NUFON Report 1970-1974

Magazine Overview

This document is a report titled "NUFON REPORT 1970-74", published by NUFON in May 1975. It covers UFO investigations conducted in the north of Britain during the period from 1970 to the first half of 1974. The report aims to collate and record facts about puzzling aerial phenomena witnessed by ordinary people, highlighting the diligent work of UFO investigation groups.

Introduction and Methodology

The report acknowledges that it is impossible to thank all individuals involved but dedicates the work to the UFO groups as a whole. It states that while the data may not be comprehensive due to unreported cases (through ignorance or fear of ridicule), it provides a fair summation for analysis. The format involves treating each year separately with a summary and detailed information on cases of express interest. The selection of cases is described as highly selective, representing the events of each year, and the report concludes with an analysis of the data and observed trends.

The NORTHERN UFO NETWORK is introduced as a co-operative effort of independent UFO groups that pool resources and information, with communication being its chief function. Several groups are listed with their addresses, including BUFORA, BUTORA, BYUIG, DIGAP, MUFORA, NAPRA, RIGAP, SUFORS, and WUFOS.

1970 Cases

The year 1970 is noted as being poorly covered by NUFON files because many local investigation groups only commenced operations in 1972 or 1973, leading to lost data. The report laments the unfortunate fact that defunct UFO groups did not pass on their valuable files. The total number of reports on file for 1970 is 9.

• CASE 7002 (April 1970): The Fuzzy Moon - Several people in Lancashire witnessed a large, fuzzy, moon-shaped object travelling silently. Speed estimates suggested around 200mph, with cloud level at 1500 feet. Some witnesses reported bits flying off the object. The report suggests a possibility of satellite re-entry, but no definite conclusion is made.
• CASE 7004 (July 1970): DISC with Masts - A woman in Prenton, Wirral, reported an object described as an upturned dinner plate with a dome and masts. It moved in and out of cloud for about ten minutes, leaving a vapour trail and an odd smell. The object followed her movement and disturbed her horse. It eventually tilted on edge and streaked away.
• CASES 7007 & 7003 (November 13, 1970): Floating Yellow Balls - A signalman near Saxilby, Lincs, observed two yellow spheres sitting silently just above the ground. They floated gently and then extinguished themselves. A young patient in a hospital nearby also saw a yellow light spinning and zig-zagging. The report notes the similarities and suggests a possible connection, speculating it might have been one object seen in Lincolnshire and then heading west.

1971 Cases

1971 is described as a year not well featured, though some 'old' reports were picked up by newly formed groups. The total number of reports on file for 1971 is 13.

• CASE 7103 (May 26, 1971): TIN GRY RINGID - A student reported observing a slow-flying grey triangle shape over Manchester at an estimated altitude of 2,000 ft. Its speed was too slow for conventional aircraft, and possibilities like balloons or marshland emissions were considered but found lacking.
• CASE 7106 (September 5, 1971): Towing Aircraft - A man and wife in Wharfdale, Skipton, observed a hazy, metallic cone-shaped object flying alongside a light aircraft at 6,000 ft. The object hovered when the aircraft entered cloud, then reversed and sped away. An optical reflection was considered but deemed unlikely.
• CASE 7108 (October 20, 1971): Mushroom in Field - One of two recorded landing cases occurred in Weldon, Northants. A witness saw an object like an upturned mushroom, shiny and white, resting on three pointed legs in a field. It had a red and green glowing middle. No hard physical evidence was available.
• CASE 7109 (October 27, 1971): Multiple witness balloon - Witnesses in Scunthorpe saw a red reflection which turned out to be a red ball shape moving in a dipping and swooping motion, changing to orange as it moved away. Potential explanations like meteorological phenomena were considered, but discrepancies in witness accounts were noted.
• CASE 7113 (December 17, 1971): Car stopped by sphere - A driver near Newark reported his car engine cutting out while a huge grey spheroid shape, shimmering as if surrounded by a heat haze, rested in a nearby field. The engine restarted after the object vanished. The report notes the interference with electrical equipment as a common UFO-related phenomenon.

1972 Cases

1972 is described as a quieter year overall, but with important exceptions. The total number of reports on file for 1972 is 15.

