IAPA Newsletter - Vol 1 No 3

Magazine Overview

The IAPA NEWSLETTER, Volume I, Number 3, dated July 1963, is published by the Illinois Aerial Phenomena Agency (I.A.P.A.) and is based in Glenview, Illinois. The cover features a stylized vortex graphic and a headline about a 'MYSTERY OBJECT' accompanied by a small photograph and caption. The issue is edited by Dale N. Rettig.

Editorial and Financial Concerns

The editorial section addresses the overwhelming positive response to the June issue but highlights significant financial challenges. The IAPA has come close to financial disaster due to the cost of producing a professional-looking publication. The printing and mailing costs per issue are estimated at 78¢, making it unsustainable even with bi-annual publication. To address this, the publication schedule is changing to bi-monthly, with the next issue due in September. The length of the newsletter will also be reduced to 8-16 pages, with exceptions for anniversary editions. The content will prioritize committee reports and high-quality articles, focusing on new facets of UFO research. To offset increased costs, the membership fee is raised from $1.50 to $2.00, effective August 15, 1963. Members who paid $2.00 earlier can renew for $1.75 in 1964. The newsletter also announces the absorption of CORAP into IAPA, with CORAP members being notified of the transition.

Alan Katz is appointed Assistant Chairman and will edit and publish the 'COSMIC RESEARCHER', a publication for subjective material. Members are urged to support the committee program and the organization's growth.

Announcements and Committees

The IAPA is launching several Research Committees: Interplanetary Theory Research Committee (Director: John L. Black), Dimensional Theory Research Committee (Director: Jerome Clark), Anti-Censorship Committee (Director: Louis Trifon), and Skywatch Committee (Director: John Nove'). The Department of UFO Research & Evaluation is also mentioned, with membership by invitation only. The IAPA is also sponsoring local UFO discussion groups and plans to appoint IAPA Research Agents to investigate sightings in various areas.

A membership campaign is underway to ensure the continuation of the offset publication. Members are encouraged to show the newsletter around and recruit new members, emphasizing that they are part of the IAPA, not just subscribers.

The publication details are provided: published bi-monthly by the Illinois Aerial Phenomena Agency, printed by John Dickinson Schneider Inc. Key personnel include Editor Dale Rettig, Assistant Editor Alan Katz, Administrative Assistants David R.S. Dierks and Mark Hambley, and Cover Artist Mrs. Ruth Sorensen. The membership fee is $1.50, increasing to $2.00 after August 15, 1963.

Short Shots and Technical Advisor

Under 'Short Shots', updates are provided on various committees and initiatives. The Anti-Censorship Committee is directed by Louis Trifon. The Skywatch Committee, directed by John Nove', plans a nationwide Skywatch in September. Joe Wright directs the Polar-Shaver Committee. Alan Katz will publish the 'COSMIC RESEARCHER' quarterly. Members are encouraged to purchase UFO books and subscribe to 'FLYING SAUCERS' through IAPA to support the organization. Members are also requested to file signed statements for any UFO sightings they have experienced. The next issue is due September 20, 1963.

Robert C. Beck is announced as the first Technical Advisor, focusing on Electronics and UFO Detection, and is currently advising on infra-red light. Beck is a graduate of USC with a Bachelor's in Engineering and is the owner of Calor Control Company. He is a well-known UFO researcher and a NICAP Special Advisor. The IAPA plans to add a photographic consultant, chemical analyzer, and aeronautical advisor in the future.

Opening Statements of the Interplanetary Theory Research Committee

John L. Black, Director of the Interplanetary Theory Research Committee (ITRC), outlines the committee's objective: to prove or disprove that UFOs originate from outer space. He requests information from any IAPA member or other person regarding sightings, photographs, or physical evidence. All information will be kept confidential unless permission to publish is granted. Black assures a careful, serious, and scientific study of all data, presented objectively. He hopes for member cooperation to contribute to UFOlogy.

Evaluation of May 5th UFO Sighting

This section details a UFO sighting over Glenview, Illinois, on May 5th, 1963. At approximately 7:45 PM, witnesses observed an "unusually bright object" in the northwest sky. By 8:00 PM, it appeared as a disk with blue-white lights, later changing to a Saturn-shaped object. The Glenview Naval Air Station and O'Hare Air Defense Command were notified. The object was estimated at 40,000 feet altitude and became stationary by 8:00 PM. The Chicago Tribune was notified but did not print the story. The object dimmed as the sun set, indicating it reflected sunlight. The IAPA considers this UFO an "unknown" due to its unusual characteristics, despite ruling out balloons, airplanes, or reflections. The sky was cloudless, and the temperature was in the 50s. Binocular viewing revealed no surface details. Approximately 20 other witnesses also saw the object.

