CSI Quarterly - 1954 Winter

Magazine Overview

This document is the final issue, Volume I, Number IV, of the "CIVILIAN SAUCER INVESTIGATION" Quarterly Bulletin, dated Winter 1954. The publication, based in Los Angeles, California, was dedicated to collecting and analyzing eye-witness reports of Unidentified Aerial Objects (UAOs), commonly known as flying saucers.

CSI's Rationale and Future Plans

The Civilian Saucer Investigation (CSI) has concluded, after two active years, that the task of processing and analyzing UAO reports is too large for a part-time staff. They are seeking an established civilian research organization, company, or foundation to take over their files, which consist of approximately 1000 eye-witness reports. CSI believes a civilian research organization is necessary to ensure anonymity for civilian witnesses, as official investigations by the USAF and foreign Air Ministries tend to favor reports from armed-service personnel.

CSI notes that public ridicule, once a barrier to reporting, has given way to curiosity as more people have witnessed these objects and credible individuals have attested to their presence. They express concern that "brass curtains" (government secrecy) prevent the public from knowing the findings of official investigations, leading some to accept sensational claims of "little men" or Venusians.

Notice to Subscribers

As this is the last issue, CSI is returning pro-rata refunds to annual subscribers who have received fewer than four issues.

The Prospect of Quantitative Analysis

CSI believes that quantitative analysis of reliable UAO sightings offers the most immediate prospect of understanding the phenomenon. They suggest that a research organization with the necessary resources could make an invaluable contribution to human knowledge and peace of mind.

CSI's Resources Offered

CSI offers its file of approximately 1000 eye-witness reports and a large collection of newspaper clippings from around the world. They also have a network of associates and contacts with foreign groups willing to cooperate in a coordinated civilian effort to track and identify UAOs. CSI anticipates that the USAF would cooperate with an accredited research organization, potentially even supplying instrumentation.

Sightings Continue Steadily

The bulletin reports that Unidentified Aerial Objects were frequently reported in the press during the latter half of 1953. CSI focuses on "more reliable" first-hand reports received through their Box 1971, excluding those already covered by the press. They emphasize that the limited number of listed sightings does not reflect the actual frequency, but rather the CSI group's limited time for processing reports due to their part-time nature and avoidance of publicity in 1953.

A significant number of reports were generated after a note in Gerald Heard's book, "Is Another World Watching?", requested sightings be sent to Box 1971.

Chronological Listing of Sightings (Second Half of 1953)

The bulletin provides a detailed chronological list of sightings, including:

• July 3, 1953: Frankfort, Indiana - two discs, white then silver.
• July 12, 1953: Clark Fork, Idaho - two large objects following jet planes, resembling mirrors on edge.
• July 14, 1953: No town, Colorado - brilliant moving object.
• July 18, 1953: Copenhagen, Denmark - dumbbell-shaped object with greenish and orange glow.
• July 24, 1953: Douglasville, Pennsylvania - noiseless object hovered for an hour.
• August 5, 1953: Baltimore, Maryland - dark gray, whale-shaped object, no sound, observed for 15 minutes.
• August 6, 1953: Kerrade, Netherlands - two discs observed at close range.
• August 14, 1953: Sharon, Pennsylvania - pale yellow object trailing sparks, no sound.
• August 16, 1953: New Bedford, Pennsylvania - pale yellow, slow-moving objects.
• August 20, 1953: Burlington, Vermont - large, round, black object with portholes hovered over a radio station tower.
• August 29, 1953: Muncie, Indiana - strange light, changed colors, stopped, then darted up, down, and sideways.
• September 1, 1953: Milwaukee, Wisconsin - stationary object with colored flashing lights.
• September 6, 1953: Grants Pass, Oregon - bright lights moving in large circles.
• September 17, 1953: Butler, Pennsylvania - blue-green fireball surrounded by halo, hovered, vertical ascents, shower of sparks, constant noise.
• October 3, 1953: Akron, Ohio - glowing, disc-shaped object traveling at high speed.
• October 8, 1953: Akron, Ohio - elliptical object with diffused edges, faint humming sound.
• October 9, 1953: Zaandam, Netherlands - two elliptical luminous spots of orange color rushed across the sky.
• October 9, 1953: Haarlem, Netherlands - blue light descended slowly, increasing in phosphorescence.
• October 9, 1953: South Gate, California - well-defined ellipse observed for one and one-half seconds.
• October 12, 1953: Joliet, Illinois - six bright lights observed moving slowly and soundlessly.
• October 13, 1953: San Francisco, California - glowing object hovered over the bay area.
• October 13, 1953: Itwin, Pennsylvania - round, glowing object observed traveling at high speed.
• October 24, 1953: Concord, California - several hundred (estimated 2000) foamlike, snow-white, gleaming objects tumbling on the breeze; some settled on property, appearing like suds, cold to touch, and disintegrating.
• October 25, 1953: Lubbock, Texas - Lights repeat, with a full report following.
• October 28, 1953: Brevard, North Carolina - dirigible-shaped object traveling at high speed, surrounded by a pink and blue glow.
• November 3, 1953: San Lorenzo, California - five round, slow-moving objects observed.
• November 3, 1953: Westwego, Louisiana - white object appeared, followed by two more, forming a triangle; changed course and hovered.
• November 20, 1953: Orange, Texas - UAO reversed flight, not a plane.
• November 20, 1953: Scranton, Pennsylvania - two high-flying bright objects reversed flight, joined by six more amber lights.

