1958 05 00 Fantastic Universe - Shapes in the sky

Magazine Overview

Title: FANTASTIC UNIVERSE
Issue: Vol. 9, No. 5
Date: May 1958
Publisher: KING-SIZE PUBLICATIONS, INC.
Country: USA
Price: 35¢

This issue of FANTASTIC UNIVERSE features a collection of science fiction stories and a significant investigative article titled "Shapes in the Sky" by Civilian Saucer Intelligence. The cover story is "Needed-Space Intelligence" by Lester del Rey. Other stories include "Sit by the Fire" by Myrle Benedict, "We'll Never Catch Them" by Ivan T. Sanderson, "Field Report" by Roger Dee, "Colon the Conqueror" by John Boardman, "Face of Evil" by Vincent S. Larkin, "Bait for the Tiger" by Lee Chaytor, "Little Green Men" by John Nicholson, and "The Beautiful Things" by Arthur Zirul. The issue credits H. L. Herbert as Publisher and Hans Stefan Santesson as Editorial Director, with Virgil Finlay providing the cover design.

Shapes in the Sky

The primary focus of this issue, beyond its fictional content, is an in-depth analysis of UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings and the U.S. Air Force's official explanations, presented under the byline "Civilian Saucer Intelligence." The article critically examines several incidents that occurred in November 1957, particularly the wave of sightings in Levelland, Texas.

The Levelland, Texas Incident (November 2-7, 1957)

The article details a series of events beginning on November 2, 1957, shortly after the launch of Sputnik II. Multiple witnesses in and around Levelland, Texas, reported seeing large, luminous, egg-shaped or torpedo-shaped objects. These encounters were often accompanied by the failure of vehicle lights and engines. Pedro Saucado and Joe Salaz reported an object that rose from a field, causing their truck's lights and motor to die, and described it as "torpedo-shaped-like a rocket," estimated at 200 feet long. Jim Wheeler and José Alvarez reported similar experiences with egg-shaped objects on the road, which caused their car lights and motors to fail. Sheriff Weir Clem and highway patrol officers also investigated, with Clem briefly seeing a streak of light. Fire Marshal Ray Jones and truck driver James D. Long reported similar phenomena, including stalled engines and lights going out. The article highlights the consistency of witness accounts, with Sheriff Clem stating, "Their stories fit to a T."

Air Force "Evaluation" of Levelland Incident

The article then scrutinizes the Air Force's official explanation, released in Press Release No. 1108-57. The Air Force "evaluated" the Levelland sightings as a weather phenomenon, specifically "Ball Lightning" or "St. Elmo's Fire," caused by stormy conditions. However, the magazine counters this by pointing out that local weathermen stated there were no thunderstorms in the area and scoffed at the St. Elmo's light explanation. The article further debunks the "Ball Lightning" theory by noting that it is typically small (under one foot in diameter), not red, and attached to ground objects, unlike the reported sightings. The stalling of vehicles is also questioned, as witnesses reported their engines functioning normally after the objects departed, contradicting the Air Force's suggestion of electrical storms affecting wet circuits.

The investigation conducted by the Air Force is described as cursory, involving a single individual in civilian clothes who spent only about seven hours on the scene and interviewed few witnesses. An "out-of-state newsman" identified this investigator as an Air Force sergeant.

White Sands, New Mexico Sightings (November 3, 1957)

The article also covers two related incidents near the Trinity site area, close to White Sands National Monument. On November 3, Cpl. Glenn H. Toy and Pfc. James Wilbanks reported seeing a "very bright object" descend slowly, hover, and then land at a 45-degree angle, described as egg-shaped and 75-100 feet in diameter. The object emitted a reddish-orange light but did not illuminate the ground. Later that evening, two other MPs, Sp/3C Richard Oakes and Sp/3C Henry Barlow, encountered a similar blazing "egg" hovering. The Air Force's explanation for these sightings was "Astronomical," suggesting that Venus was visible and the moon was in the general direction of the sightings. The magazine vehemently refutes this, detailing astronomical inaccuracies in the Air Force's explanation, such as Venus not being visible at 3 a.m. and having already set by the time of the second sighting.

