OVNI - 1998 03 - March-April

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: March/April 1998
Publisher: Journal of the Phenomenon Research Association
Country: UK
Price: £1 plus postage

This issue of OVNI magazine, dated March/April 1998, presents a collection of articles and witness accounts related to UFO phenomena, alleged alien encounters, and related topics. It aims to facilitate the free exchange of UFO information.

UFOLOGY AT THE CROSSROADS?

This editorial piece suggests a growing frustration among UFO researchers, noting an increase in daily UFO reports and a perceived 'flap' occurring countrywide. It criticizes the media's limited interest in UFO activity, often relegating it to brief segments. The article hints at a possible 'D' notice on 'Flying Triangle' activity, which could explain the media's indifference. It also raises concerns about an increasing number of people reporting unusual events and voicing curiosity about what is happening. The piece speculates about the existence of underground bases and armed personnel in unmarked uniforms. It further discusses rumors of extensive underground tunnel systems throughout England, potentially linked to the Cold War, and the possibility of secret Stealth triangular craft having bases in remote areas, distinguishing them from larger, slower-moving craft.

REPORTS FROM THE QUEST INTERNATIONAL SOLIHULL CONFERENCE

This section details a selection of interviews conducted by Omar Fowler at a conference on February 28th, 1998. Timothy Good, author of 'Alien Base', was among the speakers. The interviews focus on personal UFO experiences shared by attendees during the conference intervals:

• Veronica from Swindon: Recounted seeing a solid black triangle with a red element in May 1965, noting its silent movement and immense speed, and a feeling of it being 'inter-dimensional'.
• Jim Knight from Sheffield: Described a UFO flap in November 1996, witnessing a large, silent object, possibly triangular, moving at approximately 20 mph with a luminous red light underneath.
• Jill from Alcester, Warcs.: Reported seeing a triangle with white lights and an orange beam on August 5th, 1997, which they drove underneath before it vanished.
• D.H. from Merthyr Tydfil: Discussed witness accounts of silver triangles and alluded to the rumored involvement of the SAS in recovering crashed craft. He mentioned a 'Group 58 Security' operative who spoke of underground installations in Wales and the SAS's role in securing areas for American recovery teams.

Sioux City, Iowa Triangle and Possible Abduction Case

Authored by Beverly Trout, MUFON State Director for Iowa, this article details an incident involving three family members near Sioux City, Iowa, on August 7th, 1997. The family reported:

• The appearance of two triangles at low level, one of which paced their car.
• An encounter with a strange, hyena-like animal with glowing eyes.
• A period of approximately 45 minutes of 'missing time' for Frank and Justin.
• The sighting of a second triangle and an amber-colored globe of light with smaller lights darting from it.

The article notes that the family had experienced other unusual events, leading to Justin receiving counseling. It also mentions Carrie, another sibling, who reported seeing 'frogmen' and has drawn sketches of reptilian-like beings. The family has experienced further incidents, including sightings of small lights and objects with humming sounds, and Carrie and a friend were approached by a disk.

The author poses questions about whether these events are orchestrated to bring about conscious-level contact and if investigators are being deliberately brought into contact with families needing understanding.

INVISIBLE 'FLYING TRIANGLES'?

This report by David Cayton compiles several sightings of 'Flying Triangles' (FTs):

• Second Pilots Sighting Of The FT Shadow: John and Paul Angus, flying a microlight on July 6th, 1997, observed a large delta-shaped shadow on the ground, estimating its speed at 200 mph, with no visible craft creating it.
• M56 FT Sighting on 26-11-97: Stuart Nelson and Alison reported a triangular craft hovering over fields on the M56 motorway, which then disappeared.
• M56 Again! (Bank Holiday Monday 26 -5-97): Sharon and John Bates saw a vertical triangular object with flashing red lights on the M56, which moved sideways and then disappeared.
• Manchester Ship Canal Sighting: John, a retired Special-Constable, reported seeing strange, pulsing red lights in a 'V' shape moving slowly overhead on November 28th, 1997.
• Triangular Formation Seen Over Holland: Mr. Gordon Coles reported seeing a giant matt black triangle craft, the size of a Boeing 747, with a cone-shaped protrusion, which executed a rapid U-turn. This was followed by F16 fighter jets and a Boeing 707 AWAC aircraft.

AMAZING UFO FOOTAGE TAKEN OVER MEXICO CITY

This section describes a still image from video footage taken over Mexico City on August 6th, 1997. The video, shown at the Solihull conference, reportedly depicted a saucer-shaped craft moving slowly and wobbling across the sky in daylight, vanishing behind buildings. The article dismisses the possibility of a hoax due to the apparent non-plussed reaction of bystanders.

The Evening Sky

This column by Walter Berg discusses the power and influence of the Moon on Earth, from tides to human biology and folklore. It touches upon the Moon's scientific understanding, mentioning the Genesis rock and Gene Cernan's last walk on its surface. The column also notes the lunar basis of various calendars and Christian Holy days. It encourages contemplation of the Moon and mentions astronomical events in March 1998, including Venus, Saturn, Mercury, and Mars, and the Vernal Equinox.

