Rapportnytt - 1979 no 5

Magazine Overview

Title: RAPPORTNYTT
Issue: 5
Volume: 1979
Publisher: Norsk UFO Center, Vestlandet
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian
Publication Frequency: 5 times a year
Subscription Price: Kr. 30.-

Editorial Content

This issue of Rapportnytt, published by the Norsk UFO Center, features a variety of UFO-related content, including reports from Norway and a summary of the International UFO Congress held in London.

Articles and Reports:

• Norske observasjoner (Norwegian Observations): This section details several UFO sightings reported in Norway.
• Namdalen, April 1970: Finn Køhler Syversen recounts an encounter where an object flew alongside his car at 100 km/h for about 100 meters. The object was described as oval, silver-blank, with an estimated diameter of 10 meters and a height of three meters. It was not identified as a conventional aircraft.
• Breidalen, Strynefjellsvegen, January 1, 1979: Birger Meland, a passenger in a car, witnessed sharp, white light flashes and a bright light in the sky. Initially mistaken for a plane or meteor, it was later described as a luminous object with a 'city emblem' shape, approximately 4/5 the size of the full moon. The observation lasted for a period, and the object moved in a way that ruled out conventional explanations.
• Bergen, various dates in 1979: Kjell A. Brekke, an amateur astronomer, reported multiple observations. One incident involved a luminous object near Ursa Major, described as crystal-white with a corona, which moved, stopped, and changed direction over 30 minutes. Another sighting described a disc-shaped object in the northeast that moved slowly, stopped, and then accelerated rapidly, changing color. A third observation noted a bright white light in the northwest that pulsed and disappeared behind a cloud layer.
• Bergen, August 1, 1979: Kjell Arne Brekke reported a "mini-wave" of sightings, including a clear white light moving in a northeastern course, which appeared to orient itself before disappearing.
• Unnamed Location, August 1979: Constanse Blom, her sister Birgitte, and Knut Ljosland witnessed two luminous objects. One object moved in a yellow-orange arc, while the second disappeared behind a tree group.
• "Pressebrev" om "UFO-svev" (Press Letter about "UFO Hovering"): This section likely contains a press release or article discussing UFO hovering phenomena.
• Rapport fra Finland (Report from Finland): A report detailing UFO observations from Finland.
• Fra Canada og USA (From Canada and USA): A section covering UFO reports from Canada and the United States.
• Nærkontakt med fjernstyrt UFO? (Close Contact with a Remote-Controlled UFO?): This article explores the possibility of close encounters with remotely operated UFOs.
• Havarerte UFO-fartøy, forts. fra forr. nr. (Crashed UFO Craft, cont. from previous issue): This is a continuation of an article discussing crashed UFOs.
• Forfulgt av UFO - England (Pursued by UFO - England): An account of a UFO pursuit incident in England.

Congress Report:

• Kongress (Congress): The issue briefly mentions the International UFO Congress held in London on August 26-27. While a full report is deferred to "Internt UFO Forum," it highlights Dr. J. Allen Hynek's keynote address on developing a classification system for UFO phenomena. A working group, "The International Working Party Over The UFO-Question," was formed. The congress decided to replace the word 'object' with 'phenomenon' but retain 'UFO'. The editorial notes that this change does not solve the UFO mystery.

Editorial Notes:

• The editorial section discusses the upcoming year (1980) and potential price increases, but confirms that the subscription price for Rapportnytt will remain Kr. 30.00. Readers are encouraged to make larger contributions if they are able.
• The magazine expresses a desire for readers to continue their subscription and wishes them a Happy New Year.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and encounters, with a focus on reports from Norway. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into UFO phenomena, as evidenced by the detailed reports and the coverage of the International UFO Congress. The Norsk UFO Center aims to be an official source of information, as stated in the masthead. There is a clear interest in classifying and understanding these events, as highlighted by the discussion of Dr. Hynek's work. The magazine also shows a commitment to its readers by maintaining the subscription price and encouraging support.

This issue of Rapportnytt, identified by volume number 300979/1 and issue number 10, focuses on UFO sightings and related phenomena. The cover headline, 'Lysende gjenstander krysser Leirvik,' highlights a key report from the Leirvik area. The publication date is implied to be around September 30, 1979, based on the first article's date.

