Saucer Album

Magazine Overview

Title: Saucer Album
Issue: Vol. 1, Issue 5
Date: February 16, 1967
Publisher: The United Research Council of UFOlogy
Country: Australia
Editor: Allen Greenfield
Managing Editor: Ricky Hilberg

This issue of Saucer Album presents a collection of articles and reports concerning unidentified flying objects (UFOs), often referred to as "flying saucers." The magazine aims to inform both the general public and UFO investigators about the latest developments, historical context, and evidence related to these phenomena. It adopts a critical stance towards official explanations, particularly those from the U.S. Air Force, alleging a deliberate cover-up of credible evidence.

Jumping Cows! It's a "saucer"

This article details an incident reported by dairy farmer Mr. Charlie Brew from Willow Grove, near Moe, Australia. Early one morning, while milking his cows, Brew and his son Trevor witnessed an object described as a "saucer" approximately 25 feet wide with a band of glass or plastic around its circumference and numerous protrusions. The object descended slowly, then shot off at high speed. The event caused a horse and the herd of cows to panic. Brew, who admitted to previously dismissing UFO reports, swore this was a real experience.

The Unidentified Flying Objects as Seen by the Camera and the Press

This section likely serves as a general statement of the magazine's focus, highlighting that the content will cover UFOs as observed and reported by photographic evidence and media coverage.

SPEAKING OUT LOUD: editorial

The editorial addresses the common news item "Mystery Object Over Hawaii" and "Flying Object Unidentified," noting that UFOs are frequently reported worldwide. It highlights a dispute over the nature of these objects – whether they are controlled space ships or mere optical illusions. The editorial criticizes the U.S. Air Force for publicly stating UFOs are not real, while a group of private investigators claims they are real and that the Air Force knows this to be true. The magazine's purpose, Saucer Album, is stated as informing the public by presenting articles on the latest developments and historical aspects of UFO sightings.

Subscription Information

Details are provided for subscribing to Saucer Album, with subscriptions available for $1.30 per year (4 issues) or 35¢ per issue on newsstands. The mailing address for subscriptions is provided: Ricky Hilberg, 3403 West 119th Street, Cleveland 11, Ohio, U.S.A.

Advertising Rates

Rates for classified ads, 1/2 page ads, 1/4 page ads, and full page ads are listed.

Publisher Information

Saucer Album is published quarterly by The United Research Council of UFOlogy. Allen Greenfield is the Editor, and Ricky Hilberg is the Managing Editor. A $10.00 prize is awarded for the best article published each issue. Articles should be at least two pages long, and no payment is offered other than this prize.

The Reality Of The UFOS

This article by Ed Babcock, Director of NJAAP, argues that the U.S. Air Force has been deliberately debunking UFO sightings to hide the truth from the public. Babcock suggests two primary reasons for this government withholding of information: first, to prevent public panic and enable defensive actions in case of an invasion; and second, due to military "classification" of potentially important information. He contends that the government itself, as a political agency, is not hiding facts, but rather the military is controlling the release of information concerning UFOs. Babcock asserts that the public has the right to know and that much of the "secret" information is already available in published books. He cites the Kenneth Arnold sighting in 1947 as the beginning of widespread UFO reports.

The Kenneth Arnold Sighting (1947)

The article recounts the Kenneth Arnold sighting on June 24, 1947, where he reported seeing nine shiny, disc-shaped objects flying at an estimated speed of 1,000 MPH or more. This report gained significant media attention. Another witness, a Portland building contractor, reported seeing similar objects and noted that his compass wavered wildly.

Air Force Response and Public Bewilderment

Following Arnold's report, sightings poured in from across North America and at sea. The Air Force, tasked with evaluating these reports, was reportedly bewildered. Initial announcements stated a check was being made, but a later statement on July 4 claimed the mystery was solved and everyone was experiencing hallucinations. This was met with skepticism, especially as thousands of people in Portland reported seeing strange discs that same day. The article mentions an experience of a United Airlines crew who observed five wingless discs move into their path, followed by four more, all moving at high speeds.

The Saucers Through the Eyes of the Press (Part 1.)

This section presents newspaper coverage of early saucer sightings in June and July 1947, focusing on the Kenneth Arnold incident as the "first" widely reported UFO sighting.

Lone Flier Only One to Sight Big Objects in Western Sky (June 26, 1947)

This is a newspaper clipping detailing Kenneth Arnold's sighting. It reports skepticism from Army and CAA spokesmen regarding the speed of the objects. Arnold described them as "flat like a pie pan" and shiny, moving with a weaving motion. An army spokesman commented that nothing known flies that fast except a V-2 rocket. A civil aeronautics administration inspector expressed doubt about the reported speed.

