UFO Research Newsletter - 1975 02 03 - Vol 04 No 04

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Research Newsletter, Vol. IV, No. 4, published bi-monthly by UFO Research Associates, covers the period of February-March 1975. It features reports on UFO sightings, scientific studies, and critical analyses of UFO phenomena and related literature.

Pilots, Others See UFOs in Japan

The lead article details multiple UFO sightings over the Pacific coastal areas of Honshu, Japan, on the evening of January 15, 1975. Noboru Komukai observed over 20 luminous objects flying west. A student in the same area reported a similar occurrence. Coastal residents from Iwaki to Nakaminato also saw the UFOs. The Onahama Meteorological Station received numerous reports. Witnesses stated the objects' color changed to orange. Shortly after 6 p.m., Koichi Shimada and friends saw a craft heading southeast toward Tokyo. At 6:08 p.m., Captain Toshiki Higuchi, piloting an All Nippon Airways (ANA) YS-11, observed approximately 15 greyish-blue, luminous objects about 300 meters above his plane, which was cruising at 1,800 meters. Higuchi described the objects as bright as 20-watt bulbs, about 50 centimeters in diameter, emitting blue light within a cloud-like formation about 500 meters long. He noted they were in two groups, with the second slightly behind the first. He checked his radar and found no other planes. The luminous bodies appeared between his plane and a Japan Air Lines (JAL) jumbo jet. The UFOs traveled at an estimated 370 kilometers per hour toward the south-southwest, initially about nine kilometers away and at their closest approach, within 1.8 kilometers. CBA International reported that another YS-11 crew also spotted the objects.

Scientists Report on UFO Studies

This section covers the 13th aerospace sciences meeting of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) in Pasadena, California, held January 20-22. Participants included Dr. J. Allen Hynek (Center for UFO Studies), Dr. Claude Poher (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, France), Dr. Jacques Vallee (Center for UFO Studies), Dr. David R. Saunders (University of Chicago), Ted R. Phillips, Jr. (Center for UFO Studies), and Dr. Joachim P. Kuettner (World Meteorological Organization).

Dr. Hynek emphasized that a misleading popular image of UFOs can hamper scientific efforts and lead to misrepresentation for scientists involved. He discussed the Center for UFO Studies, established to serve three functions: provide a focal point for scientists, offer authoritative information, and create a place for individuals to report experiences without fear.

Vallee presented a study with Poher on "basic patterns in UFO observations." Their analysis of 258 reports indicated UFOs are seen less frequently as weather conditions worsen, with 57% sighted under clear skies. Sightings increase around 5 p.m., peak at 9 p.m., decrease until 1 a.m., with a secondary peak at 3 a.m. Vallee suggested the decrease in reports between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. might be due to fewer potential observers.

Vallee also noted that only a little over half of the cases studied involved one witness, and there was a lack of reports from the 20-40 age bracket, possibly due to fear of ridicule. The E-M effect cases showed the greatest observation period between October 1-18.

David R. Saunders' UFOCAT is a computerized catalog of over 59,237 UFO reports. After filtering for usable entries, 18,122 reports were used. Saunders noted that Montgomery County, Ohio, the home of Project Blue Book, had significantly more reports than predicted, possibly due to its high publicity.

Ted R. Phillips, Jr. believes that physical evidence cases offer the most tangible evidence for scientific scrutiny, emphasizing the need for investigation of soil and plant samples from landing sites.

Unusual Special Effects Dominate 1974 Sighting Reports

This section details various UFO sightings from June-November 1974, characterized by unusual effects. Michael Foley and his son reported a UFO emitting a light beam over Cedar Springs, Michigan. Later that evening, they saw another UFO over Pine Lake that "sparkled like a Christmas tree" and moved at unbelievable speed.

In Ohioville Borough, Ohio, several triangular-shaped UFOs were seen following a truck. In New York, Deputy Sheriff William Brown reported a blinding flash of light near Perry Center, followed by a weird, high-pitched screaming wail inside his car. Deputy Sheriff Salvatore NiCastro observed a massive object matching his speed. Officer Rolland Barnhardt described a round ball that seemed to disappear and reappear.

On returning to Warsaw, Brown learned that Police Dispatcher Dennis Quackenbush had recorded the object's screaming sound. An electronics expert, Merle Demerly, and two engineers confirmed the sound was not feedback or a technical fault, leaving them baffled.

Three nights later, near Syracuse, New York, 12-year-old Daniel Wolnick and his parents observed a white and red flashing object. Robert Wolnick described UFOs traveling at incredible speed. Deputy Sheriff Michael Haven responded, confirming "something up there." Police Sgt. A.C. Baxter observed a doughnut-shaped object with flashing lights through a telescope. Sgt. Thomas Lavere also witnessed the object's incredible maneuvers. Sheriff Patrick J. Corbett stated his men were reliable and checked with local AF bases and Syracuse Airport, which had no knowledge of aircraft in the area.

