Project Red Book vol 3 no 10

Magazine Overview

Title: PROJECT RED BOOK
Issue: Vol 3 #10
Date: April 2000
Publisher: YUFOS (Yorkshire UFO Society)

This issue of Project Red Book, published by the Yorkshire UFO Society, presents a diverse range of articles and interviews focused on UFO phenomena, skepticism, and related mysteries. The cover features a bold red design with the title 'PROJECT RED BOOK' and an illustration of a UFO, along with a provocative headline and a list of key articles, including an interview with Dr. David Clarke.

Contents

The issue includes a prominent interview with Dr. David Clarke, a journalist and writer with a PhD in British Folklore, who discusses his introduction to ufology, his evolving views, and his approach to investigating UFO reports. Other articles cover recent UFO sightings in Yorkshire attributed to a meteor, an analysis of the JAL1628 incident and the failure of prosaic explanations, a collection of strange phenomena from around the world (Yowies, Bodmin beasts, flying saucers), a review of a lecture on 'The UFOs That Never Were', a report on the Countdown to the Millennium conference, a 'Hmmmm' department piece on a possible UFO-related missing time incident, and an article titled 'Operation Pussycat'.

Interview with Dr. David Clarke

In an extensive interview conducted by Dave Baker, Dr. David Clarke shares his journey into ufology, tracing his interest back to science fiction films like 'Star Wars' and 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' in the late 1970s. He recounts his early investigations, including the 'aliens over the chip shop' incident in Gleadless Townend around 1980. Clarke explains how his early experiences as a UFOlogist influenced his decision to pursue journalism, honing his writing skills and developing a skeptical edge. He notes a dramatic shift in his opinions over the years, moving from a strong belief in the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) to a more 'ultraterrestrial' or occult/other-dimensional explanation, and emphasizes the importance of critical investigation and discriminating between real evidence and what ufologists sometimes label as 'evidence'.

Clarke draws a parallel between witnesses to UFOs and witnesses to crimes, highlighting that both rely on subjective perception rather than objective reality. He discusses his professional relationship with Andy Roberts, with whom he co-authored 'The UFOs That Never Were', describing their collaboration as a catalyst for his writing projects. He expresses disdain for the term 'ufologist', viewing it as an embarrassment due to the subject's association with 'lunatics and charlatans', and prefers to be identified as a journalist or academic folklorist.

Regarding the Howden Moor incident, Clarke dismisses Max Burn's claims as lacking any truth and views the case as a 'non-case' that has been sensationalized. He believes the sonic booms reported were from a military jet, despite the MOD's denial, and interprets their denial as an admission of a domestic military exercise. Clarke also touches upon his interest in other paranormal phenomena, including the Stocksbridge Bypass events, which he finds particularly baffling.

Clarke recommends several books for serious UFO researchers, including John Keel's 'The Mothman Prophecies', Jerome Clark's 'UFO Encyclopedia', and the Fortean Times edited volume 'UFOs: 1947-97'. He admires researchers like Paul Devereux, Jan Aldrich, and Paul Fuller for their 'real' research away from 'pop ufology'. While disagreeing with Nick Redfern's interpretation of evidence, he respects his research capabilities.

Concerning Ley Lines, Clarke dismisses them as 'utter bull', noting that even proponents have lost faith. He also discusses his investigation of a 'missing time' case in Rotherham, which yielded no physical traces. He views UFOs as modern folklore and suggests that parapsychological and interdimensional explanations are part of this evolving myth.

Meteor Responsible for Yorkshire 'UFO' Sightings

This article by Dave Baker reports on a series of UFO sightings across Northern England on March 18, 2000, which were attributed to a bright meteor. Dr. David Clarke was contacted by a reporter investigating a 'blue UFO' sighting over the M62 in West Yorkshire. A driver reported seeing a blue light surrounded by yellow flashing lights at an estimated height of 100 feet. Contact UK was informed, and the MOD admitted to six other sightings of the same object that night. Leeds/Bradford airport reportedly told the witness, 'off the record,' that the object was a meteorite. The article notes that local police and fire services were unaware of this when contacted by a reporter from the Sheffield Star. Dave Baker himself witnessed the meteor, describing it as incredibly bright, unusually large, and low in the sky, arcing through the sky before fading. Mark Sorrell also witnessed the meteor from Rotherham. George Niedzwiedz of BUFORA reported seeing a bright meteor in the Scottish Borders.

