Australian UFO Bulletin - 1979 02 - February

Magazine Overview

This issue of the AUSTRALIAN UFO BULLETIN, dated FEBRUARY, 1979, is published by THE VICTORIAN U.F.O. RESEARCH SOCIETY. The cover prominently features the title and the society's emblem. The issue delves into significant UFO events, particularly the "Cook Strait Flap" in New Zealand and the "Bass Strait Mystery" in Australia, alongside discussions on radar confirmations, photographic analysis, and historical cases.

Editorial: Comments on the Cook Strait Flap

The editorial, written by Paul Norman, discusses the press coverage of the "Cook Strait Flap" in New Zealand. It notes how the event has turned newsmen into ufologists and scientists into "clowns" in the eyes of some. The editorial criticizes the "sixteen 'explanations'" offered by the scientific community, dismissing suggestions like "mutton birds flying inland for mating" and "meteorites which failed to burn up" as absurd. It also mentions astronomers attributing the sightings to planets and an amateur astronomer claiming to have detected Jupiter's moons. A housewife's explanation of reflections from her cabbage patch and a demonstration involving saucepan lids are also cited as attempts to debunk the sightings.

The editorial highlights the skepticism faced by ufologists, contrasting it with the scientific community's attempts to explain away the phenomena. It also touches upon the idea of "secret weapon theory" and the potential for government censorship of UFO evidence.

Cook Strait Flap: Radar Tracks and Eyewitness Accounts

This section details the events of the Cook Strait Flap, beginning with a report from "The Australian" on January 3rd, 1979. On a clear night, the crew of an Argosy freight plane saw a brilliant airborne object moving slowly over the Clarence River in New Zealand. Simultaneously, a flight service operator at Blenheim Airport and an RNZAF officer at Woodbourne air base observed five lights in the same area. Wellington's regional radar control center confirmed five objects on their screens, moving off the coast. This initiated a four-hour surveillance.

Multiple UFO sightings were confirmed by two Argosy crews and radar operators. One Argosy freighter was reportedly "buzzed" by a UFO. Captain John Randle and First Officer Keith Heine described the object as "quite large" and emitting an intense white light. Later, radar controllers Jonn Cordy and Andy Herd in Wellington observed large radar echoes. Captain Vern Powell and First Officer Ian Pirie of Argosy 2 reported seeing a bright, flashing white light that moved at an incredible speed, estimated at over 17,000 kilometers per hour, disappearing after turning sharply.

Radar operators estimated the objects to be as large as the Argosy planes. Despite the intensity of the radar echoes, a flight diversion was not ordered due to cost, as it was not a search and rescue operation. The issue notes that the RNZAF ordered an Orion tracker aircraft to investigate, but the UFOs disappeared when the plane approached. Units of Skyhawk fighter bombers were placed on standby alert.

Computer Blow-Ups Show 'Convincing' Evidence

This article reports on the analysis of UFO film footage by Dr. Bruce Maccabee, an optical physicist with the U.S. Navy. Using computerised enhancement techniques, Dr. Maccabee found a flying triangle and a domed disc in the Channel 0-10 Network's film, which had previously been dismissed as natural phenomena. He estimates the triangle to be about the size of a large house and the oval object to have a dome-like protuberance. A third object was described as travelling at immense speed, performing a near-perfect figure of eight on a single frame. Dr. Maccabee has analyzed about a dozen images so far and believes these objects could not have come from stars, planets, or the ground or sea surface. He has also been campaigning against government secrecy on UFOs in the United States.

Astronaut 'Saw Flying Saucer Fleet'

This section reports on former US astronaut Gordon Cooper's belief that flying saucers are visiting Earth from other planets. He claimed to have seen many UFOs flying in formation over Europe in 1951. His letter to the Grenadian delegation stated that these "extra-terrestial vehicles" are from more advanced planets. Cooper, who had extensive space mission experience, felt qualified to discuss the topic. The UN General Assembly's special political committee discussed the question of unidentified flying objects, with Grenada submitting a resolution for the UN to initiate research.

U.S. Navy Tracks UFO's Over Bermuda Triangle

This report details a U.S. Navy tracking of a mysterious object near the Bermuda Triangle. The incident, which occurred at the Pinecastle Electronic Warfare Range in Florida, involved the object being visually sighted by military personnel and locked onto by radar for the first time in UFO research history. The object was described as circular with red, green, and white lights, maneuvering at speeds that ruled out conventional aircraft. Radar operator Timothy Collins described the experience as frightening. The object was tracked for two hours, evading radar lock-ons and accelerating rapidly. The report suggests the object may have come from the air space over the Bermuda Triangle.

The Bass Strait Mystery

This article focuses on the events surrounding the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich over Bass Strait on October 21st, 1978. VUFORS (Victorian UFO Research Society) has received numerous sighting reports related to this incident. The article highlights a photograph taken near Cape Otway lighthouse showing an object with a trail of bright blue lights emerging from the sea, which researchers believe could be the UFO that Valentich encountered. The article draws parallels between Valentich's disappearance and earlier mysterious incidents in Bass Strait, including the disappearance of a schooner in 1920 and the "Miss Hobart" mailplane in 1934, both of which involved strange lights and no wreckage found.

It is suggested that UFOs might be using Bass Strait as an "undersea base" to "hijack" passing planes. The article mentions that Roy Manifold's photographs will be sent to US laboratories for analysis. It also notes other UFO reports from October 21st, including a large oval-shaped object seen by Mr. A.A. and a yellow object reported by Christopher Clark.

