Project Red Book vol 4 no 6

Magazine Overview

Title: PROJECT RED BOOK
Issue: Vol.4 #6
Date: December 2000
Publisher: YUFOS YORKSHIRE UFO SOCIETY
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £1:50

This issue of Project Red Book, published by the Yorkshire UFO Society (YUFOS), delves into various aspects of the UFO and paranormal world. The cover features a humorous illustration of 'Santa's Spaceship' with pricing for different beings, hinting at the eclectic content within. The magazine includes a mix of investigative reports, interviews, and discussions on phenomena that challenge conventional understanding.

Contents Overview

The issue is structured with several key articles and features:

AN INTERVIEW WITH GLORIA DIXON (part 2)

This section continues an interview with Gloria Dixon, who became interested in UFOs in 1970 while living in the United States. Her background includes working as a PA for a Congressman and travelling extensively. She is now the national investigations co-ordinator for BUFORA and a member of the UFO Investigation Network, also producing the magazine 'Strange Daze'. The interview focuses on her interest in near-death experiences (NDEs) and after-death communication (ADC). She shares two cases: one involving a journalist named Amanda who had a near-death experience after a car crash in Spain in July 1993, resulting in a spiritual awakening; and another related by a colleague about his sister Elizabeth, who died suddenly and left a posthumous message.

Dixon expresses her belief in life after death, stating that something survives the physical body. She notes that many nurses have observed unusual anomalies around the time of death. She also recounts a personal experience where a room became ice cold and a presence was felt just before a patient died. Regarding Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP), she admits uncertainty about its validity compared to mediums. She expresses caution about Ouija boards, having used them in her youth. Dixon acknowledges the parallels drawn between NDEs and alien abduction, citing Dr. Kenneth Ring's work on 'encounter-prone personalities'. She also mentions the influence of Paul Devereux and his 'Otherworld Conference' which explored the nature of mental realms and consciousness.

THE MEXBOROUGH FOOTAGE: AN APPRAISAL

This article by Bill Rose, a photojournalist and technical editor of 'Strange Daze', appraises a VHS recording of a UFO sighting. Rose, who has a degree in economics and qualifications in scientific photography, previously created the infamous 'North Sea Aurora Aircraft' photo. He examined the original 8mm camcorder tape provided by the witness, Michael (MPN). The footage, lasting 8 minutes and 10 seconds, was filmed with a Canon UC6000 camera. Rose notes the lack of horizontal sync jutter, the sharpness of the image, and the use of manual focus. He found no evidence of optical phenomena or electric anomalies, concluding that the recording is authentic. He points out that the date/time function was disabled, and the witness commented on the objects. The camera's auto-exposure system showed underexposure, and the witness avoided excessive camera shake, suggesting the use of a tripod, though Michael denies this. Rose concludes that the objects are "definitely UFOs," meaning unidentified aerial objects, not necessarily alien spaceships. He reserves judgment on explanations like large birds, helicopters, or hang gliders, suggesting further investigation into ornithological possibilities.

MEXBOROUGH FOOTAGE UPDATE

Dave Baker provides an update on the Mexborough footage, addressing points raised by Bill Rose and the witness, Michael (MPN). Baker clarifies that the date/time function was disabled because Michael and his wife had filmed in York the previous day and were preparing for another trip, disabling functions to add titles later. The unrelated footage on the tape was due to Michael putting in a new cassette for the Sunday trip and not using the remainder of the tape to avoid damaging the UFO footage. Baker accepts Michael's explanation for his 'expert camerawork' being due to resting his elbows on a balcony rail, dismissing the possibility of a deliberate hoax. He confirms the objects were heading northeast towards High Melton and Doncaster. Regarding the 'birds' explanation, Baker notes that while herons were suggested, some members found the trajectory too even and direct for birds gliding on thermals. He acknowledges the need for expert ornithological knowledge.

FROM AROUND THE WORLD...

This section briefly covers various topics including haunted houses, abduction advertisers, and a debate between the BBC and Hancock & Bauvall.

CROP CIRCLE FAKED TO PROVE "EXPERT" WRONG

This piece, with comments by Paul Fuller, discusses a crop circle that was allegedly faked to disprove an expert.

TERRIFIED REDIDENTS DEMAND EXCORCISM OF POLTERGEIST

This article by Bill Brotherton and Tony Belshaw reports on residents demanding an exorcism due to a poltergeist.

FORUM- the STEPHEN PRATT PHOTOGRAPH

This section revisits the controversy surrounding the Stephen Pratt photograph.

UFOS-THE KEY TURNING POINT (pt 6)

Bill Booker continues his series, approaching the end of his investigation.

