Hangar 18 - No 2

Magazine Overview

Hangar 18, Heft 2, 1. Jahrgang, published in February 2001, is a German-language UFO magazine from the DUFOA and UFORM-DATEI. The issue covers recent UFO information and news, with a focus on serious investigation following a decline in general UFO euphoria. The editorial emphasizes the need for careful observation and research in the field.

Editorial: Liebe Leserinnen und Leser

The editorial notes that the UFO euphoria has subsided, and now it is clearer who is seriously interested in the subject versus those seeking quick profit. The magazine's concept is explained: UFO cases are either categorized as 'BERICHTE' (reports) with detailed data or 'NACHRICHTEN' (news) when information is limited to newspaper articles or insufficient data. The magazine offers to provide source material for a postage fee. For 'BERICHTE' cases, the goal is to plausibly classify the most likely explanation, while remaining open to discussion and alternative theories. Readers are encouraged to submit their opinions and utilize the free advertising space.

The editorial also solicits reader feedback on what they wish to read, their opinions on the magazine, and suggestions for improvement. A specific call is made for opinions on the topic: "Do we need a standardized, cross-group questionnaire for witness interviews?" with a deadline of March 15, 2001.

NACHRICHTEN (News)

ZEITGESCHEHEN (Current Events)

• "Papier-UFOs" über China: In Malaysia, villagers mistook large paper lanterns for UFOs during Chinese New Year celebrations. Police clarified the situation.
• Erfolgreich durch Außerirdische, Herr Willis?: Actor Bruce Willis attributes his career success to seeing UFOs in the mountains, which he believes moved strangely. The report humorously thanks ETs.
• UFO blockiert Flughafen: A UFO reportedly caused a one-and-a-half-hour disruption at Barnaul airport in Southern Siberia, as pilots refused to land after sighting a luminous object. The object disappeared after 90 minutes, with possibilities like a runaway party balloon or model zeppelin suggested.
• Tempel in Nazca entdeckt: German archaeologist Dr. Markus Reindel discovered stone structures covering an ancient city near the Nazca lines in Peru, consisting of 50 small, round buildings. These are presumed to be fertility temples.

FORUM: BRAUCHEN WIR EINEN EINHEITLICHEN, GRUPPENÜBERGREIFENDEN FRAGEBOGEN ZUR ZEUGENBEFRAGUNG?

This section presents initial reactions to the proposed standardized questionnaire. Roland M. Horn supports the idea, stating it would allow for better data comparison and statistical analysis, and that similar thoughts are already in progress.

Hans-Werner Peiniger (GEPe.V.) explains that current UFO investigations use various questionnaires, making data comparison difficult. He outlines an initiative to create a unified questionnaire, possibly split into common and individual sections to accommodate specific research needs. This would ensure data comparability and scientific evaluation, while also aiming for backward compatibility with existing questionnaires. He believes a jointly developed questionnaire would foster cooperation among different German UFO research groups.

Christian Czech (DUFOA) agrees that a unified questionnaire would be beneficial for data management in EDV (electronic data processing), simplifying the search for specific datasets. He notes that DUFOA's reports can be searched by date, location, country, time, classification, rating, and identification. He questions whether all groups would participate.

Peter Kauert (UFOrm-Datei) highlights the advantages of easier data analysis and the relief for witnesses who wouldn't have to fill out multiple, similar questionnaires. He sees this initiative as proof that cooperation among German groups is possible despite skepticism, and hopes for widespread participation.

ZITAT DES MONATS (Quote of the Month)

Werner Walter, a UFO skeptic and author, criticizes the media's past sensationalism regarding UFO gurus, stating that they have now abandoned the topic like a "hot potato," while privately mocking ufology.

UFO-MELDUNGEN (UFO Reports)

BERICHTE (Reports)

• Fall Nr.: 2000-05-A (Wolfenbüttel): A reader (Dieter Nitsche) submitted a photograph taken by his son, showing a small, blurry object in a cloud formation. The reader believed it to be a UFO and potentially indicative of a gravitational field. The report, however, evaluates the object as likely being a bird in flight, with the coloring attributed to light reflection on clouds.
• Fall Nr.: 1996-09-26 A (Marl): A witness (Frau M.) submitted a video of a light object in the night sky. The witness questioned if it was a UFO. The evaluation suggests the object is most likely the planet Venus, noting imprecise witness statements regarding direction and size.
• Fall Nr.: 1999-03-14 A (Höxter/Brakel): A witness (Thorsten W.) reported seeing a disc-shaped light phenomenon with a blinking red light, which was joined by a second object. The witness provided drawings and a photo. The report dismisses the account, stating the photo is a manipulated version of an E. Meier photo from 1975 and that the narrative seems contrived.

