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Magazine Overview

This issue of 'Historique des Objets Volants Non Identifiés' (History of Unidentified Flying Objects) provides a chronological account of UFO sightings and related phenomena primarily from 1965, with some references to earlier and later events. The magazine focuses on detailed case studies, witness testimonies, and the physical and electromagnetic effects attributed to these objects.

Key Incidents and Observations

July 1965

The issue begins with a report from July 7, 1965, detailing observations by Argentine, Chilean, and English bases in Antarctica on July 2 and 3. A discoidal UFO was observed at Deception Island, leaving a condensation trail. Captain Mario Berrera of the Chilean Navy described the object as unlike any known aircraft, noting its unique shape, speed, and mobility, and mentioned taking color photographs.

On July 9, a cylindrical UFO hovering at approximately 8,000 meters above the airport of Santa Maria in the Azores reportedly caused electrical clocks to stop.

Buenos Aires experienced a significant UFO event on July 16, with numerous people observing and photographing aerial forms. Daily newspapers like 'El Mundo,' 'La Cronica,' and 'La Nacion' published photographs of these unconventional spacecraft, which reportedly overflew the Argentine capital for 25 minutes.

Later in July, on the 26th, Robert Vitolniek, an associate researcher at the USSR Academy of Sciences, along with Ian Melderis and Esmeralda Vitolniek, observed a 'brilliant unknown star' from the Ogre observatory in Latvia. Described as a lenticular disk about 100 meters wide, it featured a central ball and three smaller orbiting balls that eventually dispersed.

August 1965

In August, a 14-year-old American named Alan Smith photographed a UFO in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on August 2. The photograph, described as authentic, showed an object with distinct blue-green, yellow-orange, and cream-white sections. Other witnesses in Tulsa and surrounding areas also reported seeing unknown lights.

On August 3, Rex Heflin, an investigator for the Los Angeles County Road Commission, photographed a strange object near Santa Ana, California. His radio failed while the UFO was present, and the documents were analyzed by Ralph Rankow of NICAP.

The case of Cherry Creek, New York, on August 19, involved panicked animals, radio interference, and a tractor engine stopping. A farmer, Harold Butcher, observed an elliptical object about 15 meters long hovering nearby before ascending vertically. The incident also involved a strange green glow and an unusual petroleum-like odor.

On August 25, in Callao, Peru, a saucer-shaped object reportedly hit a school building's roof and emitted red rays before flying off.

September 1965

September saw several notable events. On the 3rd, police officers and an 18-year-old named Norman Muscarello in Exeter, New Hampshire, USA, witnessed an object approximately 30 meters long with red, flashing lights maneuvering silently over a farm. On the same night, two police agents in Damon, Texas, observed a large object with multiple lights, estimated at 70 meters long, emitting heat.

On September 16, a UFO might have landed on a road in Silverton, South Africa. Two policemen reported seeing a part of the road on fire, followed by a silently rotating, flying saucer-like object emitting flames from its underside, which extinguished the fire.

September 23 marked a major power outage in Cuernavaca, Mexico, coinciding with a UFO flyover. The lights reportedly returned after the object departed. This event is linked to a larger power failure in the northeastern USA on November 9.

On September 24, Tsékhanovitch, an astronomer-geodesist, reported a UFO sighting in Novoïe-Afon, Abkhazia SSR, involving a disk-shaped object performing a dive maneuver.

October-November 1965

In October, Henri Bordeleau, an author on UFOs, documented a case involving a cylindrical object observed by a woman and her son near Saint-Jean-des-Piles, Canada, on October 30. The object, about 6 meters long, was white and emitted light from its rear before a flame appeared and the object sank into the river.

An article references Lord Dowding, former head of RAF, stating his conviction that UFOs exist and are not of terrestrial origin, suggesting an extraterrestrial source.

On November 9, a massive power outage affected the northeastern USA, plunging millions into darkness. This event was linked to UFO sightings occurring simultaneously. The article notes that measuring devices recorded a significant voltage increase before the blackout.

On November 13, in Mogi-Guassu, Brazil, six people observed an object landing nearby, from which two small beings emerged. The beings were described as wearing gray shirts and brown trousers, and the object emitted a luminous ray.

Other Cases and Themes

The issue also includes a case from Tamaroa, Illinois, USA, in 1957, where a UFO's passage coincided with a power outage, and Rome experienced a similar event in 1958. The phenomenon of crop circles, referred to as 'Fairy Rings,' is discussed in the context of folklore, noting their presence in Belgium and other European regions.

