SIGAP NEWS

Magazine Overview

Title: SIGAP NEWS
Issue Date: January 1979
Issue Number: 7
Price: 20p

This issue of SIGAP NEWS, dated January 1979, presents a collection of UFO news and events. The publication acknowledges a slight reduction in print quality but assures members that the content will compensate for the presentation loss. The aim is to produce SIGAP NEWS on a more regular basis to keep members informed. This issue includes the latest reports received in 1979 and promises a full list of investigated reports from 1978 in the next edition. SIGAP is also seeking to update its list of investigators and invites interested individuals to fill out an enclosed form. The work involves visiting and interviewing witnesses, and the next SIGAP meeting will discuss investigation procedures.

Key Articles and Reports

A 1937 UFO IN SURREY

This article details a sighting by Major F. Turner-Bridger, interviewed by M. Prewett and O. Fowler. In September or October 1937, while motoring near Northchapel, Surrey, Major Turner-Bridger witnessed a mysterious object hovering over Blackdown Hill. He described it as a flaming orange circle with a lump in the middle, surrounded by orange flame. The object was observed by another car and then suddenly flew away at high speed, reappearing further along the ridge. The Major speculated it might have been a new experimental aircraft, given Farnborough's proximity. He notes that at the time, with the possibility of war, he did not report the incident. The interview was conducted in August 1978, and sketches of the object are provided.

IN THE SKY

This section features a poetic report by Mrs R. Cutler, describing a personal experience of seeing a brilliant light in the sky at 2 a.m. The light was described as bright, six inches long, and shining silently, dimming and brightening at intervals. The author expresses a feeling of being watched and concludes that it was not a dream.

VIEW FROM THE PRESS

This section discusses the extensive publicity surrounding the New Zealand UFO, with various explanations offered in the press. It highlights a column by Jean Rook of the Daily Express on January 3rd, 1979, who stated her unwavering belief in Flying Saucers. This prompted a letter from 'yours truly' (presumably the editor or a SIGAP representative) to Jean Rook, who replied on January 11th, 1979, thanking them for their letter and enclosures and expressing confidence that 'time will prove us all right'.

"MEXICO SCENE"

By Richard Colborne, this report discusses a potential UFO sighting in Mexico City on December 3rd, 1978. An engineer reported a wing-shaped object with incandescent lights or flames. Colborne also recounts witnessing a strange spectacle himself: an aircraft carrying an advertisement for 'Corona' with illuminated bulbs on its underside. He suggests this could account for the reported sighting, noting that the effect is most spectacular when seen overhead but less clear at an angle, and that polluted atmosphere might explain an orange effect. The report also mentions headlines about UFOs returning in Spanish papers and information about a landing in Spain 18 years prior where occupants were captured.

AIR FORCE PUT ON UFO ALERT (The Sun, Australia)

This article from The Sun newspaper reports that a strike squadron of the New Zealand Air Force was on standby due to multiple UFO sightings over the country. The alert followed several sightings by planes and ground radar near the Kaikoura mountains. An unidentified object was filmed by a TV news crew flying from Wellington to Christchurch. The report details the experience of Captain Bill Startup, who observed lights and an object exhibiting unusual speed and maneuvering capabilities. The cameraman's wife was reportedly frightened by the encounter. The article also mentions radar confirmation of the object's presence.

UFO REPORTS 1979

This section lists recent UFO reports received by SIGAP:

• 901 (2/1/79): Oval object hovering over Ripley, Surrey, seen through binoculars (CE 1).
• 902 (9/1/79): Object with lights seen hovering over Epsom racecourse (CE 1).
• 903 (9/1/97): Whizzing noises across roof in early hours at Bookham Village, later identified as OWLS.
• 904 (11/1/79): Sphere-shaped object seen over Guildford in early morning (Under Investigation).
• 905 (13/1/79): Large square-shaped object flew over car and down M3 near Camberley, with coloured lights (Under Investigation, witness from RAF Works LAP).

ITALIAN INCIDENTS

Extracts from 'LA Nazione' dated September 1978 detail sightings in Italy:

• Province of Versilia (14/9/78): An illuminated object stopped twice in the air, vanishing when still. It was described as having a bright blinding light, flying at 'Aeroplane height', and was seen moving towards Pisa & Bologna. It was also reported from other provinces including Grosseto, Lucca, Arezzo, Carrara, La Spezia and Valdivara. It was described as light in colour, cigar-shaped with a bluish-red trail, emitting bright rays.
• Province of Valdivara: Three fishermen were frightened by a green/bluish light sent towards the ground.
• Rome: An object resembling a rugby ball, moving silently with a blinding light, emitted a luminous ring and moved away quickly.

