Pegasus - Vol 01 No 6 December 1969

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: VOL. I No. 6
Date: DECEMBER, 1969.
Publisher: SURREY INVESTIGATION GROUP ON AERIAL PHENOMENA
Price: 2/-

This issue of Pegasus, the monthly journal of the Surrey Investigation Group (SIGAP), presents a range of articles and reports related to aerial phenomena and UFO investigations. The magazine's cover features a stylized illustration of Pegasus, the winged horse, and the title.

Editorial

The editorial, written by Ron Toft, reflects on the past decade of scientific and technological advancement, contrasting it with the increase in UFO sightings. Toft expresses regret that the 1970s are beginning with the 'gloom and despondency' created by the Condon Report. He tentatively concludes that UFOs are real, posing the question of whether they are natural or artificial. Given the lack of a rational scientific explanation despite atmospheric probing, Toft suggests the extraterrestrial hypothesis is the most plausible. He advocates for an international scientific investigation into UFO phenomena, which he believes is unlikely in the immediate future due to the Condon Report. Toft emphasizes the important role of amateur research groups like SIGAP in investigating UFO reports, drawing parallels to historical amateur contributions to scientific discovery. He urges members not to be disheartened by negative statements and to continue their work.

Meteorite or UFO? Fernhurst Incident

An article titled "DID A METEORITE LAND AT FERNHURST?" reports on an incident on December 10th where postman Mr. S. W. Bicknell observed a brilliant ball of white light descending rapidly near Fernhurst, Sussex. The object, which made no noise and left a pale trail, was seen while driving to work. Mr. Bicknell reported the sighting to Haslemere police, who contacted SIGAP Secretary Dick Beet. Beet and a reporter from the "Haslemere Herald" investigated but found no evidence of a meteorite landing. The object's trajectory was estimated to be from N.W. to N.E. with an elevation change from 60° to 120°. While the object was likely a meteor that burnt up before reaching the ground, Dick Beet noted that ball-lightning, which can resemble a meteor, was unlikely given the static atmospheric conditions at the time.

SIGAP's Financial Situation

A notice indicates that Pegasus is changing from a monthly to a bi-monthly publication due to SIGAP's serious financial difficulties. This has arisen gradually since "Pegasus" replaced the SIGAP Newsletter, with the cost of publishing and posting over 100 copies monthly amounting to £5. The failure of some members to renew their subscriptions has worsened the situation. The bi-monthly schedule aims to halve SIGAP's annual postage bill of £25. The group hopes to increase the number of pages and the quality of the magazine as the financial situation improves and appeals for members to pay outstanding subscriptions and for suggestions to increase revenue or for donations.

Egg-Shaped UFO Hovers Over Woods

This section details a report received by SIGAP about a glowing reddish-orange ovoid-shaped UFO observed hovering over woodland between Oxshot and Leatherhead in Surrey on March 12th. The witness, Mr. D. G. Briers, a 45-year-old engineer, saw the UFO stationary at an altitude of 3,000 to 5,000 feet. He reported no sound, estimated the object's diameter at 150-200 feet, and described it as having 'sharp' edges. Mr. Briers observed the UFO for about three minutes through his car's windscreen before it seemed to fade away. The sky was overcast at the time of the sighting (12:45 a.m.).

APRO Sighting Reports

This section presents a breakdown of UFO sightings reported to America's Aerial Phenomena Research Organisation (APRO) in the first six months of the year. The United States reported 174 sightings (60 investigated), and other countries reported 136 (17 investigated). The data categorizes sightings by shape and activity, including 'LIGHTS' (49 flyovers, 25 hovering), 'DISCS' (21 hovering, 8 flyovers), 'EGGS' (4 flyovers, 2 hovering), 'CIGARS' (7 hovering, 4 flyovers), 'GLOBES' (5 hovers, 13 manoeuvres), and 'OTHERS'. The report also notes that night-time sightings outnumbered daytime ones and lists various effects associated with UFO encounters, such as people being burned, car chases, stalled car engines, paralysis, ground fires, power failures, and interference with television and radio.

UFO Tracked by Radar Mystery

This article details an incident where the Royal New Zealand Air Force tracked a UFO by radar on September 4th. Wellington radar provided the position to a 'Safe' aircraft, whose captain and first officer spotted a blue fluorescent pulsating light. A spokesman for the Air Force stated that while another aircraft in the area did not see the light, the sighting was being investigated. The object's slow speed suggested it might be a helicopter, but none were reported in the area, and helicopters typically have red flashing lights. The intermittent blue light could have been caused by exhaust gases. The report sparked interest from Mr. H. H. Fulton, a UFO enthusiast who believes that about 15% of reported sightings, particularly those by credible witnesses, remain unexplained and could be extraterrestrial. He notes an increase in radar plot incidents in New Zealand due to more sophisticated radar installations.

