Flying Saucer Digest - No 013 - 1970

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER DIGEST
Issue: 13
Date: Spring 1970
Publisher: UNITED AERIAL PHENOMENA AGENCY (U.A.P.A.)
Country: USA
Type: Magazine Issue

Editorial

Allan J. Manak, the editor, reflects on the state of ufology in 1963 and contrasts it with the present, noting a recurring lull among disenchanted ufologists. He dismisses the excuse of 'lack of information,' attributing the issue to immature researchers and publications. Manak predicts a resurgence in ufology for 1970, forecasting a major flap in sightings, an increase in landings, the largest convention ever for scientific ufologists in Columbus, Ohio, and a rise in reports of creatures and aliens. The editorial expresses the U.A.P.A.'s readiness to observe this predicted resurgence.

Articles and Features

Little Men From All Over

This article, reprinted by special permission from FATE Magazine (March 1955), compiles various reports of encounters with 'little men' and other strange beings from different parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Norway, Italy, and Portugal. Descriptions vary widely, from eight-foot giants in metallic suits to 3-1/2 foot tall creatures with unusual features like over-sized heads, no arms, or single eyes and antennae. Some encounters involved crafts described as cigar-shaped or spool-shaped. The article notes the inconsistency in descriptions and questions the reality of these beings.

The Hopkinsville Incident

Authored by Robert S. Easley, this section details the classic 'little men' case that occurred on August 21, 1955, near Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The farmhouse of the J. C. Sutton family was reportedly besieged for three hours by small humanoid creatures, described as about 3-1/2 feet tall, with large heads, long arms, and webbed hands, seemingly clad in aluminum foil. The family fired at the creatures with a shotgun and pistol, engaging in a 'gun battle' for two hours. Despite numerous shots, the creatures appeared unharmed. Upon investigation by police and state troopers, no craft or creatures were found, though one trooper reported seeing strange objects fly over his car. Jacques Vallee is quoted stating the investigators agreed the Suttons were not drinking and were genuinely terrified.

Recent News And Rumors

This section discusses an upcoming meeting of the Permanent Organizing Committee of the Congress of Scientific Ufologists (C.S.U.) to address delays in committee reports. It mentions ongoing reports from a February flap in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Colorado, encouraging readers to send clippings. The article touches on rumors about UFO organizations ceasing operations due to financial motives rather than genuine UFO interest. It highlights the C.S.U. as the largest organization in ufology and criticizes older organizations for their lack of progress. It also notes that the Air Force's UFO investigating team, formerly Project Blue Book, is not defunct but likely operating under a new name.

UFO Retrospective

This piece recounts the Lubbock Lights sighting on August 25, 1951, in Texas. A group of university professors observed 15 to 30 blue-green lights in the night sky that moved from north to south and reappeared for several days, witnessed by hundreds. Carl Hart Jr., a college freshman, photographed the objects in a 'vee' formation. The photographs revealed circular objects near pinpoint light sources, appearing brighter than stars.

Analysis in Astronomy

This section shifts focus to astronomy, discussing the rings of Saturn. It provides details about Saturn's size relative to Earth, its three main rings (greyish Ring 'A', bright Ring 'B', and the Crepe Ring 'C'), and the total diameter of the ring system. The article explains that the rings are not solid or fluid but composed of billions of tiny particles acting as individual satellites, too small to be observed individually.

Other Content

The issue also includes a "Cover Story" that hints at mysteries in the Earth's oceans and the possibility of divers encountering strange, glowing circular objects with beams of light. There are also sections for "Editorial," "Fact or Fiction," "Strange Object," "Famous Quotes," and "1897 UFO Report Solved." Advertisements for UFO & OCCULT BOOKS and the magazine "OUTERMOST" are also present.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, encounters with non-human entities ('little men,' creatures, aliens), and historical UFO cases. The editorial stance, particularly from Allan J. Manak, is critical of the current state of ufology, emphasizing a need for maturity and truthfulness among researchers and publications. There is a strong belief in the reality of UFO phenomena and a prediction of increased activity. The publication also includes astronomical content, offering a broader perspective on celestial phenomena.

