1950 01 00 True Donald Keyhoe Lagrange scan

Magazine Overview

Title: TRUE THE MAN'S MAGAZINE
Issue Date: January 1950
Publisher: A Fawcett Publication
Price: 25c

This issue of TRUE Magazine, a leading men's publication, features a prominent cover story titled "THE FLYING SAUCERS ARE REAL" by Donald E. Keyhoe. The magazine also includes a variety of articles covering adventure, news, general interest, sports, and fact mysteries, with contributions from notable writers.

The Flying Saucers Are Real by Donald E. Keyhoe

This extensive article presents a compelling case for the reality of flying saucers, based on an eight-month investigation by TRUE Magazine and Donald E. Keyhoe, who has twenty-five years of aeronautical observation experience. The article asserts that for the past 175 years, Earth has been under close observation by intelligent beings from another planet, with the frequency of visits increasing significantly in the past two years.

Keyhoe categorizes the observed vehicles into three types: Type I (small, non-pilot-carrying disk-shaped aircraft), Type II (large, metallic, disk-shaped aircraft operating on helicopter principles), and Type III (dirigible-shaped, wingless aircraft operating with Prandtl theory of lift). He suggests these craft are interplanetary and possess technology far advanced beyond current American capabilities.

The article details several key incidents and sightings:

• The Mantell Case: On January 7, 1948, Captain Thomas F. Mantell Jr. pursued a large, disk-shaped object near Fort Knox, Kentucky. His F-51 fighter plane disintegrated in mid-air. The official explanation of a blackout due to lack of oxygen is questioned, with the article suggesting Mantell may have collided with the object or been forced down.
• Columbus Sighting: On the same day as the Mantell incident, a similar object was sighted over Lockbourne Air Force Base at Columbus, Ohio, described as traveling faster than 500 m.p.h. with an amber exhaust trail.
• Chiles-Whitted Case: On July 24, 1948, Captain Clarence S. Chiles and Pilot John B. Whitted of Eastern Airlines encountered a brilliant, fast-moving, cigar-shaped object near Montgomery, Alabama. They described it as about 100 feet long, wingless, and emitting a dark blue glow and a red-orange exhaust.
• Fargo 'Dogfight': Lieutenant George F. Gorman encountered a mysterious light at Fargo, North Dakota, on October 1, 1948. The light exhibited rapid acceleration, sharp turns, and maneuvers that Gorman, an experienced pilot, found to be controlled and intelligent.

The article discusses the official investigations, particularly "Project Saucer" by the U.S. Army Air Force, which was receiving and evaluating reports at a rate of twelve per month. It notes that while some sightings were explained as natural phenomena, a significant number remained unidentified. The Air Force's public statements and contradictory magazine articles are presented as attempts to dismiss the phenomenon.

Keyhoe also references technical analysis from the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (N.A.C.A.), which confirmed that a disk-shaped aircraft of the described dimensions could be aerodynamically feasible with sufficient power. The article suggests that the government may be preparing the public for the disclosure of interplanetary surveillance, possibly to avoid mass hysteria.

Other reported sightings include those from Alabama, Jackson, Mississippi, and globally in countries like Denmark, Sweden, and the Philippines. The article concludes that the evidence strongly supports the conclusion that flying saucers are real and represent a significant, unexplained phenomenon.

Next Month Previews

The "Next Month" section previews upcoming articles, including a piece by H. Allen Smith on hunting wasps, Ken Purdy on American sports cars, and Dan Holland on his adventures in the Everglades. It also mentions a story by W. M. Molesworth about a retired Texas Ranger and a panther hunt.

Editor's Remarks

The "Editor Speaking" section by b. wms. reflects on the year 1949, noting its challenges with economic issues and international tensions. The editor expresses hope for improvement in human relations in 1950. He also mentions upcoming stories, including one by Corey Ford and Alastair MacBain about a fishing trip in Canada that was interrupted by a forest fire and an encounter with a character named Herbert the Indian.

Other Articles and Features

The magazine includes a variety of other content:

• Book-Length: "Frisbie of the South Seas" by James Norman Hall.
• Adventure: "Horse Face and the Broken Spirit" by Commander Walter G. Winslow, USN; "The Hunters Who Never Starved" by Robert E. Pinkerton; "The Trail of the Blue Tiger" by Roy Chapman Andrews.
• In the News: "The Flying Saucers Are Real" by Donald E. Keyhoe; "How to Ride Up a Wall" by William Lindsay Gresham; "Your Clothes Do the Talking"; "True Tested Trends."
• General: "Almanac or Devil's Prayer Book" by Michael MacDougall; "How to Put Life Into a Punch Bowl" by Lawton Mackall.
• Personalities: "Champion Gunman" by Lucian Cary; "True's Who: Bogart's Busting Out All Over" by George Frazier; "Monsieur Bertillon" by Irving Wallace.
• Sports: "The Verdict Is Up to the Fish" by Ted Trueblood; "The Bull Was No Gorgeous George" by Garrett Graham.
• Fact Mystery: "The Case of the Road-Company Raffles" by Alan Hynd.
• Short Features: Includes "Next Month," "Man to Man Answers," "Truely Yours," "Books for Men," "The Editor Speaking," "True's Cup for Accurate Shooting," "This Funny Life," "The Mountain Boys," and "Strange But True."

