FUFOR - 1988 Q1 - Quarterly Report January-March

Magazine Overview

This document is a Quarterly Report from the Fund for UFO Research Inc., covering the period of January to March 1988. It details the organization's activities, investigations into UFO sightings, and financial status.

UFO Report Activity and Investigations

The report highlights a considerable increase in UFO report activity during the quarter, with a particular focus on photo cases. The Fund's Chairman, Dr. Bruce Maccabee, has been actively involved in two primary cases:

The Peter Beard Case (Barnsley, England)

This case involves four photographs taken on August 5, 1987, in Barnsley, England, approximately 35 miles east-northeast of Manchester. The witness, Peter Beard, was awakened by a buzzing noise and observed a strange object approaching from his right. He immediately decided to photograph it. His girlfriend, who also heard the noise, witnessed the event. Beard used a borrowed C-110 format camera with fixed settings (44mm and 22mm) and a fixed shutter speed of 1/125 sec. Comparison photos confirmed the use of the 44mm focal length. Beard took four photos as the object flew lazily from right to left and then reversed direction. The camera jammed after the fourth photo, and by the time Beard realized it wasn't out of film, the object had disappeared. The photo sequence suggests an object moving closer and then away. The Fund has received excellent cooperation from British investigators, notably Philip Mantle.

The 'Mr. Ed' Case (Gulf Breeze, Florida)

This case is described as involving so many incidents that a full summary is not feasible. The report mentions the first incident on November 11, 1987, which would normally require extensive investigation. Dr. Maccabee traveled to Gulf Breeze to interview the witness, known pseudonymously as 'Mr. Ed,' a well-known businessman who wishes to remain out of the public eye. During a 14-hour interview, all photographic incidents were discussed. The photos are noted for their clarity and the credibility of the witness. Dr. Maccabee was particularly impressed with the "road shot" (19th photo), taken through the front window of Ed's truck, showing a "craft" hovering over the road. Using Ed's Polaroid Model 108 camera and truck, Maccabee reconstructed the sighting to estimate the craft's distance at about 185 feet, with a diameter of 12 feet and a height of eight feet, hovering about three feet over the road. The object cast a bright reflection on the road, which Maccabee found difficult to replicate with a 100,000 candlepower spotlight, suggesting the craft's light source was extremely bright.

At the time of Maccabee's visit, Ed had taken 23 photos with his Polaroid and a minute of videotape. Since then, Ed has taken additional photos with a NIMSLO 3-D camera, a Model 600 Polaroid, and two stereo photos using a special Self-Referencing Stereo Camera (SRS). The SRS camera, built to Maccabee's suggestions with two Model 600 cameras spaced two feet apart, is intended to estimate object distance via parallax. Analysis of these photos is ongoing. The report notes that the parallax effect in an SRS photo from March 17 indicated an object over 160 feet away. A March 20 photo showed "negative parallax" due to a potential half-second delay between camera shutters, which could explain divergence if the object moved. The possibility of a hoax is being considered, but the complexity of the Gulf Breeze case, involving numerous photos, different camera types, and multiple witnesses, makes it difficult to fake.

Mundrabilla, Australia Incident

The Fund also became involved in investigating an incident in Mundrabillla, Australia, on January 20, 1988. Four people in a car reported a strange lighted object that nearly caused them to drive off the road and seemed to lift their car. Other witnesses to a similar object in the area were also reported. The Fund is awaiting a final report from the investigators.

Other Activities

OMNI Abduction Questionnaire Analysis

The Fund has been analyzing responses to the December OMNI abduction questionnaire. These responses range from simple fill-ins to detailed letters. The Fund is working to determine the probability of respondents being "abductees" by setting up a computer database for comparisons. A preliminary report is available for $5.00.

Support for Dr. David Jacobs

The Fund will also support Dr. David Jacobs in his research involving the chemical analysis of fluids obtained from abductees.

Publications and Reports

Reports on all case investigations will be made available to Fund contributors and automatically sent to those who contribute $50 or more during 1988. The Fund also thanks those who purchase reports, books, and audio-visual materials. New reports available include a preliminary report on the OMNI Abduction Questionnaires and the complete abduction catalog compiled by Dr. Thomas E. Bullard in two volumes. Volume I had some missing pages, and Volume II is now available for the first time.

Treasurer's Report (1st Quarter 1988)

The Treasurer's Report for the 1st Quarter of 1988 is provided, detailing assets and expenditures. Total Assets at the end of the 1st Quarter were $7,764.10, decreasing to $4,663.86 by the end of the 4th Quarter. Expenditures for the quarter totaled $4,603.62, while income, primarily from donations and sales, amounted to $8,331.65.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the report is the Fund's commitment to rigorous scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, emphasizing photographic analysis, witness credibility, and data collection. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry, acknowledging the possibility of hoaxes but focusing on the collection and analysis of evidence. The Fund actively seeks contributions to support its research and makes its findings available to contributors. There is a clear emphasis on providing detailed reports and supporting researchers in the field.