LUFORO Bulletin - Vol 3 No 02 - Mar Apr 1962

Magazine Overview

Title: LUFORO BULLETIN
Issue: Vol. III No. 2
Date: March-April 1962
Publisher: London Unidentified Flying Object Research Organization (LUFORO)
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of the LUFORO Bulletin presents a collection of UFO sightings and related information, reflecting the organization's ongoing efforts to document and understand unidentified aerial phenomena. The cover features an illustration of two jet fighter planes against a dark, textured background, with the magazine's title prominently displayed.

Organization and Membership

The LUFORO organization is detailed, listing its key personnel and their roles. The President is G.F.N. Knewstub, Vice-President is L.G. Cramp, and Chairman and Bulletin Editor is G.N.P. Stephenson. Other officers include a Vice-Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Research Co-ordinator, Publicity Officer, Librarian, and Foreign Department Secretary. Representatives are also listed for the Stratford-on-Avon Affiliate Group, Northern Ireland, and the U.S.A. The bulletin announces the resignation of two committee members and the appointment of two new members, one of whom also becomes Secretary of the "Photo-graph Analysis Section." The Australian Representative is also noted.

Membership subscription is 10/-d per annum, with a U.S.A. representative handling subscriptions from that country at 1 dollar 50 cents. The Bulletin itself is available to non-members for 5/-d per annum (or 1 dollar).

A London meeting is scheduled for June 9th at 7:30 p.m. at Kensington Library, featuring a lecture and slides.

LUFORO Library

The LUFORO Library is housed in a large room provided by a member, Reverend R.K. Hurgon, at 106, South Hill Park, Hampstead. Members can visit the library on Saturday afternoons between 4 and 6 p.m. The organization has collected several hundred UFO bulletins and magazines since its formation nearly three years prior. They are seeking donations of books and magazines to expand the collection and plan to establish a Lending Library once duplicate copies are available. They particularly welcome back numbers of British journals like "Flying Saucer Review" and bulletins from the British Flying Saucer Bureau, as well as magazines from all countries prior to 1960. Literature on a wide range of related subjects is also accepted, including space travel, exobiology, astronomy, meteorology, geology, physics, folklore, psychology, parapsychology, history, defence, and photography. Donations or loans should be sent to the Librarian, R.G. Wyld.

Members can also discuss research at the library location on Saturdays from 4 to 6 p.m. On fine summer afternoons, members may use Hampstead Heath. Photographs and reports are usually analyzed on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. After 6 p.m., committees, study groups, or working parties operate.

References

LUFORO proposes an experimental system to compile lists of references on selected aspects of ufology, leveraging the combined knowledge of its over three hundred members. Members are invited to send references on a specific subject, which will be compiled and published in a subsequent issue. The subject for this issue is "falls of fibrous material." Useful details to include are the article title, author, publication name, date, volume, page number, and column number. The current subject is "falls of fibrous material," and references should be sent to Charles A. Stickland.

Contact Investigation Section

Charles A. Stickland is compiling a list of individuals who claim to have sensed or communicated with creatures from Unidentified Flying Objects. Information, including names, addresses, and published reports, should be sent to him. Claims occurring after this bulletin should be sent to the Chairman of LUFORO.

What Do You Know About It?

This section poses questions about approaching UFOs and whether beings in UFOs are trying to communicate. It encourages members to share new, different, or practically useful ideas with the Editor.

Sightings and Reports

Porthleven, Cornwall (March 13, 1962)

Residents reported a "flaming cigar-shape" in the sky, traveling towards the sea. Initially thought to be a vapour trail, the object did not alter shape or colour. The R.N.A.S. at Culdrose had no planes up, and local Coastguard stations offered no explanation. J. Cleary-Baker tentatively classified it as a Type 1A UFO, "Little Smoke," but noted the lack of data for a firm judgment. The conclusion was "Probably an unknown UFO."

Bolton (Date not specified)

A letter in "Readers Views" described an unknown object as a "big firework." Mrs. Bell heard "intermittent pips," while Denise Roberts Harper described similar sounds as Morse code. Denise also reported seeing something similar about ten days earlier. Ideas ranged from spies to "Russian Sputniks."

Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire (January 21, 1962)

At approximately 6:15 P.M., three lights were observed moving from West to East through trees at an estimated height of 4000-5000 ft. The observer, a member of the Royal Observer Corps, noted they appeared similar to aircraft navigational lights but without sound. The object disappeared behind a fir tree after about 15-20 seconds. The lights were described as bright as Sirius or Venus, with a third magnitude light to their right. J. Cleary-Baker concluded it was likely a UFO due to the lack of sound and sudden disappearance.

