Project Red Book vol 3 no 8

Magazine Overview

This issue of YUFOS magazine, titled 'PROJECT RED BOOK' (Vol 3 #8, February 2000), is published by the Yorkshire UFO Society. It is priced at £1:50 and features a cover illustration of a UFO and a house, with a caption by I.D. Gregory.

Contents

The magazine includes a variety of articles and interviews on UFO-related topics:

An Interview with Bill Chalker (Part 2)

Dave Baker interviews Bill Chalker, an Australian ufologist, about 'crop circles' and the disappearance of pilot Fred Valentich. Chalker expresses skepticism about the link between crop circles and UFOs, viewing the crop circle phenomenon as a recent, 'belated aberration' that has damaged the credibility of UFO physical dimensions. He contrasts this with well-documented UFO landing events that show substantial correlations with physical evidence. Chalker critiques the 'plasma vortex' hypothesis proposed by Terence Meaden, arguing it is untenable and was misapplied to cases like the Tully 'nest' incident. He highlights the RAAF's explanation of the Tully incident as a 'willy willy' or wind phenomenon, which he finds insufficient. Chalker emphasizes focusing on the physical reality of UFOs rather than speculative dimensions.

Missing Time on the Yorkshire Moors - The Case That Wasn't

Mark P. Martin reports on an incident where two individuals experienced 'missing time' while driving on the Yorkshire Moors. They saw bright white lights in the sky and later found themselves arriving home an hour and a half later than expected, with no memory of the intervening period. The author expresses interest in investigating the case further.

Prosaic Explanations - The Failure of UFO Scepticism (Part 1)

This section, featuring Bruce Maccabee on Kenneth Arnold and Donald Menzel, appears to be the start of a series exploring skeptical viewpoints on UFO phenomena. The content is not fully detailed in the provided pages but suggests a critical examination of skeptical arguments.

Howden Moor - An Update

Dr. Dave Clarke questions the Ministry of Defence (MOD) regarding the cause of infamous 'sonic booms' over Howden Moor.

Was it a Bird? Was it a Plane?

Andy Ashmore shares his own sighting and seeks an explanation.

Editorial and Publication Details

The magazine is published by the Yorkshire UFO Society, located in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Subscription details are provided, with a sample issue costing £1:50. The editor, chairman, and general dogsbody is Dave Baker. Contributions are listed from various individuals, including Andy Ashmore, Dave Baker, Bill Chalker, Dr. David Clarke, Bruce Macabee, Mark Martin, and Jon Slater. Research is credited to Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton, and Mark Gatiss. The magazine states that the articles and views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor, YUFOS members, or 'Papa Lazarou'.

The New Zealand UFO Incident

This section details the events surrounding an incident in New Zealand where an Argosy aircraft crew observed and filmed a UFO. The RNZAF report attributed the sightings to atmospheric conditions and light refraction, dismissing radar returns as 'spurious'. Dr. Bruce Maccabee's independent investigations contradicted these findings, suggesting a solid, brightly lit UFO approximately 30.5 meters wide. Various explanations, including Venus, planets, balloons, and aircraft, were ruled out. The report also critiques the DSIR's explanation involving squid boats and unusual atmospheric conditions.

The Frederick Valentich Disappearance

The disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich in 1978 is presented as a 'classic' mystery. Valentich reported seeing an unidentified 'aircraft' near his Cessna before vanishing. Steve Robey, the radio controller who spoke with Valentich, described the pilot as concerned and startled. The article explores various explanations, including the possibility of the aircraft flying upside down or being a hoax, but finds no credible evidence for these. It notes that many people reported seeing UFOs on the day of his disappearance, with numerous sightings surviving investigation. Photos taken by Roy Manifold over Bass Strait reportedly show anomalies. The article highlights that areas like Cape Otway and Bass Strait have a history of UFO activity. The author expresses dissatisfaction with the official investigation, noting that the Department of Aviation and the RAAF have not officially addressed the UFO aspect of the disappearance, with the RAAF considering it an 'air accident' inquiry.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained phenomena, with a focus on UFO sightings, physical traces, and mysterious disappearances. There is a clear emphasis on presenting detailed accounts and investigations, often challenging official explanations. The editorial stance appears to favor a critical examination of evidence and a willingness to consider unconventional explanations, while also acknowledging and exploring prosaic possibilities. The issue highlights the ongoing nature of these mysteries and the desire for definitive answers, particularly in cases like the Frederick Valentich disappearance.