Other 21st October Reports

This section compiles additional UFO sightings from October 21st, 1978. Mr. A.A. reported a large oval-shaped object with a pulsating light, observed for about 8 minutes before accelerating skyward. Christopher Clark of Canterbury reported a yellow object moving slowly through the sky. Mr. James B. Mortimer reported a red object moving over the bay. A sighting in Ringwood, Victoria, involved a star-shaped object observed at low altitude moving slightly faster than an aircraft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the analysis of UFO phenomena through radar, photography, and eyewitness testimony. There is a strong emphasis on debunking attempts and the skepticism of the scientific community, contrasted with the persistent investigations by ufologists. The issue also highlights the potential for government secrecy and the historical context of unexplained disappearances possibly linked to UFO activity. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for serious investigation into UFOs, challenging conventional explanations, and seeking transparency from authorities.

Title: AUSTRALIAN UFO BULLETIN
Issue: FEBRUARY '79
Volume: 1
Date: February 1979

This issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin delves into various UFO phenomena, with a significant focus on the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich. It presents a collection of reports, witness testimonies, and expert opinions, alongside discussions on government secrecy and international UFO incidents.

Key Articles and Reports

The Valentich Disappearance and Related Sightings

The central theme of this issue revolves around the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich on October 21st, 1978, over Bass Strait. The bulletin highlights that Valentich reported sighting a large UFO shortly before his disappearance. Several accounts are presented:

• Witness Account from Ormond: Mrs. G. McNiece reported seeing strange lights on the Saturday evening of Valentich's disappearance. She described them as falling like "silver rain" and having a "fairy dust" appearance, though she could not recall specific colors.
• United Nations Involvement: Sir Eric Gairy, Prime Minister of Grenada, brought the issue of unidentified flying objects to the United Nations, citing the Australian UFO incident as a compelling reason for the UN to investigate.
• Valentich's Character: Sqn.-Ldr. Ronald Grandy described Frederick Valentich as "level-headed" and a capable air training instructor, suggesting he was not prone to flights of fancy.
• New Zealand Sightings: Five unidentified flying objects sighted and confirmed by Wellington air traffic control in New Zealand offered hope to Valentich's parents, who believe UFO activity had increased.
• Expert Opinion on Valentich: Allan Hendry, chief investigator for the Centre for UFO Studies, expressed a "gut feeling" that Frederick Valentich would reappear, drawing parallels to the Travis Walton case.
• Travis Walton Case: The bulletin details the 1975 case of Travis Walton, a woodcutter who claimed to have been abducted by a UFO for five days. Similarities were drawn between Walton's mother's belief in his return and Valentich's father's hope.
• Clergyman's Account: Reverend William Gill recounted his 1959 "close encounter" with eight spaceships in New Guinea, suggesting that Valentich might have encountered a similar phenomenon.

UFO Investigations and Government Secrecy

The issue also explores the broader context of UFO investigations and alleged government cover-ups:

• Freedom of Information Fight: The article "THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION FIGHT" discusses the efforts of U.S. ufologists to obtain UFO information from the government, noting that many have risked their jobs. It highlights the case of Robert Todd, who sought documents regarding a Cuban jet destroyed by a UFO.
• Ground Saucer Watch (GSW): GSW, an organization of scientists and engineers, is credited with leading the fight against official secrecy. W. Todd Zechel, Director of GSW and Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS), is praised for securing suppressed information.
• CIA Involvement: Documents obtained through a lawsuit revealed that the CIA has been secretly involved in watching UFOs since 1949, contradicting earlier statements that their investigations had closed in 1952. The documents reportedly show links and patterns suggesting UFOs are "here on surveillance missions."
• USAF Encounters: Reports detail USAF attempts to intercept or destroy UFOs, including an incident in Iran where two F.4 Phantom jets pursued a large UFO that deployed smaller craft.
• RAAF Investigations: The bulletin features a photograph of an Unidentified Flying Object being investigated by the RAAF in Malaysia, described as glowing orange with porthole-like windows.

Other UFO Reports and Incidents

Beyond the Valentich case, the bulletin includes a variety of other UFO reports from around the world:

• Melbourne Sighting: A Master Mariner reported a detailed sighting of a large, silent, egg or oval-shaped object with a grey dome and a hollow base, observed in Brighton, Victoria.
• VUFORS Documentary: The VUFORS President and Vice-President were interviewed for a Japanese television documentary focusing on UFO sightings in the Bass Strait and Cook Strait areas.
• Overseas Reports:
• Papua New Guinea: Villagers in the Gusap area were frightened by unidentified flying objects, with Air Niugini pilots tracking UFOs by radar.
• Madagascar: A cigar-shaped UFO reportedly crashed and exploded in the marketplace of Port Dauphin.
• Mexico: Two luminous flying saucers were reported near Guadalajara.
• Kuwait: Oil company experts witnessed a disc-like object with a red dome at an oil pumping station.
• Fiji: Two wingless, cucumber-shaped objects glowing red were sighted.
• Ireland: A surge in UFO sightings was reported in Belfast and other towns, leading to a local UFO expert noting an increase in reports.
• Jerusalem: Unidentified flying objects emitting blue lights were seen over Mount Scopus.
• London: A bookmaker slashed odds on an alien landing due to a rush of bets.

Society Information

The bulletin concludes with information about the Victorian UFO Research Society, including details for young members, upcoming general meetings, and subscription rates.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained disappearances of pilots and aircraft, the potential for extraterrestrial visitation, and the perceived secrecy and lack of transparency from government bodies regarding UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and a belief that UFOs are a genuine phenomenon worthy of serious study, encouraging the public to share their accounts. There is a clear skepticism towards official explanations that dismiss UFOs as misidentifications or fantasy.