OVNI - 1996 10 - October

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: October 1996
Publisher: Phenomenon Research Association
Country: UK
Price: £1 plus postage

This issue of OVNI, the newsletter of the Phenomenon Research Association, is dedicated to 'Flying Triangle' sightings and related UFO phenomena. The cover features various symbolic illustrations, including a stylized diagram, a flying saucer, planet Earth, a pyramid and Sphinx, and a complex geometric shape.

Bumper 'Flying Triangle' Issue

The editorial highlights an influx of 'Flying Triangle' (FT) reports, attributed to the widespread sale of the booklet 'The Flying Triangle Mystery'. This increased attention has led many past witnesses to come forward with details of their sightings, some dating back several years. The newsletter aims to exchange information with other groups and notes the keen co-operation of the Sheffield UFO Research Association. It laments the 'petty squabbling' within the UFO community, suggesting it aids potential intelligence groups seeking to disrupt research. The M.O.D.'s stance, as disclosed by Nick Pope, is that UFOs do not represent a security threat, making it an uphill task to raise official interest.

Things That Go Bump in the Night!

This section discusses an anomaly captured on film during an International Skywatch event on August 17th near Bretby. Although nothing was initially reported as seen, the processed film revealed a strange white object with a double tubular shape moving across the frame, leaving a wider trail. The editor, experienced in film processing, rules out common explanations like film emulsion faults, fingers over the lens, or handkerchiefs waved in front of the camera, suggesting the object was illuminated and possibly 'frozen' by the electronic flash.

Arthur Shuttlewood and Ken Phillips

The issue commemorates the passing of two prominent figures in the UFO scene. Arthur Shuttlewood, synonymous with Warminster sightings in the early 60s, is remembered as a former Grenadier Guardsman, policeman, town councillor, and newspaper reporter. His interest in UFOs was described as a 'labour of love'. Ken Phillips, a UFO researcher who passed away on July 19th, was known for his study of the psychological aspects of the phenomenon and for forming the WITNESS SUPPORT GROUP. He was a prominent investigator for BUFORA and its National Investigations Co-ordinator.

Seen Over Birkenhead 1982

A report from Mr T.D. details a sighting in February 1982 in Birkenhead. While walking through an alleyway, he observed a series of bright lights in a 'V' shaped formation approaching. As they got closer, he realized the lights were attached to a larger object blotting out the sky, described as a huge 'flying wing' or 'boomerang' shaped craft. The object moved with a faint 'swish' sound, and there were about twenty to thirty lights underneath. The witness expressed awe and respect for the object's control.

M6 Motorway Jct.23

Mr Mark Ward reports an experience on the M6 motorway on March 23rd, 1993, where he saw two boomerang-shaped craft flying low with powerful lights underneath. He initially mistook them for a plane but realized they were moving incredibly slowly. The traffic slowed down as drivers paid attention to the objects. The craft were described as chevron-shaped, much larger than passenger planes, with sharply defined black bodies and powerful white lights pointing downwards. A similar object emitting an orange glow was also reported by Chris Davis of the 'Search' group, observed at 30,000ft and lasting about 15 seconds.

Midsomer Norton, Somerset & Wales Reports

Mrs A.C. in Midsomer Norton reported seeing a black triangle with rounded corners, three white lights, and a dull red centre light moving slowly at 5-10 mph with a low droning sound on September 4th, 1996. An identical report of a black triangle with a red central light and white corner lights came from Trefnant/Tremeirchion, near Denbigh, Wales, on June 26th, 1996. Another sighting in Bodfari, near Denbigh, on December 21st, 1992, involved two boys seeing a bluey/green triangular object descending with sparks, described as the size of 'two houses across'.

1980 - 81 Winter's Night (Hull)

In the winter of 1980/81, Mrs 'A' in Hull was woken by bright lights. She observed a glowing orangey-red triangular object about 80ft above a park, moving slowly at 10-15 mph. The craft had port-hole shaped windows emitting a bright yellow light, and panels at the back glowed like a furnace. The object made no sound as it moved across the park.

A Mini-Triangle Landing in 1979

On February 24th, 1979, near Crayke, North Yorkshire, Mr P.S. reported seeing a black triangular craft, about the size of a small van, hovering in a field. He described a cockpit canopy with a helmeted figure inside and two crouching figures at the side. He felt a 'personal' contact and the world went silent. The craft then flew away silently. Years later, he revisited the spot and found a triangular mark in the field where nothing would grow.

The Evening Sky - October 1996

This column provides astronomical information for October 1996. It mentions Earth's movement around the Sun, the Earth's atmosphere and temperature, and the vastness of the universe. Venus dominates the morning sky, with Mercury and Mars also visible. Saturn is visible all night in Pisces, and Jupiter is low in the southwest. The Orionid meteor shower peaks on October 21st. The column also discusses the announcement of a primitive micro-fossil discovery in a meteorite from Mars, which has caused meteorites to skyrocket in price. A partial solar eclipse occurs on October 12th, and the full moon is on October 26th.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed reporting of UFO sightings, particularly 'Flying Triangles', and the commemoration of deceased UFO researchers. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and information exchange, while also expressing concern about internal divisions within the UFO community. There's a pragmatic view on the threat posed by UFOs, suggesting their advanced technology makes them capable of doing as they please, but not necessarily posing a direct threat to national security.

