Panorama - Vol 04 No 03 - 1965

Magazine Overview

Title: PANORAMA
Issue: Vol. 4 No. 3
Date: November-December 1964
Publisher: U.F.O.P.I.A. (Unidentified Flying Objects Phenomena Investigation Australia)
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of Panorama, which incorporates 'The Australian Saucer Record,' presents itself as a magazine with a wide horizon for UFO students, groups, and societies, serving as the official organ of U.F.O.P.I.A. The cover features the title prominently, along with details about the publication's purpose, editor Fred. F. Stone, and price.

Editorial: "Fitting the Pieces Together"

The editorial by Fred. F. Stone highlights the progress made in understanding "Saucers," moving from a "crackpot subject" to one of significant interest. He notes that the public is becoming more receptive, no longer viewing the topic with immediate skepticism. However, Stone criticizes many UFO groups for engaging in what he terms "pseudo-scientific" investigations, which he believes are merely for respectability and to avoid being labeled as "odd folk" or "religionists." He argues that these groups fail to grasp the true reasons why governments are reluctant to disclose information about UFOs.

Stone posits that governments are not the true rulers but are "puppets being played on strings pulled by much higher and sinister forces." He suggests that any intervention from these forces, or from the "saucer folk" themselves, will be the means by which this knowledge is revealed, rather than through government declarations. He emphasizes that the core questions remain: "WHY ARE THEY COMING HERE? AND THAT IS THEIR PLAN .?. " He dismisses conventional scientific approaches that ignore spiritual or religious implications, asserting that a true understanding must align with Christian faith and the concept of God's plan for humanity.

He connects the advent of saucers to biblical prophecies, suggesting they are part of a "great world change" and the "coming in of the Kingdom of God." Stone warns against the "vested interest plan" of modern churches and the "despotic men" influenced by "Satanic forces" who are orchestrating a global drama. He concludes that deliverance from the world's dilemma can only come from "God's Man the CHRIST" and not from man-made rules.

UFO Incidents and Reports

UFO Formation Across New South Wales: The issue details a significant sighting on Friday, March 5th, where a formation of U.F.Os was observed across the state of New South Wales. Reports from various locations, including Sydney, Dubbo, Gunnedah, and Bathurst, flooded radio and TV stations. Witnesses described a formation of five to eight "roundlike objects" with a reddish-orange streak, maintaining a V-shape in flight and moving at incredible speeds. An official from the Agriculture Region described seeing three bright lights moving fast, which then broke into sections, forming about nine or ten lights with "streaming tails." The sighting lasted approximately 30 seconds. Mr. Canoron regretted not having his camera ready, while Mrs. Vinifred Jackson and her husband also witnessed what they initially thought were falling stars.

Pretoria Sighting: A report from Pretoria, South Africa, dated May 13, 1965, describes ten people witnessing an unidentified flying object whirl over the city at "fantastic speed." Mr. V. Vickers, Mr. P. Raaths, and Mr. W. Naude observed the object, which they identified as a flying saucer, traveling in a curving flight. They noted no sound or smoke, and the object was visible at an estimated 20,000 ft. high. Mr. Vickers confirmed it was not a meteorological balloon or an aircraft.

Flying Saucer Motel: A brief mention is made of a "Flying Saucer Roadhouse" located between Pretoria and Germiston, South Africa, featuring a complete flying saucer model on its roof.

Analysis of the "Jacobs Photo"

A substantial portion of the magazine is dedicated to an investigation into a "Jacobs Photo" of a UFO over Adelaide, which was previously featured. The editor expresses dissatisfaction with the photo and related evidence, noting "contradictory" findings. After two interviews with Mr. Jacobs, the photographer, the magazine's evaluation raises several concerns:

• Timing and Development: Mr. Jacobs claimed he did not realize the object was unusual until after developing the photos, yet he allegedly altered the timing of the shots. This is questioned, as he was reportedly aware enough to change the timing.
• Contradictory Statements: The distance to a lighthouse was reported differently by Mr. Jacobs (50 miles) and other witnesses (15 miles).
• Ship Crew and Captain: The man who was with Mr. Jacobs on the ship had reportedly signed off before the ship returned to Adelaide, and the captain of the ship had also been changed. The captain, who should have seen the unusual object, stated he saw nothing unusual.
• TV Room Incident: Mr. Jacobs claimed he went downstairs to the TV room to take shots of the TV screen, despite the room being hot and not air-conditioned. It is questioned why he did not call out to anyone in the room to witness the event.
• Motivation: Mr. Jacobs insisted he was not motivated by money, stating he made £40 per week on the ship. However, he later mentioned seeing if he could sell the photos to American interests for "big money," contradicting his earlier statements.
• Evidence Sharing: The magazine criticizes Mr. Jacobs for not providing complete sequences of the photos, only a single image. They note that he claimed he would provide all photos to anyone who wanted them, but later, a UFO magazine published photos that he must have released to them, suggesting a selective sharing of information.

