1958 02 00 Fantastic Universe - Shapes in the sky

Magazine Overview

This issue of Fantastic Universe Science Fiction, dated February, is published by ICD and priced at 35 cents. The cover features artwork by Virgil Finlay depicting a dramatic UFO encounter over a city, with the headline announcing three exciting novelets by Stanley Mullen, Harry Harrison, and Thomas N. Scortia, alongside startling UFO articles by Ivan Sanderson and Morris Jessup.

"Shapes in the Sky" by Civilian Saucer Intelligence

This article, spanning pages 83-91, critically examines the evidence for UFOs, with a particular focus on radar sightings and their treatment in official reports. The author begins by addressing the skepticism encountered even after years of UFO reports, noting that some individuals are immune to any form of testimony.

The piece highlights the development of new 'senses' for man, such as robots and radar, which can detect phenomena beyond human perception. Radar, with its ability to probe the sky using microwaves, is presented as a powerful tool for gathering information, capable of detecting solid objects regardless of luminosity.

The article scrutinizes "Project Blue Book Special Report #14," the only publicly available Air Force report on flying saucers. It points out that the report's findings on radar evidence are minimal, referencing Sherlock Holmes' "curious incident of the dog in the night-time." The report states that many "UNKNOWNS" were classified as such due to maneuvers unexplainable by known objects, and that while visual observations have great potential for inaccuracies, radar sightings often involved high-speed objects at extreme altitudes. Crucially, the report notes that some objects were identified as UNKNOWNS because no object was visually present at the radar's indicated location.

The author criticizes the report for its lack of radar data, despite radar being superior to visual observations in determining size, distance, and speed. The report allegedly omits cases where radar detected objects unseen by the eye, and even cases where radar and visual sightings confirmed each other. Furthermore, the "fantastic maneuvers" of UFOs, which led to their "UNKNOWN" classification, are also absent from the report's statistical tables.

The article then presents examples of radar evidence that were not released by the Air Force, suggesting a gap between what the Air Force observes and what it discloses to the public. An example is given of a radar technician at Orlando Air Force Base who observed unexplained "blips" consistently before missile launches, noting their incredible speeds and unusual turns.

The author notes that the Air Force had not released details of flying saucer observations since 1953, with reports like Blue Book #314 being outdated by the time of their release. Information published since 1953 has largely come from civilian investigators.

Several specific radar incidents are detailed:

• Los Angeles, March 23, 1957: CAA control tower radar operators detected a blip moving at high speed, which then abruptly stopped and reversed direction, later reappearing with two more targets traveling at 3600 mph. This coincided with visual observations of a "reddish-glowing object" by personnel at Oxnard AFB and residents in surrounding areas.
• France, February 17, 1956: At Orly Airport, Paris, radar detected a "blip" twice the size of conventional aircraft, which hovered, moved irregularly, and appeared to follow aircraft. An Air France pilot, Michael Desavoye, also reported seeing a "winking red light" that disappeared abruptly.
• Miami, November 8, 1956: A Pan American radar technician detected an hourglass-shaped object 65 miles southwest of Miami, at an altitude of 7000-8000 feet, moving at extreme speeds.
• Nassau to New York, March 29, 1957: Captain Ken Brosdal and his crew visually and on radar observed a bright white light that intensified and subsided, appearing on radar at a distance of 45-50 miles.
• Port Huron, Michigan, July 29, 1952: An Air Defense Command radar post picked up a target moving at 625 mph, which was then intercepted by an F-94 jet. The object was described as a large bluish-white light that made a tight 180-degree turn at high speed.
• Rapid City, South Dakota, August 12, 1953: A UFO, appearing as a bright light, was confirmed by radar at Ellsworth AFB and chased by two F-84 jets, which could not approach closer than three miles.
• Gulf of Mexico, December 6, 1952: A B-29 bomber's radar detected objects moving at an unprecedented speed of 5200 mph, with some visually confirmed.
• Yaak, Montana, August 1, 1952: Radar and visual observations detected two colored lights that moved erratically, sometimes hovering, and developed vapor trails. One light was seen to become a dark, cigar-shaped object against the morning sky.

The article concludes by noting that while many high-speed radar UFOs could not be meteors due to their maneuvers and speeds (meteors travel at satellite velocity), the visual evidence for these objects is often limited to lights or indistinct shapes. However, a few cases are known where something more concrete than a light was observed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the persistent and often unexplained nature of UFO sightings, particularly those detected by radar. The magazine's stance, as evidenced by this article, is critical of official explanations and military secrecy surrounding UFO phenomena. It champions the importance of civilian investigation and highlights the limitations and potential biases in official reports, advocating for a more open and thorough examination of the evidence, especially radar data, which is presented as highly reliable and significant.

Title: FANTASTIC UNIVERSE
Issue: 92
Document Type: Magazine Issue
Language: English
Time Period: 1950s

Key Articles and Content

UAP Sighting Near Memphis

The issue reports on a sighting by pilots R. E. Moore and J. W. Martin from Millington Naval Air Station near Memphis, Tennessee. While flying training planes about ten miles to their left, they observed an object. Initially thought to be a jet distorted by glare, the object became clearer as it crossed in front of them at a distance of one mile.

According to Martin, the object was "domed on top, 'like a World War I helmet seen from the side, or a shiny shallow bowl turned upside down.'" Moore estimated its size to be about 25-45 feet across and about seven feet high. The pilots attempted to follow the object but could not keep up with its estimated speed of 200 miles per hour. The object was in view for approximately three minutes before disappearing.

Electronics Technician G. D. Wehner, who was with Moore, confirmed the sighting on radar. He described the object as "helmet-shaped" and noted that glare from its center prevented a clearer view. The description of the object's appearance and speed aligns with the UP account from the N.Y. Post dated July 12.

Forthcoming Articles on Radar Anomalies

The magazine announces upcoming articles that will delve into the topic of radar "angels." These articles will cover the famous 1952 radar sightings over Washington, D.C., which generated significant public attention. The content will also examine the Air Force's official "explanation" for these sightings and discuss radar "explanations" more broadly. Special attention will be given to a little-known but extremely interesting report on radar sightings issued by the CAA in December, 1952.

Correction Regarding the Brig VICTORIA

A correction is issued concerning the location of the brig VICTORIA, which was previously placed in the Gulf of Adalia in the January issue. Upon reconsultation of the original reference (ATHENAEUM, #1086 (1848), p. 833), the ship's position has been corrected. The VICTORIA was actually located northwest of Malta, at Lat. 36040'56" N.; Long. 13044'36" E. It was in this location that the ship reported seeing three luminous bodies issue from the sea near her.

The article notes that it appears questionable whether the sky phenomena reported that evening from Adalia and Mt. Lebanon, which are a thousand miles to the east, can be properly identified with the objects seen by the VICTORIA. This suggests a potential discrepancy or separate events being conflated.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of Fantastic Universe appears to be focused on presenting unexplained phenomena, particularly UAP sightings and radar anomalies, with a critical yet open-minded approach. The magazine aims to inform its readers about reported events, provide technical details where available (such as radar detection and object dimensions), and explore official explanations while also hinting at the possibility of unexplained phenomena. The inclusion of a correction regarding a historical naval sighting indicates a commitment to accuracy. The anticipation of articles on radar 'angels' and the Washington D.C. sightings suggests an ongoing interest in government investigations and explanations of UFO phenomena.