Project Red Book vol 6 no 4

Magazine Overview

Title: PROJECT RED BOOK
Issue: Vol 6, #4
Date: NOV/DEC 2002
Publisher: YUFOS (Yorkshire UFO Society)
Price: £1:50

This issue of Project Red Book, published by the Yorkshire UFO Society, delves into various aspects of UFOlogy and the paranormal, with a strong focus on the Pennines region of the UK. The cover highlights key articles including Jenny Randles on the Supernatural Pennines, a comparison of Mothman and the Thunderbird, and a look at Australian government, military, and UFO interests.

Contents

The magazine features several articles and interviews:

• 1) YET ANOTHER INTERVIEW WITH JENNY RANDLES: Dave Baker interviews Jenny Randles, a prolific author and UFO researcher, about her latest book, "Supernatural Pennines." Randles discusses her lifelong connection to the Pennines, the area's history of unusual phenomena, and her research into 'window areas.'
• 10) FROM AROUND THE WORLD...AND BEYOND!!!: This section covers a variety of global reports, including the Loch Ness Monster, UFO secrecy, a giant bird sighting in Alaska, a 'black spot' accident blamed on a ghost, FBI investigations into 'rod' footage, and reports of Big Cats breeding and Bigfoot sightings.
• 14) A VIEW FROM BRITAIN: Jenny Randles provides an update on UFO research projects within Britain.
• 16) MOTHMAN AND THE THUNDERBIRD - SEPERATED AT BIRTH?: Daniel V. Boudillion explores intriguing similarities between the Mothman legend and a 1600 Indian artefact representing the mythical 'Thunderbird.'
• 18) UFOs: "SUB ROSA": Bill Chalker begins a new series examining the Australian Government and Military's interest in the UFO phenomenon.

Interview with Jenny Randles: Supernatural Pennines

Jenny Randles, a renowned author with over 50 books on UFO and paranormal research, discusses her book "Supernatural Pennines." She explains that the Pennines, her childhood home, is a region with a high level of sustained paranormal activity, making it a significant 'window area.' Randles details how the area's unique geography, situated between major cities like Manchester, Leeds, and Sheffield, contributes to its prominence in reports. She compares the Pennines to other alleged 'window areas' like Bonnybridge in Scotland, suggesting that while Bonnybridge's fame is partly due to media promotion, the Pennines' activity is more intrinsic and diverse.

Randles elaborates on the various phenomena observed in the Pennines, including visual glows, electrical energy, poltergeist effects, and apparitions. She posits that these are all manifestations of a single underlying energy source, with UFOs and aliens being the 'space age equivalent' of older interpretations of these events. The area's folklore and place names, often referencing witches, devils, and mythical creatures like 'boggarts,' reflect a long history of unusual occurrences. She notes that while the interpretation of these events changes with societal understanding (from supernatural to scientific or technological explanations), the underlying phenomena may persist.

Randles discusses the potential for a 'knock-on effect' where place names associated with the supernatural might influence people's experiences. She emphasizes that many phenomena, even those appearing supernatural, can have conventional explanations, and it's important to avoid jumping to extraordinary conclusions. She highlights the concentration of activity around Pendle Hill as an example of how witchcraft, phantom airships, and modern UFO sightings can all be linked to the same underlying energy.

She also touches upon phenomena like 'time-slips' and 'human VCR' events, suggesting they might be related to the brain's ability to process information in a non-linear, timeless manner, potentially replaying past scenes. Randles expresses a desire for more scientific investigation into these phenomena, lamenting UFOlogy's focus on proving unproveable theories like alien invasions over rigorous research.

The Philip Spencer Case

Jenny Randles recounts the Philip Spencer case, a classic ufology incident that occurred in the Pennines. A former police officer from West Yorkshire claimed to have encountered a goblin-like creature and a landed UFO on Ilkley Moor, managing to photograph the creature but not the UFO. Randles and her colleague Peter Hough investigated the claim, finding that the witness was real and had moved shortly after reporting the incident. The witness eventually contacted Arthur Tomlinson of DIGAP instead of Randles, which Randles found unusual. Despite initial skepticism, Peter Hough maintained contact with the witness, who stood by his story and provided copyright for the photo. Tests on the photograph indicated it was real, but it was impossible to determine if it depicted an alien, a dummy, or a person in a suit. Further investigations into alleged physical evidence, such as a compass reversing polarity, yielded inconclusive results. A site investigation found a reflective mark on a rock consistent with the photo, but it was determined to be of natural origin. Randles expresses lingering doubts about the case, particularly regarding the witness's motives and the regression session conducted, which she found unconvincing. She notes the witness's disinterest in fame or remuneration for the photo, which could suggest a genuine experience or a complex hoax.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes the Pennines as a significant 'window area' for paranormal and UFO activity, suggesting a unique concentration of diverse phenomena. The magazine advocates for a more scientific and evidence-based approach to UFOlogy, criticizing its tendency to focus on sensational theories over rigorous research. There's a recurring theme of reinterpreting historical myths and legends through a modern UFO lens, suggesting a continuity of unexplained events across different eras. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, grounded in critical analysis and a desire for empirical evidence, as seen in the interview with Jenny Randles and the discussion of the Philip Spencer case.