Special Reports and Witness Accounts

Kerkrade, Netherlands Sighting (August 6, 1953)

A Design Engineer from Haarlem-N, Holland, reported observing a blue-green light of moderate intensity that descended elegantly, then slowed. He identified it as a flying saucer, noting its near-circular shape and proximity. He described it as having a disc shape with a cabin, grey color, and emitting a blue-green light when moving. He noted the rim was sharp when stationary but hazy when moving, and experienced eye irritation.

He then observed a second disc, slightly different in shape, which remained perfectly still. The first disc made sharp, angled movements and then shot upwards. The second disc also ascended vertically. The objects were seen by other cities.

Grants Pass, Oregon Sighting (September 13, 1953)

A witness reported seeing a brilliant light moving rapidly, dipping, weaving, hovering, and circling for about ten minutes. The object's flight pattern suggested it was looking for something, possibly a guiding beam or magnetic force.

Lubbock Lights Repeat

This section details multiple sightings of "lights" in the Lubbock, Texas area, observed by Air Force Weather Observers. Sightings included "V" formations of glowing discs moving at high speeds and in specific formations, some appearing very high and others lower on the horizon.

Concord, California Sighting (October 24, 1953)

Witnesses described observing several hundred (estimated 2000) foamlike, snow-white, gleaming objects tumbling on the breeze. Some objects settled on the ground, appearing like suds, and were cold to the touch, disintegrating within minutes. A larger mass of foam was observed floating at a significant distance.

"WHERE'S CHOP?" Article

This section references an article by Matt Weinstock in the Los Angeles Daily News (November 18, 1953), discussing Albert M. Chop, who worked with the Air Technical Intelligence Center and the Air Force press desk. Chop questions the high percentage of solved UAO cases, citing an instance where a radar-tracked object maneuvering at high speeds with sharp turns was unexplained. He also mentions the "Tremonton pictures" (a 16mm color film of 12-14 bright objects) as being "Unknown" after investigation.

Two Sightings by a Prominent Scientist

• October 10, 1953: Two observers in a small plane observed a strange object crossing the skies at a much higher altitude. The object had a peculiar glow, dove, leveled off, and then made a sharp left turn with terrific acceleration. They estimated its size relative to their balloon and noted it was not a balloon, jet, or conventional aircraft.
• October 11, 1951: Four witnesses observed a brightly glowing object moving from east to west at a high rate and altitude. They described it as having a halo and a dark undersurface, moving in lazy circles, and then ascending rapidly. The object was also observed by tracking stations using a theodolite.

CSI Conclusions

CSI presents its conclusions based on two years of scrutinizing UAO phases, approximately 1000 eye-witness reports, and discussions with Air Force officers. They assert:

1. Fact of Sightings: Unidentified objects or unknown phenomena are seen daily, and credible people are witnessing incredible things. Prejudice against "flying saucers" is expected to diminish.
2. Origin: UAOs are not terrestrial and not manufactured by any nation. They are not believed to be products of current human technology, and historical accounts suggest their forms predate human flight.
3. Natural Phenomena: While some sightings may be natural phenomena, no single theory explains all sightings. Mirages are not detectable by radar, and electromagnetic vortexes do not travel in formations. The bulletin dismisses Dr. Menzel's explanation of UAOs as mirages.
4. Interplanetary Origin: If not natural phenomena, UAOs must be of interplanetary origin. The consistent descriptions of well-defined configurations, flight characteristics, and global spread of sightings point to an interstellar possibility. Reports come from diverse sources worldwide, including monasteries, park employees, Air Force personnel, astronomers, Swedish Navy officers, and scientists.

