1973 - Dec - Research Bulletin Vol.4 No.3 & 4

Magazine Overview

This issue of the British U.F.O. Research Association's Research Bulletin, dated December 1973, Volume 4, Number 3/4, focuses on the association's 'advanced technologies' working hypothesis for UFO phenomena. It delves into the rationale behind this hypothesis, drawing on the work and opinions of prominent figures in the field.

Support for Our Working Hypothesis

The lead article, 'SUPPORT FOR OUR WORKING HYPOTHESIS,' outlines the decision by the association's committee to adopt a working hypothesis as a basis for future research. After considering various explanations, the consensus favored the 'advanced technologies' hypothesis, a term previously used by the late Dr. James E. McDonald, Senior Physicist and Professor of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Arizona. The association's application form itself mentions the theory that a small proportion of UFO events may represent contact with an advanced technology, 'probably of extra-terrestrial origin.' The article references Section 10 of their 'Guide to the UFO Phenomenon,' which categorizes alternative explanations such as prototype aircraft, psychological projections, and material flying machines of unknown origin. The author notes that while only about 5% of sightings might fall into the 'material flying machines' category, these are the most fascinating and core to the UFO mystery.

The article then presents a newspaper report from 'The Register' (December 7, 1972) concerning startling UFO reports buried in Maxwell Air Force Base files, as cited by physicist Dr. James E. McDonald. This report stems from a two-hour recording of an unpublicized UFO briefing given by Dr. McDonald before his death. McDonald, who had spent time reviewing UFO files at Maxwell Air Force Base, stated that after interviewing hundreds of witnesses, he saw no alternative to the extra-terrestrial hypothesis.

McDonald, formerly a senior physicist at the University of Arizona, expressed his hope that the Air Force records, which they decided to destroy after the Condon Report, would be preserved in the National Archives. He described the difficulty in accessing Bluebook files since the project's termination. McDonald recounted examining about 400 cases from Maxwell Air Force Base, many of which were unknown to the public and involved objects with performance characteristics beyond current aeronautical understanding, suggesting 'technology manufactured products' rather than amorphous plasmoids or atmospheric optical effects.

He provided examples of cases involving stopped cars and hypersonic radar tracks with sharp-angle turns, emphasizing that these were not ball lightning, meteors, or known devices, but technological structures seen at close range. McDonald asserted that the Maxwell Air Force Base files contained more radar cases from the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force than previously suspected, suggesting a potential military interest in acquiring such technology at least 15 years prior to the Robertson Panel of 1953.

McDonald criticized the Bluebook project as a 'shambles of procedure incompetence,' overlaid with 'FR' (likely referring to a cover-up or obfuscation). He argued that repetitive assurances of the Air Force's serious investigation were used to keep the problem 'under the rug.' He noted that despite the lack of overt hostility, a lack of competence was evident, and the Condon project repeated similar patterns.

McDonald concluded that the strongest argument for a cover-up hypothesis is that the explanations provided were too inept to be believed. He maintained that the UFO problem remains unsolved and as intriguing as it was in 1947. He described his initial visits to Wright-Patterson and his conversations with an Air Force consultant who had little knowledge of the phenomenon, leading him to believe the problem was not what the public or even the Air Force consultants fully understood. He discovered 'hidden UFO reports' at Maxwell Air Force Base, a pool of information untapped because of the prevailing belief that UFOs are 'nonsense.' He highlighted numerous visual sightings and wondered why radar examples were not more common, only to find them in the files explained away as mundane phenomena.

National Enquirer Awards $5,000

This section reports on a reward offer made by 'The National Enquirer' for proof of UFOs originating from outer space and not being a natural phenomenon. The panel of judges, including Dr. J. Allen Hynek, recommended an additional $5,000 prize for 'best evidence short of conclusive proof.' The article details the case of the Durel Johnson family of Delphos, Kansas, who were awarded $5,000 for evidence submitted concerning a 'toad-stool' shaped object seen on November 2, 1971. The object allegedly hovered over the ground and left a glowing ring in the soil. Tests on the soil samples revealed a dry, powdery nature that resisted water and growth, with tiny white crystals that defied laboratory analysis. The judging panel called it 'a major scientific mystery.'

BUFORA Research

This section updates on BUFORA's research efforts. Following up on a previous statement, checks were being made in other UFO sighting records and sources, such as 'Flying Saucer Review,' for British cases missing from BUFORA's files. The association aims to build a more complete picture of British UFO activity. Miss Pat. Hannaford of the Edinburgh UFO Research Society is mentioned as contributing to improving the quality of BUFORA's records.

Project Bookworm

Project Bookworm aims to compile a comprehensive record of British UFO sightings from published literature. BUFORA recognizes the need to systematically collect and analyze this information to justify its position as the leading British organization for UFO investigation and research. The project encourages members to read UFO books, periodicals, and newsletters and send in details of British reports not already in BUFORA's system. The goal is to create a permanent record for comparison, analysis, and research.

