Interplanetary News Service - 1962 vol 1 no 1

Magazine Overview

This document is the first issue, Vol. 1, No. 1, of the "INTERPLANETARY NEWS SERVICE" (I.N.S.), identified as "REPORT NO. 1". The publication is based in New Brunswick, N.J. The editorial stance is clear: the I.N.S. believes that flying saucers, or UFOs, originate from outer space and aims to present the truth to the public, countering the U.S. Air Force's efforts to debunk sightings.

Editorial

The editorial welcomes readers to the first issue, acknowledging imperfections but promising to do their best. It states the I.N.S.'s firm belief in the extraterrestrial origin of UFOs while opening its pages to anyone with something to say on the subject. The club was formed to reveal the truth about flying saucers, especially in light of the Air Force's constant debunking. The publication emphasizes that the public's only hope lies with civilian-run groups like theirs. Notably, the I.N.S. does not support claims made by "contactees" due to a lack of evidence for their "fantastic stories." The editorial stresses the importance of membership growth for the club's success and for spreading the truth.

Contents

The issue features several articles and news items:

• "The Reality of the UFOs" by Ed Babcock
• "Saucer Club News"
• "Fireballs Cause Residents To Panic"
• "Is There A Doctor in the House??" by Allen Greenfield
• "Flying Object Shakes Up Young Man"
• "Sonic Boom Rocks Los Angeles"
• "Strange Object Leaves Filmy Deposit on Goff Farm"

The Reality of the UFOs

This article, by Ed Babcock, Director of NJAAP, argues that the U.S. Air Force has been deliberately debunking UFO sightings to hide the truth. Babcock suggests that the Air Force views UFOs as a serious business, while presenting them to the public as hoaxes. He questions why the government would withhold evidence about potential space visitors, positing reasons such as preventing public panic or preparing for an inimical invasion. He criticizes this as an imposition on freedom and an insult to public intelligence. Babcock also discusses "classification" in military circles, arguing that information should be declassified if it doesn't pose a military threat. He asserts that the government itself, as a political entity, is not hiding facts, but rather the military is controlling information release. He points out that thousands of UFO sightings have been reported over 14 years, and that more important information is often available in published books than in supposedly secret military files. The article recounts the famous Kenneth Arnold sighting on June 23, 1947, where he described seeing "10 shiny, disc-shaped things" flying at high speed. Arnold estimated their speed at over 500 m.p.h. faster than any known aircraft. The story gained widespread attention, with other witnesses reporting similar sightings. The Air Force initially stated they were investigating but later claimed the sightings were hallucinations, a claim contradicted by thousands of witnesses in Portland, Oregon, on the same day. The article also details the experience of a United Airlines crew who witnessed five then four more wingless discs maneuvering at high altitudes.

Babcock further discusses the Air Force's handling of UFO evidence, citing Major Donald E. Keyhoe's claim that the Air Force possesses secret motion pictures of UFOs taken in 1952 over Utah. He notes that a press showing was blocked by a group concerned about public interest. The film reportedly showed 16 bluish-white objects, round and oval-shaped, which were officially concluded to be not aircraft of any known type. The article criticizes the Air Force's explanations for radar contacts, such as chasing weather balloons or seagulls, when pilots and radar experts report objects moving at incredible speeds, including 42,000 m.p.h. The Air Force's "divide-and-conquer" technique is described, involving multiple explanations to confuse the public or applying pressure through employers to silence witnesses. The article concludes that the Air Force's policy is to deny UFO existence while telling credible witnesses not to talk.

Case 2: Washington D.C. Sightings

This section details UFOs being tracked by radar over Washington D.C. in July 1952. The objects would leave when American craft entered the area and return when they departed. They exhibited fantastic speeds and maneuvers, including right-angle turns. Radar experts observed UFOs hovering over restricted areas like the White House, Capitol Building, and the Pentagon. These objects were seen by pilots, ground personnel, and radar at three different stations.