Alamogordo, New Mexico Incident (November 4, 1957)

Another incident involved James Stokes, a missile engineer, who reported seeing an egg-shaped object of "mother-of-pearl" color near Orogrande, New Mexico. His car and several others stalled, and he estimated the object's speed at Mach 2 (nearly 2,000 mph) and its altitude at 1,500-3,000 feet. Stokes also reported feeling a "heat wave" and receiving a slight sunburn. The Air Force's "evaluation" suggested a hoax, but the article notes that Stokes retained his job and his report was initially considered "bona fide" by Holloman Air Force Base spokesmen. Coral Lorenzen, director of Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, confirmed Stokes's sunburn.

Coast Guard Cutter Sebago Incident (November 5, 1957)

The issue concludes its analysis with a report from the Gulf of Mexico, where the Coast Guard cutter Sebago recorded radar contacts with unknown objects. The objects exhibited erratic speeds, from 250 to 3,300 mph, and one visual sighting of a bright object moving horizontally. The Air Force's explanation suggested "spurious returns" (false targets) and identified the objects as possible propeller- and jet-type aircraft. The magazine points out the object's unusual behavior, such as stopping abruptly, reversing direction, and showing "curiosity about man-made vehicles," which it argues is inconsistent with known aircraft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the "Shapes in the Sky" article is the perceived inadequacy and dismissiveness of the U.S. Air Force's explanations for UFO sightings. The magazine consistently contrasts detailed witness accounts and physical evidence with the Air Force's often simplistic or scientifically flawed rationalizations. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of the official narrative, suggesting that the Air Force may be attempting to downplay or conceal information about UFO phenomena. The article champions the credibility of witnesses and the need for more thorough and unbiased investigations into these unexplained events.

This issue of FANTASTIC UNIVERSE, identified by the number 118, focuses heavily on UFO phenomena, with a prominent cover story titled "Little Green Men." The magazine appears to be from November 1957, based on references to the Russian satellite 'Muttnik' and the Air Force's "Fact Sheet" released on November 5, 1957. The publication critically examines official UFO investigations, particularly those conducted by the U.S. Air Force, while also presenting numerous anecdotal accounts of encounters with various types of non-human entities.

Air Force Investigations and Criticisms

The magazine opens with a critique of the Air Force's handling of UFO reports, specifically referencing evaluations of radar and visual sightings. The article "EVALUATION: Aircraft, and possible spurious radar returns" questions the Air Force's interpretation of a 1,000-mph speed (actually 1,150 mph if nautical miles were considered) and dismisses the observed maneuvers as "spurious returns." The author suggests that the Air Force's explanations are often contradictory and lack real merit, serving primarily to avoid classifying sightings as UFOs.

A significant portion of the analysis is dedicated to debunking or questioning the Air Force's official explanations for specific cases. The Sebago observation is discussed, with astronomer J. F. Thomson suggesting the Russian satellite 'Muttnik' could account for the visual aspects, though not the radar. Cmdr. L. W. Tibbits' attempt to attribute radar observations to 'Muttnik' and 'patches of ionized air' is deemed "even more preposterous than the Air Force's."

The Kearney, Nebraska case involving grain buyer Reinhold Schmidt is presented as an example of a case the Air Force might consider a "hoax." Schmidt reported a silvery blimp-shaped craft, an engine stall, temporary paralysis by a ray, and an invitation into the ship. However, the investigation revealed Schmidt had a prior record as an embezzler and was committed to a state hospital, leading the Air Force to evaluate it as a "Hoax." The magazine notes that while the Air Force succeeded in finding one "correct" evaluation among its five cases, the Schmidt story is likely a "fictitious 'contact' claim."

