FLYING SAUCER DIGEST

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER DIGEST
Issue: VOL.1 NO.1
Date: SPRING 1967
Publisher: UNITED AERIAL PHENOMENA AGENCY

This is the inaugural issue of Flying Saucer Digest, presented as a free introductory offer from the United Aerial Phenomena Agency. The magazine aims to provide information and illustrations on UFO sightings, landings, astronomy, and alien creatures. Future issues, starting with Volume 1, Number 2 in Summer 1967, will contain at least 16 pages and will be mailed on the 15th of March, June, September, and December. The agency also plans to offer booklets and magazines from other organizations at reduced rates, as well as its own previously unpublished booklets on Ufology.

Contents

The issue includes an "EDITORIAL" (page 2), an article titled "CAPTURED SAUCER NEAR GERMANY?" (page 3), "WHO SAID THAT!" (page 5), "NEWEST QUASAR" (page 6), and a "SUBSCRIPTION BLANK" (page 7).

Editorial

The editorial, penned by Allan J. Manak, welcomes readers to the first issue and explains the subscription offer. It highlights that each issue will cover sightings, landings, astronomy, and aliens or creatures. The agency intends to provide special offers and sell related publications.

Captured Saucer Near Germany?

This article investigates a claim from 1954 about a "captured flying saucer" that may have crash-landed on a small island in the North Sea off the German coast, identified as Heligoland. Dr. Hans Larsen Loberg, a retired Norwegian scientist, revealed preliminary findings suggesting that hydrogen bomb explosions might have forced the UFO to earth. The craft was reportedly not a crash-up, with its instruments in good condition. However, seven charred bodies, burned beyond recognition and estimated to be between 25-30 years old and 5 feet 8 inches tall, were found near the ship. The article speculates that these individuals may have been passengers consumed by fire due to sudden atmospheric pressure changes within the hermetically sealed cabin. The saucer's dimensions were peculiar, with a diameter of 91 feet and a cabin height of 70 feet, all divisible by seven. Its construction involved unknown metals, and it was light enough for two men to lift one side. Inside, scientists found what resembled living quarters, a unique liquid, and a radio without tubes or antenna. Pamphlets on navigation were also found, but their script was undeciphered. The author raises questions about the fate of the saucer, any other discovered secrets, whether the investigating team was silenced, and if the claim was a hoax, concluding after 12 years of research that accidental crashes of UFOs on desolate parts of the world are a possibility.

Who Said That!

This section discusses an editorial published in the trade magazine "Electronic Design" by Howard Bierman, who noted "puzzling, persistent reports" of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). Bierman stated that most people scoff at UFO reports because they haven't seen them, but argued that these reports from responsible individuals like policemen, pilots, astronomers, and engineers should not be dismissed lightly. The article references John Fuller's book "Incident at Exeter" and the efforts of the Air Force Systems Command at Wright-Patterson AFB. Bierman's editorial called for the government to issue a full technical report and suggested a study program using electronic instrumentation to investigate the electro-magnetic characteristics of these objects. The editorial was published on August 16, 1966, with a reply letter in the November 22, 1966 issue, which mentioned theories by Philip J. Klass and the work of Drs. Uman and Moruzzi.

Ronald Jos. Pelger also contributes a thought, pondering the possibility of astronauts encountering accidents on other planets and questioning if similar egregious accidents could happen to other beings probing Earth.

Should Science Investigate?

This section includes a letter from G. Elliott, Director of Elliott Electronics in Reading, England, who quotes from a printed letter (with apologies to Electronic Design) about an investigation into an unusual object seen in England. The object was a cluster of lights moving rapidly together, with individual lights moving relative to each other. Observers were convinced it was not an aircraft, satellite, or meteorite. Elliott emphasizes the need for more investigation, criticizing scientists for being too slow. He suggests practical efforts similar to those of Drs. Uman and Moruzzi, focusing on spectroscopic tests.

Elmer Schutt is also listed as a contributor to this section.

Newest Quasar

This brief article reports on the discovery of a star-like object, designated 0237-23, by the California Institute of Technology. It is described as one of the brightest, fastest, and farthest objects found, belonging to the class of quasars. Quasar 0237-23 exhibits a significant "red shift," indicating it is receding from Earth at over 150,000 miles per second, or 82.4% of the speed of light. This discovery was reported by AP/Pasadena, Calif.

Cartoon

A cartoon by Pelger depicts an alien figure saying to a human, "YER PUTTIN' ME ON".

Order Blank

The final page contains an order blank for the United Aerial Phenomena Agency, offering subscription rates for 4, 8, and 12 issues. Subscribers who send in their order within 30 days with payment will receive an extra issue free as an introductory offer.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to adopt a stance that encourages scientific investigation into UFO phenomena, questioning the reluctance of mainstream science to engage with the subject. It highlights reports from credible witnesses and suggests that UFOs are a genuine phenomenon worthy of study. The inclusion of a crash-landing case, discussions on scientific theories, and the reporting of astronomical discoveries indicate a broad interest in unexplained phenomena and the frontiers of science. The editorial emphasizes the agency's role in disseminating information on these topics.