Australian UFO Bulletin - 1980 06 - June

Magazine Overview

The AUSTRALIAN UFO BULLETIN, dated June 1980, is published by THE VICTORIAN U.F.O. RESEARCH SOCIETY and focuses on UFO phenomena, evidence analysis, and related journalistic practices. The cover features the society's logo and the main title.

Editorial

The editorial discusses the historical scarcity of genuine UFO photos and the difficulty in distinguishing them from hoaxes. It highlights the society's current advantage of being in contact with top experts, which allowed for the analysis of excellent photographic evidence from October and December 1978. The editorial also touches upon the challenges posed by 'official' debunkers and mentions a specific incident where an Ansett aircraft en route from Brisbane to Port Moresby was paced by a UFO, with the captain's film being confiscated. The issue also promises to publish computer print-outs of the 'Manifold photo,' taken near the time of the Valentich incident.

"KEEPING THE RECORD STRAIGHT" by Quentin Fogarty

This section is a detailed critique by Quentin Fogarty of an article titled "The New Zealand Saucer Invasion" published in "Ideal's UFO Magazine" (Issue No. 8). Fogarty, who was a principal witness to the December 31st, 1978 sightings, asserts that the magazine's account was "about 99 per cent fiction and one per cent fact." He refutes specific details, including alleged conversations between ground radar and the aircraft captain (Vern Fowell), the altitude of the aircraft (stated as 30,000 ft. when it was 14,000 ft.), and the claim that film was obtained on December 21st. Fogarty clarifies that a photograph shown in the article, identified as being from the New Zealand TV crew's film, was actually of Venus and was taken a couple of days after the sightings. He also corrects the number of air force planes involved and the presence of a journalist on board. Fogarty expresses his anger at the distortion of a unique story and hopes his letter will lead to the truth being published.

In a follow-up, Fogarty notes that his letter was published but the reply from the magazine's correspondent, William Michelfelder, was unsatisfactory. Michelfelder conflated the December 21st and 31st sightings with a separate incident involving a television crew, and incorrectly claimed Fogarty dismissed the sightings as Venus. Fogarty reiterates that the New Zealand sightings remain unidentified. He also criticizes Michelfelder's justification for his reporting, which suggested that a pro-UFO stance allowed for 'lively' and 'supportive' storytelling, even at the expense of facts, invoking the adage, "Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story."

DISCUSSION NIGHT TRANSPORT

This section provides contact information for members who can assist with transport for discussion nights, listing names, areas, and phone numbers.

ON THE UFO TRAIL by Faul Norman

Faul Norman recounts his arrival in San Francisco on March 23rd, 1980, and preliminary discussions that included the Bass Strait Flap and New Zealand encounters. He reports on a UFO sighting filmed by a private detective over Adelaide on January 22nd, 1979. The film was brought to Melbourne for analysis by VUFORS. Norman mentions that the photographer initially decided against sending the film to the U.S. for enhancement, causing a year's delay. The Kodak company in London reportedly confirmed the film's authenticity, pending expert assessment. Norman also describes a daylight UFO encounter with an international commercial airliner flying from Hong Kong to Penang at 40,000 feet. The UFO passed beneath the aircraft, causing a commotion and a disturbing effect on the atmosphere. Norman discovered he was discussing the same incident as his contact, as he possessed a photograph from one of the passengers on that flight.

The section also promotes "UFOLK," a publication about Ufologists, available from Gene Duplantier in Canada for $2.00 plus postage.

THE N.Z. UFO FILM -continued from the March 1980 issue.

