CENAP Report - No 118

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP-REPORT
Issue: Nr. 118
Date: October/December 1985 (10./12/85)
Publisher: CENAP (Centrales Erforschungs-Netz außergewöhnlicher Phänomene)
Language: German

CENAP: Central Research Network for Extraordinary Phenomena

CENAP is presented as a private, non-commercial organization focused on the serious, factual, and critical study of the UFO phenomenon. It aims to demythologize and identify the physical forms and socio-psychological impacts of UFOs. The organization's research, including case studies and analyses, is documented in its publication, CENAP REPORT (CR). CENAP also examines the societal impact of 'UFO belief' and its portrayal in mass media. They affirm the existence of the UFO phenomenon and the necessity of its serious investigation.

CENAP REPORT (CR)

The monthly publication CENAP REPORT provides ongoing coverage of UFO events and research findings through case studies with authentic material. It also addresses the public UFO debate and interdisciplinary discussions, taking a clear stance and offering commentary.

Cover Story: 'No Encounter with the Third Kind'

The cover headline, 'Keine Begegnung mit der dritten Art' (No Encounter with the Third Kind), is accompanied by a sub-headline stating that the sixth national UFO forum in Schwetzingen concluded that 97 percent of reported phenomena are naturally explainable, advocating for a distinction from pseudoreligious cosmologists.

Article: The Case of LUC (France, 1984)

This section details a UFO sighting that occurred on October 22, 1984, near Luc in the Var region of France. The primary witnesses, two individuals in a car, reported seeing a large, white sphere observed at less than 100 meters altitude, emitting a white beam of light that illuminated the landscape. The object moved silently across the road and disappeared towards Cannet des Maures. The report notes that local newspapers, including NICE-MATIN and VAR MATIN REPUBLIQUE, covered the event. The initiative for further investigation came from local reporter Eric Kalmar of LDLN. Initial inquiries to military authorities regarding helicopter activity in the area yielded no confirmation. The meteorological station in Cannet des Maures also denied launching any weather balloons on that day, strengthening the initial UFO hypothesis.

Further investigation by the police of Luc led them to believe the witnesses had seen a helicopter launched from a different military base. However, the police acted on their own initiative without a formal request, and no witness had officially filed a report. The article questions the police's unusual eagerness to close the case quickly.

Eric Kalmar, writing for LDLN, presents three reasons to dismiss the helicopter hypothesis:
1. Silence: Helicopters, even at higher altitudes, are audible.
2. Altitude: Helicopters are generally not permitted to fly as low as 100 meters due to risks with high-voltage lines.
3. Searchlight: A helicopter's searchlight cannot be directed upwards towards the sky; if it rotated, it would cause the helicopter to crash.

Kalmar recounts that the witnesses, who were driving from Mayons to Luc, slowed down to observe the phenomenon around 18:50. The light beam reportedly described a 180° arc. The witnesses, who knew each other, did not stop but drove home. One witness later told Kalmar, 'I saw a UFO,' emphasizing it was not a helicopter. Kalmar interviewed the second witness, whose account corroborated the first. The witnesses estimated the object's altitude at approximately 200 meters, though Kalmar suggests it might have been lower, as the light beam would have been stronger if it were higher.

Additional witness statements from Tourves, Figagnieres, and the St. Aigulf area were collected but deemed less significant, except for a similar phenomenon reported by a resident of Garde-Freinet. A medium suggested the 'aliens' in Luc simply had a breakdown.

Inquiries were made to the EAALAT air force base. Military personnel stated their objective is to fly as unnoticed as possible, often without lights, especially near obstacles. They acknowledged that a helicopter's searchlight could be directed upwards if it were in a spin. They also confirmed that LYNX helicopters can perform loops and rolls at high speeds, with one instance of flying backward at 129 km/h in 1971.

After attempting to identify the witnesses, the primary witness was revealed to be a 36-year-old woman who was with her 14-year-old daughter. The second witness was her 35-year-old friend, accompanied by her 10-year-old son. The first witness, familiar with UFO discussions and the Valensole area, mentioned that the grass had stopped growing where landing tracks were supposedly present. She speculated the origin could be a world power (USA, USSR) or extraterrestrial. She initially thought it might be a helicopter but dismissed it due to the light and the sphere shape, noting the absence of noise and the impossibility of it being an aircraft. She had previously observed dark helicopter maneuvers at night.

