Panorama - Vol 07 No 01 - 1968

Magazine Overview

Title: PANORAMA
Issue: Vol 7 No.1
Date: January-February 1968
Publisher: U.F.O.P.I.A. (Unidentified Flying Objs Phenomena Investigation. Australia.)
Country: Australia
Price: 25c. Aust

This issue of Panorama presents itself as the official organ for UFO investigations in Australia. The cover features a hand-drawn map of Australia with a flying saucer illustration, and the title "PANORAMA" in bold, blocky letters. The magazine is published in Kilburn, South Australia.

Editorial: "Countdown 68 Part 3"

The editorial, written by Sub. Editor Mr. A.E. Bran, reflects on the "enigmatical year of 1968." Bran begins by describing a serene January morning, contrasting it with the "grim reality" of global conflicts and societal issues. He touches upon the ongoing war in Vietnam, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and China's "Cultural Revolution," highlighting the human cost and the role of indoctrination. Bran also expresses concern over the increasing preoccupation with sex and erotica in modern culture, the perceived decline in moral standards among youth, and the impact of pollution on the environment, including the use of fluoride in water supplies. He posits that these issues are part of a larger struggle between "Light and Darkness," suggesting a connection between Ufology and Christianity, and foresees a period of "stress" and "economic chaos" for the world, potentially leading to a "New Golden Age" if good prevails.

U.F.O. Article: "BY FRED G. MEYERS"

Fred G. Meyers addresses the confusion surrounding UFOs, noting the disconnect between the public's experiences and official explanations. He criticizes the press for sensationalism and the scientific community for not adequately investigating. Meyers details his own eight-month investigation, concluding that UFOs "do indeed exist," but that "no one including the United States Air Force knows what they are, where they come from, or what their purpose is." He outlines four classical hypotheses for UFOs:

1. The Air Force position: Sightings are attributed to known, conventional events, natural phenomena, or psychological factors. Meyers acknowledges this covers many cases but questions if it explains all.
2. The "secret development" hypothesis: UFOs are experimental craft from the USA or USSR. Meyers dismisses this due to the long history and global presence of UFO sightings predating advanced technology.
3. The "atmospheric life form" hypothesis: Creatures exist high in the Earth's atmosphere. Meyers finds this less likely than machine-like objects.
4. The extraterrestrial hypothesis: UFOs originate from superior alien civilizations. While acknowledging its appeal and the statistical probability of extraterrestrial intelligence, Meyers expresses discomfort with it due to "wishful thinking."

Meyers highlights the discrepancy in the Air Force's Project Blue Book findings, which investigated over 10,000 reports and failed to identify 646. He points out the contradiction in stating these unidentified cases "cannot be correlated with any known phenomena" yet also represent "no technological developments or principles beyond the range of present-day scientific knowledge."

To illustrate, he recounts the "unidentified" egg-shaped object sighting in New Mexico on April 24, 1964, by patrolman Lonnie Zamora. Zamora reported an object emitting bluish and orange flame that rose 20 feet and hovered.

Organizational Information

An "EXTRA NOTICE" clarifies that U.F.O.P.I.A. is a distinct organization from the "AUSTRALIAN FLYING SAUCER SOCIETY" and that mail should be addressed to "PANORAMA" for subscriptions, while mail for the "SOCIETY" should be addressed to "UTOPIA." The issue also lists the elected officers for U.F.O.P.I.A. for the year 1963, including Fred P. Stone as President and Editor, and A.D. Bran and R. Chester as Sub-Editors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine exhibits a strong interest in UFO phenomena, with a focus on investigation and the extraterrestrial hypothesis. The editorial content, however, broadens to include significant social, political, and environmental commentary, reflecting a worldview that connects earthly concerns with potentially cosmic or spiritual forces. The publication appears to be a platform for independent UFO research and a forum for discussing broader societal trends and anxieties of the late 1960s. The editorial stance is critical of governmental and societal complacency, advocating for a deeper understanding of phenomena and a more cautious approach to technological and environmental issues.

This issue of PANORAMA, Volume 7, No. 1, dated January 1968, focuses on UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings and investigations. The publication appears to be from Australia, with A.E. Bran listed as the publisher. The content is primarily in English and delves into various reported incidents, witness testimonies, and official explanations, often questioning the latter.