CSI highlights the ability of discs to fly on edge, make sharp turns, hover, and defy gravity, often at speeds beyond current limits, with no vapor trails. Sound is also noted as being related to distance.

5. No Landings: There is no factual evidence of "flying saucers" landing or setting down on the ground, despite claims. Historical accounts of aquatic cases exist, but modern claims of landings are considered irresponsible byproducts of interest.

6. USAF's Role: The USAF is seen as doing a good job within its role of national security. While they may not know the origin or source of UAOs, they are investigating. CSI notes that the Air Force has motion pictures of objects in flight and that some investigators are inclined toward the interstellar hypothesis.

7. Unknown Origin: CSI admits they do not know the origin, identity, or purpose of UAOs, believing long-term research and instrumentation are required. They advocate for public release of facts to remove the military's "hush-hush" attitude.

8. Popular Explanations: The bulletin lists and rates the applicability of common explanations for UAOs:
* Weather balloons/rockets (25%)
* New/secret US Aircraft (5%)
* Unknown foreign aircraft (Unknown)
* Inaccurate observations of known aircraft (10%)
* Meteors/shooting stars (10%)
* Extraterrestrial aircraft (Unknown)
* Hallucinations (5%)
* Optical phenomena (mirages, reflections) (15%)
* Visible signs of God/contact with Earth (Unknown)
* Aircraft controlled by ancient civilizations (Unknown)
* Deliberately false reports (5%)

1949 Sighting

A college graduate recounts an experience from 1949 where they observed three lighted bodies forming an equilateral triangle. One object peeled off and approached, causing terror. The witness felt no fear and observed the object, described as a few hundred feet off the ground, 300-400 feet in diameter, with windows and a blue-white light. They felt a powerful vibratory force. The objects then departed at high speed. The witness later found that sudden exposure to Gamma rays could have similar effects.

1924 Sighting

A report from Oklahoma describes seeing a white light that turned out to be an oval-shaped object hurtling across the sky, accompanied by a hissing noise and blue flame. It was large as a silver dollar held at arm's length and crossed the horizon in less than three minutes.

1918 Sighting

A sighting near Waco, Texas, described an object resembling a Zeppelin, at least 100-150 feet long, which approached the camp.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this final issue of the CSI Quarterly Bulletin are the persistent nature of UAO sightings, the inadequacy of current official explanations, and the strong belief among CSI members that these objects are of non-terrestrial, likely interplanetary, origin. The editorial stance is one of advocating for transparency from government agencies and promoting civilian-led research to understand this phenomenon. The bulletin concludes by offering its extensive files to a dedicated research organization, signaling the end of CSI's direct involvement but not its commitment to the investigation.

This issue of the CSI Newsletter, dated January 1954 (Volume 1, No. 1), focuses on reports of Unidentified Aerial Objects (UAOs) and flying saucers, alongside related scientific and technological developments. The publication is from the Civilian Saucer Investigation (CSI) and is based in the USA.

Key Articles and Reports

Sighting Between Ceylon and Palembang, Sumatra, 1944

A B-29 pilot recounts an encounter during World War II on August 10, 1944. Shortly after bombing Palembang, Sumatra, his co-pilot spotted a strange object pacing the plane at about 500 yards. Described as a spherical object, 5-6 feet in diameter, of a very bright red or orange color with a halo effect, it seemed to throb or vibrate. The object followed the plane through evasive maneuvers for about 8 minutes, maintaining its distance. It then made an abrupt 90-degree turn, accelerated rapidly upwards, and disappeared into the overcast.

Ground Observer Reports

This section compiles reports from the Ground Observer Corps in a large midwestern state over a 60-day period. Sightings included:

• A white light moving rapidly across the sky.
• An object described as amber to green, flickering and jumping, with flashes of fire, a streak, and no noise.
• A lighted object descending from the sky, stopping, then speeding away, described as white, red, and green.
• Bright flashes of light, circling objects seen through field glasses.
• A black oval with green and red beads.
• Red and white objects the size of a half-dollar, moving slowly upward.
• Silver, round objects seen through field glasses.
• Objects blinking red lights, or red flashes larger than stars.
• Pointed, large, amber, flashing lights.
• Round disks, silvery, seen for a few seconds.
• Objects with blinking white lights or blue lights.
• A top-shaped object, white and pink, with bright light flashing at 8-minute intervals.

