UFO Mail - No 249 - 2017

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: 249
Date: November 15, 2017
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information features a prominent article announcing that the US Air Force's UFO investigation project, Project Blue Book, is being adapted into a 10-episode TV series by SyfyWire. The article highlights the significance of Project Blue Book and its scientific consultant, J. Allen Hynek, who will be portrayed by actor Aiden Gillen.

UFO-projekt bliver til tv-serie

The main article, translated from an excerpt of the book "UFO'er - Myter og viden" (UFOs - Myths and Knowledge), discusses the upcoming TV series based on Project Blue Book. It mentions that Aiden Gillen, an Irish actor known for his role in Game of Thrones, has been cast as J. Allen Hynek, the astronomer who served as a scientific consultant for the project. The article suggests that the book provides background information on Project Blue Book for those interested in the series.

Af hensyn til den nationale sikkerhed (For National Security Reasons)

This section delves into the origins of Project Sign, the predecessor to Project Blue Book. Established on December 30, 1947, by Major General Laurence C. Craigie at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio (now Wright-Patterson Air Force Base), Project Sign was a small department within the Air Force's Air Material Command (AMC) under the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC). Its mandate, beginning January 22, 1948, was to collect and investigate reports of flying saucers.

The initiative for this group stemmed from two classified reports by Major General George C. McDonald (Chief of Air Force Intelligence) and Lieutenant General Nathan F. Twining (Chief of AMC). Both reports concluded that an investigation was necessary. Lieutenant General Twining's recommendation to Brigadier General George F. Schulgen, Chief of the Air Force, was based on discussions with engineers and technical personnel under his command.

Twining's assessment stated that the reported phenomenon was real and not imaginary. He described the objects as metallic, disc-shaped, silent, and surprisingly maneuverable. He recommended that the Army Air Forces headquarters issue a directive to establish a classification and codename for a thorough investigation.

Project Sign was assigned classification level 2A, the second-highest level. While the project's name was secret, its existence soon became known to the public through Air Force press releases under the nickname "Project Saucer."

The daily leader of Project Sign was Captain Robert R. Sneider, with a staff that included two renowned aeronautical engineers, Alfred Loedding and Albert B. Deyarmond, as well as atomic weapons and missile expert Lawrence Truettner.

When unusual sightings were reported, individuals were contacted by the intelligence department at the nearest air base. If an observation was deemed "important," personnel from AMC headquarters would fly to the base to conduct an investigation. Observers were required to fill out a standard questionnaire detailing the time, place, description of the observed object, its altitude, speed, and maneuvers. All relevant material was sent to AMC headquarters in Ohio for analysis and inclusion in official status reports, which were then forwarded to government agencies for clarification.

One of the first major cases encountered by Project Sign was the crash of Captain Thomas F. Mantell Jr. of the Kentucky Air National Guard on January 7, 1948. Mantell died when his P-51 Mustang fighter jet crashed while he was pursuing an unknown object. The case received significant press coverage, and rumors circulated that Mantell's body was burned, his plane was riddled with tiny holes, and his last words to the control tower were: "My God, there are people inside!". The New York Times unequivocally reported, "Flier Dies Chasing a 'Flying Saucer'."

This section is an excerpt from page 25 of the book "UFO'er - Myter og viden," under the heading "Af hensyn til den nationale sikkerhed."

Additional Information

The second page of the scan shows the cover of the book "UFO'er - Myter og viden" and an open spread featuring images and text related to UFOs. It also provides links for further reading: "UFO'er - Myter og viden, især side 25-42" and "Project Blue Book filer online - nu igen!"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue focuses on the intersection of UFO phenomena, historical investigations, and popular culture, specifically the upcoming TV series adaptation of Project Blue Book. The editorial stance appears to be informative, aiming to provide historical context and details about significant UFO cases and projects, encouraging readers to engage with the subject through books and online resources. The emphasis on "national security" in the article's title suggests an acknowledgment of the government's historical involvement and concerns regarding UFO investigations.