Hangar 18 - No 4

Magazine Overview

HANGAR 18 is a German-language publication, specifically the 4th issue of the 1st volume, dated July 2001. It is a newsletter from DUFOA and UFORM-DATEI, focusing on UFO phenomena. The cover boldly asks, "ENDE DER UFO EPOCHE?" (End of the UFO Epoch?), suggesting a theme of declining interest or a shift in the UFO landscape.

Key Articles and Reports

"ENDE DER UFO EPOCHE?" (Cover Headline)

This central question on the cover sets the tone for the issue. It implies a discussion about whether the public's fascination with UFOs is waning.

UFO-MELDUNG: 1958-12-02-A IN HÖCHSTADT

This section details a specific UFO sighting from December 2, 1958, in Höchstadt, Germany. The report, based on four witnesses, describes a bright object first seen in the west. Initially, it appeared square and motionless, causing astonishment and fear. After about five minutes, it suddenly changed to an oval shape, turned yellowish/orange, and moved away at high speed. The object was described as having a larger diameter than the full moon. The report includes a 'Bewertung' (evaluation) suggesting it might have been a weather balloon, explaining the shape and color changes as reflections and atmospheric effects. However, it acknowledges that ruling this out definitively is difficult and depends on whether such balloons were in use over Germany at that time.

PRAXIS: FRAGEBOGEN

This section appears to be a questionnaire or a request for information from readers, indicated by 'FRAGEBOGEN' (questionnaire).

NEUE SERIE: UFOLOGIE - TIPS FÜR DIE PRAXIS

This announces the start of a new series focused on ufology, offering practical tips for those interested in the field.

NEWS INTERN usw.

This indicates internal news or miscellaneous updates within the organization.

EDITORIAL (Page 2)

DUFOA: This section explains that DUFOA (Die UFO Auskunftszentrale - The UFO Information Center) was officially established on February 1, 2000, after years of material collection. Their goal is to inform the public about the UFO phenomenon. They currently possess over 15,600 UFO sighting reports, 1,000 newspaper articles, and 2,500 UFO documents. Readers can request a yearly overview of sighting reports.

UFOrm-Datei: This project, founded by IAN, aims to chronologically organize UFO sightings by form to draw various conclusions. Initially, only 'Good UFO' cases were considered, but now all cases are included to better understand the phenomenon.

IMPRESSUM: HANGAR 18 is published ten times a year on a non-commercial basis by DUFOA. The publisher is listed as Zeissring 46, D-37603 Holzminden. The editorial team includes Peter Kauert (pk) and Christian Czech (cc). Reprints require source citation. The subscription price is 20 DM/year (10 issues). The address for subscriptions is Museumstraße 50, D-56564 Neuwied, managed by Peter Kayert.

LIEBE LESERINNEN, LIEBE LESER! (Editorial Letter): The editorial addresses the perceived quietness in the UFO field after pronouncements about the 'End of the UFO Epoch'. It reassures readers that UFOs are still being reported globally, citing a recent sighting from Korea and a UFO captured on video on May 5, 2001. It also notes the reappearance of crop circles, with one appearing in Hessen on May 13, 2001. The editorial concludes that UFOs are not extinct and encourages readers to engage with the 'End of the UFO Epoch' theme in the NEWS, ESSAY, and FORUM sections. It also invites readers to submit contributions.

NACHRICHTEN (News Section)

ZEITGESCHEHEN: MARS VERURSACHT UFO-FIEBER: Werner Walter of CENAP noted that Mars would be exceptionally bright in June due to its close proximity to Earth (67 km). He predicted an increase in UFO reports, as the bright Mars might be mistaken for a UFO. The article mentions that a similar close approach will occur in August 2003, when Mars will be as bright as it has been in 1000 years.

