Magazine Summary
UFO RESEARCH NEWSLETTER
Summary
This issue of UFO Research Newsletter details numerous UFO sightings and incidents spanning from 1947 to 1974. A significant report from a NASA facility in South Africa describes the tracking of unusual radio signals attributed to a UFO, with subsequent data loss and a missing tape recording raising cover-up suspicions. The newsletter also compiles a 'March of the UFOs' section, presenting capsule reports of sightings from across the United States and internationally, including descriptions of object shapes, colors, behaviors, and witness reactions. The editorial revisits the controversial Aztec, New Mexico, UFO crash case from 1948, highlighting new claims from alleged witnesses and emphasizing the need for further investigation despite past skepticism.
Magazine Overview
This issue of the UFO Research Newsletter, Volume IV, Number 3, published by UFO Research Associates (UFOR) from December 1974 to January 1975, focuses on UFO signals and a compilation of recent sightings. The newsletter is edited by Gordon I.R. Lore, Jr., with Martha D. Lore as Business Manager. Subscription rates and single copy prices are provided.
NASA Station Picks Up UFO Signals
The lead story details an incident involving Geof Gray-Cobb, a former control tower operator at the South African Deep Space Instrumentation Facility. While tracking the Mariner 4 probe in October 1965, Gray-Cobb and his colleagues detected unusual radio signals and visual phenomena that they attributed to a UFO. The signals were described as 'rising' and caused the Ampex tape recorders to overload. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) confirmed a 'radio-frequency source' in their beam that was not Mariner 4. The incident was characterized by 'great green sweeps of electrons' and a 'roaring, squeaking, ticking sound.' Significantly, Gray-Cobb later discovered that the tape recording for this specific incident was missing from the data store, with authorization for its removal dated shortly after the event, raising suspicions of a cover-up.
UFOR New Mexico Subcommittee Established
The newsletter announces the establishment of a UFOR investigating subcommittee in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The committee comprises several individuals with impressive credentials, including an electrical engineer, a computer programmer, a former helicopter crew chief, a private pilot, and a member of the National Honor Society. The subcommittee is tasked with investigating UFO cases in New Mexico, including new details on the alleged landing of a UFO near Aztec, N.M., in 1948.
UFO Signals (Continued)
Following the initial report, the UFO signals were again detected by the NASA facility. Gray-Cobb described the source as an 'almost perfect circle' with 'hiss, click and whine' that resolved into audible 'patterns.' He speculated that the energy pulses might have been interpreted as a hostile move. Later, when Gray-Cobb attempted to replay the October 22 tapes, he found the data package for that date missing from the storeroom. The station manager confirmed that two gentlemen had authorized its removal on October 25, 1965.
March of the UFOs Continues
This section provides a chronological compilation of UFO sighting reports from June to November 1974, gathered from at least 12 states and five foreign countries. The reports describe a wide variety of phenomena, including UFOs buzzing cars, pacing vehicles, being chased by planes, emitting smaller objects, making sharp turns, and causing physiological and electromagnetic effects. Witnesses included pilots, police officers, and security personnel.
Specific incidents detailed include:
- Late August (Albuquerque, N.M.): Mrs. Adele Vaughn saw an "enormous" amber light after hearing a "terrific explosion."
- October 9-10 (Alamogordo, N.M.): Leroy Hayden and a security guard observed a bright white light that maneuvered around Hayden's car, causing his radio to malfunction and engine to strain.
- November 8 (Holloman AF Base, N.M.): Two security policemen saw a huge, brilliant object with red and green lights.
- June 19 (Simi Valley, Calif.): Mr. and Mrs. George Gonzales observed a huge, spinning, flickering light that descended rapidly.
- October 15 (Santa Maria Valley, Calif.): A "perfectly round" UFO hovered and then streaked away, causing extreme animal reactions.
- October 2 (Texas Hill country): A photograph captured a UFO traveling over 10,000 m.p.h. with sharp turns.
- October 22 (Texas Hill country): Two "oval-shaped white objects" were seen, apparently pursued by two Phantom jets.
- August 13 (Franklin, N.H.): Three objects were seen, one appearing to enter another, causing "electric shocks" and a "strong odor."
