LUFORO Bulletin - Vol 2 No 03 - March 1961

Magazine Overview

Title: LUFORO BULLETIN
Issue: VOL.II No.3
Date: March 1961
Publisher: London Unidentified Flying Object Research Organisation

This issue of the LUFORO BULLETIN provides a comprehensive overview of UFO sightings and related research activities, primarily focusing on reports from November 1960 and early 1961. It details numerous eyewitness accounts, organizational news, and discussions on the nature of unidentified aerial phenomena.

Organizational Information and News

The London Unidentified Flying Object Research Organisation (LUFORO) was established on July 11th, 1959, with the objective of conducting unbiased scientific investigations into UFO reports, collecting verifiable data, disseminating information through bulletins, and promoting cooperation among researchers. The bulletin is available from the Hon. Secretary, with subscription rates of 5/- or 1 dollar for 12 monthly issues, and 6d or 10 cents for a single copy. Annual full membership is 10/- or 1 dollar 50 cents, including the bulletin. Associate membership is free.

The issue announces a change in the committee, with the resignation of Mr. D.J. Bruin due to a change of residence, and the co-option of Dr. G.G. Doel. The next London Meeting, themed 'RESEARCH GET-TOGETHER', was scheduled for April 22nd, 1961, at the Borough of Kensington's New Central Library. This meeting aimed to discuss the categorization of LUFORO's research sections and the current state of UFO research.

A disclaimer states that opinions published in the bulletin do not necessarily reflect those of the London UFO Research Organisation.

West Country Sightings of November 11th, 1960

This section details further eyewitness reports concerning the West Country sightings of November 11th, 1960. LUFORO was analyzing these reports, with results to be published soon. Mr. David Jones, editor of 'Saucer Forum', provided a dossier on investigated reports, noting consistency in object descriptions but inconsistency in direction of travel.

Wantage, Berks. (S.G. Cross): Observed around 8:40 pm, a brilliant blue light trail with a large, glowing blue-white ball at the front, moving east to west at about 50,000 ft. The object seemed to explode and disappear like a blow-lamp, leaving a red trail of vapour. The area was illuminated as if by daylight.

Longlevens, Gloucester (Stanley Hughes): At 8:45 pm, a bright fireball with a long trail, blue-white in color, was seen falling at an angle of about 45°, followed by a long trail. The main object faded, but the trail persisted for about 10 seconds. The apparent size was estimated as 1/4 the size of a sixpence held at arm's length, moving approximately North-South at high speed.

Suckley, Worcestershire (J.L. Rich): At about 8:35 pm, an object travelling at tremendous speed from east to north-west was observed. It was preceded by a crack, followed by a blue flame that turned red, then a big round object, blue in colour and about the size of a football, fell off at an angle of 45° straight to earth. A white contrail hung in the sky. The witness, a member of the Royal Observer Corps, noted the object and phenomena.

Stechford, Birmingham (Mrs. Phyllis L. Davey): Observed around 3:15-3:30 pm, a three-sided object with a very bright light, hovering, not like an aeroplane, with no vapour trails, at a great height over Elmdon Airport.

Exeter, Devon (Miss Suzette Clinnick): At about 8:45 pm, a bright light, like a magnesium flash, lit up the sky. A shadowy object surrounded by light moved across the sky and disappeared, leaving a circle of orange sparks. The object was estimated to be above the normal height of aeroplanes and much larger.

Bromsberrow, Glos. (Maurice Estop, reported in Gloucester Citizen 14/11/'60): A round ball of light became very bright, emitting tremendous heat. Its light was blue, and there was no sound. A tail shot out to the left, and the ball disappeared at great speed, shooting straight out across the sky.

Television Screens Affected

An archaeologist, Mr. Hilary Waddington, suggested that a brilliant green stripe of light seen around 8:45 pm might be a satellite burning up. The light travelled east to west, followed by yellow particles and a vapour trail, and coincided with a flash across many television screens.

British Sighting Reports

This section compiles various UFO sightings reported in British newspapers and from individuals.

'WAS IT A ROCKET?' (Brentwood Gazette & Mid-Essex Recorder, March 10th, 1961): A man in Brentwood saw an object emitting smoke and fire, travelling at terrific speed, described as a miniature flying bomb.

'OBJECT IN SKY SEEN' (Sunday Telegraph, March 5th, 1961): An unidentified object, described as large and white, was reported seen across several counties, with the Meteorological Office and Air Ministry unable to provide an explanation.

'GREEN OBJECT IN SKY 'A METEORITE'' (The Observer, March 5th, 1961): An object sighted over Southern England disintegrated in red sparks, with the Royal Observatory suggesting it was a meteorite breaking up.

'SKY SIGHT' (Sunday Pictorial, March 5th, 1961): A bright green object with a tail of red sparks was reported over eight counties, identified by the Air Ministry as almost certainly a meteorite.

