UFO Information - 1977 No 03

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO-3, published in 1977 as NR 3 of Volume 1977, is a Swedish magazine focused on UFO phenomena. It is the official organ for UFO-Sverige and is published by UFO-SVERIGES kansli in Skänninge, Sweden. The magazine is priced at 50 kronor for a full year's subscription and has an ISSN of 0346-3540. The cover features an illustration of a British Airways Trident 2 jetliner with a UFO sighting report from July 30, 1976, near Lisbon, Portugal.

Key Articles and Reports

British Airways Crew Reports UFOs Over Portugal

This article details a sighting by the crew of a British Airways jet, Trident 2 (G-AVFG), on the evening of July 30, 1976, south of Lisbon. While flying at approximately 9,000 meters, the crew was alerted by air traffic control about a reported UFO. They observed a bright light, described as being at a 90-degree angle and appearing to be at a 30-degree angle relative to their position. The light was incredibly bright and appeared to be in the stratosphere, possibly receiving energy from the sun. The captain noted that the phenomenon was unlike anything he had encountered in his 20 years of flying. Later, two more objects, described as cigar or saucer-shaped and brown, appeared. These objects seemed to dematerialize. The crew confirmed to air traffic control that it was not a star or planet. The radio communication was recorded. The objects were observed for about eight minutes. The first officer, C.T., a former fighter pilot, described the main object as a bright light, and two other objects as rectangular and cigar-shaped, appearing lower down. He noted that the objects were stationary and seemed to be made of solid material, with the inner part being very dark. The sighting was also observed by a TriStar and a TAP aircraft, leading to discussions about scrambling fighter jets. The report includes details about radar observations made on the return flight, where unusually large radar echoes, described as being three times larger than a ship's echo, were detected in the same area. These echoes were too large to be from an aircraft and were described as elliptical on the radar screen.

Two Similar Cases: Brazil 1975 and USA 1966

This section presents two cases with similarities. The first occurred on December 7, 1975, in Vila Harmonia, Brazil, where approximately 200 people observed a luminous UFO for two hours. The object was photographed by Pio Jose Rampo, a photographer, who described it as moving with incredible speed and making sharp, abrupt turns. The light was so intense it seemed to 'see' through people's eyes. The object moved in right-hand turns, a similarity noted with the USA case. The second case took place on October 11, 1966, in Wanaque, New Jersey, USA. Sergeant Ben Thompson observed a bright, stationary light that later moved erratically, making right-angle turns. The object appeared to be about 75 meters high and 75 meters away. Thompson described its shape as resembling a discus when moving horizontally, but with another part visible when it moved south. He noted that the light was so intense it obscured anything behind it. The object moved at high speed, and Thompson described it as if it 'sucked up' the treetops and water as it moved towards Cooper Swamp Mountain, appearing to enter the mountain. Immediately after the UFO observation, the airspace was filled with seven helicopters and ten to twelve jet planes, which Thompson found unusual for the area.

Why Are Certain UFO Reports Censored?

This article features an interview with Tea Sannebrant, a 49-year-old woman who shares several UFO experiences. She notes that many UFO researchers are reluctant to publish material that includes parapsychological or non-physical aspects, preferring to focus on mechanical and physical explanations. She feels this approach hinders the development of UFO research. Sannebrant recounts her experiences of being dismissed by various authorities, including the church, free churches, physicists, astronomers, and psychiatrists, who attributed her experiences to religious incompatibility, demonic influence, impossibility, or psychological issues.

Sannebrant describes her first observation in 1932 near Karlskrona, Sweden, where she saw a long, narrow, blue-and-red luminous object moving silently at low altitude. She also recounts an experience in 1942 near Björkeryd, Sweden, where, while skiing in the moonlight, she felt an urge to go out and encountered a bright green light. She felt as if she were being penetrated by the light and heard voices speaking an unknown language. Her parents claimed to have seen her with another person, a boy with a slim build and dark hair, which she denies. She describes this as a visit from 'another dimension'.

Another experience detailed is from 1946, where Sannebrant was illuminated by a bright green beam from a UFO while walking home in Stockholm. She felt as if she were being penetrated by the light and heard voices. The object, described as a large, intensely luminous green disc, moved silently and appeared to be controlled. She felt observed and that the object was 'alive'. The voices told her they were not dangerous and would not come closer. She also recalls an observation in 1947 of a large, transparent, moon-sized object resembling a jellyfish, which she identified as the Echo satellite.

Landing Craft Paralyzed Witness

This section details an incident where a witness was allegedly paralyzed by a landed craft. The witness, identified as a young woman, was skiing at night when she felt an inexplicable urge to go out. She encountered a bright green light and felt as if she were being penetrated by it. She heard voices speaking an unknown language. Her parents claimed to have seen her with a boy, which she denies. She describes the object as a metallic, disc-shaped craft. Later, she experienced a similar event in 1946, where she was illuminated by a green beam from a UFO and heard voices. She also mentions seeing the Echo satellite in 1947.

Interesting Radar Echoes on the Way Home

This part of the article describes further radar observations related to the British Airways sighting. On the return flight from Faro to London, the crew decided to check the radar in the area where the UFOs were sighted. They detected strong radar echoes, described as being much larger than any aircraft echo, and possibly indicative of ships. These echoes were three times larger than expected for a tanker and were elliptical on the radar screen, ruling out aircraft. The echoes were observed at a distance of 35 kilometers and gradually disappeared as the plane moved away.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on eyewitness accounts of UFO phenomena, often from credible sources like pilots and military personnel. There is a clear emphasis on detailed descriptions of sightings, including visual characteristics, behavior, and radar detection. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation into UFOs, acknowledging the strangeness and potential significance of these events, while also highlighting the challenges witnesses face in reporting their experiences and the skepticism they often encounter from authorities and even within the UFO research community itself. The magazine seems to advocate for a broader interpretation of UFO phenomena, including potential non-physical or parapsychological aspects, which it suggests are often overlooked or censored by more conventional researchers.

