Spacecrafter - 1960 08 - August to October

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE CRAFTER
Issue: Vol. III, No.3
Date: August - September, 1960
Publisher: Spacecraft Research Association
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA

This issue of SPACE CRAFTER, published by the Spacecraft Research Association (SRA), delves into various aspects of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), psychic phenomena, and spiritual development. The magazine serves as a platform for members to share experiences, discuss theories, and stay informed about lectures and events.

Table of Contents

The issue features a diverse range of articles, including:

• Cover Design: Bert Case
• Announcements and Chapter News
• Words of Wisdom
• My First Sighting
• A Letter to the Editor
• Message from Ashtar
• Clippings
• Are We Passing Into a New Age of Radiation?
• Local Sighting
• Lessons of Life
• Poet's Corner - Miscellaneous
• New Book List

Key Articles and Features

Cover Story and Association News

The cover art depicts a stylized flying saucer, Earth, moon, and stars, reflecting the magazine's focus. The Spacecraft Research Association is described as a non-profit organization dedicated to investigating spacecraft, extraterrestrial phenomena, mysticism, and occult sciences. They aim to disseminate information, host lecturers, and encourage public support for related projects.

The "Announcements and Chapter News" section highlights a meeting attended by committee members and officers to hear Dr. Eldon Lindsey, an evangelist with an orthodox background who claims to have been contacted by 'Mr. X' from space. Dr. Lindsey presented slides and lectured on how spacecraft and related phenomena were known during Biblical times, with plans for Revival meetings in Phoenix.

An outdoor meeting sponsored by the Circle Delta Light Center in Prescott is also mentioned, featuring meditations and a message from 'Quoron of the Mothership Altivaris' warning of possible catastrophe.

Lectures and Member Contributions

The "Lectures" section notes two recent speakers: George Williamson, who spoke on "Search for the Holy Grail" with colored slides from his research in England, and George Van Tassel, who discussed "The Phenomena of our Time." Both lectures were well-attended.

"New Members!" welcomes several individuals to the group, including Mrs. Perle Liebe, Gladys LeGrands, Dr. Pauline Eastham, Bob Gromer, and Ralph Durgarian.

Monthly Meetings

Reports from past meetings include:

• July Regular Meeting: Held outdoors at the Anderson's home, featuring a talk by Ray E. Barnes on "The Science of Religion and its relation to the New Age."
• August Social Meeting: A charming event hosted by Esther Frank, including a swimming pool party and potluck supper. Guests enjoyed viewing the satellite Echo I through a telescope and listening to tape recordings of Dr. Halsey's lectures and Mrs. Shoecraft's poems.
• September Regular Meeting: Held at President Agnes Sanborn's home, featuring tapes of Dr. Falsey's lectures, originally intended for a radio station in Globe.

UFO Reports and Investigations

Several articles detail UFO sightings and official responses:

• Federal Air Agencies Study UFO Reports: An article from the Rocky Mountain News (Sept. 30, 1960) reports that the Federal Aviation Agency and other agencies studied reports of an unidentified object seen over Southwestern Colorado. Witnesses described a spherical object with flashing lights, estimated to be 37.5 miles high.
• Strange Flying Object Believed Meteorite: An Albuquerque Journal report (Sept. 27, 1960) describes an incident in New Mexico where police officers approached a strange light, which then whisked away. The Air Force at Holloman AFB suggested it was a meteorite, noting that late September is a time of increased meteorite activity.
• Air Force Probes New UFO Report: A Hamilton, California report (AP) details the Air Force investigating a football-shaped object, as big as an airliner, seen over Northern California. The object had a row of lights and a red beam, and was observed by highway patrolmen and sheriff's deputies.
• Air Force Asserts 13-Year Probe Yields No UFO Evidence: A Washington UPI article (July 31, 1960) states that the Air Force, despite investigating over 6,500 reports since 1947, has found no physical evidence of UFOs. They attribute most sightings to astronomical phenomena, airplanes, balloons, or misidentified objects, with only a small percentage remaining unexplained due to insufficient data.
• Space Evidence Ignored--Claim: An article from The Arizona Republic (July 15, 1960) reports that the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization accused the U.S. Air Force of ignoring evidence of extraterrestrial objects, including photographs and physical material.
• Flying Disc Tested By Air Force: The Arizona Republic (Aug. 20, 1960) details the testing of a saucer-shaped flying disc, known as the Avrocar, developed by Avro Aircraft Ltd. of Canada. The vehicle is designed for vertical takeoff and hovering.