Sightings in Norway

Leirvik, Stord

The lead article details a sighting by Magne Matre on Sunday morning, September 30th. He observed four luminous objects approaching from different directions at a high altitude (approximately 40 degrees). He initially spotted a yellowish object coming from the south, moving at high speed without sound and with constant brightness, eventually disappearing over the horizon. Shortly after, three more objects appeared simultaneously, moving at the same speed but from different directions before also disappearing.

Stein Stendahl from Vest provided a comment, suggesting that at least one of the objects could have been a UFO, noting that Norway had no known satellites moving from east to west, which would align with the observed direction of rotation.

Stokke

Another report from Stokke, dated September 30th, involves Tron Olav Hotvedt and Mathias Hansen. They observed a light blue object at 11:00 PM that moved rapidly in various directions. They described it as a light in the sky that moved quickly and erratically.

Valnesfjord, Kåsmo

This section, reported by Dag Ove Johansen/Nord, covers events on September 11th and 20th, 1979. Fru N.N., visiting her daughter and son-in-law in Kåsmo, Valnesfjord (near Bodø), reported a strange experience on the night of September 11th. Around midnight, a powerful beam of light entered her bedroom window. She saw a flame-like object, described as a welding flame, outside the window. The flame was yellowish in the center and reddish at the edges. A greenish beam emanated from this object and entered the room through the window vent. After hearing a humming sound, the beam swept around and seemed to come from a neighboring house before disappearing quickly. The entire event lasted 10-15 seconds. She later felt a slight discomfort. Her clock showed 5:30 AM when she woke up, but her daughter's clock indicated 3:30 AM, and her daughter's clock was 2:30 AM, suggesting a possible time anomaly.

Later, on September 20th, Gunhild Andersen, a neighbor, reported an experience. During a storm around 00:30 AM, she saw a sharp white light inside the chimney. The entire chimney appeared illuminated from within. A powerful light beam with a reddish-yellow ball at its tip shot out from the vent and into the room, moving rapidly back and forth before retracting into the chimney. This lasted 7-8 seconds. She also noted that the sound of sheep outside, which had been audible before and after the event, ceased during the phenomenon. She felt a tingling sensation in her shoulders before the light appeared.

Further details from the Kåsmo incident include reports of electrical disturbances: an electric wall clock in house (5) stopped at 00:00, an el-clock in house (7) also stopped at 00:00, and a tractor battery in a garage (3) was found completely drained. The clocks did not resume normal function until September 11th or 12th.

An unusual mark was found on the wall above Fru NN's bed, described as an irregular brownish-yellow spot with two faint greyish soot streaks, as if the final paint layer had been burned off.

Other Norwegian Reports

Several other brief reports from Norway are included:

• Tønsberg Blad (September 21): A UFO over Tjøme emitted regular light and powerful flashing lights towards the ground. It blinked twice over Sandefjord before passing Tjøme.
• Bergens Arbeiderblad (October 25): A luminous object was observed over Hordaland and Rogaland, described as an 'Orionidene' phenomenon, which exploded with a bright flash, possibly a Kosmos satellite burning up in the atmosphere.
• Sunnhordland (October 26): A bright object, described as yellow-green, was seen over Bømlalandet.
• Agderposten (October 26): An article titled 'De gåtefulle UFO'er' by Hans Aass.

Sightings in Sweden

Gallo, Sweden

Lars Edler from Bergvik, Gallo, reported an observation on September 20th. While in his yard, he saw an intense light from an object about 100-150 meters up. The object, with a strong reddish light, moved from east towards Revsundssjøen. It illuminated the forest and a large area around the lake. The object changed course and disappeared northeast. Edler noted it moved silently and maintained a consistent altitude. He estimated its size to be between that of the moon and stars. The observation lasted at least five minutes.

Ten minutes later, Anna Person and her 15-year-old son in Hackås witnessed a similar phenomenon: a silent object gliding through the air, emitting a strong light. They perceived it as a round sphere.

Further details from the Gallo sighting indicate the object moved towards Østersund at an altitude of 100-150 meters, illuminating a forest 600-700 meters away. The observers could not hear any sound from the object. Other witnesses, Inez and Bengt Rehnstedt, also saw the object, noting it was followed by a smaller luminous object beneath it.

