Flying Saucer Digest - No 131 - 1995

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER DIGEST
Issue: NO. 131
Date: FALL 1995
Publisher: UNITED AERIAL PHENOMENA AGENCY (UAPA)

Editor's Note: UFOs and Clouds

In his editorial, Allan J. Manak introduces the concept of UFOs that can transform into or resemble clouds, noting that this phenomenon has been reported multiple times across various countries including England, New York, France, Poland, Argentina, the Soviet Union, and Australia. He then details a featured case from the front cover: a ring-like UFO photographed six times by an anonymous army private stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA, in September 1957. The private, initially fearing it was an army secret, eventually sent the photos to NICAP nine years later. Professor Charles A. Maney, after viewing the photographs, commented that the object was more complex than it appeared, suggesting undiscovered laws of physics were involved and that the camera captured only a portion of the aerial object. Manak also reflects on NICAP's promise to investigate and publicize UFO reports, suggesting this contributed to the Air Force not taking NICAP seriously and that NICAP is no longer in business.

UFO Retrospective: Government Debunking Tactics

This section reprints an article from the Alameda, California Times-Star (August 10, 1965) that criticizes the U.S. government's approach to UFO sightings. The article highlights how the Air Force, in the past, attributed numerous UFO reports to misidentifications of common objects like weather balloons and planets, suggesting witnesses suffered from 'anomia' (loss of ability to name objects correctly). However, the article points to a UPI report from Houghton, Michigan, where personnel at a U.S. Air Force radar base on the Keweenaw Peninsula reported 'solid radar contact' with 7 to 10 unidentified flying objects moving in a V-formation over Lake Superior at approximately 9,000 miles per hour. The author questions why this sighting was not accompanied by the usual Air Force explanation of mundane objects, suggesting that the Air Force spokesmen might be overworked or that superiors are realizing the absurdity of their debunking efforts. The article argues that the government's policy of suppressing information to prevent panic is unsustainable and that the public deserves to know what is known about UFOs, especially given the scientific possibility of extraterrestrial life.

UFO Bits and Pieces

This section, also by Allan J. Manak, presents various short items:

• The Hollow Earth Insider: A subscription magazine by Dennis G. Crenshaw focusing on the hollow earth theory of UFOs.
• New UFO Product: UAPA announces a new UFO product developed over two years, promising it will revolutionize ufology and be offered at a discount to subscribers.
• Mysterious Things in the Sky: A promotional offer for Allan J. Manak's booklet, a composite chronology of UFO sightings, available at a discounted price for subscribers.
• Global Cooling: A report from Science Frontiers (No. 100, July-August 1995) states the Hubble Space Telescope photographed Mars shrouded in cirrus clouds, indicating a significant temperature drop of almost 20°C due to water vapor freezing into clouds, possibly linked to the abatement of Viking-era dust storms.
• New Telescope: Details a joint U.S.-Mexico effort to build a Large Millimeter Telescope in Puebla, Mexico, designed for high sensitivity and steerability, located at an altitude of at least 9,000 feet to avoid atmospheric water vapor.
• Collectors Corner: A list of rare magazines related to UFOs and other phenomena available for purchase, including titles like 'True Flying Saucers and Ufo's No. 1', 'Ray Palmer's Flying Saucers', 'SBI Report', 'Cufos Associate Newsletter', 'Phenomena', 'Saucer album', 'Delve', 'UFO Universe', 'Nexus', 'Strange Magazine', and 'Fate Magazine specials'.

Book Review: UFOs : A Manual For The Millennium

Rick R. Hilberg reviews Phil Cousineau's book, 'UFOs : A Manual For The Millennium' (also published as 'UFO Secrets Revealed'). He describes it as a straightforward overview for casual readers new to UFOs, featuring graphic material. However, Hilberg notes a significant flaw: numerous errors in dates and times, citing the Lonnie Zamora Socorro case being placed at night instead of in the afternoon. He suggests that with more research, it could have been a better book for novices.

UFO or Mystery Aircraft in Alabama?

The Clarke County Democrat reported on a June 16th incident near Walker Springs, Alabama. Residents, including Mrs. Morris Moore, reported a hovering object making a 'suction sound' and rattling the house. State officials confirmed no filed flight plans for aircraft in the area. The object was described as a 'round red glowing light' and was estimated to be about the size of a helicopter. A neighbor, John Waddill, did not hear anything but his relatives were disturbed. Another neighbor, Arvis Lolley, thought the object was going to land.

Mystery Lights Visit Del Norte, Colorado

Staffer Erin Smith reported on a March 22nd incident near Greenie Mountain, Colorado. Undersheriff Brian Norton and his team observed three different lights (red, blue, and white) hovering at treetop level, which then separated and vanished. The lights were stationary, made no noise, and were as bright as lightning bolts, emitting beams of light. Norton speculated they were not aircraft and mentioned that calling NORAD would likely yield no useful information.

Lighted UFO Sighted in Oregon

Bryan and Diane Baquet reported witnessing a hovering alien spacecraft on March 27th near the Imnaha River, Oregon. The object, initially appearing as a meteor, stopped and hovered for nearly an hour. It was described as a round circle of white light with columns of light extending from the bottom, emitting bars of white and red, blue, and white light. From a distance, it looked like a saucer, but through binoculars, it appeared more round above the lights. The object moved at high speed, including right angles, with no motor noise. It was estimated to be about the size of a helicopter. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed they had been using helicopters in the area but not after dark on the night of the sighting.

UFO or Stars Over Waynesboro, Pennsylvania?

Amy Giancoli reported on a June 19th incident in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. Mary Geiger, 79, observed what appeared to be two headlights and a tail of lights moving very slowly in the sky. She described the object as presenting different pictures as it turned, suggesting it was taking reconnaissance. Geiger contacted the police department, who suggested it was a cluster of stars, but she was certain it was not. She believes it may have been over Dulles or Washington International airports. The object had white, steady lights, not flashing red ones like an aircraft, and was about as high as a plane. She considered it might be a foreign agent doing reconnaissance. A spokeswoman for the Washington County Regional Airport suggested it might be related to activity at Camp David.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena, witness testimonies, and skepticism towards official explanations. The magazine consistently presents accounts of UFO sightings that challenge conventional explanations, often implying government cover-ups or a lack of transparency. The editorial stance, as articulated by Allan J. Manak, is one of open investigation into UFO phenomena, encouraging the reporting of sightings and questioning official narratives. The publication itself, through the United Aerial Phenomena Agency (UAPA), positions itself as a dedicated organization for the study of UFOs, aiming to inform the public about these events.