Northern UFO News - No 127

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 127
Date: September - October 1987
Publisher: NUFON

This issue of Northern UFO News, published by NUFON, covers a range of topics related to UFO phenomena, with a strong emphasis on the Rendlesham Forest incident and potential government cover-ups. The cover features an illustration of alien figures in a craft and highlights key articles including 'Kendlesham again!', 'The cover-up', various UK case histories, and photographic evidence.

Rendlesham Forest Incident: A Deep Dive

The issue dedicates significant space to the Rendlesham Forest incident, questioning the widely accepted narrative. Robert Moore's knowledgeable analysis of the first night (December 27, 1980) challenges the basic assumption that it was a UFO. The editor, Jenny Randles, revisits her revised scenario for the second night (December 29/30), suggesting that authorities may have used Colonel Charles Halt to dupe inexperienced men into believing they saw UFOs when they had actually seen stars and the Orford Ness lighthouse. The article criticizes the idea that UFOs were involved, citing a 'Quest' magazine claim that YUFOS were the first to challenge this. John Rimmer's review of 'The UFO Conspiracy' is also mentioned, questioning if the author was used by authorities due to a willingness to believe 'over-the-top UFO tales'. Randles asserts that the book adequately demonstrated a lack of conviction about the UFO nature of the story and that disinformation options were discussed at length.

Randles reiterates her early suggestion that the UFO crash idea might have been a smokescreen for a military operation gone wrong, possibly involving a nuclear weapon. She notes that while this seemed plausible, a plane crash into a dense forest would leave obvious devastation, though a weapon falling into the woods for emergency recovery was feasible. Cable News Network's Chuck De Caro is mentioned as having questioned Randles about nuclear weapons, revealing his specialty in nuclear incidents. A call from a nuclear propulsion expert, Alan Bond, is also detailed. Bond suggested the recovered object was flown to the USA and the UFO story was a camouflage to confuse speculation. He warned of serious consequences for those investigating, fitting the 'inexplicable manner' in which USAF intelligence officers dealt with radar film.

The article strongly posits that explanations for the Rendlesham case were planted and spurious, designed to mislead. It notes that influential figures like Lord Hill-Norton, Senator James Exon, and MP David Alton, after showing interest, have gone silent. The issue also touches upon 'disinformation' related to Eric Morris, who retired from the Navy after pressure to curtail UFO activities. Morris challenges claims made by Des Naylor regarding his presence aboard HMS Norfolk during the 'Sky Crash' affair, citing documentary proof that the ship was in dock. YUFOS are accused of refusing to allow Morris to question their witness, who reportedly seeks publicity.

Another attempt at misinformation is directed at Randles, who has been offered 'first-hand testimony' from someone claiming to have witnessed the aftermath of the Rendlesham events with Halt. The article connects this to ongoing efforts to revive the 'ETH' (Extraterrestrial Hypothesis) narrative. The issue highlights Alan Bond's international news presence as the designer of the HOTOL space plane, noting his threat to breach official secrets. The article concludes that those who challenge the 'conspiracy' over this 'crash' end up suffering political or social repercussions.

News Round-Up and New Groups

The 'News Round-Up' section announces significant changes in the group situation. A new 'super group' called 'IUN' (Independent UFO Network) has been formed in Yorkshire by merging WYUFORG and YUFON, aiming for a spirit similar to the old UFOIN and intending to publish a revised UFO Brigantia. Philip Mantle is listed as the principal contact. The addition of new investigators like Rodney Haworth and David Kelly is noted, and IUN is officially liaising with BUFORA and NUFON. Other new groups mentioned include one in Northamptonshire, influenced by BUFORA, and another in South Cheshire and Staffordshire, run by BUFORA RIC Eric Morris.

Dot Street's sequel to 'Sky Crash' is mentioned as being delayed, with her new address provided. Mike Burrows inquires about an alleged UFO sighting on the BBC national news on June 26, 1987, and a possible 'D' notice. A story about Granada Reports TV presenter Juliet Alexander losing her UFO records is also included.

UFO Cases and Investigations

The issue presents several 'Brief Cases' and detailed investigations:

• TWO UNUSUAL ENTITY CASES:
• (1) A WAR-TIME LANDING? (Investigation: Philip Mantle, IUN): A case from May 1943 involving a man who saw a green glow and a figure with a 'divers helmet' near a 'grey bell tent' at RAF Bentwaters. The investigation explores local security and the possibility of radar effects.
• (2) GREMLINS II (Investigation: MUFORA): A case involving Mrs G, who describes bizarre experiences including seeing apparitions and a 'devil-like' man. A key event was observing an orange disc over the Soviet Union and Poland in May 1972. The article suggests this might have been Venus.

