Ufologia - No 16 - Janvier-Fevrier-Mars 1979

Magazine Overview

Title: Ufologia
Issue: N° 16
Date: January - February - March 1979
Publisher: Cercle Français de Recherches Ufologiques (CFRU)
Country: France
Language: French
ISSN: 0399-8274

This issue of Ufologia, the quarterly review of the French UFO Research Circle (CFRU), is dedicated to "covert" UFO phenomena and related questions. The cover features a large question mark and an illustration of a flying saucer, with the headline "objets volants non identifiés questions connexes".

Editorial Stance and Content Overview

The editorial, written by Francis Schaefer, highlights the year's progress in the official recognition of the UFO phenomenon, particularly the first close encounter meeting between GEPAN (the official French UFO study organization) and private ufological groups in Toulouse on September 12, 1978. This event is presented as a significant turning point, allowing GEPAN to better understand the serious UFO researchers in France. The editorial notes that while some myths were dispelled, the focus remains on unidentified flying objects. It also mentions the decision to publish longer articles, starting with a piece by Jean SIDER on "Les OVNI camouflés" (Camouflaged UFOs). The editorial concludes with New Year's wishes to the readers.

Key Articles and Sections

Espace: Nouvelles Brèves (Space: Brief News)

This section provides a series of brief updates on space exploration and related news:

• USA: The Space Shuttle program has a revised flight schedule, with the first test flight (SS1) planned for September 28, 1979, and the first operational flight (SS7) for February 27, 1981. A total of 29 flights are programmed, ending on November 7, 1982. The SEASAT oceanographic satellite failed despite attempts to revive it. President Carter is pushing for the development of components for the LANCE W7 missile, including parts for the neutron bomb.
• France-China: A space cooperation agreement has been signed between France and the People's Republic of China.
• USSR: Cosmonauts Vladimir KAVALENOK and Alexandre IVANTCHENKOV set a new duration record aboard Saliout 6, facing challenges with readaptation to Earth's gravity. A Cuban cosmonaut is scheduled to fly on a Soviet spacecraft in 1979.
• France-USSR: The scientific satellite PROGNOZ 7 was launched on October 30, 1978, carrying French experiments on solar radiation.
• USA: The VOYAGER 1 and 2 probes are millions of kilometers from Earth and are expected to reach Jupiter in March and July 1979, and Saturn in November 1980 and August 1981.
• USA: The NIMBUS 7 satellite was launched on October 24, 1978, from Vandenberg, to observe terrestrial atmospheric pollution.
• USSR: The USSR launched two satellites, RADIO 1 and RADIO 2, for Russian radio amateurs on October 27, marking a first for the USSR. The USA has launched seven OSCAR satellites for radio amateurs.
• USSR: On October 24, 1978, the USSR launched the INTERCOSMOS 18 satellite to study magnetic storms.

Brettnach-57- 8 December 1977, 17:15

This is a detailed report of a sighting by Philippe Mery near Brettnach. While driving, he observed two yellow lights that turned out to be from a dark, triangular object with a large red central light. The object, estimated to be about 30 meters long and flying at an altitude of approximately 50 meters above the witness, descended and disappeared as if sinking into fog. No unusual sounds or electrical anomalies were reported.

Ebersviller-57- 16 January 1978, 21:55 and 22:20

Witnesses Monsieur TURCO and Monsieur M. observed two powerful yellow-red lights appear above a forest. The lights descended and then two beams illuminated the ground. An object spiraled down slowly and landed silently on a hill. The witnesses were unable to approach it.

Les OVNI Camouflés (Camouflaged UFOs)

This is a lengthy article by Jean SIDER exploring the phenomenon of UFOs that mimic known objects, such as aircraft, balloons, or clouds. SIDER suggests that the appearance of these 'camouflaged' UFOs adapts to the technological era in which they are observed. He cites historical waves of sightings, including dirigible-like objects in the late 19th century and 'impossible' aircraft in the early 20th century. The article posits that after World War II, the phenomenon continued to adapt, but overt 'camouflaged' UFO waves became less frequent, possibly due to improved camouflage or simply passing unnoticed. SIDER emphasizes that observed 'camouflaged' UFOs often exhibit imperfections or additional details not found on the imitated objects. He chooses to focus on less publicized cases, acknowledging the difficulty in guaranteeing 100% authenticity but highlighting the serious nature of investigations by private groups.