Køping, Västmanland, Sweden

On August 21, 1978, three women (two nurses and a priest's wife) near Køping observed the numbers '1986' appearing in the sky. They described the numbers as faint blue-grey mist against a clear blue sky, with a red field visible below the numbers. The numbers were clearly visible and estimated to be about three decimeters in size. The women were perplexed, wondering if it was a religious message. This phenomenon was noted as being similar to ones observed abroad but possibly the first in Sweden.

Åkers Styckebruk, Södermanland, Sweden

On February 17, 1978, Fru Irene Lindstrøm reported a close encounter. She first saw a very bright, lamp-like object with white light about a kilometer away, visible for 30-45 seconds. Later, about a kilometer further on, a larger object appeared about 100-150 meters above her, moving from the northeast. It emitted a steady light of various colors and was estimated to be 25-30 meters in diameter, with no wings or protruding parts. She heard a sound similar to wind blowing through a pine forest, combined with a faint whistling tone. The object's shape was triangular with rounded corners, and it had three dark, round modules on its underside. The entire observation lasted 10-15 seconds before the object passed over and disappeared behind buildings.

Broader UFO Topics

Press Briefings on UFOs

This section compiles various newspaper clippings and reports related to UFOs:

• Norsk Ukeblad (July 31, 1979): An article about American Bill Herrmann being taken aboard a UFO by small beings and recounting his experience under hypnosis.
• Gudbransdølen and Lågen Tidene (September 5): An interview with Per Ottesen, county leader of NUFOC, about a UFO meeting in London.
• Ny Dag (August 24, Danish): Karl Ewald Hansen and his mother reported seeing a metallic object flying in their garden and then ascending rapidly.
• Bergens Arbeiderblad (September 5): Employees at 'Jul i Nor' claimed to have seen a flat object moving east.
• Verdens Gang (September 19): Police in Bavaria reported that at least ten officials observed three flying objects disappearing at high speed.
• Søndags Aktuelt (Danish, September 16): A report on a possible alien spacecraft orbiting Earth, with Russian scientists suggesting a non-terrestrial origin for a craft that supposedly exploded two years before Sputnik.
• Telemark Arbeiderblad (September 20): Girls in Porsgrunn reported seeing a UFO.
• Bergens Arbeiderblad (October 25): A luminous object, possibly a Kosmos satellite burning up, was observed over Hordaland and Rogaland.
• Bergens Tidende (October 25): Identified a fireball as a meteor shower.
• Sunnhordland (October 26): Reported a bright, yellow-green object over Bømlalandet.

NASA Expert's Warning

An article from Bergens Arbeiderblad (October 31) features James Oberg, a NASA engineer, who warned that UFO enthusiasts were damaging their own credibility by using unscientific methods. He urged them to adopt more serious approaches to potentially contribute to a better understanding of the universe. The article also questions the legitimacy of various UFO organizations.

Other Reports

• Verdens Gang (November 3): A brief mention of the 'Espervær imprint' and a 'stillborn article'.
• Bergens Tidende (November 12): Divers reportedly hid a 'sky stone' (iron meteorite) in Svanevatnet when a photographer arrived.
• Bergens Tidende (November 14): A large fireball was observed near Bodø by a Widerøe flight.
• Bergens Arbeiderblad (November 13): Refuted the claim of a meteorite in Svanevatnet.
• Morgenavisen (November 13): A Spanish passenger plane with 109 people on board made an emergency landing in Valencia after its captain reported being followed by a UFO.
• BT (November 15): A more detailed account of the Spanish plane incident, where the pilot, Francisco Lerdo de Tejada, described being pursued by a UFO and descending rapidly. The Spanish Minister of Transport ordered an investigation and stated he believed in UFOs.
• BT (November 19): Two women in Modalen observed an object in the sky, estimated at 500-600 meters altitude, emitting shifting colors and moving slowly for 10 minutes before disappearing rapidly to the east. No sound was reported.

Notable Quote

"Det vi lett glemmer er at den som er autoritet på ett felt ikke nødvendigvis behøver være det på et eller for den saks skyld, på flere andre. Med andre ord, vi lytter kanskje for ofte til folk som egentlig ikke vet noe mer om saken enn vi selv".

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, luminous objects, and unexplained aerial phenomena, primarily reported from Norway and Sweden. There is a consistent focus on witness testimonies, descriptions of object characteristics (shape, color, behavior, speed, altitude), and associated physical or electromagnetic effects. The magazine also includes reports on broader UFO-related news, such as expert opinions and alleged encounters. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and reporting of these phenomena, presenting witness accounts and expert commentary without overt skepticism, though it does include a report on a NASA expert's caution regarding UFOlogy methods. The inclusion of detailed witness reports, illustrations, and references to other publications suggests an effort to document and analyze UFO events thoroughly.

