Australian UFO Bulletin - 1992 12 - December

Magazine Overview

Title: THE AUSTRALIAN U.F.O. BULLETIN
Issue: DECEMBER 1992
Publisher: Victorian U.F.O. Research Society
Country: Australia
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Editorial

The editorial discusses a report from thirty years prior concerning a mystery object that descended from the sky near an aboriginal community. Four members of the Royal Victorian Aero Club investigated the incident, finding a 'star-like object' that left stones coated with a powdered substance. Samples taken to a Melbourne laboratory were unidentifiable. VUFORS is increasing its interest in aboriginal reports and is cooperating with Hannah Wolfe, a teacher who has worked in remote aboriginal communities. The editorial also thanks members for their support and wishes readers a happy festive season, noting this is the last bulletin for the year.

On the UFO Trail

This section, written by Paul Norman, details a September meeting where Graham Henly, a truck driver, shared his encounter with an unidentified flying object on January 20, 1988. Henly described a near collision with the object, which was sitting in the road. Other truck drivers also reported seeing a pear-shaped object at the same time. The article also references Dewey Fournet, former Pentagon liaison officer for Project Blue Book, who was involved with the 1952 Washington D.C. UFO activity. Numerous radar and visual sightings of amber-colored lights were reported, with some pilots describing them as erratic and capable of accelerating to high speeds. The events of July 1952 are described as a 'powder keg' of UFO activity.

Just Cause: Foo Fighter Records Discovered

This article, published in June 1992 by CAUS, details the search for documentation related to the 'Foo-Fighter' phenomenon of World War 2. Foo-Fighters are described as strange balls of light, about a foot in diameter, seen by Allied and Axis pilots during bombing and air defense missions in the European and Pacific theaters. These objects were generally bright, of varying colors, and could maneuver easily. The phenomenon became widely known in January 1945 through newspaper reports, initially speculated to be Nazi secret weapons. The article notes that while the activity abated by the end of January 1945, reports resurfaced later. Clues from declassified Air Force Intelligence files led to the discovery of wartime records. An evaluation of Foo-Fighters done at the end of the war concluded there was nothing to the phenomenon, though the study was not made public. The article details specific operational reports from the 415th Night Fighter Squadron, including sightings of red and green lights, orange balls, and other unusual aerial phenomena, particularly in December 1944 and January 1945.

Foo Fighters (cont'd)

This continuation of the Foo Fighters article delves deeper into the documented sightings by the 415th Night Fighter Squadron. It mentions that the squadron's historian documented these sightings, with both a unit summary and a 'War Diary' being classified 'Secret.' The article quotes the unit summary describing the 'eerie feeling' associated with the phenomena and how it was established as an existing phenomenon. The 'War Diary' entries detail specific encounters, including amber lights sighted at 2000 feet, brilliant red lights moving at 200 MPH, and lights in a 'T' shape following aircraft. The article also includes an account from Louis Kiss, a tail gunner on a B-17, who reported seeing an odd-looking sphere of shimmery gold color approach his aircraft in late 1943. The article discusses theories such as 'St. Elmo's Fire,' barrage balloons, meteors, gremlins, and the possibility of a new secret weapon. It also mentions an extract from the 390th Veterans Association Newsletter attesting to Kiss's excellence as a combat flyer. The article concludes by noting that while the phenomenon was a peculiar footnote to World War 2, little has been available on it, and suggests a possible link to earthquake activity or electrical phenomena.

United pilots report UFO, aviation magazine says

This news clipping from the Arizona Daily Star reports that a United Airlines jumbo jet encountered an unidentified aircraft that passed at supersonic speed beneath the 747. The Air Line Pilots Association is investigating the report. Los Angeles air traffic controllers did not spot the craft on radar. The pilots described the craft as dark-colored, about the size of a jet fighter, with a fuselage similar to an SR-71 spy plane but with rounded edges. It lacked wings but had a tail.