Prosaic Explanations: The Failure of UFO Skepticism (Part 4)

Bruce Maccabee's article critically examines the analysis of the Val Johnson case and the Arnold sighting, as well as the JAL1628 incident. Maccabee argues that Philip J. Klass's attempt to provide prosaic explanations for these sightings, particularly the meteor hypothesis for the Arnold sighting, does not adhere to scientific methodology. The article details the JAL1628 sighting by Captain Kenju Terauchi, describing two objects with yellowish lights that appeared to be aircraft, maintained a fixed distance, and were tracked by radar. The objects disappeared, and a subsequent 'gigantic spaceship' was observed. Maccabee references an article in the International UFO Reporter for a more complete analysis and criticizes the proposed explanations from the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP).

Other Articles and Sections

From Around the World...And Beyond!!! briefly mentions Yowies, Bodmin beasts, and UK flying saucers.

The Page Number of the Review of the Lecture of the Promotion of The UFOs That Never Were notes the attendance of Andy Roberts, Jenny Randles, and Dave Clarke at a lecture.

Countdown to the Millennium (PT2) by Adam Bradley reviews Tim Matthews' conference at Chorley.

"Hmmmm" Department presents a case where a UFO might have caused missing time for a motorist.

AMMENDUM corrects an error in a previous issue regarding the location of a conference attended by Adam Bradley.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO evidence, the role of skepticism, and the nature of UFOlogy itself. Dr. David Clarke's interview strongly advocates for rigorous investigation and a move away from unsubstantiated claims, positioning UFOs as a form of modern folklore. The article on prosaic explanations challenges skeptical viewpoints by analyzing specific cases. The overall stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging a more scientific and less dogmatic approach to the study of unexplained aerial phenomena, while acknowledging the enduring fascination with the subject.

PRB, Volume 3, Issue 9, dated March 2000, is a magazine compiling reports on UFOs, conspiracies, paranormal, and fortean events, compiled by Dave Baker. The issue features a mix of investigative articles, news reports, and reviews.

The JAL Flight UFO Sighting and CSICOP's Explanation

The lead article critically examines the explanation provided by CSICOP for a UFO sighting by a JAL flight crew in November 1986. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced an investigation in January 1987, and CSICOP released a press release on January 22, 1987, claiming the sighting was explained as the planet Jupiter and possibly Mars. The press release, attributed to UFO investigator Philip J. Klass, asserted that Jupiter was extremely bright and about ten degrees above the horizon, with Mars slightly lower and to the right. However, the pilot, Capt. Kenjyu Terauchi, never reported seeing Jupiter or Mars, only a 'white and yellow' light. The article points out that Klass's explanation was based on an early, incomplete transcript of the audio tape and lacked precise radar tracking data.

Klass's interpretation is further challenged by the fact that the pilot did report seeing numerous stars, city lights, and a sunset glow. The article highlights that Klass did not wait for the complete FAA data package, which would have revealed that the pilot's descriptions and drawings were consistent with a 'craft' and not celestial bodies. The initial drawings were made only two hours after the event, and other crew members corroborated the pilot's report. Crucially, the objects were initially ahead of the plane, not in the direction of Jupiter and Mars, and their rearrangement was difficult for celestial bodies to perform. Furthermore, at the end of the sighting, the pilot reported the 'gigantic spacecraft' was behind and to the left, opposite the direction of the planets.

The CSICOP press release also dismissed FAA and Air Force radar detections but ignored the pilot's claim that the airplane radar detected a radar-reflective object. The article notes that other crew members confirmed this radar detection. The author argues that the Jupiter-Mars explanation is contradicted by sighting directions, crew descriptions, and radar detection, calling it another failed 'prosaic explanation'. The article criticizes the press for widely publicizing the explanation, making the captain appear foolish, and suggests the CSICOP release should have been marked 'FOR PREMATURE RELEASE'.