This issue of UFO-Information (3/1976) delves into several intriguing topics within the realm of UFO phenomena and related mysteries. The main articles cover the perilous legends surrounding the island of Nanmatol, a critical review of Staffan Stigsjöö's book 'Tefatsfolket har landat,' and the ongoing efforts of radio amateurs to detect extraterrestrial signals. The magazine also announces upcoming events and courses for UFO enthusiasts in Sweden.

Gudarnas förbannelse (The Curse of the Gods)

The lead article recounts a series of disturbing events on and around the island of Nanmatol, which has become notorious for the mysterious deaths and disappearances of those who seek its rumored treasure. In 1969, explorer Robert Alexander died of fever shortly after arriving, claiming to have found a treasure chamber. Subsequent expeditions in 1970 saw 22 members vanish without a trace, leaving only four traumatized survivors who refused to ever return. In 1971, Martin Martinson was found dismembered on the island, and treasure seekers Adams and Kramer met similar fates, with Kramer murdered and Adams disappearing. The article notes that these incidents typically involve sudden and violent deaths, often linked to gold seekers.

Archaeologist Macmillan Browne spent seven months researching the Nanmatol mystery, theorizing about a lost continent similar to Atlantis that may have sunk due to a massive earthquake. Despite never landing on Nanmatol, he died shortly after his return, his death attributed to a mysterious illness. In 1972, two men, Georg Storrard and Benjamin R. Bender, sailed to Nanmatol and returned the same day, deeply frightened, and subsequently disappeared in the South Pacific. The article concludes by stating that while one can dismiss the curse, those who sought riches on Nanmatol did not live long enough to enjoy them, with the natives remaining silent and watchful.

Arkeolog försökte knäcka gåtan (Archaeologist Tried to Crack the Riddle)

This section details the research of archaeologist Macmillan Browne into the Nanmatol mystery. He theorized about a lost continent, possibly Atlantis, that vanished in a cataclysmic earthquake. His research, though extensive, did not prevent his own untimely death shortly after returning from his investigation, adding another layer of mystery to the Nanmatol saga.

Bokanmälan: Konsten att göra en höna av fjäder (Book Review: The Art of Making a Chicken Out of a Feather)

This section is a critical review of Staffan Stigsjöö's third book, 'Tefatsfolket har landat.' The reviewer, Thorvald Berthelsen, argues that Stigsjöö's work is flawed, characterized by the misrepresentation and distortion of UFO evidence. The review points out instances where Stigsjöö allegedly fabricates UFO cases by combining unrelated events, misinterpreting newspaper clippings, and even inventing details. Specific examples include the misrepresentation of a full moon sighting as a UFO landing in Arboga, Enköping, and Köping, and the inclusion of an April Fool's joke from a local newspaper as serious UFO-related material. The reviewer also criticizes Stigsjöö for allegedly inventing 'Swedish' abduction cases that do not exist in the source material and for misidentifying a minister's role. The review concludes that while Stigsjöö may have started with honest intentions, his work has become a dangerous weapon against serious Swedish ufology due to its lack of rigor and factual accuracy.

Radioamatörer söker efter signaler (Radio Amateurs Search for Signals)

This article discusses the efforts of radio amateurs and scientific groups to detect signals from extraterrestrial intelligences. It mentions the historical 'Project Ozma' from the late 1950s, where scientific groups considered using radio telescopes to listen for alien signals. Amateur radio astronomers joined this effort, pointing their antennas towards the sky. Although initial searches yielded no results, the discovery of pulsars rekindled interest. The article highlights the 'Reviva Ozma' group, formed in 1975 by Nick Marshall, which aims to coordinate efforts of radio amateurs and groups listening for extraterrestrial signals and to help them publish their findings. 'Reviva Ozma' is also working with NASA's Project Cyclops and has established a special listening station. They are developing a large parabolic antenna and a sophisticated receiving and data processing system. A special radio network on the 20-meter band has also been established for communication among interested amateurs worldwide.

UFO-Sverige Merchandise and Events

Pages 3 and 4 of the magazine feature advertisements and announcements related to UFO-Sverige. This includes information about ordering UFO-Sverige vinyl stickers and decals. Several upcoming events are announced: a weekend course for field researchers ('Veckoslutskurs för Dig som vill bli fältforskare') on September 24-25, 1977, near Köping, covering interview techniques, witness psychology, and UFO case documentation. An information program ('UFO-information i Göteborg') is scheduled for October 15, 1977, in Gothenburg, featuring short lectures, a film, and a debate panel, with an entrance fee of 10 kronor. Additionally, a planning conference ('Kallelse till planeringskonferens') for UFO-Sverige members will be held on October 15, 1977, in Gothenburg to discuss ideas for the organization's future work.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent mysteries surrounding unexplained phenomena, particularly the deadly allure of Nanmatol, and the critical examination of UFO literature. The magazine appears to maintain a stance that values rigorous investigation and factual reporting, as evidenced by the critical book review. It also promotes active participation in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence through radio astronomy and encourages engagement with UFO-Sverige's activities and educational initiatives.