Unidentified Flying Objects: The Medical and Scientific Evidence

This article by John F. Schuessler discusses the historical push for an international clearing house for UFO research, initiated by prominent UFO researchers approaching the United Nations in 1978. The UN General Assembly adopted Decision 33/426, but it was never implemented. The article highlights the continued UFO activity worldwide and the role of private organizations like MUFON and the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies. It details how UFO reports describe incidents such as UFOs flying circles around jet aircraft, shutting down electronic systems, and causing medical injuries, while skeptics dismiss them. The article cites the evidence from MUFON's Advisory Board of 173 Consultants and 154 Research Specialists. It quotes Dr. Jacques Vallee, who concluded that a genuine UFO phenomenon exists, is physical, and unexplained, possibly involving non-human intelligence. Retired NASA scientist Dr. Richard Haines notes the continued reports from pilots. Russian Cosmonaut Pavel Popovich suggests research into the UFO's influence on people and the environment. Professor Hermann Oberth is quoted stating that UFOs are likely flying machines not built by humans, given their speed capabilities. Dr. J. Allen Hynek is cited for his perspective on future scientific understanding. The article emphasizes the importance of resolving the UFO enigma and urges the UN to implement Decision 33/426. It also mentions the UFO Newsclipping Service, which provides information on UFO reports worldwide.

Trip to the Northern Territory

This article by Hannah Wolfe details an investigation into a UFO sighting over an Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory, Australia, following up on a report by Paul Norman. Wolfe, who has worked with Aboriginal people for many years, believes they may have been visited by extraterrestrials, reflected in their culture, such as the Wandjina figures. She notes that Aboriginal people are aware of UFOs and that sightings can cause fear due to their lifestyle. The article recounts an attempt to visit the community, which was denied by administrative officers. The author then traveled to Arnhem Land and spoke with Aboriginal people, showing them photographs of UFOs and ground circles. An elder, Joseph, discussed the dangers of uranium mining and mentioned fears of sickness and death. He also spoke of aliens abducting a child. The article concludes that UFO sightings and alien encounters are not culturally confined.

Strange Aerial Object Stirs National Interest

This news clipping from Express-News reports on a mysterious aerial object incident on March 29, 1897, where Robert Hubbard was nearly killed when a glowing red-lit object snagged him from his bicycle. This event, occurring before the Wright brothers' flight, caused a stir, leading to numerous similar incidents reported in newspapers. The article mentions a cigar-shaped airship hovering over Kansas City, Kan., with strange voices and crackling noises heard. It also notes that throughout April, thousands of Americans reported encounters with 'great airships' piloted by occupants 'not of this earth.'

News From Africa

This section includes a report from Zimbabwe about a sighting by an artist named Rhoda in Johannesburg in 1975. She described a bright light that dimmed to reveal a large, flattened, cigar-shaped craft that moved away at high speed. The object was described as dark grey metal, shaped like a flattened cotton-reel, and moved in a flattened spring shape. The article also includes a report from Ballarat, Victoria, on July 7, 1992, where a red, pulsing light, about the size of a star, was observed heading south-east to south-west.

Where do they come from?

This article from the Sunday Territorial discusses common questions surrounding the UFO phenomenon: where they come from and why they are here. It notes that while many sightings are reported in the Territory, they often go unreported. The article mentions sightings of orange ovoid-shaped lights that omitted no sound and appeared controlled. It also references the RAAF Base Tindal and the possibility that the objects were not RAAF planes. The article touches upon the extraterrestrial hypothesis as one of many explanations for UFOs and mentions the historical interest of government agencies like the CIA and Air Force in studying the phenomenon, referencing Project Blue Book. It also notes the release of declassified FBI documents concerning a 'flying disk' found in New Mexico.