Satellite News: Apollo 12

By Tim Childerhouse, this report describes the sighting of the Apollo 12 spacecraft. Despite stormy weather on November 14th, a break in the clouds revealed a pale gleaming light, identified as Apollo 12, sweeping through the constellation of Aquila. The light, initially +1 magnitude, expanded to cover four degrees of the sky before dispersing. The spacecraft then appeared, rolling and flashing as it stabilized its course to the Moon. The effects of the trans-lunar-injection exhaust gases were visible. The scheduled fuel dump at 10:25 BST was obscured by cloud, but the spacecraft was photographed in Surrey. A second sighting occurred the next evening, with the spacecraft flashing occasionally at magnitude +10, 110,000 miles away.

New Appointment and SIGAP Meetings

"Pegasus" Editor Ron Toft has been appointed to a four-strong Panel of Editorial Consultants for the BUFORA Journal. The issue also lists forthcoming SIGAP meetings: March 10th (a talk on meteorological phenomena), April 7th (a talk on distinguishing satellites from UFOs by Mr. Tim Childerhouse), and May 5th (SIGAP's Annual General Meeting). Meetings are held at the Plastic Coatings Factory in Guildford.

UFOs Unsolved: A Scientific Challenge (Part II)

By Professor James E. McDonald, this is the second installment of a speech transcript. McDonald critiques the Condon Report, focusing on a case at Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, New Mexico, on November 4, 1957. He finds the report's explanation of a 'powerful private aircraft' attempting a landing at the wrong airport to be improbable, particularly the described low-altitude 180° turn. McDonald contacted the two CAA tower observers, R.M. Kaser and E.G. Brink, who found the 'private aircraft' explanation amusing. They described the object as unlike any aircraft, elongated, egg-shaped, with a single white light, and exhibiting performance characteristics far beyond contemporary aircraft. They emphasized that the object was never hidden by buildings and that Area D had only chain-link fences. McDonald notes that the Condon Report and Bluebook files failed to interview these key witnesses and that the report's conclusions were based on superficial scrutiny, potentially placing the National Academy of Sciences in an 'awkward position' when the report's inadequacies are fully recognized. He also mentions that the Air Force report concluded the sighting conformed to no known criteria for UFO identification, while an Air Intelligence follow-up deemed the witnesses 'completely competent and reliable'. McDonald criticizes the scientific community for perpetuating the misimpression that few unexplainable cases exist in the files.

New UFO Book and Booklet

Professor Frank B. Salisbury, a SIGAP Consultant, has finished revising his manuscript for a proposed UFO book, expected to be published soon. SIGAP member Dan Butcher has written a 36-page booklet on sounds associated with UFOs, priced at three shillings, available early next year.

Most Massive Galaxies

A brief note mentions that Russian astronomers have identified galaxies NGC 4486 and NGC 7626 as the most massive in the visible Universe, each containing 2,000,000 million stars.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing debate about the nature and reality of UFOs, the critical assessment of official investigations like the Condon Report, and the importance of amateur research. The editorial stance, as expressed by Ron Toft, is one of conviction in the reality of UFOs and a call for rigorous scientific inquiry, leaning towards the extraterrestrial hypothesis. The articles highlight specific sightings, analyze statistical data from organizations like APRO, and critique the methodologies and conclusions of official reports, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation by groups like SIGAP. The magazine also touches upon space exploration (Apollo 12) and astronomical discoveries, framing them within the broader context of unexplained phenomena.

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: Volume II, Issue 1
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group On Aerial Phenomena
Date: mid-February (implied for the upcoming issue)

SIGAP UFO Investigation Results

The lead article details the findings of the Surrey Investigation Group On Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP), which has investigated 171 UFO reports since its formation two years prior. According to a report issued by Group Chairman Omar Fowler, 47 cases, representing 27% of the total, remain unexplained due to a definite shape being observed. Of these 47 cases, 28 involved a single witness (16%) and 19 involved two or more witnesses (11%).

Ninety-four reports investigated possibly had a logical explanation, while natural phenomena accounted for another 7. In 23 cases, there was insufficient evidence for a definite conclusion. Notably, none of the 171 reports involved a UFO landing. Only 25 reports were investigated in the current year, a significant decrease from previous years, with the peak year being 1967 when SIGAP received 67 reports. Last year, 49 reports were received.

