1954 06 00 Pic Mayher

Magazine Overview

This issue of PIC magazine, dated June 1954, features a prominent cover story titled "WHY DID AIR FORCE HUSH FLYING SAUCERS?" The cover image depicts a blonde woman in a sparkly dress on a stage in front of a large crowd. The issue also includes articles on gunfights along the border, Eisenhower's horoscope, and a story about Marilyn and Joe Di Maggio.

Exclusive Report: "I PROVED FLYING SAUCERS ARE REAL"

The centerpiece of this issue is an exclusive report by U.S. Marine photographer Ralph Mayher, who presents his story and photographs of a flying saucer sighting on July 29, 1952. Mayher states his primary reasons for writing are to clarify and prove that "Flying Saucers" are real and of tangible substance, and to help free individuals who see unidentified aerial objects from being ridiculed.

Mayher recounts that he was inspired to investigate after hearing about sightings over the nation's capital and Miami. He met with Mr. and Mrs. Goldstein, who had also reported seeing a saucer. On the night of July 29, 1952, Mayher was with his wife and Richard Boswell when a startled woman alerted them to a sighting. Mayher managed to film the object using his camera, which he had with him.

He describes the object as having a "weirdness" that words cannot explain, but believes his pictures may convey it. He notes that the disk was difficult to see through the camera's viewer but visible to the naked eye. Mayher emphasizes that his film, being the first series of pictures released for publication, proves that people reporting saucers are seeing the same thing.

Scientific Analysis and Calculations

The magazine includes a report from the Physics Department of the University of Miami, dated December 9, 1953, addressed to Mr. Ralph C. Mayher. The report, signed by Clarence S. Rainwater, Assistant Professor of Physics, details calculations based on Mayher's photographs and information. The assumptions included a camera lens focal length of 63 millimeters, film speed of 24 frames per second, an estimated altitude of 2000 feet, and a maximum camera angle of 45 degrees. The object's apparent shape was described as a rotating oblate spheroid that flattened as speed increased, and its color was bright orange.

Using measurements from the film, including the width of the first and sixth images (3.5 mm and 2.5 mm respectively) taken approximately 0.25 seconds apart, the distance of the saucer from the camera was calculated. The initial distance was estimated at 2830 feet, and the distance at the sixth image was calculated to be 3960 feet. The distance traveled along its path was found to be approximately 2770 feet.

Dividing this distance by the time between the images yielded an average speed of approximately 11,080 feet per second, or about 7550 miles per hour. The report suggests that the saucer could not have maintained this high speed for the entire three minutes it was in view, implying a tremendous acceleration. Rainwater concludes that the apparent change in shape indicates it might be a natural phenomenon not yet explained by science, rather than a "flying saucer."

Mayher's Experience with Authorities and Media

Mayher recounts his experience after filming the object. He initially considered calling the Marine base to suggest shooting the object down. He was ordered to wait for a Lieutenant Aldridge, who took the film. Mayher was later interviewed by three Marine officers who were skeptical. The film was eventually developed at WTVJ, with the help of technician Norman Bean, who had studied flying saucer reports.

Initially, the image was thought to be too faint to photograph. After a test run of 10 feet of film came out blank, Mayher insisted on developing the remaining 40 feet at triple normal time. The resulting images were described as "weird" and "incredible."

Despite the evidence, the film's release was complicated by the involvement of military personnel. However, due to public pressure, the story was officially released by the Marine Corps Air Station Public Information Office on July 30, 1952. Mayher notes that some newspapers distorted the facts, suggesting it might have been a light on a plane.

He also mentions that three Navy fliers reported seeing a similar object over Miami Beach around the same time. Mayher expresses his belief that the public deserves the truth about whether saucers are a hoax or real.

Further Details and Correspondence

Mayher provides additional details, including the fact that the object was seen at an altitude of approximately 2000 feet, consistent with the Navy pilots' observations. He also notes that the weather report indicated scattered clouds at approximately 3000 feet, and some observers saw the object pass through a cloud.

He includes a copy of a letter he wrote to the Air Force's Operation Blue Book on October 16, 1953, inquiring about the status of his film, which had been submitted for study over a year prior. He expresses his curiosity, spurred by Maj. Donald E. Keyhoe's book "Flying Saucers from Outer Space," about why no statements were made regarding his movies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly advocates for the reality of flying saucers and criticizes the perceived secrecy and skepticism from official sources like the Air Force. The article by Ralph Mayher serves as a personal testimony backed by photographic evidence and scientific analysis, aiming to legitimize the phenomenon and encourage open reporting. The magazine's stance appears to be one of support for UFO investigation and a critical view of government handling of such information.