This section continues a report, copyrighted by Dr. Bruce Maccabee, who led the investigations into a significant UFO event. Dr. Maccabee is identified as a consultant for NICAP and GSW, and a MUFON State Representative. The report details a flight from Christchurch (CH) on January 22nd, 1979, at approximately 0216 hours. The aircraft, heading northeast towards Kaikoura East, experienced a climb rate of over 1000 ft/min and an airspeed of about 155 knots, with a southwest wind. At about 0218.40, while breaking through cloud cover, the crew observed a bright light to the right of their heading, described as a "squashed orange" and later like a "ping-pong ball (white) that was in a dark room and illuminated by a spotlight." The light was approximately at the plane's altitude. The pilot used the airplane radar, which picked up a target in the same direction as the visual object, estimated to be about 3 to 5 times the size of a fishing boat's radar blip. The plane was at about 6000 feet altitude and 15 miles out of CH. The object was not detected by CH radar, suggesting it was at an altitude of around 3000 ft. or lower. The radar target disappeared from scope around 0225-0225:30 as the azimuth angle increased. The object was reported to have come as close as 10 miles to the aircraft. At 0227, the plane was at 11,500 feet, and the pilot turned towards the object. During the turn, the object's apparent motion was recorded, making it seem to move up and down. At 0229, at cruising altitude of 13,000 ft, the pilot turned about 90 degrees to the right towards the object. The object was not seen on radar, suggesting it was below the radar beam's nominal lower bound. The report notes that the object was not seen on radar even when the plane was at an angle of 20 degrees below horizontal.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly emphasizes the importance of accurate reporting and journalistic ethics in UFOlogy, as evidenced by Quentin Fogarty's detailed critique. There is a clear stance against sensationalism and fictionalization of UFO events. The publication also highlights the society's commitment to rigorous investigation and analysis, as demonstrated by the detailed report on the New Zealand sighting and the mention of expert consultations. The society appears to be pro-UFO in its general outlook but insists on factual reporting.

This issue of The Australian U.F.C. Bulletin, identified as issue number 15, was published on Thursday, 3rd July, likely in 1970 based on the context of the articles and the date format. The bulletin is the official publication of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society and is based in Australia. The cover features an announcement for a "Discussion Night" at the Royal Society, inviting members to "Come and air your views on UFO's."

Detailed Sighting Report: Aircraft Encounter

The core of this issue details a significant UFO sighting experienced by the crew of a plane flying at approximately 13,000 feet, about 5 miles from an object. The sighting occurred during a flight over New Zealand. Initially, the object was perceived as being on a southeast course. As the plane turned, the object's sighting line moved to the right. Passengers observed a glow in the right-hand windows.

During the encounter, the plane's heading was approximately 066 magnetic (087 true). Witness 'S' could no longer see the object, and the plane turned left. Witness 'F' described the object as "dropping away right below us... It appears, in fact, to be losing its speed...rising, coming back up towards us again... It appears to be coming straight for us...It's getting a little bit brighter". Later, 'F' stated, "It's now dropping right away behind us".

Filmmaker 'DC' obtained footage using a 240 mm lens. This footage showed an image that initially appeared large, then shrank to "il bright images", and then grew large and dim. 'DC' described the large image as an "oval shaped object with rings of light going around". A previous description of the object, filmed with a 100 mm lens, was a "brightly lit bottom and a sort of transparent top". The focused images from the 240 mm lens were bell-shaped with bright bottoms and less bright tops. The angular sizes of these focused images were similar to those seen with the 100 mm lens, suggesting the object did not get closer to the plane during filming, but may have done so later.

'DC' was unable to film the object when the sighting line was too far below horizontal due to the film magazine potentially bumping overhead switches. This prevented filming as the object apparently passed under the airplane.

During the left turn, 'S' was surprised to see the object, which had been on the right, suddenly appear on the left and apparently above the aircraft. The object then appeared to move downward and pass behind and beneath the aircraft. 'F' last saw it out the far right window, looking almost straight down.

Chronological Log and Radar Data

The bulletin provides a detailed log of the flight and radar contacts, referencing times and locations:

• 0233: The plane regained the 'MOTO' track. Estimates for the plane's turns and track are subject to revision.
• 0241: Radar contact reported a target 20 miles off the coast, 6 miles north of Kaikoura. No visual sighting, but 'S' may have seen it on the plane radar.
• 0246: The plane turned towards Cape Campbell. A radar target was reported north of Kaikoura at 9:00.
• 0247: Two targets reported at 11:00, 15 miles away. The plane's radar was not picking them up easily.
• 0248:30: A target reported at 9:00, 8 miles away. 'F' did not indicate any visual sighting.
• 0250: 'F' expressed a desire for the journey back to Blenheim to be uneventful, having had "quite enough of UFO's for one night". He mentioned that 'S' had detected objects on the airplane radar.
• 0251: A strong radar target was reported at 12:00, 20 miles away, 2 miles off the coast, 10 miles south of Cape Campbell. A "collection of lights" was visually observed.
• 0251 (later): Another very bright light appeared, followed by another to its left. One flashed extremely brightly, then faded. The other flashed again with an orange light, described as looking like an aircraft beacon. This object moved off, "extremely bright", faded, and "dropped at an incredible speed and it seems to be rolling and turning".