Stockport, Cheshire (December 12, 1961)

H. Bunting, an Electrical Engineer, observed a bright white object low in the sky for three minutes. It made no noise and disappeared behind houses. Details provided include the time (9:36 P.M.), direction (N.W.), height (2500-3000 ft), and that it performed a right-angle turn upwards. The witness was certain it was not an aircraft, satellite, meteorite, or balloon.

Colchester, Essex (December 2, 1961)

Jennifer Holberton, aged 12, saw two strange lights that vanished, followed by a long brownish-grey object that disappeared. Details include the time (10 P.M.), car speed (30 M.P.H.), and approximate size (that of a 2/- piece held at arm's length). J. Cleary-Baker suggested that lights might be a primitive signaling system for UFO-to-UFO communication or for watchers on the ground.

Glamorgan Police (August 28, 1961)

Mobile P.O. Peter Burford reported glimpsing a very bright object, like a full moon, while on patrol. It was a brief glimpse as it was hidden by trees. The object disappeared rapidly. Mrs. B.S. Blundell noted that the area (Pentre Meyrick/Penllyn Hill) seems to be frequented by saucers, recalling a similar sighting by two patrol cars years ago and another by a lady driving home from Cardiff.

California, U.S.A. (October 18, 1961)

A couple in McArthur witnessed an oval-shaped object divided into three bands of coloured light (green, white, red) hovering for three hours. It released smaller objects that departed and returned. The phenomenon was re-enacted on October 22nd. In the same vicinity, two boys in Fall River Mills reported seeing a strange round object that grew brighter and dimmer, releasing other objects from its sides.

Argentina (January 10, 1962)

A truck driver, Jose A. Fillipin, reported seeing two powerful lights overhead, which disappeared. Later, they noticed a strange machine at rest on a hillside. The object, described as having a domed top, moved away rapidly when truck headlights were shone on it. It was noted that there were two identical machines moving in a zig-zag motion. Police investigated but found nothing. Inspector General Pedro Tolosa of the province believed the witnesses.

Venezuela (October 6, 1961)

Fishermen on Lake Maracaibo reported a huge object passing overhead, its glow illuminating the town. This caused dozens of fishermen to dive overboard, with one drowning. The object remained visible for five minutes, disappearing to the south with a reddish exhaust trail, indicating it was not of meteoric origin.

New Mexico (October 21, 1961)

Mr. and Mrs. du Bois, driving on Route 60, observed a "brilliant ball of white light" that followed their car. The ball then split into four separate entities before vanishing. The witness initially considered it might be a plane making a forced landing, but the object's behavior discounted this.

New Hampshire (February 19, 1961)

Mr. and Mrs. Barney Hill reported seeing a flattened disc with a strip of light rotating on its axis. The object descended to within 80-100 ft of the ground, revealing a row of windows from which beams of bluish-white light emerged. "Figures" were seen moving within the windows, and red lights on fin-like structures slid out. The object tilted downwards, causing panic. "Beeping" sounds were heard, and the car vibrated. The incident was reported to the police and investigated by officers at Pease Air Force Base, with interest shown in the "red lights on the wing like extensions." The matter was under evaluation by Major Henderson, Walter J. Webb, and two Electronic Engineers aiding NICAP.

Indianapolis (October 12, 1961)

Frank Edwards, a member of the NICAP Board, observed hundreds of citizens looking up at the sky. The report is incomplete, but suggests a significant aerial phenomenon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed reporting of UFO sightings from diverse geographical locations, the analysis of object characteristics (shape, color, behavior, speed, altitude), and the presentation of witness testimonies. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation, encouraging members to contribute data and share theories. The publication aims to compile and disseminate information on UFOs, fostering a collective understanding of the phenomenon. The "References" and "Contact Investigation Section" highlight a systematic approach to research, seeking to build comprehensive databases and explore specific aspects of ufology. The "What Do You Know About It?" section indicates an open-minded approach, valuing new ideas and theories from the membership.

This issue of the LUFORO BULLETIN, dated January 1962, presents a collection of UFO sightings and related analyses from various global locations. The publication focuses on detailed witness accounts and attempts to provide explanations or further investigation into these phenomena. The content includes reports from Canada, Hawaii, Australia, Japan, Denmark, and the United Kingdom, covering a range of reported aerial objects and their characteristics.

