Australian UFO Bulletin - 1972 06 - June

Magazine Overview

Title: Australian U.F.O. Bulletin
Issue Date: June 1972
Publisher: Victorian U.F.O. Research Society
Country of Publication: Australia
Price: 20 cents

This issue of the Australian U.F.O. Bulletin opens with an editorial addressing internal society matters, particularly the challenges of organization and efficiency, referencing a concept termed 'Nurk's Law'. The editorial notes that while the society has an efficient committee, investigation team, library, and duplicating section, the voluntary nature of its staff presents the primary difficulty. A recent survey of members revealed a significant number of 'unfinancial members' which incurs costs in printing and postage. The society has streamlined its systems to improve mail delivery and fee tracking but intends to avoid becoming 'over-efficient and over-organised'. The editorial also appeals to members to report sightings, regardless of age, for statistical analysis.

Continuing 'Science In Default' by Professor James E. McDonald

The bulletin continues its publication of excerpts from Professor James E. McDonald's paper, "Science In Default," presented to the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1969. This issue focuses on Case 3, the Haneda AFB incident in Tokyo, Japan, occurring on August 5-6, 1952. This case is highlighted as a specific illustration of serious shortcomings in the Condon Report and the Air Force UFO program from 1947-69.

The introduction to Case 3 notes that it was still classified as an unidentified case by Project Bluebook and was chosen for analysis in the Condon Report. The Condon Report's explanations involve diffraction and mirage distortion of the star Capella for visual sightings and anomalous propagation for radar returns. Professor McDonald expresses significant difficulties with these explanations, viewing them as typical of the Condon Report's casual disposal of 'classic cases'.

The incident began with visual sightings by two control tower operators at Haneda AFB at 2330 LST of a brilliant white light to their northeast. This sighting was corroborated by controllers at Tachikawa AFB, who also observed a brilliant white light over Tokyo Bay. The report notes that the luminous source was of unusual brilliance, prompting independent alert actions from two separate groups of Air Force controllers.

The bulletin details the coded designations for witnesses and officers involved, as the original names were excised from the Bluebook case-file. Key personnel include Airman A and Airman B (tower operators), Lt. A and Lt. B (GCI controllers), and Lt. P and Lt. R (F94 pilot and radar officer).

The Shiroi GCI Station, manned by the 528th AC&W Group, was equipped with CPS-1 and CPS-4 radar. The incident involved a scramble of an F94 interceptor after GCI radar detected returns in the same general area. The F94 picked up an orbiting unknown target on its airborne radar, which then accelerated out of radar range after 90 seconds of pursuit, also tracked by Shiroi GCI radar.

The bulletin mentions that the Bluebook case-file contains 25 pages and discusses the 'bothersome variation in times given for specific events'. It notes that the over-all duration of the visual and radar sightings was about 50 minutes, with the main events occurring between 2330 and 0020. A crucial point is made that the case is not a true 'radar-visual' case, as there was no assured concurrent visual and radar observation of the same object, except possibly for the very first radar detection.

Visual observations are described, starting with Airmen A and B noticing an 'exceptionally bright light' in the northeastern sky at 2330. They alerted other controllers who had not previously noticed it due to their attention being elsewhere. Approximately ten minutes later, Tachikawa AFB controllers queried Haneda about a brilliant white light over Tokyo Bay, indicating a line-of-sight distinctly south of east from Tachikawa.

Due to the length of Case 3, the bulletin states it will be continued in a future issue.

New Publication: GEMINI

The bulletin announces a new publication called GEMINI, described as a 'twin' magazine that merges features from the former COS-MOS and SIRIUS journals. Subscriptions are available for £1 for four quarterly issues, or individual copies for 28p. The subscription address is 20A Dyke Road, Brighton, BN1 3JA, Sussex, England.

Excerpts from GEMINI - FLAP 71

Several brief items from the section 'FLAP 71' compiled by Mark Stenhoff for GEMINI are presented. These reports detail a 'major flap in UFO activity' occurring since August 1971, with investigators in Britain flooded with material.

