IAPA Newsletter - Vol 1 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: IAPA NEWSLETTER
Issue: VOLUME I. NUMBER 2
Date: JUNE, 1963
Publisher: John Dickinson Scheinder Inc.
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Price: 35¢

This issue of the IAPA Newsletter, dated June 1963, is the second publication of Volume I. It is the official monthly publication of the Illinois-International Aerial Phenomena Agency (IAPA), a non-profit unidentified flying object research society founded in December 1962. The newsletter is based in Glenview, Illinois, and membership is available for $1.50 per annum.

Editorial

The editorial section begins with an apology for the delay in publication, attributing it to printer issues. The original plan to mimeograph the newsletter was disrupted by the printer's ink running out and a subsequent job that was deemed too messy. The newsletter is now being multilithed, a more expensive process, and the publication will henceforth be monthly, consisting of 12 or more pages. The current issue has been reduced in size from an original 19 pages of material, but most articles have been retained, with recent news stories added.

An important development mentioned is the apparent disbandment of CORAP. The editor, Dale Rettig, suggested a merger with CORAP, and after some deliberation, the organization was given to Al Katz. A potential merger between CORAP and IAPA is being discussed, which would result in a combined membership of approximately 130. This issue is being sent to all CORAP members with their permission. If the merger is successful, the IAPA Newsletter will replace CORAP's 'Cosmic Researcher,' and articles intended for the latter will be included in the newsletter. Full details of this program will be presented in the next issue.

The issue features a cover illustration by member Mrs. Ruth Sorensen. Articles include contributions from John L. Black, Jeff Murray, and Timothy Green Beckley. The content also includes a "Saucers in the News" section and "Saucerian Short Shots." The editors express gratitude to members for their support and welcome comments.

Important Announcements

UFO Research Committees Formed by IAPA

• The IAPA has established seven research committees to investigate the UFO subject. These committees include:
• Interplanetary Committee
• Psychic Committee
• Polar-Shaver Mystery Committee
• Religious Committee (examining UFOs in the Bible and other religious texts)
• Dimensional Committee ("3-D Saucers")

Two additional committees, the Contact Investigations Committee and the UFO Evaluation Committee, are planned. Members are strongly urged to join at least one committee to contribute to the IAPA's research. Full committee information and director names will be provided in the next issue.

Membership Fee Reduction

A temporary reduction in membership fees is in effect. Members who have paid the $2.00 fee can renew at $1.50 when their membership expires. This reduced fee is for a special period, and the fee will return to $2.00 later. Members who wish to take advantage of this plan must notify the Chairman by June 30th.

Membership Campaign

A membership campaign is running from May 1st to November 1st, with the membership fee set at $1.50. Ads are appearing in UFO magazines, and mailing lists are being traded with other groups. The combined IAPA-CORAP membership is currently around 130, with a goal of 200 by the end of the year. Member assistance in recruiting new members is welcomed.

Future Plans for IAPA

• Following the establishment of research committees, IAPA plans to:
• Send press releases to Illinois New Media.
• Form a Skywatch Committee to observe and track UFOs.
• Potentially hold a large-scale meeting.
• Engage in book sales.

The newsletter will include a page of photographs with detailed descriptions starting with the next issue. Increased news coverage is also planned. The administrative staff and special panels (Advisory Panel and Scientific Consultants) will be presented in the next issue, along with a copy of the IAPA Constitution.

Skeptics, UFO Researchers, & Objectiveness

By John L. Black

This article addresses the challenges faced by UFO research groups in solving the UFO mystery and educating the public. Black argues that the primary obstacle is the "hardened core of people who are completely unreasonable about the subject," citing Dr. Donald Menzel as a prime example of a skeptic whose claims have been scientifically disproven but who remains obstinate. The author criticizes the constant demands from skeptics for more evidence (photographs, films, radar data, physical evidence) without genuine willingness to accept it.

Black asserts that UFOlogy's goal of public education is impaired by such stubbornness. He calls for UFO researchers to focus on countering this dogmatism and to strive for "OBJECTIVENESS." He suggests that UFO organizations should lead by example, setting an open-minded tone. Failure to do so risks researchers becoming as closed-minded as the skeptics they oppose. The article emphasizes that individual researchers have a responsibility to support organizations that genuinely pursue UFOlogy's goals and to withdraw support from those that are detrimental.

The editors note that IAPA wholly agrees with Mr. Black and plans to run a regular series of his articles.

