LUFORO Bulletin - Vol 2 No 04 - April 1961

Magazine Overview

Title: LUFORO BULLETIN
Issue: Vol. II No. 4
Date: April 1961
Publisher: London Unidentified Flying Object Research Organisation (LUFORO)
Price: 6d.

Contents

Editorial and Organisation Information

The bulletin opens with details about the London Unidentified Flying Object Research Organisation (LUFORO), established on July 11th, 1959, to conduct unbiased scientific investigations into UFO reports, collect verifiable data, publicize information, and foster cooperation among researchers. Subscription rates for the bulletin are 5/- or 1 dollar for 12 monthly issues, with single copies costing 6d. or 10c. Annual full membership is 10/- or 1 dollar 50c., which includes the bulletin subscription. Associate membership is free and grants access to the information service.

An announcement for the next London Meeting is made, scheduled for Saturday, May 27th, at Caxton Hall, London, at 7:30 pm. The featured talk, by Mr. Richard Shephard, is titled "Paranormal Cognition and its Connections with the UFO Phenomena." Admission is 2/6d, and the meeting is open to non-members.

The editorial address is provided as 3 Kent Terrace, Regents Park, London N.W.1. The publication lists its President as G.F.N. Knewstub, Chairman as G.N.P. Stephenson, Hon. Secretary as Miss S.R. Stebbing, and Hon. Treasurer as G. Berrisford. The bulletin is edited by Lawrence G Moore.

American Fireball Sightings

This section reports on several sightings of fireballs and bright objects in the skies over Phoenix, Arizona, in January 1961. The Phoenix Gazette on January 12th described a brilliant fireball flashing across the sky, visible to airplane cockpit observers and lighting up a truck. Flight control and pilots at Sky Harbor Airport reported a bright blue object that dissipated into red, traveling low from southwest to northeast over 10-20 seconds. Five days later, the Arizona Republic reported a similar large object, described as bright blue and red, falling from the skies west of Phoenix. Observers at Sky Harbor Airport control tower suggested it was a large meteorite. Bill Graves reported a bright blue light heading towards earth at a 20-degree angle from about 5000ft. Engineer Cullen Moore also saw a bright blue object. A "giant ball of fire" was seen across the horizon, lighting up much of California. Coastal points reported the object flying out to sea, with the Civil Aeronautics Traffic Control Center in Los Angeles suggesting it was a meteor breaking up or a satellite re-entering the atmosphere. Major Irv Neuwirth described seeing the tail end of the fireball, likening it to a meteor breaking up but exceptionally bright.

Meanwhile, Back in Los Angeles

This section continues the report on fireballs, noting a second brilliant fireball seen over Los Angeles at 5:57 pm on the previous day, also seen over Indio 9 minutes later. The article questions whether a meteorite could take 9 minutes to burn out and notes the Air Force denied reports of a satellite burning up, highlighting that Los Angeles is nearly 400 miles from Phoenix.

Mystery Explosions

Several reports of unexplained blasts are detailed, often connected with UFO sightings. In Long Beach, California, on January 27th, 1961, an unexplained blast rattled buildings and cracked windows, causing numerous calls to emergency services. Los Alamitos Naval Air Station and El Toro Marine Air Base denied having any planes in the area at the time. In Buenos Aires on December 10th, 1960, a strange white light and explosion during a storm shook homes over a two-mile area, and a 13 ft. wide crater was discovered.

Explosion Scare - It's a Mystery

In London, police and firemen responded to reports of a mystery explosion in S. Kensington after startled residents described a vivid red flash. However, checks of the area found no evidence of an explosion. The report notes that a similar event occurred the previous Saturday night without explanation.

Additional Evidence Re. 'Mainbrace' R.A.F. Sighting

This section revisits the 'Mainbrace' R.A.F. sighting from September 19th, 1952. A question was posed in the House of Commons by Mr. Mason to the Secretary of State for Air, George Ward, regarding the inquiry into unidentified flying objects sighted by airmen during the N.A.T.O. operation 'Mainbrace'. Mr. Ward stated that "No object was identified." The article notes the seven-year delay in asking this question.

A recall from the Sunday Dispatch of September 21st, 1952, describes an R.A.F. investigation into a silvery-white object that chased a jet-plane over Yorkshire during 'Exercise Mainbrace'. Six R.A.F. officers and four aircrew witnessed the object. Flight Lieut. John W. Kilburn described it as "something different from anything I have ever seen in 3700 hrs. flying." He detailed the object as silver and circular, about 10000ft. up and 5 miles astern of his aircraft. It descended, swung pendulum-fashion, then stopped its descent, accelerated at incredible speed to the west, turned south-east, and disappeared. The observers were unanimous that it was a solid object, not a smoke ring, vapour trail, or weather balloon, due to its speed and behavior.

Report from Mrs. Kathleen V. Wilson-Sharp

Mrs. Kathleen V. Wilson-Sharp of Colchester, Essex, recounts a sighting from about ten years prior (September, circa 1951). While having a picnic near Crayke, Yorkshire, she observed a circular object emerge from dark clouds and hover above Dishforth Aerodrome. Initially thinking it was a weather balloon, she then saw it streak off horizontally and speedily. The object shone with a brilliant light. Upon inquiry, the Commanding Officer of Dishforth Aerodrome confirmed that six of his officers had seen the same object and their descriptions matched hers. Mrs. Wilson-Sharp described the object as resembling an "inverted cup and saucer" or a "lemon squeezer."