SIGAP was formed in May 1967 by Mytchett company executive Omar Fowler and Cranleigh, Surrey, post-office engineer Dick Beet. The group treats all sightings impartially and employs a scientific approach. To aid in investigations, SIGAP has enlisted a team of experts, including an optical physicist and a satellite expert from Guildford, Surrey.

Omar Fowler commented that while they cannot definitively state if the UFOs are extraterrestrial based on the evidence, their research indicates the subject is worthy of international scientific investigation.

Fact or Folklore? Legends of the Wild Hunt

By Dan Butcher, this article explores the widespread legends of the Wild Hunt throughout northern Europe and draws parallels to UFO lore. The Wild Hunt is described as relating to aerial phenomena and manifesting at ground-level, often emerging from or disappearing into natural features like clouds, mountains, forests, lakes, and rivers.

The original Wild Hunt was purportedly led by Woden, the Teutonic storm-god, who was seen rushing across the night skies with a pack of baying hounds and hollering huntsmen. This imagery is suggested to resemble a "mother-ship" accompanied by smaller "scouts" from a ufologist's perspective. Voices were reportedly heard from the hunt, and Woden's hounds were said to talk. Encounters with this phantom host were believed to carry a danger of being carried off by Woden.

Such encounters often resulted in paralysis, loss of consciousness, and circular burns. The article mentions the Welsh Cwn Annwn (Dogs of Hell) or Cwny Wybr (Dogs of the Sky) as a British equivalent, described as a pack of white luminous hounds with red "ears" (interpreted as red lights). As they approached, the volume of their sound decreased, and as they receded, it increased – a phenomenon likened to typical ufoic occurrences.

Next Issue of Pegasus

The magazine "Pegasus" is to be published bi-monthly, starting in the New Year. The first issue of Volume II is scheduled to appear in mid-February.

Advertising and Publication Information

Page 2 provides details about the journal, identifying it as the "Journal of the Surrey Investigation Group On Aerial Phenomena". The editor is Ron Toft, located in Frimley Green, Camberley, Surrey. Articles are welcomed, and views expressed are not necessarily those of the SIGAP Executive Committee. Individual copies are available for 2/- each, with an additional 6d. for postage. Exchange publications and advertisements should be sent to the Editor.

Advertising rates are listed: Classified ads are 2d. per word for members and 4d. for non-members. Display ads range from a quarter-page for 15s, half-page for 30s, to a full-page for 55s. Special display rates are available to members.

The SIGAP CHAIRMAN is Omar Fowler, with contact details provided. The SECRETARY is Dick Beet, and the TREASURER is Mrs. Jean Fowler. The committee members include Omar Fowler, Dick Beet, Jean Fowler, Ron Toft, Dan Butcher, Graham Raine, Richard Munford, Miss Marjorie Dalley, and Philip Parkinson.

Membership and general inquiries should be directed to the Secretary. UFO reports are to be sent to the Chairman. Ordinary membership costs 15s per year, and junior membership (ages 14-16) is 7s 6d.

The SIGAP Board of Consultants includes individuals with expertise in Optical Physics, Space & Satellite Research, Theology, Psychology, Meteorology, and Exobiology.

"Pegasus" is printed and published by the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena.

Page 3 contains advertisements for various UFO-related publications and services. "UFOLOG" offers information on UFO sightings in the UK and abroad, obtainable from Mrs. K. Smith on the Isle of Wight. "FLYING SAUCERS ARE FACT" is a quarterly UFO magazine published by the Flying Saucers Are Fact Investigation Society, with subscription details provided. "SPACELINK" is advertised as a magazine for UFO news and views, featuring historical, contact, and reference sections. "FLYING SAUCER REVIEW" is described as the world's leading UFO journal. "CRANLEIGH REPROGRAPHIC SERVICES" offers lithographic printing services. Advertisements also mention MINER and BRUCE for Honda and BSA motorcycles, and the opportunity to JOIN SIGAP and receive PEGASUS by post.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the investigation of UFO phenomena with a scientific and impartial approach, as exemplified by SIGAP's methodology. There is a clear interest in exploring potential connections between modern UFO sightings and historical folklore, such as the Wild Hunt, suggesting that these phenomena may share underlying characteristics or origins. The publication aims to disseminate information on UFO sightings, research findings, and related topics to its readership, encouraging both membership and contributions. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, seeking logical explanations while acknowledging the possibility of unexplained phenomena worthy of further scientific study.