UFO Research Australia newsletter vol 3 no 4

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Research Australia newsletter
Issue: Volume 3, No. 4
Date: July-August, 1982
Publisher: UFO Research Australia
Country: Australia
ISSN: 0726-1764
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the UFO Research Australia newsletter presents a collection of articles, reports, and organizational news related to UFO phenomena in Australia. It is published bi-monthly and is independent of any UFO organization, though it presents the work of UFO researchers.

Editorial: UFOs and Science - Friends or Foes?

Guest Editorial by Frank Gillespie discusses the scientific community's reluctance to accept the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence. He draws a parallel to historical scientific discoveries that were initially met with resistance. Gillespie argues that while some UFO phenomena might be superficially similar to other unexplained events, their widespread and varied nature suggests a non-terrestrial intelligence. He criticizes the scientific establishment's "know-it-all smugness" and its tendency to dismiss UFOs, often attributing them to "unknown natural atmospheric phenomena" or the sensationalism of contactees and hoaxers. The editorial concludes by urging more scientists to set aside prejudice and actively investigate UFOs.

The Australian Centre for UFO Studies: Notice of New Management

This section announces a change in management for the Australian Centre for UFO Studies (ACUFOS). Harry Griesberg and Keith Basterfield have stepped down due to family and business commitments. The new management team consists of Bill Chalker, Frank Gillespie, and Vladimir Godic, who will handle research, scientific aspects, and administration, respectively. The official address for ACUFOS has moved to PO Box 229, Prospect, South Australia 5082. Frank Gillespie is the new Editor of the ACUFOS Journal. The subscription rate for the journal has increased to $10 in Australia and A$ 12.00 overseas. ACUFOS publications are now available through the Arcturus Book Service as their official overseas outlet. John Prytz's "Master Bibliography" is nearing completion, and the 7th National UFO Conference is scheduled for early February 1983 in Tasmania.

Australia's First Abduction Event?

By Keith Basterfield, this article explores a potential abduction event involving two young men near Port Lincoln, South Australia, in October 1981. The report is preliminary as investigations are ongoing. The two witnesses, identified as J & P, were travelling from Broken Hill to Port Lincoln. After experiencing car trouble near Whyalla, they continued their journey and reported seeing a blue "flare" light, followed by a second light that moved erratically. One witness, Mr J, described a sensation of "drifting off" into a white space and encountering an "entity" or "figure" resembling an ancient Roman suit. Mr P recalled walking into a "big white room" and seeing an outline of an entity. The article notes that this is the first known abduction case reported in Australia, contrasting with numerous overseas reports.

Maatsuyker Island Report

This extensive report by Keith Roberts (TUFOIC) details UFO sightings at Maatsuyker Island, Tasmania, primarily from 1965 to 1966, with additional reports from 1973, 1978, and 1979. The island is described as the southernmost lighthouse station in Australia. The report meticulously documents 20 cases:

