SIGAP Bulletin - No 20 1969 01

Magazine Overview

Title: SIGAP BULLETIN
Issue: No. 20
Date: January 1969
Publisher: SURREY INVESTIGATION GROUP ON AERIAL PHENOMENA (SIGAP)
Price: 1/-

This issue of the SIGAP Bulletin, dated January 1969, focuses on recent UFO-related events and investigations. It features a report on a highly successful exhibition by B.U.F.O.R.A. at the New Year Show in Olympia, which attracted an estimated 10,000 visitors. The bulletin also delves into historical UFO cases, including a detailed look at the Captain Mantell incident, and explores recent UFO activity reported internationally and locally.

B.U.F.O.R.A. Exhibition Success

The lead story highlights the significant public interest generated by a B.U.F.O.R.A. stand at the New Year Show in Olympia. On Friday, January 3rd, 1969, over 1500 people per hour visited the stand, with a total of 10,000 visitors by the end of the day. The exhibition showcased 'saucer' photographs and UFO detecting equipment. The SIGAP group contributed paintings by Dan Butchers and statistical graphs by Dick Beet. The event led to a number of new sighting reports and is expected to boost B.U.F.O.R.A.'s membership.

The Captain Mantell Case Revisited

A visitor to the Olympia exhibition shared personal knowledge of the Captain Mantell case, which occurred in the U.S.A. on January 7th, 1948. The visitor, who had connections with the U.S.A.A.F. at the time, spoke to personnel present at the crash site. Captain Mantell, piloting a P.51 Mustang fighter without oxygen equipment, was scrambled to chase a disc-shaped object. While other pilots turned back, Mantell's aircraft crashed. Theories surrounding the incident include a 'Skyhook' balloon causing oxygen loss or a UFO encounter, with mention of strange marks and remains of the aircraft. The visitor also stated that marks, including equally spaced holes, were found on the aircraft remains, and that Captain Mantell's body had not been recovered, adding to the mystery.

UFO Activity in Norway and Denmark

The bulletin reports on exciting news from Norway, specifically the Tonsberg area, where "glowing balls" approximately 2 feet in diameter were observed chasing a car and hovering over a house. A Norwegian UFO study group is reportedly investigating these incidents. Additionally, the magazine "Norsk Ukeblad" detailed UFO activity in both Norway and Denmark, mentioning transparent balls that have been known to follow people. These phenomena were also referred to as "Foo Fighters" during World War II.

Local UFO Scene

Several local sightings are reported:

• S.138: On December 2nd, 1968, David Chaloner, a pupil at the Royal Grammar School Guildford, observed a star-like object near the moon moving in a wavering motion towards the North, then changing course to the North East. The report notes this could be a satellite.
• S.130: Mr R. Amos of Guildford reported seeing a bright pink light flickering near the Cathedral, moving North or North East. The light varied in height and vanished behind trees after about 30 seconds. Local aircraft noise prevented determination of any sound.
• S.133: A report from Mr K. Swift, investigated by C.A. Ward of A.P.I.R.G., describes two lights shining down from the sky near Ragge Hill, Tatsfield, Surrey, between 6:30 and 7:30 am, approximately 4-5 years prior. The beams were close together, emanating from a dark shadowy object, and moved in the opposite direction to the witness. C.A. Ward commented that while it could be a night flying aircraft, factors like the lights being 70° to the horizontal (unlike typical aircraft lights inclined at 30°) and the absence of sound argue against this.
• Late UFO Report: Mrs D. Withall of New Haw reported seeing two grey, saucer-shaped objects with white domes flying low over Grange School on a Friday morning, returning home from shopping. She noted they seemed to be following each other and travelling very fast. This report is to be followed up by SIGAP.

Dog Encounters with UFOs: A Brief Survey

Part 1 of a survey by D.G. Butcher examines reports of encounters between dogs and UFOs, drawing from "Flying Saucer Review" and "Aime Michel's Flying Saucers and the Straight Line Mystery." The encounters are categorized under four main headings:

1. Cases of fright: Mild alarm (barking/howling) and severe fright.
2. Cases of defiance: Fear shown by UFO entities or defensive action by occupants.
3. Attempted abduction of dogs by UFO occupants.
4. Traces of a giant dog in the vicinity of a UFO sighting.

The survey provides several examples:

• At Poncey-sur-l'Ignon (October 2nd, 1954), dogs bayed at a 'great cloud cigar'.
• At Premanon (September 27th, 1954), a barking dog drew attention to a UFO entity.
• In Montreal (November 1964), a dog awakened a witness who saw a luminous ball.
• In Florida (1966), dogs awakened a man near a lighted object.
• During the 1896-7 'airship' appearance in Paris, Texas, a dog howled until it passed.
• Near Sydney, Australia (August 1965), howling dogs awakened boys on two consecutive mornings when a UFO was seen.
• At Clifton Hampden (1966), dogs whined at a UFO.
• A photograph from Cappoquin (September 9th, 1965) shows a dog refusing to move, coinciding with a sighting of 'two headlamps' in the sky.
• At Weston near Runcorn (1967), a dog's hair stood on end during a sighting.
• In Morriston, South Wales (August 25th, 1965), a neighbor's dog became frightened by a bright light.
• At Quarouble, France (September 10th, 1954), a dog howled loudly when a UFO was seen near its house.

The survey is marked "To be continued."

Satellite News (Decays)

The bulletin includes a section on satellite decays, providing warnings to aircraft pilots. It lists several payloads and debris expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere in January 1968, including USA 1963/3a FTV Payload, 1965/82np USA Titan debris, USSR Cosmos245 Payload, and USA Titan 3 c4 and c4 debris.

New Members and Editorial Notes

A list of new members for December 1968 is provided, including individuals from Purley, Leatherhead, Dorking, Tatsfield, and Guildford. The issue concludes with a humorous exchange overheard at the UFO stand, and a note that the newsletter was produced by O. Fowler as Ron Toft was away on a course.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The SIGAP Bulletin consistently focuses on UFO sightings, investigations, and public awareness. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into aerial phenomena, encouraging the reporting of sightings and sharing information through its publications. There is an emphasis on both contemporary events, such as the Olympia exhibition and recent sightings, and historical cases like Captain Mantell's. The inclusion of a survey on dog-UFO interactions and satellite decay information suggests a broad approach to unexplained phenomena and related scientific/technical developments. The publication aims to document and analyze these events, fostering a community of interest through its membership and reporting.