LUFORO Bulletin - Vol 3 No 04 - Jul Aug 1962

Magazine Overview

This issue of the LUFORO Bulletin, dated July-August 1962, Volume III, Number 4, is published by the London Unidentified Flying Object Research Organization. The cover features an illustration of two jet fighter planes and the magazine's title.

Announcements and Organizational Matters

The bulletin begins with announcements, including the resignation of Miss Margaret D. Holmes as Honorary Secretary due to health reasons. Applications for this voluntary post are being accepted. Membership subscriptions are to be addressed to G.N.P. Stephenson, Chairman, at LUFORO's address in Cheam, Sutton, Surrey. The organization is also seeking applicants for Executive Officer positions, emphasizing responsibility over special qualifications, and is particularly looking for short-hand typists for Assistant Executive Officer roles.

The Third Annual General Meeting of the London Unidentified Flying Object Research Organisation is announced, to be held at Kensington Central Library on Saturday, November 24th, 1962, at 6 p.m. Attendance is restricted to members only.

Changes of addresses for officers are noted: L. P. Maccubbin, the U.S.A. Representative, has moved to Norfolk, Virginia, and Lawrence G. Moore's new address is in Hampton, Middlesex.

Appointments made by the Executive Committee include Mr. Peter Starkey as Assistant Editor, who edited this issue. Mr. John D. West has been appointed to form a Croydon Branch.

The bulletin apologizes for the delay in its publication, with the next issue expected by the end of October. The annual membership fee is listed as 10/-d. or 1½ dollars for U.S.A. subscribers. A box indicates if a subscription is due for renewal.

X-15 Pilot Reports Object in Space

This article details the sighting of a mysterious flying object by the pilot of the X-15 rocket-plane, Major Bob White of the United States Air Force, on July 17th, 1962. During his flight to nearly 59 miles altitude, as he began re-entry, he observed an object described as 'something like a piece of paper - moving along with the craft.' He initially thought they were 'flakey objects' or residue from the engine. He then saw a larger object, 'like a piece of paper the size of my hand,' which was grey and visible for five seconds, moving with the X-15 at an estimated thirty to forty feet from the plane.

NASA released photographs of this object, described as the size of a human head, to the press without comment. The article also mentions Joe Walker, another X-15 pilot who previously photographed mysterious flying-objects, which NASA explained away. However, representatives of Keyhoe's National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena were granted a private viewing of Walker's film.

A news item notes that James W. Moseley, editor of 'Saucer News', has reversed his earlier stance that UFOs are secret U.S. weapons, now believing the phenomenon is a mystery and the extra-terrestrial solution is the most likely.

Flying Saucers Over Italy: A Report

Written by Roberto Pinotti of Florence, this report lists recent UFO sightings in Italy. It includes:

a) April 27th, 1961: Bruno Ghibaudi photographed five UFOs near Pescara, published in 'La Settimana INCOM Illustrata', 'Successo', and 'La Domenica del Corriere'. Ghibaudi has written extensively on flying saucers in Italy.

b) September 27th, 1961: Bruno Ghibaudi filmed a flying saucer hovering over Monte Mario in Rome.

c) December 1st, 1961: Gaspare de Lama snapped UFOs over Milan, with photos published by 'Successo' and an article by Ghibaudi.

d) December 15th, 1961: Paolo Terri photographed a flying saucer over the sea near Riccione.

e) January 24th, 1962: Virginia Jannucci, a teacher, saw an UFO over Milan with two pupils. The sighting was reported in Italian magazines.

f) February 2nd, 1962: Roberto Pinotti observed a flying saucer over Florence but did not report it due to lack of witnesses.

g) February 12th, 1962: Gaspare de Lama snapped UFOs over Milan again.

h) March 7th, 1962: Luigi Zanardi and his wife saw a bulb-shaped UFO over Milan.

i) April 10th, 1962: Mario Zuccalà, a tailor, reported contacting two 'Venusians' in a wood near San Casciano who claimed they would return with a message for Earth's peoples. The Italian press reportedly considered him a faker.

j) April 13th, 1962: Iller Benazzi and companions saw an UFO over Legnano (Milan) which followed their car and landed on the road before driving to Saronno.

k) April 18th, 1962: Franco Colnaghi and others saw a glowing globe over Milan's Central Station.

l) April 19th, 1962: Luciano Novesi and friends saw a saucer over Milan.