The investigation concludes that while they desire good UFO photos, they are unwilling to compromise their standards or present unverified evidence. They prefer to remain cautious until further evidence clarifies the situation.

Other Content

• L.L.P. Editorial: An adaptation from 'The Little Listening Post' (Vol. 11, No. 5, Nov-Dec 1964) is included, discussing modern existentialism, the perceived decline of innocence and magic in the world, and the concept of a "New Age." It references authors like Jean Paul Sartre and critiques the themes of murder, mental illness, and perversion in contemporary art and media.
• Hymn Request: A hymn, "MIND EY'S HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE COMING OF THE LORD," is mentioned as having been requested by the late Sir Winston Churchill.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of UFO phenomena, the interpretation of these events through a spiritual and Christian lens, and a critical stance towards conventional scientific or governmental explanations. The editorial strongly advocates for a belief in divine intervention and prophecy, viewing UFOs as potentially part of a larger cosmic plan orchestrated by higher spiritual forces. There is a clear distrust of established authorities, including governments and mainstream religious institutions, which are portrayed as either controlled or misguided. The magazine positions itself as a source of "truth" for those willing to look beyond conventional narratives, emphasizing the importance of faith and spiritual understanding in deciphering the mysteries of UFOs and world events. The analysis of the "Jacobs Photo" underscores the publication's commitment to rigorous, albeit spiritually informed, investigation, prioritizing authenticity over sensationalism.

This issue of PANORAMA, Volume 4, No 3, dated May 27, 1955, focuses heavily on UFO sightings and a speculative theory about Earth's polar tilt. The magazine presents itself as a platform for reporting unusual events and scientific discussions, with a particular emphasis on aerial phenomena.

Key Articles and Reports

Three Say They Saw a Flying Saucer in Queensland

This lead article details a sighting by three men, including commercial pilot Jim Tilse, near Mackay, North Queensland, on the night of May 23, 1955. The object was described as circular with approximately 30 lights, landing about 300 yards from the Retreat Hotel on the Eton Range. Mr. Tilse, with extensive flying experience, reported seeing the object at midnight. Police later found evidence of scorching on treetops and a section of grass. The witnesses, who were sober, initially mistook the object for the moon but realized it was moving. They described it as having a "great bank of spotlights" and noted it had three legs when it took off. The sighting lasted about 40 minutes.

My Flying Saucer (by Keith Hooper)

This personal account, published in the Sydney Morning Herald a week prior, describes a sighting by Keith Hooper over the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, on October 18, 1952, at 9:44 p.m. Hooper, while returning from an assignment for the Adelaide Advertiser, saw a greenish-white iridescent "cigar-like object" against the dark sky. He initially thought it was an airliner but realized it was too late for one. The object was silent, moved from left to right, and then executed a sudden right-angle turn upwards before vanishing at tremendous speed. Upon reporting it, he was initially met with skepticism, but the Advertiser later received several similar reports from people who had seen a "flying cigar" that night.

The Prophecies Polar Tilt

This section discusses the theory that the Earth's magnetic and geophysical poles are converging, which could lead to a drastic shift in the Earth's axis. The article references Geo. Van Tassell's work and suggests that this event could cause cataclysmic changes, including the North Polar Ice Cap sliding across continents. It notes the movement of the North Magnetic Pole and estimates that the poles could converge within 8 to 40 years, with an atomic war potentially accelerating this process. The article contrasts the melting North Polar Ice Cap with the growing South Polar Ice Cap and suggests that the Earth might "stagger, or reel like a drunken man" during such a tilt. It also mentions that geophysicists might later declare past ice ages in temperate zones.

Little Boy Sees "Big Copter"

This report recounts an experience shared by a member of the magazine's readership. A five-year-old boy excitedly called his mother to see a "big copter." The mother, initially dismissive, became alert when she realized there was no noise. She then saw a large, saucer-shaped object shining brightly, which slowed down, stopped, and hovered before merging into a cloud and then reappearing and disappearing rapidly. The object was described as having no wings, no exhaust, and being perfectly silent, fitting the description of a "saucer."

West Australian Couple Report Mystery Lights Near Geraldton

This report details a sighting by Mr. and Mrs. Syd French near Geraldton, Western Australia, on May 25, 1955. While driving, they heard a noise and then saw a large object in a paddock with white and glaring lights. The object was about 200 yards off the road and emitted a "shrill and piercing" noise. They did not stop due to fear. Later, a friend showed them a newspaper report of a similar Queensland sighting on the same night, noting the descriptions were practically identical.