UFOs spotted above Alawa

This news clipping from the Herald-Sun reports that some Alawa residents believe they sighted unidentified flying objects on Friday night. John Middlemiss described seeing three bright lights in a line that moved in different directions and disappeared. Fred Brooks also saw the lights, which appeared to be coming from an easterly direction. An Air Traffic Controllers spokesman stated there were no aircraft in the area at the time. A RAAF Base spokesman confirmed no record of lights or sightings. The article also mentions weather balloons being mistaken for UFOs.

Lights spark UFO fear

This news clipping reports on hundreds of people in Victoria and southern NSW seeing balls of flame hurtling across the skies. Callers described the phenomenon as a satellite breaking up or four lights that couldn't be explained. The weather bureau received many calls, suggesting it was likely a meteorite or a satellite breaking up. The Victorian UFO Research Society received scores of calls, with the suggestion that it was likely space junk. NSW police were inundated with calls from people convinced they were seeing extra-terrestrials.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the historical investigation of UFO phenomena, particularly the 'Foo Fighters' of World War 2, and contemporary sightings across Australia and Africa. There is a strong emphasis on the scientific study of UFOs, with references to prominent researchers and organizations advocating for a more open and evidence-based approach. The issue also touches upon government secrecy and the potential for extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and a belief in the reality of the UFO phenomenon, encouraging public participation and support for research.

This issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin, dated October 1992, is primarily focused on reporting UFO sightings from various locations in Australia and providing a historical overview of the Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS).

Sighting Reports

The magazine presents a collection of UFO sighting reports, many contributed by Hannah Wolfe and J. Magee, detailing observations from Perth, Broome, and other parts of Western Australia, as well as reports from Victoria and New South Wales.

Western Australia Sightings:

• Perth, W.A. (March 5th, 1992): A witness reported seeing a bright white light that kept pace with her car, later observing a large, triangular-shaped object with white lights at the apex and a green light. The object was estimated to be thirty centimeters at arm's length and vanished.
• Kingsley Drive, W.A. (March 10th, 1992): Witnesses observed a red and green light that separated and rejoined, followed by another pair of lights exhibiting similar behavior. The sighting lasted about 30 seconds.
• Glengary Drive, W.A. (March 20th, 1992): A witness described a huge, round object with a bluish tinge that appeared, disappeared, and reappeared, moving at tremendous speed in a SSW direction. The object's size was estimated as saucer-like at arm's length.
• West Coast Highway, W.A. (March 20th, 1992): A witness reported a brilliant, pale greenish light, initially stationary behind cloud, which then shot off at tremendous speed in a SSW direction. The witness was convinced it was not a meteorite and recalled a previous sighting of silver disc-like objects in the early sixties.
• Kwinana Region, W.A. (believed March 20th, 1992): A witness and a friend saw a large luminous object with a blue-green tinge moving at great speed from east to west.
• Kalamunda, W.A. (March 16th, 1992): A witness saw two metallic grey discs travelling low and fast from west to east, appearing to be tree-top height and making no sound. The witness initially thought they were RAAF jet trainers but the absence of protuberances and the disc shapes ruled this out.
• Augusta, W.A. (June 1991): A witness reported unusual ground marks (double rings) that had changed little in one year.
• Tom Price, W.A. (May 21st, 1992): Witnesses saw about thirty white, bright lights in a row along an oval shape, with a second, smaller object nearby. The woman witness had previously had an 'interesting UFO experience' at age 11.
• Broome, W.A. (late July, year not specified): A report from North West Australia mentioned an object sighted by at least 37 witnesses. A manager of a pearl farm and his wife saw a silver, bright white object shaped like a crescent or quarter moon, about five times the size of the moon, with points facing backwards and shimmering. A droning sound was heard.
• Broome and Port Hedland: The object was also seen from the beach between these locations.
• Sunday Island (around 8.10 pm): A witness saw an object that appeared like a pencil shape, followed the contours of the hills, and then shot off vertically.
• Parahadu and Tom Price (around 7 pm): A witness saw a silvery grey object shimmering as if encased in shock waves.
• Nullagine (8.10 pm): Two witnesses reported a bluish object hovering and then shooting upwards and disappearing. Many other witnesses also saw it.

