SUN 10 (July 1991)

Magazine Overview

This issue of Skeptics UFO Newsletter, dated July 1991, is published by Philip J. Klass and is identified as SUN #10. The primary focus of this issue is the critical examination of claims made by UFOlogists Ed Walters and Bruce Maccabee regarding a UFO model discovered in Gulf Breeze, Florida. The newsletter also explores research into UFO abductions, alleged government UFO coverups, and the work of various UFO researchers.

Walters, Maccabee Fail to Explain "Garage Entrance Discrepancy"

The lead article, "WALTERS, MACCABEE FAIL TO EXPLAIN 'GARAGE ENTRANCE DISCREPANCY' WHICH CHALLENGES WALTERS CLAIM THAT SMALL UFO-MODEL DISCOVERED IN FORMER GULF BREEZE RESIDENCE WAS MADE BY 'DEBUNKERS,'" by Philip J. Klass, details a significant discrepancy in the evidence presented by Ed Walters. Walters claimed that the house plan used for the mid-section of a discovered UFO model was made in September 1989, nearly two years after his first UFO photos were released. However, the newsletter reveals that a portion of this house plan strip, used in the UFO model, shows details of a house intended for 712 Jamestown Drive, not the Thomas house which was planned for Shoreline Drive.

A key point of contention is the orientation of the garage entrance. On the UFO-model house plan strip, the garage entrance is parallel to the long dimension of the house. In contrast, the Thomas house plan shows the garage entrance perpendicular to the long dimension. Bruce Maccabee, after being challenged, failed to provide an explanation for this "critical discrepancy."

The article further states that Walters' claim that the UFO-model house plan was designed for Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Thomas rests on the fact that the drawing shows a Living Area of 1740 sq. ft. and a Slab Area of 2393 sq. ft. However, the Thomas house plan only shows "1740 LA" and "2393" written separately, potentially added later. The newsletter presents evidence that in January 1987, Walters and Russ McElhinney planned to build a speculative house at 712 Jamestown Drive with a Living Area of 1740 sq. ft. and a garage entrance parallel to the long dimension. Building permit requests were filed on January 16 and January 28, 1987. However, the Slab Area shown on these permits does not match the 2393 sq. ft. on the UFO-model drawing.

When calculating the Slab Area from the dimensions on the "Spec" house drawings, it equals 2393 sq. ft., matching the UFO model. However, the Living Area calculates to 1675 sq. ft., differing from the 1740 sq. ft. shown on the permit application. The newsletter suggests that the "484" number underneath the "1740" Living Area on the permit might represent a 22 x 22 ft. double garage slab, which when added to 1740 sq. ft. yields 2224 sq. ft. Slab Area. It is noted that the lower right corner of the "spec" house drawing, where Living Area and Slab Area figures were normally shown, was torn off.

Gulf Breeze UFO Shows Up, Belatedly, for Visiting Japanese TV Crew

This section reports on a Japanese TV crew's visit to Gulf Breeze, where they were disappointed by a lack of UFO sightings on May 10. However, UFOlogist Bob Oechsler alerted them to a red UFO sighting northwest of their hotel. The TV crew captured footage of the UFO moving northeast and then disappearing. The director described it as "a circular ring of red 'energy' with a center glowing orange core." The article humorously notes that Gulf Breeze has become famous for red-light sightings, and suggests that balloons with emergency flares could be responsible if the lights are always red.

"UFO-Abductees" Say As Children They Were "Aware of Non-Physical Beings" and "Alternate Realities," Psychologists Report

This article summarizes findings from the "Project Omega Survey," conducted by psychologists Kenneth Ring and Christopher J. Rosing. The survey compared 97 individuals reporting UFO encounters (UFOErs) with 39 who were interested but claimed no encounters, 74 who reported near-death experiences (NDErs), and 54 interested in NDEs but without such experiences. The study found a significant similarity between UFOErs and NDErs, who were more likely to report being aware of non-physical beings and "other realities" as children. The researchers suggest these individuals are "sensitive to alternative realities" rather than "fantasy prone." The survey also indicated that UFOErs and NDErs were more likely to have experienced childhood abuse and severe illness.

Ring and Rosing suggest that UFO experiences and NDEs may share a common underlying source. The article includes a humorous dialogue illustrating how ETs might select abduction victims based on psychic sensitivity and past trauma.

