational ways, with "unknowns" diminishing to three percent.
• An editorial in "Advertiser" (Adelaide) discusses the phenomenon of people buying "real estate" on the Moon and the associated fantasy and legal battles.

The A.F.S.R.S. Library

The Society's Library is available to members, offering books for loan at a charge of 1/- per book for 14 days. Members are encouraged to loan suitable books to the library. A list of available titles includes "The Riddle of the Flying Saucers", "Flying Saucers Have Landed", "Flying Saucers From Outer Space", "Flying Saucer From Mars", "Space, Gravity, and the Flying Saucer", "Venus Speaks", "Flying Saucers on the Moon", "Mystery of the Flying Saucers", "Aboard a Flying Saucer", "Flying Saucers and Commonsense", "The Secret of the Saucers", "The Case for the U.F.O.", and "The White Sands Incident".

The Australian Flying Saucer Research Society

The A.F.S.R.S. is dedicated to investigating and encouraging research into flying saucers and interplanetary phenomena. Membership is open to all interested individuals. The Editor invites letters on the subject, which must be signed, and published letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Editor or the Society. The "Australian Saucer Record" is published by the Society, and its contents may be reproduced by similar non-profit organizations with acknowledgment.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of contactee accounts and their technical validity, the reporting of numerous UFO sightings with detailed descriptions, and the presentation of official investigations and their conclusions (often skeptical). The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various viewpoints from skeptical analyses to enthusiastic reports from believers, while also highlighting the efforts of research organizations like the A.F.S.R.S. to collect and disseminate information.