Flying Saucer Digest UNKNOWN ISSUE INCOMPLETE

Magazine Overview

This issue of Flying Saucer Review, dated March 1955, Volume 8, Number 3, features an editorial by Allan J. Manak reflecting on the state of ufology and its challenges, particularly the perceived 'lack of information' and the immaturity of researchers and publications. The magazine also includes several articles detailing various UFO sightings and encounters from around the world, with a focus on 'little men' and unusual aerial phenomena.

Editorial

Allan J. Manak's editorial draws parallels between the situation in ufology in 1963 and the current period. He criticizes UFO organizations for breaking up due to a lack of information and independent publications ceasing to exist for the same reason. Manak argues that this 'lack of information' is a push by the news media and that UFO researchers and publications are too immature to handle the truth. He states that when researchers are active, publications are publishing, and organizations are functioning, ufology is at its peak. However, when others stop reporting or publishing, they claim a lack of information and rebel. Manak asserts that he has over 100 clippings of UFO reports from the past month and predicts a lull among 'disenchanted Ufologists' that will end with their return in 1970. He forecasts a major flap in sightings, more landings than in the past decade, the largest convention in ufology (The Congress of Scientific Ufologists in Columbus, Ohio), and a significant increase in reports of creatures and/or aliens.

Little Men From All Over

By Curtis Fuller, this article compiles reports of 'little men' and other unusual beings encountered in various locations. Reports include:

• United States, Canada, Europe: Flying saucers and 'little men' pouring out, though descriptions vary, with some reports of 'big men' like the one described by Cesar Ferriera of Portugal as 'two eight-foot giants clad in pocketless metallic suits' in a craft resembling a flying cup.
• Muenster, Germany: Franz Hoge, a movie projectionist, reported four creatures about 3-1/2 feet tall emerging from a cigar-shaped craft. They had thick-set bodies, oversized heads, delicate legs, and wore rubber-like clothing.
• Quarouble, France: Marius de Wilde saw two little creatures with legs but no arms and 'space helmets' near railroad tracks. A bright green light from their machine temporarily paralyzed him, and the object emitted black smoke as it rose. Police found burn marks on the ties.
• Mofjell, Norway: Mrs. Aasta Solvang and Edit Jacobsen encountered a dark-haired man who communicated by drawing celestial bodies. He led them to a craft resembling two sandwiched saucers, then departed with incredible speed.
• Bucine, Tuscany, Italy: Signora Rosa Dainelli was accosted by two merry little men who stole her stocking and carnations before departing in a spool-shaped craft.
• Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Ennio la Sarza witnessed a cigar-shaped craft hover, from which emerged three beings about 13 feet tall, greenish-blue, with glowing bodies, a single eye in their foreheads, six sets of arms/legs, and crablike claws. One creature hypnotized Ennio telepathically, ordering him to perform a task he refused to reveal.
• Coldwater, Kansas: John Jacob Swaim, a 12-year-old farm boy, saw a little man about 20 feet away who ran or flew to a saucer. The saucer, about 50 feet in diameter, was hovering five feet above the ground. The man wore shiny tan clothing and carried two cylinders. Footprints found were pear-shaped, about 4-1/2 inches long, with a narrow heel, suggesting they were made by a soft shoe.

The article notes that these sightings are not exhaustive and come from various countries, with some descriptions of 'little men' being inconsistent with taller beings.

The Hopkinsville Incident

By Robert S. Easley, this article details one of the classic 'little men' cases occurring on August 21, 1955, near Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The J. C. Sutton family farmhouse was besieged for three hours by small humanoid creatures of unknown origin. The incident began when Billy Sutton reported seeing a bright circular object land behind the barn. Later, two creatures, about 3-1/2 feet tall with large heads and aluminum foil-like suits, were seen. The men fired at them with a shotgun and pistol, causing the creatures to reel but quickly recover and retreat into the woods. A gun battle ensued for two hours, with approximately fifty shots fired through windows and walls. Upon arrival of the Kentucky State Patrol, no craft or creatures were found, though one trooper reported seeing strange objects fly over his car. Investigations by Jacques Vallee and Police Chief Russell Greenwell confirmed the witnesses' extreme fright and sobriety.

UFO Retrospective

This section recounts a sighting on the night of August 25, 1951, where a group of university professors in Lubbock, Texas, observed a formation of 15 to 30 blue-green lights moving from north to south. These lights appeared continuously for several days and were witnessed by hundreds. Carl Hart Jr., a freshman, photographed the objects in a 'vee' formation. The developed negatives revealed features of the circular objects, which were brighter than stars.

1897 UFO Report Solved

Kenneth Lloyd Larson presents a story from the American UFO bulletin 'Saucer Scoop' concerning a UFO sighting by 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, drifted down. The article highlights that exactly 200 days passed between the newspaper's publication and its discovery. The author suggests this indicates an intelligent plan and explores potential connections to the 'Star of Bethlehem.' Other sightings from November 1896 to April 1897 are also mentioned.

Fact or Fiction

This brief section presents a series of statements, including that Mars photographed in 1967 shows canals thought to be underground irrigation, that UFOs have been present since civilization's dawn, that torpedo-shaped UFOs are frequently seen in the northeastern US, and that the 'Moth Man' was seen again in southeastern Ohio. It also states that 'ice falls' from the early to mid-fifties have been determined to be testing equipment.

Recent News And Rumors

This section announces a special meeting of the Permanent Organizing Committee of the Congress of Scientific Ufologists to discuss delays in committee reports. It also mentions reports from the February flap in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Colorado, inviting readers to send clippings. The article discusses the decline of some UFO organizations, suggesting they were motivated by money rather than genuine interest. It promotes the Congress of Scientific Ufologists as the largest organization in ufology. Finally, it notes that the Air Force investigating team, formerly Project Blue Book, is still active under a new project name.

Analysis in Astronomy

This article provides factual information about Saturn's rings, detailing their diameter, the number of rings (A, B, and C), their sizes, and the composition of billions of tiny particles. It explains that the rings appear solid through a telescope but are not, due to gravitational attractions. The rings are not fluid and are made of particles too small to be observed individually.

Strange Object

A peculiar cigar-shaped object was reported over Sao Paulo, Argentina, on December 7, 1954. It had a round front and a tapered fuselage, with two open gaps emitting smoke. Three discs emerged from its undercarriage with a metallic flare and were described as 'red in color.' Two discs split off, while the third maneuvered for an hour before the cigar-shaped object ascended and vanished.

Famous Quotes

Includes a quote from Representative J. Edward Roush: "Grave doubts had risen as to the scientific profundity and objectivity of the Colorado project."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, particularly those involving 'little men' and unusual aerial phenomena, and the challenges within the ufology community. The editorial stance, as presented by Allan J. Manak, is critical of the current state of ufology, emphasizing a need for more mature research and a more direct approach to information dissemination. There is a strong emphasis on historical cases and predictions for the future, suggesting a cyclical nature to UFO interest and reporting. The magazine also highlights the importance of UFO organizations and their efforts towards unity, while critiquing those perceived as ineffective or financially motivated.