Saucers, Space & Science - No 13

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCERS, SPACE & SCIENCE
Issue Date: December, 1959
Issue Number: 13
Content Focus: This issue delves into various aspects of the flying saucer phenomenon, including technological developments, eyewitness accounts, scientific explanations, and even interpretations of religious texts.

Avro Saucer Test Flow

The lead article details the successful tethered test flights of the Avro car, a saucer-shaped craft developed by A.V. Roe. Sir Roy Dobson, chairman of Avro, stated the craft would soon be flown unshackled. While it has undergone tethered flights for months, reaching only shoulder height, it is expected to go into free flight soon and undergo wind tunnel tests. Engineers reportedly faced challenges with engine overheating and stability control. The Avrocar is believed to achieve higher speeds than other air-cushion vehicles, utilizing the Coanda effect for forward motion. The U.S. Army is reportedly interested in purchasing substantial numbers of these craft for enhanced infantry mobility and speed. The article also mentions German claims of a saucer built in 1945 that reached 37,000 feet and traveled at 1,200 m.p.h., and Britain's development of a VTOL craft based on Avro theory. A "saucer" has been crated and shipped to Moffet Field, California, for high-speed tests at Ames Research Centre, with a demonstration planned for U.S. observers in November. Two such saucers, approximately 25 feet in diameter, are at the Malton plant.

Flying Objects Unidentified

This section compiles several reports of unidentified flying objects:

• Labrador Coast Sighting (September 23, 1959): A Pan American jet airliner pilot and an RCAF report described a "glowing red" object with a vertical tail, observed for 30 seconds at 20,000 feet, moving at "tremendous speed" from south to north. A U.S. missile base in Maine confirmed no Snark missile firings that could account for the sighting.
• Moncton Sighting (September 19, 1959): Two Moncton men reported an unexplained pear-shaped object emitting a blinding, flame-like light. The light was so bright it caused one witness to cover his eyes.
• Crofton Incident (September 26, 1959): A Duncan man, Vernon Stanley-Jones, who initially reported an "explosion in the skies," now believes it was a crash of two space ships. He and his son saw a "bright red flash and glow" over Richards Mountain. The RCMP found no record of explosions. Stanley-Jones, a UFO researcher, believes "there is something out there we don't know about" and that "we aren't the only people in the universe."
• Vancouver Area Sightings (Wednesday night prior to publication): Eleven district residents reported seeing "flying saucers." Mrs. Don Lorton described two objects as "very big and moving extremely fast," seeming to revolve around each other and moving east toward Crofton.
• Chemainus Meeting: Families who spotted flying saucers on Wednesday night reported their sightings at a meeting of interested people.
• Vancouver Area Explanation: Miss F.L. Draper suggested that the "glowing objects" seen over Vancouver might be reflections from city lights, possibly from a new parking lot in Vancouver equipped with searchlights. She described the lights as following a general pattern, moving back and forth in the glow of reflections off clouds.
• Chemainus Night Watchman: R.W. Clegg reported seeing strange objects that emitted a humming and piercing noise.

Crash Over Duncan

Vernon Stanley-Jones of Richards Trail is convinced that the "explosion in the skies" he reported over Crofton on September 26 was a crash of two space ships. He and his son Chris witnessed a "bright red flash and glow" over Richards Mountain. The RCMP found no explosions. Stanley-Jones believes that if any of our aircraft go down, we search for them, implying a similar expectation for extraterrestrial craft. He asserts that "there is something out there we don't know about" and that humanity is not alone in the universe. He also recounts seeing "flying saucers" himself two years prior from a TCA plane.

Women Drivers in Space Ships?

This section presents a collection of brief UFO reports:

• Crofton Pulp Mill: Jack Wilson reported his daughter Gaynor saw an object "come down over her" while riding a horse. The object emitted a "piercing noise" and a bright orange light. Mrs. Norman Howarth stated her children first spotted the objects, which gave off a bright, orange light as they moved north. She distinguished them from searchlights.
• Westholme Sighting: Fordham Solly observed objects from 7 p.m. until midnight, checking space intervals and phoning neighbors who also witnessed the "queer lights."
• Victoria Area Sighting: A man who wished to remain anonymous reported his father-in-law saw a large, silvery "Dirgible" style craft come over Victoria at great height, making a large sweep and moving away. The sighting lasted 15 to 20 minutes.
• Cowichan Lake Monster: While not a UFO, the report mentions a "lake monster" that is not new to long-time residents, with sightings common until about 20 years ago. A recent report describes the monster towing a man in a rowboat before streaking to the bottom.
• Kotal Lake Hissing Monster: In New Delhi, a 20-foot-long, brick-red creature with white spots that hisses is frightening sportsmen. Villagers believe it was washed down from the hills during floods.