YUFOS magazine, Vol. 3 #7, dated February 2000, presents a collection of articles exploring various facets of UFO phenomena, witness accounts, and skeptical investigations. The issue features contributions from Mark P Martin, Dr. Dave Clarke, and Bruce Maccabee, covering topics from personal UFO experiences to historical sightings and unexplained aerial events.

The Case That Wasn't...

Mark P Martin recounts an interview with a witness, referred to as 'A', who experienced a period of missing time after seeing lights in the sky. 'A' and her companion 'B' cannot recall an hour and a half of their journey. 'A' also reports that both she and 'B' developed two large, sore, red marks on the backs of their necks, which sometimes bled. Despite initial openness, 'A' becomes guarded when pressed about the missing time, stating she doesn't know and doesn't want to know. She mentions that a friend, an 'X-Files' fan who calls her 'Scully', believes in abduction scenarios. Martin assures 'A' that missing time experiences are common and that she likely has nothing to worry about, offering to lend her books on the subject. He later reflects that the case remains 'The Case That Wasn't...' because 'A' and 'B' never returned the sighting report forms, leaving the incident as mere hearsay with no corroborating evidence like signatures or recorded testimony.

Martin emphasizes the importance of witness confidentiality and respect, explaining why he did not pursue 'A's case further. He highlights that without witnesses, the field of UFO research would not exist. He contrasts the need for evidence with the reality of hearsay, noting that while hearsay is inadmissible in court, it still contributes to the body of evidence in UFO research. He cautions against presenting hearsay as hard evidence, as it leaves researchers open to attack from skeptics.

Prosaic Explanations: The Failure of UFO Skepticism (Part 2)

Bruce Maccabee's article critically examines attempts to provide prosaic explanations for UFO sightings, focusing on the famous Kenneth Arnold sighting of June 24, 1947. He details the efforts of scientists like Dr. Howard Menzel, who proposed various explanations including misidentified atmospheric phenomena, unusual clouds, mirages, and even water drops on the airplane's windshield. Maccabee meticulously debunks each of Menzel's explanations, pointing out inconsistencies and flaws in the reasoning, such as ignoring key details of Arnold's report or making unsubstantiated claims.

Maccabee also discusses the work of Dr. Hynek, the first scientist to attempt an explanation, and the subsequent involvement of the Air Force through Projects Sign, Grudge, and Blue Book. He notes that Menzel's explanations, particularly the 'orographic clouds' and 'wave clouds' theories, fail to account for the bright flashes and lateral speed reported by Arnold. Menzel's final explanation, water drops on the aircraft window, is also dismissed because Arnold specifically checked for reflections by viewing the objects through an open window.

The article also touches upon other proposed explanations from the era, such as Howard Blakeslee's suggestion of 'quirks of eyesight' and Dan Nelson's theory of reflections from shiny objects onto vehicle windows. Maccabee concludes that neither Hynek nor Menzel provided reasonable explanations for Arnold's sighting, yet the Air Force accepted one of the prosaic explanations (mirage).

BOOM BOOM Howden Moor update

Dr. Dave Clarke investigates a series of mysterious sonic booms recorded over the Peak District in March 1997. These events, occurring at 9:52 pm and 10:06 pm, were detected by seismographs and a microphone. The incident coincided with reports of a loud explosion and a light aircraft diving. Clarke notes that such aerial explosions have been reported for centuries and can be generated by space junk or man-made satellites. He also mentions that military aircraft, like Tornadoes and F-15Es, regularly fly at supersonic speeds, contributing to an increase in reported sonic booms.

The article highlights that governments are often reluctant to admit testing new advanced aircraft, leading to unexplained sonic events being linked to UFOs as a cover for secret 'black project' aircraft. In the UK, pilots are bound by regulations to fly supersonic only over sea, with breaches requiring immediate notification. Despite this, breaches do occur, especially during training exercises.

