UFO Mail - No 231 - 2017

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: UFO-Mail nr. 231
Date: January 10, 2017
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information announces the upcoming release of the "SUFOI Årsrapport 2017" (SUFOI Annual Report 2017). The report, a 42-page compilation of articles and notes from the past year's 22 UFO-Mail issues, is being sent to SUFOI's honorary members and members of its Support Circle. A printed edition is also available for those who have supported the organization with at least DKK 250. An online version can be accessed via ufo.dk.

The magazine encourages readers to support SUFOI's work in exploring the UFO phenomenon by joining the Support Circle. Contributions help maintain ufo.dk and investigate UFO experiences. Members of the Support Circle have no obligations, and a minimum contribution of DKK 250 for 2017 grants a free book gift and the SUFOI Annual Report 2018 delivered postage-free in January 2018.

Drømmefabrikken: Skunk Works®

The issue features a detailed article titled "Drømmefabrikken: Skunk Works®" by Kim Møller Hansen. It highlights the 75th anniversary of Lockheed Martin's Advanced Development Programs (ADP), commonly known as Skunk Works®, which began on June 17, 1943, with the approval of the XP-80 program, the USA's first jet-powered fighter.

The article discusses a new book, "The Projects of Skunk Works - 75 Years of Lockheed Martin's Advanced Development Programs," by Steve Pace. This book, published by Voyageur Press in 2016, is described as a comprehensive overview of over 80 secret projects that were once highly classified. It includes official photos, blueprints, and artistic renderings of these projects, many of which remain under lock and key in archives.

Skunk Works® is credited with developing numerous legendary aircraft, including the F-94 Starfire, U-2, F-104 Starfighter, Hercules C-130, SR-71 Blackbird, F-117 Nighthawk, F-22 Raptor, and F-35 Lightning II. Beyond aircraft, the division has also been involved in jet engines, missiles, satellites, airships, an invisible warship, and numerous drones. Many projects, however, never progressed beyond the design stage.

The article explores the connection between Skunk Works® and the UFO phenomenon, particularly through its association with Area 51. While the book itself does not mention the word "UFO," the projects undertaken at Area 51, a remote and legendary airbase near Groom Lake, Nevada, have been instrumental in testing advanced weapons systems and experimental aircraft since 1955. The secrecy surrounding these operations, far from public scrutiny, is suggested to have fueled UFO experiences and contributed to the UFO myth, creating "dream visions" from the veil of secrecy.

The book's chapters are organized chronologically from the 1940s to the 2010s, providing historical context, strategic needs, and technological details for each project. Technical specifications are presented in clear boxes, and each project description concludes with a concise summary.

Notable aircraft mentioned include the U-2 spy plane, designed by Clarence Leonard "Kelly" Johnson, whose motto was "Be quick, be quiet, and be on time." The U-2 has served the US for over 50 years, with the current version being the U-2S. The article notes that most versions of the U-2 were transported to Groom Lake via USAF Douglas C-124 Globemaster aircraft.

Related articles mentioned in the issue include "Area 51 behind closed doors," "It doesn't get much better," and a "Brilliant comic strip about Area 51."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the SUFOI organization itself, its annual reporting, and the ongoing exploration of the UFO phenomenon. There is a clear emphasis on engaging the public and encouraging support for SUFOI's investigative work. The article on Skunk Works® and Area 51 highlights the magazine's interest in the intersection of advanced aerospace technology, government secrecy, and the origins of UFO mythology, suggesting that real-world classified projects have significantly influenced public perception and belief in UFOs.