UFO Research Newsletter - 1972 03 04 - Vol 01 No 12

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Research Newsletter, Vol. I, No. 12, published monthly by UFO Research Associates (UFOR) in Washington, D.C., covers the period of March-April 1972. It features a collection of recent UFO sighting reports from across the United States, alongside commentary on scientific attitudes towards the phenomenon and reviews of relevant books.

Sighting Reports

The newsletter highlights several compelling UFO encounters. One report from February 11, 1972, in Tampa, Florida, details Howard Armstrong, a credit manager, witnessing a large, disc-shaped object with revolving lights flying in front of his car. Another incident from early February 1972 near Saratoga Passage, Washington, describes Ed Redfield and Karen Milhelm observing a UFO emitting light beams onto the water, which then glided silently overhead.

Police officers also feature prominently. On January 19, 1972, three officers in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, reported seeing three red UFOs hovering over the local high school. In Michigan, on February 22, 1972, police Sgt. Shirl Lentz and others observed an object with red and green flashing lights.

Unusual aerial phenomena were also reported. On August 24, 1971, Gary W. Robinson, a former sheriff's deputy in Springwater, New York, described seeing two large, moving 'bales of hay.' A similar phenomenon, described as an 'arrow-shaped kite, swooping and dipping,' was reported in Texas on January 18, 1972, though the newsletter's editor suggests this might have been a kite while the earlier car incident was likely a UFO.

Other sightings include an object described as a 'really bright, white glow' over Mamanasco Lake, Connecticut (January 26, 1972), a huge flaming ball over Josephine County, Oregon (January 4, 1972), and two UFOs in a meadow in Arkansas (September 4, 1971).

Commentary and Analysis

A Pictorial Message to ETs

An editorial comment discusses the Pioneer 'F' spacecraft, which carries a pictorial greeting to extraterrestrial beings. While acknowledging it as a significant attempt to contact alien civilizations, the piece notes the speculative nature of predictions regarding when such contact might occur. It also touches on astronomer Carl Sagan's views, suggesting he believes in extraterrestrial life but not in the existence of UFOs.

The Wichita Saucers

This section clarifies that 'flying saucers' are being manufactured in Wichita, Kansas, as toys called the 'UFO Space Commander.' These are powered by model airplane engines and marketed nationally. The article notes that despite this, there hasn't been a rash of sightings in the area, humorously suggesting residents might know they are toys.

UFOs Over Argentina

A letter from an individual named Reyma S.J. in Argentina details several UFO sightings, including landed objects, encounters with 'aliens,' and a helicopter pilot spotting UFOs. These reports are presented as unauthenticated but are being investigated.

Book Reviews and Excerpts

Canadian Built UFOs Theory Expounded: This section reviews Renato Vesco's book, 'Intercept -- But Don't Shoot: The True Story of the Flying Saucers.' The book's thesis is that UFOs are secret German-inspired, British-planned, and Canadian-built experimental aircraft. The reviewer criticizes Vesco for ignoring thousands of UFO cases involving physiological effects and advanced maneuvers, focusing only on sightings that fit his theory, and points out several factual errors in the book.

UFO Investigations -- Past, Present and Future: This is an excerpt from a statement by the late Dr. James E. McDonald, a senior physicist. He discusses the historical context of UFO investigations, starting with Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting near Mt. Rainier. McDonald criticizes the U.S. Air Force's Project Bluebook for its inadequate investigation methods and its tendency to dismiss sightings as mirages. He urges scientists to maintain open minds and calls for more vigorous investigation into the UFO problem, suggesting that studying UFOs could lead to significant technological and scientific gains.

Other Sections

Motorcyclist Pursued by Object: A brief report from Chico, California, describes a UFO shooting a beam of light onto a boy on a motorcycle.

Enquirer Organizes UFO Reward Panel: The National Enquirer is offering a $50,000 reward for proof that UFOs are ET probes, with a panel of Ph.D. scientists set to evaluate claims.

A 19th Century Round-Up: This section compiles historical UFO reports from the 19th century, predating the term 'UFO,' including sightings in England, Delaware, Connecticut, and Missouri, noting their unusual characteristics and speeds.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently presents a pro-UFO stance, highlighting witness accounts and advocating for serious scientific investigation. There is a clear skepticism towards official explanations and a belief that the phenomenon is real and warrants in-depth study. The editorial stance emphasizes the need for open-mindedness among scientists and criticizes the dismissive attitudes prevalent in some scientific circles. The publication aims to document sightings, analyze reports, and promote a greater understanding of UFOs, often contrasting its approach with that of official investigations like Project Bluebook.