Advertisements

The issue contains advertisements for writing courses (Newspaper Institute of America), Carling's Red Cap Ale, Stetson cigars, a "Supershop" power tool, a "Wham-O Sportsman" slingshot, a free suit offer from W. Z. Gibson, Inc., and a LaSalle Extension University course.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The dominant theme of this issue is the exploration of the unexplained, particularly the phenomenon of flying saucers, presented with a strong conviction in their reality and extraterrestrial origin. The magazine adopts a stance of investigative journalism, presenting evidence and expert opinions to support its conclusions. There is a clear editorial direction towards sensational and intriguing topics, appealing to a male readership interested in adventure, mystery, and current events. The magazine also promotes self-improvement through its advertising of writing courses and career advancement opportunities.

This issue of TRUE Magazine, dated approximately 1950 based on content, tackles the persistent mystery of 'flying saucers' and the burgeoning field of space exploration. The cover poses a provocative question about the continued existence of Project Saucer if saucers are considered bunk, hinting at the official reluctance to dismiss the phenomenon entirely.

The Flying Saucer Enigma and Project Saucer

The article begins by addressing the skepticism surrounding flying saucers, noting that despite official denials, the continued operation of Project Saucer suggests a cautious approach. A former intelligence officer proposes that if extraterrestrials are visiting Earth, their actions might mirror our own nascent space exploration plans, just advanced by about fifty years. This leads to a detailed examination of the projected steps in American space exploration.

Projecting Space Exploration

The magazine outlines a potential fifty-year timeline for space exploration, starting with an Earth satellite vehicle orbiting at 500 miles. This satellite would serve as a space base, requiring minimal fuel for course correction. Subsequent steps include establishing further space bases, launching a Moon rocket, and eventually developing a long-range space ship. The technical hurdles are significant, including the extreme acceleration and deceleration required for space travel and re-entry, and the need for higher-velocity rocket power, possibly atomic. Escaping Earth's gravity requires speeds of approximately 25,000 miles per hour, with lesser speeds needed for smaller bodies like the Moon. Potential hazards in free space include cosmic rays, solar radiation, and meteorite collisions.

Historical Sightings and Interplanetary Travel

The article traces the history of flying saucer reports back over 175 years, citing examples from the 19th century in Germany and the Persian Gulf, and from the early 20th century in the U.S. These historical accounts, often from serious citizens, suggest a long-standing phenomenon. The recent surge in sightings since 1947 is linked to advancements like V-2 rockets and atomic bomb tests, or the establishment of an orbiting space base.

Exploring Distant Worlds

If extraterrestrial visitors are indeed real, the article speculates on their methods. It suggests that a potential target for exploration could be a planet orbiting the star Wolf 359. The process would involve establishing an orbiting space base around the target planet, deploying unmanned remote-control 'observer' units with television capabilities, and then, if deemed safe, sending manned units. Explorers would need to analyze the planet's atmosphere, technology, and potential inhabitants, possibly deciphering languages and assessing threats. The article emphasizes extreme caution, suggesting that explorers might withdraw if faced with hostility or extreme advancement, and that such missions could take decades.

Skepticism vs. Belief

The magazine acknowledges the skeptical viewpoint, which attributes saucer sightings to mistakes, illusions, hoaxes, hysteria, or mass hallucination. However, TRUE's own investigation leads them to believe that flying saucers are real and not from an Earthly enemy. They accept the official denial of secret devices, finding the global nature of sightings more compelling evidence. The article notes the lack of belligerence in most cases, with the exception of the Mantell incident, suggesting that if spacemen were involved, they might have acted defensively.

The Future and Preparedness

The article concludes by advocating for transparency with the public regarding suspected space visitors, suggesting that humanity, having survived the Atomic Age, can face the Interplanetary Age without hysteria. It draws a parallel between the seemingly fantastic nature of space travel today and that of modern aircraft to early Americans. Whether the saucers are extraterrestrial or not, the possibility of intelligent life beyond Earth necessitates preparedness. The Project Saucer frequency graph shows a cyclical pattern of sightings, with peaks in July of 1947 and 1948, and a potential repeat in January 1950. The article ends with a laconic Air Force warning: "The saucers are not a joke."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the mystery of unidentified flying objects, the potential for extraterrestrial visitation, the scientific and technical challenges of space exploration, and the role of government agencies like Project Saucer. The editorial stance, as presented by Donald E. Keyhoe, leans towards accepting the reality of flying saucers and advocating for serious investigation and public awareness, while acknowledging the significant scientific and logistical hurdles of both human space exploration and potential alien contact.