• CASE 7209 (October 3, 1972): The Cairo Mill Case - A security guard in Oldham observed a huge disc-shaped object glowing with bluish light and having clearly defined windows. It hovered about 100 feet high for several minutes, emitted a humming sound, and then flipped onto its side before shooting straight up at high speed. This case is highlighted as representing excellent evidence of an extraordinary phenomenon.
• CASE 7212 & 7213 (December 12, 1972): A Flying Dustbin - Two independent reports described objects resembling 'flying dustbins' trailing wispy smoke. One was seen in Northumberland by staff at a specialist school, and similar objects were seen later in Helmshore. The objects were small, with four white lights connected by a neon tube.

1973 Cases

1973 and 1974 are presented as the most important years covered by the report, with more cases worthy of mention. The total number of reports on file for 1973 is 32.

• CASE 7309 (June 1973): The mass ve cigar - A forestry worker in Lamplugh, Cumberland, reported a huge cylindrical object with rounded ends moving slowly (about 10 mph). Its size was measured at 330 feet long and its height estimated at 1500 feet. People on a nearby farm heard the noise, and their dogs were disturbed.
• CASE 7311 (July 2, 1973): A flaming jewel - A housewife near Lostock Gralam, Cheshire, observed the slow descent of a long white jewel-like object that captivated her attention as it dropped behind trees into a field. Other family members did not witness it. No trace of anything was found in the field.
• CASE 7322 (October 1973): The rocking ball - A witness saw a blue-white ball of light hovering over rooftops, rocking slightly and then moving southwards, accelerating and altering course. A sound like a lawn-mower was heard. This type of phenomenon is considered distinct from the main branch of objects and possibly electrical in nature.
• CASE 7326 (November 7, 1973): The Gunmetal Saucer - A strange object, appearing like two saucers stuck together with a small flat part on top, was seen hovering over a shell oil refinery at Rockferry. Its surface was dull grey, and it moved slowly. The report questions whether the facts are presented wrongly or if the object is unknown.
• CASE 7327 (November 15, 1973): Disc with vapour trail - An object described as a large disc surrounded by rotating lights (red, blue, yellow) was seen moving very slowly. A transparent vapour trail, a few feet long, dissipated quickly. The presence of trails is noted as a potential clue to propulsion methods.

1974 Cases

The report notes that this late year period, traditionally not well-stocked with UFO reports, has seen proportionally large numbers in recent years. The total number of reports on file for 1974 is 49.

• CASE 7424 (June 22, 1974): The Skywatch sighting - This report stems from observations by a skywatching team in Bobbington. Two observers noted a black spherical shape that hovered and then moved north. It seemed to change shape, becoming elongated and cylindrical before returning to a spherical shape. The suggested explanation is the changing angle of observation. The report states that natural explanations were conclusively eliminated.
• CASE 7430 (October 5, 1974): A pulsing rectangle - A man in Rochdale reported a rectangular shape with a tail moving in a sweeping arc, stopping and accelerating. It seemed to pulse and grow in brightness. Two other people reported seeing a spherical shape that dimmed and elongated, then brightened again.
• CASE 7441 (November 12, 1974): UFO goes to church - Two boys reported a cigar-shaped object with a bright white searchlight and a flashing rod light hovering over a church at Read, near Burnley. It swooped about the village and descended into a wooded area before moving towards Accrington. A helicopter was considered as a possible explanation, but the lack of sound and other factors made it uncertain.
• CASE 7445 (November 24, 1974): UFO procession - This case is described as one of the most interesting due to multiple independent witnesses. At least three, possibly four, cigar-shaped objects followed one another over the moors and hills near Ramsbottom. One witness described two smaller cigars joining together. Most described rows of fuzzy lights along the middle of the objects.

Analysis and Conclusion

The report concludes by noting that while the NUFON files contain a high data total, it is not yet a 'classic' UFO year, with optimism for future high-value sightings. It mentions other unidentified reports, including a yellow sphere seen by security officers and a puzzling tube-like shape. A reported landing case with tiny occupants was investigated but concluded to be a hoax. The report emphasizes the consistency of reports and the difficulty in finding natural explanations for many observed phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in the report include the diligent work of UFO investigation groups, the challenges of data collection and preservation, and the variety of reported aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and open-mindedness towards unexplained aerial events, while also acknowledging the need for rigorous analysis and the elimination of known explanations. The report implicitly advocates for continued research and the importance of documenting such sightings.

