NOTIZIARIO UFO

Magazine Overview

Title: NOTIZIARIO UFO

Issue: 47

Date: September-October 1972

Publisher: Centro Unico Nazionale (CUN), Italy

Description: This issue of Notiziario UFO, the bimonthly publication of the Centro Unico Nazionale (CUN) for the study of extraterrestrial phenomena, presents a special feature on the theories of Renato Vesco regarding the origin of flying saucers.

Special Feature: The "Flying Saucers" of Renato Vesco

The main article, authored by Pier Luigi Sani, analyzes the hypotheses presented by Italian technician Renato Vesco concerning the nature and origin of UFOs. Vesco's central thesis is that flying saucers are not extraterrestrial but are experimental aircraft of terrestrial origin, specifically developed in secret by Great Britain.

Vesco's Terrestrial Origin Theory

Vesco's theory posits that Great Britain acquired German plans for advanced aerial weapons at the end of World War II, including the 'Feuerball' (fireball) and 'Kugelblitz' (round lightning) projects. These were allegedly revolutionary radar-jamming and automatic interceptor aircraft, respectively. According to Vesco, the British, by combining these plans with advanced aerodynamic principles like 'getto-sostentazione' (jet-lift) and 'controllo dello strato limite' (boundary layer control) through 'macroaspirazione' (macro-suction), and developing extraordinary 'super-propellants,' were able to construct the 'flying saucer' by 1945-1946. He suggests these secret manufacturing plants were located in Canada, explaining the early UFO sightings in North America.

Vesco supports his claims by citing the 'siliceous cotton-like residue' found after some UFO sightings as evidence of his proposed propellant's combustion. He also links the mysterious 'Foo-Fighters' reported by Allied pilots during WWII to the German 'Feuerball' and 'Kugelblitz' weapons, noting their disappearance after the war.

Technical Aspects of Vesco's Theory

The article details Vesco's proposed technical mechanisms for UFO operation. The 'getto-sostentazione' is described as a method to generate lift by splitting the jet's reaction force, with one component opposing gravity. 'Macroaspirazione' involves sucking air through porous surfaces to minimize drag. The 'super-propellant' is theorized to be a highly concentrated paste of combustible metals and metalloids, including calcium, boron, magnesium, aluminum, and silicon, with pyrophoric iron catalysts.

Vesco also explains other observed UFO characteristics through his theory: luminous halos are attributed to the propulsion system, color changes to the combustion of different propellant ingredients, and 'dead leaf' maneuvers to precessional motions during rapid directional changes. The silence of UFOs is explained by their 'imbutiforme' (funnel-shaped) design acting as an acoustic reflector, and their radar invisibility by 'radar-absorbent' materials.

Critical Analysis of Vesco's Theory

Pier Luigi Sani, the author of the article, presents a critical analysis of Vesco's hypotheses. While acknowledging Vesco's detailed research and technical explanations, Sani raises several significant objections. He questions the plausibility of maintaining such a revolutionary technology secret for over 25 years without any leaks or official acknowledgment, especially given the political and military advantages it would confer.

Sani finds Vesco's reliance on the secrecy of German WWII weapons and the atomic bomb as historical precedents weak, noting that those secrets were revealed much sooner. He also points out that Vesco's explanation for the geographical dispersion of sightings (UFOs simply transiting to more distant destinations) is not entirely convincing.

Furthermore, Sani challenges Vesco's dismissal of extraterrestrial hypotheses and his polemical stance against 'ufologists.' He argues that Vesco's insistence on a terrestrial origin, even when evidence might suggest otherwise, reflects a predetermined bias rather than a purely scientific approach. Sani also disputes Vesco's claim that UFOs always evade detection, citing cases where UFOs have allegedly pursued aircraft and vehicles.

Sani highlights that Vesco's theory requires accepting several unproven assumptions: that the British obtained the German plans, that they successfully developed them within two years, and that certain historical accounts allude to this secret technology. He concludes that Vesco's arguments, while interesting, are largely speculative and do not definitively disprove other hypotheses, particularly the extraterrestrial one, which Sani suggests remains the most plausible explanation for the totality of UFO phenomena.

Other Content

The issue also includes a section on "Notizie dal Mondo" (News from the World), reporting on the 10th UFO congress held in Wiesbaden, Germany, which featured discussions on intergalactic space navigation and various UFO sightings. It also mentions other UFO-related publications and ongoing research efforts.