Additional insights from the survey suggest that UFOErs and NDErs often report that electrical or electronic equipment malfunctions following their encounters. The article references Michael Shallis's book "The Electric Connection" which claims these reports have been corroborated. However, the author of this newsletter expresses skepticism, citing his experience in the electronics industry where similar failures were attributed to static electricity and required grounding straps.

Proposed Military Base Closings--Part of Government UFO Coverup?

This section speculates that some military base closings, ostensibly for economy, may be part of a government UFO coverup. Examples cited include Carswell Air Force Base (linked to the Roswell crash debris), Loring AFB, and Wurtsmith AFB (involved in 1975 sightings). The downsizing of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, where Dr. Bruce Maccabee is employed, is also presented as a potential attempt to silence him.

First Annual UFO Expo West

Briefly mentions the First Annual UFO Expo West held in Los Angeles, highlighting some of the scheduled speakers: Stanton T. Friedman, Jon Erik Beckjord (noted for Bigfoot and Nessie encounters), and John L. Scovern (who claims to have been electrocuted and revived by an alien being). Bruce Maccabee was scheduled to speak on distinguishing UFO photos from non-UFOs.

If You Missed CBS-TV's "Visitors from the Unknown: UFO Abductions" You Didn't Miss Much

This segment reviews a CBS-TV program that featured three UFO abduction incidents: Travis Walton, a British policeman, and a Native American and his son. The author criticizes the program for factual errors, particularly regarding the Travis Walton case, stating that his mother's reaction to his disappearance was misrepresented.

Stanton Friedman and a $10,000 UFO Contract

This section details a $10,000 UFO contract between the publisher (Philip J. Klass) and Stanton Friedman, established in 1975. Under the terms, Friedman would receive $10,000 if a crashed spacecraft is found, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences confirms extraterrestrial visits, or a bona fide extraterrestrial visitor appears publicly. Friedman was to be paid $100 annually for up to 10 years, with payments ceasing in 1985. The publisher notes that his contributions have doubled in a savings account.

UFOLOGICAL POTPOURRI

This section contains several brief items:

• Howard Blum's UFO book "Out There" may be adapted into a political thriller screenplay.
• Budd Hopkins' "Intruders Foundation" newsletter "IF" has had two issues published, prompting a comment that it should be renamed "IF/WHEN."
• An unconfirmed rumor suggests Stan Friedman and William L. Moore have reconciled after a dispute over Randle/Schmitt's research.

Kevin Randle--Mentioned in Recent Issues of SUN

This article introduces Kevin Randle, co-author of the upcoming book "UFO Crash at Roswell." Randle, born in 1949, served as an Army helicopter pilot in Vietnam and a USAF intelligence officer. He has authored books on UFOs and novels under a pseudonym. The article recounts Randle's early research on cattle mutilations with Bob Cornet, which concluded they were caused by predators and witchcraft cultists, a conclusion that met with criticism.

Randle's "The October Scenario" theory is summarized: only October 1973 saw extraterrestrial spacecraft, with other events being misidentifications or hoaxes, except for the Betty/Barney Hill case and the 1957 Villas-Boas abduction. The article notes Randle's earlier statements that there was no government UFO investigation, contradicting his later claims of a secret investigation.

Randle's "The UFO Casebook" claimed a secret investigation higher than Bluebook. He also recounts an Air Force NCO's story about faking UFO sighting solutions and taking debris to Roswell. However, the new Randle/Schmitt book allegedly claims the debris substitution occurred at Carswell AFB.

Jerry Clark's Prediction Challenged

Jerry Clark, editor of CUFOS' International UFO Reporter, praised the new Randle/Schmitt book as the "most thoroughly investigated" UFO event. Clark predicted that UFO research has progressed, challenging the notion that it has stagnated. SUN challenges this prediction.

Crop Circles

This section recommends "The Cerealogist" journal for crop circle studies. It mentions a letter from the Earl of Haddington regarding tests on "energy levels" in crop circle samples, where the laboratory failed to provide results.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of UFO evidence and claims, particularly those made by prominent figures in the field. The newsletter adopts a skeptical stance, questioning official narratives and seeking logical explanations for phenomena. There is a consistent focus on debunking or exposing discrepancies in UFOlogy, as seen in the detailed analysis of the Gulf Breeze UFO model and the critique of media portrayals of UFO events. The editorial stance appears to be one of rigorous investigation and a demand for verifiable evidence, often contrasting with the more enthusiastic or speculative approaches found elsewhere in UFO literature. The publisher, Philip J. Klass, is presented as an independent voice challenging established UFO narratives.