Vanishing 14-Foot 'Egg' New British Columbia Flying Saucer Report

Residents of a lonely bushland country are trying to determine if Alex Gillis and Jerry Monkman saw a giant flying saucer parked in front of their truck. The incident occurred on April 29 at 10:30 p.m. near Grassy Plains. Monkman described the object as "about 14 feet across, egg-shaped, and there appeared to be a light shining through the top." It was clearly visible on the moonlit night and disappeared without a sound, possibly rising straight up at terrific speed. The report was initially kept quiet for fear of ridicule.

"To Be Or Not To Be. That Is The Question"

This editorial piece by Gladys Fusaro discusses the challenge of verifying UFO photographs. It emphasizes that claims of having taken UFO photos are not sufficient proof and require professional inspection. The author warns against accepting photos as genuine until both the story and the photo have been thoroughly checked, citing examples of faked UFO photos from Japan and Denmark. The article stresses the importance of a "THOROUGH CHECK OF BOTH STORY AND PHOTO."

Railman Sees Weird Light

On October 24, 1959, a CPR locomotive engineer, C.D. Campbell, reported seeing a large "mystery" white light northeast of Komoka, larger than the moon and about 1,000 feet in the air. It did not respond to the train's headlight signals, unlike typical aircraft. The light remained stationary.

Cigar-Shaped UFO Sighted Recently

Bill Shoebotham reported seeing an unusually bright star that appeared to be approaching. It passed slowly to the south of his viewpoint, traveling northeast towards West Vancouver. It appeared cigar-shaped, the size of half a lead pencil held at arm's length, with "projections of light" above and below. The sighting lasted nearly half an hour.

Two Men See 'Quivering' UFO

Mr. J.H. Kacer observed a large, motionless, ellipsoid object about 1/3 mile SE of ALCAN buildings at about 1000 ft. It had a reddish-pink glow below and a dark upper part, with the glow "quivering" like an arc welder. Kacer called another man who also saw it before it disappeared into the overcast. The object was seen again hovering, then took off at "amazing speed" after circling the twin masts of CKWX. The incident was reported to the RCAF, and Mr. Kacer was later interviewed by men from Ottawa and the U.S. Army, who opined, "We hope they are extra-terrestrial and not from......"

Just A Star--No Saucer

George Beaubier's son saw something flying around in the sky above their property, but concluded it was only a bat.

Giant Silvery Ship Over Victoria

A man who wished to remain anonymous reported his father-in-law saw a large, silvery "Dirgible" style craft come over Victoria at great height, making a large sweep and moving away. The sighting lasted 15 to 20 minutes.

Lake Monster Is Old Timer

This brief note mentions that the Cowichan Lake monster is not new, with sightings common until about 20 years ago. A recent report describes the monster towing a man in a rowboat.

The Hissing Monster At Kotal Lake

In New Delhi, a 20-foot-long, brick-red creature with white spots that hisses is frightening sportsmen. Villagers believe it was washed down from the hills during floods.

Dr. Ernest Stuhlinger's Prediction

Rocket expert Dr. Ernest Stuhlinger predicts that electrically-propelled spaceships may be exploring the solar system within 10 to 15 years. He also states that a 100-ton payload could reach the moon in 52 days with a 36-ton ferry.

Max Shapiro Statement

Max Shapiro of Brooklyn, NY, reported a "mother-ship" sighting. He described distinct ribs and a panel reflecting a strong light. The ship was moving very slowly and disappeared into the clouds. He does not know if anyone else observed the object.

Says Saucers Not Visitors From Space

W.H. Cameron, assistant head of the Navigational Aids Section of the National Research Council, concluded that the assumption that "flying saucers" are spaceships leads to absurd conclusions. In one case, a B-29 bomber captain reported a radar sighting indicating a spaceship 10 miles long, weighing nine thousand tons, and requiring immense electricity. Cameron's only explanation, fitting extreme speed, acceleration, changing colors, and shapes, is that these objects are a "mirage." He stated that the next time one sees a flying saucer, it is "just another unidentified flying object."

Kamloops Hoax

Three young boys in Kamloops admitted to RCAF officials that "glowing objects" seen over the city were homemade versions of lighter-than-air balloons. They used cone-shaped frames covered with tissue paper and a gasoline-soaked blob of cotton. The hot air caused the cones to rise, mystifying observers.

