OVNI - 1997 07 - July

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: JULY 1997
Publisher: Phenomenon Research Association
Country: UK
Price: £1 plus postage

This issue of the OVNI newsletter, dated July 1997, focuses heavily on the reported increase in 'Flying Triangle' (FT) UFO sightings, particularly in Great Britain and the United States. The cover features various symbolic images, including a flying saucer, a geometric pattern, the Earth, ancient monuments, and a geoglyph, hinting at the diverse nature of the phenomena discussed within.

1997 THE YEAR OF REVELATION?

The lead article, "1997 THE YEAR OF REVELATION?", highlights a significant rise in UFO and 'Flying Triangle' reports, with expectations of increased FT activity having been predicted by Bob Dean in 1996. The Phenomenon Research Association is contributing to 'Project FT,' a database of these sightings. Victor J. Kean, running the 'Project FT' database, reports a marked increase in FT activity, especially over Nuclear Power Stations, with some areas seeing a 100% rise in sightings. Local press coverage is noted, often focusing on localized 'UFO Corridors' without grasping the broader context. The newsletter deviates from its usual practice of not reproducing newspaper cuttings to include a full news page from 'USA Today' (June 18, 1997), sent by Gene Bauer, a witness from the 1983 New York State 'Boomerang and Flying Triangle' flap, who states, "They are back!"

The article questions the nature of known craft that could be the size of 'three football fields' and travel silently. It mentions a recent incident in Lincolnshire involving a triangular craft emitting a low roaring noise, contrasting it with the silent nature of FTs. It also notes that a SAAB Griphon fighter aircraft, similar in wing configuration to the Eurofighter, was undergoing trials in Lincolnshire, but such aircraft would not be silent.

Arizonans say the truth about UFO is out there (USA TODAY)

This section reproduces a 'USA Today' article by Richard Price, detailing a mass sighting over Arizona on March 13, 1997. Thousands reported an enormous object or objects in the night sky, described as the "most confounding UFO report in 50 years." Witnesses like cement truck driver Bill Greiner, initially a skeptic, describe seeing "two brilliantly lit orbs, shaped like spinning tops" that were "astonishing, and a little frightening." The article notes that local and federal agencies disagree on who should investigate, with officials at Luke Air Force Base being bombarded with calls. The U.S. government is officially out of the UFO business, having closed Project Blue Book in 1969. Phoenix officials state the city cannot investigate, and the governor's office was unaware. U.S. Sen. John McCain referred the matter to the Air Force, which closed the case, stating it was a matter for local jurisdictions. The article quotes Peter Davenport of the National UFO Reporting Center calling the Arizona event "the real thing."

The incident lasted 106 minutes, with descriptions including orbs and triangles. The most common description, captured on videotapes, was a V-shaped object with seven lights. Witnesses agreed it was enormous (estimated at three football fields long, or 6,000 feet), made no sound, and moved slowly at about 30 mph, sometimes hovering. Pilots reported that controllers could see the lights but they did not appear on radar screens.

Village Labs, a firm specializing in computer analysis, examined videos and found the lights to be unique, ruling out lasers, flares, holograms, and aircraft lights. Phoenix Councilwoman Frances Barwood is leading calls for an official probe, but faces bureaucratic hurdles. The article notes that 72% of Americans believe in life on other planets and 71% think the government knows more than it reveals.

Hundreds seek explanation

This section continues the Arizona incident narrative. Tim Ley describes seeing the lights slide silently above him, noting their extraordinary, gas-like appearance with no light spill. Michael Tanner and Jim Dilettosa of Village Labs analyzed videos, finding the lights to be a "perfectly uniform light with no variation from one edge to the other and no glow." They ruled out common explanations. Councilwoman Frances Barwood is pushing for an official probe, receiving hundreds of calls from people who had seen the event. Despite the public demand, officials at Luke Air Force Base state they do not investigate UFOs, though F-16 jets were in the air on a training mission. Bill Greiner recounts seeing orbs near the base, one of which appeared to be targeted by F-16s before vanishing.

No official investigation

This part details the lack of official action. Phoenix officials defer to the governor, who was unaware. The U.S. Air Force closed the case, stating it's a local matter. The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) has proclaimed it a UFO, which is unusual for the organization. Lt. Col. Mike Hauser of Luke Air Force Base acknowledges the public's anger and demands for investigation, denying any cover-up but confirming they do not investigate UFOs. Greiner's account of F-16s reacting to an orb is recounted, highlighting the frustration of witnesses.