'BLACK DOT CROSSES MOON'S FACE' (From J.G. Roberts, Blackpool): At a British Astronomical Association meeting in November 1960, Mr. H. Wildey reported seeing an artificial satellite crossing the moon's disc, appearing as a minute black dot with spikes. Mr. G.E. Taylor suggested Vanguard 3, but further checks indicated it was not Vanguard 3.

'1957 SIGHTING SIMILAR TO THE RED BLUFF CASE' (From Mr. Ian C. Walter, Cheltenham): Mr. Walter shared a report from May 7th, 1957, concerning a 'SKY MEETING' where Mrs. Olive Webb of Leckhampton saw an object initially thought to be a comet, then a low-flying plane. It moved slowly, then rose at a slight angle and seemed to meet another object. They blinked as if making signals, closed together, and disappeared. Mrs. Webb described the object as cigar-shaped with a superstructure from which shone three bright lights. Mr. Walter investigated and described the cigar-shaped object as having blue metallic grooving, and the second object approaching at high speed, blinking, and disappearing into the underside of the cigar.

'MINCH HUNT FOR MYSTERY PLANE' (The Press and Journal, Aberdeen, Feb 28, 1961): The skipper of the Aberdeen-owned trawler Boston Gannet reported seeing an object crash into the sea off the east coast of Lewis. A column of black smoke rose from the position, and the skipper insisted it was not imagination.

'FLYING CIGAR' (Bury Free Press, March 10, 1961): A man in Sudbury reported seeing a 'BIG CIGAR thing with a big light over the top' travelling at a fast speed.

New Bradwell, Bucks: Experienced a freak storm and a green fireball similar to the Lymington storm of January 9th, 1961.

'RADAR KEEPS AN EYE ON SPACE LITTER' (The Observer, March 5th, 1961): A 15 ft. piece of wire orbiting the earth at 400 miles altitude was detected by American radar. This incident highlighted the importance of tracking space traffic, following earlier confusion caused by military radar detecting an unidentified object which turned out to be an American rocket case.

'IRON CURTAIN GROUP FORMED' (Letter from UFO Youth Circle, Middle Germany): A group from Middle Germany expressed pride in their cooperation with LUFORO and greeted LUFORO members.

OVERSEAS REPORTS:

• Salisbury, Rhodesia (Frau H. Denia): Saw an object in May 1960, in the form of a flat disc giving out a flashing light, about 30 metres above the ground and 50 metres away, moving silently. It was seen three times over the same spot.
• Robe, S. Aust. (School children and teacher): Saw an object resembling a 'red cricket ball' fly overhead at 11:56 am on October 27th, 1960. It travelled slowly, then began to zig-zag crazily and fell rapidly, leaving a trail of smoke.
• Coral Gables, Florida (S.P.A.C.E.): Reported 'UFOS ACTIVE AGAIN OVER CARACAS SKIES' on November 3rd, 1960.
• Giant Cigar on Sea Bottom: An object about 90 metres in length was detected on the radar screen of two Australian warships. Initial thought was a submarine, but this was not maintained due to the great depth. A German emigrant offered voluntary assistance for examination.
• Erlangen (Frau B. Kadenbach): On December 4th, 1960, saw a group of three objects flying south to north-west, described as dull-white to grey-white discs pulsating on the periphery. Later, four identical objects appeared, followed by two more in formation.

INDEX of Sightings

The bulletin includes an extensive index of sightings from January, February, and March 1961, detailing date, time, location (country and state/county), object description (shape, color, behavior), and source or reference (e.g., INT VINO2, LUFORO, SPA No.50).

Notable Quotes

• Mr.H. Wildey on observing an object cross the moon's disc: "The object was very black and round although small in diameter not exceeding two seconds and appeared to be tranfixed with an oblique spike... The progress was smooth and straight just like the movement of a satellite and was nothing like the aeroplanes and night birds that I have on many occasions seen in similar transits across the moon."
• Mr. Walter on Mrs. Webb's sighting: "The cigar-shaped object (which she referred to as that certain shape over and over again) had a blue metallic grooving like a gramophone record. The second object appeared from over the hill and appreached the 'cigar' at high speed - slowed down as it neared the object, blinked, and disappeared up into the underneath of the 'cigar'."

Case of the Thing from Another World

Reported in the Daily Express (March 17th, 1961), this article discusses the first physical evidence of extraterrestrial life forms beyond our planet, revealed by three scientists in New York. They examined fragments of a meteorite that fell near Orgeuil, France, and detected certain hydrocarbons similar to those found in earthly plant and animal life.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed documentation and analysis of UFO sightings, the challenges in identifying and explaining these phenomena, and the importance of systematic research and data collection. The editorial stance emphasizes a commitment to scientific investigation, encouraging the submission of local sighting reports for comparison and future study. The bulletin acts as a platform for sharing information and fostering a community of UFO researchers, while also acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge and the need for further investigation.