Clarke details the official response to the Howden Moor incident, including an investigation by the RAF Military Police. While the MOD initially denied any exercise had taken place, they later admitted a low-flying exercise occurred. The investigation found no RAF or NATO aircraft operating in the area at the time, and civil aircraft were traveling too slow to generate sonic booms. The article mentions that questions remain about what caused the sonic booms, with speculation ranging from military jets to ET flying triangles. The incident is set to be a chapter in the upcoming book 'UFOs that Never Were'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of YUFOS magazine include the nature of evidence in UFO research, the challenges of distinguishing between genuine sightings and prosaic explanations, and the importance of witness testimony. The magazine appears to adopt a balanced approach, presenting both unexplained phenomena and skeptical analyses. There is a clear emphasis on the difficulty of obtaining concrete proof and the need for careful investigation. The editorial stance seems to favor a critical examination of claims, while also acknowledging the validity of witness experiences and the possibility of unexplained events. The magazine also touches upon the potential for government secrecy and cover-ups related to advanced aircraft and UFO phenomena. The inclusion of the 'X-Files' reference and the discussion of witness anonymity suggest an engagement with contemporary popular culture surrounding UFOs and a commitment to protecting individuals who come forward with their experiences.

YUFOS magazine, Vol. 3 #7, dated February 2000, is a publication focused on UFO and UAP phenomena. This issue features a personal account of a strange sighting and a commentary on official responses to unexplained aerial events.

Article: WAS IT A BIRD? WAS IT A PLANE?

By Andy Ashmore

Andy Ashmore contributes an article detailing a personal encounter with an unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP) that occurred on Sunday, January 23, 2000, around 17:20 PM in the Blackburn Meadows/Tinsley area of Sheffield, UK. Ashmore, who asserts he is not prone to hallucination, describes seeing a flash of light, initially dismissing it as a reflection. However, the phenomenon reappeared, and he observed it more closely. After approximately a minute, two flashes appeared to his left, and then the light source abruptly jumped 90 degrees to the right before returning to its original position, blinking four times evenly. Ashmore initially considered it might be an aircraft but was then presented with a more unusual display.

Approximately five to ten seconds after the initial event, the light source returned to its original position and produced a 'cascade' of at least six flashes of pure white light in rapid succession, described as a 'strobe rope-light effect' where the dots of luminosity appeared almost joined together due to the speed. This was followed by nothing, with no further sightings in the subsequent fifteen minutes. Ashmore notes a significant gap between the first and second glints of light, which remained in the same place for about five minutes.

He questions the nature of the 'big leap' to the right and back, and the 'weird cascading of illumination' that did not seem characteristic of an aircraft. The fast-strobing light effect reminded him of a UFO TV program where a flashing white light danced randomly before disappearing. Ashmore also mentions that within a minute of the UAP event ending, a conventional aircraft passed overhead in a different direction, suggesting it was not related to the observed lights.

Ashmore includes a sketch illustrating the order and position of the flashes, labeling the main event as a 'cascade' (10-15) and indicating numbered positions of the lights. He concludes by stating he is 'confounded' and welcomes any proof for presumptions about what he witnessed.

Commentary: The MOD's Stance

Dave Clarke provides a brief commentary, referencing a statement from the MOD (Ministry of Defence) that on the date in question, there was no threat to the UK Air Defence Region from hostile military activity. Clarke suggests that this statement, combined with the fact that the observed phenomenon was not an RAF/NATO aircraft and not a 'hostile' intruder, leaves other possibilities. He concludes by paraphrasing Sherlock Holmes: "once you have eliminated the impossible, what remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to be dedicated to exploring unexplained aerial phenomena and providing a platform for witness accounts and speculative analysis. The editorial stance, as indicated by the content, is open to investigating and discussing UAP sightings, even those that defy conventional explanations. The inclusion of both a detailed personal sighting and a commentary on official statements suggests a commitment to questioning and seeking answers beyond standard explanations.