Australian UFO Bulletin - 2000 12 - December

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin, dated December 2000, is dedicated to the memory of UFO researcher Mrs. Cynthia Hind, Director of MUFON in Africa. The publication is produced by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS) and includes a welcome message, office bearers, and membership renewal information.

Editorial

The editorial reflects on the passing of Cynthia Hind, a friend and colleague of VUFORS, and also mentions the deaths of Mildred Biesele and Arnold West. It highlights the importance of UFO research and the personal journey of investigator Paul Norman, who has traveled extensively to meet researchers and attend conferences. The editorial also announces upcoming public meetings where videos of key UFO cases, starting with Area 51, will be shown.

A JOB WELL DONE

This section pays tribute to Walter H. Andrus Jr., who observed four metallic objects in 1948, leading him to a significant career in UFO research. He served as the International Director of MUFON for 30 years, building it into a large organization, and has recently stepped down in favor of John Schuessler, continuing to assist in a lesser capacity.

ON THE UFO TRAIL

Authored by Paul Norman, this section discusses the passing of Cynthia Hind and Mildred Biesele. Norman shares his experiences meeting researchers worldwide and attending conferences. He mentions the upcoming public meetings that will feature videos on UFO cases, starting with Area 51, and his personal investigations, including visits to Rachel, Nevada, and meeting Bob Lazar. Norman identifies himself as an investigator, not a speculator, and lists his advisors, including Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Professor James E. McDonald, Dr. Richard Haines, and Dr. Willy Smith. He recounts an invitation to speak at the University of Arizona in 1967 and assisting with the Westall School report.

Westall Incident Discussion

Paul Norman addresses claims about the Westall School incident, differentiating between documented facts and fictional add-ons. He refutes a claimant's assertion of entities peering from a dome, citing a later witness who stated the object did not land in the school ground. Norman personally investigated the area and found no evidence of occupants associated with the incident, warning that abduction stories might be added later.

STS-75 Space Shuttle Mission

This article details the mission highlights of STS-75, focusing on the Tethered Satellite System (TSS-IR) and the U.S. Microgravity Payload-3 (USMP-3). It describes the loss of the TSS-IR satellite due to a tether snap and the scientific data gathered from its curtailed deployment, including measurements of electrodynamics and plasma wakes. The article also outlines the experiments conducted under the USMP-3 payload, such as crystal growth and studying xenon at its critical point.

Valentich Disappearance: New Evidence and a New Conclusion

This multi-part article, co-authored by Richard F. Haines and Paul Norman, re-examines the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich. It presents new eyewitness testimony from individuals who claim to have seen a green light and an unidentified object near Valentich's Cessna. The authors analyze the flight path, duration of the sighting, and Valentich's radio transmissions, concluding that he likely crashed into Bass Strait. They discuss various factors influencing the estimation of the aircraft's position and speed, including optical illusions and memory accuracy. The article also explores the possibility of magnetic compass interference affecting Valentich. It highlights that no wreckage has been found, suggesting an underwater search is necessary. The authors also discuss the oceanographic conditions of Bass Strait, which could affect the dispersal of debris.

UFO Potpourri

This section, compiled by John Schuessler, presents a radar-visual case from the archives of Project Blue Book, dated January 26, 1953. Air Force personnel at an AC&W station observed an object visually and on radar. The object appeared as a bright reddish-white light, moving slowly against prevailing winds. The report details the electronic and visual observations, weather conditions, and the investigation into possible explanations, including weather balloons and astronomical phenomena. The case was ultimately classified as 'Unknown'.

Press Cuttings of Interest

This section includes a newspaper article from the Herald Sun (October 11, 2000) titled "Fresh light on UFO riddle," which discusses new evidence in the Frederick Valentich disappearance case. It highlights fresh eyewitness accounts of an eerie green light surrounding the plane and calls for an undersea search for the aircraft wreck. The article mentions the Valentich family's ongoing hope for resolution and recounts a mysterious phone call from Russia.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the investigation of UFO sightings, the analysis of pilot disappearances, and the importance of eyewitness testimony combined with scientific data. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation and a commitment to presenting evidence, even in cases as long-standing and mysterious as the Valentich disappearance. The society emphasizes its role in collecting, evaluating, and disseminating information on UFO phenomena, while also honoring the contributions of deceased researchers in the field.

This issue of the AUSTRALIAN UFO BULLETIN is titled THE EARLY YEARS and presents a selection of reports from various magazines published in the 1950s and 1960s, alongside more recent sightings and organizational updates. The cover features a stylized map of Africa with a UFO silhouette and the headline 'UFO AFRINEWS' and 'THE MILLENNIUM', along with correspondence details.

Reports from the 1950s and 1960s

Los Angeles, California - December, 1958 A report from The U.F.O. Investigator details a scientific conclusion that "flying saucers" are real and under intelligent control, made by a group of Californian scientists and engineers. This group included Dr. Robert Baker (UCLA), Robert Bulkley (CalTech), Dr. Leslie Kaeburn (University of Southern California), and Ward Kimball (Walt Disney's scientific project section). Aviation editor Tom Towers, who played a role in a documentary film "U.F.O.", highlighted the group's expertise. Navy fears that UFOs might be linked to jet plane disappearances off the Florida coast were also mentioned as a reason for official secrecy.

Stockton, California - July 16, 1959 A NICAP Bulletin reported that six sheriff's deputies, Stockton Airport personnel, and residents sighted two round, blinking UFOs with "a sort of intelligence" for over an hour. The objects blinked about once per second and varied in hue from white to dull orange. Deputy Elmer Van Sant noted that the blinking speeded up when a plane flew over, suggesting possible communication. Authorities ruled out aircraft and balloons.

