1969 - Oct - Research Bulletin Vol.2 No.2

Magazine Overview

This issue of the British Unidentified Flying Object Research Association (BUFORA) Research Bulletin, Vol. 2, No. 3, dated October 25, 1969, provides an update on the organization's activities and discusses various UFO-related topics.

From the Director

The Director, Stephen Smith, reports on the activities of the Research Section. The number of volunteer investigators has increased from 240 to 260, but the number of interesting sighting reports has decreased. The totals for 1967, 1968, and 1969 are 230, 180, and 52 reports, respectively. Despite this decrease, information suggests a minor wave of UFO reporting in the press during June and July, though it's noted that this could be a seasonal rise. The Director acknowledges the backlog of work faced in December 1967, with approximately 250 reports received in the last 18 months, but over 420 examined. Credit is given to Richard Farrow, the Investigations Coordinator, and the four other Evaluators for clearing this backlog.

The breakdown of 1969 sightings reveals about 35 'lights-in-the-sky' reports, 12-15 cases of more detailed objects (type B), and only three Class A sightings of objects involved in landings or near landings. One such case in Norfolk at the end of June is under investigation, but the report is pending. Another case from 1964 is also still under investigation. A third case, the 'Tyneham landing' of August 29th, is filed as a probable hoax due to a lack of further information and recently unearthed details supporting this conclusion.

The Director urges investigators to submit their reports to fulfill the association's purpose.

Where Flying Saucers Really Come From

This section discusses a five-column-inch item from the Daily Mirror (October 1st) titled "Where Flying Saucers Really Come From." The article states that a team of investigators from the Society for the Investigation of Unidentified Flying Objects Phenomena concluded, after a two-year probe, that there is "absolutely no proof" that flying saucers exist. According to Chairman David Simpson, people who claimed to have seen them had large science fiction libraries and vivid imaginations. The Society also dismisses photographs as evidence, deeming them too easily faked, but plans to continue its probe.

Case Reports and Investigations

Stourbridge Sighting

An item from the Express and Star (Wolverhampton, 18/8/69) reports on Ken Hughes, who is convinced he saw a spaceship in Stourbridge. Hughes, who previously didn't believe in flying saucers, described the object as a spaceship and stated he didn't care what people would say.

Hughes saw the unidentified flying object at his workplace, Bateman's Wood Yard in Union Street. His account is supported by a workmate, Ralph Attwood. The object, described as steely grey and egg-shaped, hovered about six to nine inches above a pile of wood. It was estimated to be about 6-7ft high, 4-5ft wide, and 12ft long, with a wide cushion around it. Doors with curved tops opened, but nothing emerged. The machine took off and disappeared at about 20 ft. up. Attwood stated, "I was really just horrified. I just saw the doors shut and that was it."

Members' Subscriptions

A reminder is issued for members' subscriptions for the period September 1969 to September 1970, which were due on September 1st. The subscription fee is 30/- for individual membership and society affiliation.

"UFOs? Yes! .... Where the Condon Committee Went Wrong"

This section reviews the book "UFOs? Yes!" by Saunders and Harkins, published in December 1968. The reviewer notes that the book arrived after the Condon Report, preventing it from being used as a prerequisite for assessing the report as Dr. James McDonald would have wished. The reviewer agrees with the assessment that the Condon Report's predetermined and prejudiced leadership contributed to its failure. The fault is also attributed to the Project staff being overwhelmed by inter-disciplinary research challenges.

The review highlights that Saunders discusses the pitfalls of proving the ETI hypothesis and proposes a method for eliciting sighting details from witnesses: first, let them tell their story without interruption, then ask questions starting with circumstantial verifiable evidence and ending with finer details.

The Mariana (Great Falls, Idaho) case is discussed in detail, while the Snippy case is deemed an unnecessary and irrelevant digression.

Saunders' final chapters are considered the most interesting for UFO research, where he claims to have shown that "the odds are overwhelmingly in favour of the reality of orthoteny" as a property of certain UFO reports, without claiming significance for alien activity. Chapter 23 analyzes why the Condon Project failed, offering penetrating remarks on the characters involved.

Saunders advocates for a trend towards respectability for the UFO problem, increased public funding for research, and avoiding another "Colorado Fiasco."

