UFO Newsclipping Service - 1983 10 - no 171

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO Newsclipping Service, dated October 1983, Number 171, is published by U.F.O. NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE and features a cover headline about a local teen spotting a UFO. The magazine presents a collection of articles and reports on UFO sightings and related phenomena from various locations in the USA and UK.

Local Teen Spots UFO

An article from The Banner reports on Francis Gilbert, a 15-year-old from Cambridge, MD, who claims to have seen a UFO on a Tuesday evening. He described the object as round with black stripes, a piece of red sticking up like an antenna, and flashing lights of different colors. He also noted it had 'long legs' and a 'round wheel on the bottom.' Gilbert stated it was moving slowly and revolving. He had not seen a UFO before and dismissed any connection to his Star Wars t-shirt.

One for Every Neighborhood

A report from the TRIBUNE, Tampa, FL, suggests a new trend for the '80s, a throwback to the '50s and '60s, involving mysterious unidentified flying objects. Callers reported seeing an object hovering over different parts of Hillsborough County. The object was described as Frisbee-shaped, silent, and hovering about 100 feet off the ground, with a ring of lights flashing around its edge at high speed.

An Interview with Dr. Hynek, Leading Expert on UFO Mystery

This extensive interview with Dr. J. Allen Hynek, professor emeritus of astronomy at Northwestern University and director of the Center for UFO Studies, details his journey from a skeptic to a proponent of serious UFO investigation. Hynek recounts his 20-year consultancy with the Air Force's Project Sign, Grudge, and Blue Book, where he was tasked with providing prosaic explanations for sightings. He explains that the Air Force's rigid, negative attitude and the caliber of witnesses, including military pilots, began to trouble him. The infamous 'swamp gas' case in Michigan in 1966 was a turning point. Hynek expresses frustration that scientific data was being lost and decided to establish the Center for UFO Studies. He discusses his classification of Close Encounters into three kinds (First, Second, and Third), which inspired Steven Spielberg's movie. He also recounts his experience with Spielberg, including a financial misunderstanding regarding the movie's title.

UFOs Taking on Elis at Yale Bowl?

A report from the RECORD-JOURNAL, Meriden, CT, details sightings in New Haven, CT. Witnesses described oval-shaped objects with multi-colored lights. One was seen straddling the Yale Bowl, and another was seen gliding toward a newspaper plant roof. A Derry man reported seeing a huge object, described as 'two city blocks long,' hovering 1,000 feet in the air. Stan Gordon of the Pennsylvania Association for the Study of the Unexplained noted a rash of similar calls throughout the summer, particularly in the Latrobe-Derry area. Reports are kept in strict confidence.

More Than a Flight of Fancy

This article by E.B. WALZER from REPORTER DISPATCH details a mass sighting event on March 24 in Westchester and Putnam, NY. Hundreds of people reported seeing a large, slow-moving, silent V-shape of multicolored lights. Motorists stopped, police switchboards were jammed, and residents reported fear and curiosity. The object was seen cruising in a looping pattern for over an hour. The article explores explanations, including stunt pilots flying in formation, but also presents witness accounts that contradict this theory, citing the object's silence, low altitude, and hovering behavior. It also mentions earlier sightings and subsequent unexplained explosions in the area. The article highlights the experience of Monique O'Driscoll, who saw a V-shaped object with flashing lights hovering over a pond.

UFOs: The New Frontier of Science

This section features George Fawcett, a veteran UFO researcher and former state director of MUFON, who is teaching a UFO course at Gaston College. Fawcett has investigated UFO sightings for 39 years and has spent significant personal funds on his research. He believes UFOs are more than myths and that visitors are coming from somewhere. His course examines the political, historical, and psychological aspects of UFOs, and he has sighted UFOs himself. The article also mentions other sightings in North Carolina, including a dome-topped object, a color-changing object, and an oval object that disappeared and reappeared.

Saucerology

This article from the SUNDAY POST profiles Bob Collins, who claims to have seen flying saucers and met their inhabitants. Collins quit his job to write a book about his experiences and spends his nights skywatching. He believes UFOs exist and has had several encounters, including one where his car was lifted into a craft. He describes beings who communicated with him and left a scar. Collins believes that a significant percentage of the population may be extraterrestrials living among us, possibly from our future, here to prevent self-destruction. He emphasizes that MUFON is a skeptical organization that investigates cases defying earthly explanations.

Area Folks Say Something Strange Was Flying Around

A report from the JOURNAL-COURIER, New Haven, CT, reiterates sightings in the New Haven area, including a large, strange object described as 'two city blocks long.' Witnesses reported seeing a huge object that looked bigger than a 747. Airport personnel noted that while they receive many calls, the control tower closes at 10 p.m., and they often attribute sightings to the last plane leaving the airport.

Close Encounters of Worst Kind: UFO's Collision With Windmill

This article by BRAD BAILEY from the DALLAS MORNING NEWS revisits the legendary Aurora, Texas UFO incident from 1897. It recounts the story of a cigar-shaped spaceship colliding with a windmill and its pilot, described as 'a little man,' being buried. The article notes that the story, though widely circulated, has factual deficiencies, such as the village blacksmith being misidentified as a U.S. Signal Service officer and authority on astronomy. Wise County historian Etta Pegues suggests the story originated with writer S.E. Hayden, possibly as a way to draw attention to the declining town of Aurora. Despite the skepticism, the story has been resurrected over the years, with some finding 'strange metal' from the debris.

Whirlpool in Lake Called UFO

An article from the ARIZONA DAILY STAR reports on a UFO convention in Safford, AZ, where 35 'contactees' shared their experiences. A whirlpool on Dankworth Lake was interpreted by some as a UFO. The convention, organized by UFO Contact Center International, focuses on personal contacts with aliens. Speakers included Tom Courtney and Tim Beckley. The article mentions Helene, a Safford-area woman who claims to have been cured of cancer by aliens and can translate their symbols. The convention explored theories about alien concern for humanity's self-destruction and the creation of spiritual awareness.

Foreign News: Unexplained Flying Object?

This section compiles several international reports:

• NORTHERN ADVOCATE, Whangarei, New Zealand (July 21, 1983): Reports of unexplained lights sighted in the Far North, including a strange green light and orange-ish lights with green and red spikes. Photographs were taken, and the sightings are being forwarded to the Aerial Phenomena Research Organisation of America.
• MID-SUSSEX TIMES, Haywards Heath, England (August 12, 1983): A second sighting of a 'flying Shreddie' was reported, described as a glowing white light that darted forward. The couple who saw it were initially thought it was a helicopter or plane but noted its unusual speed and movement.
• BRADFORD TELEGRAPH & ARGUS, West Yorkshire, England (August 31, 1983): A policeman's photograph of strange, bright lights near a cliff face in the Yorkshire Dales is claimed as a conclusive sighting. The picture shows three points of light, and the Yorkshire UFO Society considers it significant.
• MORNING STAR, London, England (August 23, 1983): A report from Royton describes a silvery disc, about 18 inches in diameter, traveling at 30 mph over a mill. The object was seen by multiple witnesses and was described as looking like two plates joined at the edges.
• EVENING NEWS, Manchester, England (August 3, 1983): ANDREW GRIMES reviews Jenny Randles' book, 'The Pennine UFO Mystery,' which covers various sightings, including the mysterious death of miner Zigmond Adamski. The book also discusses the case of Pc Alan Godrey, who claims to have been abducted by aliens.
• EDGWARE, MILL HILL & KINGSBURY TIMES, England (August 18, 1983): Mrs. Jessie Land reported seeing an extremely bright light in the sky over Kingsbury, which she could not identify as a conventional aircraft. She described it as a smudge behind the light and noted a normal passenger airliner passed beneath it.
• OLDHAM EVENING CHRONICLE, Lancashire, England (August 15, 1983): A Shaw family reported sighting a UFO described as a 'ball of light' twice the size of an aeroplane, moving at up to 500 mph. The object was seen circling over Oldham and disappeared briefly after returning.
• OLDHAM EVENING CHRONICLE, Lancashire, England (August 24, 1983): An old UFO sighting from Royton is recounted, describing a disc-shaped object seen over a mill. The article also mentions a previous report of a flying saucer seen over Shaw.
• DERBY TELEGRAPH, England (September 2, 1983): A report on a UFO flap in Britain, possibly caused by three hot air balloons. The Derbyshire UFO Investigation Society could not identify the objects seen by 50 people.
• NORTHERN ADVOCATE, Whangarei, Auckland, New Zealand (July 25, 1983): Further sightings of strange lights in the sky were reported from the Far North, following previous unexplained sightings. These included a green light and orange-ish lights with green and red spikes.

UFO? Do you know?

A brief report from BRADFORD TELEGRAPH & ARGUS asks readers if they saw a disc-shaped, metallic object in Ilkley, which was seen traveling at the speed of a light aircraft and appeared manufactured.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings across different regions, the ongoing debate between prosaic explanations (like aircraft, balloons, or meteorological phenomena) and the possibility of extraterrestrial or unknown craft, and the efforts of dedicated researchers and organizations like MUFON to investigate and document these events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting various witness accounts and expert opinions while acknowledging the persistent mystery surrounding many UFO phenomena. There's a clear emphasis on collecting data and encouraging serious investigation, as highlighted by Dr. Hynek's work and MUFON's mission.

This issue of the Yorkshire Evening Post, dated August 22, 1983, prominently features the headline "UFO over Yorks," accompanied by a dramatic photograph and an exclusive report detailing a significant UFO sighting in Britain.

YEP EXCLUSIVE: UFO over Yorks

The lead story, by Chris Child, focuses on a photograph taken by two North Yorkshire policemen of a stationary object near Grassington. This image, showing three balls of bright light, is described as the "most conclusive evidence of a UFO taken in Britain." The Yorkshire UFO Society, represented by Graham and Mark Birdsall, investigated the sighting, which occurred in broad daylight on March 16, 1983. They concluded it was a significant sighting and sent the photograph for analysis by American UFO photograph analysts, Ground Saucer Watch. The object was seen hovering for about 50 minutes, and two American tourists also witnessed it. Mark Birdsall stated that British photo experts were "astonished" and found no evidence of tampering. The sighting occurred during a large NATO exercise, but police inquiries revealed no connection. The object was also reportedly seen seven days earlier by the same officers at the bottom of the fell.

UFO fever hits NSW

This article from the Telegraph, Brisbane, Australia, dated August 3, 1983, reports on numerous UFO sightings over the NSW central coast. Residents reported seeing two types of UFOs, described as "flashing lights," "frisbie type" with lights all around, and "delta-winged" with lights at the front and rear. Gosford police received calls, and RAAF authorities at Williamtown are investigating. Some sightings were attributed to aircraft, but others remained unexplained. Callers described the objects as "big as a house," well-lit from within, with lights varying in color. One witness reported her car radio being blocked out with static, while others heard a low roar similar to a steam engine.

UFOS are spotted in Ulster

This Sunday News, Belfast, Ireland, article from September 4, 1983, discusses claims from a Portuguese newspaper, Jornal Do Incrivel, about flying saucers and "bug-eyed monsters" being spotted along the Irish east coast. The objects are described as saucer-shaped and known as Ovnis. The newspaper claims they operate from secret bases in Wales and move towards Cardigan Bay. Eyewitness Stephen Taylor described a "space creature" that appeared when one object landed. The article includes a drawing of this creature. It also mentions claims of UFOs over Lough Neagh and a landing near the Armagh-Monaghan border. However, experts, including the director of Armagh Planetarium, suggested these were likely Army surveillance devices. The Portuguese newspaper makes no mention of military activity but notes a missile test range in Wales.

UFO LANDS IN SUFFOLK

This News of the World investigation by Keith Seabey, dated October 2, 1983, claims that a UFO landed in Britain and that this fact has been "officially confirmed." The report details an incident on December 27, 1980, in Tangham Wood, Suffolk, near a US Air Force base. An American airman, Art Wallace (whose name was changed for security), reported seeing a "sloping silver dish about 20ft across" land in an "explosion of red light." He described seeing three beings in silver space suits aboard the craft. Farm animals and forest animals reportedly ran berserk. The report mentions that two nights later, fast-moving objects beaming powerful lights earthward were spotted. Lt. Colonel Charles I. Halt, deputy commander of the USAF 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, prepared an official report on the incident, headed "Unexplained Lights." His report details security police seeing unusual lights, investigating a "strange glowing object in the forest," and finding three depressions in the ground. The object was described as metallic and triangular, about two to three meters across. Colonel Halt stated the situation was "very delicate" and he could "jeopardize my career if I talk." Squadron Leader Donald Morland, the RAF base commander, confirmed Colonel Halt was a "worried man" and believed he was telling the truth, calling the events "inexplicable phenomena."

NO HOAX SAYS THE AIR CHIEF

Brigadier-General Gordon Williams, who was in charge of the USAF base at Woodbridge when the UFO incident occurred, stated that Lt. Colonel Halt's report was not a hoax and that Halt is not someone who would fabricate such an event. The report also mentions that the UFO was tracked on radar by a RAF station 50 miles away.

THE FOREST EXPLODED WITH BLINDING LIGHT

This News of the World article by Bob Smith, dated October 2, 1983, provides further details from airman Art Wallace's account of the Suffolk UFO landing. Wallace described the craft as "triangular" and "about 20ft across the bottom." He recounted seeing animals running in panic and fuel gauges registering empty. He witnessed a "red ball of light" descend, followed by an "explosion of all kinds of colours." After the lights subsided, a "machine" was present. He described security men circling the craft and seeing shadows move. He also reported a green light bouncing off their shadows and that others saw three beings in silver suits. Wallace felt he had been "brainwashed" and that the event was classified "top secret." He also mentioned being threatened if he spoke about it. UFO spotters Mrs. Brenda Cutler and Mrs. Dorothy Street attempted to investigate but met a "wall of secrecy." Lt. Colonel Halt reportedly pointed out the landing site on their map.

I Saw UFO land - American officer

This Sunday Express article, dated October 2, 1983, confirms that a senior American Air Force officer, Lt. Colonel Charles I. Halt, reported a UFO landing in Suffolk in December 1980. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the sighting and that Halt, then deputy commander of the USAF 81st Tactical Wing at RAF Woodbridge, submitted a report. Former Ministers of Defence Sir John Nott and Sir Ian Gilmour denied knowledge of the report or dismissed it as "rubbish."

Yes, it is true

UFO expert Larry Fawcett, a police lieutenant from Connecticut, is quoted as being "sure an alien flying craft did land in that forest." He believes Airman Wallace has never been caught in a lie and that the military knows more than they have revealed.

Silver suits, flying saucers and ET

This Observer article by Hugo Davenport, dated September 25, 1983, discusses the waning public interest in UFOs and the decline in membership of the British UFO Research Association (BUFORA). Sociologist Shirley McIver's research indicates that only 44% of BUFORA members believe in physical extraterrestrials. The article attributes the decline partly to a lack of UFO activity ('flaps') and partly to the economic recession affecting subscription affordability. It explores various theories for UFO sightings, including misidentification, psychic events, unknown natural causes, socio-UFOlogy (linking experiences to dreams and hallucinations), and ball lightning. Steuart Campbell proposes ball lightning as an explanation, while Paul Devereux suggests a correlation between UFO activity and geological faultlines. Traditionalists like Graham Knewstub maintain the hypothesis of technological civilizations from elsewhere in the universe.

Light in the sky remains a mystery

This Boreham Wood & Elstree Post article, dated August 18, 1983, reports on a sighting by Mrs. Jessie Land of Kingsbury. She saw an "extremely bright light" in the sky on August 2, which she watched for ten minutes. She described it as a "smudge behind it as the light was so bright," and it appeared to be "twinkling as if it was twisting." A normal passenger airliner passed beneath it. She reported the sighting to Kingsbury police, who never called back. She was certain it was not a helicopter.

UFOs? They're our boys really!

This Daily Express article by John Rydon, dated October 3, 1983, features Lord Clancarty's claim that the Americans and British are using flying saucers. He believes a UFO landed near RAF Woodbridge in Suffolk three years prior and that both sides have been working on secret projects using electro-magnetic energy. He recounts a conversation with Sir Peter Hill-Norton, then Chief of Defence Staff, who acknowledged a cover-up. The article also references a Sunday newspaper report about an American airman seeing a spacecraft with three beings in silver suits land in a red ball. A USAF spokesman dismissed the incident as "so far out" and stated there was no official investigation.

UFO rings considered a hoax

This Times, Oxford article, dated July 22, 1983, discusses five strange rings that appeared in a field of wheat near Wantage, sparking UFO mystery. The prevailing theory is that it's the work of a hoaxer. A neighboring farmer called it a "big hoax."

THE SINISTER PLOT TO HUSH UP THE TRUTH

This News of the World article by Iain MacAskill and Keith Seabey, dated October 9, 1983, alleges a cover-up of the Suffolk UFO landing. A former senior Ministry of Defence official claims the Ministry knows more than it admits and that the public has a right to know. The article reveals that secret service agents "invented a plane crash" to cover up the incident, and an American airman believes he was "brainwashed" to forget the event. The official, bound by the Official Secrets Act, believes the Ministry may be concealing something "stupendous." He suggests the incident might be related to top-secret space experiments gone wrong. The article also mentions that radar stations recorded the UFO, and Americans confiscated the tapes. Admiral of the Fleet Lord Hill-Norton stated there is a "deliberate cover up by governments in the United States and here."

Sketches that were hidden away

This section of the News of the World article details further accounts related to UFO sightings. Graham Herring claims his CB radio log, containing UFO sketches, was seized by government men. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Webb reported seeing a bright white light keeping pace with their car near Woodbridge on the same night as the alleged landing. Robert Newstead also reported a white light following him home.

Man Who Never Was

This part of the News of the World article details Art Wallace's experience. He recounts being involved in the cover-up and later finding no record of his existence in the U.S. Air Force. He believes he was drugged and brainwashed. His colleague, John Burroughs, also witnessed the landing but reportedly never existed according to air force records. Lt. Colonel Charles Halt was also reportedly given strict orders to remain silent.

Lake Tahoe Tales

This Forteana News article, dated July 31, 1983, explores legends and mysteries surrounding Lake Tahoe. It includes an account by Kris Beebe and Jerry Jones who claim to have seen a "black slimy shape" break the surface of the lake, described as a "very, very large creature." The article discusses various local legends, including a mythical hole draining the lake, the story of the scuttled Steamer Tahoe, and the belief that Tahoe "swallows its challengers." It also touches on the lake's quirky weather and its tendency to retain drowning victims. The article mentions theories about the creature being a prehistoric fish or a monster from local Indian legends.

Nessie's Welsh cousin?

This Tribune Review article, dated August 12, 1983, reports on the hunt for "Teggie," a mysterious beast sighted in Bala Lake, Wales. Fishermen have reported seeing a "crocodile-like" head with large eyes and a "head with two large eyes." American scientist Professor Joseph Zarzynski has been called in to investigate.

Egyptian Pyramid Stones Artificial, Professor Says

This Arkansas Gazette Book Notes section, dated September 25, 1983, reviews Dr. Joseph Davidovits's book, "The Book of Stone." Davidovits claims that the stones of the Great Pyramid at Giza were not quarried and transported but were artificial, "poured in place" using a molecular binding process with a mineral binder. He states that laboratory testing "absolutely proves that the stones of this pyramid are not natural" and contain "intact and well-preserved organic fibers."

Defending Monster Sightings

This article by Kevin P. Phillips discusses the ongoing interest in lake monsters like Chessie (Chesapeake Bay), Nessie (Loch Ness), and Champ (Lake Champlain). It notes that sightings are becoming more serious, with some people and scientists believing there is something to them. The article mentions the Smithsonian's analysis of Chessie sightings, which tended to give them credence. It also references a Loch Ness monster sighting and the ongoing scientific expeditions to find "Nessie," including the use of sonar and underwater cameras. The article also touches on theories debunking Nessie sightings, such as floating logs or large otters.

1983: Nessie and Champ

This Islander article by Joseph W. Zarzynski, dated August 16, 1983, reports on the continued search for Nessie at Loch Ness and the increasing number of Champ sightings in Lake Champlain. It highlights the 50th anniversary of the modern era of the Loch Ness search and mentions various scientific methods being employed, including sonar and underwater cameras. The article also notes the involvement of Bigfoot stalkers in the Loch Ness search and the potential for Champ to attract similar scientific curiosity.

Indonesia hunts for 'apeman'

This STAR, Auckland, New Zealand article, dated August 25, 1983, reports that Indonesian wildlife officials are investigating reports of a "mysterious half-man half-ape creature" in a West Kalimantan rainforest, described as "humanlike" and about three meters tall.

Loch Ness and the making of a myth

This Times, London article, dated August 11, 1983, discusses the ongoing efforts to find the Loch Ness Monster. It mentions the "New Atlantis," a vessel equipped with electronic detection equipment, and the significant amount of money being spent on the search. The article highlights various individuals and companies involved in the search, including those using sonar, hydrophones, and video recorders. It also notes the history of claimed sightings, dating back to 1933, and the continued growth in documented sightings, despite the lack of concrete evidence.

Technican Spots 'Mystery Bird'

This Valley Morning Star article by Andy Warren, dated September 15, 1983, describes a sighting by James Thompson of a large, bird-like object with a "wing span 'at least the width of the ambulance,' or about five-to-six feet" and a length of "about eight-to-10 feet, with the tail." Thompson described its texture as "black, or grayish rough texture. It wasn't feathers." He noted a "Brahma bull's hump on the back of its head" and a "small pouch near its throat." He compared its flight to a model airplane but noted it flapped its wings. He plans to return to the area to search for the bird again.

Nessie surfaces in film thriller

This Evening Times, Glasgow, Scotland article, dated August 22, 1983, reports that the Loch Ness Monster will be the star of a movie to be filmed in Scotland. A German company is scouting locations and seeking a castle for the production, which is described as a "fast-paced and light-hearted thriller."

Hunt For A Wildman

This Post-Dispatch article, dated September 4, 1983, reviews Myra Shackley's book "Yeti, Sasquatch and the Neanderthal Enigma." The book presents evidence for the existence of "wildmen" and suggests the possibility of surviving Neanderthal men and women capable of interbreeding with humans. The article notes the book's scholarly approach and its exploration of the historical fear of such creatures.

Husband-wife team search Blues for Bigfoot

This Union Bulletin article, dated August 14, 1983, describes a husband-wife team, Sam and Jane, who have been searching for Bigfoot for 15 years. They combine their searches with outdoor activities like fishing and backpacking. The article highlights their dedication and their interest in the "Ostman saga," a story of a man allegedly abducted by a Bigfoot. It also mentions an upcoming international conference on "manlike monsters" in Vancouver.

Loch Ness monster? Well, maybe but he would have to be faster

This Tucson, Arizona report, dated August 27, 1983, quotes Roger Tibbett, head of the University of Glasgow's marine research station, who states that there "aren't enough fish in Loch Ness to support any type of monster." He believes the loch would need 10 to 20 monsters to account for the numerous sightings.

Loch Ness book is withdrawn

This Times, London article, dated August 27, 1983, mentions that James Thompson, a technician, spotted a "mystery bird" on Highway 100, described as having a large wing span and a rough texture. The article also briefly mentions the Loch Ness Monster legend.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this collection of articles are UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, government cover-ups, and the enduring fascination with cryptids like the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot. The editorial stance, particularly in the News of the World articles, is one of investigative journalism, aiming to expose alleged cover-ups and present compelling eyewitness accounts. There's a clear emphasis on presenting evidence, even if anecdotal, and questioning official narratives. The articles collectively suggest a world where unexplained phenomena are not only occurring but are also being actively concealed by authorities.