The Mysterious Ball Lightning

By Timothy Green Beckley

Timothy Green Beckley, Director of the Interplanetary News Service, explores the phenomenon of ball lightning and its potential connection to unidentified flying objects. He notes that while some may view ball lightning as a separate phenomenon, he finds it closely related to the UFO mystery. The article references an article on ball lightning in the March 1963 issue of Scientific American.

• Beckley presents four cases of ball lightning:
• Case #1: A fireball entered a cabin in Beaverskill, New York, via telephone wires during a thunderstorm, moved across the room, and disappeared.
• Case #2: A young girl in Bellows, New York, witnessed a fireball the size of a croquet ball float towards her during an electrical storm; it had a solid core surrounded by flames.
• Case #3: In 1930, a lightning ball emerged from the woods on a hill in New York, crossed a road, and flew down the hill, followed by an explosion.
• Case #4: A lightning ball entered a house in New York via telephone wires, knocked a phone to the floor, and caused the television tube to explode.

Beckley states that these are sample cases and that their files contain numerous reports of ball lightning over the past 500 years. He suggests that this phenomenon might be linked to fireballs often reported with flying saucer information and that it is an important subject for investigation.

Flying Saucer Detectors

By Jeff Murray

This article discusses the Cartwright Saucer Detector, an invention that first appeared in 1955. The detector is based on the theory that flying saucers possess a magnetic field. When a saucer is near the detector, its magnetic field is supposed to affect a magnetized compass needle, causing it to strike a contact loop. This connection completes a circuit with 3-volt batteries, ringing an alarm bell. The article includes a diagram for constructing the device.

The editors note that similar detectors have reportedly worked, particularly in Australia where the invention originated. A more advanced model is available through Mr. Jack Bartlett of Advanced Structures in El Cajon, California. The IAPA has inquired about this new detector and may purchase or obtain one.

Saucers in the News -- U.S.A.

This section provides a compilation of UFO sightings reported across the United States in early 1963:

• January 2, 1963 (Rootstown, Ohio): Four people saw a dull, bright light with six to eight red lights in a crescent shape, moving southeast.
• January 10, 1963 (Monttesano, Washington): Three fiery streamers ascended, followed by a wavering object that divided.
• January 14, 1963 (Plumerville, Arkansas): Two unknown aerial objects were observed at 6000-8000 feet, moving south.
• January 19, 1963 (San Francisco, California): A large red fireball and a fast-moving red object with sparks were seen by multiple witnesses.
• January 20, 1963 (Sacramento, California): A saucer-shaped UFO hovered over McClellan Air Force Base for 45 minutes before ascending rapidly.
• January 21, 1963 (Lakeside, California): A shiny object hovered "above the moon," turning and changing shape.
• January 21, 1963 (Canon City, Colorado): A parachute-like "white thing" was seen after a jet passed.
• January 22, 1963 (Western United States): A large, flaming object, red to orange with a greenish tail, was observed.
• January 24, 1963 (Glenview, Illinois): An IAPA member and his wife saw a star-like, disk-shaped UFO that "grew a tail" and flipped over.
• January 25, 1963 (Granite Falls, Washington): A silent, delta-shaped, silvery-blue object was observed near Pilchuck Mountain.
• January 28, 1963 (Seattle, Washington): An elliptical object, green and changing colors, was seen traveling from south to northeast before disappearing.
• January 29, 1963 (San Diego, California): An orange, fiery object seemed to dive into the ocean, described as four feet long with sparks dropping from its tail.
• February 7, 1963 (Charlottseville, Virginia): Two pilots saw a fast-moving, yellow-white object at 5500 feet, which was later seen over Washington, D.C., with an indicated speed of over 5000 m.p.h.
• February 8, 1963 (Euclid, Ohio): A UFO was observed being chased by a jet aircraft, with both leaving vapor trails. The UFO ascended and disappeared.
• March 10, 1963 (Detroit, Michigan): Several people saw a cigar-shaped UFO approaching from the north at an estimated altitude of 300-400 feet.
• March 12, 1963 (Cleveland, Ohio): A woman reported seeing a square-shaped UFO for about 3 minutes, observed from several angles.
• March 12, 1963 (Honolulu, Hawaii): Hundreds of people sighted an unidentified flying object traveling west at high altitude and speed, described as a crescent-shaped moon falling into the sea.
• March 18, 1963 (Cape Canaveral, Florida): A white, round-shaped UFO was seen just before a Minuteman rocket was destroyed, moving eastward along the coast with a brief brilliant light before vanishing, leaving a vapor trail.
• March 26, 1963 (Eastern United States): A strange object, possibly a fireball meteor, was seen over the east coast, described as looking like a plane in trouble with a reddish glow.
• March 31, 1963 (Waynesville, North Carolina): Two people saw a round, yellow, transparent object about 400 feet in size, moving slowly and giving off "heat waves."
• April 17, 1963 (Carlstadt, New Jersey): An anonymous observer saw a white UFO that appeared to stand still before speeding out of sight, changing color from white to dull red, and was the size of a dime held at arm's length.
• April 1963 (West Hollywood, Florida): UFO researcher Fletcher King observed a "hovering UFO" in the northern sky, which was usually stationary and bright.
• April 17, 1963 (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin): Night patrons at a theatre reported seeing 20 lighted objects, sometimes in formation, making sharp turns, with lights that were sometimes white and other times crimson.
• May 5, 1963 (Glenview, Illinois): The IAPA Chairman and four local members sighted a star-like UFO at 40,000 feet, appearing disk-shaped with a ring of lights, later changing to a Saturn-shaped object. The Glenview Naval Air Station confirmed other sightings, and the object seemed to reflect light.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of the IAPA Newsletter revolve around the active investigation of UFO phenomena, the challenges posed by skepticism, and the organizational efforts of the IAPA. The newsletter demonstrates a clear editorial stance in favor of open-minded UFO research, as evidenced by the agreement with John L. Black's call for objectivity and the detailed reporting of numerous sightings. The publication actively promotes its own growth through membership campaigns and the formation of specialized research committees, indicating a proactive approach to understanding unidentified aerial phenomena. The inclusion of technical articles, such as the one on flying saucer detectors, and the exploration of related phenomena like ball lightning, underscore a commitment to a broad and thorough investigation of the UFO mystery.