Other Topics Discussed:

The magazine also touches upon other paranormal subjects:

• Fortune Telling: Dixon doubts its relevance and believes money is made at the expense of the gullible, with potential dire effects.
• 'Crisis' Apparitions: Considered interesting and experienced in various ways, including dreams.
• Channelling: Dixon advises caution for those who engage in it.
• Remote Viewing: Dixon is unsure, suggesting it might be a new name for astral projection.
• Telepathy: Considered a natural form of communication, not strange.
• Uri Geller: Dixon states she doesn't know him personally but is aware of his abilities. She recounts an instance where Geller showed care and sensitivity when her friend Philip Mantle had a serious heart attack.
• James Randi: Dixon acknowledges him as a debunker but believes everyone is entitled to their opinions.

Next Meeting

A notice for the next YUFOS meeting on Tuesday, 9th January 2001, at The Three Cranes in Sheffield.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, the analysis of photographic and video evidence, and the exploration of paranormal phenomena such as NDEs and ADCs. The editorial stance, as expressed by Dave Baker and contributors like Bill Rose, is one of open-minded investigation, seeking factual accounts while acknowledging the prevalence of hoaxes and the need for critical analysis. There is a clear interest in distinguishing genuine experiences from misinterpretations or deliberate fabrications. The magazine encourages discussion and the sharing of experiences, as evidenced by the 'Forum' section and the 'Next Meeting' notice. The overall tone is investigative and analytical, with a willingness to explore unconventional topics.

PRB, Vol. 4, #4, October 2000. This issue of the magazine, compiled by Dave Baker, covers a range of paranormal and unexplained phenomena, including UFO sightings, crop circles, and alleged hauntings.

Article: 6) Microlites

This section discusses a UFO sighting in Mexborough, where a witness named Michael filmed two objects. Initially, YUFOS and UFOIN members considered microlites or hang-gliders as explanations, but the clarity of the objects in the video, despite its poor resolution, raised doubts. The author contacted Sheffield Aero-club, which informed him that 'Rainbow Microlites' at Sandtoft Airfield was the closest club hiring microlites. A call to Sandtoft confirmed that while their microlites might fly over Mexborough, none were hired out on the day Michael claims to have filmed the objects. The author acknowledges that Michael's camcorder's time/date function was disabled, making the exact date uncertain, but finds it unlikely that Michael would have fabricated the date to fit a day when no microlites were hired. The author personally believes Michael's footage was taken on the claimed date and suggests the objects might be from an untraceable, privately owned microlite.

Article: 7) Balloons, radio-controlled aircraft

This section explores the possibility that the Mexborough UFOs were 'UFO' balloon toys or radio-controlled aircraft. The author notes that these balloons are often used to fake UFO videos. However, he dismisses this explanation because the objects traveled some distance, were at a considerable altitude, and there were two apparently identical objects, making it unlikely an operator could maintain visual contact. The presence of a radio-controlled aircraft club at Sandtoft is mentioned but deemed irrelevant due to the distance from the sighting location.

The author also mentions an upcoming UFOIN meeting in Sheffield where several UFO videos, including the Mexborough footage, will be analyzed by experienced researchers.

Article: SEE IT, IMAGINE IT -- IT'S THE SAME TO YOUR BRAIN

This report from Reuters (November 1, 2000) details a study by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). They found that the same parts of the brain are activated when a person imagines a scene or face as when they actually see it. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the team could determine with 85 percent accuracy whether a volunteer was thinking of a face or a place. Nancy Kanwisher, an associate professor at MIT, stated that the brain uses the same machinery for active seeing and imagining. Previous studies had identified specific brain regions, like the parahippocampal place area (for spaces) and the fusiform face area (for faces), which responded to visual stimuli and mental imagery.

Article: ALIEN ABDUCTION HYPNOTISERS DENY PLANTING SUBLIMINAL ADS

This article reports on accusations against a US firm, Alien Abductions Inc., which offers 'personalized, realistic memories of the alien abduction'. The firm's team of 'doctors, hypnotists and memory implant technicians' are accused of implanting subliminal advertisements for sponsoring companies into their clients' minds. These implanted messages allegedly make abductees magnetically drawn to the advertised products. Alien Abductions Inc. denies 'advertising implantation' for profit but admits implanting ads to 'increase the effectiveness' of the experience, citing an example of directing customers to a bar called 'The Bug Jar' in Rochester, NY.

The company offers customized abductions, including 'interspecies breeding' and 'alien sex fantasies', stating their mission is to give something back to the world by making people believe they have been abducted by aliens.

