Pegasus - 1981 May-June

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: May/June 1981
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of PEGASUS, the journal of the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena, apologizes for its late publication due to the holiday period. The editors note that the UFO scene had been quiet leading up to the publication date, but anticipate many interesting cases for the July/August issue, which will also cover the Second London International UFO Conference.

The editorial expresses skepticism towards the media's coverage of the 'Warminster Thing', suggesting it is sensationalized for public consumption and lacks substance beyond the initial 1965 events. The article contrasts Warminster with other 'Ufocal' points like Bordon, Hants, implying the former is more of a media spectacle than a serious investigation site.

Contents This Month

• Pages 2/3: "Lasham Glider UFO" (Lasham, Hants.)
• Page 4: "Scottish Newsletter" (Peter A. Hill)
• Page 5: "Cartoon Time" (Jean Bastide)
• Page 6: "Case S 957 Explained" (T.W. Clark, R.A.E. Farnborough)
• Page 7: "News From Around The UK"
• Pages 8/9: "Segmented Beams Of Light" (Part 2.)
• Page 10: "A Personal Viewpoint" (Richard Colborne)

Article Summaries

"Lasham Glider UFO"

This article details an incident on May 2nd, 1981, where Raymond Whittaker, flying a 'Standard Cirrus' glider over Lasham Airfield in Hampshire, spotted a silver, hub-cap-like object approaching from the North. The object was observed at approximately 15:15 at a height of 2,500 feet. Whittaker initially dismissed it as a balloon but became excited as it approached. He described the object as circular, then dome-shaped like a rugby ball when viewed from the side, with a 'flat' aluminium type surface. Due to the glider's limitations, he could not get closer than 300 feet, estimating its speed at about 45 knots. The object maintained its height, unlike a typical gas-filled balloon, and travelled silently. Whittaker was unable to maintain pursuit as he neared Lasham Airfield's range and lost sight of the object in the haze. The incident raises questions about the balloon theory, particularly regarding the object's controlled flight and ability to maintain altitude. The article notes similarities to the 'Blackbushe Mini Disc' case but lacks details on aerials or construction.

"Scottish Newsletter"

This section introduces the "Scottish U.F.O. Network" (SUFON) and its journal, "SCOTTISH U.F.O. BULLETIN". SUFON's aims are to raise awareness of UFOs in Scotland and to investigate the subject for scientifically supportable conclusions. Contact information for Mr. A. Lynch in Dundee is provided. The newsletter also discusses the upcoming 1982 BUFORA National Conference, scheduled for March 12-14, 1982, detailing registration, events, and the hope of attracting international attendees. It mentions the BUFORA Edinburgh Branch's AGM, showing a slow but steady increase in membership from 8 in 1978 to 13 in 1981. Professor David A. Haisell of Canada visited Scotland after the London International UFO Congress and examined the site of the 'Livingston close encounter case'. The article highlights the Livingston case as significant due to its numerous supporting factors: early reporting, a reliable witness, lack of prior UFO interest by the witness, recorded ground marks, corroborating evidence from colleagues and police, physical damage to the witness's trousers, and the elimination of helicopter or hoax explanations. The case remains unsolved and is considered of exceptional research interest.

"Cartoon Time"

This is a humorous comic strip by Jean Bastide, presented as an investigation into 'Mr. Berlitz' and the 'Roswell Incident'. The cartoon satirizes common UFO tropes, including extraterrestrials with unusual features, military cover-ups, and secret reports. It concludes with a reveal that the 'extraterrestrial' is the son of the photographer, implying a hoax or misunderstanding, and notes that the story was made on April 1st, 1950.

"Case S 957 Explained?"

Authored by Terence W. Clark, an Air Traffic Controller at R.A.E. Farnborough, this article offers an explanation for Case S957, which was previously featured in the March/April issue. The case involved two witnesses seeing a silent, aircraft-like object with coloured lights over Aldershot on March 26th, 1981. The object was described as swooping low and emitting a humming sound. Mr. Clark identifies the object as a Hercules aircraft conducting night parachute drops at Hankley Common. He details the aircraft's route, its camouflage paint, and the additional lights fitted for formation flying. He explains that the Hercules has a low noise output, with the turbine noise being inaudible and propeller noise described as 'whooshing'. Clark expresses skepticism about estimates of range and descriptions of hovering lights from untrained observers, while thanking the witnesses for their report.

"News From Around The UK"

• This section compiles several brief UFO reports from various locations:
• Alderney: A formation of six bright objects seen moving fast across the sky on Christmas Day, possibly meteorites or satellite debris.
• Guildford: A large bright light with a smoke trail reported on May 25th, 1981, identified as a meteorite/fireball that likely came down near Cardiff.
• Middlewich, Cheshire: On September 21st, 1980, a family reported two bright star-like objects, one moving slowly, accompanied by interference on a VHF transceiver. The objects moved off at high speed.
• New Journal: Introduction of "UFO INTERNATIONAL", the journal of the Provisional International Committee on UFO Research.
• Daily Mirror: A mention of reports of "Strange craft landing and also strange people coming out of them" by BUFORA secretary Betty Wood.

