OVNI - 1996 03 - March

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: MARCH 1996
Publisher: Phenomenon Research Association (PRA)
Country: UK
Language: English
Price: £1 plus postage

This issue of OVNI, the newsletter of the Phenomenon Research Association, dated March 1996, delves deeply into the controversy surrounding the alleged "alien autopsy" film, presenting a comprehensive review that leans heavily towards debunking its authenticity. The cover features a collage of UFO-related imagery, including a saucer, a pyramid, and a stylized craft, under the prominent title "OVNI."

Leeds Conference Revelations Sink Santilli!

The newsletter reports on the "UFO Magazine Conference" held at Leeds University on March 2nd, where new revelations about the "Roswell Alien" video footage were presented. Graham Birdsall, editor of UFO magazine, read a press release from the International Roswell Initiative (Atlanta, Georgia, USA), which reportedly cast significant doubt on the claims of Mr. Santilli, suggesting his story was likely to be "sunk without trace."
The PRA had obtained a copy of this press release and reproduced an edited version. The article notes that UFO research groups worldwide have been dubious about Santilli's claims since the film was first shown. A key point of contention previously raised in OVNI was the alien body having six fingers, contrary to witness descriptions of four, as researched by the late Leonard Stringfield. The issue also mentions a German model maker, Olaf Ittenbach, who created an "alien" body shown on German TV, with a still from this program included in the newsletter.

The conference featured Stanton T. Friedman, a Canadian Nuclear Physicist, who discussed the Roswell UFO crash incident. His talk included facts, figures, documents obtained via the Freedom of Information Act, and photographs of landing sites and their effects on the soil.

Tony Dodd, from Quest International, presented findings on recent cattle mutilations in the UK, affecting various animals with a small round hole in their forehead. He also detailed strange events around Iceland, starting with Icelandic fishermen complaining of nets being ripped by fast-moving underwater illuminated craft. This escalated, involving the American Navy, and reportedly led to the disappearance of one ship without a trace.

Tony Dodd further stated that the situation became alarming enough for NATO to become involved, recalling British Atomic Hunter-Killer submarines for "exercises around Iceland." Dodd's inquiries into the missing ship incident came under scrutiny by a naval intelligence agency, curtailing his investigations.

The final speaker, Bob Dean, a former NATO employee, discussed an investigation into UFO craft tracked over Europe. A report concluded that these craft were controlled by highly advanced aliens, and there was nothing that could be done about it. Dean also revealed an incident where a UFO hovered over a Minuteman missile base in the USA, and a heavy metal cover was removed from a silo, with the nuclear warhead and guided system "melted."

Santilli's Controversial Autopsy Movie: A Comprehensive Review by Kent Jeffrey

This section, a review by Kent Jeffrey from the International Roswell Initiative, provides a detailed critique of the "alien autopsy" film. Jeffrey uses a paraphrase of Winston Churchill to describe the deception, stating, "Never in the history of human deception have so many been fooled so much by so few." He notes that the film, acquired and marketed by Merlin Productions, has been seen and believed by millions worldwide.

The review criticizes programs like Fox network's "Alien Autopsy: Fact or Fiction" for misleading the public by presenting experts who felt the footage might be genuine, and for mixing facts from the Roswell case with scenes from the autopsy film.

Jeffrey outlines several significant discrepancies and problems with the film:

• Medical experts noted problems with the alleged body and autopsy procedures.
• Special-effects artists unanimously believed the body to be a special-effects dummy.
• False claims were made by Santilli regarding the authentication of the original film.
• A "collector" cited by Santilli as the reason for the film's unavailability was actually Santilli's business partner.
• "Security markings" disappeared from the film after being labeled phony by military experts.
• "Hieroglyphics" on supposed debris spelled out disguised English words.
• Santilli changed his story about acquiring the film after being caught in an inconsistency.
• Former WWII military cameramen pointed out major flaws in the film and its story.

A Questionable Autopsy

Medical experts, including Dr. Paul O'Higgins of University College London, found the anthropomorphic aspect of the alien implausible, stating the chances of an alien from another world looking so humanlike are astronomically remote. The speed of the autopsy (a couple of hours) was also questioned, with experts suggesting weeks would be needed for such a procedure. Pathologist Ed Uthman noted the implausibility of the alien having amorphous lumps of tissue in its body cavities while possessing human-like external organs.
The incongruity of the alien's external human-like structure and its nonhuman internal body cavity was highlighted as a serious flaw, suggesting a hybrid entity that does not exist in reality.

A Not-So-Special Effect

Special-effects experts, including Trey Stokes and Cliff Wallace, believe the alien was faked using a special-effects dummy. They pointed out inconsistencies in the corpse's posture and weighting, suggesting it was made from a body-cast taken in an upright position. The article mentions Trey Stokes's article, "How to Build an Alien," available online.

