UFO Navigator - No 018 - 2001

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO Navigator," dated August 2001, is a Russian ufological digest that covers a wide range of topics related to unidentified flying objects, paranormal phenomena, and scientific discoveries. The cover headline highlights a UFO sighting over St. Petersburg, promising to unravel its mystery. Other featured topics include the Wallis Tillinghast UFO case from 1909, a giant crop circle in England, and Canadian ufological passions.

News

UFO Over St. Petersburg: The Riddle Solved

The digest reports on a UFO sighting over St. Petersburg on August 9, 2001, where a student from the St. Petersburg State University of Cinema and Television captured footage of an unidentified object. The student, Gleb Kuznetsov, described the object as flying at an altitude of 8-10 km, appearing and disappearing, and moving at a speed comparable to a passing airplane, but without an exhaust trail. The video was shared with "Press-Center.RU" and later broadcast on St. Petersburg television. However, Mikhail Gershtein, after reviewing the footage with professional equipment, concluded that the object was a conventional aircraft with visible wings, tail, and lights. Military specialists from the 6th Air Defense Army and the Leningrad Military District reportedly agreed with this assessment. The absence of an exhaust trail was attributed to varying atmospheric conditions at different altitudes, and the perceived "disappearance" was explained as the observer losing sight of the object.

Portrait of an Alien in an Egyptian Tomb?

This section delves into a debate within ufology circles regarding a wall painting in the tomb of the ancient Egyptian philosopher Ptahotep. While the painting generally depicts a scene of servants presenting offerings, a specific fragment is interpreted by some as showing a "grey" alien with large eyes and a slender neck. The article questions whether the artist witnessed such beings or if this was an intentional depiction. It notes that this detail had previously been overlooked in Egyptology literature.

Giant "Drawing" in a Field in England

The digest reports on a sensational crop circle that appeared on August 13, 2001, near Milk-Hill in Wiltshire, England. This formation consisted of 409 geometric circles and rings, with some exceeding 70 feet in diameter. The overall dimensions of the "pictogram" were approximately 780 feet in length and covered an area of 63,6172 square feet. The article notes that the formation was visible from the air but appeared chaotic from the ground. It also mentions rumors that the crop circle was a hoax orchestrated by a team called "Brigade of Satan" for the television company HTV. The magazine cites a statement from HTV denying involvement and mentions that the group had previously been involved in creating crop circles for television segments. The article also touches upon the legal implications of creating crop circles without permission, referencing the case of Matthew Williams.

Canadian Ufological Passions

This section presents a series of UFO sightings and unusual incidents reported in Ontario, Canada, based on an email from a police officer. Sightings include orange glowing objects, disc-shaped objects, and triangular craft with lights. Unusual incidents involve sightings of tall, hairy, humanoid creatures and encounters with pale, human-like beings with pointed ears collecting soil samples. The article notes that Canadian media has reported a significant increase in UFO sightings in the current year.

Flying Humanoids in Italy

Reports from Carozzo, Italy, describe a "man in black" seen flying in the sky, compared to "Batman." The phenomenon of "flying humanoids" was first reported in Taranto in 1945 and has recurred over the years. A detailed description from a 22-year-old student in Parma describes a dark green, awkward creature with large, flashing red eyes, moving horizontally and mimicking robotic movements.

"UFOs Flying from Under Water" Turn Out to Be Rocket Launches

The Spanish "Anomalia Foundation" announced that they had uncovered the explanation for numerous UFO sightings over the Canary Islands, which were previously used as evidence for underwater UFO activity. The foundation claims these were actually underwater launches of ballistic missiles from American submarines. This explanation is supported by a comparison of declassified US Navy documents with reported UFO sightings.

Visit of MUFON-CES Head to Russia

Illobrand von Ludwiger, head of the Central European section of MUFON (MUFON-CES), visited St. Petersburg. The digest reports on MUFON-CES's findings, which contradict claims of a decrease in UFO reports. MUFON-CES continues to receive and investigate an average of two reports per month that remain unexplained. The organization has analyzed 431 UFO reports since 1974, with the most common shapes being disc-shaped (29%), glowing spheres or "lights" (24%), and triangular or rectangular objects (15%). The report also notes that a significant percentage of identified objects were laser shows or other aerial phenomena.

Space News

Updates are provided on the "Galileo" probe's successful flyby of Jupiter's moon Io, although magnetic field measurements were inconclusive. The probe's onboard camera also experienced issues due to radiation. The article also announces the launch of the "Genesis" probe, designed to collect samples from the Sun's atmosphere. Additionally, the "Mars Global Surveyor" has detected a large lake of liquid water beneath the ice on Mars. In astronomy, recent observations suggest that the speed of light may have changed over the 15-billion-year history of the universe.

Our Calendar (This Day ... Years Ago)

This section provides historical UFO reports: a "triangle" over Lithuania in 1974, a black object over Lake Onega in 1980, a gray ellipsoid near Yaroslavl in 1987, and a cylinder over Volzhsky in 1999.