On the same day, an unidentified aircraft hovered over the Gulf of Alghero (Sardinia) and dropped three objects, two falling into the sea and one into an irrigation pool.

m) April 25th, 1962: An American family saw a disc-shaped flying saucer over Milan, described as having a reddish dome on top and a blue-green lower part, moving at high speed.

n) May 7th, 1962: Emilio Braghiroli and Benedetto Lavagna, among other citizens of Milan, saw a dazzling globe hovering over the town.

Roberto Pinotti continues his report on page 6, discussing his personal contact with Mario Zuccalà and the details of his story, which he finds incredible but notes certain details Zuccalà could not have known if he were fabricating the story.

Air Ministry Examines Saucer Photograph

This article reports on a photograph taken by 14-year-old Alex Birch and two friends in Mosborough, Yorkshire, of five 'flying saucers' hovering over Alex's house in February 1962. The boys described the objects as 'vivid, just hanging there,' with 'big white blobs' emerging from them. Alex took a photograph, and the objects then disappeared at high speed towards Sheffield. Stuart Dixon described the objects as 'dark and apparently solid,' and noted the absence of noise.

Initially met with skepticism by parents, the boys' story gained credibility when the film negative was seen. Mr. Colin Brook, Head of the English Department at Alex's school, interviewed the boys and confirmed their consistent accounts before the photograph was developed, suggesting they saw something real.

Reports of the sighting appeared in the 'Daily Mirror' and 'Daily Herald', and Alex was interviewed on the BBC program 'TODAY'. Prints of the photograph, showing five disc-shaped objects with something on top, were reproduced in newspapers. On August 29th, the 'Yorkshire Post' reported that Air Ministry officials were to investigate the mysterious black flying objects photographed by Alex Birch. Alex and his father were taken by the 'Yorkshire Post' to see them.

Mystery Fireballs Over Britain

This section presents two reports from England that suggest natural causes for some aerial phenomena, rather than extraterrestrial craft. One report from the 'Surrey Comet' on June 13th describes a 'bright, flaming object' seen descending over Richmond Park on June 9th by Mrs. Joan Kinnier. The object made no sound, appeared close to the earth, was yellow, and much bigger than a meteor. It came and went in seconds, appearing to fall in Richmond Park. A local report noted a decrease in the deer population in the park.

A spokesman for the Air Ministry stated that such phenomena usually had reasonable explanations and required further investigation. Mr. G. Stephenson of the London Unidentified Flying Object Research Organisation believed the object was more likely a fireball or bolide, not a flying saucer.

A similar report in the 'London Evening Standard' on July 12th describes a mystery object that showered sparks and gave an orange glow during a thunderstorm, seen by Mrs. A. Willgress in Norfolk. The object was described as 'as big as a watter butt' and disappeared a few feet above the ground. The article suggests this was likely an electrical phenomenon of natural origin and cautions against assuming every aerial occurrence is a spaceship.

Letters to the Editor

This section includes correspondence from readers. One letter, from Mr. Bull (identified as an Officer of LUFORO), discusses the need for a factual UFO publication and proposes compiling a book on UFOs. The proposed book would cover various types of UFOs (diagrams, appearance, behavior, frequency analysis) and articles on related topics like meteorites and falling ice. Mr. Bull invites ideas and volunteers for an editorial team, providing his address in Halifax, Yorkshire.

Another part of the section provides the address for general correspondence to the Assistant Editor, Peter Starkey, and for UFO reports to G.N.P. Stephenson.

Mystery Object Over Stratford-on-Avon

This article reports on an unidentified flying object observed by Mr. John D. Llewellyn, a LUFORO local-investigator, over Stratford-on-Avon on July 27th, 1962. He observed the object twice through an earth-satellite tracking telescope. He described it as an 'extremely bright, satellite-like object' with a powerful searchlight on top. It rose from the northeast horizon, diminished in radiance to a green pin-point, and then resolved into a triangle of orange and green lights. He heard only a faint whisper of sound. The object also threw out a beam of light that illuminated high altitude cloud.

