Disclosure Australia (AURA) - No 07 - Nov Pt.2 2003

Magazine Overview

Title: Disclosure Australia
Issue: Newsletter Seven Nov Pt.2
Date: November 2003 (Cover Date)
Publisher: Australian UFO Research Network

This issue of Disclosure Australia Newsletter is dedicated to presenting a comprehensive catalog of RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) files concerning unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) sightings. The newsletter aims to combine resources by providing detailed information from these official records.

RAAF File Listings

The newsletter is structured around two primary attachments to Newsletter Seven, detailing RAAF files. The first, Attachment Five, lists RAAF File 114/1/197, covering sightings from June 1954 to August 1955. The second, Attachment Six, lists RAAF File 580/1/1 Part 9, covering the period from December 1967 to September 1968.

Format for Case Reporting

For each reported case, the following format is used:

• Header: Date/Location/Time/Duration/Number of witnesses/Gender of witness/Name of witness(es)/Type of report (Modified Hynek classification).
• Modified Hynek Classification System: A specific system is employed, including:
• DO - Daylight disk or other shape
• NL - Nocturnal light - a point source of light
• CE - Close encounter (within 500m) at any time of day or night
• RV - Radar visual
• DL - Daylight light only - a point source of light
• NO - Nocturnal object where the UFO had a defined size rather than being a point source
• Photo - Photographs or video were taken
• Notes: Items in brackets indicate a range (e.g., (2-3mins)). All times are local unless Z (Greenwich Mean Time) is shown.
• Text: A summary of the event.
• Source: Page number on the digital copy of the RAAF file, held by the National Australian Archives, with original file reference where known.

Sightings: June 1954 - August 1955 (RAAF File 114/1/197)

This section details numerous sightings across Australia:

• June-Aug 1954, Reservoir: Two reports of a green to red light to the south.
• 5 June 1954, East Dandenong, Melbourne, Vic: A humming noise was heard, and a white light object approached, changed color, and moved west. Another report from the same date and location describes three yellow lights seen rotating, approaching from the south, becoming stationary to the east, and disappearing between 2320-2345hrs.
• 6 June 1954, East Dandenong, Melbourne, Vic: A bright yellow light, larger than Venus, was observed.
• 21 June 1954, East Dandenong, Melbourne, Vic: Hundreds of white lights were reported falling from the sky over a paddock.
• 26 June 1954, East Dandenong, Melbourne, Vic: A bright light was seen to the west, and later a rotating yellow glow was observed.
• 7 July 1954, East Dandenong, Melbourne, Vic: A bright yellow light was seen at 45 degrees NW.
• 8 July 1954, East Dandenong, Melbourne, Vic: A stationary, deep yellow colored light, described as the size of the full Moon, was seen.
• 27 July 1954, Cairns, Qld: A brief sighting.
• 28 July 1954, Hampton, Vic: A red light was seen with 'searchlights' playing on it.
• 3 August 1954, North Brighton, Vic: An elliptical object at 35 degrees faded out at 10 degrees, moving NE to E.
• 8 August 1954, Toowoomba, Qld: A strange light, red and yellow/white, was reported to the south-west and lost in the SW.
• 16 August 1954, Sydney, NSW: A patch of green light was reported descending slowly, low in the sky.
• 16 August 1954, Toowoomba, Qld: A strange light in the south-west disappeared over the horizon.
• 26 August 1954, Northam, WA: An oblong, dull grey object was seen stationary, in a bright sunny day with no wind.
• 31 August 1954, Nowra, NSW: A Navy pilot observed two bright lights approaching, one taking up a position on his port beam. Radar detected three objects. The lights reformed and disappeared to the NE. The pilot described the object as having a vague shape with a white light centrally on top. Radar operator K. Jessop reported two 'paints' appearing on the display, with one tracking towards base and others towards the NE.
• 3 October 1954, Perth, WA: A silver round object with noise, faster than a jet, was seen in the WNW and disappeared behind cloud.
• 4 October 1954, Ballarat, Vic: An elliptical light, white with pink edges, was seen coming from the west and went NE over hangars, lost behind hills. Another report from Ballarat on the same date describes a bright red and yellow object appearing below clouds from the north, passing across hangars, descending near the runway, ascending rapidly, and vanishing through clouds. It was described as round with a flat bottom and curved top.
• 6 October 1954, Woomera, SA: A kinetheodolite operator saw a silver white half moon shaped object overhead, travelling from SW to NW in a straight line. The object was photographed for three seconds.
• 16 October 1954, Port Pirie, SA: Two policemen and a woman saw a white light at 10-15 degrees W, which faded from sight.
• 29 October 1954, West Perth, WA: An oval or round object was seen moving noiselessly in a straight line ESE.
• 2 December 1954, Pascos Vale South, Vic: An orange object, described as 'Moon with a tail,' shimmering, was seen in the western sky. It disappeared and reappeared before finally disappearing below the horizon.
• 13 December 1954, Morwell, Vic: A tennis ball shaped object was reported to have appeared and disappeared noiselessly.
• 15 December 1954, Geraldton, WA: An object was seen to the ESE, appearing as both a light and an orange, oval-shaped object with 'porthole' lights. It was noiseless and came close to a car before the lights went out and reappeared in the NNE at a distance.
• February 1955, Yannathan, Vic: A star-like silver 'spot' was seen 25 degrees SW of the Sun on several days.
• 25 February 1955, Burwood, Vic: A star seen near the Sun moved east to west, possibly Venus.
• 4 March 1955, Carlton, Melbourne, Vic: A red light was observed moving NNE to E, and film was taken with a movie camera.
• 28 April 1955, Cue, WA: A glowing orange object was seen in the west and disappeared over the horizon.
• June 1955, Burketown, Qld: A report of a four-engine aircraft on the ground, which revealed nothing on a second look.
• 7 July 1955, Kalamunda, WA: A brilliant soundless light with a white head and flame-colored tail was observed travelling NNE to NE in a straight line.
• 6 Aug 1955, Whittlesea, Vic: A meteor-like object was seen to the east on a clear night.

