Project Red Book vol 6 no 6

Magazine Overview

Title: PROJECT RED BOOK
Issue: Vol 6, #6
Date: February 2003
Publisher: YUFOS (Yorkshire UFO Society)
Country: UK
Price: £1:50

This issue of Project Red Book, published by the Yorkshire UFO Society, delves into various aspects of UFOlogy and paranormal phenomena. The cover prominently features "THE HUNT FOR \"THE BOLAM BEAST\"", an article detailing an investigation into sightings of a large, ape-like creature in Sherwood Forest.

Key Articles and Features

An Interview with Ray Fowler

The magazine includes an extensive interview with Raymond E. Fowler, a veteran investigator known for his work on the Andreasson Affair. Conducted by Dan Boudillion, the interview explores Fowler's views on the connection between family contact experiences, psychic abilities, and the nature of UFO entities. Fowler speculates that the 'Elders' and 'Watchers' might be bio-electric robots or transformed beings, and that abduction experiences may be linked to a deeper, possibly genetic, reason. He discusses the idea of UFOs as 'technology wed to spirit' and suggests that our understanding of reality might be limited by our perception of time as localized. Fowler also shares personal experiences, including a premonition of seeing himself in the future, which contributed to his acceptance of paranormal aspects of the UFO phenomenon. He emphasizes the importance of objectivity in UFO research and expresses his continued fascination with the mystery.

The Hunt for "The Bolam Beast"

This article, a preliminary report by Jonathan Downes and Richard Freeman (CFZ), details an investigation into sightings of a large, man-shaped creature in Bolam Lake Country Park, Northumberland, UK, occurring in January 2003. The investigation involved witness interviews, photographic mapping, and attempts to reconstruct sightings. A notable aspect of the investigation was the widespread failure of electronic equipment, suggesting the presence of unusual electromagnetic phenomena. Witnesses described intense fear and a large, dark shape moving in the woods. The report also touches upon the controversial figure of Ray Wallace, known for his Bigfoot hoaxes, and notes that the 'Bolam Beast' sightings occurred shortly after his death.

UFO's Sub Rosa: Part 3

This section, authored by Bill Chalker, examines the "1954 wave" of UFO sightings and the 'Secret Tumer Report'.

"Proof of Aliens" Goes on Show

This piece discusses the display of SOHO images, questioning whether they represent UFOs or comets.

The Jenny Randles Column

Jenny Randles addresses the reluctance of science to take UFOs seriously.

From Around the World...

This section provides brief reports on various phenomena, including a mystery in the sky above Loch Ness, a 'Big Cat' sighting, and an increase in Bigfoot sightings.

Editorial and Publication Details

Editor, Chairman & He-Who-Speaketh-The-Most: Dave Baker
Web-master, Group-secretary & Chauffeur: Richard Moss
They-Who-Printeth-The-Issues: Slater Publications 2003
Cover Illustration: Dave Baker
Treasurer: Jacqui Baker
Group Mascot: Lil' Matthew

Contributions are acknowledged from Dave Baker, Dan Boudillion, Jon Downes, Ray Fowler, Richard Freeman, and Jenny Randles. The magazine notes that articles and views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or YUFOS members. Contact details for subscriptions and reprinting are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of specific anomalous phenomena, such as the 'Bolam Beast' and historical UFO waves, and the broader philosophical and scientific implications of these events. There is a clear interest in exploring the paranormal aspects of UFO sightings, as evidenced by the interview with Ray Fowler and Jenny Randles's column. The publication appears to adopt an open-minded approach, encouraging researchers to be objective and consider high strangeness aspects of the UFO phenomenon. The editorial stance seems to be one of active investigation and open discussion of unexplained events, while acknowledging the potential for hoaxes and the need for critical analysis.

This issue of PRB magazine, dated February 2003 (Volume 6, Issue 6), compiles reports on UFOs, conspiracies, fortean, and paranormal events from around the world, with a significant focus on Australian UFO incidents from the 1950s. The publication, originating from Australia, features articles by Bill Chalker and Jenny Randles, alongside news items and eyewitness accounts.

The 1954 Wave: Australian Military & Government Role in the UFO Controversy (Part 3)

This extensive article by Bill Chalker details the 1954 'saucer invasion' of Victoria, Australia, a period marked by numerous UFO sightings. The author highlights an intriguing sighting on January 1st by Captain Douglas Barker, an experienced ANA pilot, who described a large, transparent, smoky object with a mushroom-shaped head and a tail, oscillating and travelling at high speed. Barker rejected the Department of Civil Aviation's (DCA) suggestion that it was a Convair aircraft, stating it was much larger and faster.

Barker's experience was supported by colleagues who had also witnessed similar phenomena but were afraid to report them. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) received a report of another 'flying mushroom' on January 15th in Mansfield, Victoria. This object was described as 150 feet wide and 60 feet high, with green lights and a whirring noise, observed for about 20 minutes.