The article further scrutinizes the Air Force's statistics, contrasting their claim of a drastically reduced number of "Unknowns" in 1957 with their historical findings. In the first five years (1947-1952), Project Blue Book found 26.94% of 1,593 reports unclassifiable, while a November 1957 "Fact Sheet" claimed only 1.9% of 250 reports in the first half of 1957 fell into the UFO category. The magazine criticizes the Air Force for smugly claiming improved procedures while simultaneously exposing specific examples of these procedures, which are portrayed as dismissive.

The publication expresses frustration with the Air Force's public-relations efforts, which paint a picture of thorough investigation and infallibility. The author argues that the Air Force is not entitled to misrepresent its work or claim proper scientific inquiry when it allegedly refuses to share material with civilian agencies and treats civilian skepticism as a nuisance.

The Phenomenon of "Little Green Men"

The article "Little Green Men" by John Nicholson explores a less glamorous aspect of extraterrestrial encounters, focusing on reports of small, often aggressive beings. It acknowledges a tendency in UFO circles to ignore these reports in favor of contacts with tall, wise "Teachers." The author notes that some reports might be inspired by movies like "Invasion of the Saucer Men."

Several specific incidents involving "little men" are detailed:

• Steep Rock Episode (July 2, 1950): A couple fishing in Steep Rock Lake, Ontario, Canada, saw a flying saucer land. Ten occupants, about three and a half feet tall, emerged and appeared to be taking on water.
• Marble Creek Sightings (May 20 & June 20, 1953): Two miners in California reported a silver disc landing. A "being" about four feet tall emerged, filled a bucket with water, and handed it inside before the object departed. Five-inch footprints were found.
• Death Valley (August 19, 1949): Prospectors reported a disc crash-landed, and two little men emerged, but they disappeared into the dunes.
• West Lumberton, North Carolina (August 1952): James Allen reported an eight-foot saucer landed in his yard, and a small man, about thirty inches tall, came out.
• Mexico City (1950): A flying saucer wreck was reported, with a dead pilot described as twenty-three inches high. Other reports mentioned thirty-four corpses measuring thirty-six to forty inches.
• Caerphilly Mountains, Wales (May 1909): A man saw a "tube-shaped" object with two men in fur coats who spoke a foreign language and sailed away. Trampled grass and debris were found.
• Chabeuil, France (September 26, 1954): Madame Leboeuf saw a man resembling a scarecrow in a cellophane bag. It approached her, and the object rose swiftly, leaving a ten-foot circular impression.
• Venezuela (November 1954): Incidents involved aggressive, furry beings, three to four feet tall, with claw-like hands and large eyes, who attacked people.
• Everittstown, New Jersey: A luminous egg-shaped object hovered, and a little man described as two and a half to three feet high, with a putty-colored face and frog-like eyes, approached a house, asking for the dog.

The article concludes that while many sightings may be hoaxes or hallucinations, there is a substantial body of evidence suggesting the existence of these "little green men," who are distinct from the more idealized "contactee" figures.

More About Our Explorer Satellite

A separate section provides technical details about the Explorer satellite, describing it as a cylinder eighty inches long with a tapered nose and rocket nozzle. Its speed is 19,400 miles per hour, faster than Sputnik. The Jupiter-C rocket that launched it was developed by Dr. Wernher von Braun. Instruments for cosmic ray recording were from the University of Iowa, and micro-meteorite impact instruments were from the Air Force Research Centre. The satellite itself was assembled at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of Caltech. It weighs 30.8 pounds, with 18.13 pounds for the satellite package and 11 pounds for instruments. It includes external temperature gauges, cosmic ray and micro-meteorite measuring instruments, and two transmitters operating on frequencies of 108.03 and 108 megacycles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critique of official UFO investigation procedures, the presentation of numerous anecdotal UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters, and the reporting of scientific advancements like the Explorer satellite. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of the Air Force's handling of UFO data, advocating for more open and objective investigation. There is a strong emphasis on the reality of UFO phenomena and encounters with non-human entities, particularly the "little green men," despite the lack of official acknowledgment or acceptance. The magazine positions itself as a platform for presenting evidence and perspectives that challenge mainstream or official narratives.