1967 01 00 Science & Mechanics

Magazine Overview

Title: Science & Mechanics
Issue: January 1967
Publisher: Science & Mechanics
Country: USA
Language: English
Price: 35¢

This issue of Science & Mechanics features a prominent cover story on UFOs, with "21 PAGES ON UFOs!" promising a look at what is being done about them and an illustrated directory of unexplained sightings. Other cover stories include "RED SPY EQUIPMENT EXPOSED!" and "JOE GUTTS TESTS THE BARRACUDA!" The cover also highlights "16 NEW SAFETY FEATURES!" and teases "U.S. STEEL'S EXCITING NEW CAR!" along with "PISTOL-GRIP STEERING!" and "FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE!"

What We Are Doing About UFOs

This extensive article by Lloyd Mallan explores the government's involvement and public perception of UFO sightings. It begins by noting the surge in "flying saucer" sightings in late 1965 and early 1966 across various U.S. regions, which garnered significant media attention and criticism of the U.S. Air Force's handling of reports.

The article details a closed hearing on March 30, 1966, where Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara was questioned by Congressman Cornelius Gallagher about the reality of UFOs. McNamara stated that neither he nor the Air Force had found real evidence, but acknowledged the responsibility to defend against potential aggressors of unknown forms. Gallagher persisted, noting the increased public attention due to publications like Life.

Mr. McNamara categorically denied any substance to UFOs, calling them "illusions." This stance is contrasted with that of NICAP, which accuses the Air Force of withholding information. The author then investigates the two main organizations involved: the official Air Force-sponsored "Project Blue Book" and the independent NICAP.

Project Blue Book

Project Blue Book, headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, is part of the Air Force Systems Command's Foreign Technology Division. Its history traces back to September 1947, when General Carl Spaatz initiated a study. The project was initially code-named "Sign" and later "Grudge," with the names being unclassified nicknames rather than code names. The current project is headed by Major Hector Quintanilla, Jr., who has a physics degree and a dry sense of humor. The small staff includes First Lieutenant William Marley, who studies celestial mechanics, Staff Sergeant Harold Jones, who manages the automated files, and Mrs. Marilyn Stancombe, who has a photographic memory of UFO cases.

Project Blue Book investigates UFO reports, with 123 intelligence officers available. As of September 15, 1966, they had investigated 10,555 cases, with 650 remaining unidentified. Major Quintanilla believes that 90% of UFOs could be explained with sufficient data from observers. Investigations extend beyond the U.S. to bases in West Germany, North Africa, and Japan.

Colonel George P. Freeman, Jr., Chief of the Civil Branch of the Information Office, oversees public queries. The budget for Project Blue Book is absorbed by the Foreign Technology Division, with funds available for travel and investigation as needed.

NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena)

NICAP, founded by Dr. T. Townsend Brown, is a civilian organization with approximately 10,000 members. Its operating funds come from membership dues, contributions, and sales of publications, notably "The UFO Evidence" ($5.00). Richard Hall, Assistant Director of NICAP, compiled "The UFO Evidence," which is described as a thorough, though potentially biased, rundown on UFOs. NICAP's viewpoint suggests the Air Force has maintained secrecy and that UFOs might be interplanetary or interstellar vehicles.

NICAP has 30 subcommittees across major metropolitan areas, with professional scientists acting as advisors. They conduct field investigations, interview witnesses, and analyze potential explanations. NICAP receives significantly more reports than the Air Force, partly due to being better known and not ridiculing witnesses. Major Donald E. Keyhoe, Director of NICAP, emphasizes the need for the Air Force to be honest and not discredit witnesses.

Government Secrecy and the Robertson Panel

NICAP officers accuse the Air Force of maintaining tight secrecy, possibly set at a higher level, with the CIA and National Security Council being likely candidates for policy-making. The article reveals that the CIA, not the Air Force, called the "Robertson Panel" meeting in 1953. This panel, consisting of renowned scientists, evaluated UFO reports. The resulting "Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects" was classified secret by the CIA. Major Quintanilla has been trying to get this report declassified, and a portion has been released as "Comments and Suggestions of UFO Panel." This report recommended that national security agencies strip UFOs of their special status, reassure the public, and strengthen channels for evaluation and reaction to true indications of hostile measures.