This issue of NUFON NEWS, identified as Volume 1, Issue 1, published in 1975, presents a comprehensive statistical survey of 113 investigated UFO reports. The publication aims to analyze patterns and characteristics of reported phenomena, serving as an introduction to the data available for scientific examination.

Statistical Survey of UFO Reports

The survey meticulously breaks down the 113 reports into various analytical sections. A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to graphical representations and numerical data concerning the reports.

Month of Report

The analysis of the month in which reports were received shows an average of 9.43 reports per month. Notably, August, November, and December show significantly higher report numbers, while February and July are significantly lower. The report highlights the unusual difference between February and November, as they are similar in weather and social terms.

Day of Week

The distribution of reports by day of the week shows less overall variation, with an average of 13.85 reports per day. Wednesday and Friday are noted as significantly high, while Saturday and Sunday are lower. This supports a theory that Wednesday nights are statistically high for UFO reports, and weekends are not, possibly due to sociological factors and increased outdoor activity.

Time of Day

This section is presented as perhaps the most interesting, showing a consistent pattern across random UFO report data. The number of reports occurring during daylight hours is extremely low, which is attributed partly to fewer people being indoors and clearer visibility. However, even with solely unidentified reports, the pattern remains. A slight mid-night-time peak around 3 am is observed. A significant finding is that cases involving landed objects or close encounters almost exclusively occur before 21:30, with a distinct clustering between 16:00 and 20:00.

Type of Object

The reports describe a wide variety of object shapes, including 'A LIGHT' (25 reports) and 'BALL' (25 reports) as the most common, followed by 'DISC' (18 reports), 'CYLINDER' and 'LIGHTS' (10 reports each). Other shapes mentioned include sphere, ellipse, cone, flare, mushroom, cross, and triangle. The predominance of 'LIGHTS' is expected, as most observations occur at night.

Colour

White is the predominant reported color (36 reports), followed by Grey/Metal (24 reports) and Orange (14 reports). Red, Yellow, Pink, Green, Black, Blue, and Transparent are also reported with varying frequencies. The report notes a distinct swing towards RED and away from BLUE.

Trails

Reported trails are generally described as fiery and short, with one termed long and three as wispy or smoke-like.

Animal Disturbance

Six cases reported animal disturbances, where horses, dogs, cats, and farm animals reacted to UFO presence. In at least four of these cases, a noise was observed by the witness.

Sound

Various sounds were heard in five cases, constituting about 4% of reports. These included HUM (2 cases), ENGINE NOISE, POUNDING, and BANG.

Colour Changes

Colour changes were recorded in seven instances, with three reports describing a fiery color below, two indicating red (possibly engine activity), and two indicating a gain in luminescence.

Smell

Three reports mentioned smells, with two described as sulphurous and one as ozone-like.

Wobbling Motion

This slight rocking motion in flight was noted in six cases.

Landings and Electromagnetic Disturbance

There were five reported landings and one case of electromagnetic disturbance.

Witness Effects

In fifteen cases, witnesses recorded strange calming, almost soporific effects, of varying degrees.

Identifications

The analysis of the reports includes categories for identification: POSITIVE (17 reports, 14.4%), PROBABLE (15 reports, 12.7%), POSSIBLE (32 reports, 27.2%), INSUFFICIENT DATA (30 reports, 25.4%), and UNKNOWN (24 reports, 20.3%). The report acknowledges that the sample size is relatively small, but it represents a statistical survey of the phenomena.

Conclusion

The report concludes that while many reported effects may have natural explanations, a significant portion falls into the category of a 'truly unknown phenomena.' The consistency of detail across reports suggests that the phenomena has aspects open to scientific examination. NUFON intends to continue publishing such reports and plans to issue quarterly special issues, including in-depth case studies and cumulative analyses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the statistical analysis of UFO sightings, focusing on objective data such as shape, color, time, and location. The editorial stance, as expressed in the conclusion, is that while skepticism is valid and natural explanations should be explored, the data collected by NUFON groups warrants serious scientific investigation. The publication acts as a conduit for this data, encouraging skeptical scientists to engage with it. The magazine emphasizes the global nature of these phenomena and the importance of systematic recording.