1951 04 00 Science et Vie No 403

Magazine Overview

Title: SCIENCE ET VIE
Issue Date: April 1951
Issue Number: 403
Price: 75 FRANCS

This issue of SCIENCE ET VIE, dated April 1951, prominently features the topic of "flying saucers" (soucoupes volantes) on its cover and within its pages. The cover art depicts two orange, disc-shaped objects in space, one emitting a beam, setting a tone of scientific inquiry into an unexplained phenomenon.

The "Flying Saucers" Phenomenon: Truths, Possibilities, Illusions

The main article, "LES « SOUCOUPES VOLANTES » VÉRITÉS POSSIBILITÉS ILLUSIONS," addresses the persistent reader demand for information on this subject. The authors acknowledge that even official commissions, like one established by the U.S. Government, and claims by Swedish and American scientists have not fully resolved the mystery. To provide a comprehensive overview, the magazine presents the opinions of several prominent personalities and summarizes the key data on the problem, as requested by M. Alexandre Ananoff, who presided over the first International Astronautics Congress in Paris in October of the previous year.

Expert Opinions and Skepticism

Several leading figures in aviation and science offer their perspectives:

• Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, constructor of the "Comet," states that he has no knowledge of any credible proof supporting the existence of flying saucers.
• Henri Farman, a pilot and aircraft constructor, expresses doubt, particularly regarding the idea of saucers coming from another planet. He cites historical instances of misidentified phenomena, such as the sightings following the disappearance of the Nungesser and Coli aircraft and reports of dirigibles in 1902.
• R. Esnault-Pelterie, a member of the Academy of Sciences, believes the question of flying saucers is a case of collective psychosis, recalling instances of misidentified flying objects and the Loch Ness Monster.
• Auguste Piccard, explorer of the stratosphere, admits he has never seen a flying saucer and, if they exist, they are likely not saucer-shaped. He also mentions seeing a bright object that he identified as a meteorite, and states he does not believe in flying saucers.
• R. Dautry, General Administrator of the Atomic Energy Commission, defers to the French government's policy of pursuing only peaceful research, stating that neither he nor his collaborators are qualified to offer an opinion on flying saucers.
• Jean Lafargue, General Engineer of Armament Manufacturing, suggests that some precise descriptions are troubling and might point to guided projectiles or ramjets. He believes that if such a projectile were recovered, the mystery would be quickly solved.
• Étienne Œhmichen, professor at the Collège de France, provides only fragmentary and unverified indications about these machines.
• Yves Rocard, director of the Physics Laboratory of the École Normale Supérieure, states he cannot express an opinion without certain, even if fragmentary, information.
• L. Toussaint, director of the Aerotechnical Institute of Saint-Cyr, regrets not being able to provide an opinion based on his laboratory's research.
• G. Harlant, director of the National School of Aeronautics, is unable to respond due to national defense secrecy.
• R.-G. Desgrandchamps, civil aeronautical engineer, finds the question of existence less important than the possibility and advantages of such craft, defining a flying saucer as a circular-winged aircraft with high speed. He outlines three potential concepts: a subsonic circular-winged aircraft, a rocket-launched, supersonic, unmanned projectile, or a manned aircraft launched from a carrier plane.
• Dr Eugen Sänger, president of the International Committee for the Development of Interplanetary Navigation, suggests that if observations are real and not illusions, the objects could be combined air-ground vehicles, pure aircraft, or towed bodies. He notes that atomic-powered craft would have limited range and their builders would not risk exposing them. He leans towards the idea of them being remote-controlled observation or alarm devices, but finds their reported size and shape ill-suited for such purposes, concluding it might be a "war of nerves" tactic.
• Gabriel Voisin, constructor of the first seaplane, acknowledges the number and diversity of reports suggesting circular objects with rotational movement and rapid displacement. He suggests reaction propulsion might explain their function but finds the circular shape an error in aerodynamic design. He concludes that the most plausible explanation is an immaterial "war of nerves."
• J. Gauzit, astronomer at the Lyon Observatory, points out that many people may have mistaken meteors or rare atmospheric phenomena like ball lightning for flying saucers.

