Flying Saucer Review vol 2 no 4

Magazine Overview

Title: Flying Saucer Review
Issue Date: April 1956
Publisher: Civilian Flying Saucer Intelligence (CFSI)
Type: Official monthly publication
Focus: Reports and analysis of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena.

Editorial

The editorial section strongly criticizes the October 1955 announcement by the Secretary of the Air Force, Don Quarles, which stated that the Air Force had found 'nothing to confirm the existence of flying saucers.' The editorial labels this announcement a 'great hoax' and a 'hypocritical lie,' suggesting it was a deliberate attempt to suppress information about extraterrestrial craft. It argues that the vast majority of skeptics, who believe life is unique to Earth, are living in their own 'little world.' The editorial expresses anger on behalf of those who have witnessed these craft, implying that officials like Quarles are being used as 'puppets' by higher authorities, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council, to maintain a campaign of censorship and ridicule against UFO news. The writer asserts that this censorship violates the Constitution's guarantee of 'freedom of the press' and the oath of office taken by these officials. The editorial concludes by posing a question to the reader about whether they will have to endure another decade of lies and censorship.

Publication Details and CFSI Information

Flying Saucer Review is identified as the official monthly publication of Civilian Flying Saucer Intelligence (CFSI), described as a non-profit, non-sectarian organization. Subscriptions are priced at $3.00 for the U.S., its possessions, and Canada, and $3.50 for foreign countries. All correspondence, subscriptions, and inquiries are to be sent to CFSI headquarters at 5108 Findlay Street, Seattle 18, Washington. The publication emphasizes its commitment to reporting unidentified flying objects and unusual phenomena with an open mind, assuring confidentiality for sources unless otherwise instructed. The copyright for the issue is held by Robert J. Gribble, Editor and CFSI Director, in 1956.

Key Articles and Sightings

Giant UFO Over Oklahoma

This article details a sighting on January 30th near Horntown, Oklahoma, by a 21-year-old garage operator, his wife, and sister-in-law. They observed an 'egg-shaped ball of fire,' described as 'about fourty times larger than an 11-story building and covering about 15 acres of ground,' travelling south at a slow speed. The object made no noise and gave off no heat. It approached within a quarter of a mile before disappearing. The witnesses initially mistook a glow for a burning house, but as it intensified, they stopped to observe it. The object reportedly followed their car for several miles before disappearing near the Calvin bridge. The object was described as 'being egg shaped and appearing red hot at the top, and shedding light underneath.' Weather officials in McAlester reported no sightings, and no aircraft were scheduled for the area.

Two Saucers Over Tacoma, Washington

A witness in Tacoma reported seeing a strange object passing by her office window on February 14th. She described the UFO as having 'no tail or wings' and being 'silver in color.' A second object, identical to the first, followed on the same course. Both objects made no sound and were traveling in a southwesterly direction on a level flight.

Mystery Light Over Stamford, Conn.

Two boys in Stamford reported seeing a strange light moving across the sky from west to east on January 23rd at 11:10 pm. The light was in their line of sight for approximately two minutes.

Oh!, Those Weather Balloons

This section addresses a UFO sighting over Paris, France, on February 17th, which was detected by radar at Orly International Airport. The object reportedly came to a dead stop in mid-air and then shot away at speeds exceeding 1,500 miles per hour. The article dismisses the official explanation of a 'weather balloon' or 'jet-stream' phenomenon, arguing that the speeds and altitudes reported (4,500 feet) are inconsistent with weather balloons and that 'jet-streams' occur at much higher altitudes. The object was tracked for four hours, and an Air France pilot also reported seeing a 'firey red object' with blinking lights. The article suggests that officials are deliberately using the 'weather balloon' excuse to cover up the true nature of these sightings.

Finally We Saw One... A Spacecraft From Another Planet

Written by Ray Stanford, this article recounts an observation made on March 16th by a group of five individuals in Corpus Christi, Texas. They observed a 'strange red object which glowed steadily and moved southward.' Described as a 'spacecraft from another planet,' it was 'fiery red all over' with three dark 'spots' that might have been portholes. The object's shape was compared to two saucers turned rim to rim, or a cigar shape. It turned northwest and disappeared, having been in view for about two minutes. The estimated speed was 2,000 miles per hour. The witness, Richard Henson, reported the sighting with excitement, stating, 'I've never seen anything like it--we even saw portholes on the sides.'

Norman, Oklahoma Residents Sight Fiery Object

On February 2nd, Norman, Oklahoma residents reported a 'deep, red glow' that lit up the landscape. One witness described it as 'about the size of a grapefruit' and lasting about two minutes. It appeared to be behind a residence across the street. The glow was darker than taillights and seemed to extend as high as a two-story house. It then turned blue and blinked out. Dr. B.S. Whitney, an astronomer at Oklahoma University, was convinced the phenomenon was not astronomical.

Flying Pancake

On January 26th, Toledo, Ohio reported its first saucer sighting of the year. A witness described the object as 'silver in color, pancake-shaped, fast, soundless, smooth as a bird,' with a diameter about that of a giant airplane.