Possible Cause of 'Lemon Squeezer' Effect

J. Cleary-Baker of Weeke, Hants, suggested that the UFO's appearance might be due to two pie pans placed mouth-to-mouth, with illumination from the lower part casting shadows that merged with the dark cloud background, making parts of the surface invisible. Observer L.A.C. George Grime noted a "sort of halo shining on the centre of the object" that appeared to be going round and shining as it turned.

Book Review: "Flying Saucers and the U.S. Air Force" by Lt. Col. Lawrence J. Tacker

This review discusses a book presented as "officially inspired" by the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense. Lt. Col. Tacker, acting as a mouthpiece, reviews incidents leading to public disquiet over UFOs. He attributes the majority of sightings to: a) meteorites and natural phenomena, b) misinterpretation of celestial bodies and atmospheric effects, c) hallucinations and self-deception, and d) hoaxes. The book admits a small proportion of unexplained sightings, citing the experience of Capt. C.S. Chiles and 1st Officer John B. Whitted, whose aircraft was narrowly missed by a wingless cigar-type UFO. Tacker refutes accusations that U.S. Air Force authorities are withholding truth, quoting official pronouncements. The book asserts there is no evidence of extra-terrestrial origin and that any such evidence would be made public. It quotes Professor D.H. Menzel and other scientists who support the four categories of explanation. The book includes facsimile sheets of U.S. Press releases from the Department of Defense regarding UFOs.

The review notes that authenticated, unexplained UFO sightings represent 2.76% of the total 6523 reports received by the U.S.A.F. over ten years, yielding 176 inexplicable sightings and 1239 dismissed due to insufficient information. The section on information gathering describes various forms used by authorities, including one with a diagram for observers to plot UFO paths. The reviewer concludes that the book is a genuine attempt to present the U.S. Air Force's position on UFOs to the public, but its reception by skeptics and those aware of past "denials" remains to be seen.

"Human Perception in the Evaluation of Data" Lecture

A report on a meeting held in Caxton Hall on March 11th, featuring a lecture by Mr. C.C. Stevens, reported by Mrs. R. Shepherd. Mr. Stevens discussed "Human Perception in the Evaluation of Data," explaining that knowledge is based on individual perceptions and senses, making each experience unique. He stated that language is a "many to one" medium for conveying knowledge, and certainty about inferred meaning is impossible. Stevens suggested that people subconsciously use a scientific process of research in everyday life, divided into three stages: Assumption, Prediction, and Experience. If experience falsifies a prediction, one must revert to Assumption. He stressed the importance of examining and changing fundamental assumptions, linking rigidity to "damnation."

When asked about applying this system to UFOlogy, Mr. Stevens replied he had only reached Stage 1 (Assumption), assuming UFOs exist based on gathered information, but had not yet made predictions. He noted that a variety of other questions were asked regarding interpretation and application, regretting the poor attendance at the enjoyable evening.

News Flashes

Who's That Up There?

Mr. Charles Boseley of Windsor reported seeing a block of ice crash through his roof, believing it was dropped by an airplane (18/4/'61, Ev. News & Star).

Showers of thick black stones, weighing about 4lb each, fell over the Pakistan village of Kalak, preceded by frightening thunder. Officials were sent specimens to the Govt. Geological Laboratory (3/4/'61, The Times).

Lintz (Austria) Publication

The Lintz Naachrichten für den Sonntag published on Jan. 28, 1961, a photo of a UFO seen by an amateur photographer on August 3, 1960, who was initially a skeptic. The object bore a resemblance to the famous 1952 photo of UFOs over Salem, USA.

Daily Mail Cartoon

A cartoon strip by Arthur Horner in the 'Daily Mail' depicts the arrival of an "Outer Space chap" who has apparently studied a "saucer" book for material.

Early Attempts to Photograph UFOs

A reader from Mexico City reported an early and successful effort to photograph UFOs by Jose Bonilla, director of the Zacatecas observatory, on August 12, 1883. While rigging his telescope to photograph sunspots, a small luminous body passed across the sun. Over the next two hours, he observed 283 such objects and photographed a number of them. His photographs are said to still exist and are property of the Mexican Government.

Tasmanian Sightings

Details from the Australian Flying Saucer Review (Feb. 1961) describe sightings of a 'mother ship' and eight smaller craft by Rev. Lionel Browning in Tasmania on Oct. 4, 1960. Local residents also saw the craft. Mrs. Doris Bransdon described it as "a fantastic sight like a lot of little ships flocking round a bigger one." Two hours after the sighting, loud explosions were heard in the locality.

How About Writing to the Bulletin?

Readers are encouraged to send their ideas, articles, and criticisms to the editorial address on Page 1.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The LUFORO Bulletin consistently focuses on UFO sightings and related phenomena, presenting eyewitness accounts, official reports (or lack thereof), and speculative explanations. The organization aims for unbiased scientific investigation while acknowledging the public's interest and the need for information dissemination. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging members to contribute their findings and fostering a community of researchers. There's a clear emphasis on the collection and analysis of data, as highlighted by the lecture on human perception, and a critical examination of official explanations, particularly from military sources. The publication also engages with book reviews and news flashes to provide a broader context for UFO research.