Reported Sightings and Characteristics

The magazine details numerous observations, prioritizing those from experienced aviators:

• Kenneth Arnold (June 24, 1947): Reported nine flying discs in formation.
• Thomas Mantell (January 7, 1948): A pilot who pursued an object and was later found dead.
• TWA Flight (April 27, 1950): Crew observed a red, round object.
• Captains Chiles and Whitted (July 1950): Reported a 30m long object with two decks and windows, moving at 1500 km/h.
• M. Hess (May 20, 1950): Observed a small disc moving at 300 km/h.
• Captains Jack Adams and Anderson (September 31, 1951): Observed an orange disc with supersonic speed.

Commonly reported characteristics include:

1. A bulging disc shape, sometimes described as a "cigar" when viewed from the side.
2. A double deck and "windows."
3. A surrounding fluorescent light.
4. A luminous point at the top.
5. Variable dimensions (30 cm to 130 m).
6. Occasional red flames during movement.
7. High mobility and speed.

Explanations and Hypotheses

Several explanations are considered:

• Pro-saucer proponents suggest at least two types: small, high-speed, possibly remote-controlled craft, and larger, slower, piloted craft. However, the magazine questions the reliability of size and distance estimations.
• Antisaucer proponents dismiss all observations as "collective hallucinations" or hoaxes. The magazine finds this stance too absolute, given the number of reports from credible witnesses.

Possible Explanations Discussed:

• Terrestrial Origin (Secret Projects): This is supported by a reported U.S. military inscription on a discovered 50 cm object. The idea is that advanced aircraft are being secretly developed.
• Extraterrestrial Origin: This hypothesis is fueled by reports of crashed saucers and alien occupants, though the magazine dismisses these as mystifications. It speculates about advanced civilizations from other planets observing Earth, possibly due to our current technological stage (astronautics) and their inability to communicate.

Technical Considerations:

• Propulsion: Theories include mixed systems like helicopters, jet engines, turboreactors, or rocket motors. The use of atomic energy is also mentioned as a potential power source for reduced weight and increased duration.
• Design: Early concepts from inventors like M. Dreux-Huzard (1925), Frantz Van Hæfft (1928), and Russian inventor Krasnogorsky (1913) are shown, illustrating circular or disc-like flying machines, some inspired by dirigibles or incorporating multiple propulsion methods.
• Aerodynamics: The circular shape is questioned by some experts as potentially inefficient for flight.

The Question of Origin

The origin of these machines is a major point of speculation. The magazine considers and largely dismisses America and Europe as the origin due to population density and the difficulty of maintaining secrecy. Russia is presented as a potential candidate due to its vast territories and potential for secret research facilities, particularly in Siberia. However, the magazine questions why such advanced creations would be tested over populated areas.

Martians and Jovians

The extraterrestrial hypothesis leads to speculation about visitors from other planets, such as Mars or Jupiter. The magazine notes that while some scientists believe life might exist on other planets, spectroscopic research has shown that conditions on other solar system planets are unlikely to support life comparable to Earth's. The idea of interplanetary scouts preparing for an invasion or observing humanity is presented as a fanciful but popular notion.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects the widespread fascination and debate surrounding flying saucers in the early 1950s. While presenting numerous eyewitness accounts and technical possibilities, the editorial stance leans towards caution and skepticism. The magazine highlights the unreliability of popular observations, the difficulty of scientific verification, and the tendency for hoaxes and misidentifications. It acknowledges the possibility of secret terrestrial projects as a more plausible explanation than extraterrestrial visitors, while still leaving room for the unknown. The recurring theme is the tension between the desire to believe in extraordinary phenomena and the rigorous demands of scientific evidence and rational explanation.

