Saucers vol 5 no 1

Magazine Overview

'SAUCERS' magazine, Vol. V - No. 1, Spring 1957, published approximately quarterly by Flying Saucers International, a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, California. The issue is priced at 25¢ per copy. The cover prominently features the title 'SAUCERS' and a photograph of multiple flying saucers ascending from Earth, with the question 'FACT OR FICTION?' by Max B. Miller. The lead story details Joe Kerska's UFO photograph taken on October 10, 1956, near Twin Peaks in San Francisco.

Contents

The issue contains a variety of articles and reports on flying saucers and related phenomena:

• Flying Saucers and Senator Russell by Tom Towers: Discusses retired Rear Adm. Delmer S. Fahrney's statements about 'flying saucers' and the much-discussed 'Senator Russell' letter. Fahrney, chairman of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), believes an 'intelligence' directs the objects due to their flight characteristics, which are beyond current technological capabilities. The article details a letter from Senator Richard B. Russell (Democrat, Georgia) regarding a UFO sighting in late 1955 during a European visit, where government agencies advised against publicizing the matter.
• Some Press Comments on Flying Saucers - Fact or Fiction?: Features reviews of Max B. Miller's book 'Flying Saucers - Fact or Fiction?', including comments from Russ Leadabrand of The Independent and Tom Towers of the Los Angeles Examiner, who praise the book for its factual approach and comprehensive evidence.
• Rocket Trends (Condensed from Missiles and Rockets magazine): Discusses advancements in rocketry, including the Army's Jupiter 'C' missile, and predicts significant future developments in space exploration, potentially leading to an 'Air Force Space Force'.
• UFO Found in South American Andes?: Reports on a dispatch from La Prensa (Lima, Peru) about a strange, translucent, three-thousand foot long object found on a volcano slope near Ollague, Chile. An internal oval metallic object, weighing seven pounds, was also discovered. Meteorologists and the American air mission suggested it might be a high-altitude meteorological balloon, but the origin and material remain unknown.
• Miscellany: This section includes several brief items:
• A comparison of André Fregnale's UFO photographs with George J. Stock's, noting their temporal proximity to the Washington D.C. 'Crises' in July 1952.
• A quote from Nobel prize winner Robert A. Millikan from 1922 about discovering the secret of gravity and a NACA engineer's query about disc-shaped aerodynamics.
• Rear Admiral Delmer S. Fahrney's statement at a January 1957 press conference regarding urgent need to know facts about unknown objects entering the atmosphere at high speeds under intelligent control. It also mentions NICAP's call for associate memberships.
• An article on 'Electro-Gravitic Propulsion' by Lucien A. A. Gerardin, discussing the potential for generating a localized field of inertial forces to overcome weight and enable high accelerations.
• A quote from George S. Trimble of Glenn L. Martin on the possibility of finding an anti-gravity principle within a timeframe similar to the atomic bomb's development, attributing scientific stagnation to a refusal to believe in the amazing.
• An announcement of the suspension of publication of 'Orbit', a monthly UFO organ, and thanks to its editors, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard H. Stringfield.
• Congratulations to Coral E. Lorenzen and the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (A.P.R.O.) on their journal's new format.
• Recommendation of the new Ufozine 'S.P.A.C.E.' edited by Norbert F. Gariety.
• Information on Edward J. Ruppelt's book 'The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects', now available in an unabridged pocket-book edition.
• Details on obtaining a condensed, lithographed copy of 'Project Blue Book Report No. 14' from Dr. Leon Davidson.
• A reminder that Max B. Miller's book 'Flying Saucers - Fact or Fiction?' is available in both newsstand and 'Library Edition' formats.
• "U" EQUALS "Z": This article discusses a series of seven different radar trackings of UFOs reported to the British War Office in September 1954. The objects appeared around noon at an altitude of 12,000 feet and displayed changing formations, initially 'U'-shaped, then two parallel lines (an equals sign), and finally a 'Z'. The article speculates on the meaning of these symbols, relating 'U' to uranium and the 'Z' to the end of the alphabet or ohm impedance. It suggests these patterns might represent a major communications attempt by an unknown intelligence. A War Office spokesman is quoted as saying they are worried but cannot say anything.
• Photogrammetric Analysis of "Montana" UFO Film by R. M. L. Baker, Jr.: This is an analytical report on a film taken by Nicholas Mariana in Great Falls, Montana, on August 19, 1950, showing two unidentified flying objects. The film was analyzed by USAF-ATIC and the U.S. Navy. While considered inconclusive, it was felt the objects were not balloons. The original film had 35 frames removed before being returned to Mariana. The analysis was performed using routine Iconolog techniques on a reprint.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on the investigation and reporting of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). There is a strong emphasis on presenting evidence, witness accounts, and analytical reports, while also acknowledging the skepticism and official stances from government and military agencies. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the phenomenon, encouraging readers to draw their own conclusions based on the presented evidence. The publication also touches upon related scientific and technological advancements, such as rocketry and anti-gravity, suggesting a broader interest in phenomena that challenge conventional understanding. The use of 'Miscellany' sections allows for the inclusion of diverse, shorter pieces related to the UFO field and scientific speculation.

