NICAP Reporter - Vol 2 No 04 - 01 1964 - No 16

Magazine Overview

Title: N. I. C. A. P. REPORTER
Issue: No. 16
Volume: Vol. 2 No. 4
Date: January 1964
Publisher: National Investigations Commission on Aerial Phenomena
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the N.I.C.A.P. REPORTER, dated January 1964, presents a collection of reports on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and related incidents from late 1963 and early 1964. The publication aims to document and disseminate information on these events, often quoting local newspapers and eyewitness accounts.

Reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena and Possible Related Incidents

Town Councillor Reports Mysterious Flying Object A 64-year-old town councillor, John Gallagher of Coatbridge, Scotland, reported seeing a flying object on July 25th. He initially mistook it for a plane but then observed a distinct object hovering about 100 feet above the town. It moved north over the parish church and vanished with great speed. Gallagher, initially hesitant to report due to fear of ridicule, became convinced of the existence of flying objects. His description matched those given by Edinburgh observers. The object appeared over Coatbridge at 9:45 a.m. and disappeared by 9:56 a.m. (Source: Daily Mail, London, England--8/1/63).

Flying Object Observed Through Telescope On Wednesday night, July 31st, an unidentified flying object was observed over Gillingham, England, for two hours. Witnesses described it as "V-shaped-shining in the sunlight," or "like a triangle with a red glow at the bottom." A man walking down Franklin Road described it as traveling north to south slowly, then moving straight up, in the shape of a 'V' and shining in the sun. Mr. David Bird, 24, claimed the object remained still for two hours from around 7:30 p.m., describing it as a "shining white light." Using opera glasses, he saw a red glow at the bottom. The object changed from a 'V' to a circular shape while in the air. Bird's brother thought it resembled a triangle. Bird speculated about other planets looking at Earth and the triangles in Dorset. The object's stationary nature led Bird to discount the weather balloon theory. Mr. Cyril Shead observed it through a 60-power telescope, describing it as "like an old-fashioned humbug," possibly at eight to ten thousand feet, made of shiny plastic. (Source: Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham News--Gillingham, Kent, England--8/2/63).

Story of Another Light in the Sky Harold and Roberta Flexter of Cisne, Illinois, reported an experience with a light in the sky. While watching a cow about to calve, they saw a "great big light" appear. It moved very fast and silently, appearing kite-shaped with a large light on the front and a smaller red light on the back. After it passed overhead, the cow had a dead calf. (Source: The Press--Fairfield, Illinois--8/12/63).

More Lights in Wayne County Residents east and west of Fairfield, Illinois, reported seeing two bright lights, one described as kite-shaped with a comet-like tail, traveling rapidly. One light dimmed temporarily. A Keenes family reported seeing a crescent-shaped light accompanied by a motor-like noise. Officials suggested the lights might be aircraft beacons. (Source: The Register-News--Mt. Vernon, Illinois--8/8/63).

Top-Shaped Object Sighted Over Edinburgh, Scotland At 4 a.m. on August 6th, 16-year-old Robert Brown saw an aircraft "shaped like a spinning top with a flat bottom" hovering over Edinburgh. He heard a "wheeing" noise and observed it for two to three minutes. It was twice the size of an aeroplane but traveling very slowly, described as silver and shiny. It took off, climbing towards Arthur's Seat. (Source: The Evening Dispatch--Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland--8/6/63).

Light-in-the-Sky Story Gains Momentum Here; Another Strange Object is Seen An unusual object was seen in the eastern sky near Fairfield, Illinois, around 9 p.m. on Wednesday night. Chauncey Uphoff and Mike Hill described it as a "big diamond" moving from west to east. They then saw another object that did not have blinker lights like a jet. The diamond object suddenly swung toward the jet plane and its lights went out. The object then reappeared and moved with lightning-like speed, appearing kite-shaped with a long tail. It circled back south and hovered at a 45-degree angle over Merriam, then disappeared toward Grayville. Uphoff estimated it was a thousand or more feet up and made no sound. Uphoff's dogs barked excessively during the event. This incident may be linked to a report of Ronnie Austin being chased home by a big, bright object in the sky near Keenes Sunday night, which also caused dogs to bark. (Source: The Press--Fairfield, Illinois--8/8/63).

Story of Another Light in the Sky (Continued) Mr. and Mrs. Perry Padgett reported seeing a strange light in the sky while driving home from Cisne, Illinois. They described it as a large ball of brilliant light with a slight orangy cast and light antennas. It moved from the east and disappeared. Butch Musgrave and a Brame boy reported seeing a lighted object four to five times the size of a star moving rapidly. A group of seven or eight persons, including Raymond L. Owen, reported seeing a big bright light, "as big as a desk," speeding across the sky. (Source: The Press--Fairfield, Illinois--8/8/63).