Reports from Around the World

Canada

From the Dundas area, several individuals reported seeing three objects shaped like footballs that moved with ease and had blinking rear lights. The report notes that these objects hovered and moved up and down. Separately, from Sarnia, Ontario, a brilliant red and white object was observed skimming across the sky, turning, and racing north, emitting a bright white beam.

Hawaii

A brief note from Lihue, Hawaii, mentions a reproduced photograph of a UFO that strongly resembled a football, similar to the objects reported in Dundas, Canada. However, no further details were available.

Australia

Multiple sightings are reported from Australia. In Darwin, a saucer-shaped, glowing object (bluish in colour) was viewed by many people on the evening of July 27, 1961. Another report from Darwin describes a large object with a long tail travelling very fast and appearing to come in 'quite low'. Witnesses described it as a 'big thing' and thought it was manually controlled. From Delissaville, a crocodile shooter named Roy Moffat reported seeing a flying object descend close to a Boeing aeroplane. He took colour pictures, which were sent for development. Three days later, Moffat spotted another unidentified object. A separate report from Darwin mentions a phenomenon described as a 'big ball of fire' coming towards a train, causing a significant reaction from the driver and fireman.

Japan

In Inuyuana City, Japan, a high school student observed a procession of lights in the sky on November 1, 1961. The lights were arranged in blocks and followed a U-shaped course from East to West. Personnel at the Komaki Air Self Defence Corps Base stated there were no aeroplanes aloft at the time. A previous report from October 1960 described a similar phenomenon. From Hokkaido, Japan, Hideo Tatsumi and others observed a 'glittering crimson' object flying overhead at jet aeroplane speed without sound. Officials at the Asahigewa Municipal Astronomical Observatory opined that it could not be an artificial satellite due to its East-to-West trajectory.

Denmark

Reports from Denmark indicate an increase in UFO sightings, with a significant number recorded in July, August, September, and October. Additionally, there were cases of a curious gelatine-like substance, referred to as 'Angels' hair', falling from the sky.

United Kingdom

A detailed analysis is presented of a sighting in Buckinghamshire, England, involving Mr. Ronald Wildman. He claimed to have encountered a large object spanning the road, approximately 20 ft. up. During this encounter, his car's accelerator ceased to function normally, resulting in a loss of power. The article explores potential causes, including a powerful slipstream or an external influence affecting the car's electrical or fuel systems. The author concludes that the UFO, if it was one, likely disturbed the Earth's residual magnetism or acted as a powerful electro-magnet.

Other Reports and Analysis

The issue also includes a section titled 'ODDS EVEN THOUGH QUEER', which contains brief notes and comments on various UFO-related topics. One note discusses US Air Force jet pilots attempting to intercept UFOs, even when they are not identified as enemy missiles or bombers, and mentions that Base Commanders are forbidden to release reports of UFOs unless they can be explained as ordinary objects. Another section references an article by Dr. Leon Davidson, suggesting that 'Officialdom' may have orchestrated a 'swindle' to make people believe in UFOs since 1947-48. A fascinating report details a 'shoe-print' found in the Gobi Desert, dated millions of years ago, which is suggested to be from a space-traveller. There is also a mention of an archaeological expedition finding ancient port-works remote from water, implying a significant geological change over time.

Scientific and Research Notes

Dr. Ronald Bracewell of Stanford Radio Astronomy Institute suggested broadcasting the Oxford Dictionary on tape to communicate with beings in space. A scientist, Bruce Hollision, described an object found on a beach in Western Tasmania as 'rubbery flesh', measuring 20ft x 18ft x 4ft.

Letters to the Editor

C.D. Allan from Coventry writes about 'orthoteny', a concept related to UFO analysis, and proposes a method to test its validity by evaluating reports from 'saucer' flap eras. He suggests that orthoteny should apply only to unknowns and not to known phenomena. The editor adds a comment on viewing unknown phenomena by studying the difference between the unknown and the known (U-K), emphasizing that silence, for example, is the absence of a feature rather than a property itself.

Photography Requests

Members are requested to send in prints or negatives for a UFO control file, including examples of photographic faults, developer faults, accidental double exposures, and UFO photographs. These are needed for analysis and filing purposes.

LUFORO Publicity

The Executive Committee addresses erroneous beliefs and opinions circulating about the organization LUFORO. Members are asked to report any misleading statements. The organization has received favourable publicity and is in a stronger position to continue research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the reporting and investigation of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). There is a consistent effort to document sightings from diverse locations, gather witness testimonies, and analyze the physical characteristics and behaviours of the reported objects. The publication appears to challenge conventional explanations, such as the 'aeroplane' theory, and explores more extraordinary possibilities, including extraterrestrial origins and potential electromagnetic influences. The editorial stance seems to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging detailed reporting and scientific scrutiny while acknowledging the difficulties in definitively explaining many phenomena. The inclusion of letters to the editor and detailed analyses suggests a commitment to engaging with the UFO research community and advancing the understanding of these events.