"Triangle" Over Lithuania. 1974

This report details the observation of a 140-meter triangular object hovering for several hours over Lithuania. Amateur astronomers and other witnesses observed the object, noting its changing shape and intensity of light. The object was estimated to be at an altitude of approximately 20 kilometers.

Black Object Over Lake Onega. 1980

A ship's helmsman reported seeing a circular black object moving slowly over Lake Onega. The object briefly displayed flashing lights before disappearing instantaneously.

Gray Ellipsoid Near Yaroslavl. 1987

An eyewitness reported seeing a large, gray, ellipsoid-shaped object hovering over a field near Yaroslavl. The object emitted bright beams of light downwards. The incident was later investigated by local ufologists.

Cylinder Over Volzhsky. 1999

A night watchman reported seeing a light source above the Volzhsky pipe plant, which later appeared to be a cylinder-shaped UFO.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings, crop circles, and ancient mysteries, often presenting evidence that challenges conventional explanations. There's a recurring theme of debunking official explanations and highlighting unexplained phenomena. The publication also seems to engage with the ufological community, reporting on the activities of organizations like MUFON-CES and discussing debates within the field. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, while also acknowledging and reporting on scientific investigations and potential hoaxes. The magazine also touches upon the commercialization of paranormal beliefs, as seen in the "Anastasians" section.

This issue of "Aviatsiya i Kosmonavtika" (Aviation and Cosmonautics), dated December 1970, delves into historical mysteries of aerial phenomena, primarily focusing on the claims of American inventor Wallace Tillinghast and a series of unexplained sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) in the early 20th century.

The Mystery of Wallace Tillinghast

The article begins by recounting a sighting by a witness named Kurkin at 4:15 AM, who observed a cylindrical object with an orange light and steam-like clouds, moving silently. The object was estimated to be about twenty meters long and three meters in diameter, with two rear-facing 'nozzles' emitting orange streams, unlike conventional jet engines. Kurkin, a former aviation mechanic, found no earthly parallels for the object's flight.

The narrative then shifts to the early days of aviation in America, around 1908-1909, a period of intense public interest in flight. While Europe was the center of aviation records, in America, the "Society of Aerial Experiments," led by Professor Graham Bell and engineer Glenn Curtiss, was active. The article details their early aircraft, including the "White Wing" and the "Silver Arrow," and their limited successes.

Wallace I. Tillinghast, a vice-president of a Worcester insulation materials company, emerged as a claimant to a significant aviation breakthrough. At a press conference, he announced he had constructed and tested an "aeroplane" capable of carrying three passengers, flying 480 km without landing, and reaching a speed of 120 mph (192 km/h). He claimed his monoplane weighed 1550 pounds, had a wingspan of 72 feet (24 meters), and was powered by a 120-horsepower engine, capable of taking off from a 25-meter runway. He asserted he had flown from Worcester to Boston and New York, circling the Statue of Liberty. However, the article highlights the implausibility of these claims when compared to contemporary aviation records, such as Farman's record of 232.2 km at 52.7 km/h.

Further skepticism arose from Tillinghast's claims of a 43-minute glide after an engine failure, and his assertion of over a hundred successful flights, eighteen of which were on his latest model. Despite his claims, Tillinghast never publicly demonstrated his machine or provided photographic evidence.

Widespread Sightings and Public Fascination

In late 1909, the public's attention was captured by numerous reports of mysterious lights and "airships" across the United States. Sightings were reported in Ohio, Delaware, Arkansas, and Massachusetts. These objects were often described as silent, fast-moving lights or craft, sometimes with searchlights, and their appearance fueled speculation about a mysterious inventor or even extraterrestrial visitors.

On December 22, 1909, a particularly striking events occurred over Worcester, Massachusetts. A "flying ship" with a powerful searchlight hovered over the city for about 15 minutes, making several circles before disappearing. Similar sightings were reported in nearby towns.

Tillinghast himself was reportedly absent during some of these sightings, leading to further speculation. His wife cryptically stated that he knew what he was doing and would reveal everything in due time.

The 'Tillinghast Aeroplane' and its Critics

Despite Tillinghast's claims, the article points out several inconsistencies. For instance, a report from William Leach of a water rescue station mentioned hearing a "crackling and roaring motor" on December 12th, while Tillinghast spoke of a September flight. The article also notes that Tillinghast's claimed performance far exceeded that of contemporary aircraft, including those with much larger engines.

When the Boston Air Show in February 1910 arrived, Tillinghast's aircraft was conspicuously absent, leading most to conclude he had been lying. Arthur M. Davidson, secretary of the Worcester Trade Committee, did visit Tillinghast's alleged hangar but did not witness a flight.

Explanations and Theories

The article explores various explanations for the sightings. Some suggested they were powerful searchlights, while others pointed to natural phenomena like Venus, which was particularly bright in December 1909. The possibility of large paper balloons, similar to those used on Independence Day, was also raised, though dismissed as too easily distinguishable from the reported craft.