A local winegrower, when asked about the UFO, stated he was not present that day but had seen helicopters flying lower than the reported altitude. He drew a sketch of a helicopter with a searchlight.

The article concludes that the hypothesis of a helicopter with a searchlight is strongly suggested by the evidence. While no helicopter from the Cannet des Maures base was active there at that time, other military bases in the region (Hyeres, Draguignan) house helicopters. The arguments for a UFO (silence, low altitude, searchlight) are countered by military explanations. The description of an illuminated sphere is difficult to reconcile with a helicopter, and the possibility of the searchlight illuminating the helicopter's cabin is raised.

Puma SA 330 Over Var

On November 20, police received a definitive answer: the 'UFO' was a Puma SA 330 helicopter that flew the route Phalsbourg - Le Cannet des Maures via Valence. Between 18:45 and 18:50, it flew at an altitude of 150-200 meters, activating its 600-watt searchlight near the landing lights of Flassans. The report notes that the helicopter was not entirely silent, but the noise of car engines and closed windows likely masked it for the witnesses, who also underestimated the distance at night.

Special Maneuvers

The article describes two types of helicopter maneuvers conducted by the ALAT base at Cannet-des-Maures: 'Voltac' (tactical flight) and night flying. 'Voltac' flights, in use since 1963, involve flying low (60 meters) and fast to position, observe, and react to threats. Night flying is facilitated by special binoculars that amplify ambient light, allowing pilots to fly without lights and see as if it were daytime.

Other Sightings and Analysis

Toulon Sighting: The 'Luc case' is presented as the first in a series of events in late 1984. A less spectacular sighting in Toulon, reported by VAR MARTIN REPUBLIQUE, involved two young women observing a bright, round object. The source of this report was an anonymous letter, though it generated a dozen other sighting reports, most of which were deemed unusable.

Corsica Sighting: A report from LA CORSE LE PROVENCAL describes four witnesses observing a 12-meter long, illuminated machine with red and green lights moving silently at 100 meters altitude in Patrimonio.

St. Michel Sighting: On December 5, 1984, numerous witnesses observed an unusual phenomenon, described by some as a burning airplane and by others as a meteor. This event caused alarm at the Aix CCR and was identified by the LAS (Astronomical Laboratory) of Marseille as a meteor from the Geminid swarm. However, further investigation by Italian colleagues from CUN suggested the phenomenon might have impacted the ground at an undetermined location and may not be related to the Geminid swarm.

GEP-Jüchen Case: The report references the GEP-Jüchen case in Germany, suggesting it, too, could be attributed to a helicopter, similar to the French incidents.

Article: 'The Last UFO War! Klass vs. Maccabee'

This section summarizes an article from The Washington Post Magazine featuring a debate between UFO researcher Bruce Maccabee and UFO skeptic Philip J. Klass. It mentions the famous McMinnville, Oregon, UFO photos taken by Paul and Evelyn Trent in 1950, which Maccabee considers an 'astonishing' case.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical investigation of UFO sightings, with a strong emphasis on seeking natural explanations, particularly military aircraft like helicopters. CENAP's stance is one of serious, scientific inquiry, aiming to demythologize the phenomenon and distinguish it from pseudoscientific or pseudoreligious interpretations. The magazine actively debunks sensationalism and encourages a rational approach to UFO reports, as evidenced by the detailed analysis of the French cases and the inclusion of the debate between Maccabee and Klass.

This issue of "UFO-Nachrichten" from 1954, titled "1954: DAS JAHR DER U.F.C.S! CIA-DOKUMENTE IM CR," focuses on UFO phenomena, presenting a mix of debates, scientific discussions, and numerous eyewitness accounts from around the world.