CSI Financial Statement

A brief statement of finances as of January 1, 1954, shows CSI received $1,079.54 from dues, contributions, lectures, and quarterly bulletin subscriptions. Disbursements totaled $618.45 for post office box rental, equipment, printing, secretarial services, mailing, and miscellaneous expenses. The organization had $361.09 on hand, intended for bulletin costs, mailing, refunds, and ongoing expenses.

Jones v. Jones in the Flying Saucer Case

This editorial discusses an editorial by Sir Harold Spencer Jones, Astronomer Royal, published in the London Evening Standard, which stated there are no flying saucers carrying little men from distant planets. The author contrasts this with 'plain Mr. Jones' (presumably a different individual, or a colloquial reference to the Astronomer Royal himself in a less formal context), suggesting that while the Astronomer Royal is knowledgeable in his field, the 'plain Mr. Jones' has a valid point in questioning expert pronouncements, citing historical instances where experts have been wrong. The editorial humorously suggests cheering for an 'independent-minded, plain Mr. Jones' if he were to encounter actual flying saucer occupants.

Canadian Mechanical Flying Saucer

Announcements indicate that A.V. Roe Canadian works near Toronto are developing a genuine 'flying saucer' design. This disc-wing is expected to be about 40 feet across and fly at 1500 mph. It will feature a jet-power plant, a plastic pilot capsule that can be ejected, and air intake slots. The design, which cannot take off from a runway but requires a tripod launching gear and a pancake landing, is in an advanced stage, with a wooden model reportedly hidden at the Canadian Avro experimental station. The Canadian Air Ministry is not involved in its production.

Scientists Will Study Mars at Closest Range

In June, the planet Mars will make its closest approach to Earth in 13 years. The National Geographic Society and the Lowell Observatory are sending a team of astronomers to Bloemfontein, South Africa, for a nine-month study. Astronomers from 14 countries will participate, focusing on Mars' atmosphere, size, and surface features for evidence of plant life. Bloemfontein was chosen for its clear skies and the presence of a powerful 27-inch telescope.

Sighting by Airline First Officer, November 2

An American Airliner DC-4 cargo flight pilot reported an object at 4500 feet, 3 minutes east of Abilene, Texas. The object was bright green with a whitish tail, moving at an estimated speed several times faster than the plane's 220 mph true air speed. After several miles, the object exploded, shooting red balls of fire, and appeared to fly horizontally rather than in a parabolic meteor path. It was described as being as large as a medium to large airplane.

Tucson, Arizona Sighting, August 1950

An observer in Tucson reported a strange object suddenly appearing and heading directly for their house. It stopped almost directly overhead, hung motionless for a second, then deliberately turned and disappeared over a mountain about 2 miles away. The object was low compared to stars.

Sighting Bar-Bell Shape at Durango, Texas, November 11, 1952

Two objects were observed at high altitude (75° elev., 20° azimuth) moving rapidly ESE. They were described as not metallic, bright, or sharply defined, but having a fuzzy, misty, cloud-like appearance, cloud-gray in color, and roughly globular. They tumbled vertically every 3-4 seconds, held together by a taut, wispy gray band. After rotating vertically for 40 seconds, they tilted to the right, rotated horizontally, then tilted up until vertical rotation resumed. This action repeated several times. The objects moved toward ESE to about 48° elevation and 95° azimuth, then slowed and turned sharply toward the NNE.

Letter from Miss E.H.

Miss E.H. of Santa Fe, New Mexico, expressed her strong interest in understanding the ultimate answer to UAO phenomena, hoping to live long enough to learn what it is.

Nuclear Physicists' Observations

Reports from a group of nuclear physicists at a large atomic establishment in the southwest, working with CSI, detail visual sightings of objects accompanied by simultaneous increases in geiger counter rates up to 100-fold, with one occasion showing a 60-minute delay in the Geiger counter's response.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed accounts of UFO sightings from various perspectives (pilots, ground observers, airline personnel), the scientific community's engagement with astronomical phenomena (Mars study) and potential technological advancements (Canadian saucer project), and the ongoing skepticism from established scientific figures like Sir Harold Spencer Jones. The editorial stance of CSI appears to be one of open investigation and a belief that UAOs are not natural phenomena, encouraging public reporting and research into the subject. The financial statement indicates an active, albeit modest, organizational effort.