Saucers vol 6 no 1

Magazine Overview

'SAUCERS' is a quarterly publication from Flying Saucers International, with the Spring 1958 issue being Volume VI, No. 1. The magazine is published by Max B. Miller, who also serves as the editor. The issue is priced at 35¢ per copy, with a subscription rate of $2.00 for 6 issues. The copyright is held by Max B. Miller, 1958. The opinions expressed are those of the authors only.

Editorial

The editorial section addresses Dr. Donald H. Menzel's critique of 'amateurs' in UFO research, suggesting that only professional astronomers possess the necessary qualifications. The editorial argues that if UFOs are mass hysteria, psychologists should handle them; if they are retinal phenomena, oculists should; if atmospheric anomalies, meteorologists; and only if they are of extra-terrestrial origin should astronomers be involved. The editorial expresses agreement that the problem is now up to the astronomical profession but notes their apparent lack of interest. It advocates for a holistic examination of the anomaly by those who have objectively researched its aspects.

The editorial then references Professor Simon Newcomb, a renowned astronomer and mathematician, and his 1901 article in McClure's magazine. Newcomb discussed the possibility of heavier-than-air flight, concluding that a flying machine capable of carrying a man would require a new metal or force, and that early flyers would be rudimentary. The editorial notes that Newcomb's analysis discouraged Wilbur Wright, but fortunately, not for long. It also points out that some biographical data on Newcomb omits his early prognostications about heavier-than-air flight.

Cover Story: UFO Photographs

The cover features a photograph identified as one of several UFO photographs taken on January 16, 1958, by Almiro Barauna aboard the Brazilian Navy survey ship Almirante Saldanha. The ship was near Trinidad Island as part of IGY programs, with military officials and civilian scientists present. Although the military declined to comment, several civilians signed statements attesting to the photographs' authenticity. The film was processed aboard the ship under the instruction of Captain Jose dos Santos. An official investigation indicated the object was observed by IGY members and residents of the island.

Contents

The issue includes an editorial, articles titled 'I Photographed Four UFO's' by Ralph E. Benn and 'Logging Crew Sights UFO' by William H. Kennedy, a piece titled 'Congratulations Vanguard!', 'UFO News', 'Where Is Port Moresby UFO Film?', 'From New York Times (1897)', 'Short Shots & News Notes', and 'Special Book Sale!'.

Article: I Photographed Four UFO's by Ralph E. Benn

Ralph E. Benn recounts an incident on Sunday, December 1, 1957, when his children reported seeing 'Flying saucers'. He managed to film a formation of six UFOs moving in a westerly direction. The objects were oval in shape and a soft, dull white, appearing to emit a soft, white light rather than reflecting from shiny metal. The film, shot with an 8mm camera and telephoto lens, was later examined by the Air Force's Pictorial Branch. Capt. Schaller deemed it 'very fortunate'. Mr. Benn's film was sent to Wright-Patterson AFB for analysis. He was told the original film was his property and would be returned, along with a 16mm enlargement. The Air Force's official policy, according to Benn, has been to ridicule UFO observations, explaining them away as mundane phenomena, which he finds inaccurate given the observed behavior of the objects.

Article: Logging Crew Sights UFO by William H. Kennedy

William H. Kennedy reports on a sighting by a logging crew near Coos Bay, Oregon, in August 1957. David Spencer, a member of the crew, described a gigantic spinning object that hovered thirty feet above a spar tree for over 15 minutes. The object was described as having its top half spinning one way and the bottom half spinning the opposite, with a row of portholes emitting flames. The crew observed the craft from about 150 feet away. Kennedy notes the lack of newspaper coverage for this significant event.

UFO News

This section includes several brief reports:

• New Mexico, Fall of 1949: Don Bushnell and his wife reported a large, saucer-shaped object that dropped into their headlights, passed over their car at about four feet off the ground, and caused their car radio to cut out momentarily.
• Tiro, Ohio, Nov. 23, 1957: Mrs. Richard Goff and her brother, Kenneth Clipse, observed an object described as a pan lid with bright lights. It later changed to a circular, orangish-red shape and moved erratically for at least 15 minutes.

Vanguard Photos

This section features illustrations related to the Vanguard rocket program, including images of the rocket on a launchpad and in flight, with the caption 'NEXT—THE MOON'. The illustrations are courtesy of The Martin Company.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFO sightings as credible phenomena, often challenging official explanations and military reticence. There is a strong emphasis on eyewitness testimony and photographic evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for serious investigation into UFOs, particularly from the scientific community, while also acknowledging the contributions of civilian researchers. The issue highlights the perceived inadequacy of conventional explanations and suggests the possibility of intelligent control behind some sightings. The inclusion of historical perspectives, like that of Professor Simon Newcomb, serves to contextualize the ongoing debate about unexplained aerial phenomena and technological advancement.

Title: SAUCERS
Issue: Spring 1958
Date: 1958-03-01
Publisher: SAUCERS
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of "SAUCERS" magazine, dated Spring 1958, is primarily a collection of short news items and reports related to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), presented under the general heading "UFO NEWS" and "SHORT SHOTS & NEWS NOTES."