Queensland Report Cont. (Page 10)

This section continues the reports from Queensland, including a claim by a Kuranda farmer, D. Whitehouse, who saw a strange spherical object with flashing lights land on his neighbor's property. The object reportedly glowed for several minutes before disappearing. Mr. Armstrong, a former airman, was sure it was not an aircraft. The report also mentions scorch marks found where a craft had allegedly landed near Mackay. Additionally, two Mossman women reported seeing a similar object on the edge of a mountain. A Townsville couple also claimed to have seen a dark sphere with flashing lights.

Personal Report from Mr. Tilse

This is a detailed personal report from Jim Tilse regarding the Queensland sighting. He acknowledges initial skepticism about UFO reports but states his belief after this experience. He provides details about the time, duration (40 minutes), weather conditions (cloudless sky, moon visible), and witnesses. The object is described as a "well defined machine, solid, and metallic" with no change in shape. He estimates its size and notes "large banks of Floodlights in rows." The color was charcoal, and while he heard no sound, Mr. Burgess and Mr. Judin reported a "buzz" on departure. The object ascended slowly then accelerated rapidly.

Editorial Comment

The editorial compares the timing of the Western Australian and Queensland sightings, noting the significant distance and the short time frame for the object to travel between them, suggesting incredible speed. It also points out the similarity in descriptions to other past sightings in Victoria and New Zealand. The editorial also includes a member's suggestion that the noise heard during a landing might be related to repair work or activity within the saucer, which is unusual as they are typically silent.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and the potential for catastrophic geophysical changes due to a polar tilt. The magazine appears to adopt an open-minded stance towards these phenomena, presenting witness accounts and speculative theories without overt skepticism. The editorial comments often highlight the unusual nature of the events and encourage readers to consider the implications. There's a clear interest in corroborating evidence and connecting seemingly disparate reports to form a larger picture. The publication seems to aim at informing its readers about unexplained aerial phenomena and potentially significant global events, encouraging critical thought and discussion.

Title: PANORAMA
Volume: 4
Issue: 3
Date: June 8th, 1965

This issue of Panorama focuses on aerial sightings and unexplained phenomena reported in Australia.

Queensland Sightings

The magazine begins with a continuation of "QUEENSLAND SIGHTINGS CONT.". A detailed account describes an object that appeared to be a "sphere, which seemed to be sitting in a haze, seemed to be about half the size of a house." The observer watched it for 20 minutes as it "slowly sank down behind te horizonof mountains, but its lights did not lose any of their brightness." A Civil Aviation spokesman commented that the object "may have been ameterological balloon which was aloft at the time."

Third Flying Saucer Report - June 8th

This section details the "THIRD FLYING SAUCER REPORT" from North Queensland, dated June 8th. Three men—John Meskell (a detective), his father Clarry Meskell (a retired police sergeant), and Mr. E. Finch (a businessman)—reported seeing objects while on a fishing trip off Bowen. They first observed a "very bright" white light at 7 p.m., described as "about as bright as one of the brightest stars," moving in a south-easterly direction. Five minutes later, they saw a second object moving on the same path, which also "went out." Both lights were described as "weren't sparkling" and appeared to have a "white ring around them."

Later, at 8 p.m., after moving to a new fishing spot, they saw a third object. This object initially moved slowly, then picked up speed, "zig-zagged up and down in the sky and thơh stopped." Mr. Finch stated, "WE watched it stop and start about three times. and observed ot for about to 10 minutes and then it disappeared over the hills towards Mackay." The men claimed that after seeing an aeroplane with green and red flashing lights, they were convinced the three objects they saw had "no connection at all with an aircraft." They were also positive it was not a satellite, as satellites move constantly. Mr. John Meskeell added, "It was controlled by someone or something." He reported the matter to the R.A.A.F. upon returning to Townsville.

Adelaide Sky Explosion Report

Under the heading "ADELAIDE. SKY EX LOSION REPORTED 'ADVERTISER' 9.6.65.", the magazine reports a "mysterious explosion in the sth. west. sky at about 5.40.p.m. yesterday by many Adelaide people." The explosion was reported to have occurred at approximately 42 degrees elevation. The Advertiser's switchboard, Radio, police headquarters, the Airport, and the Meteorological Department received numerous inquiries. Witnesses generally agreed that the event appeared to be over the sea. Some speculated it was the result of an air explosion or a mid-air collision, while others thought it was an exploding object.

An officer from the Weapons Research Establishment in Woomera stated he knew nothing about the incident. A person from the Parafield area described seeing a "blue-white object with a short tail travelling steeply towards the ground in the westerly sky and moving slightly south at the same time." This object was visible for about a second before it exploded. Another person reported seeing what appeared to be "debris" fall after the flash.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently presents reports of unexplained aerial phenomena, primarily UFO sightings and an unusual sky explosion. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting these events, presenting witness testimonies, and including official or expert commentary, such as that from Civil Aviation and the Weapons Research Establishment, even when that commentary offers conventional explanations or indicates a lack of information. The magazine seems to be a platform for sharing unusual occurrences, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions while providing context through official statements and witness accounts.