UFOs Operating in Outer Space

This section presents an observation from engineers Don R. Carr and Seymour Gates, former Navy pilot Strawn, and amateur astronomer Robert Maney, who witnessed a "red trail" followed by a small, luminescent white circular object on May 12, 1952. Observed through a telescope, it appeared disc or sphere-shaped. It maneuvered erratically at approximately 15,000 feet, then leveled off and traveled west. It reappeared, brightened when accelerating, and had a slight halo, appearing under "intelligent control." The object's initial height was calculated at 117.5 miles, with an initial speed of 36,000 m.p.h. Carr described it as coming from above the atmosphere at meteoric speed, circling the city soundlessly and under intelligent control. The article states that in 1947, ATIC concluded flying saucers were interplanetary vehicles, a conclusion allegedly confirmed by Capt. Edward J. Ruppelt, former head of the Air Force UFO project. However, High Air Force officials now deny this document's existence, though NICAP reportedly has proof. The article challenges the Air Force to open its investigation files if they maintain UFOs are non-existent, or to disclose the nature of the menace if they are considered a threat.

Saucer Club News

This section is dedicated to UFO clubs and offers a free service for them.

Is There A Doctor In The House???

Authored by Allen Greenfield, executive chairman of ROAP, this article expresses concern about "crackpots, lunatics, or some just plain nuts" who attach themselves to the UFO mystery. Greenfield argues that these individuals, particularly "contactees" and their followers, are not only harmful but could destroy serious scientific interest in UFOs. He distinguishes between "contactees" who claim to have interacted with "space people" and their followers. While acknowledging that some believers are scientific-minded individuals who have been duped, he emphasizes the dangers posed by those who have schemed up fantastic ideas, written books, and made fortunes from these claims. Greenfield argues that contactees are threatening the reputation of UFOlogy, which has been built over years by organizations like NICAP, APRO, NJAAP, and ROAP. He expresses concern that a congressional investigation into UFOs would be derailed by listening to "fairy-stories" from contactees. Greenfield calls for an "all-out effort to expose the fraud that is the contactee," warning that they represent a "grave and terrible threat to organized ufology."

Key Incidents and Reports

The issue details several specific incidents:

• Cedar Rapids, Iowa (June 23, 1947): A railroad engineer reported seeing 10 shiny, disc-shaped objects flying in a string.
• Kenneth Arnold Sighting (Boise, Idaho to Yakima, Washington): Arnold, a businessman, saw nine shining, disc-like objects swerving at an estimated 1,000 m.p.h.
• Cascades Sighting: A Portland building contractor reported seeing six or more disc-shaped objects and experienced compass anomalies.
• Portland, Oregon (July 4, 1952): Thousands witnessed dozens of strange discs at high altitudes.
• United Airlines Crew (Idaho): Witnessed five then four wingless discs, estimated at 100 feet in diameter, maneuvering at high speed.
• Washington D.C. (July 1952): Radar tracked numerous UFOs exhibiting high speeds and unusual maneuvers, hovering over restricted areas.
• May 12, 1952 Observation: Engineers and pilots observed a luminescent circular object maneuvering erratically at high altitude and speed, described as under intelligent control.
• Captain Peter Killian's Flight (Newark to Detroit): His plane was paced by three disc-shaped craft.

Other Mentions

• Fireballs Cause Residents To Panic: A brief mention of panic caused by fireballs.
• Flying Object Shakes Up Young Man: A brief mention of an incident.
• Sonic Boom Rocks Los Angeles: A brief mention of a sonic boom.
• Strange Object Leaves Filmy Deposit on Goff Farm: A brief mention of a strange object leaving a deposit.

Subscription Information

The Interplanetary News Service offers a one-year membership for $1.00 in the United States, $1.25 in Canada, and $1.50 Overseas. A single copy costs $0.35.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reality of UFOs as extraterrestrial craft, the alleged cover-up by the U.S. Air Force, and the perceived threat posed by "contactees" to the credibility of UFO research. The editorial stance is firmly pro-UFO reality and critical of official denials and obfuscation. The publication advocates for transparency and public awareness, positioning itself as a source of truth against official narratives. It champions civilian investigation and expresses skepticism towards claims lacking verifiable evidence, particularly those from contactees.