1969 - Jan - Research Bulletin Vol.1 No4

Magazine Overview

This issue of the BUFORA (British Unidentified Flying Object Research Association) Research Bulletin, dated January 25, 1969, focuses heavily on the Condon Committee's investigation into UFOs and analyzes USAF UFO reporting statistics. It also includes reports on specific sightings and an upcoming seminar.

The Condon Committee Controversy

The 'From the Director' section expresses a critical view of the Colorado University Project, chaired by Dr. Edward U. Condon. The director notes Condon's early, dismissive comments about UFOs and questions the project's impartiality, particularly given its financial backing. BUFORA had offered its assistance to the Condon Committee, which was not taken up. Despite meeting with Dr. Low, a BUFORA officer, reassurances about the project's impartiality and protection from outside pressures were notably absent. BUFORA's decision to withhold comment until the full report was available is explained, but initial impressions suggest the report may propose that the subject of UFOs be 'positively driven out of existence,' which the director deems contrary to scientific investigation.

The bulletin suggests criteria for evaluating the Condon Committee's Report, emphasizing the need for a balanced range of cases and comparing its approach to that of Jacques Vallee. It expresses concern that the report might be selective and that the number of inexplicable reports is small compared to significant ones. The director concludes that, without the full report, it appears to be 'another lot of hot air.'

USAF UFO Policy and Statistics

This section delves into a statistical analysis of Aerial Phenomena (AP) reports from the United States Air Force (USAF) Project Blue Book (BB68) for 1968 and long-term trends from 1946 to 1968. The analysis reveals several key trends:

• Increasing AP Reports: The average number of AP reports examined by the USAF each year is steadily increasing, though with considerable variation.
• Decreasing Unknowns: The mean number of 'unknown' cases per year has been steadily decreasing since 1954.
• Discontinuity in 1952/1953: The year 1952 marks a significant discontinuity. Prior to this, both AP reports and unknowns were increasing. After 1952, the trend reversed, with unknowns decreasing significantly.
• Percentage of Unknowns: The running total percentage of unknowns dropped from 16.8% in 1952 to 5.7% currently. Annual percentages also show a sharp decline after 1955.
• Inverse Relationship: After 1955, there is an inverse relationship between AP reports and unknowns, whereas previously it was direct.

The analysis attributes this drastic change in investigative procedure to the CIA recommendation in the Robertson Panel report (January 1953) for a systematic 'debunking' of flying saucers. This led to Air Force Regulation 200-2, which mandated reducing the percentage of unidentifieds to a minimum. JANAP-146 further criminalized the disclosure of information on unidentifieds by personnel.

The bulletin argues that this policy has effectively stopped the flow of reports from military pilots, with exceptions for those made privately to civilian organizations. It highlights how reports that were previously considered unexplained are now being re-evaluated as identified, citing examples like the Michigan, Haneda, and Brookley radar reports. The bulletin suggests that information regarding weather records for certain cases has been mysteriously mislaid, hindering investigation.

Specific Sightings and Events

The Daily Mail New Year Show: This section details BUFORA's participation in the Daily Mail New Year Show in London from December 28, 1968, to January 11, 1969. The event attracted 130,000 visitors and featured over 7000 simulated sightings. BUFORA's Mobile Field Research Unit was displayed, along with blow-ups of UFO photographs and press cuttings. An animated diorama simulated a typical UFO sighting, puzzling many attendees.

The Bison Hill Enigma: This report details an interview with Mr. E. Bennett and his daughter Mandy of Whipsnade, Bedfordshire, regarding an unusual experience on September 21, 1968. They reported seeing a conical-shaped object, approximately 6 ft. high and 4.5 ft. wide at the base, with a dull metallic blue glow and an aura. The object hovered and moved erratically before disappearing. Subsequent investigation of the site revealed some burnt areas and slightly elevated radiation readings in a depression. Mandy Bennett also recalled a sighting of a white, cross-shaped object in October/November 1967.

The Canvey Island 'Fish with Feet and Toes!': This brief note mentions ongoing efforts by Rev. H.D.L. Thomas and Mr. Derek Mansell to investigate reports of a creature described in newspaper articles and a book as a 'fish with feet and toes,' possessing unusual physical characteristics.

BUFORA Research Seminar

An announcement is made for a research seminar to be held at Cambridge University on February 22, 1969. The main theme is "INVESTIGATION AND EVALUATION OF U.F.O. REPORTS." The seminar aims to familiarize BUFORA investigators with thorough investigation techniques and the recognition of various phenomena. Interested individuals are directed to contact Mr. Richard Farrow for further details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical assessment of official UFO investigations (specifically the Condon Committee and USAF), the importance of rigorous scientific methodology in UFO research, and the analysis of statistical data to identify patterns and potential biases in reporting and evaluation. BUFORA's stance appears to be one of skepticism towards official conclusions that dismiss UFO phenomena and a commitment to independent, thorough investigation. The editorial implies a belief that UFO reports are enigmatic and require scientific investigation, contrasting with what is perceived as an official effort to suppress or explain away such phenomena.