The FAA's official report was released on March 5, 1987, focusing on radar detections and stating that ground radar did not support the sighting claim, a point that the national press misrepresented as proof of no sighting. The FAA investigation's data package, including radar data, headings, speed, audio tape transcripts, and interviews, was made available, allowing for a more thorough analysis that contradicted the Mars-Jupiter explanation.

Klass's subsequent explanation, published in The Skeptical Inquirer, suggested the 'crafts' were reflections of moonlight from clouds and 'turbulent ice crystals'. He argued these could explain 'flame-colored lights' and the sudden disappearance and reappearance of the lights as the plane flew through clouds. He also suggested the pilot might have mistaken Jupiter for the UFO. Klass attributed the airplane radar sighting to an echo from thin clouds of ice crystals.

The author dismisses Klass's moonlight explanation as 'scientific garbage', arguing it cannot account for the heat felt by the pilot, the peculiar parallel arrays of lights, or their sudden rearrangement. Reflections from thin clouds would be dim and diffuse, not point-like like headlights. Klass's explanation for the radar target is also deemed conjecture, as thin clouds are unlikely to produce a significant radar return. The article concludes that Klass proposed two failed prosaic explanations, and that the sighting, along with others, remains unexplained.

From Around the World... And Beyond!!

This section compiles various shorter reports:

White 'Beast of Bodmin'

A Bodmin family reported seeing a large, white creature, believed to be a mysterious 'big cat', in open land near their home. The animal was described as very big, bigger than a large dog, with small ears and a solid bushy tail. Chewed bones found in the area are being examined by Newquay Zoo. Mike Thomas of Newquay Zoo stated that white big cats are rare and tend not to live long due to their visibility. He noted that cats often return to the same place to give birth and hunt at dawn and dusk, making the timing and location right, but the color unusual.

'Myth' of False Memory Syndrome

Victims of childhood trauma who recover memories in later life are unlikely to be suffering from False Memory Syndrome, according to a study in the British Journal of Clinical Psychology. The study suggests that memory recovery techniques are less likely to trigger recall than real-life events. Dr. Bernice Andrews, who led the study, stated that False Memory Syndrome cannot explain all or most recovered memories, which are often fragmented but detailed, accompanied by high levels of fear. Between 40-50% of adults with recovered memories have independent corroboration.

Yowie Hunters Head for the Hills Near Gympie (Australia)

Twelve men, described as 'deadly serious', planned to search for the elusive 'yowie', a large, ape-like creature. Dean Harrison, a yowie hunter, aims to capture evidence on film. He claims to have encountered yowies and been chased by one. Motorists and residents have also reported sightings. An expedition to Coonabarabran yielded footprints and accounts from local residents. Some yowies are described as gentle, even interacting with children. The expedition planned to use sensor equipment, heat-seeking devices, and video recorders in a mountainous area west of Gympie.

Revealed - Britain's 1950s Flying Saucer

Recently discovered photographs reveal Britain's Project Y, a secret 1950s project to develop a saucer-shaped stealth fighter. Designed by British engineer John Frost, the aircraft incorporated features similar to America's stealth fighter. The project initially aimed for a disc-shaped machine with vertical takeoff but resulted in a sleek, arch-shaped aircraft. The project was codenamed Project Y and was developed with Avro-Canada. The existence of Project Y was known, but no pictures had been found until an aviation researcher discovered them in the Public Records Office in Kew. The elongated saucer shape was due to revolutionary 'radial flow' jets designed to emit exhaust gases from small nozzles. The aircraft was intended to be almost invisible to radar and evade missiles due to lower heat output. The project was abandoned before its first test flight, and a scaled-down version became the 'air jeep' or Avrocar. Alex Raeburn described the intense secrecy surrounding the project, with armed guards and drawings removed immediately. Verne Morse was amazed pictures survived and recalled seeing a subsequent model. In 1964, the Canadian government ended development, and the project was taken over by the American Air Force.

UFO Lawsuit Dismissed by Federal Judge in Phoenix (USA)

A federal judge in Phoenix dismissed a lawsuit brought by UFO activists seeking information about a triangular-shaped aerial object. Judge Stephen M. McNamee ruled that the Department of Defense (DoD) conducted a reasonable search, even though no information was found. The judge stated the case was about the reasonableness of the search, not the existence of UFOs. The government met its burden by providing detailed affidavits, and the plaintiff failed to demonstrate substantial doubt regarding the search's reasonableness.