Psychic Phenomena and Philosophy

• Words of Wisdom: An excerpt from the writings of Mrs. Sarah I. Stair offers counsel on discerning truth, particularly regarding information from higher planes, advising individuals to withdraw to their inner sanctuary and seek guidance.
• My First Sighting!!!: A personal account of a UFO sighting on Arizona Route 72, where the narrator observed a twinkling light in the sky that appeared to be a plane but behaved unusually.
• Next Step Is Mental Telepathy: An article by Syd Harris posits that mental telepathy may be the most significant scientific advancement by the year 2060, suggesting that the human brain's communication potential is vastly underutilized. He also touches on animal telepathy and clairvoyance as proven phenomena.
• Psychic Observer: This section discusses the potential of the human mind, drawing parallels to hypnosis and the untapped resources for communication and reception. It suggests that modern rationality has led to a loss of touch with instinctual roots and that science should aim to recapture this primitive talent.

Letters and Editorials

• A Letter to the Editor: Gertrude Cummings writes in defense of the SRA, arguing that constructive organizations do not lose their usefulness and may need to adapt. She expresses renewed interest after Dr. Lindsey's talk and advocates for the SRA to facilitate such speakers in Phoenix to promote Divine Love and Healing.
• Message from Ashtar: A message received by the "Circle of Three" from Ashtar, republished from a June bulletin, warns of an imminent "show-down" where the reality of extraterrestrial ships will be proven. It states that most visitors are here to serve and protect humanity and urges people to refuse to visualize disaster and to spread the truth.

Other Features

• Poet's Corner - Miscellaneous: Features poetry from members.
• New Book List: Lists recently published books.
• Listen: Encourages readers to tune into the Joe Pyne Program on KUPD radio for interviews and information on the UFO field.
• Request for Reports of Sightings!!: Cecil W. Shelley from Gazette, California, urges readers to send UFO sightings to the Siskiyou Daily News to encourage public awareness.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SPACE CRAFTER include the investigation and reporting of UFO sightings, the exploration of psychic phenomena such as telepathy and clairvoyance, and a spiritual or "New Age" perspective on human potential and extraterrestrial contact. The magazine appears to advocate for an open-minded approach to these subjects, encouraging members to share their experiences and to support the Spacecraft Research Association's mission. There is a clear interest in bridging the gap between scientific inquiry and what might be considered fringe or paranormal topics. The editorial stance seems to be one of promoting awareness, encouraging investigation, and fostering a community around these interests, while also acknowledging official skepticism from bodies like the Air Force. The inclusion of messages from alleged extraterrestrial sources like Ashtar suggests a belief in and openness to direct communication from non-human intelligences.

This issue of The Arizona Republic, dated Sunday, July 31, 1960, features a prominent cover story detailing the U.S. Air Force's stance on Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The publication also includes reports on UFO sightings, discussions on extraterrestrial phenomena, and articles on spiritual and personal development.

Air Force Investigation of UFOs

The lead article, "Air Force Asserts 13-Year Probe Yields No UFO Evidence" by Marguerite Davis, reports that the Air Force will continue to investigate UFOs, despite 13 years of investigation yielding no concrete evidence. A spokesperson stated that the Air Force's responsibility for national air defense necessitates accounting for all foreign objects in the sky. Since 1947, over 6,500 reports have been investigated. The Air Force's "Fact Sheet on Unidentified Flying Objects" indicated that out of 173 sightings reported in the first six months of the year, 52 were identified as astronomical phenomena, seven as airplanes, and six as balloons. Single jet bombers, large Canadian geese, and vapor trails were also cited as explanations for some sightings. Nineteen reports were classified as "unexpected and unrecognized objects." The Air Force discounted 51 reports due to having only one witness and concluded that the remaining three UFO reports, which lacked valid explanations, could likely be accounted for with more detailed observation data. The report explicitly denied claims by private UFO groups that the Air Force possessed classified information proving the existence of alien visitors.

Claims of Ignored Evidence and New Technology

Another article, "Space Evidence Ignored--Claim" from Tucson, dated July 15, 1960, reports that the Aerl Phenomena Research Organization accused the U.S. Air Force of ignoring "evidence given in good faith" regarding extraterrestrial flying objects. This accusation was made in a letter to the secretary of the Air Force. Coral E. Lorentzen, the organization's international director, stated that they had submitted photographs and physical material to the Air Force, which had allegedly been verified by scientists in Brazil but ignored by U.S. officials.

