Northern UFO News - No 121

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 121
Date: September-October 1986
Publisher: NUFON
Price: £1.80 for two issues

This issue of Northern UFO News, edited by Jenny Randles, focuses heavily on the potential connection between the secret F-19 'Stealth' aircraft and UFO sightings. The cover headline, "F-19s and UFOs?", sets the tone for much of the content, suggesting that many previously unexplained aerial phenomena might be explained by the covert operations of this advanced aircraft.

J.R. Comments: F-19s and UFOs?

Jenny Randles opens the discussion by referencing an article in 'Quest' by Graham Birdsall, which detailed the Lockheed F-19 'Stealth' aircraft. Birdsall's sources are described as better than most press reports, and the F-19's capabilities, such as its alleged 1500 mph speed, near radar invisibility, and 'chameleon' skin, are highlighted. The article notes the USAF's denial of its existence, yet a crash of a suspected F-19 in the American desert and the subsequent cordon-off of a 10-mile zone are presented as evidence. Randles posits that the F-19 has likely been flying in the UK on covert nocturnal missions, and that the assumption of these sightings being UFOs has been beneficial to the US government and the MoD. She argues that many witnesses have indeed seen Stealth in flight, and that this recognition is a boost for UFO investigators, demonstrating the observational skills of witnesses.

Randles points out the significance of the F-19's first flight in 1977, coinciding with the start of 'Manta-ray' UFO sightings. She encourages investigators to cross-reference 'Northern UFO News', 'FSR', and other aviation magazines to identify potential Stealth sightings. She mentions the 'Pennine UFO Mystery' and the 'Silent Vulcan' case investigated by Clive Potter, where a possible Stealth was captured on film.

Stealth Aircraft and Ufology

Randles continues by noting more 'manta-ray' and 'stingray' UFO sightings since 1978, referencing accounts in 'UFO Reality' of a close encounter at Sproston Green, Cheshire, and the NUFOIS case near Ashbourne, Derbyshire. She raises the question of how ufologists should respond to the possibility of Stealth aircraft sightings: remain silent, alert aviation experts, or simply purge records. She speculates on Stealth's involvement in the Rendlesham Forest case, given its alleged humming sound and the secrecy surrounding the incident.

Randles concludes that the F-19 is a subject relevant to ufology, and few others have recognized this. She advocates for a cautious approach to this topic.

News Round-Up

The news section covers several items:

• A report from Chesterfield about an air spotting trip to East Anglia is clarified as being related to a Japanese film crew making documentaries about the UFO phenomenon, not sinister activities.
• John Cottom of WAPIT requests support for his "UFO Scene North" initiative and notes the closure of LCUFOS.
• Albert Budden's research on weather conditions preceding earthquakes is mentioned, suggesting a link to 'earthlights' and potentially UAP spates, as noted in the 'Pennine UFO Mystery'.
• A personal anecdote from Jenny Randles about a call from 'Cary' (an alien contactee) and her upcoming interview with Ray Leonard about his novel 'Nostradamus Inheritance' highlights a theme of synchronicity.

Project Pennine

This section details an exciting new scheme organized by the West Yorkshire UFO Research Group and David Clarke. The project aims to collect and collate all data related to UAP observations in the Pennine Hills area to identify relationships with folklore, geographical distribution, meteorological trends, and other factors. The initiative has support from NUFON archives and BUFORA. The goal is to provide an independent test of the Devereux 'Earthlights' thesis. Assistance is requested for securing geological data in the relevant counties.

For Your Perusal

• FOCUS: A monthly publication from the "Fair Witness Project", edited by Bill Moore, author of "The Roswell Incident". It covers topics like Einstein's FTL travel and papers on Scandinavian 'ghost bombs'.
• SVLT: A Belgian publication with an English summary, available for 400 Belgian Francs for four issues.
• OMNI: Features an article by Jenny Randles in its UFO column about the Peter Day movie film controversy.
• Exploring the Supernatural: Issues 2 and 3 contain articles on animal mutilations, Near Death Experiences, and UFO connections.
• The Unknown: A magazine similar to 'Exploring the Supernatural' but without astrology, covering topics like APEN, Trindade Island pictures, and UFO events in Canada.

