1968 - Oct - Research Bulletin Vol.1 No.3

Magazine Overview

This issue of the British Unidentified Flying Object Research Association (BUFORA) Research Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 3, dated October 22, 1968, features a comprehensive look at UFO investigations, conventions, and statistical analysis of official reports.

From the Director.

Stephen Smith, the Director, announces the inauguration of a new national sighting investigation scheme. The association has recruited 128 volunteer investigators across Great Britain, aiming to examine every reported sighting within one month. Smith acknowledges coverage gaps in certain regions and encourages members who did not return the original form to come forward to improve national coverage. He emphasizes that UFOlogy is a hobby, not a business.

From Our Correspondent

This section details the BUFORA Northern Convention, organized by DIGAP. Despite the last-minute indisposition of two speakers, the event featured talks by Norman Oliver on "Experiences of Contact Claims," Roger Stanway on investigations around Stoke-on-Trent and the Ministry of Defence's UFO handling, and Omar Fowler presenting illustrated sighting stories. Tony Wedd also spoke on "Skyways and Landmarks." The "Any Questions" panel was replaced by an informal gathering. The convention was well-attended, with an audience ranging from 120 to 170, and an exhibition in the foyer. Thanks are extended to DIGAP and specific individuals for their organization.

Dorset Sighting Investigation

This section provides a detailed account of a UFO sighting in Dorset on Sunday, September 8th, 1968. Three cars traveling near Rampisham Down experienced simultaneous failure of their lights and ignition. The witness, Paul Redshaw, found that his car boot would not open, his battery showed no spark, his interior thermometer read zero, and his radiator was cold. His speedometer was stuck at 30mph, and his car clock and wrist watch had stopped. A dog was heard barking in the distance. A dark cross mark was found on the road, and a mounted car compass in another vehicle was spinning uncontrollably. The cars' electrical systems returned to normal around 9:30 p.m. The following day, a radiation meter detected an appreciable reading at the site, and a pennife stuck to a galvanized shed. Subsequent tests with a fall-out meter showed no residual magnetic fields or fall-out levels. It was noted that there were no power lines nearby. A farmer reported seeing a car left by the side of the road the next morning.

From our Investigations Coordinator

Richard Farrow, the Investigations Coordinator, reports a low number of UFO reports received at BUFORA HQ, but notes that the few received are detailed and interesting. He observes that much UFO activity appears to be concentrated in South America, particularly Argentina, with reports of landings and contact claims. Farrow thanks members for sending reports and cuttings, explaining that due to the high volume of mail, he cannot personally reply to all correspondence but assures that all are read.

Analysis of Project Blue Book Reports

This section presents a critical analysis of outstanding anomalies in the current report of the United States Air Force's UFO Investigating Agency, Project Blue Book. The authors sent two letters to the USAF seeking clarification on radar sightings of UFOs. They received a reply that included a reprint of a two-part article from "The Airman," which stated that radar infrequently detects "unknown targets" and that about 1.5% of reported sightings since 1947 were detected by radar, with none of the unexplained cases being radar-sighted.

The analysis highlights a discrepancy regarding a December 1952 radar sighting in the Gulf of Mexico, which was classified as unexplained by the Air Force but was omitted from a list of unidentified radar cases provided by Dr. J. Vallee. The authors posed three questions to the Air Force regarding this omission and Vallee's access to USAF files.

The USAF's response, from Major James Aikman, stated that the Gulf of Mexico sighting was evaluated as anomalous propagation and that there are no unidentified radar cases in Air Force files. Aikman asserted that Project Blue Book has no classified files and that the Air Force makes information available to the public.

The bulletin then undertakes an analysis of the figures published in the Project Blue Book Report for 1968 (BB68). It compares annual report figures from various sources (Tacker, Library of Congress, BB62, etc.) and notes significant discrepancies, particularly higher figures in BB68 for certain years compared to earlier publications. The authors question the "incredible increase in the number of reports" and suggest that this may have led to a decrease in the *percentage* of unidentified reports, while the *real number* of unidentified reports might have remained constant. They theorize that "heavy-handed USAF statisticians" might have manipulated figures to reduce overall percentages, possibly finding a way to 'unreport' a report.

The analysis concludes by stating that the second part of their article, covering an elementary analysis of the figures published in BB68, will be covered in the next edition of the Research Bulletin.

BUFORA Translation Section

This section includes a translated report from Quebec, Canada, detailing sightings of "Mysterious Flying Machines" on the nights of July 29/30, 1967, and in June 1967 at Duberger. Two groups reported seeing a luminous object around 1:00 AM on July 29/30, described as grapefruit-sized, falling, and zigzagging. Another group in Quebec saw a dark, cylinder-shaped object that branched off, emitting no sound. A woman described it as a huge, half-moon shape with flashing lights. The object seen in Duberger was similar to one seen by police in June.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the active investigation and reporting of UFO phenomena, the critical examination of official government data (specifically Project Blue Book), and the dissemination of information to members and the public. The editorial stance is one of diligent inquiry, skepticism towards official narratives when data appears inconsistent, and a commitment to amateur investigation as a hobby. The bulletin aims to provide detailed case studies, statistical analysis, and updates on UFO-related activities within the research community.