Story of Chase in the Sky

This article recounts an eyewitness account by Captain E. J. Smith of United Airlines, who chased a group of strange objects over Boise, Idaho, on Friday night, July 6, 1947. Smith and his co-pilot, Ralph Stevens, were warned by the tower to look out for "Flying Saucers." They observed four or five "somethings," one larger than the rest, in partial light. They followed the objects for about 45 miles northwest. The tower attendant and a stewardess confirmed seeing them. The objects disappeared in a burst of speed, outspeeding their DC-3 airliner, which was traveling at 185 mph.

'Saucers' May Be Radio-Run; P-80 Stands by for Chase

This article discusses the ongoing mystery of flying saucers, with at least one scientific observer, Dr. Gerhard Kuiper of Yerkes Observatory, suggesting they might be radio-controlled and man-made. He dismissed the possibility of them being astronomical bodies like meteors. The article also mentions that the Air Force had a P-80 fighter plane on standby at Muroc army air base for a chase if a saucer appeared. Other reports include a farmer finding an object resembling the discs, which an army officer identified as a weather-reporting device, and speculation from a Manhattan Project scientist that the saucers were interplanetary vehicles from Mars.

The Reality Of The UFOS (Continued)

Air Force Secrecy and Misinformation

Major Donald E. Keyhoe is quoted stating that the Air Force possesses secret motion pictures of flying saucers that prove they are interplanetary craft. These were reportedly taken by Navy warrant officer Delbert C. Newhouse in July 1952 over Tremonton, Utah. Despite some Air Force officers urging a public showing, the plan was reportedly killed. The Utah film shows 16 bluish-white objects, described as round and oval-shaped. After analysis, the Air Force and Navy concluded the saucers were not aircraft of any known type. Keyhoe criticizes the Air Force for debunking sightings, suggesting that a jet fighter pilot's radar locking onto an object and chasing it at high speed cannot be explained away as a weather balloon. Similarly, movies taken by a naval officer of disc-shaped objects maneuvering at speeds exceeding 900 MPH are difficult to reconcile with Air Force statements that such objects were merely seagulls.

High Speeds and Advanced Technology

The article highlights the incredible speeds reported for UFOs, with some clocked at 42,000 MPH in the atmosphere, and notes that the U.S. is spending significant sums trying to replicate the performance of these objects whose existence they officially deny. The Air Force's technique for handling UFO reports is described as a "divide-and-conquer" system, using phony explanations to mislead the public. Two examples are given: the "multiple-explanation" type, offering conflicting solutions, and the "roundabout pressure" maneuver, where pressure is applied through officials of organizations like railroads or airlines to silence witnesses.

Case Examples and Evidence

Several cases are presented:

• Case 1 (December 6, 1952): A B-29 flying toward Florida detected three UFOs on radar at 5,240 MPH. More UFOs appeared, with two described as "blurs of blue light." One large blip merged with a smaller one and accelerated to 9,000 MPH.
• Case 2 (July 14, 1952): First and second officers of an airline flight approaching Norfolk, Va., saw six bright objects. The leader slowed, and others appeared to overrun it. The objects were described as red hot coals with defined edges, moving at an estimated speed of 6,000 - 12,000 miles per hour. These cases are officially released by the Air Force and describe vehicles intelligently controlled, defying known laws of physics and suggesting a power source that is not aerodynamic.

Secret Projects and Endangerment of Pilots

If UFOs were secret projects, the Air Force would be informed and could stop investigations. However, the article suggests money is being lost and American pilots are being endangered.

• Case 1 (August 1, 1952): Maj. James B. Smith and 1st Lt. Don Hemer pursued a glowing object over Dayton, Ohio. The object changed color, was confirmed as solid, and disappeared "into space at a high rate of speed." A cloak of secrecy was imposed, and photographs of the pilots were banned.
• Case 2 (Late 1952): Ground observers in Rockford, Ill., reported a UFO that was fired upon by jets, causing it to explode. A smaller object exited and disappeared straight up. Witnesses were warned to remain silent. The article questions the logic of jets firing on American secret weapons.

UFOs and Restricted Areas

The article notes that UFOs do not respect restricted areas or airline routes, making it unlikely they are secret missiles from any nation, as such experiments would not risk flying over populated cities or endangering thousands of people. Evidence includes:

• Case 1 (November 21, 1950): Residents of Pasco watched a huge cigar-shaped vessel soar over the restricted Hanford Atomic Works for eight minutes.
• Case 2 (July 1952): Scores of UFOs were tracked by radar over Washington, D.C. They exhibited fantastic speeds and right-angle turns, hovering over the White House, Capitol Building, and Pentagon. They were observed by pilots, personnel on the ground, and radar at three stations. When American craft entered the area, the UFOs left, returning when the craft departed.

