BUFORA Journal - Volume 01 No 02 - Autumn 1964

Magazine Overview

This is the Autumn 1964 issue, Volume 1, Number 2, of the BUFORA JOURNAL AND BULLETIN, published by the British Unidentified Flying Object Research Association. The magazine features articles on UFO phenomena, research methodologies, and reported sightings.

Editorial: Some Thoughts on Orthoteny

The editorial discusses Aim Michel's hypothesis of 'orthoteny,' the idea that flying saucers travel in straight lines. The author explores the implications of this theory, suggesting it challenges explanations of sightings based on optical illusions or hallucinations. The editorial emphasizes the need for rigorous mathematical analysis to determine if observed patterns of sightings are statistically significant or merely coincidental. It stresses the importance of limiting investigations to specific time periods and geographical regions to validate conclusions. The article also touches upon Michel's suggestion that these lines might be great circles and raises questions about how such lines might be indicated to the objects.

A Landing in New Jersey?

This section reports on an incident in Glassboro, New Jersey, USA, on September 6, 1964. Hundreds of people visited an oak forest where a circular clearing of charred earth was found. At the center was a 30-inch deep pit, surrounded by burnt material and metal scrapings. The incident was reportedly witnessed by a young man who saw a red glowing object land. Glassboro police collected samples for examination. Richard L. Gaskill visited the site and described the area, noting a large central hole and three smaller holes with indentations. He also mentioned that the sand in the center hole appeared fused from heat, though he was unable to obtain a sample.

The material collected by Mr. Gaskill, including aluminium foil, tin pieces, charred carbonaceous matter, and soil, was analyzed. The aluminium foil was thin and showed slight oxidation, suggesting it had not been exposed to extreme heat. The tin was found in fused pieces. The charred material was identified as well-carbonised wood. The soil sample had a normal composition. The article notes that molten tin was also reported in connection with a UFO incident in Campinas, Brazil, on December 13, 1954.

Question and Answer

This section poses a question to the readers: D. T. Vargo of IOWUFOIS suggests preparing a series of questions and answers to provide general information on UFOs to the public. The journal asks readers for their opinions on this idea and their willingness to contribute.

An Experiment on the Effect of an External Magnetic Field on the Ignition Coil of a Car

By Alan Watts, this article details an experiment to test Thomas Thomson's suggestion that the loss of power experienced by cars in the proximity of UFOs might be due to the UFO's magnetic field affecting the car's ignition system. The experiment involved winding a solenoid around the ignition coil of a car. A direct current (d.c.) of 6.5 amps produced no noticeable effect. However, when an alternating current (a.c.) of 8 amps r.m.s. at 50 c/s was supplied, a noticeable falling-off in power was observed. The effect was more pronounced at higher currents, reaching a peak field of approximately 700 gauss. While the experiment was limited by the inability to test a mobile car, it demonstrated the feasibility of a magnetic field producing such effects. The article discusses possible explanations, including distortion of the coil's hysteresis cycle and the potential for an alternating field to interfere with the sparking frequency. It also calculates the potential magnetic field strength of a saucer at a distance of one foot, estimating it to be around 200,000 gauss, and relates this to the possibility of super-conducting materials.

BUFORA Organisation

Reported by Basil Nubel, this section covers the proceedings of a BUFORA meeting held on September 5, 1964, in London, attended by representatives of various member societies. Key discussions included the need for improved co-ordination and organization of UFO research, with a proposal for regional councils to facilitate information exchange. Another important suggestion was the need for a standard type of detector to ensure consistent country-wide coverage. The meeting also discussed plans for a permanent sky watch and the credentials and training of investigators.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the exploration of theoretical models like orthoteny, and the reporting of specific sightings and experimental findings. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting rigorous, evidence-based research, encouraging member participation, and exploring plausible, albeit sometimes speculative, explanations for UFO-related events. There is a clear emphasis on scientific methodology and data collection.

This issue of Flying Saucer Review, dated September 1964, is Volume 10, Issue 10. It presents a collection of UFO reports from the United Kingdom and North America, alongside discussions on UFO detection and analysis of evidence. The magazine maintains a tone of serious inquiry into the phenomena.

Meeting Discussions

The issue opens with a report on a meeting where Mr. Szachnowski discussed the interest of smaller groups abroad in correspondence regarding UFOs. A significant discussion, prompted by Mr. J. Cleary-Baker, revolved around defining the scope of investigation and what exactly is being investigated, with the BUFORA constitution's definition being recognized as the safest. Sir Mark Dalrymple's use of a tape recorder to capture proceedings for members unable to attend is highlighted as an admirable method for enhancing participation.