New Scientific UFO Investigation

The article concludes by detailing a new initiative by the Air Force, prompted by recommendations from its Scientific Advisory Board. This program aims to strengthen scientific investigations of UFO reports by contracting with universities to form scientific teams. These teams, including psychologists and physical scientists, will investigate selected sightings in detail. A coordinating organization will be selected, and approximately 100 sightings per year may be studied. The reports are intended to be printed in full and made available on request, with the goal of informing the public about the scientific approach to the UFO problem. The Air Force's current program is described as well-organized but under-resourced.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to be exploring the UFO phenomenon with a critical yet open mind. It presents both the official government stance, which is skeptical, and the perspective of civilian investigators like NICAP, who believe there is more to the sightings than simple explanations. The editorial stance seems to favor transparency and rigorous scientific investigation, as evidenced by the coverage of the new Air Force initiative and the push for declassification of the Robertson Panel report. The article highlights the tension between official skepticism and public fascination with UFOs, and the challenges of separating credible reports from hoaxes and misidentifications.

This issue of Science & Mechanics, dated January 1967, is titled 'OF UFOS' and is designated as 'PART II' of a series, focusing on 'PROJECT BLUEBOOK'. The cover features a prominent illustration of a flying saucer.

Key Articles and Interviews

Project Blue Book and Air Force Policy

The magazine presents a detailed look into the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book, featuring interviews with key figures. Major Keyhoe expresses skepticism about the Air Force's handling of UFO information, suggesting a 'reception room' approach where information is collected but often dismissed or explained away. He references a classified 'Estimate of the Situation' that reportedly concluded UFOs were extraterrestrial, but was allegedly suppressed by Air Force leadership.

Major Quintanilla, from the Pentagon's Blue Book monitoring office, counters these claims. He asserts that there is no specific hierarchy directing UFO policy, and that the policy has been consistent since 1947, guided by Air Force Regulation 200-2. He states that the Air Force's primary mission is to determine if UFOs pose a threat to national security, and that no such threat has ever been identified. Quintanilla also expresses a personal openness to the idea of extraterrestrial visitors, suggesting it would be beneficial for research and development.

International UFO Programs

Major Quintanilla claims that the United States is unique in having an official government office dedicated to studying UFO phenomena. This statement is contrasted with information from NICAP's Richard Hall, who indicates that other governments, such as Argentina (Navy-led), England, and Australia (Air Force-led), have similar programs. He also mentions Brazil's establishment of a UFO commission.

NICAP's Stance and Request

The National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), represented by Richard Hall and Major Keyhoe, holds a strong belief in the extraterrestrial nature of UFOs and accuses the Air Force of censorship and withholding information. NICAP had requested a visit to the Project Blue Book office at Wright-Patterson AFB to examine files and interview personnel. The Air Force denied this request, deeming NICAP's conditions, which implied allegations of falsified reports and withheld information, as unacceptable and counterproductive.

Complete Directory of UFOs

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a 'Complete Directory of UFOs,' compiled by Lloyd Mallan. This directory lists numerous 'Good Unknowns' – sightings with sufficient details but no clear identification as natural or man-made phenomena. Each entry includes:

• Time/Place of Sighting: Specific date, time, and location.
• Duration: Length of the sighting.
• Number of Observers: Quantity and type of observers (e.g., deputies, pilots, scientists).
• Observer Reliability: Assessed reliability of the witness.
• Number of Objects: How many objects were seen.
• Shape: Description of the object's form.
• Dimensions: Estimated size.
• Color: Visual appearance.
• Sound: Any audible phenomena.
• Altitude: Estimated height.
• Speed: Estimated velocity.
• Tactics: How the object moved or behaved.
• Comment: Additional details or observer opinions.

Notable cases detailed include sightings in Florida, Australia, Indiana, Nevada, South Carolina, the South Pole, Southern United States, Russia, Scotland, Washington D.C., and Michigan. The descriptions range from disc-shaped objects with lights to cigar-shaped craft and disembodied lights.

