Project Red Book vol 6 no 3

Magazine Overview

Title: PROJECT RED BOOK
Issue: Vol 6, #3
Date: October 2002
Publisher: YUFOS (Yorkshire UFO Society)

This issue of Project Red Book, published by the Yorkshire UFO Society, covers a range of topics related to unexplained phenomena, with a particular focus on aviation-related mysteries and unusual experiences.

Contents

The Jenny Randles Column: A View From Britain

Jenny Randles addresses the growing concern over mid-air encounters between UFOs and commercial aircraft in the UK. She notes that nearly 100 such encounters have been reported since 1990, suggesting the actual number is higher. Randles discusses the potential dangers and the need for better pilot awareness of both genuine UFOs and unidentified flying objects (IFOs). She recounts her own experience of witnessing a small silvery ball pace an aircraft in 1969, which she believes was a toy balloon caught in the slipstream. Randles also analyzes the famous British Airways Boeing 737 encounter near Manchester in 1995, suggesting it was a bolide (meteor) rather than a UFO, and draws parallels with the Chiles-Whitted case. She emphasizes that while many sightings are explicable, some remain unsolved and pose a potential threat, necessitating further study.

Crop Circles: Signs From Above or Human Artifacts? by Jacques Vallee

Jacques Vallee presents a controversial theory suggesting that crop circles are not the work of aliens or simple hoaxes, but rather the result of sophisticated electronic warfare experiments. He notes that formations have become increasingly complex, with vegetation bent but not broken, and often appearing near British defence facilities. Vallee proposes that these formations can be used to calibrate beams for testing purposes, with the heat radiation required to vaporize water content in plant nodes pointing to specific energy sources. He dismisses the 'confessions' of two retired men as a PR stunt designed to discredit paranormal research. Vallee speculates that the beams could be used for destruction or to fuse targets, raising ominous questions about potential threats.

Out of the Body by Jonathan Slater

Jonathan Slater interviews Betty, a neighbour who experienced an out-of-body experience (OBE) while recovering from open-heart surgery. Betty describes a white room with people in white overalls, and a sense of her deceased husband's presence. Slater notes the similarities between Betty's description and accounts from alien abduction cases and Near-Death Experiences (NDEs). He also recounts Betty's earlier experience at age 17, where she saw a face resembling the Virgin Mary. Slater highlights the fascinating nature of Betty's perception of these events.

The Disappearance of Captain Schaffner – New Evidence... Case Closed by Dave Baker

Dave Baker re-examines the disappearance of USAF pilot Captain William Schaffner in 1970, a case long considered a prime example of alien abduction. He presents new evidence from the Public Records Office, suggesting a more rational explanation: Schaffner was scrambled to intercept an unknown target during a tactical evaluation exercise, not a UFO. The target was a slow-moving Avro Shackleton. Schaffner, less experienced than previously thought, flew too low, forcing him to ditch in the sea. The automatic canopy release malfunctioned, and he was lost at sea. Baker notes that the UFO link only emerged in the early 1990s, and that the case was recently reinvestigated by the BBC for Captain Schaffner's sons seeking closure.

Other Sections

• More From "Muhnochwa": A brief mention of a continuing terror narrative.
• From Around the World...: A collection of short reports including meteor sightings, unusual aerial phenomena observed by air traffic control, and a diamond UFO sighting in Calgary.
• Talkin' Bolloxinski: Described as a humorous or 'dafter' piece, likely featuring contributions from Tom Bolloxinski.
• Magazine Exchanges: A section reviewing other periodicals that YUFOS trades with.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained aerial phenomena, with a critical yet open-minded approach. The editorial stance, as indicated by Dave Baker, is that while many UFO sightings can be explained as IFOs or accidents, genuine mysteries persist. There is a clear emphasis on presenting evidence and rational explanations, as seen in the Schaffner and crop circle articles, while still acknowledging the more sensationalistic aspects of UFO folklore. The society encourages reader engagement and discussion, as evidenced by the editor's note seeking comments on Jacques Vallee's crop circle theory. The publication also touches upon personal experiences like OBEs and NDEs, often drawing parallels to UFO abduction accounts.

This issue of PRB, Volume 6, Issue 3, dated October 2002, focuses on "FRESH EVIDENCE ON YORKSHIRE ALIEN ABDUCTION" and compiles various UFO, conspiracy, and paranormal event reports from around the world.