• Case 8180: (Investigation: David Clarke, IUN): A blue/white ball observed by Mrs E in Sheffield, initially thought to be a meteor but possibly an earth energy UAP given the churchyard's history.

• THE GLOW IN THE SKY: (Investigation: Malcolm Robinson, SPI): A major case with 12 witnesses reporting a bright white/blue glow over Harworth, likely Venus, but the investigation's thoroughness is praised.

• TWO FROM CHESTERFIELD: (Investigation: Dave Kelly, IUN):
• Case 8642: A yellow/orange oval with blue flashing lights observed by a man in his bedroom.
• Case 8643: A couple saw an orange oval in the sky that disappeared vertically.

• ASTRONOMER SEES UFO: (Investigation: Gary Anthony): An astronomer observed a strange light tracking across the sky, described as amber with a red hue, which he could not identify.

• Case 8705: (Investigation: Rodney Howarth, IUN): A bright green ball seen shooting across the sky, possibly a fireball meteor.

• "THE PRETTYEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN" (Investigation: Philip Mantle, IUN): PG, an artist, witnessed a brilliant football-shaped object with multi-coloured lights gliding overhead.

• Case 8707: Two boys saw a yellow oval with red and green lights that moved erratically across the sky.

• THE NORTHANTS UFO...ET INVESTIGATES! (Investigation: Ernie Still and Susan Pollock, NUFON): Multiple reports of a cigar-shaped object with flashing lights over Northamptonshire, initially identified as an airship from Airship Industries, but questions remain about low-flying night flights.

• THE UFO WITH HIGH TAR CONTENT.. MUFORA report: GE, a retired miner and former RAF instructor, reports three encounters. The most interesting involved a bright flash and a dull alloy metal disc with 'thick black tar like substance' and strange markings, seen over Majorca in August 1957.

Photographic Cases and Major Wave

TWO NEW PHOTOGRAPHIC CASES (IUN Reports by Philip Mantle and Dave Kelly): Two daylight photographic cases are presented. The first, from Chesterfield, involved a housewife photographing a bright object with multiple lights. Analysis suggests the lights are not stars. The second case, from Barnsley, involves an unemployed man photographing a disc-like object. Both cases are being treated with skepticism due to potential window reflections.

MAJOR WAVE HITS BRITAIN: The issue notes a significant increase in UFO sightings in August 1987, with around 50 cases reported, the highest since 1978. Many sightings were of lights in the sky, with some potentially linked to a NATO air exercise. A period from August 14-16 saw approximately 20 cases, including reports of two close encounters.

Media Matters and Final Words

MEDIA MATTERS: Jenny Randles discusses her recent media appearances, including features in the Manchester Evening News and BELLA magazine, noting how her personal 'close encounter' was dramatized. She also mentions other IFOs (Identified Flying Objects) that have received less coverage, such as a shock absorber mistaken for a UFO. Randles also notes her attempt to balance the narrative by writing a piece titled 'Arresting those martians' for Police Review.

FINAL WORDS: The editor apologizes for the issue being late, attributing it to writing an 85,000-word book on the abduction phenomenon. The MoD is mentioned for potentially making a 'serious slip up' by forwarding six pages of police reports on sightings near Emley Moor to Philip Mantle, which appear to relate to Jupiter. The MoD also responded to a query about the August wave by sending a coded telex about a sighting in Pinner, Middlesex. The article speculates on the identity of 'DSTI' as potentially the 'REAL official UFO investigators'.

Calendar and Regional Groups

A calendar lists upcoming BUFORA lectures. A directory of NUFON Regional Groups is provided, including SPI (Scotland), NLUFOIG (Cumbria), DIGAP (Lancashire), MUFORA (Gtr Man), IUN (Yorkshire), CUFOSC (Cheshire), SSFR (Derbyshire), LUFOIC (E Midlands), BASE (WMidlands), and N UFON (Northants).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent investigation of UFO sightings, the critical examination of official narratives, and the exploration of potential government cover-ups and disinformation campaigns. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards simplistic explanations and a commitment to thorough, evidence-based investigation, while acknowledging the possibility of genuine unexplained phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on questioning authority and challenging established beliefs within the UFO community itself.