Flying Saucer Digest - No 016 - 1970

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER
Issue: NUMBER 16
Date: WINTER 1970
Publisher: UNITED AERIAL PHENOMENA AGENCY (U.A.P.A.)
Country: USA
Language: English

Editorial

The editorial, written by Allan J. Manak, announces a new semi-hard cover and back pages for Flying Saucer Digest, aimed at better preservation. It highlights the magazine's larger mailing list and the integration of UFO Magazine into Flying Saucer Digest. The editorial also announces a new regular article series titled 'UFOLOGICAL THEORIES,' featuring prominent UFOlogy writers, and mentions upcoming book reviews. A new series of articles by P.G. Navarro is introduced, which originated from individual letters sent to Mr. Hilberg. The editor notes the recurring 'Late Year Flaps' in UFOlogy, particularly in November, and mentions receiving many sighting reports. A new book by Mr. Hilberg and Mr. Easley, titled "Saucer Album--Two," is also mentioned.

Cover Story

The cover story details numerous cases of UFOs emitting a peculiar, blinding ray of bright light that has affected objects, animals, and people. Some reports claim the light can penetrate bodies and cause momentary paralysis, with a few rare cases resulting in death hours later.

Mr. Dellschau's Airship

This article, written by P. G. Navarro and introduced by Rick R. Hilberg, delves into the mysterious airships allegedly designed and built by Dellschau, a man from Houston, around the turn of the century. Dellschau, through his extensive collection of drawings and clippings pasted into books, documented his work with the Sonora Aero Club. The article speculates that these airships may have been the progenitors of the mysterious airships sighted in the 1890s. The author notes the secrecy surrounding Dellschau's activities, suggesting he and his associates were part of a secret society. The article explores the possibility of an anti-gravity substance, referred to as 'NB' by Dellschau, which he claimed negated weight. The author also connects Dellschau's work to sightings of an airship piloted by 'Tosh Wilson,' who claimed to have known Captain Akers. Newspaper reports from 1897 detail sightings of this mysterious airship in Texas and Arkansas, with witnesses describing its landing and departure, and its crew's need for water. One account from Harrisburg, Arkansas, mentions an airship made airbourne by a scientific invention from 1871 that suspended gravitation, possibly by a small wire. The article questions whether these accounts are genuine or attempts to mislead observers. It concludes by acknowledging the visionary efforts of the Sonora Aero Club in designing airships when only balloons were available, and notes the cryptic nature of Dellschau's writings, which are partly in code and German, requiring deciphering.

Readers Say

This section features a letter from B. C. Dromen of Miami, Florida, who expresses his satisfaction with the merger of UFO Magazine and Flying Saucer Digest. He praises the illustrations and articles, calling the combined magazine "great" and "the best magazine in UFO history."

The Brixham Airship

This article by Rick R. Hilberg recounts a sighting by Miss Lilian Eyre in Brixham, England, on October 6, 1969. Miss Eyre, who had experience with aircraft during the war, observed a spectacular aerial intruder. Initially mistaking it for a flare, she then saw three pulsating red lights, followed by a blinding white light. She estimated the object's altitude to be 2-3,000 feet and its speed around 250 mph. The object was described as a fuselage without wings, emitting a slow, thudding sound unlike any jet or piston engine. Other individuals in the vicinity also witnessed the craft. Mrs. J. Kimberley reported seeing three red lights and a bright white flash from a similar object.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores historical and contemporary UFO sightings, with a particular interest in mysterious aerial phenomena and potential technological advancements beyond conventional understanding. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting detailed accounts and encouraging reader participation. There is a strong emphasis on historical research, as evidenced by the in-depth article on Dellschau's airships, and a willingness to explore theories such as anti-gravity and secret societies. The magazine also values reader feedback and aims to provide a comprehensive resource for UFOlogy enthusiasts.

This issue of Flying Saucer Digest (The Illustrated UFO Magazine), dated page -11, -12, -13, presents a collection of articles and advertisements related to UFO phenomena. The content includes witness testimonies of sightings, theoretical discussions on the nature of ufology, and speculative articles about celestial bodies potentially linked to UFO activity. The magazine also features a special offer for back issues and advertisements for related publications and services.

Witness Accounts of UFO Sightings

The issue details several accounts of unidentified aerial phenomena observed in the UK. One account from Kingskerswell describes a red light in the sky that became brighter, moved a short distance, and stopped again, observed by a former airline stewardess and her husband. Another witness, Mr. T. Blackmore of Dartmouth, who served in the RAF, reported hearing a slow thudding sound and seeing intense bright lights. Mr. H. G. Shepherd of Torquay and his friend Mr. R. Smith observed a cluster of red lights, followed by two flashing red lights slightly higher, estimating the object's altitude at about 500 feet and noting its slow movement into Lyme Bay. Notably, Mr. Shepherd's father also reported seeing a similar object the same night from Watcombe. The article concludes that these descriptions do not fit conventional aircraft or natural phenomena, classifying the case as an unknown.

Defining Ufology

An article by Robert Easley attempts to define 'Ufology,' noting the difficulty in establishing a clear-cut definition. It critiques the term 'scientific study of UFOs' due to the lack of a scientific method for studying phenomena that appear unannounced and cannot be duplicated. The author suggests that ufology is inherently irrational and unorganized, and understanding its 'craziness' is key to understanding the subject. The article poses questions about the origin of UFOs, considering possibilities like hallucinations, inner Earth origins, or even the 'Twilight Zone,' and encourages researchers to explore these less 'respectable' areas for answers.

Lucifer: An Inner Mercurial Planet Theory

Authored by Allan J. Manak, this piece explores the mystery of inner mercurial planets, a topic of interest in astronomy for over 100 years. Some astronomers have claimed to see such a planet, once tagged as 'Lucifer.' Information on this planet, referred to as 'L,' is described as sketchy, with estimates of its size being about half that of Mercury (approximately 1500 miles in diameter) and a rotation around the sun of about 58 days. It is said to be visible only under favorable conditions. 'L' was introduced to ufology in the early 1950s by researcher M. K. Jessup. The article suggests that 'L' could be an ideal stopping-off point for UFOs from other solar systems due to its proximity to the sun (18-20 million miles). The author also touches upon theories of a dual system with two planets on the same orbit, opposite each other. The article notes that astronomers continue to see mysterious objects within Mercury's orbit, with reports of disc-like objects passing the sun in the late 1800s. It questions whether planet 'L' is the home base for UFOs in our solar system or if it exists at all.

Special Offer and Advertisements

The issue includes a 'SPECIAL OFFER' from UAPA, announcing the acquisition of all remaining back issues of Rick Hilberg's UFO Magazine and UFO Magazine's News Bulletin, dating back to 1964. These back issues, containing articles by prominent UFO researchers, are offered at a substantial savings, with twenty back issues (over 120 pages) available for $6.

Additionally, there is an advertisement for SAUCER ALBUM-TWO: A LOOK AT THINGS UFOLOGICAL by Robert Easley and Rick Hilberg, described as the authors' latest effort since their popular 'M.I.B.' paperbound, priced at $1.25 and published by UFO Magazine Publications.

Another advertisement is for UNIVERSAL GRAPHIC ARTS, offering professional illustration, cover design, cartooning, and advertising layout services for magazines and periodicals, with R. J. Pelger listed as Director.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, the nature and definition of ufology, and speculative theories about extraterrestrial or unknown phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one that encourages open-minded investigation into UFOs, even exploring unconventional or 'non-respectable' theories, while also presenting factual accounts from witnesses and researchers. The magazine aims to inform and engage readers interested in the UFO field, offering both current content and historical material through its back issue offers.