"Segmented Beams Of Light" (Part 2)

This article by Jean Bastide continues the report on a phenomenon observed near Graz, Austria, in June 1972. Witnesses Alois and Sabina A... reported a 'teardrop' shaped object, described as milky white, oval, and flattened on top, with a red-orange elliptical ring and a flickering top. The object exhibited a 'zoom' effect and emitted a divided beam of light. Periodically, it extended a 'handle' from which red dashes shot out, described as 'Morse Code' light writing. This action occurred with thirty-minute interruptions until midnight. The witnesses' dogs reacted strongly to the object. The article speculates if the light beam was linked to the object's propulsion.

The second part of this section details an observation by Francine Van Curen in Arlington, Virginia, USA, on March 11th, 1977. She saw a strange object passing over Jupiter, described as a long luminous arrow with about fifteen to twenty segments and a glowing red tinge. She noted it was not an aeroplane, as no flashing lights were visible, and a jet would have been audible. The object was estimated to be at least 100ft long. The article also references a report by Canadian Ufologist Mr. Claude McDuff about an observation in Canada on September 25th, 1972, involving luminous objects, one described as a multicoloured 'barbers pole' emitting sparks.

"A Personal Viewpoint"

This section is attributed to Richard Colborne but contains no discernible text or content in the provided scan.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, investigations into unexplained aerial phenomena, and the critical examination of media coverage and witness accounts. The journal adopts a stance of serious investigation, seeking explanations for sightings while acknowledging the mysterious aspects of some cases, as seen in the detailed analysis of the Lasham Glider and Livingston incidents. There is a clear effort to provide rational explanations where possible (e.g., Case S957) but also to highlight cases that remain puzzling. The editorial commentary on media sensationalism suggests a desire for more grounded reporting on UFO topics.

This document contains a personal viewpoint article by Richard Colborne and information about the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP). The viewpoint discusses UFO hypotheses and a potential explanation for some sightings involving a specific type of toy balloon. SIGAP is presented as an organization dedicated to investigating UFO phenomena.

A Personal Viewpoint by Richard Colborne

Richard Colborne begins by discussing Jean Bastide's hypothesis that UFOs induce fields preventing chemical endothermic reactions. Colborne finds this hypothesis interesting but insufficient, particularly for vehicle 'stop' cases where vehicles often restart. He expresses dissatisfaction with the E.M. field hypothesis for such cases and favors a different idea, though he notes it may not apply to all incidents.

Colborne speculates that the passage of time might be radically modified during UFO encounters, making the experience seem normal to witnesses while the vehicle's engine operation becomes imperceptible. He also suggests that UFOs might emit fields or beams capable of preventing or creating phenomena, and that 'spirits' might possess 'force fields'. However, he leans towards the idea that most 'peripheral' features of UFO encounters, and occasionally the entire event, are induced in the mind.

He then introduces a new type of toy balloon that has appeared on the market. These balloons are made from a very thin plastic/aluminium laminate, constructed in two parts with a seam around the middle. When gas-filled and released, they can take on the appearance of a typical 'flying saucer'. Colborne describes witnessing a round, all-silver example that ascended to a few hundred feet, became a flat 'discus' shape with the seam horizontal, and drifted with the wind. He notes it gyrated rather than bobbed, and the sun reflecting off its surface made it appear to be under intelligent control. Colborne questions how many people would be fooled by such an object, implying it could be a source of misidentification for UFO reports.

Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP)

The second part of the document details the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP). This group was formed in early 1967 to investigate the UFO phenomenon locally. Primarily focused on reports in Surrey and surrounding counties, SIGAP has expanded its contributions to studies across many parts of Southern England.

SIGAP exchanges magazines with numerous other UFO organizations, including Northern UFOLOGY, BUFORA Journal, FSR, S.T. Quest, UFO Insight, SAPRT, UFO Network, GEP, UFO News Bulletin, National UFO Laboratory, J.B. Odyssey, Archives For UFO Research, and CUN. The magazine is published bi-monthly and is intended for SIGAP members, with copies available to non-members at a cost of 50 pence.

Their investigation process begins with a 'Hot-line' (Farnborough 41012) that triggers a preliminary inquiry to eliminate obvious explanations. The group estimates that over 80 percent of reports can be explained by natural or man-made phenomena. If an immediate explanation is not found, SIGAP investigators interview witnesses, visit the site of the observation, and consult their own experts. The group also liaises with similar organizations nationally and internationally, often identifying patterns of activity consistent across different areas.

SIGAP sends its most significant reports to the Center for UFO Studies in Evanston, Illinois, USA. This center is led by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Professor of Astronomy at Northwestern University, who previously served as a consultant to the US Air Force on UFOs for 20 years.

The document lists the Group Secretary as Michael G. Prewett of Mytchett, Camberley, Surrey, and the Chairman & Investigation Co-ordinator as Omar Fowler of Mytchett, Camberley, Surrey.

All articles in this magazine are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the express permission of SIGAP.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO hypotheses and the potential for misidentification of mundane objects as UFOs. Richard Colborne's viewpoint article challenges existing theories and proposes a plausible explanation for some sightings involving a reflective toy balloon. The information about SIGAP highlights a methodical, investigative approach to UFO reports, emphasizing the importance of eliminating conventional explanations before considering more extraordinary ones. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards sensational claims, favoring rational analysis and evidence-based investigation, while remaining open to the possibility of genuine unexplained phenomena.