The editor of 'LA Nazione' notes that while they usually do not focus on such reports, the number of sightings by trusted people makes them noteworthy.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SIGAP NEWS are the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, both recent and historical. There is a clear editorial stance of taking UFO phenomena seriously, as evidenced by the detailed reporting, the inclusion of a form for new investigators, and the positive response from Jean Rook of the Daily Express. The magazine aims to provide regular updates and thorough investigations, encouraging member participation. The inclusion of a poetic report and a press review suggests a broad approach to the subject matter, encompassing personal experiences and media coverage. The publication also highlights international incidents, indicating a global perspective on UFO activity.

Title: UFO REVIEW
Issue: 10
Volume: 4
Date: January 1979
Publisher: Flying Saucer Review Publications
Country: UK
Price: 25p
ISSN: 0042-0001

This issue of UFO Review focuses on unexplained phenomena within Britain, featuring two distinct reports: a detailed UFO sighting and an investigation into an unusual auditory event.

Case S.901: Sighting in Ripley, Surrey

The first report, dated January 2, 1979, is a statement from Mr. J. Hodge of Ripley, Surrey, detailing an experience that began around 7:15 am. Initially awakened by what he perceived as a low-flying aircraft with flashing lights, his attention was drawn to a higher, dull grey light in the sky. This light intensified, becoming brighter and taking on a round disc shape. Using binoculars, Mr. Hodge observed the object more closely. After a cloud passed, the object appeared brighter and seemed to approach him, then recede, exhibiting a side-to-side rocking motion. As more cloud cleared, the object was seen more clearly as a silvery, very bright, slightly bluish light. It then appeared to turn on its side, transforming from an oval shape to a complete circle with visible discs around its edge, pulsating with a silver-bluish light. The underside of the object displayed bands, described as broad bands of webbing, pitted with shiny studs or dots. Convinced it was a UFO, Mr. Hodge ran to a phone box to call emergency services. As he did so, the object resumed its original position and flew off. The report includes three diagrams: (1) illustrating the rocking motion, (2) a side view of the object, and (3) a view of the object with discs around its edge. A postscript notes that no confirmation of the sighting has been received, but it exhibits known UFO 'behaviour'.

An Investigation Into An U.N.O. (Unidentified Noise Object..)

The second article, by M. Prewett, investigates a strange rhythmic noise heard on the night of October 20, 1978, between 2305 and 2320, over Aldershot, Hants. This noise had been previously heard in the North Lane and Tongham areas. In one instance, a witness located the sound above their car engine while driving in the North Lane area. The droning was so loud it attracted the attention of 18-year-old student Stephen Osbiston, who lived in Cargate Avenue, Aldershot. Mr. Osbiston recorded the noise from his bedroom window, and this recording was featured on the local radio program 'Radio 210' during its '60 minutes' segment. The incident is described as the climax to weeks of reports of strange droning noises and mystery lights in the Aldershot and Farnborough areas. The recorded tape was subsequently passed to the R.A.E. Farnborough for analysis. The findings indicate that the tape recording waveforms are sinusoidal and, focusing on the oscillating part, show a frequency variation between 915Hz and 1kHz with a sweep rate of 0.23 seconds. This oscillation was replicated using a Frequency Sweep Generator. Detailed listening suggests two possibilities for the sound's origin: (a) it closely resembles the sound of a British Rail 'Mainliner' track ballast and rail aligner, including the reciprocating sound of a diesel engine, gravel sifting, and metal-on-metal contact of wheels on a railway line, with sounds of a normal diesel locomotive also present on the early part of the tape; or (b) it could be some type of experimental siren, though this does not fit precisely. The article concludes by stating that the tape will be played for attendees at the next SIGAP meeting.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO Review continues its focus on documented sightings and unexplained phenomena within the UK. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and reporting, presenting witness accounts and scientific analysis without overt sensationalism. The inclusion of diagrams and technical analysis of sound recordings demonstrates a commitment to exploring the details of reported events. The magazine serves as a platform for sharing and discussing UFO and UAP-related incidents, encouraging further research and discussion among its readership, as evidenced by the planned playback of the recorded noise at the SIGAP meeting.