BUFORA Bulletin2 - No.07 - Dec 1998

Magazine Overview

Title: BUFORA BULLETIN
Issue: No. 7
Date: December 1998
Publisher: British UFO Research Association (BUFORA Ltd)
Country: United Kingdom

Editorial: Stagnated Britannia?

Robert Moore, the editor, expresses deep concern over the state of contemporary British ufology, describing it as stagnant, particularly in terms of intellectual and critical standards. He contrasts it unfavorably with ufology in countries like France, Italy, and Spain, deeming British efforts lacklustre and undynamic. Moore attributes this decline partly to the voluntary nature of research, which often means efforts are conducted in spare time without funding, falling short of a critical scientific ideal. He also criticizes British ufology's heavy dependence on the United States, noting that conferences often feature American speakers, books are predominantly American, and media content focuses on American UFO controversies, thereby neglecting domestic and European cases. Furthermore, Moore points out the low involvement of academics and respected figures in British ufology compared to organizations like the Society for Psychical Research (SPR), whose journal he praises for its intellectual rigor. He argues that skepticism, the questioning of commonplace notions, is essential for true understanding and warns that without critical engagement, ufology risks becoming the domain of charlatans.

Contents

• UFO NEWS (Pages 4-6)
• THE WEST FREUGH INCIDENT REVISITED (Pages 7-10)
• THOUGHTS ON ALIEN ABDUCTION (Pages 11-12)
• PRESTON FLYING TRIANGLE (Pages 13-16)
• FOO FIGHTER PICTURE MYSTERY (Pages 17-19)
• Investigations Diary Special; THE HOWDEN MOORS INCIDENT (PART 3) (Pages 20-26)
• EVENTS & NOTICES (Page 28)

Obituary: Ron West

This section pays tribute to Ron West, founder member of the Essex UFO Research Group, who passed away on October 15, 1998, after a battle with cancer. West was a dedicated researcher, an advocate for the extraterrestrial origin of some UFOs, and a believer in government cover-ups. He was persistent in his efforts to obtain information from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) regarding UFO sightings. West was particularly interested in the Rendlesham Incident and organized skywatches in the forest. He is credited with cataloguing sightings he investigated. The author, Richard Conway, expresses that West will be missed and hopes his energy and persistence will be replicated by new researchers.

Godmanchester Incident: A Tribute to Ron West

This article details the 1988 Godmanchester incident, investigated by Ron West and assisted by Ernest Still. On March 2, 1988, a 14-year-old girl in her garden heard a vibrating roar and smelled a foul odor described as 'vile rotten eggs'. Her radio went silent as she saw a jet-black, square object with holes and an aerial. The object moved rapidly north-west, and as it passed, the radio returned to life, and the smell dissipated. The girl experienced panic hysteria, blurred vision, and enlarged pupils. The family's attempt to seek explanations through the press led to ridicule, with one newspaper focusing on a 'Tea bag UFO' claim. The girl's subsequent recovery was slow and difficult, requiring counseling.

U.S. "Arizona Lights" Councillor Loses Nomination

This article, written by Robert Moore, discusses the 'Phoenix Lights' incident on March 13, 1997, where hundreds of Phoenix, Arizona residents witnessed anomalous aerial phenomena, including a 'vee formation' of lights and glowing red spheres, captured on videotape. The event prompted about 50 calls to city councilwoman Frances Emma Barwood, who took a personal interest. Barwood suspected military origin and contacted the USAF, which denied involvement. Despite this, a military airborne training exercise was suspected. In 1998, Barwood sought the Republican nomination for Arizona Secretary of State, supported by UFO researchers hoping she would elevate UFOs as a political issue. However, she was accused of distancing herself from the UFO community. Her campaign focused on conventional politics, and she ultimately lost the election in September 1998, receiving only 27% of the vote.

"Come And Have A Go If You Think You're Hard Enough!" - The Carlton T.V Debate

Andy Roberts recounts a Carlton TV talk-fest that featured UFOs alongside genetic engineering and pornography. He describes a debate between ufologists ('ETHers') and skeptics ('Erisian Sceptical Heavy Infantry'). Roberts notes that the believers seemed unprepared to present reasoned arguments, while skeptics had a plan to discredit them. He mentions Philip Kinsella's claim of alien tampering and Nick Pope's discussion of UFOs. Malcolm Robinson attempted to discuss the Livingston Case but was overshadowed. The author suggests the debate was a 'complete waste of time' from a ufological perspective and not engaging enough for television. The article concludes with advice for anyone appearing on TV about UFOs: ensure payment, be knowledgeable, keep it brief, and don't take it too seriously.