Mr. Llewellyn was with another member of a Midlands Interplanetary tracking team. Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Osbourn, of West Green Drive, also reported seeing the object at the same time, describing it as moving slowly with a searchlight shining from it, changing color from reddish to green. Mr. and Mrs. Beckett and their son also confirmed seeing a 'bright starlike light' with rays of light emanating from it.

Mr. Llewellyn contacted Mr. Frank Calbert-Dunn, who had seen a similar object days before and had also seen an unidentified flying object in Germany in 1945. Mr. Llewellyn reported the incident to the Royal Air Force base at Gaydon, where a flight-lieutenant commented that the object's behavior placed it in the Unidentified Flying Object category, discounting it as a conventional aircraft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The LUFORO Bulletin consistently focuses on factual reporting of UFO sightings and related phenomena, distinguishing itself from publications that delve into theological or philosophical discussions. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation, presenting evidence and witness accounts while also considering natural explanations for some events, as seen in the 'Mystery Fireballs Over Britain' section. The organization actively seeks reports from the public and encourages a systematic approach to UFO study, as evidenced by the call for contributions to a potential book and the detailed listing of Italian sightings. There is a clear effort to maintain a balance between reporting extraordinary claims and grounding them in verifiable facts or plausible alternatives.

This document appears to be a collection of articles and reports related to UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings, primarily from the late 1950s and early 1960s. The content includes witness testimonies, descriptions of aerial phenomena, and discussions about the nature and investigation of UFOs.

Article 1: Flying "Stack-of-Coins" Visits Cornwall

This article details a report from Mr. H. G. Prycr of Truro, Cornwall, who witnessed a strange, low-flying object on May 25th. The object, described as 'out-of-this-world,' approached from the north-east at an estimated 60-70 miles per hour. It was approximately fifty feet high, appeared silver and black, and resembled a 'stack-of-coins.' A small red object may have been connected to it. The object reportedly made a noise 'like several aircraft engines.' The article speculates whether it could have been an experimental aeroplane or hovercraft, but questions whether authorities would test such a device in a populated area. It humorously suggests that a new type of UFO might be manufactured on Mars.

Article 2: Are the Natives Friendly...On Earth?

This piece, attributed to Boris Karloff and taken from TV TIMES, reflects on the possibility of alien travelers in space. The author likens the feeling to hearing someone outside one's house at night, unsure of their intentions. While officially flying saucers are said not to exist, those who claim to have seen them are convinced it wasn't an illusion. The article poses rhetorical questions about trusting 'natives' (humans) from an alien perspective and whether an alien would risk landing on Earth.

Reconstructed Sightings from LUFORO Files

This section presents several reconstructed UFO sightings:

• Mrs. Sperring of New Ferry, Cheshire (November 24, 1959): She initially thought a sighting was an aircraft near Liverpool airport but then noticed something odd. She described an oval-shaped object with an outer rim spinning around a domed yellow centre.
• Mr. Ronald Wildman of Luton, Bedfordshire (February 9, 1962): While driving at 3:30 a.m. near Ashton Clinton, he saw a white oval-shaped object with black square marks. As he approached, his car's power dropped to 20 m.p.h., and despite accelerating, the car did not speed up. He confirmed it was a solid object as his headlights reflected off it.
• Mrs. C. Smith of Ryde, Isle of Wight (July 3, 1961): She and her daughter initially thought the object was ship lights. The object approached and hovered at eye-level, emitting a bright orange light from its base. It then turned at an angle and disappeared faster than any jet, leaving a ring of smoke that persisted for about five minutes.

Argentine Woman Frightened by Two Men from Flying Saucer

This report, originating from the GUARDIAN and other newspapers on June 25th, details a woman in Argentina who was hospitalized due to shock after seeing a 'flying saucer' and two of its occupants. The report, released by Argentine T.V. with Air Force cooperation, came from La Pampa province. The woman described two strange men, resembling robots, near the saucer. Experts confirmed that the grass in the area where the saucer supposedly landed was singed in a circle about 20 feet wide. The article expresses skepticism, suggesting the woman might be a good actor, but also notes similarities to the Envelede Incident in England (June 1960) where unexplained circles were found in a field.

Strange Encounter with a Flying Disc

This is a continuation of articles from the Italian magazine DOMENICA DEL CORRIERE, translated by B. S. Lawley.

