Pegasus - Vol 02 No 4 July-Aug 1970

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: VOL. II No. 4
Date: JULY/AUGUST 1970
Publisher: SURREY INVESTIGATION GROUP ON AERIAL PHENOMENA
Price: 2/- 10p

This issue of PEGASUS, the journal of the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena, is dated July/August 1970 and is Volume 2, Number 4.

Editorial

The editorial announces that Arthur Shuttlewood, a journalist from Warminster known for his UFO research, is stepping back from active investigation to become an 'armchair critic'. He is currently finishing his third and final book, due out next year. The editorial notes that Shuttlewood's departure will shock many in the UFO community, who viewed him as a guiding light. Shuttlewood explains his decision in the summer issue of the NICAP Journal, stating that while he can tolerate criticism, he cannot continue when his family begins to suffer. The original Warminster UFO team, including Bob Strong and Sybil Champion, has also disbanded.

The author recounts meeting Shuttlewood twice and being impressed by his sincerity. Shuttlewood gained prominence in UFO circles in the mid-1960s with the 'Warminster flap'. His books, 'The Warminster Mystery' and 'Warnings From Flying Friends', detail sensational sightings. Despite this, some researchers have dismissed him as 'another nut-case' or suggested UFOs have 'gone to his head', with some UFO journals reportedly rejecting his more 'way-out' articles.

The editorial defends Shuttlewood, pointing out that he was not the only person to see UFOs in Warminster and that his books contain numerous reports. It is noted that Arthur was initially impartial, only becoming deeply involved due to his profession.

Shuttlewood is quoted from 'The Warminster Mystery' describing reporters as 'hard-boiled cynical clan'. He claims to have set aside his neutrality after evidence mounted and he personally witnessed a cigar-shaped UFO over Warminster on September 28, 1965.

The author admits finding some of Shuttlewood's statements difficult to accept but refrains from calling him a liar, acknowledging that many truths were initially dismissed. Shuttlewood is credited with a great service to ufology over the past five years, persevering in a difficult and often thankless task. He is now convinced that genuine UFOs are alien spaceships. The editorial emphasizes that while royalties from his books are a factor, Shuttlewood's professional integrity as a journalist is paramount and not worth losing.

The editorial also discusses a potential change in PEGASUS's publication schedule to quarterly due to rising postage rates and the need to maintain financial stability for SIGAP. The next issue would be published in December. The delay in the current issue was attributed to family illness.

Farmer Sees UFO Take-Off From Field

This article, by Ron Toft, details a sighting by 75-year-old farmer George Graham of Woodmansterne, near Banstead, Surrey. On a summer night in 1968, Graham was waiting for foxes when he noticed a strange glow about 100 yards away in a field. Initially thinking it was a neighbor, he then heard a loud 'whoosh' and saw a dark circular shape rise silently into the air, disappearing quickly.

Graham did not report the incident at the time due to fear of ridicule. He found unmistakable evidence the next day: a large key-hole shaped marking in the field. The marking, estimated to be 40 feet long and 20 feet wide, had a band about eight inches wide where the grass and roots had been neatly removed, as if by a 'giant vacuum cleaner'. The grass was not found. It took about six months for vegetation to regrow. Coincidentally, a pile of manure was dumped on the spot just before the marking had almost disappeared.

Graham described the glow as dark-blue and 'acetylene-like'. The UFO ascended rapidly after a 'whoosh' sound, which he heard only after it had reached an altitude of about 100 feet. He estimated the object was 'a good deal higher than a double-decker bus'. The field contained about 70-80 acres with 20 horses and 20 cattle, none of which appeared distressed.

Graham is adamant the object was not an aircraft. He was frightened and did not hear it approach or depart, only the rush of air. He speculates it might be from a foreign power, rather than outer-space. He also mentioned that two girls who keep horses at his farm had seen a strange object in the same field a week prior; their dogs bolted and ran from the field.

SIGAP is attempting to trace these girls for further details. The article includes a note that photographs of the alleged landing site are on the reverse of the page, showing Pegasus Editor Ron Toft examining the area and the general site with a decaying tree stump.

Other News Items

• CIGAR-SHAPED UFO SEEN: A news snippet from the London Daily Sketch reports a cigar-shaped UFO seen by Mrs. Rita Sealey in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
• NEW REPORT FORMS: New SIGAP and BUFORA sighting report forms, designed by SIGAP Chairman Omar Fowler, are now available.
• BOOK DONATED: SIGAP artist-member Dan Butcher donated a copy of "The Taming of the Thunderbolts" to the SIGAP library.

Analysis of Welsh UFO Survey

This section reports on a UFO survey conducted in Abertillery, Wales, by SIGAP member Derek Toombs and the Gwent UFO Research Group. Fifty-five people aged 14 to 74 were interviewed. Their interests spanned a wide range, including art, music, mythology, and astronomy.