A section on 'Amérique du Sud, continent de prédilection des OVNI' details an investigation by the Brazilian Air Force in Pirassununga in February 1969, concerning a UFO sighting involving a large, aluminum-like disk from which two small beings, about 1.10 meters tall, emerged. The beings were described as having greenish-yellow complexions, wearing aluminized clothing, and communicating with guttural sounds.

Another article discusses the 'L'humanoïde dessiné par le témoin' (The humanoid drawn by the witness), detailing the Pirassununga encounter further, including the beings' unusual physical characteristics like black teeth and flattened noses, and the paralysis of the witness, Tiago Machado, after being hit by a ray from the object.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFO phenomena as a serious subject worthy of investigation, often contrasting official explanations with witness testimonies and physical evidence. There is a clear leaning towards the extraterrestrial hypothesis, though paranormal and terrestrial explanations are also considered. The editorial stance emphasizes the need for careful study and highlights the limitations of current scientific understanding in fully explaining these events. The publication seems to advocate for open-mindedness and thorough research into UFO reports, often citing international cases and expert opinions.

This issue of Flying Saucer Review, dated March-April 1973, features a detailed investigation into several UFO sightings, with a significant focus on the photographic evidence from the 1966 Oregon incident. The magazine presents rigorous analysis of witness testimonies, photographic data, and physical evidence to explore the nature and origin of these phenomena.

The Oregon Photo: Analysis and Interpretation

The central piece of this issue is a multi-part analysis of a photograph taken on November 22, 1966, near Diamond Peak in Oregon, USA. The photographer, a biophysics doctor who wishes to remain anonymous, captured three images of an object that appeared suddenly and vanished just as quickly. Adrian Vance, a contributor to Petersen's Photographic Magazine, was tasked with analyzing the photo.

Vance's initial approach involved maintaining an open yet critical mind, seeking the least extravagant explanation. He meticulously examined the photographic evidence, including the camera used (a Kodak 35 with Panatomic X film) and the conditions under which the photo was taken. He noted that the camera's shutter might have been slightly sluggish due to cold weather, potentially affecting exposure times.

The analysis of the photo revealed three superimposed objects, contrary to the witness's account of seeing only one. Vance attempted to determine the object's size and distance using geometric principles, estimating its diameter to be around 6.2 meters if it was 100 meters away. He concluded that the object could not be explained as something thrown by pranksters.

A key aspect of the analysis, further elaborated by Professor Auguste Meessen of U.C.L., concerns the object's movement. Meessen proposes that the three images represent different positions of a single object undergoing an oscillatory movement. This theory accounts for the apparent 'disappearances' and 'reappearances' by suggesting the object moved rapidly between positions, with its speed varying throughout its trajectory. Meessen uses mathematical models and simulations to demonstrate how an oscillating object, even with a continuous movement, could produce such photographic results, thereby avoiding the need to invoke paranormal phenomena.

• Key arguments presented include:
• Geometric Analysis: Using the formula I/L = f/D, where I is image size, L is object size, f is focal length, and D is distance, Vance estimated the object's diameter and distance.
• Movement Interpretation: Meessen's theory of oscillatory movement explains the multiple images and rapid changes in apparent position.
• Photographic Mechanics: The analysis considers camera limitations, such as shutter speed and film exposure, to interpret the photographic artifacts.
• Speed and Acceleration: The estimated speeds (up to 1080 km/h for average movement and potentially 3798 km/h for oscillatory movement) are considered extraordinary but within the realm of advanced technology.

Other Sightings and Investigations

Beyond the Oregon photo, the issue details other UFO encounters:

The 'Flower Pot' in the Sky of Cuesmes

This section reports on an observation made in Cuesmes, Belgium, on September 14, 1973. Mlle Sonia Plume and her father witnessed an object described as a 'flower pot' with orange lights. The object was seen at an estimated altitude of 200 meters and a distance of about 200 meters. Mlle Plume described its appearance with specific details about its colors, antennae, and a 'saw-like' top. Her father, who has astigmatism, perceived it as an orange spot. The object reportedly moved with light vibrations and then took a slightly curved, ascending trajectory before disappearing.

The investigation by Yves Toussaint notes that while Mlle Plume's testimony was sincere and detailed, her father's corroboration was limited. The description bore some resemblance to an earlier sighting in Malataverne, France, on March 14, 1969, by M. Manselon, which also involved an object described as a 'flower pot'. Toussaint concludes that while similarities exist, more data is needed to establish a definitive link.