• April 27, 1961: The narrator was driving along the Adriatic Road from Ancona to Pescara when his car engine suddenly stopped. He observed a dark point oscillating in the sky, which grew larger. It was an elliptic form with two small triangular wings and a vertical rudder. The object was silent and moved away. Later, he noticed two more discs approaching from the south-east. The air around him felt intensely electric, and he experienced physical discomfort. He fell to the ground as screams were heard from two children nearby. The formation disappeared, and he drove to Pescara. His film of the event was damaged by intense heat, but photos revealed details not visible on the negative.
• Follow-up: Ten days later, a university student from Rome contacted the narrator, claiming to have also photographed the object. The student had been on the beach at Pescara on the same date and witnessed the discs. He later identified a car with a Toreno numberplate and a press card from the PEOPLES GAZETTE, but preferred to remain anonymous.

Flying Saucer Filmed Over Sheffield

This report describes an amateur photographic enthusiast, Mr. Walter Revill of Sheffield, who captured a 'flying saucer' on film. He was alerted by his neighbor, Mrs. Teresa Spotswood, and also observed by Mrs. Greta Pellegrina and her husband. Mr. Revill described the object as being about a foot across, very high up, moving from north to south. He described it as 'like two saucers on top of one another with a straight line in the middle,' lit with an orange color. He filmed it for several minutes. Mrs. Pellegrina noted that the saucer had 'lots of little lights as if somebody was inside' and was 'definitely saucer-shaped.' Mr. Revill was interviewed on the BBC, and his film clearly showed the disc-shaped object seen by the witnesses.

Falls of Fibrous Material

This section presents a list of historical 'reference-hunts' related to 'falls of fibrous material,' which are often associated with UFO phenomena. It provides dates of sightings, localities, and references to various books and journals, dating back to 1665. The list includes numerous entries from the 19th and 20th centuries, with locations across Europe, Australia, and North America.

Book Review: The Challenge of Unidentified Flying Objects

This review, by Mr. Peter Starkey, discusses a privately printed book titled "The Challenge of Unidentified Flying Objects" by Hall and Maney. The authors are described as qualified UFO researchers. Professor Maney heads the Department of Physics at Defiance College, Ohio, and Richard Hall is associated with Keyhoe's National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP). The book is divided into three sections: 'A Scientist Looks at UFOs,' 'A Philosopher Looks at UFOs,' and 'The UFO Mystery.' The review notes that the 'Scientist' section covers puzzling aspects of UFO behavior, though some reports are dated. Hall's section discusses controversial topics like contact-claims and scientific attitudes. Both authors are critical of the U.S. Air Force UFO project, advocating for civilian scientists to lead investigations and search for patterns in UFO behavior. The appendices include a NICAP subcommittee report on electromagnetic effects. The review concludes that the book is a valuable addition to UFO literature, comparable to works by Keyhoe, Michel, and Ruppelt, and could serve as a standard reference text. The book is obtainable from Richard Hall in Washington D.C. for $3.50.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, descriptions of aerial objects, witness testimonies, and the investigation of these phenomena. There is a clear interest in documenting and analyzing UFO reports, with a critical stance towards official explanations and a leaning towards the possibility of extraterrestrial origins or advanced unknown technology. The inclusion of historical cases and book reviews suggests an ongoing effort to compile and disseminate information within the UFO research community. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting evidence and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also acknowledging skepticism and the need for rigorous investigation.

This document is a book review section from a publication, likely a magazine or newsletter, focusing on UFOlogy. The primary content consists of two reviews: one of Albert K. Bender's publication 'Space Review' and another of Bender's book 'Flying Saucers & The Three Men'. The issue date is inferred as November 1962, based on the 'Future Meetings' section.