• Case 1 (Early 1965): A ball-shaped object with a red center and white fuzzy outline, approximately 12-15 feet in diameter, threw off white light and illuminated the island. Flattened or scorched vegetation was found in its path.
• Case 2 (August 6, 1965): An unidentified object was sighted, similar to a previous report, with no further details.
• Case 3 (September 25, 1965): Multiple witnesses observed an object throwing off red and white flashes, described as a spinning top with a 15ft tail, moving erratically.
• Case 4 (October 5, 1965): The same light was observed, coming down from the sky and moving in a south-south-westerly direction.
• Case 5 (October 6, 1965): The object was sighted again, with witnesses including keepers and their families.
• Case 6 (October 8, 1965): A bright light descended slowly and faded out at sea level.
• Case 7 (October 15, 1965): A very bright light object appeared, round with a red tail flame, travelling at speed.
• Case 8 (October 15, 1965): A bright star-like light was seen, observed for 15 minutes, departing, rising quickly, and returning.
• Case 9 (October 17, 1965): The same light was observed again, behaving similarly to the previous sighting.
• Case 10 (October 18, 1965): An object travelled at great speed, changing direction, and was bright with a red glow behind.
• Case 11 (November 25, 1965): Three very bright lights appeared on the horizon, resembling a lighthouse beam, and caused power outages in a nearby house.
• Case 12 (December 9, 1965): The last sighting of the unknown object, with estimated sizes of tail 15ft and height 10ft. Other flashing lights were also observed.
• Case 13 (December 18, 1965): A bright yellow-white light moved in an irregular fashion at varying speeds, sometimes stationary, with upward and downward movements.
• Case 14 (December 19, 1965): The unidentified light was seen, with two vessels in the vicinity.
• Case 15 (December 29, 1965): The light was the closest seen, strong enough to cast a reflection on the water.
• Case 16 (December 30, 1965): A light as bright as the full moon illuminated a room through curtains.
• Case 17 (February 4, 1966): The light was last seen, with no details provided.
• Case 18 (November 8, 1973): Four lights in a triangle formation were observed, appearing yellow/orange and moving apart, regrouping, and merging.
• Case 19 (September 17, 1978): A large, round, thumbnail-sized light appeared in the west, remaining visible for over an hour, and caused power outages.
• Case 20 (March 30, 1979): A large, bright, yellowish light appeared above a ship, growing rapidly in size as if approaching the island.

The report includes notes suggesting that some lights might be Aurora Australis or meteors, but acknowledges the consistent characteristics of many sightings. The section also provides biographical information about Keith Roberts and his involvement with TUFOIC.

Other Articles and Sections

• Maatsuyker Island Report (Continued): Further details and witness accounts from Maatsuyker Island sightings, including sketches and observations of object behavior and characteristics.
• Stop Press: Mentions Bill Chalker's contact with Noel Martin, who is attempting to salvage a UFO seen 25 years prior off the coast near Wollongong.
• Contents Page: Lists the articles and their page numbers, including "Editorial," "Australia's First Abduction Event?", "Maatsuyker Island Report," "Profile Keith Roberts," "Senator Proxmire Versus Nasa's SETI Project," "Update Jane Brooks," "Airline Crew Observations," "Bill & Shirley Startup Visit Australia," "Pentagonal UFOs," "Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena," "Socorro-New Mexico-Revisited," "UFOs and the Royal Australian Air Force - the Inside Story," "The RAAF Files," "An A to Z of UFO Explanations," and "Reference Library."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the documentation and investigation of UFO sightings and related phenomena in Australia. There is a strong emphasis on presenting detailed case reports, such as the Maatsuyker Island sightings and the potential abduction event. The editorial stance, as expressed by Frank Gillespie, is critical of the scientific establishment's dismissal of UFOs and advocates for a more open-minded and rigorous scientific approach to the subject. The newsletter also serves as a platform for organizational news and updates from UFO research groups across Australia, fostering a sense of community and shared research efforts.

This issue of UFORAN features several articles on UFO phenomena and related topics. The lead article, "SENATOR PROXMIRE VERSUS NASA's SETI* PROJECT" by Jane Brooks, details the political opposition to NASA's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) project. Other articles include "AIRLINE CREW OBSERVATIONS" by Keith Basterfield, which documents several sightings by pilots and crew members, "PENTAGONAL UFOS" by John F. Schuessler, focusing on reports of UFOs with five or more sides, and "SOCORRO-NEW MEXICO-REVISITED" by Kenneth Eugene Firestone & Ronald L. Firestone, a detailed analysis of the famous 1964 incident.

Senator Proxmire Versus NASA's SETI Project

Jane Brooks reports on Senator William Proxmire's successful campaign to halt NASA's SETI project, which aimed to use a multichannel spectrum analyzer to search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The project, costing $2 million per year, was deemed a 'waste of money' by Proxmire, who questioned the relevance of signals from potentially extinct civilizations. Ironically, while cutting SETI funds, Congress continued to subsidize dairy farmers. Despite Proxmire's actions, private donations, including from Harvard astronomer Paul Horowitz, are enabling continued SETI efforts using the Arecibo telescope. The article notes that Proxmire's actions have generated backlash and support for SETI.

