UFO Research Newsletter - 1976 10 11 - Vol 05 No 02

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Research Newsletter, Vol. V, No. 2, published by UFO Research Associates (UFOR) and dated October-November 1976, focuses on international sighting reports that highlight unusual characteristics of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The newsletter covers a period from February to July 1976, presenting these reports in a capsule format due to space constraints.

International Sighting Reports: Unusual Characteristics

The lead article, "UNUSUAL CHARACTERISTICS HIGHLIGHT INTERNATIONAL SIGHTING REPORTS," details a variety of phenomena. These include UFOs that landed, abducted witnesses, emitted occupants, light beams, and sounds, and even produced an odor. Some objects reportedly caused physiological and electro-magnetic effects, while others induced animal reactions and frightened witnesses. Specific incidents mentioned involve a UFO that took control of a truck, an object that appeared to warm the air, one that paced a truck at high speed, and another that hovered over a tractor. The reports originate from at least 10 states in the U.S. and five foreign countries.

Notable Case Summaries:

• May 13, 1976 (North Wayne, Maine): Michael Waitt reported a round object with lights that moved smoothly across a field, slowed down, and then sped up over his roof. His mother noted a "peculiar smell" that "burned the nostrils somewhat."
• May 13, 1976 (Lakewood, New Jersey): John Sholder and three others witnessed a saucer-shaped UFO with blinking white square lights and orange and green lights. When Sholder attempted to follow it, the object disappeared, and his citizens band radio went dead.
• April 12, 1976 (Ross Township, Pennsylvania): Harry McAfee and others observed four objects with erratic flashing red, white, and green lights. The objects were spaced evenly, moved eastward, then turned around and went in the opposite direction, emitting a low humming sound. The elder McAfee estimated their size at 50-60 feet in diameter.
• July 18, 1976 (Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania): Ronald Rossi and Judy Parsons saw a bright UFO hovering over trees, described as saucer-shaped with a dome. A light was directed downward, sweeping the tops of trees. A low hum was audible.
• July 18, 1976 (Gravel Switch, Kentucky): Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gilpin reported a UFO that took control of their truck, causing it to sway uncontrollably. The object, described as round with red, blue, and green lights, was heard to hum and felt to emit air.
• July 25, 1976 (Patesville, Kentucky): Jimmy, Max, and Joe Hooper, Mike Braswell, and Gary Januchowski observed a bright, glowing bell-shaped object traveling at fantastic speed. It disappeared and reappeared, emitting "sparkles" from its rear.
• June 25, 1976 (Plant City, Florida): Mr. and Mrs. Warren Coons saw a large, bright orange object approaching their trailer. When they turned on a light, the object reversed direction and sped off silently.
• February 16, 1976 (Steffenville-Newark, Missouri): Lynn Hoffman spotted a brilliant object hovering 30-40 feet above her, lighting up the road. It then turned north, rose, and disappeared.
• May 31, 1976 (Elmwood, Wisconsin): Mrs. Pearl Phipps and her grandchildren saw two golden-red, star-like lights. One object moved up and down, coming within 25 feet of the ground, while the other moved side to side.
• June 25, 1976 (Wisconsin - multiple counties): Numerous witnesses, including police, observed UFOs described as red, white, and green flashing lights, moving at extremely fast speeds. One object performed a "full sweeping turn."

Lost Hiker Encounters Occupants

This section details the experience of Michael R. Lusignan, who became lost while hiking in Colorado. On the evening of June 9, he observed "two rectangular flying objects" land, and then saw 15-20 "men, women and children" nearby. He described the apparent occupants as having eyes far apart and being "dressed in Indian or gypsy clothing."

Women Recall Frightening Experience Aboard UFO

This article recounts the experience of Mona Stafford, Louise Smith, and Elaine Thomas, who claim to have been abducted aboard a UFO on January 6. They reported seeing a football-shaped object "as big as a house" that made a half circle and came in behind their car. The UFO's bright lights caused headaches. The women found themselves in Hustonville, eight miles away, with at least 80 minutes unaccounted for. They discovered "fresh burn" marks on their necks. Dr. R. Leo Sprinkle, a psychology professor, hypnotized the women twice, and they recalled details of being on board a craft, examined by "dark figures, small, looked about four feet high," and experiencing physical discomfort.

A Lawman's Odyssey From Celestial Contact to Orpheus Descending

This section revisits the case of Herbert Schirmer, a policeman in Ashland, Nebraska, who reported a football-shaped UFO encounter on December 3, 1967. His car radio failed, and he felt a "great force" pulling his patrol car towards the craft. He described creatures with "thin, long heads, gray-white skin, flat noses, slit mouths, and slanted eyes." He was taken inside the craft, where he saw various instruments and a "map of a sun with six planets."

The article notes that Schirmer's experience was investigated by the University of Colorado UFO Project, and hypnosis sessions with Dr. R. Leo Sprinkle helped him draw diagrams of the spaceship's interior. Following the incident, Schirmer faced severe social ostracism and personal difficulties.

More Details on Wheeler Case

This section provides additional information on the UFO experience of Police Officer George Wheeler in Elmwood, Wisconsin, on April 22, 1976. Wheeler reported seeing a "huge object that appeared to be about as high as a two-story house and about 250 feet across." It had an orange-white light at the top and six bluish-white lights on the side, with what appeared to be a panel open and fin-like parts. A "long, black, hose-like appendage" was also noted. The object rose extremely fast, causing Wheeler's car lights, radio, and motor to stop. He experienced severe headaches and was hospitalized for 14 days. Witnesses reported their TV sets stopped working temporarily. The spark plugs and points in Wheeler's patrol car were found to be burned out.

Sighting Capsules

This section lists several other brief sighting reports:

• February 21, 1976 (Maydena, Tasmania, Australia): Witnesses reported "two strange orange-red lights" that floated west, with one moving briskly southwest before fading.
• February 22, 1976 (Mendoza, Argentina): Thousands reportedly saw an oval-shaped object "emitting orange light" flying at high speed.
• March 6, 1976 (Two Rivers, Wisconsin): An unidentified woman and police officers observed a blue-white glow with a "long vapor trail."
• March 15, 1976 (Montclair, New Jersey): A "round flying object heading north with red, green, and white lights" was observed.
• March 18, 1976 (Woodside, California): A "loud noise" and a "bright streak of light" were heard and seen (possibly a signal flare).
• March 20, 1976 (San Mateo, California): Witnesses reported "red-green and white skyrockets flying over the southern part of the city" (possibly military flares).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the diverse and often physically impactful nature of UFO sightings, the involvement of credible witnesses (including police officers, pilots, and military personnel), and the persistent mystery surrounding these phenomena. The newsletter presents these reports factually, often citing local news sources, and includes detailed witness accounts. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of UFO phenomena, aiming to inform the public about the breadth and unusual characteristics of reported encounters. The inclusion of cases involving alleged abductions and physical effects suggests an interest in the more profound implications of UFO encounters.