Review of 'Space Review'

The review, written by Peter Starkey, discusses 'Space Review', a publication by Albert K. Bender's International Flying Saucer Bureau (I.F.S.B.), which was reportedly closed down in late 1953. The 'Space Review' covers the period from October 1952 to October 1953 and is available in a photo-offset edition from Saucerina Publications. Starkey notes that the journal offers a historical perspective on UFO sightings, including the well-known Washington Airport sighting in 1952 and the Sutton Monster story. However, he finds some reports to be 'sketchy and incomplete'. The publication includes a variety of materials, from science fiction to theories on UFO propulsion, with one writer claiming that Russians or Americans had already reached the Moon. Graham F. N. Knewstub, President of the London Unidentified Flying Object Research Organisation, contributed an article titled 'A New Approach to the Saucer Problem' in the July 1953 issue. The review highlights the increase in 'contact claims' during 1953, mentioning George Adamski signing himself as 'Professor Adamski' despite lacking formal qualifications. Astronomer Lonzo Dove is also mentioned for attempting to link flashes on Mars with flying saucers, a phenomenon Starkey states was explained as high altitude clouds reflecting sunlight. The final issue of 'Space Review' advised caution to researchers and announced that the source of flying saucers was known but being withheld by high authorities. The reviewer recommends obtaining these early bulletins.

Review of 'Flying Saucers & The Three Men'

Peter Starkey also reviews Albert K. Bender's book, 'Flying Saucers & The Three Men', published by Saucerian Books. Starkey expresses disappointment, calling the book a 'damp squib' and suggesting that readers might have gained more from watching television. He posits that many readers searching for answers in Bender's work might find they have been following an 'overgrown prankster or alternatively an idiot'. Starkey criticizes Bender's apparent immaturity, citing an example of reversing the name Lonzo Dove to 'Evod Onzol'. Bender's creation of a 'Chamber of Horrors' in his house is also mentioned. The review dismisses Bender's 'solution to the saucer mystery' as unoriginal, stating that the 'Three Men in Dark Suits' were revealed to be 'Space People' rather than C.I.A. or F.B.I. agents. This is characterized as another contactee claim, but one that is not even 'interesting reading'. The idea of a 'polar flip' as a warning from saucers is also ridiculed. Starkey notes that Bender claims the Saucerians were here to collect water for their home planet and took him on a tour of their base in Antarctica. The book suggests UFOs are powered by H2O.

The review also touches upon the religious implications of Bender's work, noting that the saucerians told Bender that religion is 'bunk' and Jesus was a 'fanatical believer'. Starkey concludes by questioning whether Bender's book is a hoax or if Bender himself is 'nutty'.

The British U.F.O. Association and Future Meetings

The document announces that on September 22nd, 1962, L.U.F.O.R.O. became a Corporate Member of the newly inaugurated British U.F.O. Association. The Association's Council, comprising delegates from member societies, appointed officers including Graham F.N. Knewstub as President, G. Nigel P. Stephenson as Secretary, and Antoni Szachnowski as Treasurer. The Association's objectives are to coordinate investigation and promote research into UFO phenomena, and to disseminate knowledge. Member societies listed include 'The British Flying Saucer Bureau', 'Anglo-Polish U.F.O. Research Club', 'The Tyneside U.F.O. Society', 'The Scottish U.F.O. Research Society', 'London Unidentified Flying Object Research Organisation', 'Stratford-on-Avon U.F.O. Group', 'Direct Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena', and 'Cheltenham Flying Saucer Group'.

A report on the Association's inauguration convention is promised for the next bulletin. The Chairman thanks Mr. Beer and others for their help.

Details of 'Future Meetings' are provided, commencing November 1962. Public lectures will be held on the first Saturday of each month at Kensington Central Library. The November 3rd meeting will feature slides of UFOs by Dr.G.G.Doel, Ray Stanford films, and a recording of Alex Birch's speech. There will be no public meeting in December. The January 5th, 1963 meeting will feature Egerton Sykes speaking on gravitation. The committee reserves the right to alter or cancel meetings.

A 'West London Research Meeting' is scheduled for December 8th, 1962, at Feathers Hotel, Ealing Broadway, with E.R.Smith as the contact. Details for the Croydon Branch will be announced later.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical review of UFO literature and the promotion of organized UFO research. The editorial stance is skeptical towards sensationalist claims, particularly those made by Albert K. Bender, whom the reviewer clearly views with suspicion. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of structured investigation and the dissemination of knowledge within the UFO community, as evidenced by the formation and listing of various research organizations and their planned activities. The tone is informative but also critical, aiming to guide readers through the often-unsubstantiated claims within the UFO field.