Australian UFO Bulletin - 1990 12 - December

Magazine Overview

Title: THE AUSTRALIAN U.F.O. BULLETIN
Issue Date: December 1990
Publisher: Victorian U.F.O. Research Society
Country: Australia

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin provides a comprehensive look at UFO phenomena, featuring detailed reports from Australia and Belgium, alongside discussions on skepticism and investigation methods.

Editorial Stance and Society Information

The Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS) welcomes reports of unusual phenomena, evaluating them on their merits and maintaining confidentiality when requested. The society exchanges information with similar organizations globally and disseminates findings through its quarterly publication. The issue lists the VUFORS Office Bearers, including President Judith M. Magee, Vice-President Paul Norman, Secretary Mark Sawyers, and others. It also includes a membership renewal notice and information about nominations for the 1991 committee.

Debunking Skepticism: The Australian Sceptics

Paul Norman, in his article "ON THE UFO TRAIL," responds to criticisms from Mr. A.T. Brunt, identified as the South Australian spokesman for the Australian Sceptics. Norman refutes Brunt's explanations for the Knowles case, particularly the 'mirage theory' involving vehicle lights and temperature inversions. He argues that Brunt selectively uses information and ignores details that contradict his theories. Norman highlights VUFORS's expense in conducting investigations compared to the minimal spending of the Sceptics. He also addresses Dr. Roberts' attempt to debunk crop circles, suggesting the impossibility of pranksters creating them without crushing the wheat. Furthermore, Norman criticizes the Sceptics' explanations for water-related UFO cases, such as attributing water loss to theft or leaks while ignoring physical evidence like algae and water plants.

Case Study: The Levitating Creature Alien Contact CE-III

This detailed report by John Auchettl describes an encounter on March 4, 1990, at the Warburton Golf Course, Victoria. A 24-year-old man named Paul was walking his dog, Danny, when they encountered a black, fur-covered object emitting orange and green lights. The object, resembling a wombat, altered its shape and attacked the dog, throwing it several times. The object then levitated and moved towards a tree. Paul experienced intense emotional reactions, including fear and curiosity. Despite extensive investigation, no link to the UFO phenomenon was definitively established, but the author felt the encounter warranted publication.

UFO Activity in Belgium

An extensive report by Keith & May Flicroft details a significant period of UFO activity in South-East Belgium from October 1989 onwards. The Belgian Air Force, Gendarmes, and scientists became involved. Numerous sightings were reported, often nocturnal and silent, with objects described as triangles, spheres, and balls of light. The Minister for Defence ordered an inquiry, and over 600 reports were accumulated. Colonel De Brauwere of the Belgian Air Force stated the objects were not aircraft. Radar initially failed to detect the objects, possibly due to their low speed or altitude. Professor Meussens, an astrophysicist, stated that extraterrestrial explanations could not be excluded. The report mentions specific incidents, including a triangle sighted near Namur and a sphere with numerous lights observed on the Fagnes mountain. The media coverage in Australia was noted as minimal.

UFO Watchers Stand By for Activity in Geelong

This article reports on the inauguration of a VUFORS club in Geelong, chaired by Peter Close. The club aims to research physical evidence for UFO experiences and collect information from the local community. John Auchettl, a sightings investigator, presented findings on the "circle" phenomenon observed in wheat fields, noting that logical explanations did not apply due to the way the stems were bent and the soil compacted. The article also touches on the debate surrounding extraterrestrial hypotheses, noting that while many people believe in them, the idea of advanced beings visiting Earth without revealing themselves is questioned. It references studies like Project Blue Book and the Condon Report, which concluded that most sightings could be explained by misidentification, though a small percentage remained unexplained.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent nature of UFO phenomena across different regions, the challenges faced by investigators in countering skeptical viewpoints, and the importance of rigorous, evidence-based research. VUFORS positions itself as a society dedicated to factual investigation, distinguishing itself from purely speculative or dismissive approaches. The editorial stance emphasizes curiosity, open-mindedness, and the pursuit of understanding, even when faced with phenomena that defy conventional explanations.

This issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin, dated March 1968 (though content spans multiple decades), features a prominent article titled "UFO's OVER BELGIUM - PART 2" by Keith & May Flitcroft, detailing a significant radar interception event. Other articles cover advanced aerial devices reported during the Korean War, a UFO landing on a Spanish Air Force target range, and a historical overview of the Victorian UFO Research Society. The publication also includes a "UFO POTPOURRI" section with information on Professor Hermann Oberth and his views on UFOs, as well as announcements and subscription details.

UFO's Over Belgium - Part 2

The lead article by Keith & May Flitcroft recounts a dramatic event from June 1990, where a journalist from "Paris Match" interviewed Belgian Air Force personnel about a UFO sighting. The incident involved two F16 interceptors scrambled on the night of March 30/31st to investigate an object detected by radar at Glons and Semmerzake. Despite excellent atmospheric conditions, the object did not respond to standard identification signals. It traveled at approximately 50 km/hr, frequently changing direction and altitude. When the F16s achieved radar lock-on, the object's speed rapidly increased from 280 km/hr to 1800 km/hr, dropping altitude from 3000m to 1700m in one second, an acceleration of '40g'. This maneuver broke the lock-on, and the object evaded pursuit, dropping below 200m. Colonel De Brouwere, Chief of Air Staff, stated that their defense system was powerless against such machines. The incident lasted 65 minutes, with gendarmes observing the object evade the interceptors multiple times. Notably, no sonic boom was heard despite the high speeds. Professor Jean-Pierre Petit of CNRS suggested that such interceptions have occurred for decades, with information kept secret to prevent public panic. He also mentioned Professor Meussens' discovery from a photograph of a triangular UFO with four powerful lights. Professor Meussens theorized that the poor quality of many UFO photos might be due to the objects emitting powerfully in the infra-red spectrum, reducing film sensitivity to visible light.