The article also discusses the puzzling Malvern event on May 30th, where 'human-shaped shadows' were sighted in a 'flying football,' causing a media sensation. This event was investigated by a scientist who authored a secret report to the Directorate of Air Force Intelligence (DAFI).

The RAAF's stance evolved throughout 1954. Initially open-minded, a spokesman stated in January that they believed people were seeing something and hoped to find out what it was, with a high-ranking officer convinced of an 'Interplanetary source.' However, by May 31st, the RAAF Public Relations Officer, John Tyrrell, stated that while they couldn't discount reports from sane, seasoned pilots, they had no concrete evidence. A 'statement of RAAF policy' on UFO investigation was approved, indicating that reliable reports were subjected to further investigation, often in conjunction with meteorological services and the Government Astronomer.

Turner's findings, based on RAAF/DAFI files and Donald Keyhoe's USAF reports, suggested that UFOs might be extra-terrestrial. However, the US Air Force engaged in a campaign to discredit Keyhoe, which consequently reduced the impact of Turner's conclusions. The article notes that the material Keyhoe used was indeed from official Air Force reports.

Key Incidents and Investigations

Dandenong Encounter (June 5th, 1954): A classified DAFI report described an extraordinary close encounter involving two young girls, Janette Brown and Jeanette Johnston, who witnessed a large, dark, cylinder-shaped object with a canopy and windows. The object hovered silently, and the girls reported physical effects, including Janette's wristwatch stopping at 6.23 pm, her torch battery draining, and her handbag and belt clasps becoming magnetised. Neighbours complained of radio interference, though a government geologist attributed it to storms and pigeons.

Woomera Radar Case (May 5th, 1954): Radar at the Woomera rocket range facility detected a UFO described as a 'misty grey disc' at an altitude of over 60,000 feet, travelling at an estimated 3,600 mph. The object was observed visually by an English Electric scientist and a radar operator, and its movement was confirmed by radar. It was moving in formation with a Canberra bomber, though the bomber's crew could not see the UFO.

Gaelic-Speaking 'Ghost' Caught on Recording

This news report from The Scotsman (January 17, 2003) details how radio producer Debbie McPhail claims to have recorded a ghostly voice hissing 'Get out' or 'Go away' in Gaelic within Edinburgh's underground city. Mrs. McPhail, initially a skeptic, had no explanation for the voice, which was distinct from the presenter and Norrie Rowan, who owns a section of the underground city. Gordon Stewart from Mercat Tours suggested it could be the first actual evidence of psychic phenomena in the vaults. Psychologist Richard Wiseman noted that a third of subjects in his study reported experiences in the vaults, but suggested psychological effects due to the atmosphere. Dr. Paul Stevens cautioned that sounds in unmapped areas could be misinterpreted.

Mystery in the Sky Above Loch Ness

This report from The Inverness Courier (January 21, 2003) describes mystery lights observed above Loch Ness, Scotland. Residents and local astronomers are investigating the phenomenon. Liz Gresham, whose husband Ian first spotted the light around 1:30 am, described it as amazing, spinning, rotating, and hovering. The object appeared green on video but was actually bright blue, and it moved in unusual ways, sometimes appearing to descend but actually moving further away. The family is keeping an open mind about its origin, with some villagers suspecting a UFO. Maarten de Vries of Highlands Astronomical Society studied a video of the object and believes it is most likely man-made, as it was too low to be a celestial body.

'Proof of Aliens' Goes on Show

This BBC Online report (January 15, 2003) discusses an exhibition at the National Space Centre featuring images of flying saucers captured by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (Soho). UFO investigators, including Mike Murray of the UFO group Eurosciti, are convinced these are spacecraft flown by aliens, describing them as disc-shaped objects with a glow, pulsing lights, and intelligent movement. NASA initially dismissed the images as camera faults or natural phenomena like comets or asteroids but is now refusing to comment. Mr. Murray claims that enhancing the images proved they were not camera faults and that their independent movement and turns could not be explained by asteroids or comets.

A View From Britain: Science and Ufology

Jenny Randles' column discusses the challenges of integrating UFO phenomena into the scientific community. She highlights science's reliance on consistent, reproducible data and testable hypotheses, contrasting it with the data collection methods of ufologists. Randles argues that while ufologists gather compelling anecdotal evidence, scientists require physical parameters and verifiable data, such as electrostatic charge measurements and EM field strength, to investigate cases. She suggests that ufology and science could collaborate to establish protocols for identifying and investigating cases more effectively, potentially creating an 'early warning system' for physical evidence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena, government and military involvement in UFO investigations, and the challenges of scientific acceptance of such evidence. The magazine presents a clear stance in favour of investigating UFO reports seriously, highlighting eyewitness testimony and suggesting that some phenomena may indeed be extra-terrestrial or at least unexplained by conventional means. The articles emphasize the importance of detailed investigation and the potential for scientific collaboration, while also acknowledging the skepticism and hurdles faced by ufologists in gaining mainstream scientific acceptance.