Navigation, Landing, and Additional Lights Carried by Modern Aircraft

This article by J.T.S. explains the various lights carried by modern aircraft and how they might be mistaken for UFOs.

Introduction

All aircraft must comply with aeronautical laws and carry basic navigation lights to be observed from the ground and by other aircraft. The article focuses on three major groups: helicopters, military fixed-wing aircraft, and civilian aircraft.

Basic Navigation Lights

Aircraft must carry at least three navigation lights and one landing light. These include a red light on the port wing tip, a green light on the starboard wing tip (visible from the front), and a white light at the tail end. A white landing light is typically placed under the port wing.

Helicopters

Helicopters have the same basic navigation lights as fixed-wing aircraft. Military and government helicopters often carry one or two anti-collision lights, which are red flashing lights. Landing lights are carried underneath the cabin and can be fixed forward and slightly down, or have a dual position.

Light Patterns at Night

The article details how the lights on helicopters can appear from different angles at night. A front view shows red and green lights. A blinding white light may be seen if the landing light is on. Views from the port and starboard sides show combinations of red, green, and white lights moving as the aircraft flies. A rear view can show a flashing red light above a white light.

Potential for Misidentification

Due to the low altitude and speed at which helicopters fly, their lights can be mistaken for UFOs. The article notes that helicopters can perform tight 180-degree turns, appearing as a flashing red light that suddenly changes direction. This, combined with imperfect hearing or observation from a distance, could lead to confusion and speculation about UFOs.

Military Fixed Wing Aircraft

Military fixed-wing aircraft carry standard navigation lights, with variations in auxiliary lights. Fighter aircraft typically only have navigation lights. Bomber aircraft may or may not have anti-collision lights depending on their role. Transport command aircraft often have two anti-collision lights. Landing lights can vary from one to six. Military aircraft often have navigation lights wired to flash independently, creating complex light combinations. Some bombers and transport planes have a downward identity system with red, green, and amber lights for identification during exercises.

Civilian Airlines and Private Aircraft

Civilian airline aircraft are similar to military transport planes, with flashing navigation lights and anti-collision lights. Private civilian aircraft usually have basic navigation lights and one landing light, with anti-collision lights and identity lights generally banned.

Summary of Aircraft Lights

The article concludes that listing every combination of aircraft lights is virtually impossible due to the vast number of aircraft and the varied positions of their lights, making some appear like "Christmas trees" at night, while others are difficult to see.

The National Sky-watch, 1969

This section provides a further report on the National Sky-watch as observed from Warminster, Watching Post No. 6. Authors Tony Pace and Roger Stanway recounted securing a spectrogram of an unusual light using a camera with a prism. An independent analysis of the photographs and spectrograms was conducted and agreed upon by the Director.

The photograph was taken with Kodachrome colour reversal film. The negative and prints show the unidentified object split into a spectrum, alongside street-lamps which provided a direct comparison spectrum. The street-lamps showed a bright line emission spectrum, while the UFO exhibited a continuous spectrum, similar to that of a tungsten filament lamp or a candle.

Camera shake prevented detailed study of the UFO's spectrum. However, the type of spectrum is consistent with a balloon-carrying-a-light-source explanation, adding weight to the circumstantial evidence pointing towards a hoax at Warminster for the benefit of the Sky-watch.

Pace and Stanway are congratulated for obtaining the first spectrogram of a UFO, with the expectation that they will obtain better spectrograms in the future.

Praise is Encouragement Indeed

This section includes a positive quote from a member who congratulated the association on producing an interesting and informative bulletin. The bulletin still requires contributions in the form of articles and letters, which should be sent to the Director of Research. Press cuttings should be sent to Mr. R. Farrow.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing efforts in UFO research, the challenges of data collection and analysis, and the importance of rigorous investigation. There is a clear editorial stance that emphasizes scientific methodology, the need for detailed reports from investigators, and a critical approach to evidence, as seen in the review of the Condon Report and the analysis of the Warminster spectrogram. The bulletin also addresses the potential for misidentification of aerial phenomena, particularly by explaining how aircraft lights might be mistaken for UFOs. The overall tone is one of diligent research and a commitment to understanding the UFO phenomenon, while also acknowledging the possibility of hoaxes and the limitations of current evidence.