• Key findings include:
• 63% of interviewees believed there might be something in the UFO mystery.
• 28% believed nothing useful could come from studying the subject.
• Over 61% felt more research was necessary.
• 20% expressed a desire to join a research organization.
• More than 14% claimed to have seen a UFO.

Ideas about what UFOs are varied, including imagination, optical illusions, misinterpretation of natural phenomena, and visitors from outer-space.

Derek Toombs concluded that the majority of people questioned felt UFOs are a real, objective phenomenon and that it's time for something to be established, with many willing to donate to a research fund.

Letters to the Editor

• Peter Hill, SIGAP Vice-Chairman, writes about the Doppler Effect. He suggests it might explain UFOs appearing to change color, asking if a physicist reader could explain the speed required for such an effect.
• Colonel G. Gauntlett praises a previous article in Pegasus about a UFO sighting by a tanker-driver named J.P.

Mars Photographs from Mariner 6

This section features a striking photograph taken by the American space-probe Mariner 6 during its fly-by of Mars in July of the previous year. The narrow-angle photograph covers 63 miles east to west and 48 miles north to south, taken at a distance of 2,300 miles. The image shows a large crater (about 24 miles across) with slump terraces on the west inner wall and radial gullies on the south wall, features typical of lunar craters. A younger, smaller crater with a central peak is visible on the west wall, and another small crater is on the main crater floor. The photos do not prove or disprove the existence of life on Mars. Future Mariner probes (Mariner 6 and 7) are planned to map 70% of the Martian surface, with the first unmanned American landing on Mars scheduled for 1975.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the personal impact of UFO research, the challenges faced by researchers like Arthur Shuttlewood, and the presentation of specific UFO sighting reports and evidence. There is a strong emphasis on the need for rigorous investigation and reporting, as exemplified by the defense of Shuttlewood's integrity. The magazine also touches upon broader scientific exploration with the inclusion of Mars imagery and discusses public perception of UFOs through the Welsh survey. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded but critical inquiry into aerial phenomena, valuing journalistic integrity and personal accounts while acknowledging the complexities and potential for misinterpretation.

Pegasus, Journal of the Surrey Investigation Group On Aerial Phenomena, Vol. 2 No. 4, October 1973. This issue focuses on the practice and effectiveness of UFO skywatching, featuring a survey of member opinions and reports from organized skywatch events. It also includes a report on a lecture covering various unsolved mysteries.

Skywatch Survey

The issue opens with a survey initiated by a question in the previous issue of Pegasus: "ARE skywatches worthwhile?". Members and non-members were invited to send in their comments.

Peter Hill, SIGAP Vice-Chairman, argues that while the probability of seeing a UFO is statistically small, skywatching serves as a valuable training exercise for identifying normal phenomena such as stars, aircraft, and satellites. He stresses that it should be viewed as training, not a ritual, and that watches should vary in date, time, and location, including daylight observations.

Miss Marjorie Dalley, SIGAP Treasurer, expresses skepticism about nation-wide skywatches involving large numbers of people, suggesting they primarily serve to train the uninitiated to recognize conventional objects. She believes genuine UFOs may avoid being watched by large groups, making multi-witness sightings rare. However, she acknowledges that skywatches can be fun and provide opportunities for ufologists to socialize.

Janet Gregory, Editor of Spacelink, criticizes most skywatches as being poorly organized social gatherings. She favors a more focused approach where watchers are "on the right wavelength" and "in tune with whatever controls UFOs." She suggests small, harmonious groups should sit quietly, think about UFOs, and have equipment ready for capturing information. She also emphasizes the need for a decided plan of action in the unlikely event of a UFO landing.

Richard Beet, SIGAP Secretary, believes infrequent organized skywatches are unlikely to yield positive results. He advocates for regular, organized watches with sufficient scientific instruments (infra-red binoculars, sky-scan cameras, radar) and telecommunication facilities, suggesting this would require government or foundation funding.

Lionel Beer, Managing Editor of Spacelink and UFO book seller, is not in favor of typical skywatches, likening them to "night-time picnics." He supports watches organized on principles similar to BUFORA's, noting that SIGAP seems to be making an effort to follow these. He sees value in training the uninitiated to observe at night.

Michael Mercer, a SIGAP Member, agrees with the idea that many ufologists are untrained and would benefit from learning to identify natural phenomena and differentiate them from aircraft or flares, rather than just sitting out all night in non-UFO areas. He notes that known UFO areas like Warminster might be different.

Dr. John Cleary-Baker, Editor of the BUFORA Journal, agrees that skywatches are necessary in "ufocal" and "flap" areas. He shares doubts about the efficiency of typical skywatches due to the risk of adverse publicity and the high odds against sightings, which can disappoint beginners. He also raises a concern about a potential "seamy side" to UFO manifestations that could cause psychological damage to unprepared watchers.