Investigation Field Kits

The bulletin details two investigation kits designed by BUFORA:

• Investigation Field Kit A: This kit includes essential items for general investigation, such as questionnaires, investigation forms, coloring materials, UFO shape charts, a color chart, a field investigator's handbook, maps, a hand torch, a planisphere, comparison discs, a clinometer, and a compass.
• Investigation Field Kit B: This kit is for cases where a UFO is reported to have left residual traces at ground level. It includes a large magnifying glass, scissors, a penknife, a brush for sampling, a hammer, sealed containers for samples, grid materials, plaster casting material, a thermos flask, spirit level, tweezers, a large plastic sheet, a Geiger counter, a pocket spectroscope, a magnetometer, a thermometer, a still camera, and a cine camera.

An 'Observer's Kit' is also mentioned, comprising items from both Kit A and Kit B.

BUFORA Staffs. Branch Announcement

The Staffs. Branch is cooperating in organizing an investigation network for area JO (Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Shropshire). Interested individuals are asked to contact Mr. Derek James.

Project on Vehicle Interference Reports. S2

Progress is reported on a long-term project dealing with motor vehicle interference cases. The S2 team is now complete and comprises several engineers and mechanics. Arnold West, BUFORA's Treasurer, has offered assistance based on his experience with vehicle eccentricities.

Astronomy and Spaceflight

Pioneer 10 arrives at Jupiter

This section provides an update on the Pioneer 10 mission, which is investigating Jupiter. It mentions the gold-plated plaque depicting human appearance and technological achievements, intended for potential extraterrestrial travelers. Pioneer 10 made its closest approach to Jupiter on December 3, 1973, at a distance of approximately 82,000 miles. Scientists are interested in discovering secrets within Jupiter's dense atmosphere and powerful magnetosphere, noting that Jupiter transmits about twice as much energy as it receives from the Sun.

The article discusses the growing conviction among American scientists that Jupiter may harbor primitive living organisms, citing the discovery of a bacterium that can withstand high alkalinity. The planet's atmosphere contains hydrogen, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and possibly water, and internal heat sources might create areas above freezing point where life could exist.

The search for extraterrestrial life goes on

Soviet Union launched four unmanned space probes (Mars 4, 5, 6, and 7) destined for Mars, with scientists believing they will attempt soft landings and deploy equipment. Both American and Russian space programs are geared towards searching for extraterrestrial life. Mars is considered geologically active, and it is hoped that Russian efforts will reveal secrets about life on the planet.

Probe to Venus and Mercury

On November 3, 1973, America launched an automatic space probe to Mercury, which will pass by Venus. The probe is expected to intercept Mercury in the spring, and astronomers are interested in its surface features, which might be similar to the Moon's.

Comet Kohoutek

A diagram shows the position of Comet Kohoutek in January 1974. The optimum viewing date is around January 15th, when the tail may be 20 degrees in length. The comet was observed by BUFORA member Mr. M.F. Pace as fainter than predicted with a short tail. There is speculation from astronomers at Lowell Observatory that the comet might be splitting into two components.

Polly Toynbee, Washington: Just watch this space

This is a news report by Polly Toynbee detailing the mysterious case of two Mississippi fishermen, Calvin Parker (18) and Charles Hickson (45), who reported an encounter with occupants of an unidentified flying object on the Pascagoula River. They described a spaceship that landed nearby, and two creatures emerged. Parker fainted, while Hickson was led to the ship. They felt they were subjected to a medical examination by a machine but were unharmed and returned to the pier. Initially hesitant to report, they eventually contacted the local newspaper and then the Sheriff's office. Sheriff Fred Diamond, initially skeptical, became convinced after locking the men alone in a cell, stating, "If those two men are lying, they should be in Hollywood." The men were later checked for radiation at Keesler Air Force Base, with negative results. UFO investigators Dr. Alan Hynek and Dr. James Harder hypnotized the men, re-lived the scene, and concluded it was a 'definitely non terrestrial occurrence,' stating the men were 'not unbalanced' and 'not crackpots.' The incident garnered significant national attention for Pascagoula.

Stop Press! Research H.Q. features on Television Programme.

The Research Director gave a three-minute interview on Granada T.V. on December 3, 1973, discussing the association's role in UFO research.

The BUFORA Committee

The BUFORA Committee extends wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to its members.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, with a strong emphasis on the 'advanced technologies' hypothesis and the extraterrestrial origin of some sightings. The bulletin champions rigorous research methodologies, exemplified by the detailed investigation kits and the 'Project Bookworm' initiative to catalog historical data. There is a clear stance against simplistic explanations and a call for open-minded, scientific inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena. The issue also touches upon broader scientific exploration through its astronomy and spaceflight sections, subtly linking terrestrial UFO research with the ongoing human quest to understand the universe and the potential for life beyond Earth. The editorial stance is one of serious, methodical investigation, advocating for the preservation of evidence and the pursuit of credible explanations, while acknowledging the profound mystery that UFOs represent.