CUFORN Bulletin - Vol 15 No 06 - 1994 - Nov-Dec

Magazine Overview

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin, Volume 14, No. 5, dated November-December 1994, is a special retrospective issue titled 'Looking Back at UFO's - A Canadian retrospective special issue'. Published by the Canadian UFO Research Network (CUFORN Inc.), it costs $5.00 and is dedicated to examining historical UFO reports and their media coverage, particularly from 1947.

Main Articles and Content

Looking Back at UFO's: A Canadian Retrospective Special Issue

The lead article, written by Lawrence J. Fenwick, delves into the prominent coverage of UFO stories in Canadian newspapers during mid-1947. It highlights that a major daily newspaper in Western British Columbia and one in Alaska featured UFO stories extensively between June 28 and July 21, 1947, with 11 UFO stories hitting the front page of these newspapers. The articles covered a range of topics, including hoaxes, promotional stunts, opinion pieces, and reports on events like the Tunguska explosion, the Kenneth Arnold sighting, and the Roswell crash-retrieval.

The article notes that the editorial attitudes towards UFOs varied, with local stories sometimes treated with ridicule or humor, while foreign items were generally reported more seriously. The Vancouver Sun is mentioned for its promotional stunt involving dropping paper plates from a plane, with prizes for those who retrieved them. Columnists like Elmore Philpott are noted for their satirical takes on the subject. A significant portion (20%) of the items and photos concerned the Sun's advertising stunt, indicating the media's early attempts to capitalize on the phenomenon.

Roswell Cover-Up Starts

This section discusses the cover-up surrounding the Roswell, New Mexico crash-retrieval. It points out that the photo of General Roger Ramey and Colonel Dubose with what was claimed to be a weather balloon was already in place, and that this reproduction is of poor quality compared to later published versions.

Attitudes Stay the Same

This piece suggests that despite the passage of time, public and media attitudes towards UFOs have not fundamentally changed, with the 1947 reports serving as evidence for this assertion.

In Our Next Issue

A preview for the subsequent issue mentions a scientific analysis of an implant taken from an abductee, to be conducted in a Canadian laboratory.

Special Offers and Services

Several special offers are advertised, including collector's items like back issues of the CUFORN Bulletin ('The UFO Pulse Analyzer') and a complete index for Leonard Stringfield's book 'Situation Red-The UFO Siege'. Information is also provided for a 'UFO Service' offering an enlarged listing of 162 sources of worldwide UFO information.

Have You Seen a UFO?

The National UFO Museum is conducting a research project to understand the UFO phenomenon and requests detailed descriptions from individuals who have had sightings or contact experiences. Specific information requested includes time, date, location, a description of the incident, drawings, and any physical evidence or witnesses.

CUFORN Staff and Consultants

The issue lists the CUFORN staff, including Joseph Muskat (President), Lawrence J. Fenwick (Secretary and Editor), and Harry Tokarz (Treasurer). It also provides a comprehensive list of consultants in various scientific and technical fields, such as Nuclear Physics, Physics, Astronomy, Computer Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Sociology, Engineering Technology, Electronics, Aeronautics, Linguistics, Regressive Hypnosis, and Psychology.

Editorial Policy

The CUFORN Bulletin is published bi-monthly by the Canadian UFO Research Network, Inc. Articles are contributed by members and non-members, and the opinions expressed are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or CUFORN. Submissions are subject to editing, and reprinting requires permission. The copyright for articles is held by the Canadian UFO Research Network, Inc.

Membership and Subscription Information

Membership and subscription rates are provided: $30.00 per year in Canada and $33.00 foreign (in Canadian funds). Back issues are available for $5.00 each, including postage, payable in advance via cheque or money order.