Object Characteristics and Analysis

The "rolling and turning" was described as an elliptical path. 'DC' obtained film footage showing a light source that cyclically changed from bright white to dim red and orange, and moved up and down in a flattened elliptical path. The rate of this motion was approximately 2.5 cycles/sec.

'F' described a "whole cluster" of lights, including one that "keeps flashing", possibly the Blenheim airfield beacon. The passengers asked if the Blenheim beacon could be turned off to confirm it wasn't a "flashing UFO". The beacon flashed red every 1.5 seconds. When it was turned off, the bright flashing light disappeared.

• 0252: Radar reported two further targets, one at 9:00 at 8 miles and another at 10:00 at 10 miles. The target south of Cape Campbell went off radar, coincident with the visual disappearance and the turning off of the Blenheim beacon.
• 0253: Four targets reported at 9:00, 9:30, 10:00 and 10:30, all about 1 mile off the coast.
• 0254: A target reported at 12:00 at 2 miles. No visual sighting.
• 0255: A "pretty bright light" was observed again, appearing behind Woodbourne. Wellington radar reported "Nothing showing over there at all".
• 0256: Radar reported a target at 9:30, 5 miles off the coast. Passengers may have seen targets at 9:30. Lights were described as looking like fishing boat lights.
• 0257: The plane performed a two-minute right-hand orbit to lose altitude before descending into Blenheim. A pair of bright lights were observed to the left of the airplane, but 'DC' did not get a chance to film them as they disappeared when the plane turned. Radar targets at 12:00 (2 miles) and 12:00 (10 miles) were noted, attributed to fishing boat lights.
• 0259: The last anomalous light sighting occurred when the plane asked if there was a target over Picton. Radar reported no target over Picton. The plane landed at Picton at about 0310.

Computer Analysis Critique: Australian Photographic Case

A separate section details a computer analysis critique by GSW (Civilian Aerial Phenomena Research Organization) of an "AUSTRALIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC CASE (Crayfish Bay 1978)". Six color negatives were analyzed using computer photographic analysis methods.

• Frame Five: An anomalous image appeared to be "surfacing" from the water.
• Frame Six: Approximately twenty seconds later, a large cloud-like image with a disc structure was visible above a tenuous shape. The photographer did not see the UFO image, possibly due to looking directly west into the sunset.

All modes of computer analysis were employed, including edge enhancement, color contouring, digitizing, computerizing, and filtering.

Interpretations:
1. The initial impression was an emulsion defect, but closer examination revealed it was not an artifact.
2. The image was not a known type of cloud or weather phenomenon. Digital densitometry revealed a highly reflective area at the "top", indicative of a metallic structure.
3. There was no evidence of a hoax, given the rapid sequence of pictures (not exceeding 30 seconds frame to frame).
4. Color contouring showed the disc-like portion was very bright.
5. Digitizing revealed distortion characteristics similar to features approximately one mile away.
6. The top of the object was back-lighted by the setting sun, with a reflection or glare from its curvilinear surface.
7. High and low pass filtering revealed a definite disc structure above the "cloud".
8. The image was slightly blurred due to "object" motion, slightly to the right and up.
9. The size was estimated at twenty feet, with an aspect ratio (diameter to thickness) of 6 to 1.

Conclusions: The GSW technicians concluded that the images represent a "bona fide unknown flying object, of moderate dimensions, apparently surrounded by a cloud-like vapor/exhaust residue."

Photo Sales and Organization Information

The bulletin includes information on purchasing UFO photographs from GSW, listing various types and prices. It also provides contact details for GSW: "CIVILIAN AERIAL PHENOMENA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION", "GROUND SAUCER WATCH", 13238 N. 7th DRIVE, PHOENIX, ARIZONA, 85029. U.S.A.

A "Bonafide list of photographs to date" is included, with entries dating from May 11, 1950 (Trent/McMinneville, OR) to January 2, 1975 (Lindstrom/Hawaii). The list includes names, locations, and dates of various sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are detailed UFO sightings, particularly those involving aircraft, and the rigorous analysis of photographic and radar evidence. The publication emphasizes the scientific approach to investigating UFO phenomena, as demonstrated by the computer analysis critique. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFOs, aiming to uncover factual information and challenge secrecy, as indicated by the mention of fighting through the Freedom of Information Act. The bulletin serves as a platform for sharing information and fostering discussion among UFO researchers.