Other Sections

• For the Stranded Motorist: A section discussing CB radios and walkie-talkies, unrelated to UFOs.
• What We're Doing about UFOs: A continuation of the discussion on UFOs, referencing the Air Force's and NICAP's positions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine adopts a stance of presenting information from various sources, including official Air Force statements and civilian UFO research groups like NICAP. While the 'Complete Directory of UFOs' provides detailed accounts of sightings, the editorial tone appears to lean towards presenting the data and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, though the sheer volume of detailed reports suggests an underlying interest in the phenomenon. The contrast between Major Quintanilla's official skepticism and Major Keyhoe's persistent belief in extraterrestrial origins is a central theme. The magazine seems to aim for a balanced, albeit detailed, exploration of the UFO topic, highlighting both official investigations and public reports.

Title: SCIENCE & MECHANICS
Issue Date: JANUARY, 1967
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Science & Mechanics presents a compilation of UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) sightings reported by various individuals across different locations in the United States during the early 1960s. The articles detail witness accounts, object characteristics, and sometimes the conclusions or contradictions from official investigations.

Reported Sightings

LaCamp, Louisiana Sighting (April 13, 1960)

Seven observers, including a projectionist, his family, and friends, reported seeing seven lights of various colors with no defined shape. The lights exhibited a faint rotating beacon and varied in altitude from quite high to two feet above the ground. Their speed ranged from that of a jet-type aircraft to an average bicycle. The objects engaged in complex maneuvers, including merging and splitting, and appeared in different configurations, causing the observers to flee in fright. Upon their return, the lights had disappeared.

Bark River, Michigan Sighting (February 27, 1961)

A farmer, deemed very reliable by the sheriff's office, reported a single object that was fiery red, round, and approximately 12 by 8 feet. The object made a loud rumbling noise followed by explosions. It approached from about 10° above the horizon, moved at very high speed, and reportedly plowed through trees, striking the ground like a stone skipping on water at nine different points. Furrows were found in the ground, a tree top was cut off, and the grass was scorched. The observer also reported fire burning from the rear of the object.

Indianapolis, Indiana Sighting (March 23, 1960)

A housewife and her husband, a metallurgist, observed a single object described as spheroidal with light rays projecting ahead of it. The object was about the size of a grapefruit and fiery red, with no sound reported. It appeared about 20° above the horizon and moved very slowly. The object moved 90° in azimuth before disappearing behind trees. The report notes that the object's characteristics were similar to a fireball but with an unusually long duration and forward-projected light rays.

Indianapolis, Indiana Sighting (March 23, 1960) - Second Account

This entry details a sighting by a housewife and her husband, a metallurgist. The object was described as golden to orange, with dimensions estimated by the metallurgist at 75 feet in diameter and by the wife as about the size of the morning star or Venus. Speeds were estimated at 1000 mph by the metallurgist and 18,000 mph by the wife. The object moved in a large arc, reversed direction, and disappeared abruptly. Both observers noted the object appeared to be made of 'little balls or metal components' and was very bright.

Kotzebue, Alaska Sighting (February 25, 1962)

Seven observers, including a U.S. Army private and six civilians, reported two round lights, one red and one blue, moving in trail formation about 30 seconds apart. They were at an altitude of 30° above the horizon and moved on a course from south-southwest to north-northwest in a straight line, fading out after five minutes. The weather was clear, and the FAA and Alaskan NORAD reported negative air traffic. However, Project Blue Book comments noted the objects displayed characteristics of aircraft but were classed as unidentified due to the lack of air traffic reports. An additional observation suggested possible unclassified ESV (Earth Satellite Vehicle) activity, but the author dismisses this as guesswork.

Copemish, Michigan Sighting (July 7, 1961)

A single civilian observer reported a spheroidal object that initially appeared large as a basketball. After 45 minutes, it split into four smaller, round, colored lights (bluish to red) that stayed in close formation. These objects moved slowly behind treetops and disappeared. The observer noted the object's course was varied.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena by credible witnesses, often involving objects with characteristics beyond known aircraft capabilities. The magazine highlights the variety in reported shapes, sizes, colors, and behaviors of these objects. A significant aspect is the critical examination of official investigations, particularly those by the Air Force and related agencies, pointing out inconsistencies and what the author suggests are speculative conclusions. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting detailed witness accounts while also questioning the thoroughness and objectivity of official explanations, implying that many cases remain genuinely unexplained.