Brisbane, Queensland - July 17, 1965 The Australian Flying Saucer Digest reported two Brisbane residents seeing a shining silver disc, described as round and silver like an aluminum disc, moving at terrific speed. They initially thought it was a daylight sighting of the moon.

UFOs - African Encounters

Harare, Zimbabwe - April 1998 Kurwama Kanengoni reported seeing an American football-shaped object moving slowly at tree-top height, about 20 metres above ground. The object made an unusual crackling noise and displayed strange, glowing colors at regular intervals. It appeared to be about 40 metres away and moved closer before disappearing.

Lake Chivero, Zimbabwe - July 26, 1954 Squadron Leader A. J. Roberts (ex RAF Bomber Command) and student pilot Bob Woodward reported a silver object, approximately 760 metres above their Tiger Moth aircraft, described as an "elliptical sausage" with a clear center and hazy ends. The object turned on its side and took off at great speed, later reappearing as two saucers, one above the other, possibly connected. Roberts noted the object's ability to change direction.

Chingola, Zambia - October 1961 A witness, identified only as 'Bob', reported flying on the Zambia/Zaire border in an Alouette helicopter when an object came up from behind a hill at tremendous speed, travelling straight up and over the helicopter, disappearing over the horizon. He had a photograph of the UFO, described as a disc, but would not reveal his identity.

Harare, Zimbabwe - November 15, 1997 Graham reported seeing a silver disc hovering for about 10 seconds before accelerating rapidly. He then saw a second disc in the same spot. He could not accept these were weather balloons due to their metallic appearance and acceleration.

Johannesburg, South Africa - October 1998 Mary and her family reported seeing a solid-silver sphere high in the sky, moving in a zig-zagging pattern, stopping and moving again, appearing to be propelled. They also spotted a second, white object. Mary, with experience from working at an Armaments Company's test range, felt sure they were not weather balloons.

An Aircraft/UFO Encounter Over Germany in 1976

This detailed report by Richard F. Haines describes an encounter by a private pilot, identified as D. W., on August 13, 1976. While flying near Reichelsheim, West Germany, D. W. noticed a strange, oval, yellowish light with an orange boundary approaching his aircraft. The UFO appeared to be about 3½ degrees of arc in diameter. The encounter led to the pilot's aircraft rolling twice rapidly and his magnetic compass spinning. Two USAF F-4 Phantom jets were dispatched to investigate, and the UFO accelerated away at high speed. Following the sighting, the pilot was interrogated by military officials and asked to sign a form agreeing not to disclose the details. The aircraft's landing gear and engine crankshaft were later found to be strongly magnetized.

Other UFO Reports

UFOs - African Encounters (continued)

• Normanton, Friday July 7th, 11.45pm: An officer from the Dept of Air Safety reported a "something" the size of a football field travelling over the area with lights and no noise.
• Norman Park, Monday May 22nd, 5.50pm: A man and his daughter observed a large silver oval shape hovering over the city, described as having portholes with lights and looking like a plate or saucer.
• Coorparoo, Tuesday 23rd May, 6.25pm: A man observed a flashing light that appeared to be a red light within a misty halo, which disappeared in a flash.
• Sunday 28th May, 8.55pm: Two lights were observed travelling South, changing color from white to red then green, moving faster and higher than a jet.

Sighting Reports - March – July 2000

• Forest Hill near Gatton, Thursday 30th March, 9.15pm: A couple witnessed a blue hovering light that enlarged to the size of a house and moved 10 klms in 3 to 4 seconds.

QANTAS flight spots an object over Queensland

Simon Denneen reported a logging from August 12, 2000, involving a QANTAS B-737 VH-TJI. The pilot reported a large object moving slowly and flaming, with an orange flame and blue tail, descending from high altitude from the northwest to southeast. The object was described as large and possibly space junk.

UFO sighting hard to shake for Highland man

This report from the NEWS DEMOCRAT (August 9, 2000) details Melvern Noll's sighting on January 5th of an object described as a "two-story house" with strange lights. The incident led to police involvement and media attention.

Society News and Events

The VUFORS Sightings Hotline

A hotline number (03) 9506 7080 is available for reporting sightings.

Items for Sale

Stanton Friedman's CD-ROM "UFOs... THE REAL STORY" is available for a reduced price. VUFORS lapel badges and pens are also for sale. Second-hand books and magazines, as well as back issues of The Australian UFO Bulletin, are available.

Timothy Good Book

Members who ordered Timothy Good's book "Unearthly Disclosure" are reminded to pay the balance of payment. Additional copies are available for sale.

Victorian U.F.O. Research Society - History and Meetings

The Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (formerly Australian Flying Saucer Bureau and Australian Flying Saucer Research Society) was formed in the early 1950s. The society has published various papers and is known for its publication Australian Flying Saucer Review. They have held discussion nights and maintained a large UFO library. Upcoming discussion nights are scheduled for March 6th, June 5th, September 4th (AGM), and December 4th, 2000.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are historical UFO sightings, particularly from the mid-20th century, and reports of unusual aerial phenomena from various locations including Australia, Africa, and Europe. The editorial stance, as implied by the society's history, is that UFOs are a scientific problem deserving closer attention. The inclusion of detailed reports, witness testimonies, and technical analysis (as in the German encounter) suggests a commitment to investigating and documenting UFO phenomena seriously. The publication also highlights the ongoing nature of UFO research through its society news and event listings.