Newspaper Clippings from 1947

The bulk of the magazine consists of scanned newspaper clippings from July 1947, primarily from The Vancouver Sun, but also including articles from the Fairbanks Daily News Miner, Vancouver Province, and others. These clippings detail numerous UFO sightings and related events from that period:

• 'Flying Saucers' Still Skin Skies of U.S., Gazers Claim (Fairbanks Daily News Miner, July 7, 1947): Reports from various locations in the U.S. (Washington, Alaska) of disk-like objects, with scientists offering no satisfactory explanation.
• Colonel Theorizes On 'Flying Discs' (White Sands, N.M., June 28, 1947): Lt. Colonel Howard R. Turner suggests that 'flying discs' might be heated exhaust pipes of jet airplanes.
• PILOT SAYS HE HIT 'SAUCER' (Bozeman, Mont., July 7, 1947): A Los Angeles pilot claims to have hit a 'flying saucer' over the Tobacco Root Mountains, describing it as a pearly grey, clam-shaped airplane.
• 'Sky Saucers' Seen Above Vancouver (Vancouver Sun, July 7, 1947): Four Vancouver residents reported seeing mysterious flying saucers over the weekend, with speculation ranging from supersonic experiments to hoaxes.
• 'Saucers' Sail Over To Canada (Seattle, Wash., July 5, 1947): Coast Guardsman Frank Ryman captured a photograph of a 'white saucer' near Lake Washington, which authorities hoped would clarify the mystery.
• Mystery Plane Hunt Launched Supposed Down In Fraser Valley (Vancouver Sun, July 4, 1947): Search aircraft were prepared to look for a mystery U.S. plane heard over Vancouver, possibly linked to an explosion in Abbotsford. Initial confusion involved U.S. airliners.
• SAUCERS (Continued from Page 1): Reports of saucers seen near Saint John, N.B., and Port Huron, Mich. U.S. Naval Observatory officials concluded the objects were not astronomical phenomena. A United Airlines passenger plane crew reported chasing a 'strange object' near Boise, Idaho.
• PLANE WAITING (Vancouver Sun, July 8, 1947): The Vancouver Sun had a chartered aircraft and photographer on standby to capture images of any flying saucers seen over the city.
• 'SAUCER-EYED' (Vancouver Sun, July 8, 1947): A photograph of photographer Art Jose, suggesting a staged saucer search.
• HERE, THERE, EVERYWHERE' Flying Saucer Reports Still Flooding Sun Office (Vancouver Sun, July 8, 1947): The Vancouver Sun received numerous reports of 'flying saucers' after asking readers to report sightings. Explanations ranged from optical illusions and faulty livers to 'celestial crockery'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the historical perspective on UFO sightings and their media portrayal, particularly contrasting the intense coverage in 1947 with contemporary attitudes. The editorial stance, as indicated by the publication of these historical accounts and the inclusion of scientific and investigative perspectives, appears to be one of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon. The CUFORN Bulletin aims to document and analyze UFO-related events, encouraging reader participation and providing a platform for discussion and research.

This issue of the Vancouver B.C. Sun, dated July 11, 1947, with a cover date of November-December 1994 (likely a misprint in OCR or original publication), focuses heavily on the phenomenon of 'flying saucers' that were being widely reported.

Saucers Hop Ocean, Seen Over Britain

The lead article reports on the widespread sightings of 'wobbling saucers and whizzing saucers' across the continent and in Britain. It notes that while $3000 was offered in the United States for a genuine flying saucer, none had been recovered. Various explanations are presented, including 'only weather balloons,' 'spats before the eyes, a sluggish liver,' the sun glinting on clouds, and even activity from other planets. The article cites local reports from Vancouver, including A. Quigley who saw '13 or 14' discs, and Elmer Mitchell who described one as 'about 13 feet across and four feet thick.' A. Newton reported seeing three objects zig-zagging. The phenomenon is described as a widespread 'sport of spotting saucers in the sky.'

Saucers (Continued)

This section continues the reports of sightings. Elmer Mitchell described his sighting of an object that was 'burnished color and was travelling very fast.' Mrs. Newton and her family saw three objects that initially looked like 'pieces of paper.' Further reports come from Saanich, where four women saw an object 'fluttering,' and Victoria, where an RCAF veteran claimed he was nearly 'boamed' by one. Shoppers in New Westminster also reported seeing 'discs' gyrating. The article concludes by noting that more eyes are turning skyward.