PRB, Volume 5, Issue 6, published in December 2001, is a magazine dedicated to exploring UFOs, paranormal phenomena, and cryptozoology. This issue features a collection of articles compiled by Dave Baker and others, covering a wide range of intriguing cases and research from around the world.

Articles and Features

Loch Ness Monster 'Goes AWOL'

This short piece reports on the unusually low number of Loch Ness Monster sightings in 2002, with the Official Loch Ness Monster Fan Club noting only three sightings, all by locals. Gary Campbell, President of the Fan Club, suggests this is unexpected, as sightings typically peak during the tourist season. None of the year's witnesses were carrying cameras.

Clinton's Aide Slams UFO Secrecy

This article details a new initiative by a former White House chief of staff and an international investigative journalist to access classified government files on UFOs. John Podesta stated that it is time for the government to declassify records older than 25 years to aid scientific determination of the nature of these phenomena. The Coalition for Freedom of Information (CFI) is specifically pressing the Air Force for documents related to clandestine operations like Project Moon Dust and Operation Blue Fly. The Kecksburg, Pennsylvania incident of December 5, 1965, is cited as a key case in their FOIA request, despite an official explanation of a meteorite, eyewitnesses reported a military truck removing an acorn-shaped object.

Leslie Kean, a freelance reporter involved in drafting the FOIA request, highlights that the government continues to deny UFO information requests by citing national security, even though in the past (1940s-1960s) the government took UFO searches seriously. The CFI, backed by the Sci-Fi channel, aims to reduce scientific ridicule surrounding UFOs. Ed Rothschild, director of CFI, emphasizes the initiative's focus on serious, factual investigation.

Look! Up in the Sky! Bigfoot Has Sprouted Wings, and He's Coming Your Way.

This piece reports on a sighting in southwest Alaska of a bird described as the size of a small airplane with a 14-foot wingspan. Pilot John Bouker described the creature as huge. Another incident involved a 'monkeyman' in India, which was later declared a hoax. Alaska officials suggest the large bird sighting might have been an overestimation of a Steller's eagle.

Accident Black Spot Blamed on Ghost

Villagers in Herefordshire believe a ghost is responsible for a series of accidents on the A465 near Bromyard. A farmer reports 26 drivers have crashed into his fence in 18 months, with some motorists reporting their steering wheels being pulled. A psychic told County Councillor Richard James that a woman died on the road in the 1920s or '30s after a struggle over the steering wheel. The parish council is seeking assistance from Reverend Keith Crouch.

Unidentified Flying Object Caught on Tape; FBI Help Sought

Local authorities are seeking FBI assistance to identify a strange object caught on videotape by a Fox 23 cameraman in Albany, New York. The object, described as a fine rod with small wings, was not noticed by the cameraman at the time but appeared when editing. It did not show up on airport radar. The image resembles phenomena called 'rods,' which some suggest are paranormal or extraterrestrial, while skeptics attribute them to insects flying past the camera.

Big Cats Are Breeding, Say Researchers

Academics at the University of Wales in Swansea believe big cats are breeding in the Welsh countryside. Professor Alayne Street-Perrott cites evidence including her horse being attacked by what is believed to be a puma and numerous reports of livestock killed in ways consistent with a big cat attack.

Ape-Like Creature Sighted Crossing Arizona Highway

Bigfoot field investigators are researching a report of an ape-like creature crossing Highway 95 in Arizona. Brad Mortenson of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization notes 14 previous sightings in Arizona. Investigators are looking for physical evidence like footprints or hair samples.

A View From Britain: The Jenny Randles Column

Jenny Randles reviews ongoing UFO research projects in the UK. She highlights retrospective investigation of cases like the Sopley car stop and the Lakenheath radar-visual case, noting that new research is uncovering more details. Pattern recognition is another popular area, with projects like Ken Phillips' 'Anamnesis Project' compiling data on close encounter witnesses, revealing patterns such as a prevalence of migraines. Randles also discusses research into alien contact/abductee witnesses, noting clues like early life recall. A project on triangular UFOs (FT) is also mentioned, noting a focus around power stations. Additionally, research into UFO-related artwork and cases involving symbols on craft or uniforms is discussed, with the aim of decoding potential alien language.

Pilots Sight UFO Over China

Several airline pilots reported sighting a shining unidentified flying object near Nanjing, China. Descriptions include a light blue object and a white-blue skateboard-shaped craft. China has seen a surge in UFO sightings in recent years.

Mothman & The Thunderbird: Separated At Birth?

Daniel V. Boudillion draws attention to similarities between descriptions of the Mothman, a creature terrorizing Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in 1966-1967, and a circa 1600 Indian Thunderbird artifact. The artifact, made of copper sheet, shares the general body shape and 'eye' placement with Mothman descriptions, the main difference being the artifact has a head. Boudillion suggests that both cultures may have reported images of the same anomalous being, despite geographical and temporal separation.