Ontario, California Fliers Try To Track Mystery Planes

A pilot and aerial cameraman sighted and attempted to track 'three circular aircraft' on January 2nd over Pasadena, California. The objects were traveling at an estimated speed of 1,200 miles per hour. The aircraft were described as a 'brilliant orange color' with a white circle in the middle of the lead craft. The pilot stated they made a complete circle around his plane in 30 seconds. The pilot, with 19 years of flying experience, asserted, 'We are experienced airmen and not accustomed to imagining we see things.'

What Was It?

A resident of Halfway, Maryland reported seeing what he thought might be a flying saucer on January 24th around 5:30 pm. It was observed in the southwest sky, described as considerably smaller than the sun's disc, and had a cigar shape before gradually vanishing. A mystery light was also reported in the same area later that evening.

Objects Over Bastrop, La. Not Weather Balloons, Say Witnesses

On February 11th, flying saucers were reported over Bastrop, Louisiana. Witnesses claim they were not weather balloons. A family observed five large, silvery objects darting rapidly about high in the sky for about forty to forty-five minutes. The objects were described as being as large as the evening star, shiny and silvery, and at times would glow orange and give off smoke screens, with smaller spark-like objects shooting out the sides. Before disappearing, it was estimated that there were as many as 500 smaller saucers flitting about. The mother expressed frustration with busy phone lines when trying to alert others.

Sky Quakes

This section reports on mystery explosions that shook houses in Harris and Brazoria Counties, Texas, on March 12th. While some suggested 'supersonic booms' from jet aircraft, spokesmen for local bases stated that no aircraft were on flying missions that would cause such booms near Houston. The F-100 Super-sabres and F-84 Thunderjets were mentioned as potentially involved.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the skepticism towards official explanations for UFO sightings, particularly the 'weather balloon' theory, and the strong belief that governments are engaged in a cover-up of information regarding extraterrestrial visitation. The editorial stance is one of defiance and a call for truth, urging readers to question authority and to believe the accounts of witnesses. The publication positions itself as a platform for those who believe in the reality of flying saucers and are critical of what they perceive as governmental deception. The issue consistently contrasts witness testimonies with official statements, favoring the former and highlighting the perceived inadequacy and implausibility of the latter.

This document is page 10 of a magazine titled 'Flying Saucers'. It features a list of books available for purchase from 'Flying Saucers International', located in Los Angeles, California. The page also includes several reports of unexplained phenomena, such as explosions and mysterious lights.

Book List

The following books are offered postpaid by Flying Saucers International:

• The Report On Unidentified Flying Objects, by Edward Ruppelt ($4.50)
• Flying Saucers Uncensored, by Harold Wilkins ($3.50)
• The Flying Saucer Conspiracy, by Donald Keyhoe ($3.50)
• Inside The Spaceships, by George Adamski ($3.00)
• The Case For The UFO, by M.K. Jessup ($3.50)
• The Secret Of The Saucers, by O. Angelucci ($3.00)
• Space, Gravity, And The Flying Saucers, by Leonard Cramp ($3.00)
• The White Sands Incident, by Dan Fry ($1.50)
• We Come In Peace, by Dr. Frank Thomas ($1.00)
• To Men Of Earth, by Dan Fry ($1.00)
• Flying Saucers On The Attack, by Harold Wilkins ($3.50)
• Flying Saucers From Outer Space, by Donald Keyhoe ($3.00)
• Aboard A Flying Saucer, by Truman Bethrum ($3.00)
• Behind The Flying Saucers, by Frank Scully ($2.95)
• The Books Of Charles Fort, (1125 pages of Flying Saucers and phenomena before 1932) ($6.00)

A 10% discount is offered on all orders totaling $10.00 or more. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Flying Saucers International.

Reported Phenomena

Texas Incidents

Near Austin, Texas, housewives reported house-shaking blasts. Some reported broken dishes, while others reported broken windows, particularly around Pearland, Almeda, and south of Houston in Brazoria County.

Oregon Incident

On February 14th, Clackamas County, Oregon authorities investigated a mysterious, thundering explosion that jolted a wide area of West Linn around 9:30 pm. The blast caused porch lights to flash and startled residents to run outside. Witnesses described the event as shaking the whole house and vibrating the floor, with one person comparing the sound to an underwater explosion or dynamited fish. The concussion was also felt in Jennings Lodge. On the same evening, a witness driving to work reported seeing a strange, mysterious light in the sky. Described as a large object, 'more like a star, but much much larger,' it would disappear and reappear at intervals before shooting away at a terrific speed. The sighting occurred under a high overcast with no stars visible.

Washington and Texas Incidents

Additional 'sky quakes' of undetermined origin were reported in Pasco, Washington, on February 5th and 6th. On February 10th, a mystery explosion that lit up the entire sky occurred north-northwest of Pecos, Texas.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena and mysterious explosions, often referred to as 'sky quakes.' The magazine appears to be a platform for disseminating information about UFO sightings and related events, as evidenced by the extensive list of available books on the subject. The editorial stance is one of documenting and presenting these phenomena to the public.