NICAP Reporter - Vol 1 No 05 - 02 1963 - No 05

Magazine Overview

Title: N.I.C.A.P. REPORTER
Issue: Vol. 1 No. 5
Date: February 1963
Publisher: NATIONAL INVESTIGATIONS COMMISSION-ON AERIAL PHENOMENA
Director: Robert J. Gribble

This issue of the N.I.C.A.P. REPORTER presents a collection of recent reports on aerial phenomena and unidentified flying objects (UFOs) from various parts of the world. The publication's director, Robert Gribble, commends the news sources for disseminating these accounts despite official efforts to ridicule and discredit the subject.

UFO Breakthrough in Sweden

Military authorities in Sweden have reportedly handed over their complete UFO files to the Swedish UFO Research Society. The Swedish government has stated that UFOs are not hostile and there is no reason for secrecy. A top government official openly suggested that inhabitants of other planets may have already mastered space travel.

Argentina: "Refuelling" Stop for Flying Discs

Argentina is experiencing a wave of flying disc sightings across several provinces. One report details a woman in La Pampa province who was hospitalized after witnessing a robot-like apparition emerge from a disc, which then rapidly disappeared. Her husband corroborated the sighting. An inspection of the landing spot revealed a flattened, burned area approximately five meters in diameter. Another account from three truck drivers describes seeing a luminous object resembling a railway carriage that split into two discs, landing and leaving a wet, greyish substance. Photographs taken by Miguel Thome near Bahia Blanca reportedly show a solid object.

South Africa: Boom and Crater - Object Seen by Hundreds

In the Zeerust area of the Transvaal, hundreds of residents reported hearing a noise akin to a cannon boom, thunder, or a machine-gun rattle. This sound is attributed to a mysterious space object seen by many, possibly hitting the earth. The search for the object, described as a 'fluorescent light tube,' has reached noise level. Mr. Bob Citron of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Laboratory has requested farmers in the affected area to report any strange noises heard.

Mystery Object Over Free State

A shiny object was sighted in the afternoon in Theunissen, Free State, which then disappeared with a white flash. Police noted its high altitude and ruled out a weather balloon due to its sudden disappearance.

Official Probe Urged of Mystery Object in Canada

The RCMP is investigating the landing site of an unidentified flying object that crashed flaming to earth in the Mount Razorback area, near Alexis Creek, British Columbia. UBC geophysicist Prof. William Slawson, along with RCMP and RCAF officers, suggested it might be a meteor, though Wing Commander Douglas Biden of Mt. Lolo radar base considered a small chance of it being satellite debris. The object was heard as a boom audible for 100 miles and was reported to the Mt. Lolo radar base hours later. A subsequent scout of the area revealed a charred mountain site. At least six persons reported seeing the object, and others heard the boom. A rancher described a cone-shaped object flying over her land, appearing to be about the size of a small plane and burning at the tail.

USA Sightings

Des Moines, Iowa: A brilliant meteor or falling star was seen, leaving a long blue-white trail that faded to red. It was described as brighter than usual falling stars, with one witness reporting the head exploded like a 'small Fourth of July flare.'

Wichita, Kansas: Law enforcement agencies reported a brilliant flash of light in the sky, described as a blue flash moving in two directions like an explosion rather than a meteor's line. Observers at Wichita Municipal Airport described it as a meteor with a long, brilliant tail.

San Diego, California: Mysterious shock waves were reported simultaneously with a fiery object flashing over the western skies. A fiery-tailed object was seen crossing the southern sky. The Navy and Air Force reported no unusual flight activities.

Grants Pass, Oregon: Ralph Wild reported seeing an unusually bright object on a mountain slope that moved too fast to be carried by a person, then ascended and moved erratically.

Patterson, New Jersey: A patrolman reported seeing an unidentified flying object over City Hall after responding to a resident's report of a shiny object.

Lansing, Michigan: State Police investigated a field for traces of a mysterious object after a report of a burning flash and a streak in the sky, accompanied by static on a car radio.

Minneapolis, Minnesota: Residents reported a fiery object in the northwestern sky, thought by most to be a meteor.

St. Paul, Minnesota: Dozens spotted an unusual 'flaming green ball' with an orange tail. The weather bureau suggested it was likely a meteor, and FAA reported no unusual aircraft activity.

Monessen, Pennsylvania: A bright object changed from blue to fiery red and seemed to explode. A U.S. Air Force officer noted similar reports but could not explain the phenomenon.

Lead, South Dakota: Several residents saw a bright red star coursing southeasterly, described as a solid red object not blinking like a star.

Erie, Pennsylvania: Residents reported flashes of fire in the sky, leading to speculation about a plane crash or scientific tests. The Weather Bureau offered no explanation.

Erie, Pennsylvania (follow-up): A patrolman saw a blue object flashing red sparks disappear into Lake Erie. A Coast Guard cutter searched the area. The object was later tentatively identified as a large meteor.

Dunkirk, New York: A fiery falling object was reported, initially thought to be a burning aircraft or debris, later identified as a large meteor. It appeared as a 'strange blue light' moving from south to north.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada: A ball of flame resembling a meteor was seen crashing near the Dundas marsh.

Utica, New York: A helicopter and ground search party investigated reports of a plane crash with falling lights and an explosion, but found no trace.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings across different continents and the variety of descriptions for these phenomena, ranging from discs and balls of light to more complex shapes and behaviors. There is a consistent pattern of official skepticism or attempts to explain these events as meteors or conventional aircraft, contrasted with the persistent reports from numerous eyewitnesses. The N.I.C.A.P. REPORTER's editorial stance is clearly in favor of investigating and reporting these phenomena, as indicated by its director's opening statement, which criticizes the discouragement and ridicule often associated with such reports.