Spectacular Claims

Gross inconsistencies exist between Santilli's initial descriptions and the delivered footage. Claims of President Truman appearing in the footage were made, but never materialized. The debris-site footage, described as hilly terrain with large craft pieces, was also not shown. Instead, the material presented was described as unimpressive and easily hoaxed, with estimates suggesting the entire production could have cost as little as $50,000.

The Nonexistent Film

Ray Santilli's claims about the film's origin and format have changed over time, from "15 10-minute reels" to "22 3-minute reels," and from "1947, 16mm nitrate" film (which Kodak never produced) to other descriptions. His claim that the Royal Society was assisting with high-tech computer enhancement was denied by the society.

Kodak's Unaccepted Offer

Eastman Kodak offered to authenticate the film's date of manufacture since July 1995, but Santilli repeatedly failed to provide the necessary film, despite promises through intermediaries. Kodak stated they could authenticate film with as little as two or three frames, requiring only a small punch-hole for analysis.

The "Collector"

Santilli referred to a "collector" named Volker Spielberg as the reason for the film's unavailability. However, an investigation by Television France One (TF1) revealed that Spielberg was not a collector but a business partner of Santilli's. Santilli became angry when TF1 revealed this information, accusing them of violating an agreement.

The Missing Security Markings

The "tent footage," a separate alleged autopsy scene, depicted an emergency medical procedure on a tall, skinny alien. This footage, unlike others, was not publicly distributed. Security markings on the film, including "RESTRICTED ACCESS" and "A01 CLASSIFICATION," were noted by the Sunday Times. However, these markings disappeared when the film was shown to others, and conflicting explanations were given for their presence and disappearance. The date format on the markings also used a month-day-year format, contrary to the U.S. military's day-month-year standard.

Debris Reflecting Super (Un)Advanced Technology

The "debris site" footage, as described by Santilli, was unimpressive, consisting of material on small wooden tables, not the scattered remains of a sophisticated spacecraft. Symbols on an I-beam in the footage were identified by special-effects people as spelling out "VIDEO O TV," disguised within a hieroglyph.

The Cameraman

Santilli's story about the cameraman is deemed implausible. The cameraman claimed to have filmed the Roswell crash recovery and the Trinity atomic bomb test, and also the McDonnell Aircraft Company's XH-20 ramjet helicopter. However, McDonnell Douglas confirmed they used their own employees, not military cameramen, for these tests. The cameraman's explanation for not using color film for the autopsies was also questioned.

The Sting

An investigation by TFI revealed that the cameraman who supposedly sold Santilli the early Elvis Presley footage was actually Bill Randle, a disc jockey. The Elvis footage was purchased by Santilli from Randle in July 1992, and then immediately sold to Gary Shoefield, representing Polygram. This contradicts Santilli's claim that he acquired the Elvis film and the alien autopsy film from the same cameraman.

Santilli later changed his story, claiming he met the real cameraman after purchasing the Elvis footage from Bill Randle. This new scenario was met with incredulity.

Three Real Military Cameramen

Three former WWII combat cameramen—Joe Longo, Bill Gibson, and Dan McGovern—viewed the alien autopsy footage and film box labels. They noted significant discrepancies and found the scenario recounted by Santilli's alleged cameraman to be nonsensical, particularly regarding military procedures and the availability of qualified cameramen at military installations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination and debunking of Ray Santilli's "alien autopsy" film. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, presenting evidence from experts, investigative journalists, and photographic professionals to support the conclusion that the film is a hoax. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and verification in UFO research, highlighting how misleading presentations and fabricated evidence can fool the public. Other UFO-related topics, such as the Leeds Conference, cattle mutilations, and military investigations, are also covered, but the central focus remains on dissecting the "alien autopsy" film controversy.

Title: The Evening Sky
Issue Date: March 1996
Publisher: Barry Parkinson
Country: U.K.
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Analysis of the Santilli Alien Autopsy Film

The first article critically examines the controversial Santilli alien autopsy film. Three experienced military cameramen, McGovern, Gibson, and Longo, who trained other military personnel, express strong doubts about the film's authenticity. They argue that military regulations in 1947 required meticulous accounting for all film, with no exceptions for top-secret projects. The claim that Santilli's cameraman processed the film himself and that authorities did not collect it is dismissed as "total nonsense."

Filming Techniques and Equipment

The article details the types of film used in 1947, noting that 16mm color film would have been used for important projects like an alien autopsy. McGovern stated that medical procedures were typically shot in color with two cameras: one on a tripod near the table and another overhead. A key point of contention is the absence of "still" photography, which would have invariably accompanied motion picture filming of such procedures. The Santilli film shows no evidence of stills being taken.

The cameramen also found Santilli's cameraman's technique inconsistent with standardized military practices, describing the quality as "appalling." The film box label indicated Kodak "High Speed Super-XX Panchromatic Safety Film" and a Bell and Howell Model 70 camera. Experts believe that with this equipment and film, under normal indoor lighting, the depth of field should have been excellent, making everything from a foot and a half to infinity in focus. However, McGovern concluded the Santilli film was "deliberately blurred so that no subject is visible in detail."