The West Freugh Incident Revisited

John P. Heptonstall re-examines the West Freugh incident of April 4, 1957, challenging Dr. Colin Ridyard's terrestrial explanation. Heptonstall analyzes a report by DDI (Tech) detailing radar detections of unidentified objects. The objects were observed at altitudes between 50,000 and 70,000 feet, exhibiting stationary behavior before moving north-east at 70 mph, then making a sharp turn south-east and accelerating to 240 mph. Radar reports differed on the number of objects (one or four) and their altitude (50,000 ft vs. 14,000 ft). The objects were larger than normal aircraft echoes, possibly ship-sized. No known aircraft or meteorological balloons could explain the speeds and maneuvers. Heptonstall proposes the Lockheed U2 Spyplane as the most probable explanation, citing its capabilities, secrecy, and ongoing trials in April 1957, including 'dirty bird' trials involving anti-radar formats. He also mentions other military hardware like the D558 Douglas Skyrocket and the Russian Backfire Bomber as potential explanations for high-speed, high-altitude phenomena. Heptonstall concludes that while an 'ET-type' UFO explanation is not impossible, the available technology of the 1950s provides a more probable terrestrial explanation, suggesting that government secrecy may obscure the true nature of such events.

Conclusion of West Freugh Analysis

Heptonstall's conclusion emphasizes that UFO databases do not reveal comparable activity around the time of the West Freugh incident that would support an 'ET-type' UFO explanation. He reiterates that technology similar to that described by radar operators was available in the 1950s. He questions the accuracy and completeness of the DDI (Tech) report, highlighting missing facts such as the exact number and location of U2s operating, radar margins of error, and whether escorts were common. He personally believes ET surveillance is possible but argues that cases like West Freugh are labeled 'probably ET' due to insufficient research. He suggests that even if the incidents were military, governments might maintain secrecy. He acknowledges Ridyard's assessment but leans towards the U2 explanation, anticipating future CIA disclosures to confirm this theory.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical analysis of UFO phenomena, the importance of rigorous research, and the skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims. There is a strong emphasis on distinguishing between potential terrestrial explanations (like advanced military aircraft) and extraterrestrial hypotheses. The editorial stance is critical of the current state of British ufology, advocating for higher intellectual standards and a more independent approach, less reliant on American narratives. The issue also touches upon government secrecy and the challenges of obtaining reliable information. The articles generally favor evidence-based investigation and a cautious approach to conclusions.

This issue of the magazine, dated April 1998, features a cover headline "THOUGHTS ON ALIEN ABDUCTION" by Anthony North. It explores various facets of UFO phenomena, including the nature of research, specific sighting reports, historical mysteries, and official investigations.

The ET Hypothesis and Research Methodology

Anthony North begins by discussing the methodology of research, emphasizing that theory should extend from existing paradigms. He critiques the ET Hypothesis, suggesting that believers often move away from rigorous research, relying on belief rather than sufficient evidence. He posits that without concrete proof of alien visitations, accepting the ET Hypothesis deviates from a scientific approach, likening it to a religion rather than a rational line of inquiry. North also points out that reductionist views struggle to explain abduction cases, particularly those occurring while driving, and suggests that sleep paralysis, while explaining some cases, is not universally applicable.

North proposes that the mind's tendency to 'fantasise' while performing mechanical tasks, such as reading or driving, could explain the phenomenon of 'missing time' and re-location often reported in abduction accounts. He suggests that the flash of an approaching car, combined with science fiction enculturation, might trigger such fantasies in drivers. He also addresses the proliferation of abduction reports in recent years, considering two factors: the idea that Earth is warning humanity about ecological disaster, and the theory that these experiences are an evolutionary mechanism to change consciousness. He notes the increasing severity of weather patterns due to global warming and speculates that electromagnetic disturbances might be increasing the likelihood of 'visions' or abduction experiences, potentially leading to a more ecologically mindful populace.

The Preston Flying Triangle Incident

Bill Bimson reports on the Preston Flying Triangle incident of January 11, 1998. The phenomenon, characterized by anomalous triangular-shaped airborne objects, has been observed globally since the seminal Eupen, Belgium incident in 1989. Descriptions typically involve black or dark craft with bright white lights in the corners, sometimes ejecting other lights. Researchers debate whether these are extraterrestrial or secret military craft.

The incident involved a witness, G.D., who observed a bright light near a mill chimney in Preston. This light resolved into three lights in a triangular formation moving towards him at an estimated 45 mph and an altitude of 200 feet. The craft was described as black and triangular, emitting a quiet humming noise but no jet propulsion. It then shot out two small star-like lights, one white and one red, before changing direction without banking like a conventional aircraft. The craft's final heading was towards the British Aerospace plant at Warton. No physical evidence was found, and the testimony relies solely on the single eyewitness. Similar flying triangles were reported in Cheshire on the same date and later in January 1998. Investigations with the Ministry of Defence and the Civil Aviation Authority yielded no explanation for military or civilian aircraft involvement. The visual description rules out astronomical and meteorological explanations, while the lack of conventional aircraft noise and the ejection of lights suggest something beyond current known technology. The evidence points to either an extraterrestrial craft or advanced, unknown military technology.

