1957 07 00 Royal Air Force Flying Review

Magazine Overview

Title: Flying Review
Issue Date: July 1957
Price: 30c.
Publisher: Royal Air Force
Cover Headline: PARIS AIR SHOW IN COLOUR!

This issue of Flying Review delves into the burgeoning mystery of 'Flying Saucers' over Britain, presenting it as a significant and deepening enigma. The cover prominently features a French Vautour jet, hinting at the aviation focus, but the prominent 'Saucers over Britain' investigation takes center stage within.

Saucers Over Britain: A Special Investigation

The lead article, penned by Geoffrey Norris, explores the increasing number of unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings in Britain. Norris recounts a specific incident at London Airport on March 22, 1957, where secretary Sheila Manning and other office staff observed a peculiar, shiny, metallic object with a distinct 'Yo-Yo' shape floating in the sky. Despite its unusual appearance and stationary behavior, radar and control tower staff reported nothing, leading to speculation about atmospheric effects, though witnesses dismissed this. The object eventually vanished behind a cumulus cloud without changing its apparent size or position.

Norris notes that this event occurred during a period of numerous similar reports across Britain, including a radar sighting at West Freugh, Scotland, mysterious explosions over Epsom and Glasgow, and reports of strange lights in the sky at Gravesend and Hendon. He highlights that while many sightings can be explained by mundane phenomena like balloons, meteors, or aircraft, a persistent core of reports remains unexplained.

The Origin of the 'Flying Saucer' Term

The article traces the origin of the term 'Flying Saucer' to Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting near Mount Rainier, Washington. Arnold described the objects' motion as 'saucers skipping across a pond,' a phrase quickly adopted by the press, leading to a global craze for 'saucer' reports.

Theories and Explanations

Norris discusses the wide array of individuals and groups who have offered explanations for UFOs, including spiritualists, occultists, and meteorologists. He expresses concern that the field has become so clouded by speculation that the public often dismisses it with skepticism. His investigation aims to determine if UFOs are uniquely American phenomena or if they occur globally, and whether they warrant serious consideration.

Notable Sightings and Investigations

The magazine details several specific incidents:

• Wardle, Lancashire (February 15, 1957): Mrs. Dorothy Fitton reported seeing a large, white disc, described as 'as big as a cartwheel,' with flashing red and white lights. It hovered and then moved off at a precise ninety-degree angle. Initially, the Air Ministry attributed this to balloons and flashing lights, but the man allegedly responsible denied any involvement, and witnesses insisted it was not a balloon.
• Essex (October 4, 1954): Flight Lieutenant J. R. Salandin, flying a Meteor fighter, reported seeing two small, silvery and gold objects, followed by a disc-shaped object with bulges that executed a sharp swerve to avoid a collision.
• Scandinavian Scientists (1954): A group of scientists observed several shining disc-like objects shadowing their aircraft.

The Role of 'Flying Saucer Review'

The article introduces 'Flying Saucer Review,' a magazine edited by the Hon. Brinsley le Poer Trench. Trench, a space salesman by profession, attempts to maintain objectivity while acknowledging his readers' desire for sensational news. The magazine features investigators like Jack Ibson and Wilfred Daniels, who believe UFOs have an interplanetary origin. Trench himself cites the incredible speeds and sharp maneuvers of UFOs as evidence that they are not of earthly origin, a view echoed by Professor Hermann Oberth, who suggests they are machines built elsewhere, capable of suppressing gravity.

Dr. Clifford Thornton and Gravity Theory

Dr. Clifford Thornton, a scientist and independent UFO investigator, is presented as someone who approaches the subject with a critical mind. He abhors the term 'Flying Saucer' and has developed theories related to gravity. Thornton classifies UFOs into fourteen categories, ranging from small discs to mile-long cigar-shaped objects. He posits that UFOs have a periodic frequency, with sightings peaking every 24 years, and suggests they might originate from other solar systems. He notes that while there's no positive evidence they come from outer space, available evidence suggests they are not from Earth.

Official Stance and Public Perception

The Air Ministry's official stance, as stated two years prior, was that about ninety percent of reports could be explained by known phenomena, with the remaining ten percent being unexplained due to insufficient data. In May 1957, the Secretary of State for Air, George Ward, confirmed that five objects had been sighted that year which could not be explained, compared to six in 1956 and none in 1955. The Ministry offered no further elaboration.

The article concludes that despite the efforts to explain away sightings or dismiss them as hoaxes, the UFO mystery persists, leaving the public both bemused and amused. It suggests that while many sightings might be misidentifications, a significant number remain genuinely unexplained.

Paris Air Show and Other News

The issue also includes coverage of the Paris Air Show, presented in colour, and a section on 'All the latest Air News,' indicating a broader focus on aviation beyond the UFO investigation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the UFO/Flying Saucer mystery, aviation news, and the scientific investigation of unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, attempting to present witness accounts and expert opinions objectively while acknowledging the prevalence of hoaxes and the skepticism surrounding the topic. The magazine encourages critical thinking but does not dismiss the possibility that some UFOs are genuinely unexplained and potentially of non-terrestrial origin.