EXTRACTS FROM OUR MAIL BAG

This section features a letter from Arthur C. Clarke, CBE, dated February 23rd, 1998, addressed to Omar Fowler. Clarke thanks Fowler for his letter and mentions Timothy Good's book 'Alien Base'. He suggests that a mysterious line on Europa, imaged by the Galileo spacecraft, is the best proof of alien intelligence. He describes the image as showing a landscape with ridges and intersecting 'super-highways' but concludes that these features do not suggest intelligent planning.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OVNI magazine are UFO sightings (particularly 'Flying Triangles'), alleged alien encounters, and potential government secrecy or involvement in UFO phenomena. The magazine appears to advocate for the open exchange of information and encourages investigation into these unexplained events. The editorial stance seems to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting witness accounts and speculative theories while acknowledging the need for further investigation and understanding.

This issue of OVNI magazine, covering pages 10-14, appears to be from March 1998, focusing on UFO and 'Flying Triangle' reports. The content includes reader mail, detailed witness accounts of sightings, and theoretical discussions.

Mailbag

The mailbag section features comments from readers. Lynda Brookhouse from Matlock suggests a newsletter page for comments and book recommendations. Mr. G. Hough from Lancaster UFO Network expresses appreciation for the 'Flying Triangle UFO's: The Continuing Story' article and praises the publication's efforts.

Letters and Reports

Letter from Brian P James to Omar: Brian P James, Chairman & Investigations Coordinator for CIUFOR, responds to Omar's letter and attached reports. He acknowledges that some flying triangles may be terrestrial but believes others, particularly those seen in Scotland and the Arctic entering/leaving the sea, are extraterrestrial. He suggests there is ongoing liaison between humans and a friendly ET race, and a malevolent ET race is also visiting. He posits that friendly ETs are providing advanced technology, including new triangular aircraft and particle beam weapons, to defend against the unfriendly ETs. This also explains the appearance of numerous underground facilities and the animal/human mutilation situation. James also mentions sending a tape of telepathic messages he received.

Skywatch Diary by Carole Baker:

• August 1997 Sighting: A former Gulf Breeze resident reported a spectacular sighting of a huge triangular configuration of yellow and white lights west of the Navarre Bridge, Santa Rosa Island, USA. The lights changed color and disappeared sequentially. Hundreds of people reportedly witnessed it, with police and military helicopters involved.
• December 18th, 1997 Sighting: Mr. Miller, a UFO enthusiast, reported seeing a round black circle in the sky, about a mile away and six thousand feet up. The object moved slowly, flipped over to reveal a silver side, and then disappeared when his wife arrived with binoculars. The sighting lasted about 1.5 minutes.
• January 30th, 1998 Sighting: At Pensacola Beach, USA, twelve witnesses, including Whitley and Anne Strieber, observed a red light UFO at a twenty-degree elevation. The object travelled directly overhead and blinked out. Photographs were taken by a Life magazine photographer and Art Hufford, showing a pulsating red light.

Sywatch Diary Contd: Gulf Breeze:

• January 31st, 1998 Sighting: A man in Pensacola, USA, reported seeing a bright red light from an object larger than a star but smaller than the moon. The light shifted position from east to southwest to northwest and back, emitting spikes of light. A friend confirmed the sighting.
• February 9th, 1998 Sighting: A witness near Eglin Air Force Base, Choctawhatchee Bay, USA, reported a V-shaped, translucent object moving steadily below clouds. The object was estimated to be 500-1000 feet above ground level, travelling at 200-250 knots, with a 'blowing' sound but no propeller noise. The sequence lasted about 10-12 seconds.

Aircraft Close Encounter Witnesses Near Birmingham

• February 18th, 1998 Sighting: Mr. Peter Freeman of Tamworth, UK, reported seeing an object with a strange shape and pins of light surrounding it, flying at about 20,000ft and keeping pace with an aircraft over Birmingham. He stated it was not another aircraft.
• Summer of 1996 Sighting: Mr. Daniel Holt of Strood, UK, observed a dark triangular craft with lights, estimated to be the size of a Jumbo Jet. It flew silently overhead at about 30-40mph.

Tale Enders

This section addresses numerous reports received by the publication. Apologies are made for not being able to include all reports due to space limitations. Reports are passed to the 'Project FT' database in Berlin.

• BBC Radio Derby UFO Chat Show: The editor participated in a successful chat show on March 10th, featuring reports of 'Foo Fighters' sightings by a WW2 pilot, a large silver FT sighting in Liverpool in 1979, and a hovering FT over houses in Uttoxeter in 1997. The next chat show is scheduled for April 21st.
• Crop Circle Theory: Jeff Whitear proposes a theory that 'black dust' in crop circles is formed by H/F energy spiralling down from the ionosphere. Negative potentials in the crop circle act like ionizers, attracting dust from the atmosphere, which is then deposited as a fine layer.
• Iowa UFO 'Flap': Reports from Iowa, USA, mention 'Black Helicopters' buzzing farms. Susan Landers and her family reported hearing a high-pitched hum. The next day, a dark helicopter with no markings was seen flying very low. Another report describes a rectangular, 'refrigerator' shaped object moving very fast.
• FT in Australia: On February 9th, 1998, a dark triangular object with three orange illuminations was seen over Geelong, Victoria, travelling slowly.

Next Meeting

A meeting is announced for Tuesday, March 24th, at the Royal British Legion, Derby. Guest speaker Tony Weaver will give a talk on his recent visit to AREA 51, Nevada, USA.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, particularly 'flying triangles', and the potential for extraterrestrial contact and advanced technology. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation into these phenomena, presenting witness accounts and theoretical explanations without overt skepticism. There is a clear interest in distinguishing between terrestrial and extraterrestrial craft and exploring the implications of potential ET interaction, including the provision of technology and the existence of underground facilities.