Saucers in the News

This section compiles numerous UFO sighting reports from various locations and dates:

• February 4, 1963, Blenheim, New Zealand: A housewife saw a bright, silvery, half-moon-shaped object with portholes, estimated at over 10,000 feet.
• February 5, 1963, Glendale, California, USA: A UFO was spotted before noon; Air Defense and FAA investigated, and jet planes were seen nearby afterward.
• February 5, 1963, Piove Di Sacco, Italy: Painter Mario Salmaso claims to have photographed a UFO and a person in a transparent suit.
• February 14, 1963, Southeastern Minnesota, USA: Reports of an unusual sky object moving northeast from Iowa into Wisconsin.
• February 14, 1963, Carmel, California, USA: Arthur Connel reported a bright, fast-falling object with a long tail at 30,000 feet, disappearing over the ocean.
• February 18, 1963, Reno, Nevada, USA: A large, pulsating, bright glowing object with a red tail was sighted for 30 minutes.
• February 18, 1963, Maiden, North Carolina, USA: Floyd Hester and another witness saw UFOs at 15,000 feet, exhibiting high speeds, weaving, and periods of motionlessness.
• February 22, 1963, Belgrade, Montana, USA: Bill DeHaan reported a "strange red ball of fire" that swayed his car and left no trace.
• February 23, 1963, Nagoya, Japan: Eleven students saw a round object emitting red beams silently.
• February 25, 1963, Orchard City, Colorado, USA: A swift-flying, silvery object with a long tail was reported.
• February 27, 1963, Modesto, California, USA: A moon-shaped object changed color, hovered, emitted a bright streak, and returned upwards. It was estimated to be at least 300 feet in diameter.
• February 28, 1963, Carmel, California, USA: Sheriff's deputies reported a crescent-shaped object with a tail visible for about 2 minutes.
• March 12, 1963, Albany, New York, USA: An anonymous correspondent photographed a small, gray, disc-shaped UFO at low altitude.
• May 3, 1963, Liverpool, England: Four witnesses saw a metallic gray, saucer-shaped object about 40 feet in altitude, with a red pulsating light and antennae. A drawing depicts the object with red flashing light and antennae.
• May 6, 1963, Westlake, Ohio, USA: Robert Alaimo sighted a round star-like UFO with a falling motion, estimated at 2000-3000 feet, turning red near the end.
• May 7, 1963, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA: Residents spotted a boomerang-shaped UFO made of flimsy material. Navy planes investigated, and Weather Bureau officials observed the object and two smaller "pieces" that appeared to fall to earth.
• May 15, 1963, Biloxi, Mississippi, USA: Residents reported strange patterns of unusual lights, attributed by Elgin Air Force Base officials to "chemical trails" from research rockets.
• May 17, 1963, Miami, Florida, USA: A cigar-shaped fireball fluctuated in color from red to orange, changing shape to a rectangular object as it moved northward. Estimated distance was 10-15 miles.
• June 1, 1963, Chicago, Illinois, USA: A pale white light UFO was observed for 15 seconds before fading out. The witness suggested it might have been a high-flying plane but was puzzled by the fadeout.
• June 3, 1963, West Hollywood, Florida, USA: Two saucer-shaped UFOs were seen, one orange and one greenish, at about 10,000 feet.
• Early June, 1963, Lyle, Minnesota, USA: Jerome Clark reported the landing of a UFO the size of a semi-truck. Further information was pending.
• June 11 & 12, 1963, Boulder City, Colorado, USA: Residents reported seeing a star-like, pulsating UFO heading northerly on two successive nights. Further details were pending.
• June 16, 1963, Cleveland, Ohio, USA: Several persons sighted a UFO, one identified as the 'Echo' satellite. A photo was taken but was too dim to show details.

Reports from Bloomington, Illinois; New York City; Washington State; and California are pending full coverage in the September issue. The September issue will also include articles on "Animals and the UFO," a report on UFOlogy today, and other topics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the challenges of funding UFO research and publications, the importance of organized research through committees and agents, and the reporting of a wide variety of UFO sightings globally. The editorial stance emphasizes a commitment to scientific investigation, objective reporting, and the need for member support to continue these efforts. The IAPA aims to be a serious research organization, moving beyond mere reporting of sightings to deeper analysis and evaluation.