Update

The 'Update' section announces the renaming of the "Association for the Promotion of Space Science" to the "Space Science Section of the Astronomical Society of South Australia." It also reports that both the "AUSTRALIA TELESCOPE" and "STARLAB" projects have received funding from the Federal Government. The "AUSTRALIA TELESCOPE" will be a new radiotelescope costing $25 million, and "STARLAB" received a $3.7 million grant for two years.

Airline Crew Observations

Keith Basterfield compiles several documented reports of UFO sightings by airline crews. The first incident occurred on January 1, 1965, when a Quantas Electra crew observed seven objects at 45,000 feet over the Tasman Sea. Another case from May 28, 1965, involved an Ansett-ANA DC-6 being 'buzzed' by a spherical object. The pilot took photographs, but the film and report were confiscated. A report from August 22, 1968, details Captain Gordon W. Smith's observation of a formation of aircraft while flying on a charter flight. The article also mentions a report forwarded to NICAP by Townsville police concerning an incident involving an airline captain.

Pentagonal UFOs

John F. Schuessler examines reports of UFOs with unusual shapes, specifically pentagonal objects. He notes that while statistically rare, these sightings are characterized by high strangeness and reliable witnesses. Two incidents from the Houston, Texas area are detailed: one in December 1975 involving a bright flashing light that resolved into a pentagonal shape, and another in September 1976 where an oil company executive and his son observed a similar object. The article also mentions pentagonal UFO sightings in Spain (July 1, 1979) and West Germany (September 17, 1979), as well as an octagonal UFO sighting in North Dakota (November 2, 1978).

Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena (ASSAP)

Mark Moravec introduces ASSAP, a new British organization founded in June 1981 to address a perceived need for a more comprehensive approach to the study of anomalous phenomena. ASSAP aims to collect, process, and disseminate information on phenomena lacking scientific explanation, encourage investigation, and provide a multi-disciplinary forum. Its scope includes a wide range of topics beyond UFOs, such as apparitions, clairvoyance, and telepathy. ASSAP emphasizes high scientific standards and open-mindedness, publishing its findings in ASSAP News and Common Ground.

Socorro-New Mexico-Revisited

Kenneth Eugene Firestone & Ronald L. Firestone present a detailed analysis of the April 24, 1964, Socorro, New Mexico UFO incident, involving police officer Lonnie Zamora. The article reviews the sighting, including Zamora's pursuit of a speeding vehicle, the appearance of a roaring flame, and the observation of a shiny, aluminum-colored object with two figures nearby. The object reportedly departed at high speed. The authors discuss the 'Keyhoe Thesis' and the acceptance of 'nuts and bolts' flying saucers by ufologists. They also examine the investigation by Dr. J. Allen Hynek and other researchers, noting discrepancies in accounts. The article critiques the arguments of UFO investigator Philip Klass, who suggested the incident was a hoax, by providing counter-arguments from GSW, Inc. The authors suggest that while the Socorro craft may not have been extraterrestrial, its origin and any potential government involvement remain open questions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently highlights the challenges in UFO research, including funding issues (SETI), the difficulty in obtaining and verifying evidence (airline sightings, Socorro), and the need for rigorous scientific investigation (ASSAP). The editorial stance appears to favor a serious, evidence-based approach to UFO phenomena, while acknowledging the public's fascination and the potential for misinterpretation or hoaxes. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of credible witnesses and detailed documentation, as seen in the coverage of the Socorro incident and the airline crew observations.

Title: UFOS AND THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE

Issue: PART THREE

Volume: PART 4

Date: 1982

Publisher: BILL CHALKER

Country: AUSTRALIA

Language: English

Cover Headline: THE INSIDE STORY

Cover Description: The cover features a stylized drawing of a flying saucer with a smaller object beneath it, and the title 'UFOS AND THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE - THE INSIDE STORY'.

The Socorro Incident Revisited

The issue begins by revisiting the Socorro, New Mexico UFO sighting. In the spring of 1981, GSW investigators returned to the site to re-examine the insignia Zamora reported seeing on the UFO. Photographs taken of the insignia on the cardboard background were discouragingly unclear, making it difficult to identify precisely. The investigators questioned whether Zamora, who was frightened and had lost his glasses, was accurately conveying the details, and also whether the purported humanoids would be distinguishable at a distance of 800 feet.