UFOS IN DER TÜRKEI: This report describes a sighting by Fevzi Can and his wife in Turkey. They saw a 60 cm tall, pear-shaped figure with almond-shaped eyes and red feet. When the farmer approached, the figure rose about 5 meters, threw a stone back at him, and then vanished. Subsequent investigations by a UFO research group from Istanbul collected soil samples. Some voices, like UFO investigator Haktan Akdogan, suggested that Americans might be withholding information, and recommended using a lie detector on the witnesses.

Test: The article mentions that despite skepticism, Turkish newspapers are offering advice on UFO encounters, warning people not to approach within 30 meters due to expected radioactivity and not to shoot at UFOs. The Turkish Ministry of Religious Affairs has also commented, with its chief, Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, stating that Islam allows for beings not only on Earth but also in space.

UFO-BÜRO IN ENGLAND MACHT ZU: The British UFO Bureau, which had been collecting reports on flying saucers since 1953, has closed due to a lack of new discoveries. Founder Denis Plunkett stated that perhaps potential aliens have stopped their explorations.

ENDE DER "UFO-EPOCHE"?: This section references Werner Walter's declaration of the end of the UFO epoch and cites a survey by the Allensbacher-Institut showing a decline in belief in UFOs from 18% in the mid-90s to 13% currently, with skepticism higher among East Germans and those over 60.

UFO-ANGST BEI DER NATO?: The article discusses speculation in the Bild newspaper, based on a NATO Secretary General's statement about "new dangers" and threats from "terrorism or from outer space," that NATO might be preparing for an alien invasion. The author suggests the NATO official was more likely referring to the threat of meteorites.

ZITAT DES MONATS (Quote of the Month) (Page 5)

"Ich habe die Modelle als Anschauungsobjekte von den Plejaden erhalten..." ("I received the models as visual aids from the Pleiades...") This quote is attributed to "Kontaktler" Billy Meier, after models of alleged UFOs were found in his barn. The accompanying cartoon humorously suggests that Erich von Däniken might be right.

UFO-MELDUNGEN (UFO Reports) (Page 6-7)

Berichte (Reports):

• Fall Nr.: 1958-12-02-A (Höchstadt): This is a more detailed account of the sighting described earlier. It reiterates the details of the square-to-oval object, its color change, and high-speed departure. The evaluation suggests a weather balloon as a possible explanation due to light reflection and atmospheric effects, but acknowledges uncertainty.

• Fall Nr.: 1967-06-01-A (Santa Monica, Spain): This report details a sighting on June 1, 1967, where multiple witnesses observed a fiery object landing in Santa Monica, a suburb of Madrid. It deployed three 'legs' and landed for a few seconds. The next morning, landing traces were found: three impressions, with the ground slightly burnt and covered in powder. Metallic tubes, about 130mm long and 8mm thick with a 24mm diameter disc in the center, were found near the landing site. One tube, when opened, released a liquid that evaporated, and two plastic strips fell out. Analysis identified the tubes as nickel and the strips as Polyvinyfluorid, a material used for satellite coatings but not commercially available. The evaluation suggests the object might be space debris, but notes that the landing part could be fabricated. It also draws a parallel to the Apollo 11 Eagle's landing on the moon with three legs in 1969.

Abb.: 1 und 2 (Figures 1 and 2) (Page 8)

These are illustrations showing the metallic tubes and discs found at the Santa Monica landing site, with detailed measurements provided.

UFO-MELDUNG (Page 9)