The Maccabee-Klass Debate

The central debate in UFOlogy is highlighted through the contrasting views of Bruce Maccabee and Philip J. Klass. Maccabee, an investigator, asserts that UFOs represent a real, possibly extraterrestrial phenomenon. He began his research in 1973 and is described as "skeptical of the skeptics." Klass, a prominent UFO skeptic and Chief Electronics Editor for "Aviation Week & Space Technology," attributes sightings to mundane explanations such as aircraft, weather balloons, satellites, planets, meteors, ball lightning, or even hoaxes. Klass estimates that only about 2% of cases are outright hoaxes, with the remaining 98% being misinterpretations by honest people. He views UFOlogists as stretching weak cases to support their beliefs.

UFO Theories and Experiments

The issue delves into theories and experiments concerning "flying saucers." A CIA report (Nr.00-W-30367) discusses an article from "Forces Aeriennes Francaises" (December 1953) that proposed the possibility of supersonic interstellar ships powered by cosmic energy, suggesting a potential French Air Force acknowledgment of "flying saucers." Another section details experimental constructions of "flying saucers" conducted by German engineers George Klein, Miethe, Habermohl, and Schriever between 1941 and 1945. These experiments resulted in designs like a disk-shaped aircraft (135 ft diameter) and a craft with a rotating ring and a central cabin. It is mentioned that the Soviets captured one of Miethe's saucers after the war.

Patented Flying Disks

An article from Naples reports that Scipione Mattolin, a Venetian marine locksmith, patented a flying disk design in Genoa. This disk was described as weighing 5 tons, possibly costing 500 million Lire, and capable of speeds up to 3,000 km/h. Mattolin reportedly sought to offer his invention to Italy but found no interest, leading him to consider emigrating.

UFO Sightings in 1954

The bulk of the issue is dedicated to documenting UFO sightings throughout 1954, categorized by location:

Europe

• Belgium: On January 7, 1954, a Sabena pilot near Brussels observed a low, white fireball with a green glow and a long tail, initially mistaken for a signal rocket.
• France: On January 7, 1954, a fiery disk with a luminous tail was sighted in Arras, Pas-de-Calais, which hovered before disappearing. In Dieppe, an object was initially described as a "flying saucer" but later suggested to be a meteorite.
• Germany: CIA documents mention sightings over West Berlin (May-July 1954) and Darmstadt (August 1954), where glowing, yellowish-red disks were observed for 1.5 hours. Sightings were also reported over Schleswig.
• Sweden/Norway: On May 13, 1954, three people in Norrbotten Province, Sweden, reported brilliant, silver-colored balls with tails moving at high speed in a V-formation. Similar objects were seen over Kautokeino, Norway, described as red on one side and white on the other, appearing to rotate.
• Turkey: An object described as a "flying saucer" appeared over Saint Arnaud, moving east with a long tail.
• Algeria: A round, luminous, yellow-orange object was seen over Algier, shrinking and disappearing.
• Denmark: An investigation was planned for an object that landed near Spjellerup, potentially a meteor, shell, or part of a "flying saucer," which created a deep hole in a field.

North America

• USA: A CIA report (Nr.00-W-30339) references a "cigar-shaped object" sighted in Algiers in December 1953. Another CIA report (Nr.00-W-30797) covers Western Europe. A report from New York mentions employees at Düsseldorf Airport observing a luminous, round object moving at high speed south, then west, disappearing over the clouds.

Africa

• Cameroon: Two unidentified flying objects were reported over Frankfurt and Darmstadt, Germany, described as glowing disks descending vertically at high speed.

Key Figures and Organizations

The issue mentions several key figures, including UFO investigators Bruce Maccabee and Philip J. Klass, German engineer George Klein, and designers Miethe, Habermohl, and Schriever. Organizations like the CIA, FBI, and French Air Force are referenced in relation to UFO documentation and research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics in UFO phenomena, the exploration of scientific theories and experimental designs for advanced aircraft (often linked to UFO reports), and the cataloging of numerous eyewitness sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting information from various sources, including official documents (like CIA reports), news articles, and eyewitness testimonies, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also highlighting the skepticism of figures like Philip J. Klass.

Title: SAUCER SMEAR
Issue: Nr. 139
Date: Week 47/85 (November 1985)
Publisher: Official Publication of the Saucer and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society
Country: Germany
Language: German
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of SAUCER SMEAR, a German ufological journal, presents a collection of articles and reports from late 1985, covering a range of UFO-related topics, from alleged sightings and skeptical analyses to religious prophecies and the debunking of common phenomena.