While leaving the site, the investigators noticed an area approximately 1.75 miles away that gleamed. Using binoculars, they identified what appeared to be an abandoned aircraft junkyard, later found to be part of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology's property. Despite warnings about trespassing, the GSW team investigated and found a large variety of segmented and intact aircraft, including Navy and Marine jet fighters and a ballistic missile nose section.

This led to a hypothesis that the Socorro UFO could have been the frontal section of a large aircraft, with its landing gear generated from internal aircraft components. They contacted C.B. Moore, Professor of Atmospheric Physics at New Mexico Tech. Moore stated that the Terminal Effects Program began in 1947, with most aircraft components arriving in the early 1950s. He did not elaborate on the artifacts or the military's involvement. Moore inferred that he had investigated the Socorro case himself and believed Zamora saw a Lunar Excursion Module (LEM), a vertical take-off vehicle, tested about twelve months after the sighting. The article suggests that if the LEM was tested during the time of the sighting, Moore might have intentionally diverted attention.

Several possibilities for the origin of the Socorro UFO are presented:
1. Fourth-year college students with aeronautics knowledge.
2. The US Navy testing a similar craft simultaneously with work at Edwards AFB.
3. The military and/or an aerospace company building the LEM and testing it.

In 1966, Philip Klass had asked scientists at the school about the Socorro case, and they emphatically denied any interest, contradicting Moore's later statements. The article suggests that a number of people may have been unofficially involved in the Socorro investigation from the Tech school.

Mr. Moore, who previously worked for General Mills Corporation, had tracked a UFO at White Sands Proving Grounds in 1949, which could explain his interest in the case.

New Mexico Tech is presented as one possible source for the Socorro UFO. Another theory under investigation by GSW involves Los Alamos, New Mexico, and the 'Manhattan Project'. Clandestine military testing is ongoing at the research center, located about 130 miles northeast of Socorro. The terrain between Los Alamos and Socorro is considered suitable for a craft to have been piloted from Los Alamos without significant detection.

If the craft originated from Los Alamos, it would have had to cross US Highway 85 or Interstate 40. The lack of motorist sightings is questioned, leading to the alternative theory that the UFO came from the nearby Sandia Laboratory, a high-technology firm in Albuquerque, which develops sophisticated devices and could allow for a nearly undetectable test vehicle.

If the vehicle originated north of Socorro, it might have been a military test vehicle designed for purposes such as testing duration, speed, and stability, or a counter-measure vehicle with sophisticated electronic infiltration systems. The article speculates that the objective could have been the White Sands Missile Range, and that the ECM devices would have prevented radar detection, similar to the Stealth Aircraft.

The article suggests that the vehicle experienced mechanical difficulties, descended near Socorro, and Zamora became an accidental witness. The responsible party, upon realizing the incident was observed and reported, may have covered it up to hide the testing. This, in turn, created a mystery that the US Air Force's cursory investigation, suggesting an unknown source, positively fueled.

It is noted that no one at White Sands had knowledge of the LEM tests in 1964 or the hypothesized ECM vehicle due to high security.

A 1970 incident where a 'UFO' hovered over New Mexico and descended by parachute is cited as an example of a high-altitude recon-drone launched by White Sands, with officials initially denying its military origin.

The article concludes the Socorro section by listing possibilities: A. Hoax; B. Extraterrestrial spacecraft; C. Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) test; D. Crude airfoil by New Mexico Tech students; E. Military test (possible ECM device); F. Covert test by the government, manipulated to enhance the saucer belief system.

The hoax theory is deemed least plausible due to sufficient evidence of an actual sighting. The extraterrestrial spacecraft hypothesis is favored by many UFO researchers but is criticized for lacking proof. The article questions whether New Mexico Tech deliberately falsified information about LEM tests to disconnect the sighting from the school. The availability of aircraft parts at New Mexico Tech raises the question of whether the UFO was built by the school, but no data supports this.