Sightings: December 1967 - September 1968 (RAAF File 580/1/1 Part 9)

This section details sightings from a later period:

• 27 or 28 December 1967, Adelaide, SA: A star-like object made various manoeuvres.
• 17 January 1968, Adelaide, SA: One red light in the sky was seen, lost over the horizon.
• 20 January 1968, Adelaide, SA: A white and red light, described as a round ball of light with a vapour trail, was seen and lost over the horizon.
• 24 January 1968, Adelaide, SA: A stationary, oval-shaped yellow/white light was observed.
• February 1968, Elwood, Vic: A yellow light was seen in the sky on a straight path and lost in mid-air.
• 4 February 1968, Mannum, SA: A white soundless light was seen to the S and lost over the horizon.
• 13 February 1968, Barmera, SA: A red and green flashing light was observed at 30 degrees E, last seen heading N.
• 18 February 1968, Port Pirie, SA: A disc-shaped object changing colors was seen, lost in the light of the rising Sun. It displayed a bright red light in the W, changing to blue, green, and white.
• 20 February 1968, Canon Hill, Qld: Two circular white objects travelled across the sky.
• 22 February 1968, Canon Hill, Qld: Two circular white objects travelled across the sky.
• 22 February 1968, Zillmere, Qld: Three objects, described as bright lights, circular, and moving in a straight path, were seen and lost in mid-air.
• 23 February 1968, Carlingford, NSW: Ten white lights, changing into an ellipse shape, were observed at 30 degrees elevation, moving in a straight line directly away and lost in mid-air.
• 24 February 1968, Adelaide, SA: A small pulsating red light stopped, grew fainter, and disappeared.
• 24 February 1968, Hall's Gap, Vic: A white/blue oval light was seen with no sound, lost behind a hill.
• 28 February 1968, Adelaide, SA: Five objects in a line, cream colored with electric blue tails, were seen and lost in mid-air.
• 6 March 1968, Avalon ATC, Vic: A white light was seen at 45 degrees elevation, falling down to 5 degrees.
• 8 March 1968, Yass, NSW: A pilot reported a green light in the sky 'falling down.'
• 19 March 1968, Sale, Vic: A bright orange light was noted in the sky, travelling fast in a straight line S, and disappeared to the E before the horizon. Another report from Sale on the same date describes a bright silver red light at 20 degrees S, which went out before the horizon.
• 19 March 1968, Fulham, Vic: A circular light with a yellow centre and red edge was seen at 40 degrees S and lost in cloud.
• 19 March 1968, Sale, Vic: RAAF Control tower ATC saw a light at 40 degrees NW, flashing red and green, which appeared to move away and was lost in cloud.
• 21 March 1968, Armadale, WA: A bright white light in the sky from SE headed NW, then turned S and faded.
• 24 March 1968, Point Leo, Vic: A brilliant white light in the sky with an even humming sound was seen, travelling W to E in a straight path.
• 28 March 1968, Nowra, NSW: A light was seen at 15 degrees elevation W, white, travelling W to E, disappearing 30 degrees SE of Nowra.
• April 1968, Brisbane, Qld: Ten sightings reported to radio station 4BH described a green, metallic, cigar-shaped object with a flame-like tail and a whistling sound, travelling SE towards the Gold Coast.
• 1 April 1968, Baccus Marsh, Vic: A birth round white light was seen in the sky, travelling over Geelong towards Melbourne in a straight line.