Interplanetary Vehicles and Air Force Denial

Witnesses, including engineers and a former Navy pilot, observed a "red trail" followed by a small luminescent white circular object that moved erratically and then leveled off, traveling soundlessly at about 15,000 feet. Through a telescope, it appeared as a disc or sphere. Its speed was estimated at 36,000 MPH, and it was observed to be under intelligent control. The article concludes that UFOs operate in outer space and are likely interplanetary vehicles, citing a 1947 Top Secret Estimate of the Situation by ATIC, publicly confirmed by Capt. Edward J. Ruppelt. However, high Air Force officials now deny the document's existence, despite NICAP having proof. The magazine calls for the Air Force to open its investigation files to the public, arguing that if UFOs are a menace, the public has a right to know.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Saucer Album are the widespread reports of UFO sightings, the alleged cover-up and misinformation campaign by the U.S. Air Force, and the presentation of evidence suggesting that UFOs are real, intelligently controlled craft, possibly of interplanetary origin. The editorial stance is clearly pro-UFO investigation and critical of official denials, advocating for transparency and public awareness regarding the phenomenon. The magazine positions itself as a source of information for those seeking the truth about UFOs, challenging conventional explanations and official narratives.

This issue of 'Flying Saucer' from July 7, 1947, is primarily focused on the widespread reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), commonly referred to as 'flying saucers,' that were captivating the public's attention across the United States and Canada.

Cover Story: 'Flying Discs' Dime a Dozen, Are Worth $3,000 in the Hand

The cover story details the surge in 'flying saucer' sightings. Despite numerous reports, there were no takers for a $3,000 reward for a genuine flying saucer. The state Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in Milwaukee decided to take action by scheduling a mass flight of approximately 250 planes to try and track the objects. However, many pilots, like those in Madison, remained skeptical. The article highlights specific sightings, including those by Kenneth Jones and Capt. R. J. Southey in Wisconsin, who saw rapidly-moving disks. Lieutenant Colonel Harry Schaeger, the CAP wing commander in Milwaukee, ordered the mass flight after these reports. Three college students from Milton, Wisconsin—Paul Schroeder, John Potts, and Harris Buros—reported seeing three flying discs in a V-formation. Schroeder described the objects as circular, rotating, and leaving a vapor trail, estimating their size as that of a basketball from about 10 miles away at an altitude of 4,000 feet.

Dr. Reginal Jackson of the Madison Civil Air Patrol learned of the alert and humorously suggested bringing a shotgun. Meanwhile, army air and ground forces were investigating the reports with an open mind.

Scientific and Official Reactions

In Madison, scientists expressed caution. Professor Harry Harlow of the University of Wisconsin's psychology department suggested that natural phenomena could be misinterpreted and that the reports might stem from curiosity or publicity-seeking. He noted that while one can never be entirely sure, suspicion is warranted. Meteorologists at the North Hall weather station were awaiting information from larger bureaus in Washington and Chicago to find patterns or explanations. George Jenkins reported that some people might be seeing 'ball lightning,' but noted that many 'saucers' were spotted in fair weather. Astronomers insisted the objects were not meteors, and officials at the Washburn Observatory were reluctant to discuss the matter.

The mystery of the saucers also gained international attention, with reports from parts of Canada and Mexico. A Mexican national defense ministry spokesman expressed disbelief. In Sydney, Australia, psychology professor F. S. Cotton encouraged students to look for flying saucers, but a subsequent explanation suggested they might have seen 'red corpuscles moving across the retinas of your eyes.'

'Disc' Sighted Near Madison by Professor

This article by Betty Cass details a sighting by Professor E. B. McGilvary, an emeritus professor of philosophy at the University of Wisconsin. About three weeks prior to the reports, while leaving Mrs. Mary North's home, he saw a round, illuminated object in the sky moving rapidly from southwest to northeast. He initially thought it was a large meteor but realized it wasn't leaving a light trail and didn't have the fiery quality of a meteor. It appeared illuminated and moved across the sky before disappearing behind trees. Professor McGilvary, being reticent about publicity, only shared his experience after much persuasion when the 'flying saucer' stories became prominent.

