EYE Magazine Vol 1 No 1

Magazine Overview

EYE Magazine, a new quarterly publication, launches with its first issue in Spring 2002. The magazine is founded by UFO researchers Gary Anthony and Chris Evers, aiming to offer a balanced perspective on UFOlogy and related subjects, bridging the gap between extreme viewpoints. The issue is priced at £2.00 and is presented as a 'New Quarterly Publication'.

Editorial Comment

The editorial comment, penned by Gary Anthony, expresses the founders' zeal in creating a publication that provides a more balanced view of UFOlogy. It likens the endeavor to walking a tightrope to avoid the 'fringe' and describes the magazine as a phoenix reborn from the defunct 'Faster Than Light' magazine. Future issues promise relevant articles, revealing interviews, and contributions from a local, national, and international perspective. The current issue leans towards American and extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH) cases, featuring controversial topics. The editors encourage reader submissions and viewpoints.

Key Articles and Features

Grimsby UFO Flap - Is It Restarting?

This article by G. Anthony & C. Evers details recent UFO sightings in the Grimsby area. It begins with a report from Mr. H.D., who described a silver, ball-bearing-like object moving rapidly across the sky, which he initially dismissed but later became convinced of its strangeness. The article also includes a report from Gary Anthony about witnesses Mr. D.T. and his wife who saw silver-white, roughly saucer-shaped objects performing aerial maneuvers over the North Sea. The authors are investigating these reports and have approached aviation organizations, noting that recent events in America may affect response times.

The Strange Case of Captain Thomas Mantell Jr.

Paul Urbahns presents an article on the Thomas Mantell Jr. case, a local angle on one of the first dramatic UFO-related pilot deaths. The article questions whether Mantell encountered a Skyhook balloon, suggesting the evidence looks favorable but leaving the verdict to the reader.

Alien Autopsy Film Footage Update

Philip Mantle provides an update on the controversial 'Alien Autopsy' film. He recaps the story of Ray Santilli's claim to have purchased the film in 1992, which allegedly shows the autopsy of two aliens from the Roswell crash. Mantle discusses the film's testing and dating, noting that while some snippets have been tested, the exact date of the broadcast film remains open to question. He highlights the testimonies of Frank Salas, a technician who transferred the 16mm film to video, and Mike Maloney, a photographer who claims to have seen similar 16mm film in the 1970s. Special effects expert Rob Townshend also offers his opinion, suggesting the creature's behavior could be consistent with a real cadaver. Mantle requests any information concerning Ray Santilli's film.

Kenneth Arnold 1947 Radio Interview

This section features a transcript of what is believed to be the first radio interview given by Kenneth Arnold regarding his 1947 sighting. Arnold describes taking off from Chehalis, Washington, and searching for a lost Marine plane near Mt. Rainier. He then describes clocking the speed of nine crescent-shaped objects that flew in a peculiar, non-conventional formation. He estimated their speed to be around 1200 miles per hour, faster than any known aircraft at the time. The interview also touches on the media frenzy surrounding his sighting.

Roswell Inconvenient Facts and the Will To Believe

This is a review by Gary Anthony of Karl T. Pflock's book, 'Roswell - Inconvenient Facts and the Will To Believe'. Anthony praises the book for its in-depth research into the Roswell incident, challenging long-held views and focusing on facts. He notes Pflock's background as a former deputy assistant secretary of defense and CIA intelligence officer. The review highlights the book's examination of the Mogul project and includes details about photographs and alleged markings of the beam. Dr. Jerry Pournelle's foreword is quoted, emphasizing the importance of seeking truth.

EYE on Internet UFO Websites

Chris Evers provides a personal review of several UFO-related websites. He highlights BUFORA.org.uk (rated 7/10) for its comprehensive information and links, ufomag.co.uk (rated 7/10) for its news and conference details, and flyingsaucery.com (rated 8/10) for its down-to-earth approach to UFOlogy and Forteana. He also reviews ufology.org.uk (rated 8/10), praising its focus on British UFOlogy, forums, and resources.

EYE on Space

This section reports on new analysis of data from the Viking Landers by neuroscientist Joseph Miller. Miller claims that experiments conducted decades ago on Martian soil provided evidence of life, with a distinct biological rhythm synchronized to temperature fluctuations, suggesting a 90% certainty of life on Mars.