Woman in Space Test Suffers Less Than Men

Wilma Sanson, a graduate student, was the first woman to undergo Canada's space research experiments. She reported no hallucinations during a six-day stay in an isolation chamber, unlike the men who participated. Dr. John Zubek suggested this adds weight to the theory that women are biologically superior to men.

George Hunt Williamson Lecture

A reader recommends George Hunt Williamson's lecture "The City That Existed Before The Moon," praising his knowledge of anthropology and his convincing presentation.

Chinese Astronomers Record Supernova

In 1054, Chinese astronomers recorded the appearance of a star so bright it shone by day and blazed for several months before disappearing. This event is identified as a supernova.

Martians Aren't That Crazy!

Dr. Vasco Vieira Garin, delegate for Portugal to the United Nations, foresees "a sudden invasion of our earth by aggressive warriors from another celestial body" if the UN persists in total world disarmament. He suggests that "little green men" with superior intelligence have already made scouting forays and may return with an "ominous request: 'Take us to your leader.'" He lists potential leaders such as Orval Faubus, Nikita Khrushchev, and Mao Tse-tung, humorously imagining their reaction to human conflicts.

Spiritwood, Saskatchewan Sighting

Residents sighted an unusual light, three to four times the size of a street light and of a brilliant orange color, which hovered over the town for several minutes before shooting off at high speed to the northeast.

Flying Objects Unidentified (Continued)

• Albert County Sighting: Mrs. J.T. Coombes reported a flashing light that frightened her while driving. The light was strong enough to make her fear the object would crash.
• St. John's, Newfoundland Sighting (September 28th): A housewife reported two flying objects, one pear-shaped and one needle-nosed, rendezvoused over Notre Dame Bay. The needle-nosed object passed the pear-shaped one at terrific speed.
• Crooked Creek Sighting: At least six persons reported seeing a strange light on Sunday morning that glided brightly through the sky for 90 minutes.

"I Hear They Had A Saucerian Birth"

This section features a drawing of the Avro by Homer Schaefer and a report from Statesville, N.C., about a blue ball of light that "chased" a car for several miles. The object hovered at tree-top levels and moved at varying speeds. Police departments and the Highway Patrol confirmed similar sightings within a 50-mile radius.

Scientists to Examine Ice Chunk from Georgia Garden

A 40-pound chunk of ice, possibly formed by unknown elements in outer space, plummeted into a farmer's garden in Toccoa, Georgia. The ice was analyzed by Joe Vaughan, who reported it was pure, untreated water and not manufactured. Similar incidents of ice blocks falling from the sky were reported in Italy. Dr. William A. Calder suggested the ice could have broken off from a comet or a meteor.

Another Ice Hunk Falls at Cleveland

A 10-pound slab of dirty, muddy ice fell near a construction site. It was described as rounded on one side. Other ice chunks fell in Beachwood, one through a roof and another into a golf course.

Ice Makes Hole in Roof Size of Football

A piece of ice, believed to have fallen from an airplane, smashed into a house roof in Whittier, California, leaving a hole the size of a football and loosening plaster. Five chunks of ice, each the size of a fist, were found melting in the attic.

The Mystery and Secrecy Surrounding UFO

This brief note suggests that the mystery surrounding UFOs has led to the possibility of other civilizations. It humorously references a newspaper ad for a "FOUND--One Oldsmobile hub cap."

The Haunted Decade - Part 3

This article by A.V. Sampsel discusses finding solutions to the UFO mystery by studying the Bible and using a Concordance. It provides a list of biblical references (Psalms, Daniel, Jeremiah, Kings, Joel, Isaiah, Amos, Habakkuk, Zechariah, Ezekiel) that are suggested for those interested in UFOs and entities. The author highlights James Moffatt's modern translation of the Bible. A passage from the Book of Jude is quoted to illustrate the meaning and purpose of "saucer entities," describing them as impious creatures who pervert grace, abandon their domain, and are reserved for eternal doom. The passage also speaks of "visionaries" who pollute their flesh, scorn celestial powers, and are like "rainless clouds" and "wandering stars."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents a wide range of UFO-related phenomena, from technological advancements like the Avrocar to numerous eyewitness accounts of unexplained aerial objects. While some articles lean towards the sensational, others attempt to provide scientific explanations, such as the "mirage" theory or the debunking of hoaxes. There's a clear interest in the potential for extraterrestrial visitation and the implications for humanity. The inclusion of biblical interpretations suggests an editorial stance that is open to exploring unconventional explanations and connecting UFO phenomena to broader spiritual or existential questions. The magazine also highlights the challenges in verifying evidence, particularly photographic claims, and acknowledges the role of government and military interest in these events.