More Meteors?

Scores of people, including police officers and air traffic controllers, reported seeing a large meteorite hurtling through the sky around 1 am. The Meteorological Office was not expecting it and had no information on its origin.

Phone Call From the Dead?

Stephane Nettleton's answering machine recorded a message at 2:23 am on Sunday, November 28, 1999. The recording contained the sound of galloping horses, an old lady's voice saying 'I am lost. I am not happy', and another voice shouting 'Can you hear me!'. British Telecom found no record of the call. A neighbor thought the voice sounded like a former occupant, while the caretaker thought it sounded like a previous tenant.

The Review of the Lecture of the Promotion of the Book of the “UFOs That Never Were"

This section reviews a lecture held at Chesterfield Library Theatre on March 10, 2000, promoting the book "The UFOs That Never Were" by Jenny Randles, Dr. David Clarke, and Andy Roberts. The event was organized by Chesterfield's Peak Bookshop and Central library.

The reviewer, along with the YUFOS crew, attended the event. The lecture featured introductions by the three authors, who are described as prominent ufologists. Jenny Randles spoke first, emphasizing her passion for the subject and her desire to present a balanced view, contrasting with sensationalistic and evidence-free books. She mentioned that the authors could have made more money by writing such books. Randles discussed cases she felt were explained to her satisfaction, including a recent case of an immense UFO covered in lights near Ringway, Manchester, which she attributed to a misidentification of a cargo plane by a man with a pre-existing interest in UFOs. She also detailed an investigation into silent, orange spheres of light over the Rossendale Valley in 1979-1980, which were found to be prosaic, related to illegal cargo plane activity. The 'Peter Day film' of January 1973, showing a fiery ball of light, was also discussed, with its truth coming to light 18 years later after investigations.

Andy Roberts followed with a humorous presentation, focusing on his wry take on ufology and its personalities. He concentrated on the Cracoe case and his re-investigation of the Berwyn Mountains 'UFO Crash', both of which are featured in the book. These cases are described as classic UFO reports with rational, though unlikely, explanations, highlighting how some researchers are unwilling to admit defeat when alternative explanations are offered.

Dr. Dave Clarke concluded the lecture with a presentation on 'The British Roswell', referring to the Howden Moor Incident. The reviewer noted that Clarke's approach is logical and clear-headed, contrasting with more outlandish theories. The lecture covered the events of March 24, 1997, which are familiar to PRB readers.

A question and answer session followed. One question asked why Jenny Randles writes for glossy, ET-obsessed magazines. The authors explained that such publications are an ideal way to reach the general UFO-interested public and offer alternatives to the Extra-terrestrial hypothesis, noting that writing for them does not pay well. A researcher into the Howden Moor incident claimed UFO Reality offered £500 for his case-report, while Fortean Times pays around £50 for articles by established writers.

Another question about Rendlesham Forest was fielded by Jenny Randles, who has a chapter on the topic in the book. The lecture was described as enjoyable and a bargain, with three top-notch speakers.

Countdown to the Millennium (pt 2)

This section reviews a conference talk by Jenny Randles on reincarnation. Randles explained her investigation into reincarnation, starting with an interview with Roy Hudd about unusual visions of an old house. Her investigation led her to believe reincarnation makes more sense than other afterlife ideas and was once part of Christianity. She studies the phenomenon scientifically and presented interviews with Dr. Shaw, a psychologist who believed self-delusion and fear of death drive paranormal phenomena, and Dr. John Dale, who considered it unsubstantiated and a subconscious event. Researcher Joe Keating's work on reincarnation suggested evidence and possibilities, with deeper levels of hypnosis ruling out suggestion.