The article cites historical parallels, referencing a 1952 US Naval Laboratory statement that UFOs are "intelligently controlled" and a 1947 US Air Intelligence Technical Centre report describing UFOs as "real". The "Paris Match" article concluded by questioning if humanity is alone in the universe.

Advanced Aerial Devices Reported During the Korean War

This section reviews a book by Richard F. Haines, which details strange aerial objects observed over North and South Korea between 1950-1953. The book argues that these objects were not Soviet or American and possessed capabilities beyond contemporary aircraft. It includes accounts of a GI's close encounter and reports from U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots, detailing electromagnetic effects on aircraft and object characteristics. The author, Dr. Richard F. Haines, has investigated UFO sightings for over 20 years and has previously authored several books on the subject. The review highlights that the book makes a clear point about these advanced aerial devices and their potential role in shaping secret official UFO studies.

UFO Lands on Spanish Air Force Target Range

This article, extracted from FSR 24/5 (March 1979), details an incident on January 5, 1975, at the Las Bardenas Reales military target range in Spain. A Logos agency report stated that an unidentified flying object landed on the range, took off, and vanished. Senior Air Force officers reported the incident. The article also recalls a 1972 Air Force accident at the same base where a strange luminous object was seen. Initially, the Spanish Air Force explained the January 1975 incident as "Optical Effects caused by the Moon's Halo." However, a later report in the Spanish magazine "Personal" (January 8, 1977) claimed a government official confirmed the existence of UFOs and that the Spanish government had been studying them for years, providing a dossier of twelve cases. The article notes the excessive secrecy of the Spanish Air Force regarding UFO matters, contrasting it with the Spanish Army's approach. It further details the Las Bardenas incident, citing eyewitness accounts of an object emitting flashes and taking off, and the sergeant's observation of an "inverted cup" shaped object with lights.

UFO Potpourri

This section includes an article from The New York Times (December 31, 1989) about the death of Hermann Oberth, the "Father of Spaceflight," at age 95. It mentions his early fascination with Jules Verne, his work on the V-2 rocket, and his consulting role with the U.S. Army missile team. The article also notes Oberth's interest in UFOs, quoting his 1954 declaration that flying saucers are real and likely space ships from another solar system, possibly manned by intelligent investigators. Another piece references an interview with Dr. Oberth in 1962, where he stated that higher forms of life are found on earth and suggested that UFOs might originate from other stellar systems. He also proposed that UFOs use artificial gravity fields and strong magnetic fields, explaining their luminosity and ability to transition between visible and invisible states. A 1965 statement by Dr. Oberth is also cited, asserting the existence of thousands of UFO sightings and the reality of interplanetary vehicles.

Raymond Fowler is quoted regarding Dr. Oberth's statements about over 70,000 UFO reports, with eleven percent being unexplainable, involving responsible senior Air Force officers. Oberth's hypotheses include UFOs not being built by human beings, using artificial gravity, and producing high-tension electric charges and magnetic fields.

Announcements and Notices

This section includes a notice about "UFO-Zapped Jets?" concerning the loss of two U.S. Navy jets in Puerto Rico on December 26, 1988, after encountering a larger object. Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS) is seeking testimony and evidence for a congressional inquiry. There is also information about the 1992 Churchill Fellowships for overseas study, inviting applications from Australians who have demonstrated ability for future achievement.

Society History

This article provides a history of the Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS). It traces its origins back to the early 1950s with the Australian Flying Saucer Bureau and the Australian Flying Saucer Research Society. The Victorian Branch was formed in 1957 and evolved into the Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society, later becoming the Victorian UFO Research Society. The society has published papers, including the "Australian Flying Saucer Review" and the "Australian UFO Bulletin," and sponsored a radio program. It has maintained a dispassionate attitude towards UFOs, viewing them as a scientific problem. VUFORS has held regular meetings, discussion nights, and maintained the largest UFO library in the Southern Hemisphere, though the book lending service has been discontinued due to postage costs. Membership is open to anyone genuinely interested in the subject.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around official acknowledgments and investigations of UFO phenomena, the capabilities of unidentified aerial objects, and the historical context of UFO research. There is a consistent emphasis on the scientific study of UFOs, with experts like Professor Petit and Professor Oberth providing theoretical frameworks and historical perspectives. The issue highlights instances where military forces have encountered and tracked UFOs, often with limited success in identification or interception, suggesting a level of technological advancement beyond human capabilities. Government secrecy surrounding UFO information is a persistent undertone, contrasted with a growing trend towards transparency. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, presenting evidence and expert opinions without sensationalism, and encouraging scientific investigation.