Magazine Summary
UFO's
Summary
This issue of UFO's magazine focuses on mysterious aircraft sightings, particularly those resembling conventional planes but exhibiting unusual behavior and characteristics. It highlights numerous reports from 1969 and earlier, including sightings in Britain and the United States, with a particular emphasis on craft buzzing airports. The magazine also delves into the possibility that many UFOs are deliberately disguised as ordinary aircraft to deceive observers and suggests a long-term, covert operation. A special fiction story, 'One-Night Virgin,' is also featured.
Magazine Overview
This issue of "UFO's" magazine, dated 1969, presents a collection of strange sightings and reports concerning unidentified aerial phenomena, with a particular focus on craft that buzz or appear near airports. The cover boldly proclaims "More Strange 1969 Sightings UFO's THAT BUZZ OUR AIRPORTS" and also features a special fiction story titled "One-Night Virgin."
Strange Sightings and Airport Encounters
The magazine details numerous incidents of unidentified flying objects, many of which defy easy categorization. One prominent article, "Hundreds See Torpedo-Shaped UFO Streak Across Britain" by Richard Farrell, describes a mass sighting of a torpedo-shaped object over the UK. Another article by John A. Keel, "NEW UFO'S BUZZ," estimates 50,000 unidentified flying objects annually in the United States, many of which take the form of conventional aircraft, making them less likely to be reported.
Key incidents discussed include:
- British Sighting: Hundreds of witnesses in Britain reported a torpedo-shaped UFO streaking across the night sky.
- Wyoming Sighting: An airplane-shaped vehicle was photographed in Wyoming and vanished seconds later.
- Argentine Incident (July 22, 1968): A plane with an unusually long fuselage and short delta wings was observed at San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, exhibiting slow, peculiar flight before departing.
- US Air Force Case (April 20, 1952): A Project Blue Book report mentioned groups of objects shaped like conventional aircraft, glowing red, performing unusual maneuvers.
- Long Island Sighting (1957): A large delta-winged aircraft was seen flying silently with a reddish glow.
- Canadian Sighting (October 1965): A peculiar parked airplane with a waffle-like exterior and a transparent dome was observed on a ranch in Alberta, Canada.
- West Virginia Sightings (March 1968 & April 1967): Reports include formations of prismatic lights followed by conventional planes, and a twin-engined plane performing dangerous maneuvers near steep hills.
- New Jersey Incident (October 11, 1966): A brilliant light temporarily blinded a police sergeant, followed by a large number of helicopters and jet planes.
- St. Louis Incident (Unknown Date): A disc-shaped object reportedly transformed into a jet airliner.
The "Mystery Airplane" Phenomenon
Much of the issue explores the concept of "mystery airplanes" that resemble conventional aircraft but possess anomalous characteristics. These craft are often described as unmarked, flying at very low altitudes, and exhibiting flight patterns impossible for standard planes. The magazine suggests that these objects may be deliberately disguised to maintain public skepticism and confusion. The article "STRANGE SIGHTINGS" details how these conventional-looking craft have been observed for decades, appearing in various regions including California, New England, Scandinavia, and South America.
Analysis and Theories
John A. Keel and other contributors posit that the majority of UFO reports describe "eccentric" objects rather than classic saucers, suggesting a high degree of flexibility in UFO shapes. The possibility of a planned program to maintain confusion is raised, with UFOs potentially acquiring any desired shape. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch report of a disc transforming into a jet airliner is cited as evidence that such transformations are observed.
Dr. Jacques Vallee's research is mentioned, indicating that UFO sightings increase in areas with lower population density, suggesting a preference for covert observation. The article concludes by proposing that these phenomena may represent a form of psychological warfare or deliberate deceit, with UFOs potentially operating as conventional aircraft to avoid scrutiny, a pattern observed since the late 19th century.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of unidentified aerial phenomena, the possibility of deliberate deception by unknown entities, and the challenges in identifying and explaining sightings that mimic conventional aircraft. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into these unexplained events, presenting evidence and theories that suggest a complex and potentially covert aspect to UFO activity. The magazine emphasizes that many sightings are not of exotic "spaceships" but of objects exhibiting highly unusual characteristics, often disguised as familiar aircraft to avoid detection and analysis.
Special Fiction
Included in this issue is a special fiction story titled "One-Night Virgin," with the tagline "Every man was her first, or so she said..."
The unaccountable feature of the objects was that each had a red glow surrounding it and was glowing itself, although it was a cloudless night.
Key Incidents
Hundreds of excited witnesses reported a torpedo-shaped UFO streaking across the night sky, traveling south.
An airplane-shaped vehicle was photographed by a vacationer, and it vanished seconds later.
A plane with an unusually long fuselage and short delta wings circled an airport field at 200 feet, moved slowly, and then shot away.
Several groups of objects, shaped like conventional aircraft and glowing red, flew in a straight line, changing direction in a manner like standard aircraft turns.
A large delta-winged aircraft passed swiftly overhead in total silence, surrounded by an eerie reddish glow.
A small airplane was seen parked on a pasture, described as having a conventional tail and delta wings, but with a waffle-like exterior and a transparent plastic-like dome cover.
A formation of low-flying UFO-type lights (prismatic) was reported over Highway 62 during a snowstorm, followed by a conventional light plane apparently following them.
A peculiar flying light was pursued, and a twin-engined plane circled and flew directly at observers at treetop level, cutting its engines and gliding over them.
A brilliant flying light appeared, temporarily blinding a police sergeant, followed by seven helicopters and ten to twelve jet planes.
A huge disc-shaped object, complete with portholes, hovered overhead and then sprouted wings, taking on the configuration of an ordinary jet airliner before flying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of UFOs are being reported near airports?
Reports indicate UFOs that resemble conventional airplanes, often propeller-driven, but also include torpedo-shaped craft and objects that change form.
Why are conventional-looking aircraft reported as UFOs?
These 'mystery airplanes' are often unmarked, fly at low altitudes, have illuminated cabins at night, and exhibit unusual flight maneuvers not typical of standard aircraft.
How many UFO sightings are estimated annually?
An estimated 50,000 unidentified flying objects appear annually over cities, villages, and farm fields in the United States.
What is the significance of UFOs appearing in sparsely populated areas?
Sighting reports increase in areas where population density decreases, suggesting UFO activity is concentrated where the chances of being discovered are lowest, possibly indicating covert operations.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- Richard FarrellAuthor
- John A. KeelAuthor
- Edith GreinertInvestigator
- William HertzkeWitness
- Jim LorenzenAuthor
- Coral LorenzenAuthor
- Raymond FowlerEngineer
- Ben ThompsonPolice Sergeant
- Robert GordonPolice Sergeant
- Lloyd MallanScience Writer
- Jacques ValleeResearcher
Organisations
- United States Air Force
- Flying Saucer Review
- Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO)
- Armed Services Committee
- Civil Aeronautics Board
- Pentagon
Locations
- Britain, United Kingdom
- Scotland, United Kingdom
- England, United Kingdom
- Wick, United Kingdom
- United States, USA
- Texas, USA
- Florida, USA
- West Virginia, USA
- California, USA
- New England, USA
- Scandinavia, Europe
- Sweden, Europe
- Finland, Europe
- Norway, Europe
- +6 more