Key Articles and Reports

Health Update on Dr. J. Allen Hynek The issue begins with a report on Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Director of the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS), who underwent surgery for a brain tumor on September 24, 1985. His wife reported that he was recovering at their home in Phoenix, Arizona. It is also mentioned that Hynek had been unwell at the MUFON conference in Massachusetts in August.

MUFON Conference Rumors and Cover-Up Theories During the MUFON convention, rumors circulated about aliens implanting "small spheres" into the nasal passages of abductees to control them. The article speculates, with a touch of sarcasm, that this might explain Ronald Reagan's recent skin cancer operation, suggesting it could be a cover-up.

Skeptical Commentary on UFO Events Phil Klass, referred to as "Master Blaster," is quoted predicting dire times for UFO skeptics after September 3, 1985, though the author notes that September 9th passed peacefully. Skeptic John Merrell's analysis of the 1950 Trent photographs, published by LIFE Magazine, is also featured. Merrell, after visiting McMinnville, Oregon, expresses strong doubts about the authenticity of the photos, suggesting a hoax was perpetrated.

The Trent Photographs and Media Credulity Merrell's investigation into the Trent photos leads him to believe a hoax was conducted. He argues that the location and angles from which the photos were supposedly taken make them impossible without a staged event. The article suggests that the Trents may have been influenced by media attention, including a "We the People" radio and TV show.

"Party Gag Balloon" as a Common UFO Explanation Several articles highlight the explanation that many reported UFO sightings are actually "Party Gag Balloons." This is presented as the likely cause for a reddish light seen over Tirschenreuth, Germany, on October 20, 1985, and similar sightings by three friends near Frankenwinheim on July 11-12, 1985. The article details the Frankenwinheim sighting, describing a "round, reddish disc" that was later identified as a balloon.

California UFO Sightings and APRO's Investigations The magazine reports on several sightings investigated by the APRO (Aerial Phenomena Research Organization). An investigator in California described observing a bright orange, round object on January 26, 1985, and again on February 9, 1985. On February 22, 1985, the same investigator witnessed a larger orange object that ejected a smaller, torpedo-shaped object. The APRO investigator notes the possibility of UFOs reacting to thoughts and words, a new aspect for UFO research.

The Fátima Prophecies and Religious Interpretations A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the Fátima prophecies, focusing on the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three children in Portugal starting in 1917. The article discusses the consecration of Russia and the "Third Secret" of Fátima. It includes commentary from Bishop Rudolf Graber and Jesuit Karl Rabner, who is critical of the Fátima narrative, suggesting "freshly cheerful omissions" and pointing out that a "lapsus" in the catechism used by one of the children might explain certain aspects of the "message."

"Unsere Zeitung" Article on Ufology An article from "Unsere Zeitung" titled "Nur selten bleibt Unerklärliches unerklärbar" (Only rarely do the inexplicable remain unexplained) discusses the general field of ufology. It notes that many reported UFOs are misidentifications of mundane objects like car headlights or weather phenomena. The article emphasizes that ufologists often work like detectives, interviewing witnesses, examining photos, and consulting authorities. It also touches upon the psychological aspect of UFO reports and the potential for hoaxes, citing an incident involving a bomb threat.

Video Rental Advertisement A full-page advertisement for "Video-vilm-verleih nohela gmbh" promotes their VHS video rental services in Heilbronn, highlighting various benefits like no deposit, affordable prices, and a wide selection of films.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SAUCER SMAR include the persistent skepticism towards many UFO claims, the tendency for alleged phenomena to have mundane explanations (especially Party Gag Balloons), and the critical examination of sensationalist reporting. The magazine appears to lean towards a debunking or at least a highly critical stance on many UFO reports, while still acknowledging the enduring fascination with the unexplained. There's a clear emphasis on rational investigation and a questioning of the more outlandish claims within the UFO community. The editorial stance seems to favor grounded research and the identification of IFOs (Identified Flying Objects) over speculative theories, as suggested by the "CENAP: WISSEN ERLERNEN" (CENAP: Learning Knowledge) section, which advocates for focusing on more verifiable aspects of UFO research.