This issue of Suomen Ufotutkijat ry., identified as volume 20 and issue 2/79, focuses on UFO research in Finland and presents various international UFO cases. The cover headline highlights 'UFO-forskningen i Finland' (UFO research in Finland).

UFO Activity in Finland

The issue reports a quiet period for UFO activity in Finland during the second quarter of 1979. UFO research in Finland received 12 UFO reports, with only 2 occurring within the reported period. Four incidents were classified as UFOs, but they had taken place before this quarter. Media coverage of UFO events also saw a significant drop, with only 22 articles and radio broadcasts, a stark contrast to the preceding period where the number was five times higher. The article notes that since the spring of 1975, there have been no further significant UFO incidents in Finland. It addresses the criticism that UFO phenomena are simply mass hysteria created by the media, but argues that the collected material does not support this hypothesis, citing the lack of increased UFO reports in Finland despite a media surge from Australia and New Zealand in January.

The Finnish UFO research community held its traditional summer meeting for members in Kuhmoinen, Central Finland, from June 15-17, 1979. The program included lectures on laboratory studies of Finnish UFO fragments, the UN's UFO debate, the development of international cooperation, field research, parapsychological perspectives on UFO research, and the first Finnish UFO film.

International UFO Cases

Canada: Montreal Sighting

Two men, Jaques Lavoie (30) and Richard Huot (36), from the district around Ile Perrot, reported a frightening close encounter of the first kind. They claimed to have been camping near Lake Baskatong, about 320 km northwest of Montreal, when a bright, glowing object crashed from the sky, causing them to flee in panic. Upon returning, they found the object hovering silently over the water. They photographed the object with a 35mm camera. The resulting grainy photos show an unclear, oval-shaped object in a black background, with a faint outline of trees and the lake surface visible. Lavoie and Huot stated the object was visible for about 30 seconds. Marc Leduc from UFO Quebec expressed interest in analyzing the photos to prove or disprove the observation. The report is attributed to The Toronto Sun, March 15, 1979.

USA: Winnetka Sighting

On February 3rd, 1979, Steve Story from Skokie reported seeing a UFO over the parking lot of an A&P store in Winnetka, Illinois, around 5:40 AM. While drinking his morning coffee in his parked car, he noticed a light moving east. Initially thinking it was a plane, he observed it getting closer. He described three square windows, resembling stained glass, each about 5x6 feet. The object emitted white light from its windows and was square-fronted, becoming elongated towards the rear. It passed directly overhead at about 500 meters, making no sound. Story exited his car to get a better look. The object's lights then changed: the three lights disappeared, and two round red lights appeared on the underside, one on each side of the craft. Story then drove to the police station, but by the time the police arrived, there was nothing to see. Allan Hendry from the UFO Center in Evanston suggested the report sounded like a plane taking off from O'Hare Airport, noting that descriptions of lights can be mistaken for UFOs. However, Story insisted the object was much larger than a plane and made no sound. A similar observation was reported in Wilmette on February 2nd, involving light formations. The center considered this likely a plane as well.

USA: Kentucky Close Encounter (Third Kind)

This section details a reported close encounter of the third kind in Prospect, Kentucky. A 20-year-old man, identified only as 'Jeff' to protect his identity, claims to have had an encounter inside an alien spaceship. The Center for Unidentified Flying Objects Studies in Evanston, Illinois, documented this as one of only three international third-kind encounters in 1977. Jeff recounted that under hypnosis, he recalled being pulled from his jeep towards the spaceship. He described the interior as a brightly lit circular room, about 20 feet in diameter and 20 feet high. He saw three 'machines': a large black one (15-20 feet long, rough surface) on the left, a smaller red one on the right, and a white one (6 feet high) filled with glowing light in front. He felt unable to move and experienced pain when touched by the machines, particularly the black one. The red machine was ordered by the white machine to touch him, feeling like a needle prick on his temple and shoulder. The machines then moved up and down his body before merging and disappearing. The entire spaceship vibrated. Jeff's eyes were bloodshot and inflamed for days, and he experienced soreness where he was touched. His mother confirmed his feet were cracked and bruised for weeks, and he suffered from cold sweats and vomiting for months. Allan Hendry, editor of The International UFO Reporter, stated that 90% of UFO reports are worthless. Investigations with local airports found no unusual radar activity. Hendry noted that while many people can be hypnotized to recall details, few exhibit the profound emotional response Jeff did.

