UFO Research Newsletter - 1973 04 05 - Vol 03 No 01

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO RESEARCH NEWSLETTER, Vol. III, No. 1, published by UFO Research Associates (UFOR) for April-May 1973, focuses on 'SPECTACULAR EFFECTS MARK RECENT REPORTS'. The newsletter details numerous UFO sightings from late 1972 and early 1973, highlighting unusual phenomena and witness experiences.

Spectacular Effects Mark Recent Reports

The lead article states that UFO reports are still frequent, contrary to claims of decreased sightings. It summarizes characteristics of sightings from 11 states and two foreign countries, including objects landing, taking off, blowing snow, hovering over power stations, pacing cars, signaling each other, causing E-M effects, being photographed, leaving physical evidence, emitting sounds, and frightening witnesses. The witnesses included a diverse group of professionals and citizens.

Oakland, Maryland Sightings

Two separate sightings of a similar object in the Oakland, Maryland area were investigated by John A. Lutz and Courtney Jordan of the Odyssey Scientific Research Association. On December 17, 1972, around 7:15 p.m., about 20 people saw a 'blue rocket-shaped object with a white vapor trail' and sparks, estimated at 40-50 feet long, descending and appearing to land. The next morning, December 18, at 6:05 a.m., Mrs. Madella Mae Martin observed an 'orange-red cigar-shaped object' hovering low over a field, moving erratically, emitting sparks, and changing color to 'brilliant blue' then 'blue-silver metallic'. The object moved to tree-top level and then rose slowly up a mountain. Neighbors Mr. and Mrs. George Shaffer also witnessed the event, describing it as 'bigger than a snowmobile but smaller than a truck' and emitting a bright light that hurt their eyes. Interesting side effects were reported: Mrs. Martin's electric alarm clock gained five minutes, and the Shaffers' chickens laid only three eggs that evening, down from their usual 18-24.

Northrop Says UFOs Real, Attacks AF Policy

This section reports on a lecture given by John K. Northrop, founder of Northrop Aircraft, Inc. Northrop stated that UFOs are a real phenomenon and criticized the U.S. Air Force's explanations for sightings as 'ridiculous'. He described the University of Colorado UFO Project (UC-UFO) as a 'far from... open-minded investigation' and Project Blue Book as a 'recording and excusing operation' with no real investigative capabilities. Northrop believes a new scientific program is needed to understand UFOs and their motive power, suggesting that such knowledge could be of enormous use to mankind. He also speculated that the government might know more about UFOs than it reveals.

Friend's Sighting Stirs Interest

Northrop recounted a sighting by his friend, Max R. Stanley, a former engineering test pilot. In April 1950, Stanley observed a 'spheroid-shaped object' with a 'silver metallic color' and 'translucent quality' at an altitude of approximately 80,000 feet near Memphis, Texas. Northrop considered Stanley's report 'sounder proof' than his own potential sighting, emphasizing Stanley's qualifications and the impossibility of a hoax.

Multiple Witness Reports From Pennsylvania

On March 1, 1973, around Saylors Lake, Pennsylvania, 42 witnesses saw approximately 40 UFOs. Mrs. Shirley Pfeiffer and her son Alan reported seeing 34 red, white, and blue objects. Other witnesses described a large round object with blazing white lights, 'bigger around than my house', and others moving 'much too fast to be planes'. A state policeman compared one object to 'a Christmas tree flying in the air'. Bruce P. Frassinelli of the Easton Express reported seeing eight UFOs in a 'V' formation, emitting a bluish-white light with a pinkish glow, stopping periodically as if assessing the situation. A Defense Department spokesman confirmed no military flights were scheduled in the area.

Later Reports Add to Mystery

Further reports from Pennsylvania include James Uccio seeing three more objects on March 4 over Stroudsburg, described as brightly lit and noiseless. On March 13, 12 discs were seen crossing Saylors Lake, illuminating the sky 'like daylight'. A youth in Bethlehem reported seeing two triangular-shaped, silver UFOs. Clarence W. Stackhouse noted that the lack of sound indicated they were not conventional aircraft and highlighted their low hovering capability and unique luminosity.

UFO Over Power Station Transformer

Reports from Piedmont, Missouri, and Illinois since February 21, 1973, described 'strange flashing lights' and objects surfacing from Clearwater Lake. A common description was a red light that turned multi-colored while spinning. Reggie Bone, a high school basketball coach, reported a brilliant light pacing his car, stopping, hovering over a field, then disappearing at high speed. Maude Jefferies photographed an object shaped like a 'child's top or gyroscope'. Oscar Wills, an engineer at a power generating station in Grand Tower, Illinois, was 'dumbfounded' by an object hovering over a transformer.

Object with Antennae Seen

Four sightings in Santa Ana, California, on January 2, 1973, were investigated by Mrs. Ann Druffel. One witness described a large, amber UFO that dropped straight down and hovered above telephone wires. It was 'metallic silvery gray', elliptical, with a broad amber band, spinning like a top, and had a dome with two antennae. A 'door' outlined by flashing lights was on the bottom. The object hovered for about seven seconds before speeding away. Other witnesses, including children, saw the UFO hovering over a tree.