Anomalies in Film Labeling

Problems were also noted with the film box labeling. A seal with an eagle, presumably for official appearance, was unlike any seal they had seen on thousands of Kodak film boxes ordered by the military. One label read "Reel # 52; Truman; 85 Filter 2/3 stop; Force X 2 stop - Possible," with the cameramen noting that an "85 filter" is used only with color film.

Colonel McGovern's Offer

Colonel Dan McGovern, willing to keep an open mind, offered to authenticate the alleged cameraman. He required the cameraman's full name and serial number to verify his military service. McGovern, a man with a top-secret security clearance and extensive photographic management experience, would reveal only his conclusion, keeping the cameraman's identity confidential. He proposed a 15-minute phone call to the cameraman. McGovern, having been a "motion picture project officer" for the Air Force in Washington D.C. in June 1947, shared a common background with the alleged cameraman.

The article concludes that the pattern of concealing evidence leads to the inescapable conclusion that "there is no cameraman and there is no film."

Astronomical Observations for March 1996

This section provides a celestial guide for March 1996. The planet Venus is described as a "diamond point of light" visible in the southwestern sky before sunset, becoming breathtakingly bright as darkness falls. Jupiter, the "giant world," is also mentioned as visible in the southeastern sky, but requires rising several hours before true light.

The vernal equinox occurs on March 21st, marking the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. This point signifies where the Sun crosses the celestial equator heading northwards, an event of great significance to early Earth-Sky cultures.

The Moon is new on March 20th.

Personal Reflection on Weather

The author recounts an outdoor experience during a snow blizzard on February 19th, describing it as an "exhilarating experience" that brought back childhood memories of deep snow drifts.

Historical and Modern Scientific Pursuits

Fifty years prior, newspapers reported scientists successfully bouncing radar echoes off the Moon, a feat that astonished the world. Today, Harvard physicists are using advanced equipment for Project BETA (Billion channel Extraterrestrial Array) to monitor 250 million frequencies simultaneously, searching for alien radio beacons up to 50 light years away.

The article notes that traditional Western scientists may have much to learn from ancient cultures. It mentions a record number of hurricanes worldwide and comet discoveries in the past year. The association of comets with disaster in ancient times is contrasted with modern skepticism, but views are changing with recent events like a comet plunging into Jupiter and another comet observed breaking up. The author wonders if there's a cosmic connection between these events and extreme weather on Earth.

Tale Enders: UFO Reports and News

This section compiles various brief reports and news items related to UFOs and unexplained phenomena:

• Stanton T. Friedman: Showed interest in the publication "Crop Circles: The Final Solution" and presented the PRA with two of his publications: "The Roswell Incident, The USAF and the New York Times" and "The Case For The Extraterrestrial Origin of Flying Saucers."
• Lothian Unexplained Phenomena Research Group: Attended a Leeds conference and is now exchanging newsletters with the PRA.
• FT and Aircraft Near Miss: An incident over New Mexico on March 3rd involving an airliner en route from Dallas to Phoenix, detected by NORAD.
• Balmoral UFO Scare: Reported in the NEWS OF THE WORLD (March 3rd) about a UFO vanishing as Harrier jets approached. The RAF stated it was an exercise with a flare, and locals were reportedly unaware.
• Happy Reader: Barry Parkinson expresses enjoyment of "OVNI," finding it a refreshing change from "stiff and intellectually stifled scientists."
• CCCS East Midlands Branch Meeting: Scheduled for Sunday, April 14th, at Rushcliffe Leisure Centre, with guest speaker Graham Allen.
• Farnham Driver Shocked: Sighted a UFO shaft of throbbing white light with flashing red, orange, and green lights over water meadows on February 27th, 1996, which then shot off sideways.
• Two Silver Discs Over Derby: Seen on March 7th, heading NE at approx. 4,000ft, moving at approx. 300mph, half a mile apart.
• UFO Crash Mystery: A large dark charcoal cylindrical object discovered on Salisbury Plain on April 19th, 1993, believed to have contained "Greys," was retrieved by a large helicopter from Woodbridge, Suffolk, according to a military witness.
• Next Meeting: A club meeting announced for Tuesday, March 19th, at the British Legion, Allenton.
• Video Presentation: "Morecambe and Clacton Flying Triangles" and "William Shatner's Star Journey" and "Mystery of the Gods" (Is the human race an alien off-spring?).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features a critical stance towards official explanations of unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs, often highlighting inconsistencies and potential cover-ups, as seen in the analysis of the Santilli film. There is an openness to alternative theories and a respect for ancient cultures' understanding of the cosmos. The "Tale Enders" section serves as a repository for various UFO sightings and related news, suggesting an ongoing interest in unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to favor questioning established narratives and exploring possibilities beyond conventional scientific or governmental explanations, while also providing astronomical information and personal reflections.