Flying Saucer News Bulletin - No 03

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER NEWS BULLETIN
Issue: NO. 3
Publisher: BRITISH FLYING SAUCER BUREAU
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the Flying Saucer News Bulletin, published by the British Flying Saucer Bureau, presents a collection of eyewitness accounts of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and aerial phenomena. The bulletin focuses on detailed reports from various locations, primarily from 1956, aiming to document and investigate these occurrences.

Summary of Sightings

The bulletin is structured around a "SUMMARY OF SIGHTINGS," detailing individual reports from different dates and locations.

Undated: Auckland, New Zealand

A lighted object was observed flying silently at great speed by Mr. D.W. Paul and an Auckland taxi driver. Described as a long object with three or four large lighted windows, it emitted a swishing noise initially, but then passed in "uncanny silence." It was visible for about four minutes before vanishing into a cloud bank. Later, an aircraft (identified as a R.N.Z.A.A.F. Sunderland) flew at right angles to the object's course with its landing lights blinking, and was described as "completely different from the other object."

Undated: Greymouth, New Zealand

Residents reported a cylindrical, luminous object flashing across the West Coast skies with a roar around 1 p.m. It moved with great speed from the South West, disappearing behind a cloud bank screening the Southern Alps. Observers noted a similar object had previously disappeared over Rotomanu.

Undated: Noumea, New Caledonia

Four objects fitting descriptions of flying saucers were seen over New Caledonia in the preceding fortnight. Reports include a "luminous mass shaped like a throwing fish net" that remained motionless for twenty minutes before moving off at terrific speed; a "large circular object remaining motionless and then disappearing at a terrific speed"; a "huge yellow illuminated ball in the sky" that hung for twenty minutes, continually inflating and deflating; and a "huge sausage shaped object" that remained stationary for at least half an hour.

18th April, 1956: Salisbury, Rhodesia

Mr. Beaumont observed a very bright light in the sky, stationary but seeming to fade and come again rhythmically. He and two companions watched it move abruptly and stand motionless for about ten minutes before disappearing at considerable speed in an easterly direction. The light was so intense it could not be compared with anything seen before.

10th May, 1956: London, United Kingdom

Mr. R.R. Russell observed a bright object in the sky for forty-five minutes. Using binoculars and a radiation detector, he noted the object's shape changed slightly, being first oval and then ellipsoid. It had a dark edging, was white in colour, and brighter than the sky, comparable to the planet Venus. No radioactivity was detected, and its movement was limited to a slight drift.

26th May, 1956: Bristol, United Kingdom

Mr. Fred Jones saw a "long, silver, cigar shaped object all lit up for its whole length." He observed it for two minutes through binoculars, during which time it flew East on a straight course at an estimated speed of 1,600 m.p.h. A sketch of this object was reproduced on the front cover.

Undated: Eccleshall, United Kingdom

A "huge dull grey elliptical ring" was reported to have travelled at a "terrific rate" over Brownhills in the South of the county and was also observed from Stafford.

13th June, 1956: Cannock, Staffordshire, United Kingdom

Mr. F.J. Scott and Mr. T.C. Leighton observed an object moving at great speed. Its shape was difficult to determine as it was a closed ring. It was in view for about 30 seconds, clearly defined, low on the horizon, passed behind colliery dirt, tilted upwards, and vanished.

14th June, 1956: Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

People reported a "star-like object hovering" for about 45 minutes. It appeared as a bright yellow disc coming from the North, later reappeared to the South, and gradually edged towards the Southern horizon. The report also mentions Mr. David Osborne's observation of a transport aircraft and two jet fighters over Birmingham, suggesting a possible flight refuelling exercise. The meteorological station at Elmdon Airport suggested a large weather balloon, but this was later contradicted by Fazakerley Meteorological Station's balloon release times.

12th June, 1956: Gloucester, United Kingdom

A brilliant object passed over Gloucester, described as blazing with light from the inside with "extremely large windows." Mr. H. Vaillencourt, an aircraft industry engineer, stated it was "ten times the size of anything we have got" and comparable to the Queen Mary at a distance. A resident saw the object, extremely bright, pass across the city from East to West, pausing for thirty seconds. The R.A.F., the meteorological station, and the police had no explanation. Beaumont telephoned the Meteorological Office, who stated their balloons released at 0800 hrs. disappeared by 0830 hrs. The object was estimated to be about 3,000 ft. high, with no noise.

Further Reports from Gloucester Area

Seven independent eye-witness reports were received from the Gloucester area. Mrs. M.D. Whiteley described an immensely bright object that twinkled, unlike aeroplane navigation lights. Mr. Fred Tekall described a "warm orange colour" light, more like a ball of light. Mr. Brian K. Wooland estimated the light's size at twenty times that of a normal aircraft, comparing it to a German V.1 flying bomb.

Correspondence: Bournemouth

Under investigation by B.F.S.B., R. Scott inquired about an object seen on Tuesday night at approximately 10.25 p.m., moving at considerable speed with blue sparks from its tail. She was convinced it was not a shooting star or meteorite. H. Follett corroborated this, having also seen the object from her kitchen window, describing it as bright as magnesium and noting it grew larger before seeming to disintegrate. Her son also saw it while fishing.

4th July, 1956: Eccleshall, United Kingdom

A "fiery object" fell from the sky like a shooting star, described as "red hot and glowing" and "very mysterious." It was seen by the driver and passenger of a car. Trees temporarily obscured the view, and when it reappeared, the object had disappeared.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this bulletin are the consistent reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena across diverse geographical locations and the challenges in identifying these objects with conventional explanations. The bulletin's stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation, presenting witness accounts without immediate dismissal, while also noting official attempts at explanation and their frequent shortcomings. The emphasis is on the detailed observations of witnesses and the unusual characteristics of the reported objects, such as their speed, luminosity, and apparent lack of noise.