Cowflop Quarterly - 1995 05 05 - Vol 1 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: The Cowflop Quarterly
Issue: Vol. 1, No. 1
Date: Friday, May 5, 1995
Publisher: The Cowflop Quarterly
Country: USA
Language: English
Price: Free

This issue of The Cowflop Quarterly presents an article by Robert G. Todd, titled "ROSWELL: THE RUSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGG." Todd's article is presented as portions of a letter to the editor of the International UFO Reporter (IUR) that were not published. The central thesis is that the Roswell incident, rather than being evidence of extraterrestrial visitation, was a result of human error and has been perpetuated by human greed and commercial interests.

Roswell: The Ruse That Laid the Golden Egg

Todd directly addresses an article by Mark Rodeghier and Mark Chesney in the September/October 1994 edition of IUR, which critiqued the Air Force's report on Roswell. Todd argues that Rodeghier and Chesney, like other "Roswell investigators," rely on a false premise that hinders understanding. He focuses on W.W. Brazel's statement in the July 9, 1947, Roswell Daily Record, where Brazel described finding debris that did not resemble the weather balloons he had previously found on the ranch.

Todd explains that the "conventional wisdom" among Roswell proponents fails to reconcile Brazel's statement with the Air Force explanation because they either ignore or are unaware of the fact that radar targets, such as those recovered, were not in widespread use in 1947 and were largely unknown to Air Force personnel outside of specific research and development activities. These radar targets were designed for use with the SCR-584 radar, a gun-laying system for anti-aircraft artillery, primarily to provide accurate wind information for aiming.

He cites Brigadier General Donald Yates, chief of the Air Weather Service, who stated in a July 8, 1947, AP wire that only a few of these targets were used for highly accurate wind information from extreme altitudes. Todd's own research confirms this, indicating that routine meteorological observations relied on 'pibal' (pilot balloon) and Radio Direction Finding (RDF) methods.

Todd contends that the debris depicted in the Roswell photographs is the actual debris recovered by Brazel and later handled by Major Marcel. He refutes the idea that this debris was substituted for "real" Roswell debris. He points to Professor Charles B. Moore, who headed the NYU balloon team in New Mexico in June-July 1947. Moore recognized the balloon material as coming from sounding balloons and identified the radar targets as "Pilot Balloon Targets." He noted that flying these targets on clusters of sounding balloons was unorthodox and likely only done by his group.

Moore also observed that the unpigmented sounding balloons used for high altitudes deteriorated and discolored when exposed to sunlight, becoming brittle and flaking, which could be mistaken for charred material or ash. This deterioration is consistent with the material being exposed for several weeks, aligning with a June launch date, as suggested by newspaper accounts of Brazel finding the debris on June 14th.

Todd argues that the personnel at Fort Worth Army Air Field would not have had easy access to such specific, aged balloon material for a substitution. He dismisses the notion that they could have easily substituted radar targets, as few personnel were familiar with them. He suggests that the Roswell witnesses who claim to have handled the "real" debris are mistaken, or that their memories have faded over nearly five decades.

Todd clarifies that the Air Force's statement that the recovered material was from a weather balloon was technically true, though misleading. The balloons were used to carry scientific instruments and radar targets for tracking purposes, not solely for weather observation. The statement was truthful regarding the nature of the balloon component, even if the purpose was broader.

He also addresses the "pinkish-purplish symbols" recalled by Project Mogul personnel. Todd explains that this tape was not used to construct the balloon trains but was applied by the manufacturer of the radar targets as reinforcement. He criticizes Rodeghier and Chesney for dismissing hundreds of firsthand observations of this tape in favor of the one-time observations of "alien writing" by other witnesses.

Todd asserts that personnel who worked with radar targets, even without direct involvement in Project Mogul, recall the peculiar tape. He emphasizes that the Roswell photographs and newspaper accounts, many of which were influenced by Major Marcel's statements, provide the most reliable evidence. He suggests that the "crashed-saucer" promoters actively promote the idea that General Ramey silenced Marcel, ignoring Marcel's earlier statements made in Roswell before any official cover-up was instituted.

According to Todd, Marcel's account, as reported in the press, indicates that Brazel found the debris three weeks prior and only connected it to flying discs after hearing about them and a reward in Corona. This led Brazel to present his story to the sheriff, who then relayed it to Roswell Army Air Field and Major Marcel. Since Marcel had never seen a radar target, he, too, was unable to identify the debris, and the flying disc explanation prevailed, further fueled by the mysterious symbols on the tape.

Todd concludes that the lack of familiarity with radar targets among those who examined the debris in Roswell led to the default conclusion of an "alien spaceship." He criticizes the "crashed-saucer" promoters for their selective use of information, which he claims paints a picture of the Roswell incident that bears little resemblance to reality.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Cowflop Quarterly, as indicated by its cover headline, takes a critical stance against what it perceives as "ufological frauds and fantasies." The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards sensationalized UFO claims, particularly those surrounding the Roswell incident. The magazine appears dedicated to debunking popular UFO narratives by presenting alternative, rational explanations grounded in documented facts and historical context. The primary theme is the demystification of alleged extraterrestrial events, attributing them to misinterpretations, human error, and, in the case of Roswell, commercial exploitation of a misunderstanding. The magazine champions a rigorous, evidence-based approach, contrasting it with what it views as the selective and often misleading practices of UFO enthusiasts and investigators.