OVNI - 1994 02 - February

Magazine Overview

This issue of <OVNI>, dated February 1994, is a newsletter from the Phenomenon Research Association, edited by Omar Fowler. It is priced at £1, with free access for members. The cover features various UFO-related drawings, including triangular craft, disc shapes, and the Nazca Lines.

"Flying Triangle" - Speculation Increases

The lead article discusses the ongoing mystery surrounding reports of flying triangular craft worldwide. It introduces information about a new top-secret US aircraft, the XR-7 spy plane, which may be responsible for sightings of the craft known as "Aurora." The article notes that the XR-7 closely resembles a sketch made by a Scottish oil rig engineer. However, it points out significant differences between the XR-7 and the "Flying Triangle" phenomenon, particularly regarding its launch from an SR-75, suggesting a high stalling speed. The author questions whether a top-secret aircraft would fly over built-up areas and attract attention with bright lights. The Bakewell sighting is compared to similar craft seen over Belgium, which were chased by F16 interceptors. While subsequent photographs of the Belgian craft showed clipped wings/tips, the XR-7 does not. The article mentions that a full report on the "Flying Triangle" from Ron West of the Essex UFO Group is still pending, which will allow for comparison between Essex and Bakewell sightings.

News from the U.S.A.

This section, sourced from the TRIBUNE in Salt Lake City, UT, dated October 17, 1993, focuses on the US Air Force's attempt to seize 4,000 acres around White Sides Mountain in Nevada to prevent public observation of the secret Groom Lake air base. Hikers at the mountain's peak have a clear view of the runways and hangars. Protesters have gathered at "Freedom Ridge" to oppose the seizure. Nevada Rep. James Bilbray supports the restriction for national security reasons, citing costs to taxpayers.

A separate article, "New U.S. spy plane unveiled," by Stan Milla of the Associated Press, discusses the XR-7 spy plane. John Andrews, who designed a model for Testor Corporation, claims the XR-7 can achieve Mach 7 (approximately 5,200 mph), significantly faster than the SR-71 Blackbird. The Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office deny the existence of such an aircraft. Andrews bases his design on information from military sources and technical journals, including reports of "doughnut-on-a-rope" vapor trails, which he believes are from pulse-detonation-wave engines. Jane's Defence Weekly had previously suggested the plane's existence. Testor Corporation has a history of accurately modeling secret aircraft, having previously produced a model of the stealth fighter in 1986 and a U-2 spy plane model at Lockheed's request before Gary Powers' U-2 incident.

The John Searl Enigma

This article revisits the claims of John R.R. Searl and his "Searl Effect Generator" (SEG), which he stated could power unmanned craft. Searl first gained public attention in 1967 when he held a press conference in Mortimer, Berks., to demonstrate his "Flying Saucer." He claimed his "Swallow series" craft could travel up to 40,000mph and fly to the Moon and back in 58 hours, controlled from his tool shed. However, at the press conference, Searl announced a "hitch" and could not demonstrate the craft, instead showing a cardboard mock-up. He explained that the craft would bear his personal insignia. The article notes that Searl later appeared in the Daily Mirror on March 13, 1968, with his "Swallow F11" craft reportedly being built and destined for a May 5th launch. A subsequent 70' saucer was planned, capable of reaching the Moon in 1.25 seconds. The article cryptically adds that this "fantastic power source" explains why he was "kidnapped by the Chinese in later years."

UFO's & The North Pole

This section reports on recent UFO activity in the vicinity of Iceland and the North Polar region, referencing an article from FSR magazine's "Flying Saucer Review." A radio "ham" report mentioned Russian scuba divers in the Gulf of Finland encountering an enormous submarine-shaped craft that shot out of the water and vanished into the sky at high speed. Icelandic naval reports from December 1992 documented three UFOs tracked descending into the sea. Icelandic trawlermen also reported seeing huge, rapidly moving underwater craft with flashing lights, and an airborne object travelling south from Scotland. In February 1993, U.S. Navy destroyers in the Arctic Circle detected numerous craft and "yellowish lights" by radar. Later, in April, reports mentioned joint U.S. and Russian military exercises and plans to land U.S. troops in the Russian Arctic. An Icelandic airliner reported being joined by two huge glowing spheres over Scotland, and in May 1993, two Icelandic fishing boats went missing, with crews reporting tubular fluorescent beams of light and radio interference. An American "Stealth" ship was also reported to have mysteriously disappeared in the area.

Experimental Corner

Written by Paul Foster, this section is a "brain teaser for electronic whiz-kids." It explores the possibility of detecting the nature of "strange lights," such as those seen at Crop Circles, through electronic analysis of photon output. Foster proposes building a device using a modified infra-red receiver to detect light waves/photons and make their modulation audible. The device, built from scrap parts, could differentiate between various light sources like mains bulbs, fluorescent lights, and aircraft strobe lights, each having a distinct "signature." The question posed is whether Crop Circle lights and UFOs emit photons and if they have their own "noise signature."

Tale Enders

This section compiles various recent UFO reports and news items.

• A witness, "Mr C," reported a UFO sighting over Ashbourne on January 23, 1994, describing a stationary object with bright lights and a discernible shape behind them.
• The article mentions an ongoing investigation into another UFO witness in the Matlock area.
• It references a Channel 4 program on "The Bermuda Triangle" and a booklet based on its facts.
• The "Alien Acknowledgement Campaign" meeting in Oxford on January 22nd reportedly fell into disarray.
• EMUFORA (Tony James) has obtained a video claimed to show UFO lights associated with a triangular shape, which he hopes to have analyzed in the USA.
• The Southampton UFO Group reported a UFO sighting over Winchester in December, involving two lights that appeared and then ascended rapidly.
• Information is provided for anyone interested in 1994 Crop Circle "events," directing them to contact Ray Moore.
• Details for the next OVNI meeting in March will appear in the next issue, with the February meeting scheduled for the 17th at the Stanley Club.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of <OVNI> include the investigation of "flying triangles" and advanced, possibly secret, aircraft like the XR-7. There is a strong focus on UFO sightings and unexplained aerial phenomena reported globally, with particular attention to incidents in the UK, Iceland, and the Arctic. The magazine also explores the history of UFO claims, exemplified by the detailed account of John Searl's "flying saucer" project. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, encouraging reader contributions and investigations, as seen in the "Experimental Corner" and the compilation of "Tale Enders." The publication aims to connect researchers and enthusiasts, fostering a community around the study of unexplained phenomena.