The Schaffner Case: A Re-examination

The lead story re-examines the case of Captain William Schaffner, an American exchange officer in the RAF, whose Lightning fighter jet crashed into the North Sea in September 1970. While UFOlogists have long claimed Schaffner was abducted by aliens after scrambling to intercept an unidentified object, new evidence obtained by the BBC's 'Inside Out' team suggests a more mundane explanation. The aircraft was recovered remarkably intact, with the canopy closed and the ejector seat intact, but Schaffner's body was missing. This unusual condition fueled abduction theories.

However, the inquiry report, declassified by the Ministry of Defence, indicates that the target was a slow-moving Shackleton reconnaissance aircraft whose crew had lost radio contact. The official conclusion is that Captain Schaffner flew too low while trying to get beneath his target and hit the sea, possibly due to insufficient training for the exercise. The report also notes that Schaffner's sons have been seeking the truth about their father's disappearance for years.

A transcript of the final radio conversation between Captain Schaffner (designated 'Foxtrot 94' or '45') and ground controllers (including 'Staxton Wold' and 'Patrington') is provided. The conversation details Schaffner's pursuit of a target, his instruments failing, and his eventual decision to ditch the aircraft. The transcript highlights the confusion and technical issues during the incident, with Schaffner reporting his compass and other instruments as 'useless' and feeling dizzy.

The 'Afterword' section reflects on the Schaffner case as a significant lesson for ufology, cautioning against accepting theories at face value and emphasizing the importance of checking authenticity. It notes the strong emotional angle of the case, involving the loss of a man's life and the impact on his family, suggesting that the case was deliberately mutated from an accident to an abduction by others.

Gary Anthony, an independent researcher, has investigated the case since 1992 and believes it was not UFO-related. He, along with other researchers, has gathered evidence to 'close' the case.

Muhnochwa: The Face-Scratcher Phenomenon in India

This section reports on the 'muhnochwa' or 'face-scratcher' phenomenon spreading panic and injury in India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. Initial theories floated by officials included genetically engineered insects or laser-equipped terrorists. However, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, submitted a report suggesting it might be 'ball lightning,' a rare form of lightning mistaken for UFOs. Other explanations offered include disoriented migratory birds, bats, or locust swarms.

The phenomenon has led to incidents of violence, including villagers lynching animals they believed to be the creature. The chief minister, Mayawati, blamed the opposition for creating the 'monster bogey.' Descriptions of the entity vary, with some reporting red and blue lights, a moving object, and electric shocks, while others describe it as a mechanical thing with flashing lights, or even a half-dog, half-human creature.

Dr. Ravindra Arora, a scientist, suggests the injuries are caused by 'ball of lightning,' which can emit significant electrical current. The incidents have been videographed, and at least 100 people have been injured.

Around the World and Beyond

This section compiles various reports of unexplained phenomena:

• Large Celestial Object Falls to Earth in Siberia: Residents of Bodaibo, Irkutsk region, witnessed a large, luminous object fall from the sky, believed by scientists to be a meteorite. The event caused a tremor and a loud noise.
• 'Meteor' Lights Up Midlands: A burning object streaked across the West Midlands sky, initially thought to be a meteor. Astronomers and the Birmingham Astronomical Society suggested it could be a meteor, space debris, or a man-made object like a re-entering satellite. Witnesses described a bright light with a tail.
• 'Big Ball of Fire' Meteor: Multiple reports from the western United States describe a fireball with a long tail, characterized by brilliant white light with blue and orange flames, consistent with a meteor burning up.
• New Moon for Uranus: Astronomers have discovered a new, faint moon orbiting the planet Uranus, named S 2001 Ul. This discovery adds to the known small moons of Uranus and supports theories about their origin from collisions.
• Air Traffic Staff See 'Ghost Planes': Computer screens at the new national air traffic control centre at Swanwick displayed phantom aircraft over the North Sea, attributed to incorrect radar data. This is described as a glitch in the new system.
• Family in 'Major' Sighting of UFO: A family in Ilkeston reported seeing a cigar-shaped UFO with multiple lights and a droning noise. The object appeared to fly sideways and performed an 'encore.'
• Diamond-Shaped Craft Sighted Over Calgary: A family in Calgary reported seeing a diamond-shaped object moving very fast across the sky. Other similar sightings of amber, diamond-shaped lights have been reported in the area.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, the potential for government cover-ups or misinterpretations of events, and the human element of mystery and tragedy. The magazine presents evidence and reports from various sources, including official documents, witness testimonies, and scientific analysis, while also acknowledging the role of speculation and hysteria in UFO lore. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging readers to examine evidence carefully and consider multiple explanations, as exemplified by the re-evaluation of the Schaffner case and the diverse theories presented for the 'muhnochwa' phenomenon.