This issue of SAUCERS, #16, focuses on the "Montana" film analysis and historical "flap" reports from 1896-97. It delves into the visual study of film reprints, examining the characteristics and trajectory of unidentified aerial objects.

Analysis of "Montana" Film

The "Montana" film, comprising about 280 frames, features two bright white round dots against a dark blue sky. These dots are largest and brightest in the initial frames and gradually fade. An analysis of the objects' trajectory, using an overlay vellum, traced their relative motion with respect to fixed reference points from frame #65 to #255. The first 64 frames show only sky and power wires, with background elements like a grain elevator and water tower appearing from frame #65 onwards, indicating the camera was in focus.

The film contains six independent pieces of information describing the UFO images: the two degrees of freedom of each dot (azimuth and altitude) and the apparent diameter of the developed image. The analysis treated the UFOs as a system, defining four degrees of freedom: azimuth and altitude of the mid-point of the line of centers, separation distance, and inclination to the horizon. The three independent quantities (azimuth, altitude, and separation) suggest the UFO system maintained a fixed configuration and executed a constant velocity rectilinear motion over the 16-second filming period.

The angular velocity was calculated at 0.0192 radians per second, with an azimuth heading of 171°, making a 55° angle from the line of sight to the water tower. However, random errors suggest the true motion might have been a gently sweeping curve with tangents between 169° and 173°.

Measurements of the developed images confirmed the dots dwindled in size and disappeared, with slight fluctuations attributed to variations in luminosity. The objects were concluded to be not isotropic constant luminosity radiators, which would be closely approximated by a balloon or a silver sphere reflecting sunlight.

No details, structure, or color fringes were recognizable on the images, even under a microscope. They appeared as uniformly round white dots, with a few exceptions being oblong (frames 15, 17, 19, 56), likely due to camera motion blur. The sun's position indicated it was to the photographer's left at an elevation of about 55°, with an azimuth of 154°, but there was no conclusive evidence that the objects were self-luminous, as they were not seen against the prevailing sunlight.

The camera used was a Revere turret type with a 3" telephoto lens, operating at 16 frames/second. No surface wind was noticed at the time, though a gentle breeze was present, with a stronger wind developing later. Great Falls, Montana, is located on the upper Missouri River at latitude 47° 30' and longitude 111° 18', at an altitude of 3312 feet.

Weather conditions at Great Falls included upper winds from the Westerly to WNW at 250-280°, 6 knots at 9,000 feet on the previous evening. Temperatures were around 20°C with a dewpoint of 9°C. Surface winds at the airport increased from 25-28 mph between 9 a.m. and noon to 37 mph at 12:30 p.m., remaining between 25-30 mph until sunset. The surface wind direction was SW from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visibility was 60 miles, with temperatures reaching a maximum of 83°F at 4:27 p.m.

This weather information suggests the objects could not have been drifting with the wind, as the wind direction was counter to their apparent motion. Large weather balloons would have risen too quickly.

Two jet airplanes (reportedly F-94s) were operating from Malmstrom Air Force Base. Mr. Mariana reported observing them landing after filming. While it's conceivable they could have been sun reflections from the aircraft, this is considered unlikely due to the objects' sustained visibility and motion. Edward J. Ruppelt's "The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects" is cited, noting that the jets appeared later and in a different part of the sky, eliminating them as candidates.