- August 1-2 (Goldendale-Greyback Mountain-Wishram Heights, Wash.): Witnesses saw UFOs in a triangular formation that moved erratically.
- August 13 (Laurel, Miss.): An airport flight officer and family reported a saucer-like object that "buzzed" their car.
- September 10 (Le Mars, Iowa): Witnesses saw five green, white, and red UFOs moving erratically, one resembling a pendulum.
- October 20 (Elkhart, Ind.): A woman and her daughter observed a spinning orange and green object that disappeared and reappeared.
- October 8 (Joliet, Ill.): Mrs. Ardis Farmer and others spotted a UFO that "would turn dim" when planes flew overhead.
- July 15 (Neebish Island, Mich.): Mr. and Mrs. Tom McIntyre and others saw a UFO that changed colors and size.
- September 24 (Bailey Island, Maine): Deputy Sheriff William Medary and a special police officer observed a cylindrical-shaped object with red lights that hovered and moved vertically.
- August 5 (Norland, Ontario, Canada): Mr. and Mrs. Ron Newman spotted nine lights in a "100-yard triangle."
- August 20-21 (Glamor Lake, Ontario, Canada): Mrs. George Bailey and family saw an oval-shaped object emitting smaller lights.
- September 8 (Langenburg, Saskatchewan, Canada): Edwin Fuhr saw "five stainless steel objects" hovering, which left depressions in the ground.
- August 16 (Saltburn, England): Mrs. Joyce Keighley and neighbors watched a bright, flashing UFO.
- July (Pavia, Italy): Witnesses observed an object with a brilliant yellow light, and police found "traces of burning."
- June 11 (Gonubie, South Africa): Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Oliver watched a bright object that moved and frightened them.
- July 6 (Grahamstown, South Africa): Mrs. C.C. Heynes heard a "whoosh-whoosh sound" and saw a flat, scalextric car-like object.
- September 16 and 18 (St. Marys, Tasmania, Australia): Mrs. Brian Richards and others experienced "electric shocks" and a "strong odor" after seeing a car-pacing object.
Aztec, New Mexico, Case Reopened (An Editorial)
The editorial revisits the 1948 Aztec, New Mexico, UFO crash case, which involved the alleged discovery of a large saucer with 16 charred, humanoid bodies. The story, popularized by Frank Scully, is re-examined in light of new claims from Robert Spencer Carr, who states he has interviewed witnesses to the recovery of the UFO and bodies at Wright-Patterson AF Base. These witnesses include a biologist, a retired Army nurse, a retired master sergeant, a high-ranking officer, and an engineer. Carr claims that 11 frozen bodies remain at Wright-Patterson and that Senator Barry Goldwater was denied permission to access the base. The editor expresses skepticism, calling the case "the 'feel' of a hoax," but argues that it is unscientific to dismiss it entirely. The need for personal contact with eyewitnesses and authentication of alleged photographs is emphasized.
UFOR Unveils Old Sighting Reports
This section presents older UFO sighting reports, primarily from the period 1947 to 1967, based on interviews conducted by UFOR and its New Mexico Subcommittee.
- June 1947 (Location not specified): Warren Bethel, an Air Force trainer pilot, saw 11-15 discs flying in formation under his plane, described as "shiny aluminum on top" and with "a dull, stainless steel look" on their bellies.
- Spring 1950 (New Mexico): Malcolm Dillon, a physicist at Los Alamos, observed a thick disc that oscillated and tilted, revealing a silver-gray underside before disappearing straight up.
- Summer 1960 (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.): Mrs. Adele Vaughn heard a "humming" and saw an "enormous object" receding into the sky.
- June 9, 1967 (Rossville, Ga.): Bertrand W. Ward saw two "perfectly round" UFOs with domes on top, about 100 feet in diameter.
- Mid-summer 1967 (Spokane, Wash.): Marc Sternhagen observed a red saucer with alternating yellow and green lights that approached and then left.