PRB, Volume 6, Issue 6, dated February 2003, is a magazine focused on unexplained phenomena, with this issue featuring articles on big cat sightings, Bigfoot encounters, and a brief mention of UFOs. The cover headline highlights the ruling out of a big cat attack in a dog killing incident, while a secondary headline points to an increase in Bigfoot sightings.

Big Cat Ruled Out of Dog Killing

This article, dated January 29, 2003, from news.bbc.co.uk, reports that a dog killed in West Wales was not the victim of a big cat attack. Initial suspicions pointed to a black leopard, but tests on the dog's body and hairs found in its mouth revealed no leopard DNA. Rural Development Minister Michael German announced that the hairs were primarily from a dog, with some possibly from a badger, though the sample quality was insufficient for conclusive identification. The UK Government's central science laboratory in York conducted the research. Earlier post-mortem examinations had indicated a large predator, leading to further DNA tests by the assembly's Wildlife Advisory Unit. The incident followed a wave of big cat sightings in West Wales, including a farmer reporting a cat-like animal killing a whippet on his farm in Llangadog on January 3. Armed police had been involved in tracking the animal. Another sighting involved a female motorist seeing an animal cross the A40 near Llandeilo.

Bigfoot Sightings on the Increase

Reported by Angela Taylor from thisisscotland.co.uk on January 28, 2003, this article discusses a claimed increase in Bigfoot sightings across the UK, particularly in northern Scotland. Geoff Lincoln of British Hominid Research asserts there is a 'wealth of evidence' supporting the existence of these creatures, described as 6-10ft tall with long arms, large feet, and covered in hair, often exhibiting glowing eyes and a pungent odour. The article notes that UK encounters are reported with 'steady and unnerving regularity' despite the fear of ridicule. The Cairngorms, specifically Ben Macdhui, is highlighted as a location for sightings of the 'Big Grey Man' or 'Fear Liath More'. The creature is said to possess special powers and exude malign feelings that can cause panic. It is described as being up to 10ft tall with a large, ape-like head and can be heard or felt even when not seen. The article references an account from Professor Norman Collie, who claimed to have seen a creature on Ben Macdhui in 1891, and mentioned this in 1925.

Further accounts include Alexander Tewnion claiming to have shot at the beast in 1943. Sir Hugh Rankin and his wife reported meeting an 'olive-complexioned critter' in 1959, dressed in a robe and sandals, whom Sir Hugh described as a Bodhisattva. Sightings on Ben Macdhui are attributed to mountain panic, oxygen deprivation, mist, or the actual existence of the 'Big Grey Man'. Similar reports of 'mountain panic' are noted at other Scottish locations like Kilmuir, Staffin, Bioda Buidhe, and Skye. In 1970, Royal Navy submariners searched the Cairngorms for the creature without success. In 1994, two men in Torphins, Aberdeenshire, reported seeing a 6ft 6in, muscular beast with black hair and red glowing eyes.

Inquisitive Terrier Sniffs Out a Big Cat

This article from the West Morning News Cornwall, dated January 30, 2003, details a sighting in North Devon. Gill Douglas-Mann reported seeing a big cat, the size of a border collie, on her smallholding. Initially a cynic, she became convinced after her terrier, Jack, reacted to an animal in a hedgerow. The animal, described as jet black with a white bib, loped out of the hedge and ran off, exhibiting a distinctive feline gait. Mrs Douglas-Mann stated it was not a dog or a fox and was about thirty feet away. She believes these creatures are pumas or lynx that have adapted since new laws on dangerous pets were enacted. Trevor Beer, a WMN writer and big cat expert, noted that many reported black cats have a distinctive white bib marking and suggested the animal might be a hybrid of wild cats. The article also cites recent figures showing a significant increase in big cat sightings in the Westcountry in 2002, with Devon reporting 97 sightings (up from ten in 2001) and Cornwall reporting 44 (up from seven in 2001). Contact information for reporting sightings and Trevor Beer is provided.

Other Mentions

An initial quote from Mr de Vries expresses skepticism about extra-terrestrial visitation due to a lack of concrete evidence, suggesting UFOs are simply unidentified objects, possibly explainable by atmospheric conditions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers reports of unexplained phenomena, including cryptids (big cats, Bigfoot) and UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these accounts, often with a degree of skepticism or by presenting expert analysis to contextualize the claims. There is an emphasis on witness testimony and the investigation of such incidents, as seen in the big cat DNA testing and the historical accounts of the 'Big Grey Man'. The publication seems to aim to inform readers about ongoing reports and investigations into mysteries, while also acknowledging the lack of definitive proof in many cases.