Wer kann uns weitere Mitteilungen zu dieser interessanten UFO-Welle aus dem Jahre 1959 über Deutschland machen? This section calls for more information regarding the UFO wave in Germany on June 19, 1959. It presents an analysis of the reports, concluding that the objects were not a single craft crossing Germany due to the short time intervals between sightings. The analysis suggests at least three independent objects or formations. Object A was seen in Southern Germany around 9 PM, flying north. Later, an object was seen over the Siebengebirge near Bonn, followed by an object over Kassel, and another over Hanover. The article discusses the possibility of high-altitude flight and radar evasion. It suggests that Object B might have flown over Berlin eastward and then returned northwestward towards Hamburg/Cuxhaven, but the timing between Hannover and Hamburg sightings makes this conclusion uncertain, implying extremely high speeds. The analysis concludes that on the evening of June 19, 1959, Germany and adjacent states were overflown by several unknown flying objects, all described as round and 'saucer-shaped'. Approximately 200 observers are estimated. The flight paths suggest three independent craft or formations, all exhibiting similar speeds (around 8000 km/h) and appearance. The color varied and changed during observation. These phenomena, attributed to the propulsion systems of UFOs, are common in inter-planetary craft, especially at night. The lack of radar detection is explained by high altitude and possible shielding. A cigar-shaped mothership was reportedly seen at high altitude near Mainz the same evening, possibly connected to the overall event.

KOMMENTAR (Commentary) (Page 10)

ENDE DER UFO-EPOCHE? by Peter Kauert

Peter Kauert addresses the perceived decline in UFO interest. He notes several events contributing to this idea: the closure of the "UFO-Büro" in England, Werner Walter's declaration of the end of the UFO epoch due to a lack of reports, and a 5% drop in UFO belief according to the Allensbacher-Institut. While critics might rejoice and proponents despair, Kauert argues that these events do not signify the end of UFOs. He points out that the field has always experienced 'flaws' (periods of low activity) and 'booms'. He dismisses the closure of a hobby by a few pensioners as insignificant. He also questions Walter's claim, suggesting that Walter might not be receiving reports because of how critics treat witnesses. Kauert acknowledges the decrease in interest but attributes it to 'over-saturation' after years of intense reporting. He suggests using this quieter period to sift through the material and separate the valuable from the trivial. He firmly states that UFOs are not tied to a specific epoch but are a matter of definition and interpretation. He predicts that the 'summer lull' will pass, and the quality of UFO reports will increase again. Kauert concludes by stating that if the phenomenon were definitively explained as humbug, he would be the first to abandon his archives. For now, he intends to gather strength for the next UFO wave rather than lamenting the current lull. He ends with an invitation to readers to share their comments and research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the perceived decline in UFO interest and sightings, the analysis of specific historical UFO cases, and the ongoing debate about the nature and reality of UFO phenomena. The editorial stance, particularly from Peter Kauert, is one of cautious optimism and persistence. While acknowledging the current lull and skepticism, the magazine maintains that UFOs are a real and enduring phenomenon, not tied to a specific era. It encourages continued research, reporting, and critical analysis, suggesting that the current quiet period is an opportunity for deeper study rather than an end to the field.

This issue of FORUM, identified as IV/2001 with volume 63, focuses on the development of a unified UFO questionnaire and related topics in ufology. The magazine is published by DUFOA and appears to be based in Germany.

Main Article: Einheitlicher Fragebogen der DUFOA

The lead article introduces a new, unified questionnaire for UFO research, developed by Christian Czech. Following a positive reception to the idea in a previous issue (H18/112001), Czech has translated the theory into practice with a 13-page DIN A4 questionnaire. This draft is based on the GEP questionnaire and is presented for discussion. The magazine calls for contributions to create an introductory text that explains the purpose of the questionnaire and the unified analysis of the data. Readers can request the questionnaire from DUFOA or H18 for 3,- DM in stamps. The article includes excerpts from the questionnaire, covering details of the observation (time, duration, location, instruments used), the object's flight behavior, its trajectory, color, shape, and speed. It also asks about the observer's perspective, atmospheric conditions, and potential comparisons to known objects.

