Magonia - No 95 - 2007 05

Magazine Overview

MAGONIA 95, dated May 2007, is a publication focused on "CONTEMPORARY VISION AND BELIEF," with a particular emphasis on ufology. The issue's cover highlights key articles on "MIGS, ROSWELL AND CRASHED UFOS," "THE TRANSFORMATION OF UFOLOGY," and "A VERY BRITISH UFOLOGY," alongside book reviews.

Editorial Notes: A Very British Ufology

The editorial section, penned by John Rimmer, discusses the revival of interest in the Warminster UFO incident and reviews two recent books on the subject: Andy Roberts and David Clarke's "Flying Saucerers: A Social History of Ufology" and Kevin Goodman's "UFO Warminster: Cradle of Contact." Rimmer posits that Warminster represents an intrinsically English phenomenon within a distinctive national UFO tradition. He notes that early British ufology, unlike its American counterpart, attracted a number of 'establishment' figures, including high-ranking RAF personalities like Lord Dowding, and members of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy. The editorial also touches upon class divisions within British ufology, citing the factional infighting within BUFORA, and the tendency for some ufologists to prioritize occult or challenging scientific values over a purely scientific approach.

The Roswell Incident, YF-110 and Constant Peg: What the U.S. Air Force did with two dozen "Unknown Aerial Vehicles"

This article by Curtis Peebles examines the U.S. Air Force's secret projects involving the analysis of Soviet MiG aircraft, drawing an analogy to the Roswell incident. Stanton T. Friedman's claims of numerous U.S. aircraft being lost in dogfights with UFOs and the retrieval of "dozens of crashed saucers" are presented as unsubstantiated. Peebles contrasts this with the concrete, declassified evidence of U.S. military operations involving captured Soviet MiGs.

Have Doughnut

The "Have Doughnut" project, initiated in late 1967, was a joint effort by the Foreign Technology Division (FTD) and the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) to acquire and test a MiG-21F-13 aircraft. The goal was to understand the enemy's capabilities and tactics. The project involved a thirteen-man team that transported the MiG to a test site, disassembled it, added test instruments, and conducted extensive flight tests and simulated combat missions. The aircraft was given the designation "YF-110B" and a fake serial number to conceal its identity. The tests, conducted between February and March 1968, involved 102 flights, including simulated dogfights against U.S. fighters like the F-4E. The reports detailed the MiG-21's handling, performance, and vulnerabilities, such as its poor visibility and slow acceleration at low altitudes. A training film, "Throw a Nickel on the Grass," was produced to brief U.S. pilots on how to counter the MiG-21.

Constant Peg

Following "Have Doughnut," the "Constant Peg" project was established in 1977. This involved a secret squadron of approximately twenty-five MiG aircraft (MiG-17s, MiG-21s, and MiG-23s) operating from the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada. The unit, designated the 4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES), trained U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine pilots in air-to-air combat against these "aggressor" aircraft. The project ran until 1988 and involved about 6,800 pilots. "Constant Peg" faced challenges with acquiring technical data and spare parts, leading to a higher accident rate compared to normal Air Force operations. The MiG-21 was judged a highly maneuverable fighter, while the MiG-23 was considered less successful. The project was classified as "Black" due to its sensitive nature, but like "Have Doughnut," it eventually became an open secret, with leaks occurring in aviation publications.

MiG History vs. Roswell Mythology

Peebles argues that the extensive, declassified evidence for the U.S. MiG operations (reports, photos, training films) stands in stark contrast to the lack of verifiable evidence for the Roswell incident. He criticizes ufologists for dismissing historical records, such as the lack of a nurse named Naomi Selff or the explanation of debris as part of a Project Mogul balloon, in favor of anecdotal accounts. The thoroughness of the MiG analysis, involving numerous intelligence organizations and pilots, highlights how such a significant recovery or encounter would not have remained secret.

The Transformation of Ufology

This section by Matt Graeber critiques the tendency within ufology to embrace sensationalized and embellished accounts, often referred to as "Transformational Effects." Graeber discusses how UFO experiences are sometimes alleged to produce spiritual awakenings or even the creation of hybrid beings. He expresses skepticism towards claims of numerous alien species visiting Earth and the notion of "Greys" absorbing nutrients through their skin. Graeber focuses on the "Transformation of Facts" that occur when misinterpretations and misrepresentations of evidence are presented as significant findings. He recounts personal experiences at UFO conferences where critical questions were unwelcome and where presentations lacked rigorous investigation into the credibility of sources or the authenticity of evidence. Examples include a photo of alleged UFOs that may have been coin planchets and a presentation on "implants" and alien encounters that relied on unsubstantiated claims. Graeber also touches upon the "fossil remains of Mythical Creatures and Saucer Pilots" example, questioning the scientific basis and critical evaluation of such findings within the ufological community.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Magonia strongly emphasizes a critical and evidence-based approach to ufology. The editorial and the articles by Curtis Peebles and Matt Graeber consistently advocate for rigorous investigation, the distinction between historical fact and mythological narrative, and skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims. The magazine highlights the importance of verifiable evidence, declassified military documents, and scientific analysis, contrasting these with the often anecdotal and sensationalized accounts prevalent in some ufological circles. The underlying stance is one of promoting a more grounded and analytical understanding of the UFO phenomenon, while acknowledging the historical significance of certain events and the ongoing public fascination with the subject. The comparison between the thorough, albeit secret, analysis of Soviet military technology and the lack of similar concrete evidence for extraterrestrial craft underscores a critical perspective on the claims made within the UFO community.