The article posits that the government has had secret projects for years, making it feasible that the Socorro UFO was a test craft with mechanical difficulties. The manipulation hypothesis suggests that the group responsible for the sighting is separate from the group investigating it, creating a ruse to mislead military investigators and civilian enthusiasts, thereby promoting the saucer mystery.

The article reiterates that the US Air Force and its consultant confirmed Zamora was not hoaxing. Civilian UFO organizations proposed extraterrestrial visitation theories, while Philip Klass attempted to prove a hoax. The writers conclude that the Socorro sighting does not prove the existence of extraterrestrials and suggests the UFO mystery should be viewed as a psychological-social phenomenon.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) UFO Files

This section shifts focus to UFO reports from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) files, compiled by Bill Chalker.

Part 4: The RAAF 'Unidentified Flying Objects' Reports of Sightings Files

Despite RAAF assurances that their unexplained cases do not support the belief in extraterrestrial visitors, provocative events persist. The RAAF's commitment to examining defense implications means events outside their brief go unresolved.

Case 1: April 4, 1975 - Cairns Airport

A pilot approaching Cairns airport was asked to look for an unidentified object. A powerful, yellow light with a wide beam was observed, oscillating gently but appearing stationary. It was described as having a lens approximately three times the diameter of a Boeing 727 landing light lens. Smoke, cloud, or an opaque substance appeared in the beam, darker and denser than cloud. The RAAF investigating officer found no known aircraft matching the description and was not entirely satisfied it was the planet Saturn, though Saturn was listed as a possible cause in the 1975 Summary.

Case 2: August 30, 1975 - Queensland Coast

A RAAF Neptune aircraft crew witnessed a group of three lights moving horizontally at high angular velocity, appearing at the same altitude as their aircraft. Fearing a collision, the pilot banked left and climbed. The lights passed down the starboard side and disappeared into cloud. Duration was approximately 10-15 seconds. No radar traces were noted by the 10SQN aircraft.

Case 3: November 4, 1976 - Brisbane and Coolangatta, Queensland

This complex of events involved multiple sightings. The Duty Controller at Coolangatta Tower observed a stationary light changing from red to green, initially dismissed as a star. The crew of an Electra transport aircraft observed an object maintaining station, appearing as a light changing between green-red-green. The object moved up and down and then departed south at approximately 1.5 times the speed of the Electra. The captain described the object's movement as vertical zig-zag patterns and noted its speed increased rapidly to many times their own. Brisbane radar did not confirm the 'unknown'. A Piper Aztec pilot later sighted a red and green object maintaining station for four minutes. Brisbane Radar and Meteorology Radar at Eagle Farm picked up unidentified returns, described as stationary and about the size of an aircraft. One tracked south and faded, another descended to 10000 feet. The Met Radar operator likened the movement to that of a ship, something they had never painted before.

The RAAF report concluded the red-green object was likely the planet Venus, with colors caused by atmospheric conditions. The weather was clear. Radar contacts were attributed to ducting of radar energy painting ships at sea, though this was deemed an unsatisfactory explanation. No civil traffic was in the relevant areas, and there was no military activity.

Case 4: November 11, 1977 - Barossa Valley, South Australia

An intelligence officer suggested an explanation for a close encounter involving orange reversing lights, possibly from a large American car. The report did not make it into the 1977 Summary.

Case 5: October 10, 1978 - Aspley, Queensland

A taxi driver reported seeing a "very bright, white object (lit up from the inside, no lights on the outside)" that looked like a "mini-bus". It moved from his right to left at about 60 meters ahead. The object had no wheels, was lit up inside and out with a white metallic color, and had a driving seat and instruments. As the driver stopped his car, the object moved slowly, and he heard a "s.s ssss noise" as the lights went out and it sped away. The sighting lasted about 30 seconds. The witness confirmed there was no driver.

Case 6: October 29, 1978 - Heathcoate Road, Australia

Two women observed an object that seemed to fill the space between trees. The male witness recorded seeing two square orange lights with a band of glowing gold light, which merged and then had a dark object crossing them. Later, two red spots appeared, and the object moved across the field, appearing to be 200-300 feet away. His wife described seeing an object that filled the space between trees, after which everything went black, followed by a pale blue-grey light moving west and fading.

