Skywatch - No 02

Magazine Overview

Title: MAPIT SKYWATCH
Issue: 2
Date: October 1973
Type: Magazine

This issue of Mapit Skywatch, a publication focused on UFO phenomena, presents itself as a nascent organization making a significant breakthrough in pattern analysis of sightings. The editorial highlights the discovery of potential UFO flightpaths that align with national airways and intersect at specific locations, suggesting a structured approach to UFO observation. The magazine also outlines future plans, including the possibility of a more professionally produced, larger-format publication and the introduction of a subscription model to fund operations and equipment.

Editorial: "The first breakthrough"

The editorial, likely written by a representative of the organization, expresses optimism despite the group being only a few weeks old. It claims a significant breakthrough has been made by identifying a pattern in UFO sightings using 'FSIT maps' on both national and local levels. Two flightpaths are proposed: one North-South and one East-West, which appear to encompass most reports and align with national airways like Amber 1 and Blue 1. These paths intersect at Heaton Park. The North-South line, when extended, passes through Warminster. The concept of 'Orthoteny,' discovered by Aimé Michel in 1958, which identified alignments of sightings in France, is mentioned as a precedent. The article also touches upon the connection between 'Leys' (ancient trackways) and UFO sightings, suggesting a potential link. A skywatch centered on the Heaton Park intersection is proposed. The editorial encourages readers to draw these paths themselves and report any sightings or unusual events, even inquiring if Heaton Hall is haunted.

FSIT NEWS

This section details organizational updates. The newsletter is expanding, and the introduction of a subscription is being considered to fund the potential issuance of a monthly or quarterly magazine (approximately 20 pages). This would allow for more in-depth articles and broader public reach. The idea is seen as potentially more effective on a national scale. Funds from subscriptions are intended for regular meetings, lectures, and the purchase of equipment such as geiger counters and radiation meters for skywatches. Plans are underway for a lecture/meeting in early November, which will be open to the press and public, followed by a question session. The organization aims to attract prominent figures in ufology for future talks. The area of official control is stated as Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cumberland, though assistance is being sought through advertisements in Leeds and Liverpool due to current limitations. A plea is made for more UFO reports, encouraging members to uncover old cases and scan newspapers.

Food for Thought (by David Rees)

David Rees, a security officer at Ringway airport and area controller for the South West, poses a thought-provoking question about unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). He suggests that the common assumption that a noisy, lit aircraft at night is indeed an aircraft might be flawed. He posits that UAP could simulate aircraft as a method for exploration or invasion, utilizing advanced technology to mimic sounds and appearances. Rees encourages readers to consider the possibility that stationary points of light in the night sky could be UAP arriving at dusk and departing at dawn, offering a method for undetected observation. He notes that John Keel has documented cases of unidentified aircraft that appear normal but have no discernible origin.

FSIT NATIONAL NEWS

A new branch is set to open in the Isle of Wight, indicating the slow but steady expansion of operations. Readers are encouraged to help form new branches in other parts of the country. The Nottingham group recently conducted a skywatch, and while specific details are confidential, it is reported that 'SOMETHING was detected on their instruments' and the results were positive, offering hope for future ventures.

COMMENT: 'A Pattern of Fear'

This commentary discusses a reported incident from October 15th involving two Mississippi fishermen who were allegedly picked up by a craft surrounded by a blue haze. The author notes similarities to other cases but highlights the description of creatures with 'claw like grips and wrinkled skin.' Two questions are posed: whether to dismiss such accounts as fantasy, or to accept the possibility of different types of creatures or shape-shifting entities, or even psychosomatic experiences. The commentary suggests that if UFOs wish to avoid direct confrontation or discovery of their motives, instilling fear could be a deliberate policy. Events like the Mississippi incident, along with other hostile encounters being collated by David Rees, could serve this purpose. The blue haze is deemed significant. The author speculates that after a quiet period, a UFO might intentionally add 'spice' by making the encounter appear more frightening, thus making UFOs an unpopular subject and allowing them to continue their work unimpeded. This could explain inconsistencies in UFO behavior and human attitudes, suggesting either multiple creature types or a phenomenon that responds directly to stimuli.