The Case for New Military Technology

Regarding the Preston incident, the possibility of new military technology is explored. The red strobe light is conventional, but some stealth aircraft are triangular. Noise reduction techniques could explain the low humming. The craft's final heading towards the British Aerospace plant is significant, as it's a known testing ground for advanced military aircraft. The ejected star-like objects could be decoy measures with their own thrusters, posing less risk than weapons.

The article also links the incident to the Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI), or "Star Wars." A test involving a Minuteman II missile carrying nine dummy targets on January 16, 1998, reportedly detected 12 targets, with the extra two dismissed as a 'glitch.' The author speculates that secret aerial mobile sensors might have been airborne during SDI tests, potentially coinciding with or rehearsing for the Preston sighting.

Foo Fighter Picture Mystery

Robert Bull investigates a well-known "Foo Fighter" photograph from World War II, showing two fuzzy lights near a propeller-driven aircraft. Captions vary, including 'Luftwaffe, Germany, 1944,' 'Japan, WW II,' and 'American, WW II.' Bull, familiar with WWII aircraft, doubts the German attribution, finding the aircraft dissimilar to known German planes. He explores possibilities of Dutch or Japanese aircraft.

John Spencer's information suggests the photo originated from the European theatre, but an RAF historian was unsure of the aircraft type. Bull examines the Fokker DXX1 (Dutch) and Aichi type D3A (Japanese) but finds they do not match. A visit to the Duxford airfield leads to an identification of the aircraft as a Tachikawa Ki-36, reporting name 'Ida.' The Ki-36 was a Japanese Army co-operation aircraft, later redesignated Ki-55 trainer, deployed in China and the Pacific theatre. It was relatively low-performance and vulnerable to US fighters. Andy Roberts recalls the photo being from the Pacific theatre, 1944/45, and appearing in Paul Dong's UFO books. Kevin McClure also notes its appearance in "UFOs over China" and mentions doubts about its authenticity, suggesting it might be a post-war fake. Jan Aldrich of the Cosmic Brotherhood Association (C.B.A.) in Japan reportedly dismissed C.B.A. 'Foo-fighter' photographs as spurious and recycled junk. The article questions whether the photo, if fake, reveals a propensity for faking in the West, or if it shows real objects, strengthening the argument for 'Foo Fighters' being natural phenomena. The sheer number of aircraft in WWII air fleets is considered as a potential factor in 'ghost lights.' The evidence for Pacific theatre sightings weakens arguments linking Foo Fighters to secret German weapons.

The Howden Moors Incident - Part 3

David Clarke presents questions raised in the House of Commons regarding the Howden Moors incident. Local MP Mrs Helen Jackson submitted questions to the Defence Minister and Home Secretary concerning RAF/NATO exercises, complaints about low flying aircraft, sonic booms detected over Sheffield, UFO sightings, and an air exclusion zone around Howden Reservoir on March 24-25, 1997.

Home Secretary Jack Straw stated that information on low-flying aircraft is not held centrally but acknowledged reports of a low-flying aircraft thought to have crashed, which an investigation failed to trace. The MoD replied that military aircraft were booked for low flying training in northern England on the night in question and received 13 complaints. However, the RAF Press Office had stated that there was no RAF or NATO activity in South Yorkshire on the previous night.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of unexplained phenomena with scientific inquiry, military technology, and historical events. There's a critical yet open-minded approach to UFO reports, encouraging rigorous investigation while acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge and the potential for misinterpretation or hoaxes. The editorial stance appears to favour rational explanations, including psychological factors and advanced technology, but does not entirely dismiss the possibility of extraterrestrial origins. The issue emphasizes the importance of evidence-based research and critical evaluation of photographic and anecdotal accounts.

This issue of SPACELINK magazine, identified as issue 21 and likely from March 1997, delves into the perplexing Howden Moors event. The primary focus is an in-depth investigation into the incident that occurred on March 24, 1997, exploring witness accounts, official statements, and scientific data to ascertain the nature of the event.

The Howden Moors Event: A Detailed Investigation

The central article, "The Howden Moors Event: Some Preliminary conclusions" by Robert Moore, meticulously examines the incident. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) initially stated that no UFO sightings were reported on March 24 or 25, 1997, and that a temporary danger area was established to allow an RAF search and rescue helicopter to operate without disturbance. Regarding sonic booms, the MoD claimed no record of such events from RAF or NATO aircraft on the evening of March 24.