The Orval Austin family in Keenes, Illinois, maintained their story of witnessing a strange event Sunday night. When told their son, Orval, had stated it was the morning star, his mother stated that Orval had said it "did look horrible." (Source: The Press--Fairfield, Illinois--8/8/63).

Flying Objects Over King City A fireball as big as a washtub hovered over the home of former Mt. Vernon mayor Harry L. Bishop. Bishop described it as "the brightest red light I have ever seen," appearing about 300-400 feet high, oval-shaped, and the size of a washtub. It moved westward, out of sight, then reappeared and moved at high speed, making a "light whirring sound." Bishop estimated it was in sight for ten to fifteen minutes. Other residents also reported seeing strange lights. (Source: Register-News--Mt. Vernon, Illinois--8/10/63).

Flying Object or Light? This Trio Saw It Three Evansville, Indiana residents reported seeing an unusual light circling their car on Bromm Road. Rozetta Galloway, 15, described it as white, bigger than a flashlight, and very high in the air. The car's lights and ignition failed temporarily. Dogs were barking, and the younger girl screamed. When they looked up, the light was disappearing. Walter Weibert, who was at the house, did not see the lights. (Source: Sunday Courier & Press--Evansville, Indiana--8/11/63).

And Still They Come Reports of strange lights in Wayne County, Illinois, continued. Marvin Howard saw a bright light. Mrs. Virgil McKinney reported a light "three or four times the size of a star." Mrs. Henry Linder saw a low-flying, egg-shaped object, about three feet long, which lighted up a tree like a Christmas tree. (Source: The Press--Fairfield, Illinois--8/15/63).

Mysterious Light Back in Area? Seven Evansville, Indiana residents reported seeing a strange light or lights. Mrs. Charles Martin described a "big light" that traveled at tremendous speed, slowed down, and sped up again, appearing to get higher and smaller, with a reddish tinge. She showed the light to her daughters and a friend, Dave Marshall, a 19-year-old sophomore, who also saw the light moving northwest and then eastward.

Aerial Explosions Hit Los Angeles Area Two aerial explosions occurred in the Los Angeles area, one at 5:30 p.m. and a second, more powerful one, at 8:57 p.m., which set off burglar alarms. (Source: The Herald-Examiner--Los Angeles, California--8/14/63).

England's Black Country Reports More Flying Objects Two sightings of an unidentified flying object with a dangling tail were reported in England. Mr. S.J. Day saw a "bright, pear shaped white light, blue at the bottom," which appeared to drop eleven subsidiary lights. It moved south and disappeared. After a half-minute reappearance with a bright flash, a dull bang was heard in the sky. Mr. J. Challenger reported seeing a large white light, "much larger than a star," stationary in the sky, which also dropped smaller lights. His twelve-year-old daughter had seen something similar previously. Walsall police received two reports of an unidentified object with an orange light hovering over a power station. (Source: The Express and Star--Wolverhampton, Stafford, England--8/13/63).

Roundup of Miscellaneous News Items

Air Force Report: A report issued by the Air Force in Washington on its investigation of reported sightings of unknown flying objects stated that Chan Uphoff and Mike Hill saw a jet bomber refueling operation. Mike Hill emphatically stated, "I can't believe it." The report described the object as diamond-shaped, kite-shaped with a tail, and attributed the atmospheric conditions causing dogs to bark to the refueling operation. (Source: The Press--Fairfield, Illinois--8/15/63).

A-Blasts Reported on Mars: Scientific magazines in Russia and the U.S.A. reported mushroom clouds similar to those associated with atomic explosions observed on Mars. The Moscow magazine, Smena, suggested that space-craft could take telescopic photographs revealing details of these phenomena. Dr. Frank Salisbury of Colorado State University had previously noted bright spots of light on Mars followed by white clouds, suggesting the possibility of life on Mars. Russian scientists also reported the discovery of primitive insects in the Antarctic, suggesting that life can exist under extreme subzero temperatures, potentially changing views on life on other planets. (Source: The News--Adelaide, S.A., Australia--10/24/63).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of the N.I.C.A.P. REPORTER are the widespread reporting of unidentified flying objects and strange lights, the variety of descriptions provided by witnesses, and the ongoing efforts to investigate and explain these phenomena. The publication appears to adopt a stance of documenting these reports without definitively concluding their origin, often presenting official explanations (like aircraft) alongside the persistent accounts of the unexplained. The inclusion of a quote from the U.S. Air Force suggesting no threat to national security, juxtaposed with numerous detailed witness reports, highlights the tension between official reassurances and public observation of anomalous aerial events.

The editorial stance is one of information dissemination and investigation, as indicated by the publisher's name and the call for newspaper clippings. The publication serves as a clearinghouse for UFO-related news, aiming to educate the public and gather data for further study.