UFOs: Sub Rosa Down Under: The Australian Military & Government Role in the UFO Controversy

Bill Chalker details his unprecedented access to Australian government UFO files from 1982 to 1984. He examined files held by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation, providing a detailed understanding of official UFO investigations in Australia over nearly thirty years.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the unexplained, from cryptids like the Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot, and Mothman, to UFO sightings and alleged government cover-ups. There is a clear emphasis on research, investigation, and the presentation of evidence, even when it challenges conventional understanding. The editorial stance appears to favor open-minded inquiry into paranormal and anomalous phenomena, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond established scientific paradigms. The inclusion of diverse cases from different countries and historical periods suggests a broad interest in the global nature of these mysteries. The magazine also highlights the efforts of researchers and organizations dedicated to uncovering the truth behind these phenomena.

This issue of PRB, Vol. 5, #6, dated December 2001, focuses on the Australian Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) historical handling of Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) reports. The magazine suggests that the RAAF was involved in a high-level international 'cover-up' or was bureaucratically burdened by a responsibility it considered a waste of time.

RAAF UFO Investigations and Summaries

The RAAF's public record of UFO investigations consisted of 'summaries of Unusual Aerial Sightings' (UAS), with nine produced between 1960 and 1977. The practice of compiling these annual summaries was discontinued in 1978, with the Department of Defence stating it was purely a 'service to the general public'. The author gained access to RAAF UFO files covering the period from 1950 to 1984, examining approximately one-third of the holdings.

From the RAAF's perspective, they were locked into a 'bureaucratically orchestrated responsibility' as Australia's 'official governmental examiner' of UFO reports. While they may have allayed public fear and satisfied the government regarding defence implications, the RAAF appeared as confused and uncertain as civilian groups about how to handle provocative UFO sightings. The RAAF largely addressed this by ignoring the implications of 'unknown' cases and providing unlikely explanations.

"Unknowns" and "Impossibilities"

The term "unknown" in RAAF parlance evolved. In 1973, it could mean insufficient information, late submission of reports, or thorough investigation with no factual determination. By 1980, it was defined as reports unresolved due to insufficient information, late receipt, remote locations, or lack of current scientific knowledge. Approximately 1% of submitted reports were classified as non-attributable.

Many reports attracted 'unlikely explanations' from the RAAF, such as 'tornado-like meteorological phenomena' for close encounters at Willow Grove (1963), Vaucluse Beach (1965), and Tully (1966). 'Plasma' was a popular explanation around 1967, used for a close encounter near Burrenjuck Dam in 1967. The author contends these explanations showed little scientific inquiry but significant political and military myopia.

The Source of the RAAF "Impossibilities"

The quality of RAAF investigations drew criticism, notably from Dr. Claude Poher, who led France's GEPAN, the French equivalent to NASA. In 1976 correspondence, Dr. Poher found the 'possible causes' mentioned in RAAF summaries unacceptable. He cited an example of a sighting at Wickham, NSW, on April 4, 1975, of a 'silver object about the size of a cricket ball' being attributed to Venus, despite Venus being under the horizon at the time. He warned that publishing such documents without expert scientific review could lead to ridicule.

Speculation about the source of these 'impossibilities' points to an 'inside story' from someone working in Defence. This account, though controversial and difficult to substantiate, suggests that while America had an official attitude (like the Condon Report), the RAAF had no expectation of getting any other verdict. Their attitude was to 'quieten everything down' and 'be bland as possible', often being rude to witnesses and tending to ridicule them. The motivation was to appear competent for promotion and to avoid scrutiny from the public and politicians.

The article explains that in the 1960s, reports were released because Public Relations (DPR) was receiving queries and DAFI (likely the intelligence unit handling UFOs) had no answers. DPR then took the files and provided answers based on what the DPR man thought, often ill-thought explanations. The author notes that many sightings attributed to Venus were made when Venus was not visible.

An insider claims that a PR man concocted the UAS summaries for about ten years, with DAFI having little involvement. The overall impression was that the RAAF was 'bordering on a sham', not honest, with the purpose of allaying public fears and getting everyone off their back.

"Annual UAS Summaries" Evolution

The author confirms that part of the 'insider's' account aligns with the facts determined from files between 1982 and 1984. The severity of the claim about the 'honesty' of the exercise might be reconciled if the PR man created the summaries, possibly with limited information from DAFI, or with only a cursory reading of the files. The RAAF Intelligence officers' original investigations often included an 'explanation' in Part 2 of the report form, which may have formed the basis of the DPR summary.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently highlights a critical stance towards official UFO investigations, particularly those conducted by the RAAF. It points to a pattern of bureaucratic obfuscation, the use of weak or unsubstantiated explanations for sightings, and a perceived lack of scientific rigor. The article champions the need for thorough, honest investigation and criticizes the political and military motivations that may have influenced the handling of UFO reports, suggesting a desire to suppress information and avoid public or governmental scrutiny. The use of the term "unknown" and the explanations provided are presented as a key area of concern, revealing a systemic issue rather than isolated incidents.