Orbiter - No 24 - 1990

Magazine Overview

Title: ORBITER
Issue: #24
Date: May/June 1990
Cover Headline: Gulf Breeze UFO model found

This special issue of Orbiter, subtitled "The New England Aerial Phenomena Report," delves into the controversial Gulf Breeze UFO case, focusing on the discovery of a UFO model in the attic of Ed Walters' former residence. The magazine presents a collection of newsclippings, commentary, and quotes that highlight the escalating debate between believers and skeptics regarding the authenticity of Ed Walters' photographic evidence.

In This Issue: Blockbuster Findings and Intriguing Testimony

The editorial introduction sets the stage, noting that "blockbuster findings and intriguing testimony are flowing out of the Gulf Breeze, FL. area at an amazing rate." It suggests that Ed Walters was the fabricator of the Gulf Breeze photos, employing a "clever plan to profit from it." The issue features reprinted newsclippings from the Pensacola News Journal (PNJ), crediting reporter Craig Myers for his intuition in discovering the model at Ed Walters' former home. The editor notes that MUFON officials and Ed Walters have responded to the model's discovery with "panic-like-statements," ranging from accusations of government agents discrediting Walters to claims that the team of Klass, Smith, and Boyd planted the model.

The editor finds the idea of a planted model ironic, given that it was found behind insulation with Walters' blueprints, suggesting that if it were planted, it would have been placed more obviously. The piece also references a letter from Dr. Mark Carlotto, which is in "quite contradiction to what Walters' is pushing," and quotes MUFON's Bob Oechsler stating that other photos show the alleged UFO partially behind a tree, an effect difficult to recreate with double exposures. The editor thanks Craig Myers for permission to reprint the material.

Commentary: Some Notable Gulf Breeze Quotes

This section, penned by Jim Melesciuc, questions the ease with which people can fall into "the blackhole of belief" regarding UFO visitation. It criticizes MUFON for allegedly learning from past cases like Adamski and Meier but still embracing the Gulf Breeze sightings. The commentary presents a series of quotes from various individuals, including MUFON officials and UFO researchers, highlighting their initial strong support for the Gulf Breeze evidence.

• James Greenan (MUFON Section Director): Notes the progression from UFOs zipping by to coming down, and now allowing pictures from various angles.
• Walt Andrus (MUFON International Director): States that Gulf Breeze signifies aliens making contact.
• Budd Hopkins (Author): Argues that the credibility of the pictures and photographer should not be questioned due to their clarity and detail.
• Bruce Maccabee (Chairman Fund for UFO Research): Suggests considering the possibility that UFOs were flying around Gulf Breeze and Ed Walters happened to get pictures.
• Don Ware (MUFON Eastern Regional Director): Emphasizes the great significance of the photographs due to their quality and the reputation of the witnesses.
• Walt Andrus (MUFON International Director): Declares Gulf Breeze as one of the most incredible cases in modern UFO history, or a fantastically orchestrated hoax.
• Timothy Good (British UFO researcher/author): Convinced of the validity of the witnesses' remarkably matched descriptions.

Enthusiast Denies Faking UFO Photos (By Craig Myers, News Journal)

This article reports on the discovery of a model spaceship resembling the reported UFOs in the attic of Ed Walters' former house. Ed Walters denied any knowledge of the model, suggesting it was placed there by someone trying to discredit him. Gulf Breeze Mayor Ed Gray III, however, stated that the model "confirms what he has been suspecting all along: Walters' UFOs are a hoax."

The model, made of plastic foam plates and drafting paper, was found by the current resident of the house. The resident, who asked to remain anonymous, signed a sworn statement saying he did not know who made it. The News Journal conducted experiments and found they could nearly duplicate some of the pictures from Walters' book, "The Gulf Breeze Sightings," using photographic techniques. Walters acknowledged the similarity but denied using such techniques.

The resident found the model while searching for an ice maker connection and moving insulation. He stated he was not sure of its significance at the time. Walters, when shown the model, claimed he had never seen it before and suggested that "debunkers" might have entered his garage or gone through his garbage. He also theorized that the government might be trying to discredit him, especially with a MUFON symposium approaching.

THE UFO MODEL

This section provides details about the discovered UFO model, including its dimensions and construction. It notes that the "windows" are drawn on drafting paper and that dimensions for a house on Jamestown Drive are printed on the reverse side, which appears to be in Ed Walters' handwriting. Walters theorizes that someone may have taken drafting paper from his trash to make the model.

