Flying Saucer News Bulletin - No 09

Magazine Overview

This document is issue number 9 of the "FLYING SAUCER NEWS BULLETIN", published by the BRITISH FLYING SAUCER BUREAU, located at 30 Melbourne Terrace, Newtown, Bristol 2. The publication date is not explicitly stated on the cover but the content details sightings from May and June 1957.

Sightings and Investigations

Taunton, Somerset (27.5.57)

Mr. K.C. Solomons, a television engineer, reported seeing a sharply outlined black silhouette object hovering in the sky. It then moved off rapidly in a north-westerly direction, reflecting sunlight. He estimated its speed to be about one and a half times that of a jet plane and its distance approximately a quarter of a mile. The object's apparent size was that of a pea held at arm's length.

Nottingham (13.5.57)

Several reports from Nottingham describe mysterious lights seen during a moon eclipse. Mr. & Mrs. J.G. Whitmore of West Bridgeford saw two white lights crossing the sky with a 20-second interval between them, noting no sound. A resident in Sherwood reported seeing a white and a red light moving from north to south. At Tollerton, a Canadian observed red and white lights, initially mistaking them for an aircraft, which disappeared in the direction of Bunny. An Evening News reporter also saw a bright light travelling north to south.

Mrs. C.G. Herrett and her son in Radford saw two strange lights resembling the ends of searchlight beams, but without visible beams. They assumed they were high-altitude planes.

Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (13.5.57)

Between 11:30 p.m. and midnight, a yellowish-white object, appearing as the size of a matchstick head at arm's length, was observed over Ashton-under-Lyme. It travelled steadily for about a minute, stopped, and then shot off to the north-east. The object was described as a bright star with a sharp outline and made no sound. The sighting was investigated by Mr. Gavin Gibbons, B.F.S.B. Research Representative.

Beaucourt-sur-Landre, Amiens, France (1.5.57)

People in this village reported a flying saucer landing on a nearby road, with four little men dressed in grey on board. Evidence cited included tracks on the road surface and a black lava-like substance. Six people, including a railway station watchman and his wife, provided statements. They described the saucer as reddish and noted it hovered for several minutes after taking off. Michel Sekete, a Hungarian refugee, reported being dazzled by a projectile and seeing four little men walking on the road, who then approached him threateningly. The police examined the tracks and substance. The mayor's official explanation was that Sekete had seen a lantern carried by a woman, which the bulletin's author dismisses as unlikely given the details provided by multiple witnesses.

The black lava-like substance is compared to a landing at Southend-on-Sea on October 14th, 1954, investigated by Mr. Alexander S. Jennings for B.F.S.B., which also left dark patches on the road.

Coverack, Cornwall (1.5.57)

Mr. Eric Pengilly, a postman and former Royal Navy petty officer, saw a dome-shaped object flying slowly from west to east. It was about the size of a halfpenny at arm's length, sharply outlined, and glinting like gold. It moved slowly across the wind for about ten minutes before tipping to a 45° angle and shooting upwards at high speed. Enquiries at R.A.F. Station, St. Mawgan, confirmed no Service aircraft were airborne in the area.

Sao Paulo, Brazil (1.5.57)

At 9:30 p.m., a small red oval object was seen climbing slowly for about four minutes at an estimated altitude of 6,000 ft. Its behavior suggested a balloon, except that it was self-luminous. Half an hour later, two larger objects with an intense blue-phospherescent gleam were seen drifting south-east, hovering, and then flying east.

Bristol (16.6.57)

Miss Vanessa Knewstub observed a small bright object, larger than a star, falling slowly in the sky for about a second. It was viewed at an elevation of 30° and disappeared at 15°. The object was seen again under identical circumstances on the night of June 19th, approximately south-west of Avonmouth.

Wolverhampton (18.6.57)

Miss Ann Poulton and her boy friend saw an object described as saucer-shaped and glowing, moving in a straight line towards Stafford for about half a minute. It was oval, orange-red, and gained height before disappearing northerly. The sighting was investigated by B.F.S.B. Representative Mr. Wilfred Daniels.

Gailey, Staffs (18.6.57)

Mr. L. Broomhall observed a silver cylinder moving slowly north-west, changing course by 90° to north-east via a curved path. It remained stationary for two to three minutes before proceeding north-east. He estimated its speed at 30-50 MPH and height between 5,000 and 10,000 feet. Mrs. Elizabeth Hooley of Gailey also observed the object, corroborating its stationary period and movement. Both agreed on its apparent size being twice that of a sixpence at arm's length. This was also investigated by Mr. Wilfred Daniels.

Stafford (18.6.57)

Mrs. G. Pennells and her daughter June reported seeing a cylindrical object twice: first at 9:15 p.m. and again at 9:45 p.m. The first was silvery-gold and bright, comparable to the moon; the second was less bright and more orange. The first object appeared to have a blunt, glowing nose. The second object moved at great speed initially before slowing. Estimated distances were between half a mile and a mile for the first, and less than half a mile for the second. Investigated by Mr. Wilfred Daniels.

Stafford (19.6.57)

Mrs. M. Wilkes, a civil servant, saw a large bright object in the north-west sky about an hour before sunset. It appeared as a greyish rectangle projecting from a cloud and remained stationary for ten minutes. No sound was heard. Investigated by Mr. Wilfred Daniels.

Stafford (20.6.57)

Miss Lorna Hogan observed what she thought was Saturn on the night sky. At about 10:50 p.m., it appeared to move parallel to the horizon towards Shrewsbury, slowly, before entering low cloud. She watched it for about five minutes, and there was no sound. Investigated by Mr. Wilfred Daniels.

Wolverhampton (25.6.57)

Mr. E. Day saw a round red object, like a football, moving in a southerly direction. Its speed was consistent with an aircraft but accelerated rapidly as it disappeared, travelling against the wind. Mrs. Bullock of Bilston also reported seeing a strange object around the same time, stating it was unlike anything she had seen before and not a balloon. Mr. P. Thatcher of Wednesfield reported seeing a meteorite that flared brilliantly and appeared to burn out over Gailey way, leaving a vapour trail. The bulletin notes that Mr. Day and Mr. Thatcher did not see the same object due to differing descriptions and directions of travel.

B.F.S.B. Evaluation

The bulletin includes an evaluation suggesting that some sightings might be explained by Britannia aircraft on test flights. These aircraft are described as "whispering giants" due to their quietness and have landing lights that activate automatically when flaps are lowered, which could occur during flap tests as part of a flight program. The engines are throttled back, making them difficult to hear unless the observer is well-positioned and has sharp hearing. The evaluation also notes that a newspaper reporter equipped with binoculars was able to reveal an aircraft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the reporting and investigation of numerous unidentified flying object sightings from the mid-1950s. The British Flying Saucer Bureau actively collects and disseminates these reports, often including details of the object's appearance, movement, and witness testimony. While the bulletin presents the data, the B.F.S.B. evaluation suggests a cautious approach, considering potential conventional explanations like advanced aircraft, while still acknowledging the unexplained nature of some phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent documentation and investigation of UFO reports.