PRAXIS (Practice)

UFO-FOTO-HOAX

This section details the creation of a fake UFO photograph used on the cover. The author admits to fabricating the accompanying narrative about a UFO encounter to demonstrate how UFO photos can be faked. The cover photo was created using a model of a Eurofighter, a pot lid, and threads, with the threads later retouched out by computer. The author's motivation is to understand the techniques used by potential hoaxers and to study different methods of deception, such as hanging objects, throwing them, or using computer manipulation. Readers are invited to submit their own attempts at creating UFO photos with descriptions of their techniques.

SERIE: UFO-CRASHS IN DEUTSCHLAND (2)

„GEFLÜGELTER DISKUSS

Title: HANGAR 18
Issue: II/2001
Publisher: DUFOA
Country: Germany
Language: German
Price: DM 20,- per year (plus DM 15,- postage)

This issue of HANGAR 18, a magazine focused on UFO phenomena and fringe science, provides updates on related publications, research, and a detailed book review.

Reviews of Publications

Magazin 3000

The magazine reviews Michael Hesemann's new work, "MAGAZIN 3000," described as a DIN A5 format newsletter for fringe sciences. Unlike "Magazin 2000plus," it focuses on new UFO reports. Hesemann is noted for providing interesting cases for study, with the current issue being five pages long and published semi-annually. Hesemann states, "That I owe to my readers..." The contact for this publication is [email protected].

CENAP REPORT Nr. 270

This report is now issued as a photocopy but maintains its previous quality. The review highlights that information does not need to be expensive. The contact for this report is Werner Walter, Eisenacher Weg 16, D-68309 Mannheim.

Book Review: GELÖSTE UND UNGELÖSTE MYSTERIEN DIESER WELT by Roland M. Horn

This section provides an extensive review of Roland M. Horn's book, "Gelöste und Ungelöste Mysterien Dieser Welt" (Solved and Unsolved Mysteries of This World), subtitled "Enthüllungen, Fakten, Analysen" (Revelations, Facts, Analyses).

The reviewer describes the book as a rapid journey through the world of the fantastic. Horn divides the book into four chapters:

• Chapter 1: Deals with previously unsolved riddles. It discusses the African Dogon tribe and their astronomical knowledge, connections to Egyptians and Sumerians, and visits to pyramids worldwide. It also includes a catalog of potential "technical achievements" from the Stone Age, such as flying object models and crystal skulls. The reviewer notes that while this chapter delves into complex topics, insiders may not find much new information.
• Chapter 2: Focuses on Horn's favorite topic, "Atlantis," categorizing it under "Still not fully clarified." A significant portion is dedicated to UFOs. While Kenneth Arnold's case is used as an introduction, the review emphasizes Horn's presentation of new and exciting cases from his own research. The reviewer particularly notes the presence of "box-shaped" UFOs and praises Horn for avoiding well-worn Argentinian UFO images, many of which are known fakes. The chapter explores various new explanations for UFO phenomena and then moves on to alien abductions. It also touches upon hauntings, which are linked to abduction phenomena, and concludes with a chapter on reincarnation.
• Chapter 3: "Almost Solved Riddles" begins with the Bermuda Triangle. Horn suggests it might be a hoax, proposing a large methane bubble as a possible explanation for the disappearance of aircraft and ships. The review suggests this section provides ample reason to critically examine books by Berlitz and Butlar.
• Chapter 4: "Solved Riddles" debunks myths such as the "Face on Mars," the Philadelphia Experiment, and Mountauk stories.

The reviewer concludes that Horn has created an excellent "calling card" for his journalistic work. The book is primarily aimed at beginners but offers exciting new material, especially in the UFO section. The book is published by Bachmaier Verlag (Munich) in 2000, has 267 pages, includes an index and illustrations, and costs DM 28.80.

UFOLOGIE: Die „UFOrm-Datei"

This section details the "UFOrm-Datei" (UFO Shape File), a classification system used in DUFOA's case discussions. The classification, with symbols and descriptions, was initially based on Illobrand von Ludwiger's work for categories A through G. Category F includes objects with three or more corners (e.g., squares, cubes, pyramids). Category H was added to classify flying objects that appear normal but exhibit unusual flight and light characteristics. The system allows for new classifications (I through W) as new shapes are reported. Category X is for insufficient data, and Z is for cases that do not fit any other classification.