Case 7: January 7, 1979 - Redhead, NSW

A ten-year-old girl witnessed a display of two bright white circular objects. One appeared, stopped, and a second object approached from behind, circling and stopping alongside. This motion repeated for about 30 minutes. Four beams of misty white light came from the objects to the ground, illuminating the area "like midday" for ten minutes before the objects disappeared northwest. The child was visibly shaken.

Part 5: Is There a Cover-Up?

This section addresses the question of whether the RAAF is "covering-up" its UFO investigations. The 1966 internal Defence Minute Papers are referenced, which suggest the RAAF did not foster an incorrect belief that they had vital information to hide. Three of the files examined were classified (two secret), though nothing on them appeared to warrant such classification.

These quotations are interpreted as referring to a situation other than a sophisticated cover-up program. The author, having been permitted an open review of RAAF/Department of Defence UFO files in January 1982, argues that the existence of self-critical and provocative data is evidence of an open policy, at least within normal government bureaucracy. The fact that further reviews are being organized also supports this.

The author notes that the Freedom of Information Act's wording could ensure the permanency of a high-level cover-up program, but the RAAF's apparent disorganization in locating its own files makes such a scenario seem inappropriate.

Conclusion

The author concludes that a new vista of openness has unfolded within the RAAF. The officially sanctioned review by a private UFO researcher was previously inconceivable. The RAAF's UFO investigations have provided a detailed picture, revealing that the RAAF is likely as confused and uncertain as civilian research groups regarding how to handle provocative UFO sightings. The RAAF's involvement is described as a bureaucratically orchestrated responsibility that has become a waste of time but is continued as a service to the public.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of UFO sightings, particularly those involving military or government entities, and the question of transparency and potential cover-ups. The author's stance is that while many UFO reports can be explained prosaically, a residue of genuinely unexplained cases exists that warrants further investigation. The article advocates for a more open and scientific approach from official bodies like the RAAF, suggesting cooperation with civilian UFO research groups. The editorial suggests that the UFO mystery is evolving into a psychological-social phenomenon rather than definitive proof of extraterrestrial visitation.

This issue, dated July 1982, focuses on 'UFOS AND THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE' and features an article by Bill Chalker, a Scientific Consultant for the Australian Centre for UFO Studies. The cover art depicts a stylized atomic orbit with Australia and a flying saucer.

The RAAF Files by Bill Chalker

Bill Chalker details his extensive examination of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) UFO files, conducted over three visits to the Department of Defence in Canberra in 1982. He reports having examined over 1,000 reports and 53 specific files, covering 'sighting' and 'enquiry' files from 1955 to 1981. Key findings include:

• RAAF/Defence Department Summaries: For the first time, RAAF/Defence Department summaries for the years 1960 to 1980 were made available.
• Confidentiality Statement: Chalker had to sign a confidentiality statement, which was clarified to apply only to witnesses reporting in confidence, not to publicly known cases.
• Summary Listing: He was able to create a detailed summary of RAAF reports from 1955 to 1959, providing a continuous listing from late 1955 to 1980.
• Open Review: Chalker had an open review of all 53 files, though later asked to delete non-sighting references.
• Denied Access: Access was denied to three files constituting a series titled 'Investigation of Flying Saucer Policy,' deemed 'policy' files, though Chalker believes they may contain miscellaneous documentation.