Article: BBC'S 'HORIZON' CENSURED FOR UNFAIR TREATMENT

Jane Robins reports (The Independent, November 9, 2000) that the BBC's flagship science program, 'Horizon', is to be criticized by the Broadcasting Standards Commission for unfairness towards authors Graham Hancock and Robert Bauval. Their theories about a lost civilization that inhabited Earth before the ice age and built the pyramids were questioned in the 'Atlantis Reborn' episode. The authors challenged the BBC to a live debate, which was refused. The criticism stems from the program omitting the authors' rebuttal to astronomer Dr. Edwin Krupp's argument that the Giza pyramids could only align with Orion if the Egyptian map or sky image was inverted. The authors contest that ancient Egyptians would have oriented based on their view of the sky. BBC insiders acknowledged a slight re-edit for a rebroadcast, but the corporation maintained that only one of ten complaints was upheld.

Article: STATE VET HAS ANSWER TO ROSWELL CATTLE MYSTERY

This report clarifies the cause of death for 30 cattle on Marcelo Macias's ranch near Roswell, New Mexico. State veterinarian Thurman Reitz confirmed the deaths were due to nitrate poisoning from weeds harvested with hay. The hay, reportedly three or four years old, was baled and ingested by the cattle. The poisoning alters the animal's blood, causing suffocation. A Boston radio station had inquired if aliens were involved, which Reitz denied. Macias stated he had fed the same hay to his sheep without issue and had 90 bales remaining, which he could not burn due to police regulations.

Article: HOUSE FOR SALE BUT GHOST MUST STAY

This article from The Advertiser (December 4, 2000) describes a farmhouse for sale in Barry, South Wales, with a contract clause requiring the buyer to leave the resident ghost, 'Tom', in peace. The owners, Ray and Maureen Bronson, are fond of the ghost and forbid exorcism. The article notes that statistics show more young people in Britain believe in the supernatural than in the Christian God, with one survey indicating nearly half of Britons believe in ghosts. It also mentions the rise of 'ghostbusters' and the increasing role of paranormal considerations in property transactions, citing a case where a buyer sued an estate agent for selling a haunted house (unsuccessfully) and another where a buyer was awarded damages for a farm not living up to its haunted reputation.

Article: 'CROP CIRCLE 'FAKED' TO PROVE EXPERT WRONG

Simon de Bruxelles reports in The Times (November 7, 2000) on Matthew Williams, editor of Truthseekers Review, being fined UK100 for creating a seven-pointed star crop circle in Wiltshire. Williams, who believes many crop circles are extraterrestrial but some are man-made, created the design to challenge a self-styled expert who claimed it couldn't be done. Williams emailed images to the expert, who had previously discussed crop circles with radio presenter Whitley Strieber. Williams stated that researchers are misleading the public by insisting all crop circles are alien. Paul Fuller, a UFOIN and YUFOS correspondent, comments that Williams is not the first to be fined for this, citing two Hungarian students in 1992. Fuller also notes that The Times missed the relevance of Strieber's own abduction claims and criticizes the general reporting of crop circle cases as poor and lacking research.

Article: TERRIFIED RESIDENTS DEMAND EXORCISM OF POLTERGEIST

Bill Brotherton and Tony Belshaw report on a team of religious ministers performing an exorcism-type ceremony on a Sheffield estate following a spate of terrifying incidents over 18 months. Residents on Winn Drive, Middlewood, blamed spooky occurrences like falling pictures, smashed vases, and strange footsteps on building work near a former graveyard. The ministers from the New Testament Church performed a ceremony, after which residents reported an improvement. Catherine Cook, aged 24, described hearing child-like footsteps and mentioned that Middlewood Hospital, now demolished, reportedly had poltergeist activity. Reverend Benjamin Grey confirmed the ceremony, stating they pray for deliverance and acknowledge the existence of spirits.

Article: FORUM: THE STEPHEN PRATT PHOTO

This section presents a controversy surrounding the 1967 Stephen Pratt photograph, one of the most famous UFO images in British ufology. Dr. David Clarke's article in Project Red Book suggested it was a hoax. Kevin J. Pratt, Stephen's brother, contacted the magazine to voice his displeasure. The article details Clarke's analysis, noting that the 'saucers' are out of focus while foreground objects are sharp, suggesting a hoax involving cut-outs. Clarke cites Kodak experts and BUFORA chairman Dr. Geoffrey Doel who initially deemed the photo genuine. However, Kevin Pratt claims the negative was analyzed by computer, showing a reduction in the penumbral rim, indicating the objects were in formation away from the camera. He argues that a cheap Kodak Instamatic 50 camera would struggle to produce such results in poor lighting. Kevin Pratt also states that his family received harassment and that they were willing to submit the negative for advanced analysis, but this did not materialize.

Dave Baker, the editor, responds to Kevin Pratt, acknowledging the article's age and apologizing for any offense. He states he has no personal knowledge of the case and offers to publish Pratt's rebuttal. Baker also invites Kevin to a monthly meeting to discuss the sighting. Kevin Pratt's e-mail to Baker expresses concern about the skeptical article and criticizes David Clarke's approach. He reiterates his belief in the photo's authenticity, supported by computer analysis, and challenges the idea that a simple camera could produce such results. He accuses skeptical reporters of arrogance that damages UFO investigation.