The explanation of the bright spots being jet exhausts is deemed unconvincing due to the contrast against the blue sky. The objects' 16-second tracking and 50-second observation period rule out them being fragments of a shattered meteorite. Their shape, brightness, speed, rectilinear path, and steady motion also rule out birds. The weather report and these facts further discount optical atmospheric mirages or cloud reflections.

Airplane reflections are considered the most plausible natural phenomenon, but several factors strain this hypothesis. It's uncertain if jet planes were present, and reflections would need to persist for at least 50 seconds, which is rare. A 171° azimuth heading implies the sun and airplane orientation were significantly off from an optimal reflection angle. The distance to hypothetical planes would need to be over five miles for them to be unidentified, yet the image size suggests a distance of one to three miles. The reported hovering of the UFOs is difficult to explain with the airplane hypothesis.

Some New Light on the 1896-97 "Flap"

This section republishes reports from the Los Angeles Times concerning the "flap" of 1896-97, attributed to Zan Overall of Reseda, California.

Sacramento Visitation - An Immense White Light Moving Rapidly to SW (November 22, 1896)

Hundreds of people in Sacramento reported seeing an immense white light, believed to be an airship, moving rapidly southwest. The light was high, preventing other objects from being distinguished, and created considerable excitement.

Mysterious Parties (Oroville)

A rumor suggested an airship was constructed near Oroville. However, individuals with information were reticent, and no one could be found who had seen an airship being constructed. There were rumors of experiments with gases lighter than air conducted some miles east of town.

That Airship-Inventor Cannot Be Found and Story Is Discredited (San Francisco, November 23)

The airship story was not generally credited. The inventor could not be found, and those reportedly seeing it were unwilling to provide direct testimony. George D. Collins, an attorney, confirmed he was retained for patent application services but ridiculed the story, stating his client was working on a machine combining an aeroplane and a tailless kite, but he had not seen it and discredited its alleged performance.

No Washington Information (Washington, D.C., November 23)

Nothing could be learned at the Patent Office regarding a patent application for the flying machine. Office rules prevented disclosure of applicants' names or invention details. Patent attorneys contacted had no knowledge of the alleged success. Professor Langley of the Smithsonian Institute excused himself from discussing the matter, indicating little credence to the reports.

The Alleged Inventor (San Francisco, November 23)

"Dr. E. H. Benjamin," an alleged dentist, was believed to be the inventor of the mysterious airship. His attorney, Collins, stated that the inventor tested the machine during a storm, and it performed well, flying over Alcatraz, the Golden Gate, and returning. The inventor intended to make another test flight.

A dispatch from Sacramento reported hundreds of people seeing a mysterious meteor, but its nature was not clearly discernible.

Saw the Airship - Impressionable Red Bluff Citizens Make Discovery (Red Bluff, November 25)

Many Red Bluff residents claimed to have seen the alleged airship, initially mistaken for a bright star moving southwest. It was later described as an egg-shaped object with a rocking motion, unlike a star.

A Flight of Imagination - Another Man Who Has Seen the Airship (San Jose, December 1)

John A. Horen, an electrician, claimed to have boarded an airship with the inventor on Sandy Beach. They rose to a great height, registered by a meter on the ship. Horen described the movement as noiseless and swift, powered by something other than steam or electricity. The inventor was described as 45 years old.

That Bright Light - Over Omaha Again and Leaves People Mystified (Omaha, Neb., March 29, 1897)

Omaha citizens reported seeing a mysterious airship, described as a big, bright light, too large for a balloon and glowing steadily. It traversed the heavens and disappeared behind houses and bluffs, moving slowly and appearing close to the earth.

New South American Group

Introduces the "Comision Observadora de Objetos Voladores No Identificados" (Observing Commission of Unidentified Flying Objects) of Argentina, headed by Señor Ariel Ciro Rietta and with Señor Cristian Vogt as secretary.

Flying Saucer Books

A list of flying saucer-related books with their prices is provided, including works by Maj. Donald E. Kehoe, Aimé Michel, Frank Scully, Edward J. Ruppelt, and others.

'SAUCERS' Back Issues

Information on available back issues of SAUCERS magazine is listed, with prices.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, film analyses, and historical accounts of aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into these phenomena, presenting evidence, witness testimony, and scientific analysis, while also acknowledging the challenges in definitively explaining such events. There is a clear interest in historical cases, such as the 1896-97 airship flap, and in providing a platform for researchers and authors in the field.