Key Discoveries and Cases:

• H. Turner's 1954 Report: A significant discovery was a previously unknown document by H. Turner, M.Sc., written in late 1954. This report included a detailed summary of RAAF 'flying saucer' reports from 1950 to 1954 and concluded that the evidence supported the conclusion that 'certain strange aircraft have been observed to behave in a manner suggestive of extra-terrestrial origin.'
• Comprehensive Picture: Chalker aims to provide an almost complete picture of RAAF involvement in UFOs from 1950 to 1981, based on the Turner Report (1950-1954), personal summaries of RAAF files (1955-1959), and RAAF UAS Summaries (1960-1980).
• Further Searches: DAFI file searches are ongoing, with two other known file series related to the 1950s still being sought.
• Hitherto Unknown Incidents: The article lists several previously uncatalogued incidents, including:
• 1956: Tambar Springs, NSW - close encounter.
• 1957: Hobart and Launceston, Tasmania - radar and visual event.
• 1958: Wulkuraka, Qld - daylight sighting confirmed 'unknown'.
• 1959: Burren Junction, NSW - close encounter involving police.
• Classic Cases: Detailed information was obtained on many 'classic' cases, such as:
• 1959: Risdon, Hobart, Tasmania - daylight disc.
• 1960: Cressy, Australia - USAF aircraft UFO encounter.
• 1963: Willow Grove/Moe - close encounter.
• 1964: Groote Eylandt 'EM' case.
• 1966: Tully landing.
• 1968: Heyfield landing.
• 1971: Tooligie Hill trace.
• 1972: Moorooduc Road encounter.
• 1973: Kimba 'entity' report.
• 1980: Rosedale landing.

Future Publications and Plans:

• Chalker plans further reports in the UFO Research Australia Newsletter (UFORAN), 'Omega Science Digest', and a comprehensive report for the national UFO Conference (UFOCON 7) in Hobart in early 1983.
• He also notes that on July 13, the Director of Intelligence and Security for the Navy released a copy of a document on the Nowra radar-visual event involving a naval pilot on August 31, 1954.

ANA TO Z OF UFO EXPLANATIONS

This section, by Paul & Cassandra Sowlak-Rudej, continues from a previous issue and aims to provide a range of possible explanations for UFO activity. It is not exhaustive but designed to stimulate thought. Concepts covered include:

• The Bee Concept: Proposed by Gerald Heard, suggesting UFO activity resembles a beehive, with an underlying, possibly organized, intelligence.
• CIA Cold War Tactic: Proposed by Dr. Z. Davidson, suggesting the CIA created events as a diversionary tactic during the Cold War.
• Control System: Proposed by Jacques Vallee, suggesting UFOs are generated by our subconscious or an ET intelligence for cultural manipulation, influencing human beliefs through patterns reminiscent of Skinner's learning curves.
• Critters: Proposed by Trevor Constable, suggesting UFOs are animals living in the ether, operating on 'bio energy' and involved in a cosmic battle between good and evil.
• Clarion and Other Hidden Planets: Proposed by various contactees, suggesting UFOs originate from undiscovered, hidden planets inhabited by a superior civilization wishing to help humanity achieve peace and harmony.

Reference Library

This section features reviews and listings of UFO-related publications available from Arcturus Book Service and other sources.

• PSIUFO Phenomena: A Study of UFOs and the Paranormal by Mark Moravec: This 137-page document, published by the Australian Centre for UFO Studies (ACUFOS), analyzes Australian cases where UFOs and paranormal phenomena overlap. It includes definitions, case examples, historical and geographical trends, examination of natural phenomena, the role of hypnosis, investigation methods, and possible explanations (psychological, paranormal, or extraterrestrial).
• Arcturus Book Service Publications: A list of recommended publications available from Arcturus Book Service is provided, including:
• 'The International Flying Saucer Directory' by James S. Rigberg.
• 'A Survey of Press Coverage of Unidentified Flying Objects, 1947-1966' by Herbert J. Strentz.
• Reprints such as 'UFO Propulsion Systems, Origins and Purposes' and 'Those Saucers'.
• Publications from ACUFOS, including catalogues of cases, entity reports, and conference proceedings.
• The Catalogue of UFO Periodicals: Announcing a comprehensive bibliography of UFO periodicals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the systematic investigation of UFO phenomena, particularly within the Australian context and the RAAF's involvement. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, presenting detailed research, historical case analyses, and diverse theoretical explanations for UFO sightings, while also acknowledging the challenges of accessing official information and the potential for paranormal or psychological interpretations alongside extraterrestrial hypotheses. The magazine promotes further research and publication in the field.