Dog Walker Spots Cigar-Shaped UFO In Yorkshire, England

This report details a sighting by retired fireman Leslie Howard of a bright, cigar-shaped craft flying northwards over Keighley, West Yorkshire. The object was described as silvery, moving quickly, and not appearing to be an aircraft. Police and Leeds-Bradford Airport reported no aircraft in the vicinity.

New York Cigar & New Jersey Cigar Similar Earlier Reports

Two brief reports of cigar-shaped UFO sightings are included: one in Pleasantville, New York, on November 11, 2001, involving a large, fast-moving object with dim lights, and another in Carneys Point, New Jersey, on May 18, 1996, where a police officer and pilot saw a brownish-black cylinder-shaped object.

Eye On Aurora - Flight of Fancy?

Geoff Richardson discusses the Aurora aircraft, a rumored hypersonic jet developed by Lockheed. He presents accounts from witnesses like Walt Andrews and Ben Rich, and details from Chuck Clark's videotaped sighting. Richardson suggests that the interest in Aurora may have stemmed from a military budget error and that the persistent belief in this aircraft may hinder serious UFOlogy research by providing an easy explanation for sightings of 'Black Triangles'. He concludes that the search for the mythical Aurora is futile and time-consuming.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's editorial stance is to provide a balanced and nuanced view of UFOlogy, moving away from sensationalism and 'fringe' theories. It aims to present factual reports, interviews, and research, encouraging critical thinking and open discussion. Recurring themes include historical UFO cases (Roswell, Mantell, Arnold), contemporary sightings (Grimsby, cigar-shaped UFOs), alleged evidence (Alien Autopsy film), and technological speculation (Aurora aircraft). The founders emphasize their commitment to presenting diverse perspectives and welcome reader engagement.

This issue of EYE Magazine, dated Winter 1998, focuses on the intriguing and tragic case of Captain Thomas F. Mantell Jr. The cover story, "EYE ON THE STRANGE CASE OF CPT. THOMAS MANTELL Jr.," by Paul Urbahns, President of the Ancestral Trails Historical Society, delves into the official documents and human interpretations surrounding his death.

The Mantell Case: Eyewitness Accounts and Official Reports

The article begins by detailing Captain Mantell's background, a decorated Air Force pilot with a distinguished career, including service in Normandy and winning the Distinguished Flying Cross. After separating from the Air Force, he joined the Kentucky Air National Guard.

The incident began on January 7, 1948, around 1400 hours in Maysville, Kentucky, when numerous people reported seeing a strange, glowing, metallic object in the sky, estimated to be 250-300 feet in diameter. The object was described as moving westward at a considerable speed. The Kentucky State Police were called, and reports of similar craft emerged from various locations.

Members of the Kentucky State Police confirmed the sighting of an unusual aircraft. This information was relayed to the Commanding Officer at Godman Field, Fort Knox. The Commander contacted the Godman Tower to inquire about any experimental aircraft in the area. Captain Hooper at Flight Test Operations stated they had no experimental aircraft but did have a B-29 and an A-26 on photo missions.

Personnel at Godman Tower also observed the object, describing it as a "disc or balloon, or some strange object was seen hovering in the vicinity of Godman Field." The Commanding Officer, Col. Guy F. Hix, and Operations Officer, Captain Gary W. Carter, decided to send aircraft to investigate. PFC Stanley Oliver, on duty in the Control Tower, initially thought he was imagining the object but later described it as resembling "an ice cream cone topped with red."

The Pursuit and the Crash

The narrative then shifts to Captain Mantell's involvement. A flight of four P-51 Mustangs was en route from Marietta, Georgia, to Standiford Field, Louisville. Captain Mantell was the lead pilot (NG3869). The Commanding Officer at Godman Field requested Mantell to investigate the object overhead. Tech. Sergeant Quinton A. Blackwell, chief operator in the Control Tower, contacted Mantell via VHF, asking if he had enough fuel and if he would investigate the object to the south. Mantell replied affirmatively.

As the P-51s climbed, the flight leader (Mantell) reported his position at 7,500 feet and climbing. Another pilot asked, "Where in the hell are we going?" The Flight Leader then called out an object at "twelve o'clock high," describing it as bright and climbing away. When asked about its speed, Mantell stated it was moving at about half his speed, approximately 180 MPH.

