Magonia Supplement - No 38 - 2002 01 22

Magazine Overview

MAGONIA Supplement No. 38, dated 22 January 2002, is a 6-page issue focusing on UFO phenomena. The cover headline is "MOON ROOF OPTIONAL" and the main article is by Martin S. Kottmeyer.

MOON ROOF OPTIONAL by Martin S. Kottmeyer

This article analyzes a UFO case from 1950, approximately twelve miles from Paris, involving an ex-pilot who runs a bar near the airport. The witness heard a whistling sound and saw two flying saucers, each about 16 feet in diameter and four and a half feet high, land nearby. Two beings, described as five and a half feet tall with brown hair and wearing dark flying suits, emerged from the saucers. They proceeded to reset a rod on one of the machines using their bare hands, without tools. The witness engaged them in conversation, and they responded in slow, accurate French, indicating they had a breakdown that would soon be fixed.

After the repair, a blinding light emanated from the interior of the craft. The witness described the light as perfect, with no discernible source or shadows. Inside, he observed a red leather dentist's chair, a large oval steering wheel with switches, and a wireless-like set with knobs. When asked about the knobs, the being replied, "Power". The doors closed, and the machines lifted off the ground by a few inches, appearing weightless and made of aluminum. They took off at tremendous speed, accompanied only by a sound like the wind, leaving no trace on the ground.

The story was told to French ufologist Jimmy Guieu and producer Fernand Carlo in the early 1950s, before George Adamski's book "Flying Saucers Have Landed" was published, to preempt claims of influence. Guieu's book was revised by January 1954, setting an upper limit for the case's appearance. The article notes this is not the first reported "saucer repair" case, citing the April 1950 Bruno Facchini case.

Kottmeyer argues that this case is not about misinterpretation or illusion, but presents a stark choice between the story being entirely true or entirely false. The witness, Claude Blondeau, was a commercial pilot and former Air Force pilot with 1,500 flying hours, suggesting mental stability.

The science described is simple: the craft defies gravity, but otherwise lacks the biological absurdities or spiritual appeals found in other UFO lore. The description includes a leather seat, steering wheel, and switches, with quiet operation. However, the article notes that with 50 years of perspective, the story's plausibility is complicated. While the knobs and switches seemed reasonable in the Fifties, by the turn of the century, concepts like mental interfaces became more prevalent in UFO lore (MILAB), making Blondeau's saucer seem more like an antique.

The steering wheel is highlighted as a unique feature among UFO stories. The holes along the rim that light up on takeoff are compared to jets of flame seen on other saucers, and a similar detail is noted in a 1975 case by Budd Hopkins.

Kottmeyer questions the admission of a breakdown, arguing that sufficiently advanced technology should require little or no repair, foresee maintenance needs, and self-repair. He considers whether the craft represents alien or secret earth technology. The brown-haired men in dark suits and their ability to speak French suggest an earthly origin. The single-seater nature of the craft implies an early stage of development, with the second craft possibly being a spotter on a shakedown cruise.

However, the "pure light without source or shadow" is described as celestial, akin to religious visions, and the craft's weightlessness aligns with spirits or supermen rather than rocket science. These elements are more common in contactee lore, abduction lore, and science fiction, supporting an Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) viewpoint. Alternatively, the light could be explained by atomic power, and weightlessness by harnessed magnetic forces, possibly as a spin-off from projects like Manhattan or cyclotron work.

The article concludes that the story, with its "guy-talk" narrative and emphasis on "Power," functions as a perfect commercial for a futuristic dream-car, making it "just too good to be true" and representing a "guy's fantasy."

Editorial

The editorial addresses an angry response from UFO historian Jerome Clark to a previous Magonia editorial. Clark criticized using the "atrocity" of the 11 September events to critique ufologists. The Magonia editor defends this by stating that atrocities do spark debates relevant to them, citing massacres leading to debates about gun control. The editorial distinguishes between real-world debates (like those about guns) and what it calls the "fantasy" world of human-alien hybrids and crashed saucers. It asserts that Magonia prefers to face reality and engage in logical, fact-based research rather than wild speculation, even if this makes UFO stories less "interesting" than those presented in popular entertainment formats.

LETTERS

This section contains correspondence from readers. Christopher D. Allan, from Stoke-on-Trent, questions the prosecution of individuals for revealing details of UFO incidents or official meetings, referencing the "Disclosure Project" and testimony from John Callahan about a radar/visual sighting over Alaska in November 1986.

Gareth J. Medway, from London, discusses the rarity of multiple-witness UFO sightings. He suggests that many sightings go unreported because witnesses do not bother to tell anyone, or if they do, they face dismissive responses from police, the Ministry of Defence, or even UFO organizations. He also notes the difficulty of door-to-door inquiries in rough areas. Medway concludes that even if multiple-witness sightings occur, they are unlikely to become known.

ODDS AND ENDS

This section features short, miscellaneous items:

• Cruel hoax: A story about Walkers crisps promising medical treatment for a sick child if a large quantity of packets were collected is debunked as a hoax. Police in Plumstead, London, were targeted by this scam.
• Silly names: A list of unusual Japanese car model names from The Daily Telegraph is presented, including "Mitsubishi Lettuce," "Isuzu Begin Funky Box," and "Nissan Nails."
• Silly excuses: A survey on reasons for work absences revealed bizarre excuses such as "having a foot stuck in the toilet," "having keys buried by the dog," and "getting abducted by aliens."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the analysis of specific UFO cases, particularly those involving technological aspects and witness testimony (the "Moon Roof Optional" case). There is a strong emphasis on critical thinking, skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, and a preference for evidence-based research, as articulated in the editorial. The magazine positions itself as a source for serious, objective ufological discussion, distinct from sensationalized popular accounts. The "Odds and Ends" section provides a lighter touch, highlighting hoaxes, linguistic curiosities, and absurdities, which indirectly reinforces the magazine's grounded approach by contrasting it with the frivolous or deceptive.