• Banbury, Oxfordshire: This area was a peak zone for activity, with three investigators (Richard P. Colborne, Michael G. Prewett, and C. David Oakley-Hill) diligently working the area. Liaison is maintained with BUFORA.
• August 16, 1971 (Llwyngwril, Wales): A family of four reported a bright yellow-orange cigar-shaped light with a dark spot, moving slowly and disappearing after 20 minutes. A similar phenomenon reappeared 20 seconds later, moving faster, and then faded out. Witnesses estimated the object to be at least 30 miles away, suggesting a length of at least a mile, and found a cloud formation unlikely due to crisp edges and the persistent spot.
• August 18, 1971 (Cirencester, Gloucs): Judith Wills and Duncan Edwards saw an orange light hovering 100 yards away, soon joined by another. Strange noises accompanied the objects, frightening the couple.
• August 30, 1971 (Faversham, Kent): Ken Seaton and his wife Rosemary observed a cigar-shaped, very bright white object flying parallel to the M2 motorway. It turned, became egg-shaped, then cigar-shaped again before disappearing when the motorway dipped and a forest appeared. Later, the occupants of two cars saw the object again, stationary for a few seconds, then it shot off and disappeared in 2 seconds. The total sighting duration was about 25 minutes.
• September 8, 1971 (Clee Village, Shropshire): Two people saw a well-defined cone-shaped object with a flat top, metallic silver colored, hovering in a valley. It had portholes and a row of small round lights, and emitted a bright red light from the top. The object was visible until trees and descent obstructed the view. A silver disc had been seen at the same location three weeks prior.
• October 19, 1971 (Daventry, Northants): Brian Burchel observed an intense red light and a large, intensely-illuminated red disc flipping over and over coming towards the housing estate. He took photographs and called the police.

These reports are noted as GEMINI investigations by CDOH and BUFORA Ufolog.

Theoretical Discussions

The Theory of Ball (or Chain) Lightning

Professor Hermann Oberth's lecture notes discuss the theory of ball lightning as a potential explanation for UFOs. While ball lightning typically appears as shining balls 20-30 cm in diameter, ending with a clap or explosion, Professor Benedicks proposed that ball lightning could also occur in clear skies, be much larger (20-150 meters), and not necessarily explode or extinguish, becoming invisible by rising too high. The bulletin questions whether this theory adequately explains the frequency of UFO reports compared to the rarity of ball lightning and the increase in radar sightings since 1947.

Gravity

An alternative theory is presented, developed by Dr. Ing. Walter Lewetzow and further worked on by Horst Pinkell. This theory posits that matter is composed of unimaginably small particles moving at high speeds. Lewetzow's gravitational theory suggests that celestial bodies, like heavy clouds, can protect particles from hitting an object from one side, causing it to be pressed towards the celestial body. Pinkell's work on electromagnetic waves suggests they exist as quanta (bundles of energy) that stay together. He proposes that these quanta exhibit material properties and can be influenced by gravity. Pinkell's hypothesis suggests a transition between matter and radiating energy, where particles alternate between particle and wave states. The theory also explores the concept of 'screens' made of thin plates that can polarize gravitational influence, potentially allowing objects to pull themselves into space with high acceleration.

Society Notices

• Kevin Arnett Lecture: A public lecture on UFOs, illustrated with slides, will be given by Kevin Arnett, an ABC radio personality and member of V.U.F.O.R.S., on Wednesday, July 12th, at 8 pm at the National Mutual Theatrette, 447 Collins St., Melbourne. Tickets are $2-00 for adults and $1-00 for children, including supper. Proceeds go to the National Theatre Building Fund.
• Space Lecture: Mr. Neil Kroschell, an official lecturer for the Department of Supply, will speak on the American Space Programme on Friday, July 14th, 1972. The talk will likely include a space film and display of space program artifacts. The V.U.F.O.R.S. meeting is scheduled for this evening.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the practical challenges of running a volunteer organization (V.U.F.O.R.S.), the detailed investigation of specific UFO cases (particularly the Haneda AFB incident), and theoretical explorations into potential explanations for UFO phenomena, such as ball lightning and gravity. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious optimism regarding the society's operations, emphasizing the importance of member participation and reporting, while also engaging with scientific and theoretical discussions surrounding UFOs. The inclusion of case studies and theoretical papers suggests a commitment to rigorous investigation and analysis within the field of ufology.