LUFORO Bulletin - Vol 4 No 04 - Sept-Oct 1963

Magazine Overview

Title: LUFORO BULLETIN
Issue: Volume IV, Number 4
Date: September/October 1963
Publisher: London Unidentified Flying Object Research Organisation (LUFORO)
Type: Magazine Issue

Editorial and Organizational Matters

The editorial section addresses a gap in the list of officers due to Lionel Beer's resignation as Honorary Secretary, with Mrs. Lloyd kindly consenting to handle correspondence for the secretary. It draws attention to the upcoming Annual General Meeting on November 30th, where nominations for various officer positions will be sought. The editor, writing as an individual member, discusses challenges faced by voluntary organizations like LUFORO, particularly the difficulty in finding members willing to undertake administrative duties. Suggestions are made to enlarge the committee to include more members who are not officers, to ease the burden on individuals and make the work less intimidating. Another suggestion is to share responsibilities that are currently handled by a single person, such as the planning and arrangement of meetings.

The editor also touches upon the LUFORO Bulletin's production, noting compliments on the cover but also a member's comment that the duplicated material inside can be tiring to read. This member suggested a willingness to pay a higher subscription (two or three guineas) for a properly printed version. The editor expresses doubt about the current membership size justifying such a move but acknowledges that increased finances could lead to cost savings through larger print runs, citing the limited number of Bulletin covers ordered due to financial constraints.

LUFORO's Aims and Bulletin Details

LUFORO's stated aims are: unbiased scientific investigation of UFO reports and associated claims, collection of first-hand verifiable data, publicizing information through bulletins and other means, and fostering closer cooperation and understanding among UFO researchers. The LUFORO Bulletin is published approximately bi-monthly, with single copies priced at 2s 6d (40c.) post free. A year's supply can be obtained by joining LUFORO with a subscription of 10s ($1.50) per annum, payable to the Treasurer.

The current issue lists the following officers: President G.F.N. Knewstub, Vice-President L.G. Cramp, Chairman G.N.P. Stephenson, Vice-Chairman G.G. Doel, Honorary Treasurer V.W. Smithson, and Bulletin Editor C.A. Stickland.

The Charlton Incident

An article titled "THE HOLE AT CHARLTON (continued)" addresses a claim made by a Mr. Southern that the Charlton hole and similar incidents were a hoax perpetrated by himself and two friends. Reports of this claim appeared in the News of the World and the Daily Mail on August 25th and 26th, 1963, respectively. Mr. Southern later retracted his story after discussing it with the Chairman. Nigel reports receiving a letter from Mr. Southern confirming this retraction, although the News of the World had not printed their own retraction.

The article notes that aerial photographs of the area taken before the incident were not obtained, so the possibility of crop-marks being related to the disturbances cannot be entirely excluded, though it is considered unlikely. Information from abroad suggests that June and July might have been a peak period for UFO sightings in Europe, but it is too early to confirm this with certainty. The author maintains their previous opinion that the Charlton incident was due to the landing of a small extra-terrestrial machine and promises to keep readers informed of future developments.

Towards a Theory of the Saucer

Authored by Alan Watts, this article proposes a theoretical framework for saucer propulsion based on concepts from modern physics, particularly P.M. Dirac's work. The theory posits that 'empty' space is filled with unobservable particles. By supplying sufficient energy, particles like electrons can be 'evaporated' from this 'Dirac's Sea,' creating particle-antiparticle pairs (e.g., electron-positron, proton-antiproton).

The theory suggests that a saucer's propulsion system could materialize these pairs, possibly within a material dubbed 'Magnite' (a composite of conductors and magnetic material). The process involves generating a strong magnetic field, which then interacts with these materialized particles. Specifically, proton-antiproton pairs are produced, and the protons are directed to create a thrust by colliding with an upper conductor. The annihilation of anti-protons with protons is theorized to produce gamma photons. Calculations are presented to estimate the force generated by this mechanism, suggesting it could be sufficient to account for the performance attributed to UFOs, potentially generating accelerations of around 35g for a ten-ton craft.

The article also discusses the potential for high currents within the saucer's structure to generate a strong magnetic field, possibly strong enough to bend light and cause phenomena like the 'ice-cream cone' effect observed in some UFO sightings. The corona noted around some UFOs is speculated to be due to gamma-photon flux or a high electric field accelerating atmospheric ions.

UFO Research (continued)

This section, written by Eric Smith, reviews the USAF's approach to UFO investigations, focusing on E.J. Ruppelt's role in Project Blue Book. Ruppelt, formerly head of Project Blue Book at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, was tasked with reviewing pre-1951 UFO reports. This led to the establishment of a new project for investigation and analysis. Project Blue Book, code-named during Ruppelt's tenure (until late 1953), had ten permanent staff and numerous consultants, though it was often understaffed. The project had access to extensive military resources, including air transport, photographic facilities, and meteorological data.

Improvements made during Ruppelt's period included liaison with the secret Project Bear, the use of IBM punch cards for data analysis (in conjunction with Project Bear), the formation of a panel of six experts, and collaboration with the 4602nd Air Intelligence Squadron for investigations and report writing. The work produced by Project Blue Book under Ruppelt's command is described as thorough, though it is noted that increased investigation often reveals more anomalies.