UFO News Reports

The magazine details numerous UFO sightings from late 1957 and early 1958:

• Kahlotus, Washington (Nov. 29-Dec. 3, 1957): Mr. and Mrs. Roy Bell reported a brilliant light that approached their car, illuminated the ground, and then ascended to an estimated 1,500 feet. The object reappeared on subsequent nights, described as significantly brighter than any star.
• Winger, Minnesota (Dec. 1, 1957): Polk County Sheriff Carl Knutson and Deputy Willard Corbin observed a "blue-greenish ball of fire with a funnel-like shape" descending rapidly towards the ground. The observation lasted only two seconds, but they noted a trail of smoke and fire.
• Detroit Lakes, Minnesota (Dec. 2, 1957): A resident reported a loud noise and observed a brilliant object traveling east. The observer believed its spectral emission was of magnesium, and a peculiar, penetrating sound, like gurgling water, was heard.
• Southeastern Wisconsin (Dec. 2, 1957): Thousands reported seeing a brilliant fireball. More inexplicably, Wilson Staab found tinfoil-like material, shaped like birds' nests, in his cornfield. Similar material in pink and green colors was found in other fields up to four miles away and proved highly inflammable.
• Svea, Minnesota (Dec. 8, 1957): Royce Moline and his sons observed a circular object, about 50 feet in diameter, hovering about 100 yards from the highway. The craft was described as orange, emitting a red glow and a roaring sound, with a cabin hanging underneath. They pursued it in their cars until it zoomed off and disappeared.
• Southern Ontario, Canada (Dec. 12, 1957): Airline pilots and provincial police watched a flaming, saucer-shaped object streak inland from Lake Erie, described as an oval, whirling, orange, flaming disk flying at about 2,000 feet at terrific speed. Some witnesses reported a smaller object dangling from beneath the UFO, which was not recorded on radar.
• Oacoma, South Dakota (Dec. 18, 1957): Howard Hendricksen followed a greenish-white light, described as being like looking into an acetylene torch, descending at a high rate of speed. He estimated the object to be 200 feet high and about one-half mile in diameter. It was tipped on its side, illuminating the area, and had a dome-shaped top and a body resembling a large bomber. It turned deep orange and disappeared vertically in less than 60 seconds.
• Near Bodega Bay, California (Mar. 14, 1958): Navy pilots spotted an undersea "object" about 50 miles northwest of San Francisco. Naval air and sea craft, along with eleven destroyers, searched the area, but no trace of the object was found.

Historical UFO Cases and Investigations

The issue also delves into historical accounts and ongoing investigations:

• Port Moresby, New Guinea (Aug. 23, 1953): T. C. Drury, Deputy Regional Director of the Civil Aviation Department, photographed an unidentified flying object. His report describes a cloud building up, from which an object appeared and climbed very fast, leaving a clearly defined vapor trail. The object was photographed with a movie camera using a telephoto lens. A Reuters dispatch from March 1954 reported that this film was being sent to the United States for processing. Mr. Drury later responded in February 1958 that the film had been handed over to the Commonwealth Security Branch and he was unable to provide further details.
• Historical Airship Reports (Late 19th Century): The magazine reprints articles from the New York Times dated March 31, 1897, and April 15, 1897, discussing mysterious airships sighted in the western skies. These reports note that sightings occurred only at night and describe cigar-shaped structures with bright headlights. The articles express skepticism about the practicality of such craft but acknowledge the numerous reputable witnesses.

Scientific and Technological Speculation

The "SHORT SHOTS & NEWS NOTES" section explores various technological concepts and theories related to UFOs and space travel:

• Eugene Gluhareff's Theory: Eugene Gluhareff, of the Gluhareff Helicopter Airplane Corp., proposed that a disc-shaped airfoil could achieve lift by deflecting magnetic lines of force with a nuclear-powered generator. He suggested that electrons ejected by a nuclear reactor could create a field that would cause radar waves to be "blown away," rendering the craft undetectable.
• Soviet Space Program: The issue references a UP story from November 10, 1954, quoting William P. Lear, head of Lear, Inc., who stated that the Soviet Union was rushing plans for an interplanetary spaceship, warning that the West could lose its power margin if it did not awaken to this danger.
• Russian Rocket Satellite Plans (1953): An AP dispatch from September 13, 1953, reported that George Sutton, a rocket engineer, claimed Soviet scientists were planning to launch a "dead star" satellite into the stratosphere to relay information back to Earth.
• Lunar Crater Investigation: An article in the January 1958 issue of "Missiles and Rockets" by Dr. Albert Parry notes claims that future Russian satellites would orbit to study lunar craters and "mysterious whitish clouds" in certain areas of the moon.
• UFO Hoaxes: The magazine reports on a series of hoaxes perpetrated in Southern California, where aviation engineers allegedly used radio transmitters and helium balloons with red emergency flares to simulate UFO sightings during lectures.
• UFO Research Organizations: Information is provided on obtaining a tape recording of "Flying Saucers - Fact or Fiction?" and details about NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena), highlighting its role in researching UFO sightings and combating official censorship. Membership information is included.
• Book Sale: A special book sale section lists various titles related to UFOs, flying saucers, and related topics, with discounted prices.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena, historical accounts of similar sightings, and speculative discussions on advanced technology and potential extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting these phenomena and encouraging further investigation, while also acknowledging the existence of hoaxes and the challenges in obtaining concrete evidence. The inclusion of historical reports suggests an interest in tracing the phenomenon over time. The magazine also promotes books and organizations dedicated to UFO research, indicating a commitment to the subject matter.