Flying Saucer News - No 08 - 1955 Spring

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER NEWS
Issue: No. 8
Date: Spring 1955
Publisher: JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH FLYING SAUCER BUREAU AND FLYING SAUCER CLUB

This issue marks a significant transition for FLYING SAUCER NEWS, adopting a new 'letterpress' format and becoming available for public sale. The editor, Richard Hughes, explains in the 'New Format' section that the increased circulation necessitated this change, making the previous hand-duplicated method impractical. The magazine aims to attract more members and improve its presentation, comparing it to earlier issues from 1953 and 1954.

Adamski Controversy Renewed

The lead article, "Controversy Renewed," revisits the much-discussed Adamski story, focusing on revelations from an eleven-page exposé in the January 1955 issue of NEXUS, published by James Moseley. Jerrold Baker, previously credited with a photograph in "Flying Saucers Have Landed," now denies taking it. Baker claims George Adamski was the photographer and that other 'Brownie' photos were destroyed at Adamski's request. Baker also alleges that Adamski described the 'desert contact' as a 'metaphysical discourse' received through psychic means, and that he and Karl Hunrath saw what appeared to be a model saucer framework behind Adamski's cabin, which Adamski dismissed as an experimental television antenna.

Moseley's investigation is highlighted, with his arguments presented as rational and persuasive. Key points raised include doubt about whether witnesses actually saw the meeting, the plausibility of a Venusian existing in Earth's atmosphere, and the necessity for witnesses to remain at a distance. The B.F.S.B. Committee intends to treat Moseley's criticism as a subject for full-scale discussion, aiming to determine if his reasoning is faulty.

The editorial stance is cautious, stating that "it is probably better to err through caution than credulity." The magazine acknowledges that either Baker or Adamski is lying concerning the photographs and promises to follow events with interest. A footnote mentions an article in the March NEXUS by John Pitt, suggesting Desmond Leslie may have been misled by occult friends regarding Adamski.

A 'Stop Press' section provides an update from a trunk call with Desmond Leslie. Leslie clarifies that he is not co-authoring Adamski's new book but is writing a foreword. The book's publication is handled from the U.S.A. Leslie also confirms that George Adamski will not be speaking at the Albert Hall on May 18th and may not visit England until after the book's release. Regarding Jerrold Baker, Leslie is puzzled, possessing letters and a tape recording from Baker detailing how he took the photo. Leslie suggests focusing on current saucer incidents rather than inquests into past events.

"Something in this Saucer BUSINESS!" - 1955 version

This section reviews the new, commercially published "FLYING SAUCER REVIEW," which debuted in February. While well-produced with a modern cover, the first issue is noted for its general articles on the "How it all Began" theme and a theory on the Labrador Mystery by Leonard Cramp. The general reaction, however, was one of disappointment, with concerns about the £1.1.0 price for four issues. The article notes the rise of commercialism in the field, mentioning an upcoming American magazine also titled "FLYING SAUCER NEWS," which the authors view with skepticism.

Wolverhampton youth snaps 'Saucer' over his back garden!

This article details a sighting by Harold John Cummins, a sixteen-year-old schoolboy from Wednesfield, near Wolverhampton. On December 28th or 29th, 1954, Cummins photographed a disc-like object hovering in his garden. He initially mistook it for a bird but realized it was a Flying Saucer when it slowed and hovered. He managed to take a photograph through his window before the object vanished. The enlarged detail shows a "classical" saucer shape. The report notes that Cummins, who enjoys building radio sets, developed the film days later and was initially hesitant to share his experience. The B.F.S.B. & F.S.C. representatives have interviewed Cummins and are satisfied with the story and photo, though the picture will undergo further scrutiny.

Other Recent British Sightings

This section provides a brief roundup of six reports since the last issue, noting a decrease in submissions, possibly due to the Christmas period. The sightings include:

• October 28th, St. Leonards: A rocket-like, cigar-shaped object with a "short, glowing trail of light" vanished out to sea. It was seen travelling north-south.
• November 24th, Southampton: A white disc, described as "like a small moon," was observed through a telescope moving south over Southampton Water, then suddenly turned and returned.
• January 30th, 1955, Malvern: A "large green fluorescent ball" was seen by a milk-roundsman, travelling west to east with no sound. Confirmation came from policemen and a bus conductor.
• February 2nd, Grimsby: A bright object, initially mistaken for a star, performed high-speed dives, stops, and arcs, with no discernible features.
• February 11th, Chichester: "Frisking tadpoles" that were flat and disc-like, glinting in the sun, were described by three secretaries, disappearing at speed.
• East Wittering (Nr. Chichester): A 14-year-old boy reported seeing a cigar-shaped object that stopped momentarily and disappeared into the clouds.

A note clarifies that a Chichester "tadpole" or "bubble" sighting was explained away as "balls of tinsel" used by the R.A.F. for radar-testing. However, local investigator E. Sears found that while the tinsel balls moved in a south-to-west direction, the prevailing wind was from the north-west, making it unlikely they accounted for the observed phenomena, including a "cigar" shape.

More European Reports

This section details several European sightings:

• October 2nd, Foederlich, Austria: Six red glowing discs were seen flying in a semi-circle, with one disc zigzagging south.
• October 25th, Yugoslavia: Three shiny metallic objects in a V-formation flew with luminous blue trails at an estimated speed of 1,900 mph.
• Near Grandvillard, Switzerland: Three hundred Swiss soldiers observed a disc-shaped object with a red glow on its silvery surface at about 10,000 ft., which then moved away southerly.
• Early January, Steyr, near Vienna, Austria: Six silvery objects, trailing red streams, hovered over the town.

U.F.O's over Israel

This report covers multiple UFO sightings in the Holy Land during October. Witnesses included a physicist, police and army officers, aviation officials, and journalists. Sightings occurred over Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee, and the coast. A Jerusalem physicist, Mr. A. Kabali, described a "brilliant object that zigzagged over the city." A low-flying brown disc emitting smoke was reported to Jerusalem police, and people in Tel Aviv reported "flying cigars." An official from the Israeli National Aviation Co., Mr. A. Hollander, saw an "ellipsoid object" travelling at great speed with a shining white trail. Notably, unlike European reports, no stories of "Martians" or grounded saucers were reported from Israel.

AUSTRALIA: Identified flying objects!

On December 15th, a Royal Australian Navy pilot reported tracking two objects identified as "flying saucers" on radar sets. The pilot encountered the strange craft while flying back to base after dark. The air controller at Nowra confirmed the radar tracking of all three craft flying together. The pilot identified himself by flying a specific pattern.

NEW ZEALAND: Cigar-shape - - mystery Bang!

A mysterious explosion of terrific force shook the west coast of New Zealand's South Island on February 6th, following reports of a "strange silver shape" flashing overhead. Observers described it as cigar-shaped and travelling at tremendous speed. It lost altitude inland, appearing in two parts comparable in size to a 40-gallon drum and a large saucepan. The "flying barrel" was seen 200ft. above Inchbonnie. The explosion was heard and felt over a wide area, with a pronounced earth tremor reported. A tall column of smoke was seen rising from the Southern Alps, but no wreckage was found.

Readers' Views & Suggested Reading

The magazine notes that it has received interesting letters but that the "Star Letter" feature is now irregular. It suggests "The Reach of the Mind" by Dr. J. B. Rhine as recommended reading for those interested in paranormal research and telepathy.

Fuzzy photos - RADIATION?

This section addresses reader feedback regarding the "frankly expressed opinion" on Cedric Allingham's "Martian Saucer" pictures, published in the previous issue. The lack of heavy protest suggests most readers agreed with the magazine's assessment. Only two arguments were presented against the magazine's view:

1. One reader believes the photos are genuine because the Martian was NOT photographed alongside his saucer, suggesting a fake would likely include this.
2. Another suggestion was that spherical aberration caused the fuzziness, not table-top photography.

The magazine refutes these points. It argues that faking could be achieved by cutting and pasting, re-photographing, or using a model, all of which are difficult to detect. The magazine states that if someone produced a photo of a Martian climbing into a saucer, they would be inclined to believe it was genuine. Regarding spherical aberration, the magazine points out that this effect would be more pronounced at the edges of the picture, whereas the fuzziness is consistent. The article also notes that the rim of the saucer appears most out-of-focus, while the "antenna" is sharp. It reiterates the original argument about depth of field, noting that Allingham estimated the ship to be fifty feet in diameter, requiring a super-wide-angle lens to capture such a close-up view. The horizon is also out of focus, reinforcing the depth of field argument.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing debate surrounding George Adamski's claims and the analysis of photographic evidence for UFOs. The magazine maintains a cautious and critical stance, emphasizing the need for evidence-based reasoning and caution against credulity. It actively reports on a wide range of UFO sightings from around the globe, encouraging reader submissions. The shift to a new format and public sale indicates a desire to expand reach and professionalize the publication. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of unsubstantiated claims, particularly concerning photographic evidence, while remaining open to investigating genuine phenomena.

This issue of FLYING SAUCER NEWS, dated Spring 1955, presents a variety of articles, reports, and reviews related to the phenomenon of flying saucers. The publication is produced by the British F.S. Bureau and F.S. Club. The cover prominently features the headline "U.F.O. picture from AFRICA" alongside images from Helsinki and New Zealand, suggesting a focus on visual evidence and international sightings.

UFO Pictures from Africa

The lead article details an experience of Mr. Eugene Meyer, an art master from Durban High School, who claims to have photographed a strange object hovering over Durban on July 31st, 1954. Meyer's affidavit describes the object as changing shape from elliptical to circular, oscillating, and ascending vertically, with no sound or smoke. He has since formed the Durban Flying Saucer Club. The article also mentions other African sightings, including a cigar-shaped object over Cape Province, another near Bloemfontein, a hemisphere observed by a meteorologist in Pretoria, and a luminous, egg-shaped object seen in the Ivory Coast. Mr. G. Duncan Fletcher of the Kenya Astronomical Association is quoted suggesting these might be extraterrestrial visitors mapping the continent.

Photographic Anomalies and Radiation

The magazine explores the possibility that photographic film can be affected by radiation or force-field effects, referencing the accompanying illustrations from Helsinki and New Zealand. It suggests that the 'saucer-like radiation' surrounding the objects in these pictures might be a genuine phenomenon, despite the potential for tricks of light or lens components. The article notes that a similar experience was reported by a photographer in Christchurch, New Zealand, which would tend to rule out simpler explanations.

"Suspect" Story from Australia

Another section discusses a report originally published in the American magazine SIR, concerning an Australian 'sheep-grower' named W. C. Hall. Hall claims six saucers, about 30ft. tall and elliptical, landed on his ranch in North Queensland. About twelve people emerged but retreated into their craft upon seeing Hall. Hall subsequently reported mutations on his farm, including chickens with extra feet and two-headed turtles. The article casts doubt on this story, pointing out discrepancies between Hall's account and an accompanying photograph which depicts a bell-shaped saucer in a sunny sky, contradicting the description of a dull, overcast day.

B.F.S.B. Newsletter

The newsletter section, dated March 1955, begins with a personal announcement from the Secretary of the B.F.S.B., who is resigning due to taking up a full-time instructor position in Civil Defence. He expresses regret and announces that Mr. D. Rudman will be his understudy. The newsletter highlights the success of monthly meetings, which include lantern shows and 'Planned Discussions'. It also touches upon membership, noting that renewals are steady despite a rate increase, and that membership cards no longer need to be returned for stamping due to the voluntary nature of the organization. The newsletter also mentions the continuation of illustrated talks by Mr. Graham Knewstub, Mr. Harold Cobley, and the Secretary's son, Denis.

Book Reviews

Two book reviews are featured:

• "FLYING SAUCERS AND COMMONSENSE" by Waveney Girvan: The reviewer praises the book for not merely reiterating old cases, but for examining the sceptic's arguments and making them appear foolish. It also offers insights into the publishing world, particularly regarding the book "Flying Saucers Have Landed." The book is recommended as a sane and commonsense read.
• "THE WHITE SANDS INCIDENT" by Daniel Fry: After initial skepticism, the reviewer finds this book potentially true. While offering minimal proof and only sketchy diagrams, the description of a remote-controlled saucer ride aligns with Leonard Cramp's hypothesis on saucer motivation. The reviewer notes that Cramp's theory was developed before Fry's story was published, suggesting no tailoring occurred.

Late News and Other Features

COMET-LIKE OBJECT TRAVERSES BRITISH ISLES: This report details newspaper accounts of a 'THING in the Sky' observed on March 25th. Descriptions varied, but it was seen as aircraft-sized, followed by a pink vapour trail, and exhibited three colored flares while zigzagging. It was observed over west-coast areas and traveled to Glasgow, suggesting a high speed. The Air Ministry suggested it might be a meteorite or the Northern Lights, a conclusion the magazine dismisses.

No. 1 RESEARCH BULLETIN: This bulletin details an incident where 19 saucers flew near a Brazilian airliner, causing panic. Information on this is available to members.

URANUS: This independent saucer review is highlighted for its continental material, book reviews, and articles by investigators like M. Jimmy Guieu and Mr. Meade Layne. It is noted that URANUS is not for those seeking sensational extraterrestrial stories.

FATE Magazine: This publication is advertised as offering true-life stories of the strange and unknown, including articles on flying saucers, telepathy, and clairvoyance. A bargain offer for ten issues is presented.

AUTHENTIC Science Fiction magazine: This magazine is mentioned for featuring articles on flying saucers, including one on human reactions to meeting aliens and a follow-up asking if readers will be ready when saucers land.

Saucer Romance: A brief item notes the marriage of Al Bender, associated with the International Flying Saucer Bureau, to Betty Jennett, sister-in-law of B.F.S.B. Treasurer Harold Cobley.

Observation Post: This section reviews an article in the February 1955 issue of "URANUS" by M. Rene Fouere, discussing 'Disc creatures' in outer space. It also notes that "PRACTICAL MECHANICS" has been discussing flying saucers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes the importance of photographic evidence and eyewitness accounts, while also maintaining a critical stance towards sensationalism. The B.F.S.B. is presented as a serious research organization dedicated to investigating the phenomenon. There is a clear interest in exploring scientific explanations, such as radiation and force-fields, for observed anomalies. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging readers to submit their findings and engage in discussions, while also being discerning about the reliability of reports, as seen in the critique of the W.C. Hall story. The magazine also promotes other related publications and resources for enthusiasts.