"Flying Disc Tested By Air Force," dated August 20, 1960, details the Defense Department's public disclosure of a saucer-shaped flying disc, known as the Avrocar, being tested by the Air Force and Army. Produced by Avro Aircraft, Ltd. of Canada, the vehicle is designed for hovering and vertical take-off. Ground tests began in November, with low-level hovering flights conducted in Toronto. The article notes that the Air Force's interest in such a vehicle began in 1955, with the Army joining in 1958 to sponsor the Avrocar's development.

Potential Environmental and Spiritual Changes

An article titled "Are We Passing Into a New Region of Radiation?" by "Xela," taken from "The Australian Saucer Record," discusses the theory that Earth and the solar system are moving into an area of space with different radiation concentration and vibration frequency. This shift, according to Dr. G. H. Williamson, is predicted to cause significant changes on Earth, ultimately for the good of humanity and leading to a new age. The article suggests that the effects of nuclear weapons will be insignificant compared to this cosmic radiation. It prompts readers to observe changes in people's behavior, health, and temperament, and asks if minor digestive issues, nervousness, or difficulty concentrating are signs of this radiation sickness. The piece also touches upon changes in climate, increased sunspot activity, and a rise in major earthquakes, questioning if these phenomena are related.

Personal Reflections and Lessons

"Lessons of Life" offers a spiritual perspective, drawing parallels between the development of a photographic print and life experiences. It posits that every experience, or "negative," offers a lesson that leads to spiritual progress, a "positive." The article uses the analogy of a cyclist on a hilly terrain to illustrate how souls must go through "dips" (negative experiences) to reach higher "summits" (spiritual levels). It emphasizes the need for negativity to provide an incentive for positivity and concludes with a prayer for spiritual progression.

"My First Sighting" is a personal account by Vic Curtis detailing a UFO encounter near Vicksburg and Hope Junction, Arizona. The author describes seeing a saucer-shaped object with pulsating lights that materialized and then vanished. He recounts an attempt to follow the object, which disappeared rapidly.

A "Local Sighting!!!" report from a Phoenix cab driver describes an encounter on September 26, 1960, where he observed a bright white, greenish-tinged light traveling at high speed. The object appeared to veer away, then explode and disappear without noise, leaving the silhouette of a saucer-like object.

Poetry and Community Contributions

"The Poets Corner" features a poem titled "Achievement" by Annon, reflecting on finding peace of mind through accepting experiences. It also includes an invitation for readers to submit their poems for publication.

"The Three Treasures of Tao" by Kay Swartz explores the concepts of Love, Restraint, and Keeping Behind (modesty/humility) as fundamental principles. The article questions how these treasures can be reconciled and asks if true humility can be achieved while subduing desire.

Announcements and Resources

The issue includes a notice about a change in the mailing address for SPACE-CRAFTER, directing mail to Agnes Sanborn, President, at 1516 E. Griswold Road, Phoenix, Arizona.

An announcement details an upcoming talk by Kelvin Rowe, author of "Call at Dawn," on October 29th, with details to be announced later. He is also scheduled for an interview on the Joe Pyne Program on Radio Station KUPD on October 28th.

The Spacecraft Research Association provides a membership application form, offering Forum Division ($6.00) and Associate Division ($3.00) memberships. Their address is listed as 1516 E. Griswold Road, Phoenix, Arizona.

A list of "BOOKS AVAILABLE IN OUR LIBRARY" is provided, featuring numerous titles related to UFOs, flying saucers, and spiritual topics, with prices listed for each book. Contact Florence Agnew for book orders.

An advertisement for Emery's Health Food Store offers "Special Foods for Special Diets" and lists their address and hours.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing investigation and public perception of UFOs, the potential for extraterrestrial contact, and the scientific and spiritual implications of these phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on reporting alleged sightings and official investigations, balanced with personal accounts and speculative theories about cosmic influences and spiritual growth. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, while also presenting official Air Force statements that downplay the existence of conclusive evidence. The inclusion of spiritual and philosophical articles suggests a broader interest in consciousness, personal development, and the nature of reality beyond the strictly scientific or governmental.