Home Reports

Several detailed reports from various locations in the UK are presented:

• Luton, Bedfordshire (11-5-64): A 28-year-old taxi-driver, John Hodges, witnessed a large, light-radiating object hovering over Barton for a considerable period. It moved with a gentle swinging motion before gliding away and dropping from sight to the north.
• Seaton Burn, Northumberland (26-6-64): Mr. and Mrs. Vipond heard a loud buzzing and saw a saucer-shaped object with an electric blue light, pulsating and moving east to west before shooting upwards out of sight.
• Littlehampton, Sussex (9-8-64): Three men, including a member of the Royal Observer Corps, observed a brilliant neon red, noiseless object hovering over the town. It moved up the River Arun, circled the town, and then disappeared towards Bognor Regis.
• West Bridgeford, Nottingham (9-8-64): A witness, whose name was withheld, reported a flattened disc, self-luminous and pale yellow, observed for about four seconds. It moved at a constant speed N.60°E., pitching as it moved and appearing as a narrower ellipse near the horizon.
• Plaistow, London (17-8-64): Alan John and Frank Robert Mundy saw a star-like object, followed by a flash of light streaking west and a more powerful flash moving north. A single flash was later seen to return to the object.
• Muswell Hill, London (19-8-64): Mr. Keith Palmer observed an object, described as a rocket or giant cigar, following the Echo I satellite at approximately eight times its speed. It moved erratically before disappearing within two minutes.
• Macclesfield, Cheshire (21-8-64): Two girls saw a silver-coloured object behaving erratically, rotating, stopping, and moving soundlessly south. Later, Mr. Eric Bridges observed a high object that appeared as a shallow round dome with a coloured rim, moving slowly before approaching rapidly.

Overseas Reports

North America is highlighted as a centre of attention, with a detailed account of the Socorro, New Mexico incident:

• Socorro, New Mexico (24-4-64): Lonnie Zamora, on duty, heard a roaring noise and investigated. He encountered a smooth, metallic, oval device with stilt-like landing gear, accompanied by two small figures in white coveralls. The object spewed flame, raised dust, and then rose noiselessly, travelling west at a low altitude before gaining height and disappearing. Subsequent investigation found four rectangular depressions in the ground and evidence of seared vegetation.

"Just in Case We See a Saucer..."

This article by J. G. Roberts discusses a US Air Force experiment where pilots trained in a space station simulator to identify various objects, including a flying saucer model. The author questions the significant expenditure for such a test and suggests the Air Force is preparing for potential encounters, while terrestrial witnesses are often dismissed.

A Trip to Coniston by MUFORG

By R. D. Hughes, this article details an expedition by MUFORG (presumably a UFO research group) to Coniston, aiming to find a location suitable for observation. The group encountered various aerial phenomena during their stay, including green-blue crescents, bright bluish lights, and two bright objects moving at high speeds. One object was described as a disc moving erratically with pulsating light, while another moved at fantastic speed. A circular object was also observed moving smoothly across the sky, and weak static was noted on the radio. The article concludes that the Hendrix detector is useless for slow-moving saucers and that they do not possess substantial magnetic fields as previously thought. It proposes a method for tracking UFOs using bearings, elevation, and time of visibility.

A Possible UFO Detector

This section discusses an article from 'The Radio Constructor' about a detector for nuclear and rocket firings, which essentially receives very low-frequency radio waves. The author suggests that if UFOs can produce ionization of the atmosphere, a similar effect to rocket exhaust might be detectable. The magazine expresses interest in any information on UFO detectors, successful or otherwise.

Correspondence

• Epping Incident Evaluation: G. Elliott, B.Sc., F.R.I.C., comments on the evaluation of the Epping incident. He presents chemical test results on fused materials, indicating they are primarily pure silica, not consistent with a lightning-strike theory which typically produces slag-like masses with high iron content. He suggests focusing more on scientific testing of material evidence.

Advertisements and Next Issue

Advertisements include trade notices and a classified ad for a sighting telescope. The 'In the Next Issue' section previews an article on 'Some Considerations Regarding The Possibility of Contact With Intelligent Extra-Terrestrial Beings' by E. Conrad Miller and J. L. Smith.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and analysis of UFO sightings, the investigation of physical evidence, and the exploration of scientific methods for detecting and understanding UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded yet rigorous investigation, encouraging detailed reporting and scientific scrutiny, as evidenced by the correspondence section's critical analysis and the discussion on UFO detection methods. The magazine aims to provide a platform for sharing information and fostering a deeper understanding of UFOs.