Flawinne, 19 and 21 March 1974: Identified?

This report details two sightings in Flawinne, Belgium, on March 19 and 21, 1974. The initial sighting involved two witnesses, followed by a second sighting two days later with five witnesses. The object was described as having three lights, sometimes in a line, sometimes in a triangle, moving at low speed and altitude. The lights were described as white-yellow at the extremes and red in the center, with alternating blinking.

Photographic evidence was obtained, but analysis revealed discrepancies with the witness descriptions. The photographs showed three identical images of a light source, suggesting a single object photographed multiple times, possibly due to a camera malfunction or intentional superimposition. The investigation eventually identified the source as a public lighting pylon, photographed from the rear, with the 'object' being the pylon's body obscuring parts of the background.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a rigorous, analytical approach to UFO phenomena. The editorial stance emphasizes the importance of scientific methodology, geometric analysis, and photographic interpretation. While acknowledging the strangeness of many reported sightings, the publication strives to find rational explanations, whether through advanced technology or misidentification, rather than immediately resorting to paranormal interpretations. The analysis of the Oregon photo exemplifies this approach, seeking to explain the observed phenomena within the framework of physics, albeit with extraordinary parameters. The inclusion of detailed technical explanations, like the mathematical derivations in the annexes, underscores the commitment to a scientific investigation of UFO reports.

This issue of Inforespace, dated January 24, 1974, delves into UFO phenomena, featuring a detailed case study from Aische-en-Refail and a critical analysis of photographic evidence. The magazine also touches upon the broader scientific and investigative landscape of UFO research.

Aische-en-Refail Case: January 24, 1974

The issue revisits the Aische-en-Refail landing case, first reported in Inforespace issue 16. Two subsequent events are presented as potentially linked. The first is the publication of an Anglo-Saxon book that is highly regarded in ufology. This book posits that the interference caused by UFOs in automobiles suggests the involvement of high-frequency magnetic radiations. These radiations could potentially desynchronize the ignition system, preventing a car from functioning correctly.

The witness in the Aische-en-Refail case reported that their car was functioning normally immediately after the observation. However, starting in April, the car began to experience engine misfires. By July, the witness took the car for servicing, and the mechanic discovered that the distributor (delco) was deregulated and needed replacement. The mechanic noted this was an unusual problem for a VW 1300.

The article, authored by Franck Boitte, refrains from establishing a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the January UFO observation and the distributor replacement six months later. However, it suggests that such a link could imply a minor disturbance in the ignition timing as an immediate consequence of the observation, which then gradually worsened.

As a recommendation, the article suggests that in similar cases, the vehicle's electrical circuits, particularly the distributor, should be checked. This check should be repeated at least twice within the four months following the incident.

References and Technical Notes

The article includes several references and technical notes:

• References:
• 'UFO's, a scientific debate,' a symposium report from the American Academy for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), edited by Carl Sagan and Thornton Page (Cornell University Press, 1972), specifically chapters 12 and 15.
• A phone conversation with an informant, Lucien Clerebaut, who advised trying to obtain photos if the phenomenon recurred.
• Clarification that there is no military airbase in Flawinne, only a civilian airfield not equipped for night flights.
• Technical details on camera settings (ASA, aperture, shutter speed) for photographing objects of apparent size and luminosity similar to the full moon at a distance of less than 1000 meters at night.
• A note on modern camera mechanisms that allow for momentary blocking of film advance, enabling double exposures.

Conclusion on a Photo Case

In a separate section, the author, Franck Boitte, analyzes a photograph. The conclusion drawn is that the photograph, combined with witness declarations, is invented and inaccurate, whether intentionally deceptive or not. This conclusion is based on the fact that the analysis of the case presented a single inexact element. The author emphasizes that researchers should exercise increased prudence and that any case with even one inexact element should be automatically disqualified as evidence.

The Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS)

The issue also introduces the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS), founded by Dr. J. Allen Hynek. The article notes that Hynek, initially a scientific consultant for the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book, has shifted his focus to a more scientific approach to UFO research. CUFOS aims to provide a serious scientific platform for the study of UFO phenomena, moving beyond mere interpretation and seeking rigorous investigation.

Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO evidence, the potential scientific explanations for observed phenomena (such as electromagnetic interference), and the importance of rigorous methodology in UFO research. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious skepticism, advocating for scientific scrutiny and discouraging the acceptance of unverified or flawed evidence. The magazine promotes a more systematic and evidence-based approach to understanding UFOs, as exemplified by the establishment of the Center for UFO Studies.