However, this official stance was challenged by other findings. Dr. John Lovell from Edinburgh's Seismology department confirmed that two sonic booms were recorded above Sheffield at 2152 and 2206 hours that night. He opined that these could only have been caused by a military aircraft reaching supersonic speed, possibly during a mid-air turn.

MP Helen Jackson raised parliamentary questions about military exercises in the Sheffield area, regulations governing aircraft breaking the sound barrier, and whether the sonic booms detected were a result of such activity. MoD Press Office Chief Alan Pattison responded that it was a regular training flight involving two Tornado strike aircraft, emphasizing that these were not interceptor aircraft and that the training was essential for pilots. He explicitly stated there was no cover-up and no aircraft were scrambled to intercept a UFO.

Further questions were tabled by Mrs. Jackson in April 1998, to which the Under Secretary of State for Defence, John Spellar, replied that it was difficult to state precisely where military activity occurred twelve months later. Records indicated low-flying over the Peak District between 2030 and 2107 hours on March 24, 1997. He noted that records of medium-level flying (2,000-24,000 ft) were not maintained, leaving open the possibility of aircraft at that altitude.

David Clarke, a researcher, had previously contacted air bases, all of which denied having aircraft airborne. However, RAF Coningsby admitted that six Tornados had returned from an exercise over the North Sea at 9:25 PM that night. Clarke also questioned Alan Pattison and his deputy, Squadron Leader Tom Rounds, about whether the "military exercise" was pre-planned or an interception mission. Pattison reiterated that it was a regular training flight, not an interception mission for a UFO. He added that other Tornados and Jaguars from NATO bases participated in the night sortie, involving low-level flying at a minimum 250 feet altitude over the mountains west of Sheffield.

These details were contrasted with witness descriptions in Dronfield, Derbyshire, who reported seeing a huge triangular-shaped UFO at 21:30hrs, creating a time discrepancy with the stated exercise times.

UFO Tracked by Radar?

Researcher Max Burns claimed a "UFO" was tracked by Royal Signals at RAF Linton-upon-Ouse at 9:55 PM. However, Flight Lieutenant Philip Inman clarified that the Linton radar is used only for training and lacks the range for air defence. The base was closed on the night of March 24, with radar cover provided by West Drayton.

The "Sonic Events"

The MoD/RAF maintained that the two sonic booms recorded at 2152 and 2206 hours remained "unexplained." They claimed the low-flying exercise was over around 50 minutes before these events and they had no record of them during the exercise. They did, however, admit to receiving a complaint from the British Geological Survey (BGS) afterwards. The BGS stated the RAF could not confirm if one of their aircraft was involved. The MoD also admitted receiving 13 complaints about "aircraft activity" from various parts of the country.

Numerous witnesses testified to aircraft presence until 11 PM. Patterson conceded it was "logical" to connect the exercise with the sonic events. He also stated that while pilots know not to fly at supersonic speeds over land, it was possible a pilot might have accelerated to supersonic speed to avoid a civil aircraft or had broken rules, which could only be proven by studying radar traces.

Possible Explanations for the Howden Moors Event

Robert Moore presents several possible explanations:

• UFO: While a triangular UFO was sighted in Dronfield, any direct link to the Howden Moor events is considered tenuous due to differences in shape and witness belief that it was an aircrash.
• Air Crash: The possibility of a Tornado crashing was considered, but there was a total absence of wreckage. A reported "aviation fuel soaked pilot" turned out to be an Asian man involved in a suicide attempt.
• Drugs-Drop: An explanation offered by a Mountain Rescue service member suggested an illegal drugs run, with the "smoke" and "noise" being a signal. However, this is flawed as such operations usually require stealth.
• Aircraft Malfunction: An aircraft might have experienced a dramatic malfunction, causing the "bang" and "plumes of smoke." This is consistent with reports but doesn't explain the "seismic event" detected by the BGS.
• Bolide (Fireball Meteor): Dr. Jacqueline Mitton suggested the event was a bright bolide meteor burning up in the atmosphere. This explanation is consistent with sonic booms and the appearance of a slow-moving object with light attached, and can cause false "aircrash" alerts.

Summary and Conclusion

The article concludes that the Howden Moors event likely had one of two causes: either it was generated by a bolide (fireball meteor), or it resulted from a serious (but not fatal) aircraft malfunction. The bolide explanation is considered the most likely at the present time. The event is described as a notable incident in ufological history, posing a genuine mystery that generated numerous tales and rumors, and was at one point compared to the Roswell Incident.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently questions official explanations for unexplained aerial phenomena, highlighting discrepancies between MoD statements and witness accounts or scientific data. There is a clear editorial stance favoring thorough investigation and consideration of alternative explanations beyond conventional military activity. The recurring theme is the persistent mystery surrounding UFO sightings and related events, and the challenges in obtaining definitive answers from official sources.