UFO Photograph Categories

By Basil Nubel, this section introduces LUFORO's compilation of UFO shapes. The author intends to clarify what is meant by UFO shapes and suggests that several categories will eventually be identified. Based on his experience, which includes reviewing approximately fifteen hundred UFO reports, he is in a position to offer opinions on this matter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the scientific investigation of UFOs, exploring theoretical explanations for their capabilities, and documenting the history of official investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging active participation from members, promoting rigorous scientific inquiry, and sharing information through the LUFORO Bulletin. There is a clear emphasis on developing theoretical models for UFO phenomena, as exemplified by Alan Watts' article on saucer propulsion, and on critically examining the methods and findings of governmental UFO studies, as seen in the review of Project Blue Book.

This document is a section from a magazine, likely "Flying Saucer Review," focusing on the analysis of UFO photographs. It is primarily text-based with some diagrams and illustrations. The content appears to be from the mid-20th century, given the discussion of art training and the types of photographic analysis.

Classification of UFO Photographs

The article proposes a classification system for UFO photographs based on their visual characteristics. The author, drawing on seven years of art study and constant drawing, divides photographs into two broad categories.

Category 1: Daylight Photographs of Three-Dimensional Objects

This category includes photographs taken in daylight that show a three-dimensional object illuminated by an external light source, such as daylight. Examples cited are photographs of the type associated with Adamski's Scout craft or Cedric Allingham. The author emphasizes that images in photographs are visually three-dimensional only insofar as they are externally lighted, exhibiting light, shade, cast shadow, and reflected light. A significant concern in this category is the immediate suspicion of fraud, as it is relatively easy to photograph a model of a 'flying saucer' or similar object. The shapes in this category are described as typically resembling an inverted saucer with a dome, or variations thereof. The author notes that there are few photographs in this category and little scope for subdivision, with descriptions of shapes being difficult. A mere gleam or glint is not sufficient reason to place an image in this category; such images remain undefined until more knowledge is available.

Category 2: Two-Dimensional Shapes

This category comprises photographs that show shapes only, which are not three-dimensional and do not exhibit form. These shapes may appear as light shapes, with or without secondary markings, on a dark ground, or brighter or darker than the background depending on the film used (infra-red sensitive or ordinary). Their common feature is that they are often highly geometrical, resembling pieces of a jigsaw puzzle or fragments of a mosaic. Examples include silhouettes of inverted saucers with domes, but crucially, they are not lit by an external light source, thus not being three-dimensional. The author cautions against confusing these with the first category, as their nature is unknown and could be produced by unknown forms of light radiation. The article stresses that while a 'solid' body might be concealed behind the shape, we cannot assume the shape itself is anything more than a photographic image of an image.

#### Variety and Subdivision of Category 2

This second category contains a great variety of shapes. More than twenty have been drawn with the aid of a microscope from a color film taken at night by Mr. W. Revill, capturing a sighting over Sheffield in August 1962. Individual shapes from this film, which existed for only a fraction of a second, could not have been seen or remembered by the human eye. Two examples, A and B, are provided, with A noting color (blue, orange, black) and B appearing light orange. These shapes are not considered to look like a Scout craft. Example C is a shape from a photograph by Trevor James, taken on infra-red sensitive film over Mount Wilson, America, in the early morning. This shape is enlarged for comparison with B. The author states that these three shapes are typical of most in the second category, showing no three-dimensional detail and not resembling the accepted idea of a Scout craft.

Category 2 is further subdivided:

• Subdivision 1: Contains shapes like those illustrated (A, B, C). The particular individual shape is considered extremely important, leading to efforts to make enlargements of all photographed shapes with concern for detail.
• Subdivision 2: Includes photographs like the Lubbock Lights, which show circular or elliptical shapes in a geometrical formation, usually a chevron. There are about six photographs of this type in UFO literature.

The author finds it relevant to point out that despite variations in Subdivision 1 (shapes A and B from the Revill film, and shapes B and C from different sources), remarkable correspondences exist, making the individual shape extremely important.

Practical Information and Future Meetings

Assistance with Photograph Analysis

Interested individuals are invited to come to the Hampstead Office (106 South Hill Park, London N.W.3) on Saturdays from 4 pm onwards to assist with making enlargements of photographed shapes. The method will be explained and is considered not very difficult.

Year's Reports

The author reassures readers that reports have not diminished and that the next Bulletin will contain quite a few. The absence of reports in the current issue is attributed to the need to publish several articles that have been pending, and contributors are encouraged to continue sending their reports, articles, suggestions, and criticisms.

Future Meetings

Two future meetings are announced:

• Tuesday, 29th October, 7:30 pm: At Caxton Hall, Caxton Street, London S.W.1. A lecture will be given by Waveney Girvan, Editor of "Flying Saucer Review" and author of "Flying Saucers and Common Sense," on "The Subject and the Press."
• Saturday, 30th November, 6 pm to 9 pm: The Fourth Annual General Meeting will be held at Kensington Central Library, Phillimore Walk, off Campden Hill Road, London W.8. Light refreshments will be served after the formal part of the meeting. This meeting is restricted to members.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme is the rigorous, analytical approach to UFO evidence, particularly photographic evidence. The author emphasizes the importance of detailed observation, classification, and the potential for misinterpretation or deliberate deception (fraud). There is a clear editorial stance favoring systematic study and encouraging reader participation in the research process. The magazine appears to be a platform for sharing research findings, announcing events, and fostering a community of interest in UFO phenomena. The tone is academic yet accessible, aiming to educate and engage its readership.