David Simpson, Chairman of the Society for the Investigation of UFO Phenomena, believes that while many ufologists accept the existence of intelligently controlled UFOs without personal experience, for those who seek it, skywatching is the only answer. However, he argues that the available evidence for UFOs breaks down upon critical examination and that the case for intelligent UFO crews is far from proven. He defines "proof" as verifiable scientific evidence, which he states is virtually non-existent. He suggests that properly organized skywatches, more sophisticated than BUFORA's attempts, might offer a possibility of achieving such evidence. Simpson categorizes individuals for whom skywatching is necessary, but his own attitude places him in a different category; he has gained experience not by sighting UFOs, but by meeting other ufologists and learning about their attitudes and beliefs, which he believes contribute to the perpetuation of UFO phenomena.

Peter Hill also contributes a separate article, "SKYWATCHING: A CRITICAL EVALUATION," reiterating his view that skywatching's validity lies not as a research function but as a training function. He emphasizes the need to recognize the normal before identifying the abnormal, advocating for the study of normal artifacts and phenomena under varied conditions. He cautions against watches becoming anniversary "celebrations" or quasi-religious rituals and suggests keeping watch times and locations confidential to avoid UFOs being absent from publicised sites. He also recommends extending the SIGAP library's resources to include meteorology, astronomy, and aircraft recognition.

Skywatch Reports

Guildford, June 27/28: A skywatch began at 7 p.m. with excellent weather. Two hydrogen-filled balloons escaped earlier in the afternoon, hampering a planned experiment. A jet from Gatwick Airport caused brief concern due to thick black smoke. The night primarily involved observing regular aircraft transits and satellites, including Cosmos rockets and Explorer 19. Despite using Edgar Hatvany's equipment and Capt. Ivar Mackay's infra-red camera, no UFOs were observed. The watch was well attended but less crowded than in previous years.

Warminster, June 27/28: SIGAP representatives, including Mike Mercer, joined 60-70 other watchers on Cradle Hill. The large number of people made systematic shifts difficult. Many watchers moved to other sites like Starr Hill. The event was largely a "wash-out" due to rain starting at 1 a.m., and no flying saucers were seen.

Omar Fowler, SIGAP Chairman, comments that the whole question of skywatching is under review, noting that chances of seeing a UFO are bleak and that unless there is a UFO flap or local activity, little is gained. He regrets that Warminster, which has failed to produce substantial reports recently, is becoming an ideological center, suggesting energy might be better diverted to witness analysis.

John Bennett reported an experience from May 8 involving himself and two others. While trying to sleep in their van, they heard heavy footsteps on gravel that seemed to come from behind the van, but saw no one. They synchronized their watches and found a discrepancy, with one watch showing 20:10 when it was actually 18:55. A police car arrived shortly after, and they decided to stay on with the support of arriving skywatchers. Dick Colborne, SIGAP Librarian, questioned the three individuals and found their story credible.

Lecture on World Mysteries

Ron Toft reports on a lecture by Rev. Alfred Bellerby at a SIGAP meeting, covering "Unsolved World Mysteries."

• The Mary Celeste: Mr. Bellerby suggested the crew suffered hallucinations from ergotine fungus, causing them to jump overboard. He noted ergotine could be found in coarse flour used on ships.
• The Creeping Coffins of Barbados: This mystery involves coffins in a family vault that were found moved after burials. Mr. Bellerby theorized a magnetic substance in the coral attracted the lead parts of the coffins over time.
• The Loch Ness Monster: Mr. Bellerby offered explanations of either a line of otters or a bank of weeds, which the reporter found unconvincing.
• Flying Saucers: Mr. Bellerby admitted this was "unfamiliar ground" for him, feeling UFO sightings could be explained by hallucinations, natural phenomena, or terrestrial artifacts. He was reportedly given a "merciless grilling" by SIGAP members on this topic due to his incomplete research.

Meetings and Library

Details are provided for the next two SIGAP meetings on October 27 and November 24 in Guildford. The new librarian, Dick Colborne, requests that members return loaned books that were not recorded.

Other Sections

• Translators: A call for translators of Spanish, French, or Italian UFO magazines.
• Fortean News: Pegasus plans to include space for "Fortean" and related news.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical evaluation of UFO investigation methods, particularly skywatching. There's a clear division of opinion on the efficacy and purpose of skywatches, ranging from viewing them as essential training tools to dismissing them as poorly organized social events with little scientific merit. The editorial stance, as represented by the publication of diverse viewpoints and the call for continued discussion, appears to be one of open inquiry and methodological debate within the ufological community. The inclusion of the "Unsolved World Mysteries" lecture suggests a broader interest in unexplained phenomena beyond just UFOs, though the critical reception of Mr. Bellerby's UFO explanations highlights a demand for rigorous research within the group.