Title: I.A.P.A. NEWSLETTER
Issue: June, 1963
Publisher: I.A.P.A.
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the I.A.P.A. Newsletter, dated June 1963, features a prominent section titled "SAUCERS IN THE NEWS" with a focus on "Overseas Reports." The newsletter provides a compilation of UFO sightings and related incidents from various international locations, primarily from late 1962 and early 1963. Alongside these reports, the issue includes "SAUCERIAN SHORT SHOTS," which covers organizational news, publication announcements, and upcoming content.

Saucers in the News: Overseas Reports

The "Overseas Reports" section details numerous UFO sightings from around the globe:

• Australia:
• On January 6, 1963, in South Dudley, Victoria, Graham Johnson and his brother observed a "silver dot" in the sky. They enlisted the help of Bill Haines, a draftsman, to operate a theodolite, which revealed the object was moving despite appearing stationary to the naked eye. Gwen Lymer, a witness, described it as moving slowly and being much higher than an airplane, traveling a southwest course.
• On February 15, 1963, in Melbourne, an Australian Dairy Farmer, Charlie Brew, reported seeing a "flying saucer or something" that caused his horse and cows to panic. The object was described as a "battleship gray" disc, about 25 feet wide, with a band of plastic or glass and protrusions. It descended to 75-100 feet before shooting off in a westerly direction. Brew's son heard a pulsating, whooshing sound.
• Canada:
• On January 23, 1963, in Galt, Ontario, several residents reported seeing a large green ball flash through the sky from the northeast. The local newspaper noted receiving many reports of odd-shaped objects.
• On January 25, 1963, in Vancouver, British Columbia, a blue streak was observed lighting up the sky over Howe Sound, reported by several individuals.
• England:
• On December 5, 1962, in Cheadle, Cheshire, Mr. F. Foley saw a silver-colored object hovering at an altitude of 5000 feet, about 3 miles away. It remained stationary for 15 minutes before moving off southeasterly.
• On December 19, 1962, in Langdale, 21-year-old Harold Threlkeld observed a "huge great thing in the sky, like a disc or saucer upside down." He watched it hover at about 700 feet, then descend to about 150 feet. As it moved away, he saw "3 round balls and a dome on top."
• Israel:
• On September 27, 1962, a report received by Karl Veit, director of the Deutsche-UFO Studiengemeinschaft, described an unusual "glittering object" sighted across Israel. Some thought it might be a meteor or satellite. The object moved with a fluttering motion, emitting an "œire yellow glow," and was visible for about 15 minutes.
• Venezuela:
• In December 1962, near Auyantepuy, a motion picture reportedly shows two or more UFOs filmed from an airplane. A luminous object rose from the base of a mountain and ascended vertically at high speed, passing in front of clouds.
• Argentina:
• The year 1962 was described as a tremendous "flap" of UFO sightings in Argentina. Several instances are highlighted:
• August 28, 1962, in Dolores: A brightly-lit UFO was photographed on the ground, described as 30 feet long and 15 feet high, with "human-like figures" seen inside.
• September 3, 1962, in San Juan Province: A farmer, Juan Sosa, witnessed a flying saucer take off, leaving a strong blueish light. The landing spot was found to be burned in a circle three yards in diameter.
• August 6, 1962, in Buenos Aires Province: A truck driver's vehicle motor died, and upon opening the hood, he saw a luminous cigar-shaped object about 300 yards away with orange, green, and purple lights. The object then rose quickly and disappeared.
• October 14, 1962, in Formosa: A large group saw an object in the sky twice the size of the moon, emitting a bright light. It made maneuvers and landed briefly before disappearing.
• August 16, 1962, in Santa Rosa: 25 to 30 people observed three or four UFOs depart from a "mother ship" and dash towards the horizon, with the "mother ship" remaining visible.