Believers, Skeptics Debate Evidence (By Craig Myers, News Journal)

This article details the clash between critics and supporters of Ed Walters' UFO photographs following the discovery of the model. Ed Walters maintained he did not make the model and suggested that critics or debunkers planted it in his attic. He argued that leaving a hoax model in such a place would be illogical.

Don Ware of MUFON supported Walters' explanation, stating that debunkers would go to great lengths to discredit him, but the evidence is "far too overwhelming for this thing to be a hoax." Ware cited other investigations of similar objects in Gulf Breeze.

However, critics Willy Smith, Phillip Klass, and Robert Boyd dismissed Walters' explanation. They have long contended that the photographs could be the result of double exposures.

Believers, Skeptics Debate UFO Model, Sightings (Continued)

This continuation of the article details the denials of involvement from Smith, Klass, and Boyd, who offered to take lie detector tests. Smith called any attempt to blame the critics "arrogant." Boyd, a former MUFON director, stated that the model's discovery casts doubt on the reliability of the photographs and called for refunds for Walters' book and a public apology.

MUFON, which officially supported Walters' photos, is conducting its annual symposium. Bob Oechsler, a MUFON official, analyzed a videotape and concluded it could not have been a model, stating that the alleged UFO's position behind a tree was difficult to recreate with double exposures. He believes no models were used in the Gulf Breeze photographs.

Phillip Klass, a former senior editor of Aviation Week & Space Technology, suggested that Walters is a "desperate man."

UFOs Earn Thousands for Walters

This section highlights the financial success Ed Walters has achieved from his UFO claims. His book, "The Gulf Breeze Sightings," published by William Morrow & Co. Inc., earned him a $200,000 advance and is selling well nationally. He has also reportedly been offered $450,000 by ABC Television for mini-series rights.

ED WALTERS PROFILE

A biographical profile of Ed Walters is provided, detailing his age (43), residence (Gulf Breeze), birthplace (Jacksonville), education, family (wife Frances, two children), business (Edward Custom Builders), memberships (churches, community organizations), and criminal record (convicted of forgery and auto theft in 1967, served prison time, and received a full pardon in 1990).

Witness Says He Saw UFO Photos Faked (By Craig Myers, News Journal)

This article introduces a 22-year-old former resident, identified only as "Chris," who claims he watched Ed Walters create fake UFO photographs using double exposure. Chris stated that Walters' wife, Frances, and son, Danny, participated in the hoax. He described how Walters illuminated a UFO model with a flashlight and then took a second exposure on the same film frame.

Chris told Gulf Breeze officials that after the first UFO photos were published in the Sentinel in November 1987, Walters asked him to take more photos to the newspaper, claiming Chris had photographed them. Chris refused and kept the negatives, stating that Walters wanted to use him as a witness. He decided to come forward because the hoax had gone too far.

Mayor Ed Gray III and Police Chief Jerry Brown are investigating Chris' claims. They flew to Chicago to speak with Hank Boland, whom Chris identified as being involved. Boland stated that the photos Chris gave the officials were of real UFOs and that Chris was claiming they were double exposures for religious reasons.

Walters denied Chris' claims, calling them "ludicrous" and suggesting that the controversy was inspired by the upcoming MUFON symposium. He challenged the claims, pointing out inconsistencies, such as Chris' explanation for a circle of dead grass.

MUFON to Reopen Probe of Gulf Breeze UFOs (By Craig Myers, News Journal)

This article reports that MUFON will reopen its investigation into Ed Walters' claims. The decision comes after the discovery of the UFO model and reports suggesting the photos might be fakes. MUFON International Director Walt Andrus stated that the organization supports Walters "100 percent" but is reopening the investigation due to new evidence. The article also mentions that the parents of the 22-year-old witness, Thomas G. and Jennie Smith, have come forward. The Smiths' son, Tom Smith, claims he saw Walters create fake photos using double exposure. MUFON challenged the Smiths and Walters to take lie detector tests.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Orbiter revolve around the Gulf Breeze UFO sightings and the controversy surrounding Ed Walters' photographic evidence. The magazine presents a narrative that leans towards skepticism, highlighting the discovery of a UFO model as a potential key to debunking the case. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, questioning the authenticity of the evidence and the motivations of those involved. The magazine provides a platform for both proponents and detractors, but the emphasis on the model's discovery and the testimonies of those alleging a hoax suggest a leaning towards exposing a potential deception. The financial success derived from the UFO claims is also a significant point of discussion, further fueling the debate about Walters' credibility.