Saucer Just Didn't Fit Editor's Idea of Scoop

Richard L. Bitters, editor of the Wapakoneta Daily News, is described as the 'nation's most embarrassed saucer-scer.' He and his wife had seen flying objects on June 23, two days before the initial Pacific Northwest reports, but he delayed reporting it for two weeks, apparently lacking the nerve to publish the scoop.

Army Ready for New Flying Saucer' Search

This section reports on the army's readiness for another air search for 'flying saucers,' which had been reported in 31 states and parts of Canada. Army pilots were equipped with telescopic cameras. Despite a Sunday search by 11 army planes in the Pacific Northwest, no trace of the discs was found. Five persons reported sightings in Janesville and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but none in Madison. Capt. Tom Brown, an army air force spokesman, stated that the army was trying to understand the reports, not dismissing them as mere illusions or hoaxes, but also not dismissing the possibility of a hoax. The Rev. Joseph Brasky reported finding a metal disc in his yard, which was later identified as a circular saw blade. Other reports included 'discs' over East St. Louis, Illinois, made of paper, and a National Guard plane in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on standby. Marine Ace Joe Foss sent a pilot to investigate a sighting near his home, but the pilot found nothing. Reports of weed seeds mistaken for discs in Lewiston, Idaho, and fluorescent balls over Birmingham, Alabama, are also mentioned. An incident in Lodi, California, involving a glow and a power outage, and a claim of a flying saucer with legs by a Chicago woman, are noted as bordering on the fantastic.

Even Dogs Get Point of Hunting the Discs

This brief anecdote from Detroit humorously describes a police sergeant claiming his dog pointed at four 'flying discs,' and that after he fired his gun, only three remained.

Recalls 'Ghost Rockets'

Skeptical scientists recalled the 'ghost rockets' seen over Sweden, with most being identified as meteors. Swedish officials suggested the remaining could be imagination. A London dispatch compared the saucers to the Loch Ness monster. Scientists asserted that for objects to be seen clearly at 10,000 feet, they would need to be large, conspicuous, and seen by many people. Dr. J. S. Nassau of the Warner and Swasey observatory was inclined to believe the reports were 'fancies.' A coast guardsman, Yeoman Frank Ryman, reportedly photographed a 'flying saucer' traveling at 500 mph at 10,000 feet.

The Deadly Veil of Secrecy that Handicaps Serious UFO Investigation

This article by Ed Babcock Jr., Director of N.J.A.A.P., details his correspondence with Senator Clifford P. Case regarding UFO investigations. Senator Case was informed by the Space Committee Chairman that the Air Force reports on the matter were unquestioned. In a letter dated January 29, 1962, the Air Force, through George M. Lockhart, Colonel, USAF, reiterated the Department of Defense's stance from July 21, 1960: the Air Force possesses no information, classified or unclassified, to support the claim that UFO groups have documented evidence of extraterrestrial spacecraft. The Air Force stated that these groups refuse to deliver such evidence. The article contrasts this with 'official denials' and 'Air Force Fact Sheets,' citing Major Donald E. Keyhoe's report on the 'Lackland Air Force UFO document,' which suggested that Earth was under study by 'living intelligences' and that the government had concealed information due to potential public hysteria, panic, economic collapse, and social disruption. The author questions why the Air Force sometimes promotes the idea of extraterrestrial visitors and at other times ridicules it, suggesting either confusion or a deliberate psychological purpose.

Do we have any tangible evidence of the reality of the UFOs?

This section presents evidence from Brazil. The Brazilian government reportedly turned over half of the molten tin from a UFO that experienced trouble over Campinas in September 1953. In another case, a sample of metal found on a beach near Ubatuba, Sao Paulo State, in 1957, was analyzed and proven to be 100% magnesium. The Aerial Phenomena Research Organisation (APRO) challenged the Air Force to analyze the metal, but the Air Force's terms involved censorship. APRO declined, suspecting the Air Force already had similar material. The magnesium sample, described as smaller than a quarter, was from a silvery, disc-shaped UFO that exploded offshore. Scientists, including astronomers and space-missile experts, examined the metal, finding only magnesium hydroxide from contact with water. APRO concluded that the object consisted, at least in part, of 100% magnesium, which was beyond the technology of the time, and considered it 'highly probable' that the chunks were extraterrestrial.

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This section continues the discussion on government secrecy and the difficulty of getting information from the Air Force. The author believes that personal communication to senators and representatives is most effective. He recounts the reluctance of Congressmen to act, citing an example with Representative Peter Frelinghuysen and Major General Joe Kelly. Kelly allegedly made contradictory statements regarding NICAP's access to UFO reports. The author criticizes Congress for not challenging Kelly's inconsistencies. He also details the common complaint from witnesses that investigative agencies request photos and negatives, often returning them deleted, damaged, or with missing frames, suggesting a deliberate nullification of evidence. Airline pilots and former military pilots are said to have incredible stories but are often reminded to 'keep mum' or are subjected to 'brainwashing' to doubt their own sightings.