Saucerian Short Shots

This section provides various updates and announcements:

• CORAP Leadership: Al Katz has taken over as director of CORAP, working with Dale Rettig on a new plan. The IAPA Newsletter is planned to be published monthly, focusing on news, while the Cosmic Researcher will be published quarterly with articles and editorial viewpoints.
• New Publication: "SAUCER ALBUM," a new photo-offsetted magazine produced by Allen Greenfield and Ricky Hilberg, is now available. It will be published quarterly and contain articles, news, photos, and clippings. Subscriptions are $1.30 for 4 issues.
• I.A.P.A. Affiliation: The I.A.P.A. has become an affiliated group of Amalgamated Flying Saucer Clubs of America (AFSCA). The newsletter clarifies that affiliation does not imply endorsement of AFSCA's policies, quoting Gabriel Green on their stance regarding contactees.
• U.S. Air Force UFO Findings (1962): The Air Force received 448 UFO reports in 1962, with only 11 classified as "unknowns" and 85 as "insufficient evidence." July was the busiest month with 64 sightings.
• Ray Palmer and Flying Saucers Magazine: Ray Palmer, publisher of FLYING SAUCERS magazine, has reportedly been dealing with fraudulent claims. Readers are urged to subscribe to the magazine, with rates provided.
• IAPA Needs: The IAPA is seeking press contacts and information on good clipping services. UFO news clippings are also welcome.
• Article Submissions: Persons wishing to submit articles on any aspect of the UFO mystery are encouraged to send them to headquarters. No payment is offered, but preference is given to new ideas.
• United Research Council of UFology: This is the new name for three merged UFO groups: ROAP, USCO, and the Hawk Research Society. The annual fee is $1.00, and their publication is the "UFO Sighter-Reporter."
• Recommended Groups & Publications: A list is provided with names, addresses, and subscription prices for various UFO organizations and publications, including NICAP, APRO, FSRO, INS, Saucer News, Flying Saucers, and Saucers, Space, & Science.
• Membership Cards: Membership cards are being sent out with this issue.
• Next Issue: The next issue is due out in the first two weeks of July and will include news of the CORAP-IAPA merger, officer announcements, research committee news, articles, and photographs.
• Coming in Future Issues: A preview of future articles includes topics like "UFOlogy Overseas," "Flying Saucers & Radiation," "Hostile Saucers," and methods of UFO propulsion.
• Object Drawing: A drawing depicts an object observed by the Chairman and four IAPA members on May 5, 1963. The object changed shape from a disk to a Saturn-shaped object.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the global prevalence of UFO sightings, emphasizing that the phenomenon is not limited to any single country. The "Overseas Reports" section serves to broaden the scope of UFO investigation beyond local or national boundaries. The editorial stance appears to be one of active reporting and information gathering, as evidenced by the call for article submissions, press contacts, and clipping services. The newsletter also promotes engagement with other UFO organizations and publications, suggesting a collaborative approach within the UFO research community. The inclusion of specific details about object characteristics, witness accounts, and official findings (like the Air Force report) indicates a commitment to documenting UFO phenomena with a degree of detail and seriousness, while also acknowledging the existence of less substantiated claims (as seen in the AFSCA discussion).