New South Wales Sightings:

• Central Coast Express (July 10th, 1992): Reports of UFO sightings along the coast, including a "huge red light" seen at 8.20 pm on July 4th by Mrs Marjorie Howard, described as like a huge carrier, very long, with no hum or sound, moving north-east over Norah Head.
• Berkeley Vale: A woman discounted claims that a mystery object she saw was a burning garbage bag, describing a large, round, dark superstructure with a glow underneath.

South Australia Sightings:

• Broken Hill, NSW (October 1st, 1992): A security guard reported two red lights speeding east, with four smaller white lights between them that merged and disappeared. A commercial pilot also reported two red objects flying at high speed towards the east, which disappeared over the horizon. Other reports from Broken Hill described four white lights in a line or formation speeding east.
• White Cliffs, NSW (around 7.30 pm): A witness reported an 'arrowhead' formation of seven lights flying from Broken Hill towards Sydney.
• Mootwingee (7.30 pm): A gathering of 67 exchange students and teachers witnessed 4 white lights speeding NNE across the sky, described as a 'train in the sky'.
• Near Broken Hill (7 pm): A motorist witnessed lights, including an 'orange ball' followed by a group of lights speeding west to east.
• Between Wilcannia and Broken Hill (around 9.30 pm): A witness saw a large white light with red beams shining towards the ground.

Blue Book Pearls:

This section delves into the history and analysis of the US Air Force's Project Blue Book, focusing on two specific cases from February 16th and 17th, 1953, involving a C-47 aircraft and unidentified lights. The author, Dr. Willy Smith, highlights discrepancies between the initial reports and later official explanations found in the Blue Book files. The initial reports, rated as 'unidentified' and considered reliable by Capt. Edward Ruppelt, were later re-evaluated and given mundane explanations such as 'Astro (VEGA)' or 'Balloon'. The article suggests that these re-evaluations, occurring in the late 1960s under Major Quintanilla, were part of an effort to reduce the number of unexplained cases, even if it meant fabricating explanations. The author notes that Ruppelt's article in TRUE magazine predates his book, and these specific cases were omitted from the book, possibly to avoid disseminating embarrassing information about the project's methods.

Society News and History

Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS) History:

The issue provides a detailed history of the Victorian UFO Research Society, tracing its origins back to the early 1950s with groups like the "Australian Flying Saucer Bureau" and the "Australian Flying Saucer Research Society". The society underwent several name changes and reorganizations, eventually becoming the "Victorian UFO Research Society" in 1968. VUFORS has published various papers, including the "Australian Flying Saucer Review" and the "Australian UFO Bulletin", and sponsored a radio program. The current executive, in place since 1978, has maintained a dispassionate attitude towards UFOs, viewing them as a scientific problem. The society boasts the largest membership of any UFO organization in the Southern Hemisphere and previously maintained a large UFO library, though postage costs have led to its discontinuation.

Membership and Publications:

Information is provided on how to join VUFORS, with membership rates for full and associate members, as well as overseas members. The society publishes quarterly bulletins and conducts monthly "Discussion Nights".

New Book Announcement:

A new book, "Flight Into The Ages" by Ken Llewelyn, is announced as available directly from VUFORS. The book covers the mystery of Fredrick Valentich, aircraft disappearances, UFO activity witnessed by RAAF officers, and incidents never before published from Air Force observers.

Close Encounters Magazine:

Subscription details for "Close Encounters Magazine", published bimonthly by AstroNet Publications, are also included.

Letter to the Editors:

George D. Fawcett writes to announce his four-year project study on "Human Reactions to UFOs Worldwide" (1940-1983), which covers 31 different human reactions from 25 nations. Information on how to order the book is provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting of UFO sightings across Australia, the historical development and activities of UFO research organizations, and a critical examination of official UFO investigations, particularly Project Blue Book. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, with a critical eye towards official explanations and a dedication to documenting witness accounts and historical research within the field.