INTERN (Internal DUFOA Information)

• New DUFOA-E-Mail: The DUFOA central office can now be reached via email at [email protected].
• New DUFOA-Homepage: The new homepage is located at http://communities.msn.de/HomepagedesUFOAuskunftserviceCenter. The loading times may be slow, but it allows for unlimited file uploads.
• Current Statistics: The issue provides statistics as of the current date:
• UFO Meldungen (UFO Reports): 15643
• Zeitungsartikel (Newspaper Articles - UFO): 1031
• Zeitungsartikel (Newspaper Articles - Astronomy): 499
• UFO Dokumente (UFO Documents): 2592
• Fotos (Photos): 407 All other data remains unchanged.
• HANGAR 18-INDEX: To preserve the value of past issues, an index will be created for each year. Pages will be numbered sequentially, resulting in a 160-page reference work by year-end, available for DM 20,-. The index will also include the legend for the cover images.
• New Listing of UFO Reports: UFO reports will no longer be listed in the previous catalog style. Instead, they will be provided as "account statements" directly from the DUFOA central office and not online. It remains to be seen if these supplementary lists will prove effective in the future.
• Classification of UFO Forms: On page 29 of this issue, the classification of UFO forms used in case discussions is presented.

KLEINANZEIGENMARKT (Classified Ads)

This section offers a space for readers to buy or sell items related to the UFO theme, free of charge, with the right reserved to reject ads.

Publications for Sale:

• CENAP Report Nr. 264, 265, 269 (DM 15,- + DM 1.50 postage)
• Magazin 2000plus Nr. 145 (DM 10,- + DM 3,- postage)
• Magazin 2000plus Spezial Nr. 3 (DM 15,- + DM 3,- postage)
• Wir sind nicht allein (Retyi) (DM 15,- + DM 5,- postage)

Publications Wanted:

• CENAP Report: Issues from 1976-1999
• JUFOF-Hefte of GEP e.V.: Issues from 1980-1998
• Newspaper articles on UFO topics (up to 1999)
• Newspaper articles on Astronomy (up to 1995)
• UFO-Dokumente (FOIA)
• UFO reports not listed in their database
• Book: UFO-Welle über Belgien (SOBEPS)
• Ed Walters' UFOs über Gulf Breeze (1990)
• Magazin 2000plus issues from 1979 to 1999
• Radar maps of UFO sightings
• Book: UFOs über Deutschland by Michael Hesemann
• MUFON-Ces reports from Nr. 1
• Weather maps and data (if available)

Offers should be directed to Christian Czech.

Advertisement:

An advertisement for Roland M. Horn's book, "Gelöste und Ungelöste Mysterien Dieser Welt," is included, detailing its content, publisher (Bachmaier-Verlag, Munich 2000), and ISBN.

INFO

DUFOA

DUFOA officially began operations on February 1, 2000, after a period of material collection. Its mission is to inform the public about the UFO phenomenon. DUFOA currently holds approximately 5000 UFO sighting reports, over 1000 newspaper articles, and over 2000 UFO documents. A UFO data catalog can be requested for DM 3,- in stamps. This issue also includes new UFO reports received recently.

UFOrm-Datei

This project, founded by IAN, aims to chronologically organize all UFO sightings by shape to facilitate analysis. Initially, only "Good UFO" cases were considered, but now all cases are included to allow for more thorough investigation.

Impressum (Imprint)

• HANGAR 18 is published ten times a year on a non-commercial basis.
• Publisher: DUFOA, Zeissring 46, D-37603 Holzminden
• Editorial Team: Peter Kauert (pk) (Editor-in-Chief), Christian Czech (cc).
• Reprinting is allowed with source citation and a copy of the publication. Copyrighted contributions remain with the author.
• Subscription Price: DM 20,- per year (postage DM 15,-).
• Address for HANGAR 18: Peter Kauert, Museumstr. 50, D-56564 Neuwied.

Bestellschein (Order Form)

A form is provided for ordering HANGAR 18, requiring name, address, and payment of DM 20,- via registered mail or stamps.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, fringe science, and the dissemination of information related to these topics. The editorial stance appears to be one of active research, documentation, and sharing of information within the UFO community, as evidenced by DUFOA's activities, the "UFOrm-Datei," and the publication of various reports and statistics. The magazine also promotes critical examination of claims, as seen in the book review of Roland M. Horn's work.