Two pilots, Hammond (NG 737) and Clements (NG 800), had to return to Standiford Field due to lack of oxygen equipment. However, Mantell continued climbing. Tech Sgt. Blackwell's statement quoted Mantell saying, "I'm still climbing, the object is above and ahead of me moving at about my speed or faster. I'm trying to close in for a better look." Pilot Clements later returned to 32,000 feet but did not see Mantell or the object.

At 1750 Eastern Time, Standiford Field reported that NG3869, piloted by Mantell, had crashed 5 miles SW of Franklin, Kentucky, at approximately 1645 Central Time.

Post-Crash Investigation and Official Explanation

Godman Field notified Maxwell Flight Service Centre, which then contacted Officer Joe Walker in Franklin, Kentucky, who took charge at the accident scene. Officer Walker learned that the aircraft had exploded in the air before hitting the ground, but the wreckage did not burn on impact. The wreckage was scattered over an area of about one mile, and the tail section, one wing, and the propeller were not located.

The article notes that most of the information comes from declassified Air Force Operation Blue Book reports, established in 1947 to investigate unexplained phenomena. Blue Book officers were tasked with determining if UFOs posed a security threat or exhibited advanced technology.

The Blue Book investigators consolidated four incidents from January 7, 1948, into a single investigation. Their final report concluded that the sightings and bearing agreed closely with the time and place of the setting of Venus. They cited Venus's stellar magnitude of -3.4, making it 30 times brighter than Arcturus. The report offered three justifications: Venus shining through clouds could create a flaming object with a tail; cloud motion could give the illusion of rapid movement; and thermo-inversions could cause stars near the horizon to appear to jump erratically.

Critiques and Alternative Theories

This official explanation, that Mantell died chasing Venus, was widely criticized and reported in early UFO books as an example of government cover-up. The article highlights that the report of Captain Jehli mentioned other sightings that day, including a large light in the sky in the approximate position of the object seen earlier, and a "great ball of light" travelling southwest. St. Louis Tower also reported a great ball of light passing directly over the field. These descriptions differ significantly from the object Mantell was chasing.

Another report mentioned is from Dr. Seyfert, who spotted an object SSE of Nashville, identified as a pear-shaped balloon with cables and a basket, moving southwest at 10 miles per hour at 25,000 feet. The article questions if this sounds like the planet Venus.

The government's conclusion did not acknowledge that an object fitting the descriptions of the witnesses and airfield professionals was indeed over Godman Field on January 7th.

Declassified information reveals the existence of classified "sky hook" balloons, used for high-altitude experimental flights with diameters of up to 100 feet. During the period of the sighting, the Navy was conducting a classified program utilizing these balloons. It was subsequently determined that a Navy balloon was released from Clinton County airport in Ohio and would have been in the area of Godman Field at the time of the sightings.

The Air Technical Information Command's opinion was that Captain Mantell lost consciousness due to oxygen starvation, causing the aircraft to enter an uncontrolled spiral and disintegrate. The fact that the canopy lock was still in place supported the belief that he never regained consciousness.

The object pursued by Mantell is believed to have been one of these "sky hook" balloons, which witnesses described as pear-shaped and metallic. The Mantell Case has been referenced in numerous books and the syndicated television series "Sightings."

Reviews and Events

The issue also includes a review of "The Encyclopedia of Extraterrestrial Encounters" by Ronald D. Story, edited by Gary Anthony. The reviewer praises the book for its comprehensive coverage of UFO cases and theories, its accessibility for newcomers, and its detailed references. A CD-ROM version is also mentioned as excellent value.

Announcements for SPI & BUFORA Meetings for 2002 are listed, including dates, speakers, and topics such as "UFO Cases," "Remote Viewing," and "Crop Circles."

A special report on "The Grimsby UFO Flap April - May 2000" by G. Anthony & C. Evers is advertised, detailing an investigative report into events from that period.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly suggests a government cover-up regarding the Mantell case, questioning the official explanation of Venus and highlighting the existence of classified military projects like "sky hook" balloons that could account for the sightings. The magazine appears to lean towards the view that UFO phenomena are real and that official explanations are often inadequate or deliberately misleading. The inclusion of reviews of UFO encyclopedias and announcements for UFO-related meetings indicates a focus on informing and engaging readers interested in the UFO phenomenon.