Nordic UFO Newsletter - 1986 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: NORDIC UFO NEWSLETTER
Issue: No. 1 1986
Publisher: Nordic UFO Groups
Country: Norway
Language: English
ISSN: 0800-1154
Publication Frequency: Twice a year, generally on an exchange basis.

Editorial Information and Subscription

The Nordic UFO Newsletter is a collaborative publication by UFO-Norge (Norway), Riksorganisationen UFO-Sverige (Sweden), and Suomen Ufotutkijat r.y. (The UFO Research of Finland). The newsletter is edited by Mentz Kaarbø. Subscription rates are provided for both Swedish and Norwegian publications, with yearly rates of Skr. 80,- for UFO-Aktuellt and Nkr. 80,- for UFO-Norge. Individual issue prices are Nkr. 10,- in Norway, Nkr. 15,- in Europe, and Nkr. 20,- elsewhere, including postage and handling. Payment can be made via bank transfer or international money orders. The publication acknowledges that its schedule may be irregular and recommends subscribing for one issue at a time, while also encouraging exchange agreements.

Additionally, The UFO Research of Finland publishes their own periodicals: "Neljännesvuosi Raportti" (Quarterly Report) four times a year in Finnish, and a Yearly Report in English, which is an abstract of the year's reports. Yearly subscription rates for these are FM. 50,- each.

Contents of Issue 1 1986

This issue primarily focuses on Norwegian UFO cases, as contributions from Sweden and Finland were limited. The contents include:

• Project Hessdalen: An update on the project, including the postponement of a planned workshop and the need for a contingency fund.
• A UFO Observation in Norway in 1963: A detailed account of a sighting by Helge Mikalsen.
• CE-III? Did a UFO land in Hønefoss?: An investigation into a case involving children, luminous objects, and alleged creatures.
• Paul Norman visits Norway: A report on the visit of an Australian ufologist.

Project Hessdalen

Authored by Odd-Gunnar Røed, this section details the planned Project Hessdalen Workshop, initially scheduled for November 1985 in Oslo, which was postponed due to insufficient time between invitation and the event. An ordinary meeting of the Hessdalen Committee was held instead at Erling Strand's home. Representatives from UFO-Norge and Riksorganisationen UFO-Sverige attended, along with a visitor from the Committee. The workshop was subsequently postponed indefinitely due to lack of interest and other factors. Activity in Hessdalen has been low, impacting national and international commitment. The article emphasizes the need for a contingency fund to finance research and equip a mobile laboratory. This fund, a joint Norwegian and Swedish effort, will retain the "Project Hessdalen" designation due to its widespread recognition. The goal is to raise tens of thousands of Norwegian Kroner. As part of fundraising, RUFOS produced special four-colour stickers for Nkr. 25,- and plans for smaller stickers with the slogan "Support Independent Research, promote Project Hessdalen". A pen with "Project Hessdalen" subtly incorporated is also available for Nkr. 15,-.

A videofilm depicting the work in Hessdalen, produced in Sweden from 6 hours of raw material and edited into a one-hour movie, was shown. This film was planned for release to the people of Hessdalen and potentially the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). The Project Hessdalen Report, previously only in English, will also be published in Norwegian for approximately Nkr. 40,-. Plans are also underway for small English, Swedish, and Norwegian pamphlets about the project, along with a picture collection and slide-series.

The weekend was described as productive and enthusiastic, with thanks extended to hosts Bente Strand and Mona Storm Nilsen.

A UFO Observation in Norway in 1963

This article presents a classical Norwegian UFO account from witness Helge Mikalsen, supported by sworn testimony. On August 21 or 22, 1963, around 6:30 pm, while fishing near Skjervøy island in the Kvenangen fjord, Mikalsen observed a flame from a mountainside, followed by an object ascending rapidly. At an altitude of about 2000m, the flame extinguished, revealing a grey, balloon or parachute-like object. He then glimpsed two objects, one large and one small. The large object, estimated at 10m high and 30-40m long, was silver-grey and metallic, with a flat underside and a domed top. It had five arched windows. The smaller object, about 2-3m in diameter, was pulled into the larger one via what appeared to be rails. The witness was about 150m away, and the objects hovered 12-15m above the sea. No flame or sound was detected. The witness felt nervous and scared, noting the calm sea beneath the objects. He observed a green beam of light emanating from one of the large object's windows, directed towards him. The beam, about 30cm in diameter, changed color and appeared to have movement behind it. The witness could not confirm if the large object was oval or circular, but the same side faced him throughout the observation. During a period of about 10 minutes, the object was motionless, then tilted and accelerated rapidly, disappearing in a northerly direction. The observation took place above an area where a German cargoboat had wrecked in 1944.

CE-III? Did a UFO land in Hønefoss?