England: 'The Krankies' UFO Encounter

Ian and Janette Tough, known for their appearance on the BBC's New Year's show 'The Krankies', reported a strange encounter while flying to Glasgow. During a flight from Darlington, their plane's instruments malfunctioned due to a snowstorm. They then heard a buzzing sound and saw strange blue and red lights appear in front of them, which grew louder and moved directly overhead. They described a long, oval-shaped, shiny white object hovering above their plane. The pilot, who had never seen anything like it, was followed by the UFO for about five minutes before it disappeared in a flash of blue and red light. The report is from 'The Sunday Post', January 7, 1979.

Historical Context and Theories

The 'Dr. Gee' Case and 'Project Saucer'

This section delves into the history of UFO research, referencing 'Dr. Gee', a geomagnetism specialist who reportedly worked for a wealthy oil magnate in the Mojave Desert in 1949. Dr. Gee allegedly had access to crashed flying saucers and their components. The narrative suggests a lack of official interest, as 'Project Saucer' was allegedly shelved in early 1950, with consistent denial and tightened security measures. Scientists were reportedly discouraged from speaking out due to government influence over research funding.

Silas M. Newton and Public Lectures

Despite the official stance, Scully and the oil magnate, Silas M. Newton, continued to explore the topic. In March 1950, Newton gave an anonymous guest lecture at the University of Denver for the 'Elementary Science Class' to gauge public reaction to UFO information. The lecture reportedly convinced 50% of the attendees, a higher success rate than a simultaneous national survey which showed 26% belief.

J.P. Cahn's Article and Skepticism

Following this, an article by J.P. Cahn in 'True' magazine is mentioned as having quickly dispelled public belief. Cahn's article allegedly focused on attacking individuals, particularly Newton, rather than addressing the core claim of crashed flying saucers. This led to a period where researching or writing about crashed saucers and their crews became unpopular, effectively ending that line of inquiry.

Later Developments and 'Small Men' Theories

The narrative notes that new theories emerged, such as those involving other dimensions and psychological explanations. The 'small men in crashed saucers' theory saw a brief resurgence in 1976 when two film companies considered making movies about it, but both abandoned the idea.

Leonard H. Stringfield's New Evidence

Leonard H. Stringfield, a long-time UFO researcher and former PR man for NICAP, announced in 1978 that he had new evidence concerning crashed UFOs and their occupants. This announcement, made at a MUFON symposium in Dayton, Ohio, surprised ufologists. The author, Gray Barker, expresses his opinion on the matter. He believes Stringfield's move was politically unwise, as UFOology was shifting from 'screw-and-nut' interplanetary thinking to the 'new wave' of alternative theories. Stringfield's claim of physical evidence of extraterrestrial craft and occupants did not fit the 'new wave' narrative and was still tainted by the controversy surrounding the earlier Scully case. Barker acknowledges Stringfield's intelligence, courage, and integrity, noting his ability to maintain a position among established figures. He suggests that Stringfield's data, gathered from diverse sources, appears to support Scully's account. Barker expresses a personal skepticism towards the extraterrestrial origin of UFOs, having discussed alternative theories in his own work. However, he concedes that Stringfield's involvement lends weight to the claims, especially since Stringfield was instrumental in bringing the UFO phenomenon to widespread public attention when NICAP was hesitant to discuss humanoid sightings.

Stringfield's early 'little men' reports are still generally accepted today, provided they are not linked to crashed or hijacked craft. Barker suggests that while Stringfield's evidence might be credible, it should be approached with caution ('klype salt') and that the reports, some dating up to the 1970s, deserve public attention.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed accounts of UFO sightings and alleged encounters, historical reviews of UFO research and theories, and the presentation of new evidence by prominent researchers. The magazine appears to maintain a stance of presenting various UFO-related information and witness testimonies, while also acknowledging skepticism and the need for critical analysis. The editorial approach seems to favor exploring controversial topics and historical cases, encouraging readers to consider different perspectives on the UFO phenomenon. The translation of articles from various international sources indicates a broad scope of coverage.