Saucers vol 4 no 3

Magazine Overview

'SAUCERS' is a quarterly magazine published by Flying Saucers International, with Vol. IV, No. 3 appearing in September 1956. The issue is priced at 25¢ per copy and features a cover photo with the headline 'FLYING SAUCER OVER ARCADIA?'. The magazine is edited by Max B. Miller and focuses on UFO sightings and related phenomena.

Contents

The issue includes a variety of articles and reports:

• Unusual Aerial Phenomena by J. A. Hynek: This article, reproduced from the Journal of the Optical Society of America, presents a scientific approach to analyzing flying saucer reports. Hynek, who cooperated with the Air Force's UFO investigative bodies, defines a flying saucer and discusses the 'lifetime' of such sightings before they are explained by natural phenomena. He contrasts the public's fascination with UFOs with historical skepticism towards phenomena like meteorites. The article emphasizes the need to avoid ridicule and to provide the public with clear explanations. It highlights the Air Force's efforts to analyze reports systematically and presents examples of 'Nocturnal Meandering Lights' and other sightings that defy easy explanation, suggesting the possibility of inadequately studied natural phenomena or conventional aircraft under special conditions.
• Mystery Object Photo: A photograph taken in San Bernardino, California, of an object described as about 20 feet in diameter, making no noise, and having apparatus or portholes. Air Force Intelligence took the original negative for analysis.
• Flashing Lunar Mountain by Brian Warner: This report, reproduced from The Strolling Astronomer, details an observation on January 24, 1956, of a mountain mass on the Moon's Cavendish crater emitting bright, pulsating flashes for about three minutes. The phenomenon was confirmed independently and was not attributed to conventional optical effects, leading to speculation about unusual minerals or even 'Moon-men.'
• Report On UFO/USAF Transport "Collision" by Max B. Miller: This article investigates an incident on July 22, 1956, where a C-131D Air Force transport seemingly collided with an unidentified object near Pixley, California. The plane lurched violently, injuring crew members. While the Air Force's official explanation involved mechanical malfunction and metal fatigue, the article notes that the incident was initially covered up and hints at the possibility of a UFO involvement, citing newspaper headlines and witness accounts.
• UFO's and the Planet Mars: A brief mention, likely a short article or note.
• Miscellany: A section for various shorter items.
• UFO News: A section dedicated to current news regarding UFOs.
• Cover Photo: Refers to the image on the cover.
• Books "SAUCERS": A section likely featuring book reviews or recommendations.

Publisher Information

'SAUCERS' is published approximately quarterly by Flying Saucers International, a non-profit organization located in Los Angeles, California. Subscriptions are available at $1.00 for 4 issues, $2.00 for 8 issues, and $3.00 for 12 issues. The copyright is held by Max B. Miller for 1956. The opinions expressed are those of the authors only.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena, UFO sightings, and the scientific investigation of these events. The editorial stance, particularly evident in J. A. Hynek's article and Max B. Miller's reporting, is one of advocating for a serious, non-ridiculing approach to UFO research. The magazine aims to present evidence and encourage study, rather than dismiss reports outright. There is an underlying concern with public perception and the role of science in addressing public curiosity about these phenomena. The issue highlights the tension between official explanations and the possibility of unknown factors, such as extraterrestrial visitors or undiscovered natural phenomena.

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue: Vol. 1, Issue 3
Date: July 28, 1956
Publisher: Flying Saucers International
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of UFO NEWS focuses on the intriguing possibility that UFOs might originate from Mars, a topic of heightened interest due to the planet's upcoming opposition and closest approach to Earth since 1924. The magazine presents a table illustrating the comparative cyclic peaks of Martian oppositions and UFO reports from 1947 to 1956. The editor notes that while the astronomical world is actively investigating Mars, the question of its inhabitants remains a mystery.

UFO Sightings and Reports

The issue details numerous UFO sightings from July 1956, providing specific dates, locations, and descriptions:

• Pratt, Kansas (May 8-9): Attendants at a drive-in theater and Ground Observer Corps members reported observing luminous objects resembling "two saucers back-to-back" at 8:30 p.m., followed by a single UFO and then a pair at 1:30 a.m. Filter Center Commander Ken Schartz confirmed the reports, describing the objects as "glowing pink with shadings of orange and green" and noting they disappeared in a northeasterly direction.
• Lakewood, California (May 12): Mrs. Marion Ager and Mrs. Dorothy Brake reported that their living rooms were suddenly lit up brighter than daylight around 3:30 a.m. Mrs. Rowena Lochridge, a neighbor, also experienced this. The light, initially white, turned reddish. Mrs. Ager described a circular, bright red object with a smaller bright light in the center and "wire-like 'feelers'" around its edge. The object hovered, then its "feelers" rotated like a pinwheel before it shot off towards Santa Ana at incredible speed. Mrs. Ager was temporarily blinded by the intense light, and no noise was reported.
• Banning, California (June 29): A "huge 'balloon-like' object" was observed by the Riverside G.O.C. tower at 2 p.m. It "followed a perfectly rectangular course around Banning" for at least eight hours. Police Chief Ed Patrich and airport manager Gene Miller viewed the object with a telescope and flew planes to an altitude of 33,000 to 50,000 feet, concluding it was not a weather balloon. The object was visible until shortly after 10 p.m., apparently from reflected sunlight, and was last seen drifting eastward.
• Southwest Los Angeles (July 16): Hundreds of residents reported a "brilliant, reddish flare-like object," similar to a Lockheed Constellation's red nose light, visible for four minutes. Larry Morton, International Airport Supervisor, described the disappearance as an "orange-colored explosion." Police estimated the "explosion apparently had centered above Crenshaw Blvd. and Imperial Hwy." The UFO traveled slowly in a southeasterly direction, 7 or 8 degrees above the horizon, and did not show on radar. No planes or blimps were in the area.
• Central Kansas (July 18-19): Hundreds of people and police officers observed a "brilliantly lighted, tear-shaped object with prongs or streams of light spraying downward," described as greenish in color, from 11:20 p.m. until dawn. Hutchinson Police Chief Carl Spriggs confirmed that his men saw the object at 4 a.m., and it was picked up on the ground radar screen at Hutchinson Naval Air Station. Reports also indicated that "at least three Smoky Hill AFB Jet bomber planes caught the fleeting objects in their radar screens." However, these reports were denied by a Navy officer and McConnell Air Force Base. An "official" explanation suggested reflections from "waste gas torches in an oil field," which was disputed by Brian Coyne, city editor of the Arkansas City Daily Traveler.
• Auburn, California (July 22): The Foresthill G.O.C. post reported "five small objects that looked like balls of fire streak across the sky" at 5:45 a.m. Another person reported a "torpedo-like object from which little balls of fire were from the rear" at sunup, described as green and silent.
• Plymouth, New Hampshire (July 26): Ground Observers described "a bright yellow object which left a trail similar to a jet, moving slowly at a very high altitude." No engine noises were noticed. The Northern New England Air Filter Center declined to state whether jet interceptors had been sent out.
• Hartford, Connecticut (July 28): Amateur astronomers Richard Yerziniak and Albert Sabia observed a "bright light" through their telescope, described as having a "whitish yellow color, very bright, with a lit dome on top, and exhibiting the appearance of a 'Mexican-or Ten Gallon-hat.'" The object was low and made no noise. Local newspapers reported similar flying disk sightings every night for the past week.
• Brentwood, California (July 28): Five residents witnessed a "big green flare" fall towards earth at "terrific speed" at 10:15 p.m. One report stated the object "dove into a field near Fairfield Ave. and Lone Tree and crashed." Local sheriff's deputies found "particles of an as-yet-unidentified metal," which were turned over to Army authorities. Reports also mentioned three television sets in the vicinity going out of order around the time of the sighting.
• San Bernardino, California (July 29): Miss Elizabeth Brewer reported a "bright white light followed by a cylindrical object" at 8:43 p.m. The Pasadena Air Defense Filter Center admitted the object had been trailed with radar screens, but no further comments were made.
• Anacortes, Washington (July 30): Ray McCollough observed a motionless object with a "keyhole-like outline whose rounded top appeared to change slowly in color from red to blue." At times, it appeared to split into two rounded shapes with horizontal lines.
• Roseburg, Oregon (August 6): State Police received reports of "'funny' green and red lights...moving slowly around the tower" of television station KPIC. The officer on duty saw three lights changing colors as they moved.
• Santa Monica, California (August 16): Police Officers Roy Livingston and Burton Dellinger saw a "ball of white light with some orange in it" at 1:42 a.m., reporting the object looked as if it "turned on and off."

Miscellany and Resources

The "MISCELLANY" section offers various items of interest to UFO enthusiasts:

• Telescopes: Recommends Dynascope 4-inch reflecting telescopes from The Criterion Manufacturing Co. for those interested in astronomy and the Mars opposition.
• British Editors: Noted British saucer editors Eric Biddle and Richard Hughes have resigned their positions for personal reasons.
• UFO Chart: Mentions a 22x34" "FLYING SAUCERS" chart published by KEZIAH, containing over 1400 items.
• Christmas Cards: Mrs. H. V. Goodell has created unique Christmas cards with an Outer Space and UFO theme.
• Interplanetary Foundation: This Detroit-based organization distributes mimeographed pamphlets on UFO topics, including Adamski lectures.
• World Wide Sticker Barrage: In cooperation with The Little Listening Post, Britain's Flying Saucer Review is initiating a sticker campaign with the slogan "FLYING SAUCER FACT-not fiction." September 8, 1956, is designated as "International Flying Saucer Sighting Day."
• Flying Saucers Research Center: Organized in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in June 1956, they plan to publish a monthly Portuguese-English bulletin titled "O Disco Voador."
• Emblem: A "Interplanetary Fellowship" emblem is available for $2.50.
• Booklet: NEW AGE PUBLISHING CO. is publishing "Spacemen, Friends and Foes," a booklet of telepathic origin.

Books and Publications

A comprehensive list of books on UFOs is provided, including:

• *The Report On Unidentified Flying Objects* by Edward J. Ruppelt
• *The Flying Saucer Conspiracy* by Maj. Donald E. Keyhoe
• *Flying Saucers From Outer Space* by Maj. Donald E. Keyhoe
• *Flying Saucers On the Attack* by Harold T. Wilkins
• *Flying Saucers Uncensored* by Harold T. Wilkins
• *The Secret of the Saucers* by Orfeo Angelucci
• *Aboard a Flying Saucer* by Truman Bethurum
• *Space, Gravity and the Flying Saucer* by Leonard G. Cramp
• *The Saucers Speak* by Williamson and Bailey
• *The White Sands Incident* by Daniel W. Fry
• *To Men of Earth* by Daniel W. Fry
• *Flying Saucers Have Landed* by Leslie and Adamski
• *Behind the Flying Saucers* by Frank Scully
• *I Rode a Flying Saucer* by George W. Van Tassel
• *The UFO Annual* by M. K. Jessup
• *UFO and the Bible* by M. K. Jessup (New)
• *Flying Saucers and Common Sense* by Waveney Girvan
• *The Truth About Flying Saucers* by Aime Michel
• *Flying Saucers Come From Another World* by Jimmy Guieu (English)
• *The Books of Charles Fort*

Back issues of "SAUCERS" magazine are also available for 25¢ each.

All books can be ordered postpaid from Flying Saucers International. A 10 percent discount is offered on orders totaling $10.00 or more.

Cover Photo Analysis

The cover photo, taken by twelve-year-old John A. Moore II, features a boy's pet pigeon. The "unusual" aspect was noted after the prints were developed. The phenomenon is described as a faint "Mystery Object" with a brighter top and nebulous sides, believed to be an optical effect rather than a photographic defect. It is noted that the object was not seen or heard by the photographer.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the potential extraterrestrial origin of UFOs, specifically from Mars, and the reporting of numerous sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, encouraging reader participation and providing resources such as book lists and organizational contacts. The magazine aims to inform its readers about current events and research in the field of unidentified flying objects, while also maintaining a connection to astronomical events like planetary oppositions.

The issue concludes with a biblical quote from St. Luke 21:25-27, which speaks of signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and the powers of heaven being shaken, potentially relating to the end times or significant celestial events.