Authored by Leif Havik, this article investigates an event reported in the newspaper Ringerikes Blad on October 30, 1985. The case involved several children at Hengsle, near Hønefoss, who allegedly witnessed strange luminous objects and "creatures" on Monday, October 28, 1985, between 5:45 pm and 9:15 pm. The event coincided with a lunar eclipse. The children reported seeing a light that grew larger and descended, resembling a saucer with a greyish hue and powerful lights. One child directed a flashlight beam at the object, which responded with a bright light. The object then ascended rapidly. After its departure, approximately 100 small beings, about 50cm tall, appeared. These beings, described as having black, white, and brownish clothing, attempted to hide when observed. They disappeared when a camera was fetched but reappeared later. Some children became nauseated. Two or three additional shining objects were seen later, but no landing occurred. The children's accounts were not initially believed by the adults. A 50-year-old jogger also reported strange phenomena. In a nearby garden, tracks measuring 7 to 11cm in diameter, some half-moon shaped, were found. A family dog reacted wildly to the tracks. The weather conditions were moderately cloudy with a temperature of 0° Centigrade. Initial investigations contacted the local police station and a nearby military camp, neither of which had received reports. A radar station at Måkerøy also registered nothing unusual. Later observations indicated that the creatures and lights were seen for several days after the initial event, with the last sighting on November 14. Several children experienced sickness and ongoing concern for weeks afterward, with some taking the event seriously and others treating it as "tough" or glamorous. The article notes that the grown-ups also perceived something extraordinary had happened. The investigation was ongoing, with parts of the article based on information from principal investigator Johan Hjelvik.

Paul Norman Visits Norway

This section reports on the visit of Australian ufologist Mr. Paul Norman, representing the Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS), to Norway from April 11 to April 18, 1986. He was hosted by UFO-Norge, met with their representatives, and stayed with UFO-Norge representative Odd-Gunnar Røed in Tønsberg.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and investigations within the Nordic countries, with a particular focus on Norway. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting independent research and encouraging the collection and dissemination of UFO-related information, as evidenced by the fundraising efforts for Project Hessdalen and the publication of detailed case reports. There is a clear emphasis on documenting sightings, analyzing evidence, and fostering communication between UFO organizations in the region.

This issue of UFO TIMES, identified as issue number 10, features a report on the travels and activities of a prominent figure in the UFOlogy community, Mr. Norman. The content is presented as a translation from Norwegian, with assistance from Hilary Evans. The magazine also includes advertisements for reports from the Yorkshire UFO Society.

Mr. Norman's Travels and UFOlogy Connections

The main article details Mr. Norman's journey, starting with his train ride to Trondheim, Norway. There, he met with Mr. Leif Havik, the Project Leader of Project Hessdalen. Mr. Norman stayed with Mr. Havik for three days, during which they made several trips to the Hessdalen valley, a location of interest for UFO research. The article notes Mr. Norman's keen interest in observing this famous place.

Upon returning from Mr. Havik on Thursday, April 17th, Mr. Norman traveled towards Bergen via Oslo, arriving early on Friday. His stay was brief, as he had to leave for Oslo and Stockholm just half a day later. During the limited time spent with the narrator, Mr. Norman shared numerous impressions of the UFOlogy community, both in Australia and globally. It was evident that he had extensive connections with other noted ufologists and dedicates significant time to traveling to various UFO congresses, particularly in the USA.

Mr. Norman's affiliations are extensive: he represents CUFOS, MUFON, and BUFORA in Australia. Furthermore, he actively maintains an exchange of publications and material with various other organizations, both domestically and internationally. Currently, he holds the positions of Vice-President and Investigations Officer within VUFORS.

The meeting with Mr. Norman is described as very pleasant and informative, facilitating an exchange of ideas in a broad sense. The article suggests that similar beneficial interactions occurred with other representatives present, leading to useful contacts and enhanced cooperation between their respective organizations.

Yorkshire UFO Society Recommendations

From Yorkshire UFO Society, two specific items are recommended:

1. QUEST: THE PERFECT ICOVER-UP - The Night of Bright Lights (Report No.1). This report is priced at £5.00 and includes postage and packaging.
2. QUEST FOR AVID READERS: UFO ENCOUNTERS - Close Encounters of the First Kind (Report No.2). This report is priced at £3.00 and also includes postage and packaging.

Order forms are provided for both reports, requiring the total amount enclosed, name/organisation, address, town/city, and post code. Delivery is estimated at 14 days. The Yorkshire UFO Society explicitly states that the entire contents of these reports are their sole copyright and cannot be reproduced without prior permission.

Translation and Origin

The main article was translated from Norwegian by Mentz Kaarbø, with the assistance of Hilary Evans. The origin of the content suggests a connection to Norwegian UFO research, particularly concerning the Hessdalen phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue highlights the international nature of UFOlogy, emphasizing global connections and cooperation between researchers and organizations. It promotes detailed reports on specific UFO phenomena, such as the 'Night of Bright Lights' and 'Close Encounters of the First Kind', suggesting a focus on documented cases and investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting and disseminating information within the UFOlogy community, encouraging engagement through recommended publications and highlighting the work of key figures like Mr. Norman and organizations like the Yorkshire UFO Society.