Saucers vol 4 no 4

Magazine Overview

'SAUCERS' is a quarterly publication from Flying Saucers International, based in Los Angeles, California. This issue, Volume IV, Number 4, dated Winter 1956-57, features a cover photograph reportedly of a UFO over South Africa and a cover headline announcing this. The magazine is priced at 25¢ per copy.

Contents

The issue includes several articles and reports:

• UFO's Over Mount Shasta: Details sightings and observations of lights and objects over Mount Shasta, California, by David S. Williamson.
• Some Alleged UFO Photographs: Presents photographs, including the cover image, with brief descriptions.
• Congressional Inquiry into Air Force UFO Policy: Reports on the House Subcommittee on Information's investigation into the Air Force's handling of a flying saucer report.
• The Cartwright Saucer Detector: Describes a device invented by Keith Cartwright to detect magnetic fields of UFOs.
• Photogrammetric Analysis of the "Utah" Film: A detailed scientific analysis by R. M. L. Baker, Jr., of a film taken by Delbert C. Newhouse.
• "Truth...": A section featuring quotes about truth.
• UFO News: Brief news items related to UFOs.
• Miscellany: Miscellaneous short articles or notes.
• Flying Saucer Books: A listing or review of books on the subject.

UFO's Over Mount Shasta

This section details multiple sightings by David S. Williamson near Mount Shasta, California, in October 1956. On October 12th, Williamson observed a bright light that moved and appeared to be four lights joined by a continuous line, described as blue-green and blue-white, pulsating and changing color. He later observed similar groups of lights on October 14th and October 21st, with the latter sighting involving multiple lights in rows. The report notes that the phenomenon was witnessed by others as well. A subsequent event mentioned is a UFO descending from the sky and hovering above the Shasta peak.

The issue also includes a note of gratitude to Mrs. Idabel E. Epperson for relaying the report. Two photographs are presented, identified as being reputedly taken by Mrs. Elizabeth Klarer in Natal, South Africa, on July 17, 1956. These photos are linked to an account in the British Flying Saucer Review and a forthcoming book by Max B. Miller.

Congressional Inquiry into Air Force UFO Policy

This article covers a report from November 15th, where the House Subcommittee on Information questioned Air Force officials regarding the classification and declassification of a flying saucer report. Representative John E. Moss (D.-Calif.) headed the subcommittee. The Defense Department had reportedly refused to cooperate, and hearings were postponed. The subcommittee sought to understand the Air Force's "secrecy flip flops." The editor of 'SAUCERS' sent a congratulatory telegram to Representative Moss, who responded by letter on December 6, 1956. Moss stated that the subcommittee's interest was in the widest possible distribution of the report, not its validity, and that Project Blue Book had been assured to be widely distributed.

The Cartwright Saucer Detector

This piece describes a device invented by Keith Cartwright of the Australian Flying Saucer Research Society. The detector is designed to identify the magnetic fields of UFOs. The concept is based on the observation that magnetic compasses often malfunction in the vicinity of UFOs. Cartwright's device connects an electrical circuit to a compass needle; when the needle deflects from magnetic north, it completes a circuit that rings an electric bell. The article details the construction of the Mark 2 version, including the use of silver wire for a contact loop and a radio condenser to prevent arcing. It also mentions a similar detector made by A. J. Millikan, who reported an incident on December 27, 1955, where his detector was triggered by a bright blue-white object that moved erratically across the sky.

Another related sighting is mentioned from Adelaide, Australia, on December 28, 1955, where a cigar-shaped object with a reddish glow was observed.

Photogrammetric Analysis of the "Utah" Film

Authored by R. M. L. Baker, Jr., a physicist, this article presents a detailed analysis of a 16mm Kodachrome film taken by Delbert C. Newhouse near Tremonton, Utah, on July 2, 1952. The film, which took over a year to study, reportedly shows several unidentified flying objects (UFOs). Newhouse described the objects as gun metal colored and shaped like two saucers, one inverted on top of the other. The film was analyzed by the Navy and USAF-ATIC. Initial findings suggested the objects were not airplanes, but hypotheses including camera focus issues or soaring gulls could not be confirmed or denied. Capt. Edward Ruppelt, head of Project "Blue Book," is cited as substantiating these remarks.

The analysis examined approximately 1,200 frames, noting round white dots, some elliptical, often clustered. The objects appeared to flare up and disappear quickly. Their motion was described as a curvilinear milling about, sometimes circling each other. No definitive altitude or azimuth could be determined due to the lack of background. Calculations of angular velocities suggested speeds that might rule out conventional aircraft at significant distances.

Several hypotheses were considered for the objects' nature, including airplane reflections, aluminum foil "chaff," and balloons. The article dismisses balloons due to their number and behavior. It notes that government analysts found the Utah images to be very intense. The erratic motion and maneuvers were considered too complex for conventional aircraft. The possibility of atmospheric mirages was also considered but hampered by the clarity and steady motion of the images. Spurious optical reflections or light leaks were also examined and found to be different from the UFO images. The evidence was deemed contradictory, and no single natural phenomenon hypothesis could fully account for the UFOs, suggesting the possibility of multiple simultaneous natural phenomena.

"Truth..."