This issue of "Les mystères de l'univers" (The Mysteries of the Universe), issue number 225, dated October 1954, delves into the technical and theoretical aspects of flying saucers and advanced aerial craft. The cover prominently features the headline "La formule hélicoptère" (The Helicopter Formula), suggesting a focus on the mechanics of unconventional flight.

The Helicopter Formula

The article "La formule hélicoptère" addresses the question of whether a circular aircraft can fly. It posits that a positive answer is possible if the craft utilizes a disc shape with retractable blades of variable incidence. While such models do not yet exist, the article asserts that technical data does not preclude their construction and use. The rotation of these craft could be achieved by a series of reaction motors along the disc's edge. A central cabin could remain stationary, stabilized either by an anti-torque reaction motor or a vertical rudder in the thrust of a propeller, as suggested by Dr. Kay's experiments. However, these experiments reportedly showed poor efficiency and instability, leading to the conclusion that this formula might only yield a "bad helicopter" under optimal conditions, according to Dr. Alexandre Klemin.

Earlier attempts are recalled, including those by the Frenchman Dreux-Huzard in 1925 at the Eiffel laboratory. His experimental "flying saucer" design, described in a report by M. Lapresle, was a biconvex lens shape 100 meters in diameter, intended to use dynamic lift wings at its extremity to facilitate flight through rotation. The interior was designed to hold hydrogen balloons. The article also mentions the "Brollycopter" by M. Olen Sipe, which uses two cones with counter-rotating blades.

The Disc Formula

Contrasting with the helicopter formula, the "disc formula" is presented as more appealing, despite a lack of precise data. This approach relies on the inherent gyroscopic stability of a rotating circular surface. The article suggests that such a design would be well-suited for high speeds and abrupt changes in direction, as a disc has an equal leading edge all around, allowing maneuvers to be executed by simply orienting the central motor. The considerable supporting surfaces would enable long-distance glides with low incidence and significant accelerations.

The article draws a parallel to German research during the war by Irene Bredt and Eugen Sänger on large-lift surface craft, which explored achieving circumterrestrial flights using atmospheric "ricochets" with minimal energy. It questions whether flying saucers might employ similar principles, likening their movement to flat stones skipping on water. The author suggests that while supersonic aircraft with swept wings are designed to penetrate dense air, the disc-shaped craft might operate according to "superaerodynamics," implying a new physics for new machines. The analogy is made that "the flying saucer is to the supersonic airplane what a flat-bottomed boat is to a submarine" – one navigates the element, the other dominates it.

Explanations and Speculations

The issue touches upon the legal and ethical implications of potential contact with extraterrestrial beings, citing a hypothetical question about whether firing on aliens would constitute a war crime. It also notes that while the existence of alien crews is sometimes believed, the existence of "flying saucers" themselves is questioned, with sightings attributed to natural phenomena like meteorites, light reflections, atmospheric illusions, or experimental aircraft.

Charles Zimmermann's circular-wing aircraft (Vought V173 and XF5 U) for the U.S. Navy are mentioned as examples of fixed circular wings that showed advantages in airflow but suffered from instability. The "Novgorod," built in 1890 by Admiral Popoff, is presented as an early circular vessel that propelled itself by rotating.

Conclusion

The author concludes by stating that readers are free to form their own opinions. If flying saucers exist, they are likely kept secret. The article notes that a U.S. Government commission investigated flying saucers, initially linking them to the "sea serpent" phenomenon before leaning towards an extraterrestrial origin. The author questions whether investigators are trying to conceal American research or avoid alarming the public about non-American advanced weapons. If the extraterrestrial hypothesis is accepted, the issue becomes global, and it is questioned why America would have exclusive rights to such incursions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of advanced technology, unexplained phenomena, and scientific speculation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various theories and technical possibilities related to flying saucers and unconventional aircraft without definitively endorsing any single explanation. There is a clear interest in the scientific and engineering challenges posed by these phenomena, as well as their potential implications for humanity and international relations. The tone is analytical, seeking to ground speculative topics in available data and theoretical frameworks, while acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge.