UFO Newsclipping Service - 1972 02 - no 34

Magazine Overview

This issue of 'U.F.O.' magazine, dated February 1972, is a compilation of reports and articles concerning unidentified flying objects (UFOs). It features a collection of sighting accounts from various locations across the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and England, alongside discussions and investigations into the phenomenon. The magazine's publisher is listed as the UFO Research Committee.

'Unidentified Flying Object' Sighted in Eden, North Carolina

An article by Angelo Maschio reports on a sighting in Eden, North Carolina, on February 3, 1972. Henry H. Harris Jr. and Perk Brown Jr. described seeing a bright, star-like object below cloud level around 8 p.m. Harris initially mistook it for a bright street light. Brown corroborated the sighting, noting it looked like a big, bright ball. They observed it for a while, and by 8:30 or 8:40 p.m., it appeared the size of an egg and very red. Harris jokingly remarked, "Someone is watching us." By 8:45 p.m., the object had vanished.

Second Sighting of UFO Reported in Eden

Another report by Angelo Maschio details a second UFO sighting in Eden, this time by Miss Carolyn Radford. She tracked an unidentified flying object for about an hour on a Monday night before it headed towards Reidsville. Her colleagues, Jeff Fain and Emerson, also saw the object around the radio station. Miss Radford described it as appearing three times larger than a large star, reddish, then later appearing twice as big as a star but green with blinking lights. The object reportedly moved forward, turned, dipped, stopped, and backed up. It kept pace with her car as she drove to a service station and then disappeared. Fain is preparing a high-speed camera in case of a return. Radford advocates for investigation, stating, "By learning we know and by knowing we're better people."

UFO Sighted Near Dartmoor, Australia

A report from Mount Gambier states that a sailboat-shaped light followed an RAAF instrument maker from Hamilton to Dartmoor on Tuesday night (January 1-72). The airman and a friend saw the object with red, green, and white lights. The object came close to their car, and they pulled over twice. Mr. W. L. Small also witnessed the object. The light descended in steps, not smoothly like an aircraft, and was still visible upon reaching Mount Gambier.

Flying Objects Seen Over Newcastle, Australia

People in Belmont, Wallsend, and Port Stephens reported seeing unidentified objects flying over Newcastle. Mr. R. Smith, proprietor of a Wallsend airstrip, saw a star-like object moving horizontally over the R.A.A.F. Base at 9:10 p.m., followed by a second bluish-white light at 9:35 p.m. that flew over Newcastle moving south at high speed, disappearing in one minute. Smith estimated its altitude at 40,000 feet and speed around 1000 miles per hour. Reports were made to Williamtown R.A.A.F. Base, which stated they could not identify the sightings but believed they were civilian aircraft.

Weird Balls Ferry Sighting: They Saw the 'Something' and It Scared Them Plenty

An article by Alan R. Berry details an incident near Balls Ferry, California, on January 21, 1972. Four teen-age boys and one of their fathers reported seeing a brilliant glowing object pass over their car. Later, they heard a blood-curdling scream in the brush. John Yeries described seeing a "weird thing" about 50 feet away, hunched over, dark green or brown, with a tear-drop-shaped ear. The youths described it as about seven-feet-tall, with no hair and lumps over its body. They also saw fiery objects, some blue and white, others orange and red, moving erratically along the road. Darrell Rich reported seeing two "glowing balls" in the sky that merged and one shot upwards. Dean Rich, father of Darrell, investigated with a pistol and heard a deep growl. The deputy sheriff investigated but found nothing unusual.

'Something' in the Night

This section continues the Balls Ferry sighting, with further details from the witnesses. They described the object as having a human-like figure and a "weird type of sensation." The object appeared to be warning them to leave the area. The youths reported seeing "firecrackers popping" on the pavement behind their car, though without sound. The deputy sheriff and police were involved, but found no evidence of a hoax, noting the youths seemed sincere and scared.

Skeptics Scoff and Observers Wonder

This article, dated December 2, 1971, from Excelsior-Deephaven, Minnesota, reports on a mysterious glowing object sighted shortly before midnight. At least 15 policemen from five towns and two counties witnessed it. While they avoided calling it a "U.F.O.," they acknowledged seeing something unusual. Eyewitnesses at the Pletsch home reported seeing a "flying saucer, all different colors," moving up and down and sideways. The object was estimated to be about 200 yards away and changed colors. Police investigated calls from Mound and Excelsior, with officers confirming the sighting. Charles Crepeau photographed the object. A Carver County sheriff's deputy also saw a "gleaming object moving in an easterly direction" with an orange glow. Officials at the metropolitan airport found no trace of it on radar.

UFOs Back? Swain On Date Sees Light

This brief report from Charleston, West Virginia, dated January 8, 1972, mentions an 18-year-old youth and his date who saw an object in the sky that illuminated their car. He described it as a "long, reddish kind of thing" with a white flashing light, appearing over River Lake Estates and making two big circles before disappearing. Mrs. Helen Masters also reported seeing a similar object.

UFO Sighted Over County

This report from Grants Pass, Oregon, dated January 5, 1972, mentions a UFO sighting reported to the Josephine County sheriff's office. Phil Sepull described a large flaming ball that dropped below the mountains, seen over the freeway.

'Ball of Fire' Sighted Near Oil Trough Yesterday

An article from Arkansas, dated January 6, 1972, details a sighting near Oil Trough. James H. Shaw reported seeing a glowing sphere, described as looking like an airplane in flames, dropping toward the earth. He later spotted a reddish glow about 14 feet in diameter in the timber. Authorities and volunteers searched the area but found nothing. Shaw believes it was something on fire that fell in the area, and he planned to return to search for wreckage or a possible meteorite.

'Damndest, Biggest Fireball' Sighted by Silverton Couple

This report from Salem, Oregon, dated January 5, 1972, describes a Silverton area couple seeing a "ball of flame falling toward earth" around 5:30 p.m. Mr. and Mrs. Victor Wolfe reported it was the "damndest, biggest fireball" they had ever seen, remaining in sight for about two seconds as it plummeted down. Mrs. Wolfe initially thought it was a plane crash.

The Loch Ness Monster Again

This opinion piece by Lowell Ponte discusses the U.S. Air Force's termination of Project Blue Book and the ongoing interest in UFO phenomena. Ponte argues that UFOs should be taken seriously, citing reports of objects tracked by radar and chased by Air Force planes, moving at incredible speeds. He mentions figures like Sen. Robert Kennedy's interest in UFOs and Arthur Bray's plea for a worldwide UFO investigation by the United Nations. Ponte suggests that the Soviets are actively researching UFOs and could gain an advantage. He recommends the book "The Age of Flying Saucers" and asks readers to share their experiences.

Mystery Object in Sky Puzzles

A brief report from Forest Grove, Oregon, dated October 21, 1971, describes Clyde Evansizer spotting a "large barrel-shaped black object" in the sky, suspended by wires. The object was about 1,000 feet up.

Bright Object Fools Mariner

A report from Pasadena, California, dated November 21, 1972, states that an extremely bright object in deep space fooled a navigation device aboard the Mariner 9 Mars satellite, causing it to point in the wrong direction. The issue was resolved with new commands.

UFO Sighted Over County

A report from Morrilton, Arkansas, dated February 3, 1972, mentions a meteorite with a blazing tail spotted over Conway County. Reports of it falling north of Merrilton led to a search for plane wreckage, but none was found. Sightings were also reported in Little Rock, Hot Springs, and Searcy.

Strange Sight in Sky; Was It A Meteor?

This report from Morrilton, Arkansas, dated February 3, 1972, details two youths, Danny Hill and Ronnie Epperson, seeing a "big red ball with a long tail of fire" moving west and angling downward. They described it as about 100 feet from the ground. Other people across central Arkansas also reported similar sightings, with theories ranging from a falling star to a falling plane or an unidentified flying object.

UFO, for sure

This article, dated January 5, 1972, from Lompoc, California, describes a sighting by a couple near their home. They saw a bright white light streaking across the sky, which they initially thought was a missile but realized was something else. The object had a "whitish-red flame" at the back and appeared to be a definite spherical object. Later that night, the wife reported seeing another one land near the hospital. The couple concluded they had seen UFOs.

The Strange UFOs of 1897

This historical piece discusses metallic, cigar-shaped aerial vehicles sighted throughout the United States between November 1896 and September 1897, predating the Wright brothers' flight. It recounts instances where occupants of these craft spoke with farmers, claiming to be terrestrial inventors or visitors from Mars. The article notes that these aviators' stories were likely fabricated and that the mysterious craft were not terrestrial inventions.

UFOs must be taken seriously

This letter to the editor, dated November 20, 1971, from Northampton, England, argues that UFO phenomena cannot be simply rationalized as natural occurrences. The author, Gordon D. Hamilton-Grey, emphasizes the complexity of the subject, involving multiple scientific disciplines and even parapsychology. He questions the human-centric notion of being alone in the universe and suggests that UFOs might represent a significant confrontation for humanity. He also notes the Soviets' active research in this area.

Two sightings

This letter to the editor, dated November 20, 1971, from Bedford, England, describes two sightings of a bright, star-like object that made elliptical traverses, stopped, changed direction suddenly, and appeared to be controlled. The author, S. J. Gilbert, questions the human race's egotism in believing they are alone in the universe and suggests that machines might be capable of interstellar travel.

That U.F.O. is spotted again-over Tean

This report from Tean, England, dated October 28, 1971, details a sighting of an unidentified flying object over Tean, similar to one seen over Trentham the previous day. Mrs. Patricia Layland described it as a "ball of fire with a white flame trail" that hovered and then disappeared. A spokesman from the Manchester Weather Centre suggested the sightings might be weather balloons.

UFO Sighted Over Trentham

This article from Stoke-on-Trent, England, dated October 27, 1971, reports an unidentified flying object in the shape of a spherical object with a flame trail, sighted over Trentham. Mr. Frank Meredith described it as a definite spherical object, traveling fast, and looking like a "large electrified bulb." It stopped, the flame disappeared, and then it shot off. He compared it to an object seen on television news.

UFO sighted by two city women

This report from Christchurch, New Zealand, dated November 1, 1971, describes two women seeing a large, oval-shaped, orange glow that appeared to be moving. They initially thought it was a fire but realized it was much larger than the moon. As they drove to get a better look, the object disappeared over the horizon.

UFO Chasers Will Go Anywhere To Investigate Report Of Sighting

This article from Baltimore, Maryland, dated January 31, 1972, discusses UFO chasers who are dedicated amateur investigators. It highlights the Odyssey Club, led by John A. Lutz, which investigates UFO reports in Maryland. Another group is the capital-area subcommittee of NICAP, headed by John B. Carlson. The article mentions a specific sighting near Easton, Maryland, where two objects with red, green, and white pulsating lights were seen connected by a "thin strand" of white light, hovering for over an hour before disappearing suddenly.

Trying To Explain The Unexplainable

This section continues the Baltimore article, with John B. Carlson expressing his belief that UFOs are extraterrestrial vehicles under intelligent control, though he cautions against accepting all sightings as genuine. He emphasizes the need for more than one credible witness and notes that some cases remain unsolved. The article also mentions the Kenyon family's sighting near Westminster, Maryland, of a saucer-shaped object with an amber beacon and belly lights.

The UFOnaut in the pasture

This anecdote, dated January 19, 1972, from Woodland, California, recounts a story about a teenager who encountered a small, four-foot-tall being in a white suit in a pasture. The being had a helmet and appeared to wipe sweat from its brow. The article speculates on the meaning of this gesture and compares it to folklore about "Wee People."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent reporting of unidentified flying objects across diverse geographical locations and the ongoing efforts to investigate and understand these phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on witness testimony, often from multiple observers, and the unusual characteristics of the objects sighted, including their shapes, lights, and flight capabilities. The magazine seems to adopt a stance that UFOs are a serious subject worthy of investigation, challenging the dismissive attitudes of some authorities and skeptics. Several articles highlight the work of amateur investigators and organizations dedicated to UFO research, suggesting that these phenomena cannot be easily explained away by conventional means. The issue also touches upon the historical context of UFO sightings and the ongoing debate about their potential extraterrestrial origin.

This document is a compilation of newspaper clippings from various UK publications in late 1971, primarily focusing on UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings and related phenomena. The clippings span several dates and locations, offering a snapshot of public and media interest in the subject during that period.

Key Articles and Reports

Liverpool Echo (19 November 1971) This report details a fast-moving, strange object seen over Wirral at 8:25 a.m. that appeared to disintegrate. The Meteorological Office at Liverpool Airport suggested it could have been a meteorite or an artificial satellite burning out. Mr. M. R. Baker of Stanbury, New Ferry, described it as a green, orange, and red glow leaving a whitish trail for five seconds before disintegrating. The Meteorological Office noted this coincided with other recent sightings of unidentified objects.

Northants Chronicle & Echo (23 October 1971) This article features the Rev. Donald Thomas, Rector of Long Hanborough, Oxford, who is a confirmed 'believer' in flying saucers. He is actively collecting information about a spate of sightings in Northamptonshire and other counties. The article mentions a strange red object spotted over Daventry and a mystery object tracked over Northampton. Mr. Thomas also noted that there had been a sighting at Aynho where the UFO's light was so brilliant it caused a witness to shield his eyes. He is a member of the Oxfordshire branch of the British UFO Research Association and believes that evidence relates to inexplicable small metal objects. He also claims that in Dorset and France, crops will not grow after reported UFO landings.

Luton Evening Post (29 October 1971) Mr. Richard Adams, a private pilot from Luton, claims he saw a UFO travelling over North Buckinghamshire at the same time as the Gardiner family of Woodfield Green, Dunstable, reported a similar sighting. Mr. Adams described the object as about 40,000 to 60,000 feet up, long and slender with a vapour trail that abruptly stopped. He believes it was not an aircraft due to the unusual cessation of the vapour trail. He watched it for about five minutes moving from west to east on a clear day before it vanished. The Ministry of Defence stated they knew nothing about any military aircraft in the area at that time. Two Luton schoolboys, Alan Phillips and Geoffrey Eastland, also reported seeing an orange, egg-shaped object travelling very fast over Houghton Regis.

Jersey Evening Post (25 October 1971) A brightly coloured, spinning UFO was seen by many Islanders in the night sky on Saturday. It was visible for over two hours near the Cherbourg peninsula. Mr. S. Makin described it as a circle of light spinning at great speed, changing colour from red to white to green to blue. The Met. Office stated they knew nothing about it.

The Mercury (Hobart, Tasmania) (17 December 1971) This report covers a mystery explosion that rocked houses in the Kensington Park area, New Norfolk, on Tuesday night, the cause of which remained unsolved. UFO Investigation Centre officers described the sighting of a 'saucer-shaped object with an orange dome' as one of the best in Tasmania. Police suggested possible causes like a sonic boom from a jet aircraft or an exploding petrol tin. Mr. K. Bennetto, a sighting officer, noted that the object hovered before taking off in a gradual climb, breaking the sound barrier over a residential area. He also mentioned that planets can be mistaken for UFOs and advised witnesses to take pictures and note details.

Southland Times (Invercargill, New Zealand) (31 December 1971) This article discusses Captain Bruce Cathie, an N.A.C. pilot who believes UFOs exist and operates on a grid system. His book 'Harmonic 33' and a sequel with Peter Temm propose that world governments are suppressing information. Cathie claims UFO positions invariably fall on grid lines of longitude or latitude. The article also mentions a peculiar encounter Cathie had with a stranger in Invercargill.

Cairns Post (9 December 1971) A lighted flying object seen over the ranges west of Cairns and White Rock on Tuesday night was likely a weather balloon. A weather office spokesman explained that balloons released at night have lights and blink as they turn. The sighting was at 8:48 p.m., and winds suggested the balloon would travel west and north-west.

Basingstoke Gazette (31 December 1971) Mr. George Walton of Kings Rise, Baughurst, reported seeing a mysterious flying object over the Wiltshire countryside. He described it as a 'flying saucer' with a brilliant light, giving off sparks, flat circular in shape, and completely silent, flying at about 500 ft. high. He and his wife saw it while driving to Wales at dawn.

Lincoln Weekend Chronicle (5 November 1971) This article features Donald Good's attempt to explain modern UFO phenomena. He cites evidence from astronauts, pilots, scientists, and astronomers, categorizing sightings into 'scout ships, mother ships, scanners, and cross-shapes'. He estimates about 10% of tested sightings are substantiable, leading to thousands of unexplained reports. He suggests spiritual methods and a larger spiritual viewpoint are needed to understand the metaphysics involved.

Sussex Express (Lewes) (26 November 1971) Police searched Seaford Head after reports of mystery lights. A woman reported a burning object falling from the sky. A police sergeant and constable saw two large red lights. Workmen digging a trench for an electricity cable were suggested as a possible explanation for the red lights, but the object seen by the woman remains unaccounted for. Coastguards reported nothing unusual, but a voluntary warden noted that mysterious lights had been seen on the headland on several occasions.

Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph (30 October 1971) Mr. and Mrs. David Alabaster of Irthlingborough reported seeing a disc-shaped object in the sky that appeared to be turning. They have seen 13 objects in the last five years, with one stopping over Irthlingborough.

Leamington Spa Morning News (30 November 1971) Housewife Mrs. M. H. Deeming believes she spotted a UFO. She described a fast-moving object with a short vapour trail that seemed to hover over antique dealers' offices before disappearing.

Thames Gazette (23 November 1971) Mrs. Gladys Hale of Burton reported seeing a bright light, like a glitter ball, moving in the sky. She described seven or eight 'slots' of light around its circumference. It made no noise and was not like an aeroplane. The object flew from the Lichfield direction towards Stoke.

Evening Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent) (24 November 1971) Susan Mills, aged thirteen, reported seeing a glowing red ball of flame flying south over Stafford. Her father, Mr. Arthur Mills, had seen a similar object previously. The object made no noise and had no indication lights, and vanished out of sight.

Shropshire Journal (26 November 1971) Four people claimed to have seen a UFO from Sheward's Mount, Dawley. Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Rushton described an object with a basin or dish-shaped base, a cone on top, and a strip light, bathed in a reddish-orange glow. A Shawbury Meteorological observer saw what appeared to be an aircraft with a red blinking light, but could not confirm if it passed the Dawley area.

Northants Evening Telegraph (1 November 1971) A Kettering man, Mr. S. C. Stork, suggested that the mysterious orange UFO seen over Desborough might be a 'fooball', a phenomenon experienced by pilots during the Korean War, caused by water vapour reflecting the setting sun.

Scarborough Evening News (17 November 1971) Coastguards in the Scarborough area were baffled by unidentified flying objects seen over the last three or four nights. Objects were described as coloured green, blue, yellow, or white, and seemed to be a cross between shooting stars and comets. Mr. Maurice L. T. Plows and his wife saw a bright white, oval-shaped object travelling very quickly west, disappearing behind a cloud. They took three photos of it.

Dyce Airport Reports (27 December 1971) Mr. Kenneth R. Pirie of Aberdeen reported seeing a falling object that looked orange in the sun's rays with a tail like a comet. It levelled its flight, moved slowly, stopped, and circled before moving away. Met Office staff confirmed it was cloudy but clearing in the late afternoon. An air traffic control officer suggested it might have been a North Sea helicopter, noting that winter sun can create peculiar effects with helicopters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes throughout these clippings are the persistent sightings of unexplained aerial phenomena, the attempts to find rational explanations (meteorological, astronomical, or conventional aircraft), and the ongoing efforts by amateur researchers and organizations to document and understand these events. There is a clear public fascination with UFOs, with many witnesses expressing conviction in what they saw. The editorial stance, as reflected in the selection of these articles, is one of reporting on these phenomena, often presenting multiple perspectives, including official denials or alternative explanations, while acknowledging the mystery and the conviction of the witnesses.