This issue of the Pensacola News Journal, dated June 17, 1990, features an article by Craig Myers titled "Student explains double-exposure," which details how UFO photographs can be faked using a double-exposure technique. The article focuses on the methods allegedly used by Ed Walters, a builder from Gulf Breeze, Florida, to create photographs of what he claimed were UFOs in 1987 and 1988. The cover also includes a step-by-step diagram illustrating the process of faking UFO photos.

How UFO Photos Can Be Faked

The main article explains the technique of double-exposure photography, where an object is photographed twice on the same frame of film without advancing it. This results in the object appearing in two different positions within the final image, creating the illusion of movement or presence in multiple locations.

The article describes how Ed Walters allegedly used this method to create his UFO photos. According to a 22-year-old former Gulf Breeze resident who asked to remain anonymous, Walters constructed UFO models from Styrofoam plates and paper, topped with a small plastic dome. A hole in the bottom of the model allowed a flashlight, connected via black electrical tape to a black-painted PVC pipe, to illuminate the model. Walters would then photograph this lighted model against a black background in a darkened room. Without advancing the film, he would then take a second exposure, often of the sky or a different location, making the model appear as if it were a UFO in the sky.

Specific examples of alleged double-exposure fakes are provided:

• The "road shot": A photograph showing a UFO allegedly landing on a rural road with a light shining from beneath was reportedly made by double-exposures after hours of experimentation.
• UFO behind a tree: A photograph depicting a UFO partially hidden behind a tree was also created through double-exposure experiments.
• "Ghost photos": Photographs showing "ghost" images over the shoulders of teen-agers at Walters' home were explained as double-exposures. The source claimed Walters photographed his son wearing a mask in a dark room and then double-exposed it with a picture of a guest.

A 1-minute, 38-second video tape of a UFO is also mentioned, where Walters allegedly carried a lighted model on top of a long piece of black PVC pipe around his yard while someone else filmed it.

Analysis and Criticism

The article highlights that the techniques used by Walters have drawn national attention to Gulf Breeze. The anonymous source's statement was made to Gulf Breeze officials and news media, suggesting an official inquiry or public disclosure of the alleged hoax.

Correspondence from Mark J. Carlotto

A letter from Mark J. Carlotto, dated May 30, 1990, addressed to Mr. James Melesciuc, clarifies Carlotto's limited role in the analysis of the Gulf Breeze photos. Carlotto states that his name was misspelled in a book due to his minor involvement. He details his checks for double exposure by measuring the brightness of the UFO and the surrounding sky, but found the results inconclusive due to background variation. He also mentions receiving a 9-track computer tape with digitized color images of the Polaroid photographs and that Bruce Maccabee might have more details. Carlotto examined several photos (1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 16, 18, and 19) to determine if the UFO was in front of or behind a tree, but could not tell due to minimal overlap. He explains that the photos were sent to him because of his work in related areas, noting his expertise is in image processing, with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering.

Cartoon and Meeting

The second page includes a cartoon depicting a meeting of MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) State and assistant State Directors. The cartoon's dialogue suggests internal conflict or concern within MUFON regarding the Gulf Breeze case, with one character stating, "I Know Gulf Breeze is a hoax but I will remain silent because he might... pull my MUFON I.D. CARD!" This implies that some within MUFON may have been aware of or suspected the Gulf Breeze photos to be a hoax but chose not to speak out, possibly due to fear of repercussions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the debunking of UFO sightings through photographic manipulation, specifically double exposure. The article presents a detailed explanation of the technique and attributes its use to Ed Walters of Gulf Breeze. The inclusion of the letter from Mark J. Carlotto, an expert in image processing, lends credibility to the technical analysis of the photographs. The cartoon at the end suggests that the skepticism surrounding the Gulf Breeze case was not isolated to external critics but may have extended to within UFO research organizations like MUFON. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical examination and skepticism towards photographic evidence of UFOs, emphasizing the possibility of hoaxes and the importance of rigorous analysis.