PRB, Volume 6, Issue 2, dated October 2002, is a magazine focused on paranormal and UFO-related topics. The cover prominently features an interview with Tom Bolloxinski, described as the USA's most maverick investigator of the paranormal.

Talkin' Bolloxinski

The issue opens with an interview with Tom Bolloxinski, who discusses his upcoming book, "Grey Dudes, Blonde Babes and Rotten Reptilians: The Alien A-Z of Extra-terrestrial Life." He mentions that PRB will be printing extracts from it in the next issue. Bolloxinski then shares a newspaper clipping about "Rods From Space in Rendlesham" from the Evening Star, Ipswich, dated September 21, 2002. This article details claims by UFO fanatic Peter Parish, who reported seeing strange rod-like beings in Rendlesham Forest, which he has labelled the Rendlesham Rods. Parish claims these entities are from another dimension or are unknown creatures that can travel at tremendous speed, are invisible to the naked eye but can be captured on camera, and can communicate with people and drop stones. Parish recounts an experiment where he asked the rods to drop one stone if they were from another dimension and two if they were not, and they dropped one stone.

Bolloxinski contrasts this direct research with what he perceives as less significant work by 'researchers' Clarke & Roberts, who he claims are digging through 'Public Records Offices' for 'authentic' files. He praises Parish's method of communicating with invisible, ultra-fast aliens via stones as superior research. Bolloxinski then humorously connects this to his own experiences during a U.S. tour to promote his book "Rendlesham - The Elvis Connection," where he was pelted with stones while discussing alien abduction theories. He concludes that it wasn't Elvis fans pelting him, but the 'Rods' themselves, confirming his theories.

Magazine Exchanges

The magazine also features a section on "Magazine Exchanges," providing contact information and subscription details for other publications in the paranormal and fortean fields.

Animals & Men

This section details "Animals & Men," a magazine associated with the Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ). It is described as a 40+ page A5 format magazine, well-illustrated with black and white photographs, and covering aspects of fortean zoology, including newly discovered species, Chinese Lake Monsters, Skunk Apes, and Exotic Big Cats. Highlights from issues 26-28 are mentioned, such as "Bunnyman – Man, Myth or Monster," an interview with explorer Col. John Blashford Snell, "The Black Dog of Lyme," "The Cleadon Puma," and "Catfish Rising."

EYE Magazine

"EYE Magazine" is presented as a publication "for ufologists by ufologists," jointly edited by Chris Evers and Gary Anthony. It is an A5, colour format magazine that is well-produced. Issue Vol. 1, #3 (Autumn 2002) is highlighted, featuring articles like "Ufology is There Life After Death" by Jenny Randles, "Declassification" by Spanish ufologist Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos, a study of released Spanish military documents, and "The Mind Parasites" by Clive B. Potter.

Fanthorpe's

"Fanthorpe's" is described as the "Quarterly Digest of the Paranormal," a 30-page A5 magazine that focuses on ghosts, poltergeists, and ESP, but also regularly features UFOs, Time Travel, and the Knights Templar. It is richly illustrated with black and white photos. Articles from Vol 1 #1 - Vol 2 #1 are mentioned, including "The Day They Captured Nessie," "The Croglin Grange Vampire," "The Queen's House Spectre," and "Enfield and Beyond." A regular feature covers the UK's Ghost Hunters, and many articles are written by the magazine's advisor, the Rev Lionel Fanthorpe.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine clearly aligns with an interest in UFOs, paranormal phenomena, and fortean zoology. The editorial stance, particularly through Tom Bolloxinski's contributions, appears to favour direct, unconventional investigation methods over traditional archival research. There is a strong emphasis on personal accounts and anecdotal evidence, presented with a sense of humour and enthusiasm for the unexplained.