<OVNI>

Magazine Overview

This issue of <OVNI>, dated February 1993, is a newsletter from the Phenomenon Research Association (PRA), led by Group Leader Omar Fowler. The cover features a yellow background with various line drawings of UFOs, including a classic flying saucer, multiple circular objects, a triangular craft, and a stylized figure. The main headline on the cover is 'TRIANGLE MYSTERY CONTINUES'. The newsletter is priced at £1 including postage, with members receiving it for free.

Triangle Mystery Continues

The lead article discusses a video shown at a PRA meeting in January, depicting NATO aircraft intercepting a 'flying triangle' over Belgium in 1991. Although the film commentary was in German, it was clear that a mystery object was detected by radar and intercepted. The object disappeared at high speed. Camera gun footage from the aircraft revealed a triangular object with 'clipped' wings. The identity of the craft remains unknown.

The article also details a film taken by Garry Stapleton on November 11th of the previous year. Processed by Mallard Laboratories, the film, after enhancement, showed a number of lights overhead, suggesting a very large object. The negatives were sent to the USA, believed to be the Jet Propulsion Laboratories, where a large black triangular craft, described as a 'black wedge-like body', was identified. The PRA has requested copies of these prints.

Speculation suggests these triangular craft might be alien, controlled by 'Grays', rather than 'aurora' spy planes.

Member Contributions

This section features reports from members:

Strange Activity in Sweden

Eileen Fletcher contributes a report from Sweden detailing an incident on August 16, 1992, near Nynashamn. Two male witnesses saw a 'blinking' object in the sky around 0330. They initially flashed their headlights and then parked to observe. They became convinced it was not an aircraft or balloon. The object was described as looking like a 'hotdog bread roll' and deliberately frightening them. It passed over them multiple times. One witness saw it as round through a telescope, while the other noted blinking lights in the corners. Investigations with local airfields (F17 Berga and Arlanda) revealed no scheduled flights, though private aircraft, sports planes, amphibians, and balloons were possible. The case remains under investigation.

Another report from Sweden covers incidents in March and June 1992. On June 26, 1992, people in Brandstorp witnessed a 'sectioned' object 'swaying' over water. Later, a witness described a black triangular 'aircraft' swinging out over water at high speed, preceded by a whining noise.

Sheffield Sighting

Investigated by Claire Upton, this report details a sighting by Keith McGee on January 10th. While washing dishes, McGee saw a bright light and observed an object resting on the ground in his back garden. The object was disc-shaped, about the size of a drinks tray, and red with a bright red light. After about ten minutes, it took off, spinning, and emitted a bright blue beam of light towards his kitchen window. McGee crouched down in fear. The object made a swishing sound and climbed vertically, heading towards Crosspool, a district of Sheffield. McGee experienced no ill effects or time loss.

Report on the Sighting of an Unidentified Flying Object (Richmond)

Written by A. C. E. Caldicott, this report details an event on November 5, 1969. The witness and his wife were walking when they saw a light approaching from the west-south-west. Initially thought to be a helicopter or satellite, it appeared to move at helicopter speed with flickering lights. As it came nearer, it developed a pulsating, balloon-shaped aura with a defined edge, described as a steady orange glow. It was silent and moved at a constant height and speed, receding to the east-north-east. A young man with a dog confirmed seeing the light. The witness estimated the object was at a lower altitude than a high-flying plane, possibly less than 5000 feet, but acknowledged this was an estimate. A Boeing or DC8 aircraft later flew in the opposite direction.

Further comment from November 9, 1969, by C. M. Caldicott, suggests the object might have been higher, but its invisibility before disappearing over London indicated a fair height. The object was described as a large light, possibly on the underside of a larger craft, or the craft itself illuminated. The witness had never seen anything like it before.

Strange Predictions?

Omar Fowler reports being contacted by Terry W. of Wokingham, Surrey, following a TV program. Terry claims ESP abilities, including healing and receiving messages from aliens ('Nordics'). Terry sent Fowler a diagram he drew after receiving a message. Coincidentally, Fowler was watching a program on Nostradamus's predictions, which discussed how undiscovered planets at Nostradamus's time would influence his prophecies. An astrologer drew a chart, adding Neptune to Nostradamus's predictions. Nostradamus predicted a 'king of terror' in '1999 and seven months', and the addition of Neptune was interpreted as suggesting a virus or infection like AIDS. The article questions whether Terry received a warning or if it was a coincidence.

A UFO or Venus?

This section reports a sighting in Ripley, Derbyshire, on January 12, 1993, at 6:55 pm. A witness reported a brightly lit UFO, with two objects appearing from the West and East, hovering, and then flying off in opposite directions. The witness was later visited by Omar and Deana Fowler. A prismatic compass bearing indicated WSW. The witness was questioned about Venus, which was very bright at the time, but had no knowledge of stars or planets. Computer astronomy maps produced by Garry Stapleton show Venus precisely on a heading of 255° (WSW) at 7 pm on January 12th. The article concludes it is highly probable the witness mistook Venus for a UFO.

Tale Enders

This section provides various updates:

• Conferences: Bud Hopkins and Linda Howe, UFO and contactee researchers, are scheduled to speak at a conference in Sheffield on August 14th and 15th.
• PRA Fax Line: The PRA fax line has received interesting UFO documents since its activation in January.
• PRA Telephone Number: The PRA number received many calls in January regarding Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire sightings, disseminated via the BUFORA information line. Jenny Randles was asked to remove Omar Fowler's details, as the PRA group is local to Derbyshire and not nationwide.
• BUFORA UFO Line: This line provides up-to-date UFO news.
• Crop Circle Studies: The East Midlands Branch of the Centre For Crop Circle Studies held its first AGM in Nottingham on January 16, 1993.
• Excalibur Books: A secondhand/new book list from Excalibur Books in Bangor, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, is available for members to borrow or purchase.
• Eddie Sherwood: An ex-PRA member, Eddie Sherwood, is researching Corn Circles and associated phenomena in Marlborough, Wiltshire, attracting attention from the scientific world.
• Next PRA Meeting: There are no current plans for a PRA meeting in February; details will be in the next issue.
• OVNI Definition: The word OVNI is explained as being widely used in Spanish, French, and Italian for UFOs ('Object Volantes Non-Identifiable').

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, particularly of triangular craft, and the investigation of these phenomena. The PRA appears to be a UK-based group focused on local sightings and research, as indicated by the mention of its Derbyshire locality. The magazine also touches upon related topics such as ESP, predictions, and the potential for misidentification of celestial objects. The editorial stance seems to be one of open investigation and reporting of UFO-related events, while also providing rational explanations where possible, as seen in the Venus sighting.