OVNI - 2008 05 - May-June

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: May/June 2008
Publisher: JOURNAL OF THE PHENOMENON RESEARCH ASSOCIATION
Country: UK
Price: £2+pp UK: 4 Euros incl: pp

This issue of OVNI, 'The Journal for the discerning researcher', marks a period of renewed activity in UK ufology, with the emergence of new groups and publications. The cover prominently features various illustrations of unidentified flying objects and the magazine's title.

Editorial and Group News

The editorial, titled 'IT'S SUMMER AND THE OUTLOOK LOOKS BRIGHTER', notes the demise of some UFO groups and the loss of prominent personalities, but celebrates the 'Phoenix-like resurrection of Ufology in the UK'. The Birmingham UFO Group is welcomed for its competent and professional approach. The issue also announces the upcoming launch of 'UFONEWS UK' in September by Steve Gerrard, formerly of the Southampton UFO group (SUFOG), aiming to unite UK UFO investigators and publish articles, sightings, and news from British ufologists.

The Langwith 'Hot Spot'

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the ongoing activity in the Langwith, Mansfield area of Nottinghamshire, referred to as a 'hot spot'. PRA member 'Neil' has provided numerous camcorder shots and detailed accounts of strange lights. The report recalls a sensational 'Flying Triangle' event on August 23rd, 1994, near Shirebrook, where a craft approached at high speed, released a globe of light, hovered, and then disappeared as helicopters arrived. This event was captured on video. Neil has also drawn sketches of events he witnessed on December 14th, 2007, and March 24th, 2008. The December 14th sighting involved a craft with red and white lights and a distinctive low, pulsating, reverberating sound described as 'like a swarm of bees'. The March 24th event featured a bright white light and a red and white light, witnessed by Neil and his son. The area of Nottinghamshire has a history of 'Flying Triangle' and 'LITS' (Lights In The Sky) reports, leading to speculation about a 'dimensional window'.

'Flying Triangles' and Stealth Technology

An article by Michael Schratt (USA) titled 'Are 'Flying Triangles' The Result Of New ‘Stealth Technology'?' explores the possibility that these craft are advanced technology. Schratt discusses a January 5th, 2000 case in Southern Illinois, suggesting it may have been a joint Northrop/McDonnell Douglas bi-static radar LTA craft with a hybrid electro-gravitic propulsion system. He mentions classified projects like the TR-3A and sub-scale Northrop B-2s, and recalls the Hudson Valley flying triangle sightings (1982-1989) associated with electro-magnetic disruptions. Schratt also references a potential crash of a flying triangle on the East German border in 1989.

Comments on Schratt's message are provided by Bill Foster (USA), who mentions rumors of Area 51 operations moving to Montana and a black ops project involving electro-magnetics. Foster contrasts Schratt's descriptions with his own sighting, describing a craft 'a couple of football fields in girth' with absolute silence and lights saturated on the bottom, with corners the size of a volkswagen.

Significant Statements by Ben Rich

This section compiles significant statements made by Ben Rich, former head of Lockheed Skunk Works, pertaining to advanced propulsion and space travel. Rich states that his company worked on programs he cannot discuss, including the F-104, C-130, U2, SR-71, and F-117. He controversially claims, "The Air Force has just given us a contract to take ET back home." Rich asserts that humanity already possesses the means to travel among the stars, but these technologies are locked in black projects. He also mentions an error in equations that has been figured out, enabling star travel without a lifetime commitment. Rich advocates for ending secrecy and making advanced technology available for private sector use, noting that many in intelligence communities wish to keep these developments secret. He famously told Jim Goodall that "we have things out in the desert that are fifty (50) years beyond what you could possibly comprehend." Rich also expressed belief in both man-made UFOs and extraterrestrial UFOs, cautioning about charlatans. He further stated that "We have some new things. We are not stagnating..." and that current projects are "fascinating and fantastic."

UFO or A Secret Spy Plane?