Official Air Force admissions:

1. AF pilots pursue UFOs for security and technical aspects.
2. AF pilots have fired on UFOs only if they seem hostile.
3. Regulation 200-2 orders AF personnel not to reveal unsolved UFO reports.
4. UFO reports are withheld from the public by labeling them 'Official Use Only.'

Air Force censorship is backed by Joint Chiefs of Staff order JANAP 146.

The author questions why a civilization on the verge of space exploration is unwilling to consider the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors. He asks what constitutes proof, suggesting that a single 'good' sighting, like one recorded on radar and visually from multiple locations, would be significant. He notes that airline pilots who have reported sightings are reluctant to speak publicly due to potential publicity.

AF-UFO REPORT ORDERED DESTROYED

This section presents evidence that the Air Force destroys official UFO reports. A photocopy of an Air Intelligence Information Report is shown, covering a UFO sighting by two AF officers on October 9, 1956. The report itself is not unusual, but the 'Destroy' order, indicated by the source, suggests censorship. The key points of the sighting include two glowing objects near the squadron base at Little Easton, Essex, England. One object was described as the size of a pea held at arm's length, pulsating with rays. A second, smaller object descended and approached the first before disappearing. The sighting was made by Capt. Jimmie J. Pollock and Lt. J.S. Beisheim, with Capt. Pollock rated as 'very reliable.' The article emphasizes that the 'Destroy' order, not the sighting itself, is important, as it indicates a form of censorship that reduces the number of officially verified reports and misinforms the public.

The Press on Saucers: 1963

This section provides a summary of recent UFO reports from 1963, including:

• January 14, 1963: Lucius Farish observed two UFOs over Plumerville, Arkansas.
• January 20, 1963: A UFO was sighted hovering over McClellan Air Force Base, California.
• January 21, 1963: Aurelio Mancera saw a shiny object over Lakeside, California.
• January 24, 1963: Two persons sighted a star-like UFO over Glenview, Illinois.
• February 8, 1963: A UFO was chased by a jet over Euclid, Ohio.
• February 11, 1963: A UFO and occupants were photographed near Piove Di Sacco, Italy.
• February 15, 1963: Mr. Charles Brew reported the near-landing of a disc-shaped UFO near Melbourne, Australia.
• March 12, 1963: An unknown object was seen by hundreds over Hawaii, including military pilots.

Meteor Seen Over East

A separate report details a meteor plummeting toward Earth over the East Coast, witnessed by hundreds from Norfolk, Virginia, to Long Island Sound. The object was described as a 'fireball meteor' by Georgetown University astronomers.

Life Among the Stars?

This article by Jim Bishop explores the scientific belief in extraterrestrial life. It posits that life may exist elsewhere in the universe in forms that appear strange to us. Citing Fred Hoyle and Harlow Shapley, it suggests that with an estimated 100,000 trillion stars, even with conservative probabilities for planets with atmospheres, there could still be over 100 million planets with life. The article then discusses the discovery by scientists Dr. Warren G. Meinschein, Dr. Douglas J. Hennessy, and Dr. Bartholomew Nagy, who analyzed meteorite fragments and found a waxy hydrocarbon, identified as organic and likely produced by a biological process, suggesting life beyond Earth.

LIFE IN SPACE CLUES FOUND

This section elaborates on the scientific discovery of potential life in space. Three scientists analyzed meteorite fragments and found a waxy hydrocarbon that was organic, indicating a biological process. They identified fossilized remains of single-cell animals, some of which were unlike any known terrestrial organism, leading to the conclusion that 'Wherever this meteorite originated something lived.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the widespread public fascination and reporting of UFOs in 1947, juxtaposed with official skepticism and secrecy. The magazine presents a range of perspectives, from eyewitness accounts and the efforts of civilian organizations like the CAP to the cautious stance of scientists and the perceived obfuscation by military and governmental bodies. There's a clear undercurrent of questioning official narratives and highlighting the potential for censorship and a cover-up of information. The inclusion of scientific speculation on extraterrestrial life and evidence from meteorite analysis suggests an editorial stance that is open to the possibility of phenomena beyond conventional understanding, while also critically examining the information provided by authorities. The inclusion of historical reports from 1963 and older incidents indicates a broader interest in the UFO phenomenon over time.