Randles described undertaking non-hypnotic regression, where participants visualize random images. In one instance, a participant visualized a past life as a woman selling stew. Ian Wilson verified many names and locations from this experience. The research involved hypnotically regressing adults to points where conscious memory should be absent due to young age. Children at this age do not withhold information, and their IQ is lower than when mature, but regressed adults can match the IQ of the age they are experiencing. Randles believed that recovered memories are often local to where the person died and suggested supporting children who make such claims. Recordings of hypnotized subjects included one claiming to be in the Crimean War after being shot, and another who experienced his past life as a film. The data provided by these subjects was often proven right, and Jenny believed in their sincerity, though she acknowledged the possibility of subconscious information storage.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a critical stance towards simplistic or sensationalistic explanations for unexplained phenomena, particularly UFO sightings. It emphasizes the importance of thorough investigation, detailed evidence, and logical analysis, often contrasting these with the approaches of debunking organizations like CSICOP. The publication appears to favor a skeptical but open-minded approach, presenting cases that remain unexplained or have complex, prosaic explanations that have been overlooked. There is a clear interest in cryptozoology, secret military projects, and the psychological aspects of belief and memory. The editorial stance seems to be one of providing a platform for detailed research and critical discussion within the UFO and paranormal communities, often highlighting the shortcomings of mainstream media coverage and the efforts of certain investigators.

Title: PRB
Issue: Vol. 3 # 10
Date: April 2000
Publisher: PRB
Country: United Kingdom

This issue of PRB magazine features articles on intriguing phenomena, including theories of memory and reincarnation, a reported UFO incident involving a car being lifted and 'missing time,' and a military operation to search for a cryptid known as the Beast of Bodmin.

Past Life Memories and Theories

The first article discusses Jenny's interesting experience with a dream she had recorded years ago, which turned out to be identical to a recent experiment regarding past lives. The speaker addresses popular theories of pre-life memories, including genetic memory, which posits that memories are passed down through genes, and 'atomic memory,' suggesting memories are recorded on a sub-atomic level. The article questions the theory of reincarnation, particularly the idea that time exists after death, and how one could verify if someone has been reincarnated from the future.

The author notes that Jenny's talk was intelligent and detailed, with a strong impression of proper in-depth investigation and real science.

UFO Hijacks Car in Ulster: Victim Reports Six Hours of "Missing Time"

This section details an extraordinary claim by an Ulster man, identified as John H., who alleges that his car was lifted off the ground by a UFO, resulting in six hours of 'missing time.' John H. was on his way home from a long shift when he noticed a large light in the sky, which he initially mistook for the moon but then realized was egg-shaped.

He reported that something compelled him to get into his car and drive away from the filling station without paying. The object then followed him. He found himself driving towards Dublin, despite wanting to go home. He describes being very scared and starting to scream. He stopped the car on a hillside road, and the vehicle seemed to be lifting. He felt as though someone was manipulating his brain.

John H. states that he has about six hours of his life unaccounted for and wants to know what happened. The case is being investigated by Conor McLaughlin of the Belfast UFO Society.

Operation Pussy Cat

This article, written by Cyril Dixon, describes an operation by a Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAF) unit to track down a mysterious wild cat, dubbed the 'Beast of Bodmin,' on Bodmin Moor. The operation, codenamed 'Operation Last Look,' involved about 50 reservists using camouflage gear and surveillance equipment, including night goggles, a seismic intruder device, and a thermal imager. Despite their efforts, the squad did not have live ammunition, only standard issue L85 rifles without bullets or blanks.

Squadron Leader Andy McCombe explained that the operation was designed to train volunteers in observation techniques, similar to those used in military operations. He stated that watching for a creature with four legs and a tail would focus their minds and that conclusive evidence from two military-trained personnel would carry more credibility than anecdotal sightings.

However, the exercise failed to detect the Beast of Bodmin. The team sighted only a few moorland ponies and heard unidentified rustles. Squadron Leader McCombe noted that while they did not see the beast, there were moments of adrenaline flow when electronic devices activated. He emphasized that the training was valuable and could be vital for future military operations, citing examples of squadron members being deployed to Kosovo and Kuwait.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained phenomena, including the nature of consciousness and memory in relation to past lives, and encounters with unidentified aerial phenomena (UFOs). There is also a focus on military training exercises that intersect with the search for the unknown, such as the hunt for the Beast of Bodmin. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into these subjects, presenting detailed accounts and investigations, as evidenced by the involvement of the Belfast UFO Society and the detailed reporting of the RAF operation.