Richard Clark in Milford, Connecticut, saw a large, dark orange circular object with projections on the rear and front, which stopped, swirled, and then sped away.

On October 27, Mrs. T. Stevenson and others saw a silver, metallic-colored UFO over Liberty Lake, Maryland, with a brilliant light beam. Al Berry's radio show in Plant City, Florida, received numerous calls about UFOs, including one report of a powerful light shone into a living room. A motorcyclist reported a UFO pacing him and causing his equipment to cease functioning.

Frank Smith of Plant City saw a large, flat, glowing object with a hump making a swooshing sound. In Mississippi, Richard Sampey spotted a 200-foot long, bluish-black, cylindrical-shaped object that took off at high speed.

In Canada, Roy Fenton saw a large, green UFO with flashing lights hovering over power lines in Scarboro, Ontario. RCMP Constable Dave Grundy observed an oblong object near Priddis, Alberta, with a crown and windows, which then took off at high speed. David Knutsen in Surrey, British Columbia, saw a silver disc performing unusual maneuvers.

David snapped a photograph of a UFO in Quebec, described as an "almost black object with a sharp but narrow blue glow." In St. Cyrille de Wendover, Quebec, Mr. X observed a reddish-orange disc hovering over a field, and a metallic-looking creature inspecting a building. Four circles of flattened grass were found, and a strange white substance was discovered.

New Klass Book Juggles Facts (A Book Review)

This section reviews Philip J. Klass's book, "UFOs Explained." The reviewer criticizes Klass for fitting facts to his theories and for his "way-out" explanations, which suggest highly-trained witnesses are incompetent or hoaxters. Klass explains the Chiles-Whitted encounter as a meteor, attributing it to "auto-suggestion." He suggests hot-air balloons could explain sightings like the one in San Gabriel Valley, California, where a pilot reported gyrocompass errors and a stopped clock.

The review also addresses Klass's explanation of the Socorro, N.M., sighting involving Officer Lonnie Zamora, which Klass attributes to the town "going to seed" and wanting tourist trade. The reviewer contrasts this with the opinion of serious researchers who consider Zamora a highly respectable witness. Klass also suggests Clifton Crowder staged a hoax in South Hill, Va., to gain publicity for his brother's election campaign.

The review criticizes Klass's explanation of the Maj. Lawrence Coyne case, which Klass attributes to the pilot subconsciously climbing the aircraft, despite the pilot stating this was impossible. Klass also makes claims about low public interest in UFOs during 1963-1965, which the reviewer disputes, citing large sighting flaps and the reporting of hundreds of cases.

Klass Dreges Up Old Arguments

Klass's argument that UFOs from distant planets could not reach Earth due to long distances is challenged. The author suggests Klass implies extraterrestrial beings are not technologically advanced, which is contrary to scientific concessions. The argument that if humans cannot reach a nearby star in four light years, then ETs cannot, is deemed flawed. The article notes that scientists are questioning the absolute nature of the speed of light.

Klass's ball-lightning or plasma theory is discussed. Dr. James E. McDonald is cited as having effectively challenged this theory, pointing out the lack of evidence for natural plasmoid generation without intense electrical storms and the fact that many reported UFO phenomena occur without thunderstorms or power lines.

McDonald's critique of Klass's book is further elaborated, stating that Klass fails to confront the fact that interesting UFO reports involve sharp-edged objects with discernible structural details, lights, and maneuvers that are difficult to reconcile with a plasma-UFO hypothesis. McDonald accuses Klass of having a closed mind and relying on "argument by innuendo, argument by concatenation," and "argument by juxtaposition."

McDonald also highlights Klass's dismissal of UFO reports that are close-range and low-altitude, describing them as "structural" or "fabricated." Klass suggests that freak atmospheric electrical conditions might produce UFOs or that UFOs create a hypnotic trance. The review concludes that Jacques Vallee's statement, "Klass dismissed!" is appropriate.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently presents detailed accounts of UFO sightings from various locations and perspectives, including pilots, police officers, and ordinary citizens. It critically examines scientific and skeptical explanations for these phenomena, particularly those put forth by Philip J. Klass. The editorial stance appears to favor a serious investigation of UFO reports, highlighting credible witnesses and unexplained aspects of sightings, while questioning the adequacy and objectivity of debunking efforts. The recurring theme is the persistent nature of UFO phenomena and the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics within the scientific community.