Key Articles and Reports

The Zamora Incident (U.F.O. (3))

The article begins by detailing an incident where an object made a landing, leaving depressions and a burned bush. Air Force, civilian, and F.B.I. investigators were involved. The object reportedly flew away silently after hovering. The Air Force stated that attempts to conclude it was an experimental device were inconclusive. A witness, Zamora, reported seeing two people in white coveralls near the object, estimating their height at 40 feet based on a nearby bush. This detail, concerning 'humanoid' figures, is also noted by NICAP (National Investigations Committee of Aerial Phenomena), an agency investigating UFOs.

The Exeter, New Hampshire Incident (U.F.O. (4))

This section details the case of Norman Muscarello in Exeter, New Hampshire, on September 3, 1965. Muscarello reported a large, round object with bright lights swooping down. A skeptical patrolman, Eugene Bertrand, initially saw nothing but later witnessed the object rise from behind trees, bathing the area in brilliant red light. The object hovered for several minutes. Further investigation by John Fuller, who interviewed witnesses, suggested the object exhibited aerodynamic principles defying current knowledge. Fuller interviewed many witnesses, some of whom described 'humanoid' features.

Michigan 'Swamp Gas' Sightings (U.F.O. (4))

The article then examines two 1966 cases officially explained by the U.S.A.F. as 'swamp gas'. The first occurred on March 20, 1966, in Dexter, Michigan, where Frank and Ronald Mannor saw a 'football-shaped' object hover over a swamp. The second incident on March 21 involved girls at Hillsdale College seeing a similar object. William Van Horn, civil defense director, also observed the object. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, the Air Force's chief scientific consultant, investigated these cases. The author expresses doubt about Hynek's explanations, particularly regarding the discrepancy between Minnaert's description of swamp gas lights (half-inch to five inches high) and Van Horn's estimate of 100 to 150 feet.

The Ravenna, Ohio 'Venus Chase' (U.F.O. (5))

This case, dated April 17, involved Deputy Dale Spaur and mechanic Wilbur Neff chasing an object near Ravenna, Ohio. Their radio reported a UFO heading their way. The object, described as a dome-shaped disk about 50 feet in diameter, illuminated the roadside and emitted a humming sound. They pursued it for 85 miles into Pennsylvania. The Air Force suggested the object was the planet Venus, but the author and witnesses like Spaur reject this, noting Venus was visible but not the object they pursued. The timing of the Air Force's 'identification' release before their investigation is also questioned.

Sightings Here and There (Pages 12-18)

This section compiles various shorter sighting reports:

• New South Wales, Australia (Jan. 21, 1968): A glowing unidentified object flashed across country towns and Sydney suburbs. A similar flashing blue and white object plunged into Cook Strait, separating New Zealand's North and South Islands. It is unknown if the incidents are related. Multiple witnesses in Sydney and country towns reported the object. Spokesmen from Woomera Rocket Range, R.A.A.F., and the Bureau of Meteorology had no knowledge of any objects launched that could account for the phenomena. Residents in Wellington, New Zealand, reported an object crashing into the sea and emitting dazzling signals for hours before sinking.
• Western Australia (Dec. 8, 1967): In Donnybrook, Mervyn Dickson reported seeing a glow and two bright lights descending through trees near his home. His TV set also experienced interference. A District Forrest Officer, J. Mahoney, also saw a glow in the trees.
• Cape Town, South Africa (Oct. 12, 1967): An unidentified object was seen hovering over Table Mountain, scintillating and changing shape, indicating it was not a balloon.
• Western Australia (Feb. 9, 1963): Peter Stephens and his dog saw an orange-red, circular object moving low to the ground over a farm near Koorda. The object was estimated to be moving at 25-30 m.p.h. and kicked up dust and stubble. There were no visible windows or portholes. His boss, Alf Jones, was convinced by Stephens' shaken appearance. A neighbour recalled an odd occurrence with dogs refusing to accompany a workman.
• Western Australia (Feb. 15, 1968): Harry King, a farmer and councilor in the Koorda area, reported seeing a UFO that resembled the object sighted and sketched by Peter Stephens.
• South Australian Sightings (January 1968):
• Jan 8, 9:50 p.m.: Kenneth McDonald of Henley Beach saw a white object travel across the sky from West to East for 10 seconds.
• Jan 8, 6:20 p.m.: C.G. Sappiatzer of Hilton reported a dark blue disc-shaped object with a dome, flashing across the sky at terrific speed for 30 seconds.
• Jan 18, 9:00 p.m.: Two mechanics near Quorn saw an orange glow that split into two lights, rising from a black body approximately 8 feet wide. The object passed close overhead and disappeared.
• Jan 23, 8:45 p.m.: R. Bewley and his family in Cheltenham saw a bright object, the size of a ten-cent coin, travelling steadily for 5 minutes.