• 9 April 1968, Thornbury, Vic: One white light was seen in the sky travelling W to E.
• 9 April 1968, Nth Williamstown, Vic: A pinpoint of light at 45-30 degrees elevation was moving to NE.
• 10 April 1968, Nth Williamstown, Vic: A flashing red/orange light was observed in the NW, moving slowly and lost in cloud. Another report from Nth Williamstown on the same date describes a dull white light in the south moving at speed Nth.
• 10 April 1968, Flinders Island: A flashing white light was seen travelling W to E in a straight line and lost in mid-air in the NE.
• 10 April 1968, Nth Williamstown, Vic: A bright yellow light was seen in the W, travelling N. Another report from Nth Williamstown on the same date describes a dull white light to NW, then N to NE, lost in cloud.
• 12 April 1968, Manly, NSW: Two objects, five minutes apart, star-like, going NW in a straight path, were seen and lost over the horizon.
• 19 April 1968, Adelaide, SA: A stationary yellow light rose slowly into overcast sky.
• 22 April 1968, RAAF Williamstown, NSW: Air Traffic controllers reported a bright light moving towards Newcastle, 15 degrees elevation, speed similar to a medium speed piston aircraft, travelling S to N. It was viewed with eyes and binoculars and faded north of Williamstown. Another report from RAAF Williamstown on the same date involved a yellow light travelling S to N, which was not watched continuously and not detected by radar.
• 24 April 1968, Heyfield, Vic: A banana-shaped object was seen on the ground, appeared to rise into the air, and travel slowly E, last seen at 45-50 degrees elevation.
• 25 April 1968, Heyfield, Vic: A sighting by three witnesses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently presents factual accounts of UFO sightings, primarily drawing from official RAAF files. The editorial stance appears to be one of archival and investigative reporting, aiming to document and present these phenomena without overt speculation. The use of a modified Hynek classification system and detailed reporting of dates, locations, and witness accounts suggests a methodical approach to cataloging UAP events. The recurring themes include various light phenomena, disc-shaped objects, and unusual aerial movements, predominantly reported at night. The publication's focus on official records underscores a commitment to presenting evidence-based information within the field of UAP research.

This document is a newsletter, specifically issue number 7 of volume 2, published in November 2003 by UFORA, an Australian organization focused on UFO research. The newsletter's content is primarily a detailed compilation of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) sightings reported in Australia during 1968, drawn from RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) files, specifically RAAF file 580/1/1, Parts 9 and 10. The document also includes a glossary of terms used in UAP reporting and a list of files related to the newsletter's content.

Key Incidents and Sightings (1968)

The newsletter meticulously lists numerous UAP sightings that occurred throughout 1968 across various Australian states and territories, including Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, and Papua New Guinea. Each entry typically includes:

• Date and Time: Specific date and time of the sighting.
• Location: The town or region where the sighting occurred.
• Duration: The length of time the object was observed.
• Number of Witnesses: The count of individuals who witnessed the event.
• Witness Details: Sometimes includes the gender and name of the witness.
• Object Description: Details about the object's shape, color, size, and behavior (e.g., "banana shaped object", "bright red light", "round silver light", "yellow ball of light", "circular, silver light", "line of lights-red", "pale yellow lights", "bright orange lights", "dark grey object", "round object with separate white lights", "golden light", "bright yellow/orange light", "circular, silver object", "yellow/white light", "bright white light", "flashing red light", "brilliant silver light", "flashing red light", "square metallic silver object", "bright yellow/orange light", "light", "blue/white light", "white light", "three bright white lights", "bright white light with intermittent red light", "soundless light", "one light", "blue light with a trail of red sparks", "object below and to his left", "two separate lights", "orange light", "golden-reddish light", "silver, circular object", "object moving NW to SE very bright", "three objects reflecting the Sun", "white light", "yellow triangular light", "very fast red light", "red light", "red light", "light", "metallic looking, grey coloured, elliptical object", "light travelling SW to N then NW", "creamy coloured light", "light changing colours white/red/blue").
• Movement and Behavior: How the object moved (e.g., "travelling in a straight line", "lost behind hill", "disappeared in a small valley", "soundlessly falling vertically", "moving at high speed", "lost in clouds", "slow speed", "travelled W to S", "lost over rooftops", "stationary", "circled", "manoeuvres", "blanked out", "climbing and tumbling", "disappeared into distance", "hovering", "moved fast", "reversed NE", "lost behind hill", "moving", "lost behind hills", "moved around the sky", "split into two sections", "took turns of going out and coming back", "joined and split", "departed at tremendous speed", "diminishing in size", "noise", "sparks", "lost behind another hill", "straight course", "vanished", "hovered", "light changing colours").
• RAAF File Reference: The specific page number(s) within the RAAF file.
• Classification: A classification code (e.g., NL, DO, DL, NO, CE, RV) and sometimes a brief explanation (e.g., "Astronomical", "Satellite", "Aircraft", "Optical illusion from car lights in overcast", "Meteor entry", "Object separating from aircraft", "Refraction of light in canopy", "Atmospheric entry of meteor or satellite").

Notable incidents include a formation of aircraft-like objects observed by an aircraft crew (Smith & Gardin) over Zanthus, WA, which split, reformed, and departed at high speed. Another report details a RAAF pilot in a Sabre aircraft observing an object that was initially thought to be a Mirage aircraft but was not detected on radar.

Glossary of Terms and File Information

The newsletter provides a glossary for the Modified Hynek classification system used in the reports:

• NL: Nocturnal light - a point source of light.
• CE: Close encounter (within 500m) at any time of day or night.
• RV: Radar visual.
• DL: Daylight light only – a point source of light.
• NO: Nocturnal object where the UFO had a defined size rather than being a point source.
• Photo: Photographs or video were taken.

It also clarifies that items in brackets (e.g., (2-3mins)) indicate a range, and provides the source of the events as pages from RAAF file 580/1/1, Parts 9 and 10, held by the National Australia Archives. Some entries include the RAAF's conclusion as to the cause of the report, such as "Summary of Unidentified Aerial Sightings reported to Department of Air, Canberra ACT from 1960."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are the sheer volume and variety of UAP sightings reported in Australia during a single year (1968), the consistent descriptions of lights and objects exhibiting unusual flight characteristics, and the official documentation of these events through RAAF files. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent archival and reporting, presenting raw data from official sources with minimal interpretation, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. The inclusion of RAAF file numbers and classifications suggests a methodical approach to cataloging and analyzing these phenomena.

This document is an excerpt from the UFORA (Unidentified Flying Object Research Australia) Newsletter, Volume 2, Issue 7, dated November 2003. It primarily details a chronological listing of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) sightings reported in Australia throughout 1968. The entries are often cross-referenced with digital copies of RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) files, specifically file 580/1/1, part 10.

1968 UAP Sightings Compilation

The newsletter presents a detailed catalog of sightings, typically including the date, location (city, state, country), time, duration, observer designation (e.g., 1M for one male witness, 1F for one female witness, +2 RAAF observers), and a brief description of the phenomenon. The sightings span from October to December 1968 and cover various parts of Australia.