One Answer to the Flying Disc

A photograph shows what is identified as a high-altitude weather-testing machine, the remains of which were found on a New Mexico ranch. This is presented as a potential explanation for some sightings.

Pie in the Sky

This is a letter to the editor from an anonymous individual who dismisses the 'flying saucer' reports as a 'terrifying rumor.' The writer claims to have seen similar phenomena for years, including 'transparent snakes that seem to have long across the sky,' and attributes the sightings to a 'mixture of high blood pressure and general nervousness.' The writer suggests that people with such conditions might imagine these objects, comparing them to a 'live moon house' that a lady in Idaho might imagine.

'Saucers' Shower Burnaby; They're Worth Money, Too

This article, by Bill Fletcher, details a promotional stunt by The Vancouver Sun. The newspaper dropped papiermache 'saucers' from a high-flying plane over Burnaby as part of a prize-giving game. People who had been scanning the skies for 'saucers' were encouraged to look for these paper ones, with a grand prize of $50 and 50 prizes of $1 for returning numbered saucers. The article describes how the paper saucers were quickly grabbed by the public.

Saucer-Eyed Watchers Spot More in B.C.

This piece continues the theme of 'flying saucers' being seen in British Columbia. It mentions sightings from Nanaimo to Nelson, noting that there is still no clear explanation for their nature. Mrs. R. H. Leighton reported seeing what appeared to be a balloon, 'scintillating' and travelling too fast for a balloon. A trio from Rosalind reported a saucer on the Trail-Nelson Highway that looked 'about 15 feet in diameter' and seemed to 'give off light.' Even in Grande Prairie, Alberta, mysterious objects were reportedly seen, with Mrs. J. M. Smart describing 'a great shining light' not far from the ground.

SAUCERS FROM B.C. TAVERNS?

This short piece presents a humorous quote from an unnamed official of B.C.'s Liquor Control Board, who suggests that the 'flying saucers' might actually be 'coasters from our beer parlor.'

ELMORE PHILPOTT - Flying Sausages

This is a satirical and humorous fictional account by Elmore Philpott about a travelling salesman who claims to have seen 'sausages, flying in formation.' The story humorously escalates, with the 'paper' picking up the story, wires services playing it big, and people reporting seeing 'fried sausages flying in perfect formation.' It describes how governments became involved, offering rewards, and how the 'sausages' suddenly disappeared, with the salesman returning to hospital and his wife reporting he sees 'flying sausages' when he drinks too much.

Meteor Wipes Out Siberian Forest Area

This report from Moscow details a massive meteor that exploded before reaching Earth in the remote Sikhote-Alin mountains of Siberia. The explosion caused an intensive rain of debris, blasting hundreds of acres of forest and leaving huge craters, the largest being 100 feet in width and 30 feet deep. The expedition considered the event to be a 'cushion in its fall' before exploding. The dense forest disappeared without a trace in the affected area.

Sun 'Saucers' Worth Money

This is a continuation of The Vancouver Sun's promotional giveaway, reminding readers to check the classified ads for winning numbers on the paper 'saucers' dropped from the plane. It reiterates the prizes of $50 and $1 for returning the lucky numbers.

SEAGULL SHATTERS FLYING SAUCER STORY

This short piece from West Vancouver offers a mundane explanation for a 'flying saucer' sighting. Mrs. F. D. Ellis reported that a seagull flew off with a 'saucer' (likely a paper plate with food stuck to it) from her verandah, which then dropped and shattered on the beach, amusing onlookers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread reports of flying saucers and the public's fascination with them, contrasted with skepticism and humorous or mundane explanations. The Vancouver Sun actively engages with the phenomenon through a promotional giveaway, blending news reporting with entertainment. There's a clear editorial stance that acknowledges the public interest while also providing a platform for debunking, humor, and even factual reporting on unrelated events like the Siberian meteor. The issue reflects the cultural zeitgeist of the late 1940s regarding unidentified aerial phenomena.