FLYING SAUCER DIGEST

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER DIGEST
Issue: No. 130
Date: Summer 1995
Publisher: UNITED AERIAL PHENOMENA AGENCY

This issue of Flying Saucer Digest delves into various UFO phenomena, with a prominent focus on a detailed eyewitness account from 1964 and a collection of other intriguing reports and news items.

The Horace Burns Encounter: A Unique Case

The lead article, "FROM THE EDITOR" by Allan J. Manak, presents what is described as a unique UFO encounter that occurred on December 21, 1964. Horace Burns, a resident of Grottoes, Virginia, was driving near Staunton, Virginia, when he observed a large metallic object descend from the sky. The object, estimated to be about 125 feet in diameter and 80-90 feet high, was described as resembling an upside-down toy top with circular, sloping sides and a dome at the top. It had a "bluish glow" around its base and no visible windows, doors, or landing gear, settling flat on its bottom.

During the encounter, Burns's car engine "conked out," and the vehicle stopped unnaturally quickly. The object rested on the ground for 60-90 seconds before rising straight up and departing at high speed. After the object left, Burns's car started immediately. He initially hesitated to report the incident, fearing he would be considered crazy, but eventually told his story to a local radio announcer. The report led to an investigation by a UFO group from Indiana and Professor Ernest Gehman of Eastern Mennonite College. They used a Geiger counter at the landing site nine days later and detected "tremendously high readings" of radiation, which were verified by Mr. Cook, who had considerable experience with Geiger counters. Technical Sergeant David Moody and Staff Sergeant Harold Jones from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base also investigated the site 22 days after the encounter. While Sergeant Moody called it an "unusual sighting," a newspaper report from January 17, 1965, stated, "There was no evidence that a UFO had been there."

Manak explains how he came into possession of these documents, receiving them in October 1989 from UFO researcher Robert Easley, who had obtained them after the death of Professor Charles A. Maney. The article notes that the radiation counts were never published, and suggests that Project Blue Book's conclusion might have been correct if the object was identified.

UFO Bits and Pieces

This section, also by Allan J. Manak, provides a series of shorter news items and announcements:

• 32nd Annual National UFO Conference: Scheduled for October 14-15, 1995, in Atlanta, Georgia, featuring speakers, an awards banquet, and expert panels.
• Publication Information: Flying Saucer Digest is published quarterly by the United Aerial Phenomena Agency (UAPA), with Allan J. Manak as Chairman/Editor. Subscription rates and contact information are provided.

New Directory and Scientific Findings

• New Directory: A "UFO Research Directory of Organizations and Publications For the 1990s" is advertised, offering over 1,000 sources for $9.95.
• Jupiter's Moon Europa Has Oxygen Atmosphere: A report from the February 23, 1995, issue of Nature states that Europa has a thin atmosphere of molecular oxygen, likely originating from its water ice surface and influenced by Jupiter's magnetic field and solar radiation.
• UFO Conference: An eighth annual conference on "The UFO Experience" is announced for October 7-8, 1995, in North Haven, CT, with registration fees detailed.
• What Was It?: A report from Calcutta, India, on May 2, 1953, details the crash of a Comet jetliner, G-AIYV, killing 43 passengers. While structural failure was blamed, a Civil Aviation Ministry report suggested the jetliner was struck "in the air by a fairly heavy body."
• Alternate Perceptions: A quarterly journal is advertised, focusing on UFO phenomena, paranormal happenings, and Native American connections.

Collectors Corner and Research Requests

• Collectors Corner: A list of rare magazines and books related to UFOs and science fiction is offered for sale by UAPA, including titles like "Gray Barker's Spacecraft News," "Interplanetary Intelligence Report," "FATE magazine specials," and books by George Adamski and Donald Keyhoe.
• Around and About the Saucer World: This section, by Rick R. Hilberg, features a request for research help from Nicholas Reiter of Gibsonburg, Ohio. Reiter is seeking to prove a link between UFO abduction experiences and anomalous electro-magnetic fields. He is looking for abductee volunteers from the northern Ohio region and technical assistance for his project, which involves using miniaturized sensors to detect magnetic fields, electro-static fields, and microwave radiation.

UFO or Blimp in California?

This article, by Charlie Goodyear of the Fairfield Republic, discusses cases where UFO sightings were identified as advertising blimps, but notes that many witnesses insist their experiences were not blimp-related. One Fairfield woman reported seeing a brightly lit object on January 20th that moved swiftly and seemed to follow her. Two ROTC students also reported a similar encounter on January 16th, describing an object that moved too agilely to be a blimp. Their ROTC instructor, Col. Daryl Nelson, remained skeptical due to a lack of physical evidence.

Cigar-Shaped Object in Silverton, Oregon

This report describes a sighting in Silverton, Oregon, on April 3rd, where a cigar-shaped object with flickering lights was observed hovering about 500 feet above the town for nearly 10 minutes. It darted about and disappeared northeast. Witnesses described it as a flickering light with a balloon on top, and it moved noiselessly and quickly. Police investigation yielded no explanation.

Pennsylvania Researcher Wants Info on Shooting of Alien

This piece details a story recounted by Thomas J. Carey of the Delaware Valley Research Group. In January 1978, near Fort Dix, New Jersey, a UFO reportedly buzzed a police cruiser, and an alien allegedly appeared near a gate. A sentry at Fort Dix reportedly shot and wounded the alien. The alien's body was later found on a remote airstrip at McGuire Air Force Base. Carey claims the body was flown to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and placed in the "Blue Room" with Roswell crash aliens. An eyewitness reportedly described the alien's skin as "like reptilian, glistening." Retired Air Force Major George Filer, who was deputy director of intelligence at the time, confirmed hearing the story but did not see the body or person involved. The article also mentions Carey is investigating a recent rash of UFO sightings along the Delaware River in Philadelphia.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed eyewitness accounts of UFO encounters, investigations into alleged landings and sightings, and the scientific or official explanations (or lack thereof) for these phenomena. The magazine appears to maintain an open stance towards UFO research, presenting various cases and encouraging further investigation, while also acknowledging official skepticism and the need for evidence. The publication itself, Flying Saucer Digest, is presented as a dedicated effort by the United Aerial Phenomena Agency (UAPA) to study UFOs and related subjects.