A REPORT FROM BENFLEET, ESSEX.

This report details two sightings of a 'Flying Triangle' (FT) by a contributor in Benfleet, Essex, in June 1989 and June 1990. The first sighting involved a group of moving lights at aircraft altitude, forming a perfect triangular shape with lights along the sides and one in the middle. The lights were not as bright as aircraft lights and made no sound. The second encounter, a year later, involved a similar object moving faster, with longer sides than the back. The witness, initially skeptical, found the experience unsettling.

HUGE TRIANGULAR CRAFT SEEN NEAR BANBURY IN 1988

This article recounts a sighting by Colin Harrison and a friend on July 7, 1988, near Banbury, Oxfordshire. They observed a dark, approaching shape that was not an aircraft. As it drew closer, they saw a concave, matt black object, about 60ft across, with no lights but three lighter colored circles on the front. It moved silently at a height of 70ft and was estimated to be 300ft long. It had five oblong hatches underneath and a tubular, tapering tail. The craft performed an "impossible" maneuver and shot off at high speed.

UFO sighting terrifies family on motorway

This article from the Stockport Express Advertiser (June 18, 1997) reports on a UFO sighting by the Seel family on the M56 motorway on June 1, 1997. They saw a brightly lit object in the distance which, as they approached, was directly above them, hovering. The triangle then zipped across the sky at roughly 100mph. UFO expert David Cayton confirmed that similar objects have been reported across the UK.

Express Advertiser 'UFO' tale turns up second sighting on same day

This article (Stockport Express Advertiser, July 2, 1997) follows up on the Seel family sighting. Two pilots, Malcolm Smith and his co-pilot, reported seeing the shadow of a strange triangular object race past below them after taking off from Barton Aerodrome on the same morning, June 1, 1997. They estimate the object was at about 150ft. David Cayton notes that while 20-30 sightings of such objects have occurred nationally, this is the first time someone has seen just the shadow.

March 13, 1997, Thursday approximately 10:45 pm

This is a witness report from Janet Garbero in Phoenix, Arizona, describing a UFO sighted on March 13, 1997. It was a large, wide-winged shape with white-yellow lights on the wing tips and one at the front, heading eastward. It appeared larger than passenger jets but lower, moving smoothly and consistently without changing direction or speed. It had a sound like an engine but not a jet sound. It disappeared out of sight.

INTENSE 'FT' ACTIVITY ON THE NIGHT OF 22/23 NOVEMBER 1996

This report details an FT sighting on the night of November 22/23, 1996, by Mr. Nick Tilney and three other witnesses traveling on the A47 Peterborough by-pass. At 2:45 am, they noticed a dark triangular object with lights on each point and a strange pink haze around it, which seemed to be shadowing them at the same speed. When they stopped the car, the object also stopped dead still. They observed it hovering, noting bright white lights and the glowing haze. The object then moved slowly over them and vanished.

The Evening Sky

This section provides an astronomical overview for July 1997. It discusses visible planets like Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, and Mars, and mentions NASA's Mars Pathfinder spacecraft. It also touches on solar flares, their impact on communications, and the upcoming Sun-spot maximum. The article briefly mentions the European Cluster spacecraft replacement and the possibility of life in the Solar System, referencing Europa and Titan. It concludes by noting how scientific understanding evolves.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the prevalence and significance of 'Flying Triangle' UFO sightings in 1997. The newsletter adopts a stance of documenting these phenomena seriously, presenting witness testimony, and highlighting the lack of official investigation or explanation from governmental bodies. There is a clear emphasis on the unusual characteristics of these sightings, such as their size, silence, and lack of radar detection, which challenge conventional explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, encouraging public reporting and investigation, while acknowledging the difficulty in obtaining official confirmation or validation.

'The Islander' is a publication from Gulf Breeze, Florida, USA, featuring a 'Skywatch Diary' section by Carole Baker. This issue, dated June 19th, 1997, focuses on UFO sightings and related activities.

Skywatch Diary: Gulf Breeze Sightings

June 19th, 1997 Sighting

Carole Baker reports on an unusual sighting on Thursday evening, June 19th, 1997. A witness, returning home to the Gulf Breeze area, observed a loud, low helicopter flying over their house. Upon rushing outside, the witness saw a "white helicopter chasing a saucer with three green luminous portholes on the side." The object was clearly visible due to illumination from local ballfield and street lights. The witness described the helicopter and saucer flying very low, making a sharp turn toward Shoreline Park. The witness expressed a significant change in their perspective, stating, "there was no doubt that the helicopter was chasing the saucer.... I always thought this stuff was all to do with the military in the area until now.....there is no way that what this helicopter was chasing was man made - this event has really changed my mind and made me eat a lot of words."