One notable incident involved the discovery of a hangar on the property of John B. Goff in West Boylston, Massachusetts, which was reportedly being used by employees of Paul B. Morgan, a close associate of Tillinghast. However, a correspondent investigating the site was apprehended, preventing further inquiry.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue concludes by suggesting that the mysterious lights and objects observed in 1909-1910 were not unlike modern UFO sightings. The author posits that extraterrestrial beings may have been monitoring Earth even in those early days. The article also includes a glossary of ufological terms and concepts, such as "Bracewell probe" and "Bylichka" (a genre of Russian folklore), and entries on figures like Detlev Bronk and Vannevar Bush, hinting at their potential connections to UFO research.

The editorial stance appears to be one of historical inquiry, presenting the events and claims related to Tillinghast and the 1909-1910 sightings with a degree of skepticism towards the more extraordinary claims, while acknowledging the persistent mystery and the possibility of unknown phenomena. The article contrasts the early, often sensationalized, reports of aerial anomalies with the burgeoning field of aviation, suggesting a parallel interest in both human technological advancement and unexplained aerial events.

Title: UFO Navigator
Issue Date: August 2001 (Issue 10)
Country of Publication: Russia
Language: Russian

This issue of "UFO Navigator" features a "Criticism and Bibliography" section offering a rating system for ufological periodicals and books, ranging from "immediately throw in the trash" to "excellent, highly recommended." It also includes an "Announcements" section where the editorial office seeks specific Russian and English-language books for their research.

Book Review: "Mysteries of Parallel Worlds" by V. Chernobrov

The review of Vadim Chernobrov's book "Mysteries of Parallel Worlds" (published by "Veche" in 2001) is critical. The reviewer notes the book's convenient pocket size but finds its content to be a dry, uncritical compilation of numerous unexplained cases, often lacking proper sourcing or debunking. While acknowledging that readers unfamiliar with the original sources might find it interesting, the reviewer points out the poor citation practices and the distracting use of all-caps for surnames.

Announcements

The "UFO Navigator" editorial office is actively seeking several specific books to aid in their investigations. In Russian, they are looking for:

• S.P. Bozhich's "UFOs - Cosmic Ships from Titan, Saturn's Moon" (Moscow, 1991)
• A.N. Dmitriev's "Cosmo-Earth Connections and UFOs" (Novosibirsk, 1996)
• A.N. Dmitriev's "Natural Self-Luminous Formations" (Novosibirsk, 2000)
• The collection "UFO: Myth or Reality?" (Saratov, 1991)

In English, they require:

• F. Edwards' "Flying Saucers: Serious Business" (1966)
• K. Randle's "The History of UFO Crashes" (1998)
• G. Adamski and D. Leslie's "Flying Saucers Have Landed" (1953)
• G. Adamski's "Inside the Flying Saucers" (1955)
• L. Stringfield's "Situation Red: The UFO Siege!" (1977) and all his reports on UFO crashes.

The magazine offers books from its own exchange fund in return.

Miscellaneous

This section covers several intriguing topics:

Giant Ships Near Saturn's Rings?

Rumors about giant, cylindrical "mother ships" near Saturn's rings, measuring up to Earth's length, have circulated for years. The article references Dr. Norman Bergrun's book "The Ringmakers of Saturn." A recent article by Dan Ayres in "Correio Brasilience" (June 18, 2001) discusses infrared images taken by the Hubble telescope in 1996. While scientists initially identified new moons, Ayres points to large, cigar-shaped objects (labeled "A," "B," and "C") following a specific orbit along the outer ring. He speculates these could be alien mining ships, noting their consistent appearance across multiple frames and their clear orbital paths, ruling out photographic defects.

Is Nessie No More?

A "Komsomolskaya Pravda" article from August 15, 2001, by Maxim Chizhikov, reports on the potential demise of the Loch Ness Monster. Robert Rines, who famously photographed the creature in 1974, is leading a new expedition. Despite the expedition not being fully concluded, initial findings are grim, suggesting the ancient monster may have died due to an ecological catastrophe. Rines's sonar has reportedly detected a giant underwater mound, possibly the creature's final resting place. However, Gary Campbell, leader of the Nessie fan club, remains skeptical, suggesting the monster might simply be in deeper hiding.

Encounter with a Mermaid

A story from the website "ZerkaloXX" (an archive of anomalous phenomena from Tashkent) recounts a personal experience. The narrator met a man on a train who shared an account from several years prior. While visiting relatives near the Ugama river (a tributary of the Chirchik river), the man saw a naked woman walking on the water towards him in the twilight. She called him by name and beckoned him, but he was struck by the fact that she was not carried away by the strong current. As he stepped towards her, she moved into the water, still beckoning. He realized it was a "water spirit" and tried to retreat, but felt an unseen force pulling him. He managed to pull back, and the mermaid disappeared. Upon returning home, his sister-in-law noted he had turned completely white-haired, a lasting effect of the encounter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue touches upon themes of extraterrestrial visitation (giant ships near Saturn), cryptozoology (the Loch Ness Monster), and folklore/paranormal encounters (the mermaid story). The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, as evidenced by the book review's focus on source verification and the presentation of various reports and speculations without definitive conclusions, encouraging readers to form their own opinions. The magazine actively seeks information and engages with its readership through its announcements and the collection of anecdotal accounts.