Comment on South Australian Sightings

The commentator suggests that the first and last South Australian sightings could be accounted for as 'Satellites'. For the Sappiatzer sighting, the commentator notes its conformity with thousands of previous reports. Regarding the Quorn sighting, the commentator attributes the phenomenon to possible hallucinations caused by stress or fatigue under conditions of driving on an unlit road at night. The twin orange glows could be reflections on mist or smoke, and the rising lights attributed to air pressure. The commentator states that if the car's ignition had been affected, it would be considered an extraterrestrial object, but as it stands, it is regarded as a mirage.

Comment on New Zealand/Australia Sightings

The commentator suggests the New Zealand object could be a 'space piece' (discarded rocket part) and possibly connected to the New South Wales sighting. The lack of effort to retrieve the Cook Strait object, despite it being observed for hours, is questioned, especially if it was a space piece that did not disintegrate upon atmospheric entry.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, witness accounts, and the critique of official explanations, particularly those from Project Blue Book. The magazine questions the thoroughness and scientific ethics of these investigations. There is a consistent effort to present detailed witness testimonies and then analyze them, often highlighting discrepancies or suggesting alternative explanations that are themselves questioned. The author expresses skepticism towards official conclusions, suggesting that many 'identified' cases might be better classified as 'unidentified'. The issue also touches upon the broader implications of UFO phenomena, including the need for scientific attention and the protection of individuals from anxiety and persecution related to their experiences. The editorial stance is critical of simplistic explanations and advocates for a more open and rigorous approach to investigating UFO reports. The article concludes by noting that the University of Colorado has been commissioned for a 15-month independent study of UFO reports, though the author expresses reservations due to the university's ties to the Air Force and NASA.

Title: PANORAMA
Issue: Vol 7 No 1
Date: Undetermined, but context suggests early 1970s based on the '1970s' time period tag.
Publisher: PANORAMA
Country: Australia
Language: English

Sightings Here and There: West Australia

The issue details UFO sightings reported in Western Australia. The primary report comes from Koorda, where Shire Clerk Wally Felgate recounted an experience shared by Mr. King. Mr. King, while working with his white-canopied tractor around 4 p.m., observed an object approximately two miles away. The object reportedly made a vertical take off from a paddock belonging to his brother, banked towards Mr. King, and then travelled in a northerly direction, disappearing over Lake Moore.

Another witness, Mr. Stephen, reported seeing an object on a Tuesday near Mollerin. His description differed from Mr. King's: Mr. Stephen's object was orange-red and circular, whereas Mr. King described his as oval and black.

R.A.A.F. Explanation and Questions

An R.A.A.F. spokesman from Pearce stated that the UFO sightings could have been an aircraft from their base. They noted that a low-flying aircraft had indeed been observed in the air near Mollerin around the time of Mr. King's sighting.

However, the article immediately raises critical questions regarding this explanation. It challenges the notion of aircraft flying as low as 10 to 12 feet above the ground and questions why, if an aircraft was in trouble, this was not stated in the report. The author also points out that conventional aircraft shapes are generally known, even to farmers in isolated areas, and that the reported objects being 'round or oval' is unusual for aircraft.

The article expresses a belief that the witnesses were capable of accurately reporting what they saw. It suggests that while aircraft may have been in the area, the behaviour of the reported objects infringed upon the rural population. The author implies that the R.A.A.F. (referred to as 'the brass') likely used evasive language like 'may be' and 'could be' to provide a plausible deniability.

Editorial Skepticism and Critique

The editorial section expresses significant weariness and cynicism towards official explanations and certain groups within the UFO community. The editor states being tired of listening to 'brain trust children' and criticizes groups that seek respectability through 'pseudo scientific claims' and by associating with 'high ups'.

There is a strong assertion that those with academic experience in this field either 'dare not or will not' face the truth, fearing loss of face, position, and vested interests. The article contrasts this with the experiences of those who have been investigating for years. Despite investigations, such as those in Colorado, the author notes that even scientists like Prof. McDonald admit that few will come forward with the truth.

The editorial concludes with a strong statement of personal conviction, suggesting that 'HY' (an unspecified acronym or term) fits all the answers. It dismisses 'social climbing saucarers' and ends with a quote from 'The Master': "Put not your trust in Princes", implying a distrust of authority and established figures.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, official explanations (specifically from the R.A.A.F.), and a deep-seated skepticism towards these explanations. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, distrust of authority, and a belief that the truth about UFO phenomena is being suppressed or ignored by those in power and those seeking personal gain or status within the field. The article champions the experiences of independent investigators over official narratives and pseudo-scientific posturing.