An article by Billy Booth discusses UFO reports from Great Gonerby, Lincolnshire, UK, a village known for numerous sightings over four years. A witness named Allan Spick made a sketch of a strange object. Another witness claims to have seen the same object over Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, describing it as tear-shaped, hovering about 50 feet off the ground.

Another Similar Strange Hexagonal Craft Reported (1970's)

This report, extracted from a detailed UFO activity report, describes sightings near the Marconi Space and Defence Establishment at Frimley, Surrey, during the mid-70s. Hilary Porter, Vice-Chairwoman of BEAMS, recounts seeing two orbs of bright light heading East, one of which took up a hovering position over the Frimley complex before disappearing.

Mysterious Light Scares Local Witnesses in Derby

This section features a photograph of a glowing ball of light captured by Richard Ratcliffe in Derby on December 21st, 2007. The object, appearing crescent-shaped in the photo, was observed by Richard, Mrs Ratcliffe, and their daughter Sonya. It traveled slowly about 20 feet above the rooftops and was seen three times that night. No sound was heard, and it remains unidentified.

UFO mystery in the sky at night. 15 April 2008

This report, sourced from the Edinburgh Evening News, describes sightings of strange balls of fiery orange light in the Braid Hills area. Witnesses reported seeing groups of two or three lights moving slowly north and burning out after about a minute. Several people stopped to watch the phenomenon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OVNI include the reporting of diverse UFO sightings across the UK and internationally, the exploration of advanced and potentially classified technology (particularly 'Flying Triangles' and stealth), and the personal accounts of witnesses and researchers. There is a strong emphasis on the ongoing nature of UFO research and the potential for significant technological advancements, some of which are believed to be kept secret by governments. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, encouraging reporting and discussion within the ufology community, and celebrating the resilience and growth of research groups.

This issue of OVNI magazine, identified by its page number as page 10, features a collection of articles related to UFOs, unexplained phenomena, and space exploration. The cover headline prominently announces "Another Alien Autopsy," signaling a focus on controversial and intriguing topics.

Another Alien Autopsy

The first article addresses a recently surfaced alien autopsy video published on YouTube. The author notes that the uploader provides no information about the video's origin, source, or production details, making it difficult to verify. While acknowledging the video's graphic content and potential for it to be a hoax, the author suggests that if it is a fabrication, it was a costly and elaborate one, prompting the question of whether such an effort would be worthwhile for a hoax. Readers are encouraged to view the video and form their own judgments.

The Drones: Still a Mystery

This section revisits the "drone" craft, a series of photographs of strange flying objects that emerged in 2007. The author expresses lingering doubts about the widespread dismissal of these photos as fakes, even after more than a year. While admitting that some images might be computer-generated, the author questions if all of them are hoaxes and if copycats could have discredited genuine sightings. The article highlights that private detectives Frankie Dixon and T.K. Davis are investigating, focusing on locating the exact power pole near where some Capitola, California, photographs were taken. The author finds it curious that if the authenticity of the images were doubted, private eyes would invest time and effort to prove they could be real. The piece concludes by posing a question to the reader: are these "drone" craft real, or well-done computer generated?

DID A SATELLITE PHOTO CAPTURE AN ‘FT' OVER AUSTRALIA?

This article, attributed to Ian Lucas from New Zealand and dated March 19, 2008, presents a series of satellite images from Google Earth showing a triangle shape with bright lights at its corners over Australia. The first photo, taken at a range of 10,571 ft., shows the triangle. Subsequent photos, taken at closer distances, reveal the triangle shape more distinctly and the lights becoming more defined. Skeptics suggest these lights could be fires and the darkened area within the triangle the result of burning. However, the lights appear unusually bright and not indicative of wind direction. The article invites readers to decide for themselves if these are mysterious unidentified flying objects.