TALKING POINT: 'Statistics Part 1'

This section explores the application of statistics to UFO phenomena, acknowledging the inherent difficulties due to the numerous unknowns. It references the work of Michel, Vallee, and Saunders, particularly the discovery of BAVIC (an alignment of sightings between Bayonne and Vichy, France). The author emphasizes the need for a large number of sightings to establish reliable patterns and suggests that geological fault lines might explain such alignments. The potential for discovering similar alignments in Britain is highlighted. Statistical analysis can bring order to random data and focus efforts on specific areas. Vallee's work on 'when to look' is mentioned, with his data suggesting that most sightings occur in isolated areas, during winter, midweek, and in the early morning. The author argues that these patterns deviate from normal social behavior, suggesting a real phenomenon rather than misinterpretation or hoaxes. The author intends to analyze classification by month, date, day of week, and time of day using 70 well-known cases and data from 400 US landings over the next four months.

INVESTIGATIONS SECTION

This section reports on recent UFO cases. It notes that it has not been a busy month, with only one new case.

REPORT 73 f 001: Lamplugh, Cumberland (June/1973)

A 20-year-old forestry worker reported a droning noise that caused a pounding sensation. At 10:10 PM, he sighted a large cylinder-shaped object overhead, described as metallic and reflecting the setting sun, with no markings or exhaust. It moved slowly, estimated at 10 mph, and cleared a hill. The object was in view for at least 15 minutes. The witness's description of its size as 'as big as a railway carriage' is consistent with a size estimate of 330 feet, aligning with previously reported large cylinder or cigar-shaped objects.

CONCLUSION (Lamplugh Case): The editorial deems this one of the most interesting cases on file, despite the distance of the witness and sound source. Mr. Stephens provided a comprehensive report with maps. The possibility of it being a real unknown is considered, with balloons or airships being ruled out due to the noise and flight pattern. The possibility of an experimental aircraft is considered, but the willingness to be seen is questioned.

REPORT 73 d 001: Haslington (nr Crewe), Cheshire (18/April/1973)

Several young boys (aged 11-12) reported seeing a sharp bright red light, initially appearing like an aircraft landing. A second light appeared above it and traveled in the opposite direction. The first light then went out. The second light was observed for three to four minutes before disappearing. The boys provided estimates of size (25 feet), speed (100 mph), and distance (25 miles), though one claimed 19,108 mph. The report notes that such a small object would be difficult to see at that distance and that there were other exaggerations, including one boy claiming the first light fired a 'LASER bomb' at the second, causing it to disintegrate. The author believes this was an embellishment. The area concerned is noted to be in the direction of Ringway airport (25 miles away). The report concludes that while aircraft cannot be entirely ruled out, the proximity and nature of the sightings suggest otherwise. The author suggests that embellishments and disagreements in witness accounts are natural and can lend more validity to the core story than multiple identical accounts.

CONCLUSION (Haslington Case): The direction of the UFOs is noted to be consistent with Ringway airport. However, the report argues that aircraft are difficult to see entering the airport, and these sightings were likely closer. While not ruling out aircraft entirely, the author suggests that these events, particularly with the embellishments, lend support to the basic validity of the phenomenon, as opposed to multiple identical stories.

Future Reports: A final report on a landing in Blackley is awaited, and an important sighting in Altrincham, potentially with multiple witnesses, is anticipated for the next month.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the systematic investigation of UFO sightings, the search for patterns and underlying structures (such as flightpaths and alignments), and the application of statistical analysis to UFO data. There is a clear editorial stance favoring the exploration of the extra-terrestrial hypothesis, while also acknowledging the need for rigorous investigation and the possibility of misinterpretation or hoaxes. The publication aims to build a community of researchers and observers, encouraging active participation through reporting sightings and forming new branches. The tone is generally optimistic about the progress being made in understanding the phenomenon, despite the challenges of limited resources and the inherent difficulties in collecting and analyzing data.