This section presents a series of quotes related to the concept of truth from various authors, including William C. Bryant, I Esdras, Disraeli, and Francis Bacon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of 'SAUCERS' revolve around the investigation and reporting of UFO phenomena, with a focus on eyewitness accounts, photographic evidence, and scientific analysis. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of serious inquiry into these subjects, presenting detailed reports and analyses, while also acknowledging the limitations in drawing definitive conclusions. The inclusion of a Congressional inquiry into government UFO policy suggests an interest in transparency and the official handling of UFO information. The publication also highlights efforts by civilian researchers and organizations to understand and detect UFOs, as seen in the Cartwright Saucer Detector article. The overall tone is one of exploration and documentation of unexplained aerial phenomena.

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue Date: September 1956
Publisher: SAUCERS Magazine
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of UFO NEWS, published as a segment within SAUCERS magazine, continues to report on unidentified flying object sightings based on reader response. The publication emphasizes its role in documenting these phenomena.

Sightings and Reports

The magazine details numerous UFO sightings from August, September, and October 1956, across various locations in the United States.

August 1956:

• El Monte, California (August 21): Unidentified boys reported a bright, oval, yellowish-green object with a circle, emitting a swishing sound, circling low before moving south.
• Yreka, California (August 23): Rancher Joe Regnani heard an aerial roar causing cattle fright; the object was too fast for identification but made a loud noise.
• Fullerton, California (August 24-25): Betty Tobin and sisters Susan and Carol Belair reported a large, round, weird blue object with white light trim hovering overhead before zooming away.

September 1956:

• Dorr, Michigan (September 25): Pilot William H. Marcus sighted two UFOs, one described as tan with a Delta wing, smaller than his plane but larger than a bird, moving at high speed.
• Ponca City, Oklahoma (September 27): Picnickers and fishermen witnessed a blue and silver spheroid, causing fear and excitement. Vance AFB sent an interceptor with negative results.
• Crystal, Michigan (September 27): Amateur astronomer LaVern Frost and companion saw a disc-shaped, red-glowing UFO through a telescope, disappearing at high speed.
• Hopedale, Massachusetts (September 29): Charles Kaberry and Homer Bartlett observed a circular, white object moving at terrific speed, faster than any jet.
• Burns, Oregon (September 29): Five girls witnessed three UFOs, one hovering and blinking red and green lights. Neighbors confirmed the phenomenon.

October 1956:

• Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania (Early October): GOC spotters reported a large, airliner-sized object with lights, moving slowly and silently.
• Western Oregon (October 3): Rob Roy reported a round, green object with a reddish-orange spark trail. Lt. Paul Lowery was nearly blinded by a glaring white light from the sky.
• Roseburg, Oregon (October 3): Residents reported a blazing bright light with a reddish tail, and something falling from the sky.
• Rapid City, South Dakota (October 9): Vic Rugg and two engineers witnessed a 'shingle'-shaped object traveling north, performing a 'falling leaf' maneuver.
• Denver, Colorado (October 12): Hundreds reported a brilliant 'ball of fire'; Assistant Fire Chief Tom Nalfy saw a 'tear-drop' shaped object.
• Golden, Colorado (October 13): Ralph J. Churches reported a shapeless, bright red object about the size of two hands, which stampeded turkeys before evaporating.
• Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania (October 29): Robert J. Stein and colleagues sighted a long, cigar-shaped, silvery object with two dark appendages, moving slowly.
• Paris, France (November 7): Two brilliant UFOs hovered over the city during a demonstration, confirmed by the Observatory of Paris.
• Garden Grove, California (November 8): Deputy sheriffs reported a bright blue light that stopped, started, zig-zagged, and changed color.
• Miles City, Montana (November 8): A woman and others at a drive-in theater saw a shiny circle of light speeding above the screen.
• Billings, Montana (November 8): Pilot Herman Gallagher reported a bright object moving at a rapid pace.

November 1956:

• Oldham, South Dakota (November 28): L. H. Folsland sighted a bright colored, round object moving rapidly into the distance.
• San Luis Obispo, California (December 2): Guards at the California Men's Colony reported a group of four brilliant UFOs hovering near Bishop's Peak, described as pulsating and changing colors.
• Santa Barbara, California (December 13): Residents reported a large 'rocket' blazing heavenward, which vanished and reappeared multiple times.

Miscellaneous Information and Publications

• Addendum: The issue notes a 'flap' of UFO sightings primarily in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, beginning mid-November.
• Rewards: The Huron Plainsman offered a $100 reward for an authenticated photo of a flying saucer.
• Publications: Several books on UFOs are listed, including 'Flying Saucers from Outer Space' by Maj. Donald E. Keyhoe and 'The Flying Saucer Conspiracy' by Maj. Donald E. Keyhoe. The largest volume mentioned is 'Flying Saucers über Südafrika' by Edgar Sievers.
• Journals: The 'Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York' newsletter is recommended. The 'Flying Saucers' journal from New Zealand is also highlighted.
• Corrections: A correction is made regarding the designation of the September 1956 issue of SAUCERS.
• Projects: Truman Bethurum is initiating a project to build a 'Sanctuary' near Prescott, Arizona.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the consistent reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena across diverse locations and demographics. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent documentation and presentation of witness accounts, encouraging reader participation. The publication aims to catalog these events, reflecting a growing public interest in UFOs. There is also an implicit acknowledgment of the 'flap' phenomenon, suggesting periods of increased activity.