This issue, primarily from The Dorset Evening Echo dated Tuesday, August 27, 1996, with additional content from 'The Wigan Reporter', covers a range of UFO and unexplained phenomena reports. The main cover story, "UFO MAY HAVE BEEN TOP-SECRET PLANE," highlights a sighting in West Dorset that researchers believe could be a Stealth fighter.

Wigan Reports ('The Wigan Reporter')

Case One: August 12th

In Wigan, two remarkable cases are reported. The first, on Monday, August 12th, involved a noisy helicopter overhead, identified as a Chinook twin rotor machine. It was observed following a small, matte black triangular object. Approximately two minutes later, a Jaguar fighter aircraft passed overhead at a very low altitude, with its undercarriage down, following the same course as the Chinook and the triangle. One witness noted that the triangle and Chinook passed silently before the Jaguar was heard. Bill Eatock, an official UFO investigator for Quest International, witnessed the sighting and believed the triangle and Chinook were heading towards Bury/Rochdale.

Case Two: August 16th

On Friday, August 16th, a mystery object was sighted over the Hindley area of Wigan. Three fire engines and a police helicopter were scrambled after reports of a plane in trouble over Hindley Green. Witnesses reported seeing the object break into a fireball, with bits falling off. Despite an hour-long search by fire and police, no wreckage was found. Leading fire fighter Peter Johnson of Hindley Fire Station noted an "oily smell in the area" but nothing else. The incident was logged as a UFO.

Jon Peake of 'UFO Update' is seeking witnesses to these incidents.

Dorset Evening Echo Cover Story

Top-Secret Plane Sighting

The Dorset Evening Echo reports on an unidentified flying object seen by dozens of West Dorset residents, which national researchers suggest could be a top-secret Stealth fighter plane. Investigators are trying to explain the sighting near Dorchester.

Experts at the British UFO Research Association (BUFORA) believe trials for the radar-invisible American fighter plane might be the cause. Roger Lowless, regional investigations co-ordinator for BUFORA, stated that the triangular shape seen near Puddletown was a recent phenomenon and that increasing reports from around the country could be sightings of the Stealth fighter, which was not publicly admitted by American authorities until five years after its service.

Local researcher David Kingston, however, has spent a week interviewing witnesses and challenges BUFORA's claims. Kingston argues that the Stealth fighter cannot fly at 50 feet and cannot hover. He stated that the craft was seen flying through trees near the Puddletown to Dorchester dual carriageway without causing damage, and that everyone described the craft as silent, whereas the Stealth would make a noise.

Other Reports and Features

Did You Know That.....

• New Zealand Encounters: There were close encounters with aircraft during the 1979/80 UFO 'Flap' over New Zealand. Captain Bill Startup, a SafeAir pilot, experienced 'strange phenomena' at his home for several months after a UFO sighting.
• Victor J. Kean's Database: Victor J. Kean has a substantial database of 'FT' (presumably Fast Transit or similar UFO phenomena) entries, with totals of 57 pre-1995, 1337 in 1995, and 912 in 1996. An example of 'Flying Triangle' activity on February 22nd, 1995, is mapped across various UK locations.
• BUFOSC Report (Winsford, Cheshire): On June 3rd, 1996, a number of UFOs were observed over the Leftwich Estate, Northwich. A witness saw three UFOs, described as long, thin balloon-like shapes and one triangular object with something in the center.

Tale Enders

• East Coast UFO: The Ministry of Defence and RAF were investigating 44 sightings of a bright white shining object over Lincolnshire and the Norfolk coast. RAF Neatishead confirmed tracking a mystery signal on its radar for several hours.
• Michael Newark on Crop Circles: Well-known dowser and Crop Circle researcher Michael Newark believes all large Crop Circles in 1996 were hoaxes, suggesting that several hoaxers may have joined forces to create the larger ones.
• Latest UFO Report (October 7th): A report from Totton, Nottingham, describes two black discs observed revolving slowly and moving south, followed by a military helicopter at the same height and speed.
• 'Flying Milk Churn': On September 16th, a witness driving on the A38 towards Derby reported seeing an object described as having small lights around it, flying parallel to the road.
• Staffordshire UFO Group: Omar Fowler is giving a talk and slide show on UFOs on October 17th.
• Arthur Tomlinson's Slide Show: Arthur Tomlinson presented a slide show on new ancient artefacts found in the Middle East to PRA members.
• UFO Landing in Brazil: A story about a UFO landing near Varginha, Brazil, involving possible alien seizure by military authorities, investigated by Prof. John E. Mack and others, is reported to be featured in 'UFO Magazine'.
• Flying Triangle over Pensacola, USA: On June 17th, 1996, a local witness saw a large black triangular craft with white lights and a red blinking light in the center, which hovered directly overhead before gaining speed and disappearing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, particularly those involving unusual craft shapes like triangles and discs, and the potential involvement of advanced military technology such as the Stealth fighter. There is a focus on eyewitness accounts and ongoing investigations by various UFO research groups. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these phenomena, presenting different perspectives (e.g., BUFORA vs. David Kingston on the Stealth fighter), and encouraging public participation in reporting sightings. The inclusion of crop circle analysis and international UFO events broadens the scope of unexplained phenomena covered.