October 1968 Sightings:

• October 11, Launceston, Tasmania: Lights changing colors (white/red/blue) near the horizon.
• October 17, Adelaide, South Australia: A white ball of light traveled from Largs to Modbury and disappeared.
• October 18, Darwin, Northern Territory: A RAAF Hercules aircraft (No. 9651) crew observed a light they initially thought was another aircraft. This object displayed white lights but lacked navigation or anti-collision beacons. The Hercules' radar detected a target at 15 miles, estimated speed 200 knots, heading 230-250 degrees magnetic, and of a size at least comparable to the Hercules. Ground radar was not operating, and checks with DCA, Met, Navy, Customs, and ASIO yielded no information. No unscheduled aircraft landed at nearby airfields.
• October 18, Deagon, Queensland: A bright white light moved in a straight line and was lost in haze.
• October 20, Brisbane, Queensland: An explosion was heard, followed by a light seen at 80 degrees.
• October 20, West Heidelberg, Victoria: A silver-grey, oval-shaped object followed a 727 aircraft east to west, then veered southwest and disappeared.

November 1968 Sightings:

• November 1, Launceston, Tasmania: A white light appeared over the horizon, traveled north, and was lost in mid-air.
• November 7, Sydney, New South Wales: A white object, described as 'flat on bottom, domes on top about 12 inches across and 4 inches high,' passed approximately 4 feet off the ground before ascending rapidly and disappearing.
• November 12, Altona, Victoria: A white to blue light was observed at 30 degrees elevation and lost in mid-air.
• November 13, Altona, Victoria: A blue to white light was seen moving slowly at 10-25 degrees elevation.
• November 13, Darwin, Northern Territory: A meteorological officer detected an object on radar, described as a 'fairly strong paint on PPI,' appearing as a definite echo. Initially thought to be a helicopter due to its slow speed, it was estimated at a height of 7000-7500 feet and a speed of 17-25 knots. The object reportedly moved directly towards the observer then reversed course to the southwest, eventually being lost in permanent echoes. Two other individuals attempted visual observation but saw nothing.
• November 21, North Altona, Victoria: One yellow light was observed in the sky at 30-35 degrees elevation, moving west.
• November 30, Evandale, Tasmania: A deep yellow light was seen at 20 degrees elevation, moving very slowly to the south.

December 1968 Sightings:

• December 7, Stanthorpe, Queensland: A bright white light traveled west to east, from overhead to 20 degrees elevation, and was lost in cloud.
• December 11, Newcastle, New South Wales: A large, cone-shaped orange light traveled slowly and disappeared behind houses.
• November 26, Coberg, Victoria: A pink sphere near the Moon traveled east then southeast and was lost behind trees.
• December 26, Manly Vale, New South Wales: Two bright, circular lights, white in ion color, were reported moving southwest before separating.
• December 28, Newcomb, Victoria: 10-12 lights with white tails and a hissing sound were observed moving very fast from west to east.
• December 28, Camberwell, Victoria: Orange lights with no sound were observed moving very fast from south to northeast.
• December 28/29, Mt Eliza, Victoria: A stream of flames was observed traveling north or northeast.
• December 29, Moonah, Tasmania: A bright white light described as 'long & slim with portholes trailing sparks' was observed with no noise.
• December 29, Bellerive, Tasmania: Five bright white lights traveling north with sparks were observed, making no noise.
• December 29, Parkdale, Victoria: A cluster of yellow lights appeared in the sky from the south, making no sound, at 35 degrees elevation. They moved north in a straight line and were lost in mid-air.
• December 28/29, Kingsville, Victoria: Six white/yellow lights were observed moving very fast northeast, making no sound, and faded in mid-air.
• December 29, Toorak, Victoria: Three pairs of yellow/white lights were observed moving very fast northeast.
• December 29, Vermont, Victoria: Nine orange lights were observed moving quickly to the northeast.
• December 29, Pascoe Vale, Victoria: Soundless bright orange lights were observed traveling north.
• December 29, Black Rock, Victoria: A 'framework' of orange/yellow lights traveled southeast to northwest.
• December 29, Pascoe Vale, Victoria: Five red/yellow lights with tails traveled quickly to the north.

Explanations and Classifications

Several entries include parenthetical notes suggesting possible explanations or classifications for the sightings, such as 'Satellite', 'Flock of birds', 'Met balloon', 'Satellite or rocket case on re-entry', and 'Meteorite shower'. These notes indicate that the RAAF files themselves may have attempted to explain some of the phenomena.

Editorial Stance

The newsletter appears to be a factual compilation of reported UAP events, presenting the data from RAAF files and witness accounts without overt editorializing on the nature of the phenomena, though the inclusion of a memo stating "the possibility of the violation of our national airspace cannot be discounted" suggests an interest in the unexplained aspects of these sightings.