Media Matters: A look at UFOs in the eye

This section reviews recent media coverage of UFO-related events:

• Bradford Argus: Reports a sighting of a buzzing oval by two pensioners in Keighley.
• David Barclay: Suggests a link between a silver UFO sighting and barometric pressure producing electricity and a glowing aeroform.
• Barnsley Chronicle: Details an encounter with a 60 ft wide oval with red and purple lights, which hit a witness with a lightbeam.
• Luxembourg/Belgium Sightings: Numerous reports of green blobs crossing the sky, initially dismissed by NORAD as re-entering Soviet rocket debris, but noted as unusual by air traffic controllers.
• Crop Circles: Stories about crop circles, including one at Cheesefoot Head, are discussed, with some linking them to poltergeists and IUFFs (Invisible Unknown Force Field). The section also criticizes John Dodd for staging a crop circle hoax for the press.
• New Scientist: Mentions Chris Allan and Stu Campbell's critique of the Patrick Moore hoax regarding the Cedric Allingham 'novel'.
• Cheshire Guardian: Features an interview profile of Jenny Randles.
• Manchester Evening News: A dismissive diary column item about Jenny Randles.
• The Sun: Reports on David Littlewood of Hull walking into the docks after seeing green beams, later revealed to be a hotel laser show.

Northern UFO News - Case Histories

WIUFORG Case 8538 (18 December 1985): Two independent reports from Brighouse/Bradford, West Yorkshire, describe a bright white light and a classic disc with dome and flashing coloured lights, potentially an aircraft.

MUFORA Case 8614 (May 1986): A schoolboy and his mother in Esh Village, County Durham, reported dozens of twinkling lights on the ground, possibly atmospheric distortions. The mother, Valerie, also reported a large, pulsating red oval object with portholes that shot off at high speed.

MUFORA Case 8615 (27 April 1986): A local UFO spotter in Heywood, Lancashire, reported two orange lights moving west to southeast, described as not man-made.

WAPIT Case 8616 (19 September 1986): Three witnesses in Pemberton, Lancashire, observed four green, red/gold, and yellow lights moving silently towards Manchester.

The Mario Letters: The further adventures of a CE 4 witness

Jenny Randles recounts the case of Mario Luisi, who claimed a CE4 encounter in November 1980 near Kendal, Cumbria. Luisi alleged meeting a landed UFO and two entities who fired a radiation beam that melted his lantern. The case was reported in the 'News of the World' and investigated by MUFORA and Harry Harris. While initial analyses suggested a blow-torch as the cause of the damage, Luisi maintained it was alien radiation. Randles details Luisi's subsequent claims of further encounters, symbols from alien craft, and attempts to arrange meetings with government officials. She notes that Luisi's sister and Harry Harris eventually concluded the case was a hoax. Despite this, Margaret Fry and Luisi's daughter reportedly believe his November 1980 CE4 claim.

Stop Press Item! The Cracoe Fell Case

Nigel Mortimer responds to a cryptic point in 'Quest' regarding destructive evidence about a BUFORA investigator. Mortimer wishes to clarify points for YUFOS members concerning the Cracoe Fell photographs. He states that while YUFOS have analyzed and publicized these photos, a local farmer reported that the blobs of light were a reflection from the cliff face. Mortimer claims YUFOS denied him a copy of their case report, forcing him to obtain it indirectly. He asserts that Nigel Mortimer and the West Yorkshire UFO Research Group have points to make about the case and that it should be subject to independent evaluation.

Final Words

Jenny Randles addresses BBC Manchester listeners regarding her 'Fact or Fiction?' radio series, expressing dissatisfaction with the scheduling and order of programs. She suggests that information about the dates was deliberately withheld, despite her spending four months on the series. She offers the series for transmission on other BBC local radio stations.

Calendar

• November 1: ASSAP 'Psychic Quest' conference and BUFORA NIC meeting in London.
• November 29: BUFORA investigations training day at the University of Manchester.

Coming LBS lectures

• December 6: Buddhist Cosmology
• January 3: Paul Devereux on earthlights

UFO Research North... NUFON Regional Groups

A list of regional groups affiliated with NUFON across Scotland, North East England, Lancashire, Yorkshire, and the Midlands, along with their contact addresses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the potential identification of UFOs with secret military aircraft (specifically the F-19 Stealth), the investigation of various UAP sightings across the UK, and the challenges of distinguishing between genuine phenomena, misidentifications, and hoaxes. The editorial stance, particularly from Jenny Randles, is one of critical inquiry, encouraging open debate and thorough investigation while acknowledging the complexities and potential for deception within the field. There's a strong emphasis on witness testimony and the need for rigorous analysis, even when dealing with controversial or seemingly outlandish claims. The magazine also highlights the importance of inter-group cooperation and the sharing of information within the UFO research community.