Flying Saucer Digest - No 133 - 1996

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER DIGEST
Issue: NO. 133
Date: SPRING 1996
Publisher: UNITED AERIAL PHENOMENA AGENCY (UAPA)

This issue of Flying Saucer Digest, published quarterly by the United Aerial Phenomena Agency (UAPA), delves into various UFO phenomena, historical cases, and recent reports from around the globe. The magazine is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related subjects.

On the Cover: Red Bluff, California Encounter

The cover story details an incident that occurred on the night of August 13, 1960, near Red Bluff, California. California Highway Patrol officers Carson and Scott reported seeing a metallic-looking object hovering motionless about 100 feet away. The object moved silently and was within easy pistol range. It displayed huge bright lights, one about six feet in diameter, and smaller lights. After about five minutes, it moved eastward. The officers contacted the Tehama County Sheriff's Office, and the Air Force Radar Unit at the Air Force Base confirmed tracking an unknown object moving in the same direction. However, the Air Force later denied the incident, stating no such radar sighting had been made. The article notes that the northern California area experienced numerous sightings from the late summer of 1960 into the early spring of 1961. The source for this report is cited as the files of Allan J. Manak.

UFO Bits and Pieces

This section, compiled by Allan J. Manak, presents a collection of shorter UFO-related news items:

UFO's Explode Over Africa

Officials in Somaliland reported two explosions from unidentified flying objects over the Gulf of Aden on December 5 and 7. These events were followed by various ailments among inhabitants, including coughing, diarrhea, and breathing difficulties, with children being the worst affected and several deaths reported. Animals were observed running wild. The low-flying objects exploded, causing windows to shatter, but no debris was found. The source is The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 4, 1996.

Compelling Evidence

Reported on October 28, 1995, two compelling pieces of evidence were presented at the Dialog With the Universe Conference in Dusseldorf. The first was a videotape of Astronaut Gordon Cooper stating he knew for a fact that a UFO landed at an airbase where he was stationed. The second was a film shown by the Italian stigmatic Mr. Bongiovanni, depicting a crashed disc UFO on a military flatbed truck, with a banner and a propulsion system being hoisted. This film was claimed to have come from Wright Patterson AFB and shows a UFO recovered in 1947. The article suggests this material, along with military gun camera films, forms a reservoir of UFO information that should be made public. Source: UFO Potpourri, December 1995.

New Book Catalog

A catalog of UFO and related subjects is available from SS&S Publications. Orders can be sent to Gene Duplantier.

Patrick Stewart's Universe

This segment reviews an educational videotape hosted by actor Patrick Stewart, exploring the solar system, Milky Way Galaxy, and the universe. It uses computer animation and space photography. The program is available from Paramount Home Video.

UFO's Over the Northwest Territories

A mystery in Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories, involves a trio of pulsating, multicolored lights seen nightly. Mayor Euan Hunter describes the object as calming. A colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces investigated but found the skies clouded over. The sightings are considered the biggest story in the area, and the military is filing a report.

Around and About the Saucer World

This section, by Rick R. Hilberg, covers various sightings and events:

Glowing Object Over Reno, Nevada

On February 13th, residents in Reno reported seeing a black, glowing object with a halo or inside a bubble. Control tower workers at Reno/Tahoe International Airport reported no unexplained radar objects. Charles Gilliam described the object as black with a force field around it, hovering for about half an hour before moving upward and westward.

Sampler of 1995 Canadian Cases

This subsection provides brief summaries of several Canadian UFO sightings from 1995:

• Pictou, N.S., February: A round object brighter than stars grew bigger, separated into three, then recombined.
• Moose Jaw, April 10: Four copper-colored, cigar-shaped objects appeared for 10 seconds, changed positions, and disappeared.
• Stittsville, Ont., July 11: A triangle with lights hovered noiselessly for three minutes before taking off.
• Ottawa, July 12: Two reports of a star-like object that appeared and vanished, with one report mentioning a sharp zigzag.
• Red Deer, Alta., July 15: A man and woman saw a reddish-glowing object speed along for up to three minutes, with flapping wings.
• Casselman, Ont., Nov. 20: A young man saw a fuzzy object with white lights flying at treetop level.
• Scarborough, Ont., December: A man saw a flash in the sky, causing a two-second power outage.
• Metagami, Que., Dec. 5: A pilot saw a bright light and explosion, with falling debris. Two other aircraft also saw the light.
• Whistler, B.C., Dec. 12: A man and two friends saw a round object with flashing lights hover above Blackcomb Mountain.
• Ferryland, Nfld., Dec. 15: A white object with green edges, about the size of a pickup truck, was spotted falling from the sky.

UFO Retrospective: The Aurora, Texas "Martian"

This article recounts the alleged UFO crash in Aurora, Texas, on April 17, 1897. Witnesses described a huge, silvery-colored, cigar-shaped craft with two engines and a propeller on top. The object was estimated to be 200 feet long and 50 feet wide, with windows and a headlight. It allegedly crashed, and the pilot, described as a 'martian', died. Debris was scattered, and papers with undecipherable writing were found. The pilot was reportedly given a Christian burial.

Researchers Claim Israel is UFO "Hot Spot"

This extensive report by Daniel Brynberg from Jerusalem details numerous UFO encounters and claims in Israel. It highlights an incident on January 8, 1995, where Herzl Ksantini reported a 'mud-colored monster' appearing at his home. The report discusses the 'rationalist' and 'mystic' camps within Israeli ufology, with mystics linking UFOs to biblical events. It mentions claims of close encounters with 2.5-meter tall gray aliens and 'crop circles' in Kadimah. Another incident involved a spectacular explosion over Haifa's Shikmonah beach in September 1976, leaving a spaceship-shaped scorch mark. The article notes that Israel is considered a UFO hot spot with a high quantity and quality of evidence. It also touches on the U.S. government's META program searching for extraterrestrial life.

New Planets Could Support Life

Astronomers have discovered two new planets, 35 light-years from Earth, that may have environments capable of supporting life, potentially allowing for the formation of water. These planets are larger than Jupiter.

UFO Conference

The First Annual Great Plains UFO Conference is announced for July 27 & 28, 1996, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, featuring several noted speakers.

Collectors Corner

This section lists rare UFO-related magazines and books available for purchase.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently focuses on UFO sightings, alleged crashes, and encounters, presenting a wide range of reports from different time periods and locations. There is an emphasis on presenting eyewitness accounts and evidence, while also acknowledging skepticism and the need for critical evaluation. The UAPA, as a non-profit organization, appears dedicated to the study and dissemination of information on UFOs and related phenomena. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting both well-documented cases and anecdotal reports.