June 19th, 1997 Skywatching Group Report

Later that evening, at approximately 10:10 p.m., a group of seven people skywatching at Shoreline Park reported seeing two helicopters escorting a third, unidentifiable object across the Sound toward Santa Rosa Island and then east along the beach. The object was described as oblong, "like the fusilage of a small plane," with a small white light on one end and either portholes or luminous blue circles along its flank. The manner of its exit was noted as peculiar. Another witness, living on the north shore of Santa Rosa Island, corroborated seeing three helicopters flying very low, one without lights.

June 20th, 1997 Sighting

On Friday evening, June 20th, 1997, a witness reported seeing a strange object hovering over the fishing pier that runs parallel with the three-mile bridge from Pensacola to Gulf Breeze. At approximately 11:15 p.m., the witness spotted a strange square-shaped object covered with small lights, described as "the size of ping pong balls," that flashed on and off in different colors (red, green, yellow, and white). The object was estimated to be approximately five hundred feet above the fishing pier and fifteen hundred feet out over the bay. The witness pulled off at the Gulf Breeze end of the bridge, but the object had disappeared.

'The Islander' - Other News and Features

'Sci-Tech' Week-End, Derby Exhibition

Pages 2 and 3 feature photographs from the 'Sci-Tech' Week-End, Derby Exhibition held on July 5-6. One photo shows Jonathan Franklin, a 'volunteer' from the Phenomenon Research Association (PRA), manning their stand, which displayed information on 'Flying Triangle UFO's Over Derby'. Another photo shows interested spectators viewing the exhibition.

Tale Enders

This section provides various short news items and updates:

• 'Flying Triangles-The Continuing Story': A sequel to a best-selling book by Omar Fowler, detailing 'FT' incidents, is available for preview. The booklet will be on sale for £3.50 plus postage.
• 50p Piece Black UFO: A sighting by Mr Steven Dyche near Middleton, Derbyshire, on June 3rd, 1997, at 2:30 pm.
• 'Trans-UFO' Magazine: Eileen Fletcher is giving up her Scandinavian translated magazine due to competition and lack of assistance.
• Evening Sky Feature: This feature has been transferred to Walter Berg, with his first article appearing in OVNI. Barry Parkinson is wished good luck in his new venture.
• PC TEXT Service: Michael Hudson is launching a new service for UFO researchers, offering over 5,000 text-based files and 300 images for £3.00 (disk) or £5.00 (printed copy) via 'Orion Trading'.
• Alien Breeding: Reports from 'abductees' suggest aliens are breeding hybrid human/alien beings in glass containers.
• Japanese Goat Breeding: According to the Daily Mail (July 18), Japanese scientists have bred a goat using an 'artificial placenta' method, with speculation that humans are next.
• Skywatch International: The group is back in business, investigating reports of 'Triangles' seen over Mablethorpe, possibly followed by Tornado aircraft.
• Nottingham City Hospital Appeal: The PRA will participate in a 'Smiles Better' appeal by holding a UFO exhibition at the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre on Saturday, August 2nd.
• Contact International UFO Research Conference: A conference is scheduled for October 26th, 1997, at Exeter Hall, Kidlington, with speakers including Graham Birdsall, Ananda Sirisena, Busty Taylor, and Edward Ashpole. Tickets are £8.
• Mansfield UFO Group Meeting: A meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 29th, at 7:30 pm in the central library, with guest speaker Omar Fowler discussing 'UFO's Past And Present'.
• 'The Addington Photographs': Jan Eric Herr is seeking a copy of an article published in the Yorkshire UFO Network's newsletter 'Frontier' during the summer of 1987, offering $35 cash payment.
• No PRA Meeting: There is no PRA meeting this month due to holidays and other commitments.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, particularly in the Gulf Breeze area, and the activities of UFO research groups. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these phenomena and events, providing a platform for witnesses and researchers. The inclusion of news from the UK and discussions about alien breeding suggest a broad interest in the UFO phenomenon. The magazine actively promotes UFO research groups and their events, encouraging participation and information sharing.