A STRANGE STORY FROM WW2

Authored by John Hanson & Dawn, this piece recounts a bizarre incident experienced by ex-RAF Pilot/Navigator Sergeant William Davis during World War II. On the night of December 10, 1944, while flying a solo Anson V aircraft near Lake Winipegosis, Canada, Davis reported seeing what he initially thought were exhaust pipes on the nose of his aircraft. These 'bumps' then appeared to move and transform into what he described as a small entity resembling a pixie or elf, with a pinkish face, short beard, and green garb. The entity was approximately 18 inches tall, seemed to be watching something in the sky, and approached the aircraft's window before disappearing. Davis initially kept the experience quiet for fear of jeopardizing his pilot training, but was later reassured by his Senior Flying Instructor that other pilots had reported similar sightings. Davis maintains the experience was real, that he was fully awake and alert, and will never forget it.

Mars Has Huge Ice Deposits

This article, referencing Filer's Files #12 and dated March 24, 2008, reports on findings from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and Mars Odyssey spacecraft. Scientists have discovered vast quantities of ice deposits below the Martian surface, particularly in the mid-northern latitudes, in geological structures hundreds of meters thick. Jeff Plaut, Chief Scientist for Sharad radar on MRO, estimates that more than 50 percent of the volume could be ice. The NASA team identified these deposits in lobate debris aprons (LDAs), especially in the Deuteronilus Mensae region. Promethei Planum in the South Polar region is seasonally covered by a layer of ice over 3500 meters thick. Additionally, the Mars Odyssey orbiter has found evidence of salt deposits, suggesting areas where water once existed and potentially harboring evidence of past Martian life.

Subject: RE: skull

A brief entry dated April 7, 2008, presents an image of a fossilized 'skull' found on Mars by a Mars rover. The description notes its resemblance to reptile or crocodile skulls and attributes the information to "a guy at nasa." The source is cited as 'Busty' Taylor.

TALE ENDERS

This section contains several brief notices.

Writer Arthur C. Clarke Dead at Age of 90

Sir Arthur C. Clarke, the renowned science fiction writer, died at the age of 90 in Sri Lanka on March 19, 2008. Clarke is best known for "2001: A Space Odyssey," his collaboration with director Stanley Kubrick. He authored over 80 books, invented the telecommunications satellite, and was known as the "godfather of the telecommunications satellite." He served as an RAF Radar technician during WW2. The OVNI editor mentions having corresponded with Clarke and planned a visit.

DIANE SHEPHERD: Passed away on the morning of the 12th April 08

Diane Shepherd, a UFO researcher from Northampton, has died. She is remembered for her bubbly presence. Her husband Peter and son Neil were with her in her final hours. Diane bequeathed her body to St. George's University of London for anatomy teaching, fulfilling a wish to be useful.

QUIETLY, QUIETLY...

This is a brief note from the editor stating that Royal Mail has increased postage prices, and they will absorb the cost for the next few months.

MORE CHEMTRAILS?

Dated April 10, 2008, this short piece questions whether government scientists' experiments with bombarding the upper atmosphere with microscopic glass particles to dampen global warming are linked to the increase in chemtrail spraying over the past 10 years. It raises concerns about potential damage to the ozone layer.

THE NEXT PRA MEETING

An announcement for the next PRA meeting, to be held at the Royal British Legion in Derby on Tuesday, May 27th, at 8 pm. The meeting will feature a DVD presentation by Jaime Maussan & Santiago Yturria from the 2008 Intl. UFO Congress in Nevada, along with UFO news and a book raffle.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OVNI magazine are UFO sightings and encounters, the investigation into unexplained aerial phenomena, and the exploration of space, particularly Mars. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging readers to consider evidence, question official explanations, and form their own conclusions. The magazine presents a variety of perspectives, from skepticism about hoaxes to a willingness to believe in the possibility of genuine unexplained phenomena. There is also an interest in historical accounts, such as the WW2 pilot's story, and contemporary scientific findings, like those from Mars missions. The inclusion of obituaries for notable figures in the UFO community and discussions on topics like chemtrails suggest a broad engagement with the field.