Another section, "Problemi sul Tavolo" (Problems on the Table), invites reader participation in discussing UFO hypotheses and theories. It includes a reflection on how to study a superior intelligence and a discussion on the possibility of a hollow Earth, referencing various historical and pseudoscientific theories.

Finally, the magazine features a technical article on building UFO detectors, detailing how to construct devices to detect magnetic fields, gravitational variations, and infrasound, along with diagrams and explanations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the scientific investigation of UFOs, with a particular focus on challenging conventional explanations and exploring alternative hypotheses. The editorial stance, as expressed through the critical analysis of Renato Vesco's theory, favors a rigorous, evidence-based approach. While acknowledging the value of Vesco's research, the magazine emphasizes the need for verifiable facts and cautions against accepting theories based on unproven assumptions or preconceived notions. The publication also promotes international collaboration and reader engagement in the study of UFO phenomena, reflecting a commitment to advancing the field through open discussion and shared research.

This issue of Notiziario UFO from 1973 serves as a call for membership and collaboration with the Centro Unico Nazionale (CUN), an organization dedicated to the study of phenomena believed to be of extraterrestrial origin. The primary focus of this issue is to encourage reader participation through a comprehensive membership application and a subscription drive for the magazine itself.

Membership and Collaboration Drive

The magazine prominently features a detailed Scheda di ADESIONE (Membership Application Form) for 1973. It outlines three categories of membership:

• Categoria 1 fondatori sosten. (Founding Supporters): L. 10,000
• Categoria 2 Aderenti 2a cat. (Members 2nd Category): L. 5,000
• Categoria 3 Aderenti 3a cat. (Members 3rd Category): L. 3,000

Members in the first two categories are entitled to a free membership card. Payment can be made via postal order or bank check. The application form requests personal details including name, surname, profession, age, address, postal code, city, province, and telephone number.

Beyond basic membership, the CUN seeks collaborators, whether they are members or not. A detailed questionnaire aims to gauge the potential collaborators' willingness and capacity to contribute. Key areas of inquiry include:

• Reporting UFO sightings in their local area.
• Transmitting newspaper and magazine clippings related to UFOs.
• Conducting on-site investigations of UFO sightings, including gathering testimonies, photographs, and performing necessary surveys.
• Availability of personal transportation and the geographical range they can cover (specifying city, province, region, or entire national territory).
• Proficiency in reading geographical maps.
• Possession of particular knowledge in fields such as meteorology, astronomy, physics, chemistry, archaeology, etc.
• Ownership of equipment like cameras, film recorders, binoculars, or telescopes.
• Interest in collaborating on research involving books, texts, and magazines.
• Knowledge of any foreign languages.
• Contacts with scientists, researchers, scholars, or journalists who might be useful to the CUN's work.
• Particular hobbies that could aid in ufological research.
• Specific aspects of ufology that interest them most.
• Willingness to collaborate with the CUN's technical-scientific staff.

An open field is provided for any other relevant information.

Subscription Program for Notiziario UFO

Parallel to the membership drive, the magazine announces a PROGRAMMA ABBONAMENTI al NOTIZIARIO UFO (Subscription Program for Notiziario UFO). The editorial states the intention to improve the magazine and urges readers to fill out and return a printed form. Readers are asked for their personal opinions on the UFO phenomenon and its significance, whether they approve of the CUN's approach to the problem, and if not, in what ways they disagree. They are also asked for suggestions to make the magazine more interesting and are surveyed about their willingness to purchase special publications (monographs, special issues, studies) produced by the CUN outside of the regular subscription.

Active Participation and Collaboration

The issue strongly encourages active participation through the RETE DI SEGNALAZIONE E OSSERVAZIONE UFO (UFO Reporting and Observation Network). Readers are instructed to use the membership form (printed on the back) to provide their details. The CUN secretariat will then provide a special form detailing the collaboration opportunities available.

Furthermore, the magazine promotes gifting subscriptions to friends as another form of collaboration. It also requests names of individuals interested in the UFO problem, promising to send them a free sample copy of the publication.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The dominant themes in this issue are membership, collaboration, and active participation in UFO research. The editorial stance is clearly one of seeking broad engagement from the public to gather information, share knowledge, and expand the reach of the CUN and its publication, Notiziario UFO. The emphasis is on building a network of interested individuals and leveraging their contributions, whether through reporting sightings, providing expertise, or financially supporting the organization through subscriptions and membership fees.