This issue of the AFSCA Flying Saucer publication, dated December 7, 1954, features a prominent article titled "Strange Object" detailing a significant UFO sighting. It also includes a section on "1897 UFO Report Solved" and an advertisement for "The Silver Bridge" book. The magazine appears to be a newsletter or journal focused on UFO phenomena, with a clear interest in historical cases and potential evidence of intelligent design.

Strange Object

The lead article describes a remarkable encounter on December 7, 1954, over Sao Paulo, Argentina. A massive, cigar-shaped object was observed, characterized by a large, round front and a tapering fuselage. The object emitted dense smoke from two open gaps near its backside. A notable detail was a wide opening on its undercarriage from which three discs emerged with a metallic flare, described as being "red in color." These disc-shaped objects then split up, with one heading south and the other north. The third disc remained near the cigar craft, performing "unbelievable aerial feats" for about an hour before the cigar-shaped object ascended and vanished within seconds.

Famous Quotes

This section features a quote from Representative J. Edward Roush, a Democrat from Indiana, who stated: "Grave doubts had risen as to the scientific profundity and objectivity of the Colorado project." This quote suggests a critical stance towards a specific UFO investigation or project.

1897 UFO Report Solved

Authored by Kenneth Lloyd Larson, this article delves into a UFO case from 1897. Larson references an article published in the American UFO bulletin "Saucer Scoop" in March 1969, written by Lucius Farish. Farish's article requested new data on a UFO sighting that occurred over the farm of Daniel Gray in Flint, Michigan, on April 23, 1897. Gray reported seeing an object pass over, and immediately afterward, a newspaper dated October 5, 1896, from Toronto, Canada, drifted down. Larson calculated the time between the newspaper's publication date and the UFO sighting to be exactly 200 days. He posits that this intelligent plan, dropping a fresh newspaper after 200 days, suggests the UFOs exist due to a predetermined plan. The article also notes that other objects appeared over San Francisco, California, in November 1896, and in other American cities like West Virginia and Texas, up to April 1897.

Larson further explores numerical patterns, assigning values to letters of the alphabet (A=1, B=2, etc.). He found that several phrases related to the case, such as "LORD JESUS CHRIST," "SACRED AMERICA WRITING," "AMERICA FIFTY STATES," and "JESUS GOD WRITING," all total 200. He speculates on a possible connection between the 1897 Canadian UFO event and the "Star of Bethlehem" that appeared during the birth of Jesus Christ.

"The Silver Bridge.."

This section is an advertisement for a book titled "The Silver Bridge" by Gray Barker, published by SAUCERIAN BOOKS in Clarksburg, W.Va. The tagline suggests the book "will haunt you forever," and it is endorsed by James W. Moseley.

AFSCA FLYING SAUCER AND NEW AGE BOOK LIST

A comprehensive list of books available for purchase from the Amalgamated Flying Saucer Clubs of America (AFSCA) is provided. The list includes authors such as George Adamski, Gray Barker, Albert K. Bender, Edward J. Ruppelt, Jacques Vallee, and Harold T. Wilkins, with titles covering various aspects of UFO phenomena, space travel, and related topics. Prices are listed, and ordering instructions are given, specifying payment methods and a mailing charge. The list is intended to remain in effect at least until July 1, 1970.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are historical UFO sightings, particularly those with unusual or seemingly intelligent characteristics, and the promotion of UFO literature. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into UFO phenomena, with an openness to exploring numerical and symbolic patterns as potential evidence of intelligent extraterrestrial activity. The inclusion of a quote critical of the "Colorado project" suggests a potential skepticism towards official or conventional scientific approaches to UFO research, favoring alternative interpretations and evidence.