Book Review: SIE KAMEN AUS DER ZUKUNFT by Roland M. Horn

This section reviews the book "Sie Kamen aus der Zukunft" (They Came from the Future) by Roland M. Horn. The review discusses the book's exploration of time travel, a concept common in science fiction but debated in scientific circles due to the unidirectional nature of time. Horn examines biblical accounts and medieval prophets like Nostradamus, suggesting that their visions might be the result of time travel. The book, comprising 11 chapters, concludes that human time travel is conceivable, particularly for those familiar with concepts like wormholes and Einstein's theory of relativity. The reviewer notes that the book offers new perspectives for UFO enthusiasts.

UFOLOGIE - Tips for Practice, Part 1: General Considerations

This article emphasizes that ufology is not an official science but involves various disciplines. It highlights the challenge for laypersons entering this field. The author stresses the importance of respecting and showing consideration for witnesses, regardless of their personal beliefs about UFOs. Key rules for handling cases are presented:

1. Respect and consideration for the witness must always be maintained, irrespective of the final interpretation of the sighting.
2. The witness's wish for anonymity must be respected in any publication.
3. The interpretation of a case should be discussed with the witness and presented factually and non-polemically in any publication.

The article concludes that the witness is the most crucial aspect of a sighting and that treating witnesses respectfully will foster trust, while dismissing their accounts will lead to a lack of future witnesses.

HANGAR 18 and New Forum Topics

This section announces a new discussion topic for an upcoming HANGAR 18 issue: "IST DIE UFOLOGIE AM ENDE?" (Is Ufology at an End?). Readers are invited to send their opinions to Peter Kauert via mail or email. It also addresses a change in the HANGAR 18 email address due to issues with the previous provider.

Prä-Astronautik im H18?

HANGAR 18, a UFO newsletter, is considering expanding its scope to include Paleo-SETI (Prä-Astronautik). While maintaining its UFO focus, the publication plans a special feature on this topic in October and seeks reader feedback. The article notes that Paleo-SETI has become a less popular subject within ufology in recent years.

JUFOF Journal

An advertisement for the JUFOF (Journal for UFO Research) is included, detailing its content, which includes UFO sightings, investigation results, research, and contributions to UFO research from both domestic and international literature. It also mentions that JUFOF is published bimonthly and is available to GEP members. Subscription information and contact details for GEP are provided.

Leserbriefe (Letters to the Editor)

One letter from Ralf Hartel discusses his impressions of HANGAR 18. He finds the content informative but believes there is potential for improvement, particularly in the layout and presentation. Hartel suggests that HANGAR 18 could become a more prominent publication with dedicated effort and possibly by involving freelance contributors. He wishes the editorial team success.

The response from the editorial team acknowledges Hartel's points, particularly regarding the need for freelance authors, and states that they will work towards publishing contributions from UFO investigators. They also mention that improvements to the layout are being addressed, citing software and time constraints.

Another section invites readers to share their opinions on UFO phenomena or HANGAR 18.

NEUE DUFOA HOMPAGE

An announcement directs readers to the new DUFOA homepage at http://people.freenet.de/dufoa.

Book Advertisement: Unheimliche Begegnungen by Wladislaw Raab

This section features an advertisement for the book "Unheimliche Begegnungen" (Uncanny Encounters) by Wladislaw Raab. Described as a fringe science compendium, the book presents 22 meticulously researched cases of encounters with exotic beings. Raab's analysis suggests a real kernel of truth, indicating the existence of an intelligent species that evades human senses. The book explores historical accounts, comparing them to modern reports and suggesting that these visitors have influenced human socio-cultural structures over millennia. It also touches upon parapsychological phenomena and initiation rites of indigenous peoples, offering new perspectives on the subject. The book is approximately 260 pages, illustrated, with a paperback cover, and costs 32.00 DM. Ordering information is provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the standardization of UFO research through questionnaires, the exploration of unconventional topics like time travel and Prä-Astronautik, and the importance of ethical considerations in reporting UFO cases, particularly regarding witness respect. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging discussion and contributions from readers and researchers while maintaining a critical yet respectful approach to the subject matter. There is a clear emphasis on the witness's perspective and the need for factual, non-polemical reporting.