Truck Driver Focal Point of UFO Activity

Gerald Summey, a truck driver from Charlotte, North Carolina, has been the focus of numerous UFO sightings in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. Activity reportedly started in mid-October 1972. Summey described an oval-shaped object that 'glowed like fluorescent lights'. He and other drivers, reporters, and a pilot have been involved in tracking these UFOs. Sightings included objects that skimmed over water, fired 'tracer fire', and hovered. Max Rhom, another trucker, also witnessed some of these events. Douglas Pye described an object like 'a big Esso sign' moving sideways. A reporter and photographer from The Charlotte News accompanied Summey and Pye on a trip to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

News Staffers See and Photograph Object

On January 17-18, 1973, Summey, Pye, Edith Low (reporter), and Tommy Franklin (photographer) saw the object. Edith Low described it as an 'oval-shaped blur of bright greenish white light with a rosy glow', dancing rapidly. Franklin took photographs. They described the object as not being a plane, weather balloon, or stationary light, stating, 'Of that we were certain.' Rev. James Borom and Vern Binger also witnessed the object with Summey.

Startling Reports From South Carolina

A series of startling UFO reports occurred in South Carolina in January and February 1973, involving numerous towns. Witness accounts included UFOs pacing cars, causing E-M effects and sounds, landing, hovering, flying in formation, and detailed objects with superstructures and domes. The most bizarre sighting occurred on January 19, 1973, when a Cherokee County youth saw a saucer-shaped object straddling the road, emitting a dark yellow glow with a large dome. Around the object were about a dozen 'men' in white coveralls with 'jet black' hair and humanoid appearance. The 'men' appeared to notice the witness's approaching car. On January 8, Billy Gowan of North Carolina reported his radio acting funny before seeing a UFO descend to the ground.

UFO Left Hole in Snow

Billy Gowan described the object as red and gold with a 'flame', about a foot high and four or five inches in diameter. It hovered, blew snow up, and landed. After he took a picture, it took off rapidly, making a sound like a shotgun firing. The UFO left a hole in the snow approximately three inches across, with 'little black particles' and 'greenish-looking stuff' in the hole, and an 'obnoxious odor'.

Another Object Photographed

In Metter, Georgia, a couple saw a 'large, silvery object shaped like an upside-down saucer' hover for about 30 minutes, with its top glowing red as it took off at high speed. They took 11 photographs. In Del Camino, Colorado, two women saw a UFO described as a 'bright light with antennas' that paced their car. In Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, members of three families saw an object flash lights and hover for about 10 minutes before shooting across the sky. In Faversham, England, plate welders saw a 'cigar-shaped object' and later two spheroidal objects that plunged down and turned into cigar shapes.

Space Expert Claims Ezekiel Report Real

Joseph F. Blumrich, chief of the systems layout branch at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, concluded that the Hebrew prophet Ezekiel witnessed a UFO around 592 B.C. Blumrich studied Ezekiel's Book for three years and believes the 'fiery chariot' was a 'shuttle vehicle' dependent on an orbital station. He stated that the design is feasible and well-engineered, possibly more sophisticated than current technology. He interpreted the description as a cone-shaped central body with four independently flying landing legs.

NASA/AF Officials Admit UFOs Seen

Officials from NASA and the Air Force have admitted that UFOs have been seen by reliable witnesses, including astronauts. Col. William D. Hatcher of the AF stated he might have seen a UFO. Terry White, a NASA public information specialist, confirmed that groups of people, including airline pilots, have seen things simultaneously, stating, 'Obviously these people aren't hallucinating. [They] could have seen anything...'

Sighting Capsules

This section provides brief summaries of various sightings:

• September 28, 1972 (Bloomington, Ind.): Nearly 200 people saw an object 'emitting a ghostly light' that 'drifted through town' (probable explanation: weather balloon).
• October 7, 1972 (Eau Claire, Wisc.): A football-shaped UFO was spotted, glistening in the sun and vanishing quickly (probable explanation: not specified, but implied to be mundane).
• October 25, 1972 (Yellowknife, Northwest Territory, Canada): A bright, orange-white object trailing sparks was investigated (possible explanation: meteor).
• October 25, 1972 (Belpre, Ohio): Witnesses saw 'two oval pools of light... projecting beams of light' (probable explanation: spotlamps reflecting off clouds).
• October 25, 1972 (South Meriden, Conn.): A blue light was seen moving across the sky (possible explanation: aircraft).
• October 27, 1972 (Wausau, Wisc.): A bright object was seen hovering over a home (probable explanation: light on a television antenna).
• October 29, 1972 (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada): A white light changed into a black shape, growing larger as it descended behind hills.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence and diversity of UFO sightings, the unusual physical and electromagnetic effects associated with these phenomena, and the questioning of official explanations. The newsletter presents witness testimony and investigative reports, often highlighting unexplained aspects and suggesting that conventional explanations may be insufficient. The inclusion of opinions from figures like John K. Northrop and Joseph F. Blumrich indicates a stance that UFOs are a significant phenomenon worthy of serious scientific inquiry, often critical of past government approaches. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena, emphasizing the need for further research.