UFO Show An Objective Revelation (A Review)
A review of an NBC television program titled "UFOs; Do You Believe?" is presented. The program is commended for its objectivity, featuring interviews with officials from MUFON, APRO, and NICAP, as well as Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Congressman J. Edward Roush, Stanton Friedman, and witnesses. Negative views were presented by astronomer Carl Sagan and aviation writer Philip J. Klass.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting of numerous UFO sightings from various locations and time periods, the investigation of potential UFO phenomena by organizations like UFOR, and the persistent question of government cover-ups or secrecy, particularly highlighted in the NASA incident and the Aztec case. The editorial stance, especially regarding the Aztec case, is one of cautious skepticism, emphasizing the need for rigorous investigation and evidence-based conclusions rather than outright dismissal or acceptance. The newsletter aims to present factual accounts and encourage further research into the UFO phenomenon.
We figured that," Gray-Cobb responded. "Reckon we've got a UFO up there."
Key Incidents
Geof Gray-Cobb and colleagues at a NASA facility tracked unusual radio signals while monitoring Mariner 4, which were attributed to a UFO. Data was lost and tape recorders overloaded.
Geof Gray-Cobb discovered that the tape recording for the October 22, 1965, UFO incident was missing from the data store, with authorization for its removal dated October 25, 1965.
Mrs. Adele Vaughn reported seeing an enormous amber light, described as round with lines, after hearing a 'terrific explosion'.
Leroy Hayden and a security guard saw a bright white light that maneuvered around Hayden's car, causing his radio to malfunction and engine to groan.
Two security policemen observed a huge, brilliant object with red and green lights on top that moved erratically before disappearing.
Mr. and Mrs. George Gonzales and others observed a huge, spinning, flickering light that shot west and then descended rapidly.
A perfectly round UFO hovered and then streaked away, causing horses and dogs to react with extreme agitation and fear.
A photograph captured a brilliantly lighted UFO traveling over 10,000 mph, making sharp turns, and shutting down its lights.
Two oval-shaped white objects were observed, apparently pursued by two Phantom jets.
Three objects were reportedly seen, one of which appeared to enter another UFO, causing painful electric shocks and a strong odor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the primary incident reported in the NASA station?
The primary incident involved Geof Gray-Cobb and his colleagues at the South African Deep Space Instrumentation Facility tracking unusual radio signals attributed to a UFO while monitoring the Mariner 4 probe.
What happened to the data from the NASA UFO incident?
The tape recording for the October 22, 1965, UFO incident was found to be missing from the data store, with authorization for its removal dated October 25, 1965.
What is the 'March of the UFOs' section about?
The 'March of the UFOs' section presents capsule reports of various UFO sightings from at least 12 states and five foreign countries during the period June-November 1974, detailing witness accounts and object characteristics.
What is the editorial's stance on the Aztec, New Mexico, UFO case?
The editor believes the Aztec case still has the 'feel' of a hoax but considers it unscientific to dismiss it outright, advocating for personal contact with alleged eyewitnesses to determine their reliability and honesty.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- Geof Gray-Cobbcontrol tower operator
- Willem Pretoriusreceiver operator
- John Dinhamengineer
- Marius de Beerassistant station manager
- Malcolm MachtActing Chairman, UFOR New Mexico Subcommittee
- Lee Skinnermember of UFOR New Mexico Subcommittee
- David Fostermember of UFOR New Mexico Subcommittee
- Glenn R. Casemember of UFOR New Mexico Subcommittee
- Stephen Casemember of UFOR New Mexico Subcommittee
- Frank-N. Reeder, Jr.member of UFOR New Mexico Subcommittee
- Carl Moramanaging editor of the University of New Mexico (UNM) Press
- Robert LockeConsultant, Albuquerque's Associated Press branch
- +8 more
Organisations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- UFO Research Associates (UFOR)
- UFOR New Mexico Subcommittee
- National Honor Society
- Society of American Magicians
- New Mexico 41st Air Force (AF) Junior ROTC Cadet Squadron
- University of New Mexico (UNM) Press
- Associated Press
- Mutual UFO Network (MUFON)
- Project Starlight International
- Bergstrom AF Base
- National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP)
- Walt Disney Productions
- +3 more
Locations
- South Africa
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Vancouver, Canada
- California, USA
- Los Angeles, USA
- Albuquerque, USA
- New Mexico, USA
- Aztec, USA
- Arizona, USA
- Phoenix, USA
- Florida, USA
- Ft. Meyers, USA
- Wright-Patterson AF Base, USA
- Dayton, USA
- +6 more