This issue of the LUFORO BULLETIN, dated April 1962, focuses on UFO sightings and landings, particularly in Italy. The cover headline highlights "LANDINGS IN FLORENCE APRIL 1962", and the content delves into witness reports and photographic evidence.

Landings in Florence, April 1962

The lead story details a sighting by Iller Benazzi (28) near Florence. Benazzi, a tailor, reported seeing a strange flying machine on the Saronno-Legnano road with his fiancée and three other witnesses. He described the object as moving noiselessly, descending to almost graze the car, and turning its headlights on them. It then landed some distance away and drove towards Saronno. Benazzi noted it had three smaller tail lights with a violet gleam. He initially hesitated to report it but changed his mind after reading about a similar sighting by Mario Zuccala in San Casciano, near Florence, on the same night. The report is attributed to B.U.P. and published in the Edinburgh Evening News on Saturday, April 14th, 1962. The editor of the LUFORO BULLETIN has asked a member in Florence to investigate these reports.

UFOs Photographed: Two Mysterious Apparitions in the Sky Over Milan

This section is a translation of an article from "Domenica del Corriere" (Italy), April 1962, detailing sightings by Gaspare de Lama, a young painter from Milan. De Lama claims to have seen flying saucers twice in succession.

First Sighting (December 1st, 1961)

De Lama, accompanied by his wife and mother, was near the San Siro stadium when he saw a strange, circular, disc-shaped object flying over the area. He described it as oscillating directly above the stadium. He estimated its diameter to be 100 meters and its colour as lead-coloured. The surface did not reflect sunlight and was not self-luminous. The object moved noiselessly and silently. De Lama's mother urged him to take photographs, and he did so, jumping into a field to get better shots. He described the saucer's movement as strange, sometimes remaining motionless, then shooting off and halting a few hundred metres away, rising and falling irregularly.

Second Sighting (February 12th, 1962)

De Lama took more photographs from his terrace on February 12th, around 4:30 PM. He saw a black point in the viewfinder which developed into another flying disc. This time, he managed to take a whole reel of film as the disc moved steadily before suddenly turning back and vanishing. He estimated its altitude to be between 200 to 300 meters and its size to be about 7 meters. It had a prominent central cupola of the same leaden colour. There was no sound, though street noise might have masked it. De Lama noted that this disc sometimes appeared surrounded by a halo of light mist, which hid its contours, a detail confirmed when he developed the prints.

Analysis and Conclusions

De Lama expressed no doubts about the existence of flying saucers, stating that after 15 years of sightings worldwide, doubting them would be absurd. He argued that evidence proves these are real machines, not mass hallucinations, citing the testimony of pilots, astronauts, and radar operators. He believes they are not constructed by terrestrial humans but originate from other planets, as human science is not yet capable of building such machines. He dismissed the idea of them being secret weapons, as their existence and capabilities would not remain a mystery for so long.

Photographic Evidence

De Lama showed his photographs and negatives to the author, who found no evidence of faking. Other professional photographers corroborated this opinion. The article mentions that two dated photographs from December 1st, 1961, and four from February 12th, 1962, were sent by Mr. John Shore from Toronto, Canada, with two clearly showing the domed superstructure.

Late News: Objects in Space: Aerial Photographs

A brief report mentions that the rocket-powered X-15 aircraft photographed "five or six mysterious objects" at an altitude of 246,700 feet. The pilot, Joseph Walker, described them as disc-shaped or cylindrical but could not estimate their size or distance.

Editorial Notes and Reminders

An editorial note (signed "Ed.") mentions that the LUFORO BULLETIN has asked its Florence member to investigate the reported landings and hopes to publish the full story in the next issue. The bulletin also includes a reminder to subscribers to renew their membership to ensure they receive the May-June issue. Additionally, it notes that Ray Palmer, editor of "Flying Saucers" magazine, is sending March, May, and July issues in one shipment to subscribers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the presentation of UFO sightings as credible phenomena supported by witness testimony and photographic evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into these reports, with a leaning towards the extraterrestrial hypothesis as the most plausible explanation for the observed phenomena. The publication encourages reader engagement and subscription renewals to continue its work.