David Clarke responds to Kevin Pratt, maintaining his contention that the photograph is a hoax, possibly created with cut-outs. He argues that promoters of UFO photographs should submit their claims to qualified experts and that Kevin has not provided sufficient evidence or named credible analysts. Clarke challenges the Pratts to submit the original negative for analysis by Geoffrey Crawley of the British Journal of Photography.

Article: UFOS- THE KEY TURNING POINT (PART 6)

By W.H. Booker (YUFOS). This part of the series discusses the physical characteristics of UFOs. The author suggests that UFOs generate static electrical charges and emit bright lights that can change color, indicating shifts in the electromagnetic wave spectrum. He notes that ultra-violet light affects photographic film and can cause fluorescence. The article also touches upon sound, mentioning that humans can only detect a limited range of audio frequencies, while higher and lower frequencies (subsonic and ultrasonic) are undetectable. The author proposes that by modulating audio waves with radio waves or light waves, a form of 'super energy' could be created. He speculates that UFOs changing color quickly before moving off might be related to their power source.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO phenomena, paranormal events, and unexplained mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, presenting various viewpoints and allowing for debate, as seen in the Stephen Pratt photo controversy. While acknowledging skepticism and the possibility of hoaxes, the publication also gives space to witnesses and proponents of unusual theories, encouraging further research and discussion.

This issue of PRB magazine, Volume 4, Number 5, dated December 2000, explores various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, touching upon potential technological explanations, ancient knowledge, and unexplained events.

Hovering and Density Manipulation

The article begins by addressing the puzzling ability of UFOs to hover silently. It proposes that UFOs might achieve this by manipulating the density of the air beneath them, creating a buoyancy effect similar to how a cork floats in water. The author suggests that concentrating air density could allow an object to float. Furthermore, the observation of rotating craft centers is linked to the formation of a vortex or whirlwind, which could potentially keep a craft hovering and may even be related to the creation of crop circles.

Mechanical Parallels and Energy Production

The text draws parallels between UFO characteristics and known mechanical devices. The Wimshurst machine, invented about 150 years ago, is described as a unit that produces high voltages and ionizes gases through friction from rotating glass plates. This is compared to UFOs that give off sparks or luminous auroras due to electrically charged particles. Another device discussed is the Van de Graaf generator, which continuously separates positive and negative electrostatic charges to produce high voltages. The article notes that the outer surface of the sphere in a Van de Graaf generator accumulates charges, and sharp edges can lead to a higher concentration of electrical charges, creating an 'electric wind' and ionized air, often appearing as a blue or violet haze. The author suggests these phenomena might offer clues to how UFO craft operate.

Ancient Knowledge and Flying Machines

The magazine references ancient Indian texts, specifically the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, which reportedly contain descriptions of flying machines called Vimanas. These texts allegedly discuss their capabilities, including ascent, cruising speed, and descent, as well as their fuel power sources (mercury) and recommended materials for construction. A translated passage from an ancient writer describes a mercury engine that, when heated, generates thunderous power and causes the Vimana to move like a pearl in the sky. The author posits that these ancient descriptions might represent scientific techniques discovered long ago.

Unexplained Events and Theories

The issue also touches upon more recent unexplained events. The 'Philadelphia Experiment' is mentioned, involving an alleged U.S. Navy experiment in Philadelphia where a ship and its crew supposedly disappeared due to the creation of a tremendous magnetic field using a 'degausser' generator pulsed at resonant frequencies. The author speculates this experiment might have been an attempt to test Einstein's unified field theory. Another curious account from India describes a feat of levitation involving multiple people and a large granite rock, with the author questioning its connection to electronics, Einstein's theory, or gravity, suggesting sound waves as a possible factor.

Sensory Input and Research Methodology

The author reflects on the scope of UFO research, noting that while covering speed, time, sound, light, and gravity, other sensory aspects like smell, touch, taste, telepathy, and ESP have not been deeply explored due to a perceived lack of sufficient knowledge. The importance of recording all sensory details during a sighting is emphasized, along with the need for observers to be equipped with recording devices, though acknowledging that UFO phenomena rarely occur when one is prepared.

Future Installments

The article concludes by stating that the author will share personal UFO sighting experiences in the final part of the series, which will be featured in the next issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the technological possibilities behind UFO phenomena, the potential for ancient civilizations to have possessed advanced knowledge of flight, and the investigation of unexplained historical events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, seeking scientific explanations for observed anomalies while acknowledging the limitations of current understanding and the value of ancient wisdom. There is an encouragement for further scientific experimentation and discussion.