Title: THE PELICAN WRITES
Issue: 11
Volume: 11
Date: November 2001
Publisher: Magonia
Country: United Kingdom
ISSN: 1360-0411
Price: £3.50

This issue of The Pelican Writes delves into the complex and often controversial world of ufology, crop circles, and paranormal investigation. It critically examines the evolution of these fields, the role of hoaxes, and the motivations behind belief and skepticism. The magazine features reviews of several books that explore these themes, offering a nuanced perspective on the search for meaning and truth in anomalous phenomena.

The Carbondale Hoax and the State of Ufology

The issue highlights the ongoing promotion of the "Carbondale hoax of 1974" by a group called BUFO, which is attempting to frame it as a significant UFO crash event akin to Roswell. The article criticizes this effort, along with similar attempts to sensationalize UFO stories, suggesting that such practices contribute to the "UFOOLogy" phenomenon – a transformation of ufology into an entertainment industry. The author notes that while serious UFO researchers can distinguish between credible and dubious claims, the public is often misled by sensationalized narratives.

Several e-mail exchanges between UFO group leaders and members illustrate the debate surrounding these hoaxes. Matt Graeber raises concerns about BUFO's promotion of the Carbondale hoax, while Rick Yost and Albert Benson discuss the broader context of such claims, including past instances of misinformation and the motivations of individuals involved.

Scott Morris, a UFO group leader, offers a perspective that scientists are capable of separating genuine UFO claims from absurd ones, and that the proliferation of "internet saucer-hucksters" is more of a "sideshow" than a fundamental problem for serious research.

The Evolution of Ufology and Belief Systems

The issue explores how ufology has shifted from a focus on "nuts-and-bolts" sightings to a broader cultural phenomenon that incorporates New Age beliefs, spiritualism, and a search for meaning. The article "The Pelican is amused by the tendency of Serious Ufologists" discusses how belief in UFOs can sometimes serve as a substitute for rejected religious beliefs, citing examples of individuals who have turned to UFO research for answers to life's deeper questions.

It is argued that the transformation of ufology into an "unbridled" entertainment industry, or "UFOOLogy," is driven by factors such as the desire for increased membership, book deals, and journal subscriptions, rather than purely objective research. This trend is seen as a continuation of past practices, where the pursuit of UFO phenomena has become intertwined with cultural narratives and personal needs.

Crop Circles as Art and Phenomenon

The book review of "The Field Guide: the art, history and philosophy of crop circle making" by Rob Irving and John Lundberg, edited by Mark Pilkington, presents crop circles as a form of art created by human artists. The review discusses the symbiotic relationship between crop artists and cereologists, and suggests that the awe inspired by crop circles can be attributed to their artistic merit, akin to a placebo effect.

It is noted that the book explores the "croppie pseuds, the eccentrics, the cranks, the chancers, charlatans and downright crooks" involved in the crop circle phenomenon, highlighting the ambiguity of motives and the potential for hoaxes to be mistaken for genuine extraterrestrial activity.

Book Reviews: Paranormal Investigations and Historical Figures

Several book reviews offer insights into various aspects of paranormal research and historical figures associated with it:

• "Ghost Hunters: William James and the search for scientific proof of life after death" by Deborah Blum: This book examines the early years of psychical research in Britain and the US, focusing on William James's involvement. It highlights the quest for proof of life after death and the challenges faced by researchers, including the tendency for phenomena to self-destruct or for investigators to become overly immersed.

• "The Secret Life of Houdini: the making of America's first superhero" by William Kalush and Larry Sloman: This review discusses Houdini's battles with Spiritualists and the darker aspects of interwar spiritualism. It suggests that the paranormal and psychical research communities of that era were complex and sometimes sinister.

• "War of the Words: the true but strange story of the Gulf Breeze UFO" by Craig R Myers: This review critiques the Gulf Breeze UFO case, dismissing the evidence as fake and criticizing organizations like MUFON for endorsing such claims.

• "Extraordinary Knowing: science, skepticism and the inexplicable powers of the human mind" by Elizabeth Lloyd Mayer: The review explores Mayer's journey into psychical research after recovering her daughter's harp, discussing her encounters with anomalous experiences and the challenges of applying scientific frameworks to them.

• "Suburban Legends: true tales of murder, mayhem and the minivans" by Sam Stall: This book is presented as a humorous look at the darker, anomalous aspects of suburban life, suggesting that wildness and unease are present even in seemingly idyllic settings.

• "The Paranormal and the Politics of Truth: a sociological account" by Jeremy Northcote: This book analyzes the heated disputes between 'believers' and 'skeptics' in the paranormal field, suggesting that these conflicts often stem from deeply held ideological beliefs rather than a pure desire for truth.

• "The Field Guide: the art, history and philosophy of crop circle making" by Rob Irving and John Lundberg: As mentioned earlier, this book is reviewed as exploring crop circles as art and examining the relationship between artists and researchers.

• "Harry Price: The Psychic Detective" by Richard Morris and "Time Restored: the Harrison timekeepers and R. T. Gould, the man who knew (almost) everything" by Jonathan Betts: These reviews cover historical figures in paranormal research, including Harry Price, known for his controversial methods, and R. T. Gould, who was involved in Forteana and cryptozoology. The reviews highlight the complex and often eccentric lives of these individuals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of ufology and paranormal research. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards sensationalism and hoaxes, while acknowledging the genuine interest and search for meaning that drives many people to explore these subjects. The magazine emphasizes the importance of historical context, critical thinking, and distinguishing between objective investigation and subjective belief. There is a clear critique of the commercialization of ufology and the tendency for some researchers to prioritize self-promotion over rigorous scientific inquiry. The issue also touches upon the broader cultural impact of paranormal beliefs and the ongoing human quest to understand the unexplained.