#### OVNI-CARGO-VOLANTS (Flying Cargo UFOs)

This section details a specific case from January 18, 1971, near Middletown, Ohio, USA. Local radio was alerted to a large aircraft with flashing lights hovering at low altitude. The Air Force and police were notified. The report mentions that the aircraft was possibly a 'C.119 CARGO VOLANT' but notes unusual aspects like the lack of sound and its constant 45-degree inclination. A smaller, noisy aircraft was also observed circling the larger object. The article includes a quote from ufologist John KEEL, who investigated similar 'phantom cargo-plane' cases and suggested they might not be part of the US Air Force's known inventory, but rather a separate, unknown entity.

La Bibliothèque (The Library)

This section likely lists books or publications related to ufology, though the content is not fully legible.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of UFO sightings, the concept of 'covert' or camouflaged UFOs, and the evolving relationship between official bodies like GEPAN and private ufological research. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry, aiming to provide objective information to the public while acknowledging the complexities and sometimes speculative nature of the subject. There is a clear emphasis on detailed case studies and the historical context of UFO phenomena. The magazine positions itself as an independent publication relying on its subscribers and volunteer collaborators.

This issue of "UFOLOGIA" (Issue 21, Volume 12, dated 1978) delves into various unexplained aerial phenomena, with a particular focus on "UFO-Helicopters," "UFO-Aircraft," and "UFO-Balloons." The magazine presents a collection of detailed case studies, analysis of potential UFO tactics like camouflage, and touches upon related topics such as parapsychology and demographic projections. The primary language of the publication is French.

UFO-Helicopters

The issue opens with several accounts of UFOs resembling helicopters. One notable incident occurred on August 21, 1975, in Kimball County, Nebraska, where police officers pursued a strange, helicopter-like object for five hours. The object evaded capture and eventually disappeared towards Colorado. The pursuit was monitored by the Cheyenne Air Force base radar. Another case from October 11, 1966, at Wanaque Reservoir, New Jersey, involved Police Sergeant Ben Thompson observing a "classic" UFO followed by seven helicopters and ten to twelve jets. The article questions the normalcy of this observation, given the officer's extensive experience in the region and the fact that the aircraft were never identified.

Betty Hill, a well-known contactee, reports two observations. The first, on December 3, 1975, describes her being followed by "two rows of strange lights" that formed a "V" formation, which she later identified as a helicopter flying very low. The second case, from February 20, 1976, involves a farmer who witnessed two helicopter-like craft flying side-by-side, appearing to refuel each other in mid-air during a snowstorm. The article notes that such mid-air refueling is not typical for helicopters and that the conditions (snowstorm) make conventional explanations difficult.

A report from Ann Druffel, associated with MUFON, details an observation by Mr. and Mrs. C... in Tujunga, California, on September 3, 1975. They witnessed a helicopter accompanied by a circular, illuminated object with red and green lights. This object changed shape, from circular to diamond and then chevron, and performed zig-zag maneuvers. The object then seemed to "cover" or "examine" the helicopter. Later, two other helicopters appeared, exhibiting red flashes from their cabins. The experience left the witnesses with burning eyes and unusual pain.

UFO-Aircraft

The magazine then shifts to UFOs resembling aircraft. An older case from April 20, 1952, describes an event witnessed by an Ensign and his wife, along with other motorists, during an outdoor movie. They observed a fleet of 20 groups of objects, each with 29 units, flying in a straight line, with some performing maneuvers similar to conventional aircraft. These "objects" were described as having the form of normal aircraft but were completely enveloped in a red "aura" and shone brightly despite overcast skies.

In March 1968, two students in Converse, Texas, reported seeing a silent, B-29-like aircraft with shorter, thicker wings, no cockpit, windows, or propellers. The object passed overhead at low altitude and then made a sharp turn, following a path parallel to the witnesses. It was described as vague in color, between grayish and brownish.

A particularly intriguing case from October 5, 1973, near Vancouver, British Columbia, involved Bernie Nielltt and two young men, John and Wally Nygren. They observed a "ball of lights" phenomenon, followed by an aircraft-like object that performed maneuvers before flying away. Astonishingly, as it moved away, the object "stopped dead in the sky," its engine noise ceased, its position lights went out, replaced by a horizontal line of six red lights. The object remained stationary for several minutes before disappearing. On the same night, about 80 km away, members of the Quamichan Indian tribe observed a low-flying object with rotating red lights and a bright red light at the top. This object transformed into an airplane, made a noise like a jet, and then disappeared behind trees. The observation lasted 15 minutes.

Another case from April 1978 mentions three observations of bizarre, delta-wing shaped "aircraft" in the Zellik sector of Belgium. These "delta wings" hovered, and one disappeared as if a light were switched off. The sketches provided resemble Concorde aircraft, which were in development at the time.

UFO-Balloons

The issue notes that UFO-balloon sightings were common in 1897 in the USA, and also occurred in 1909 in England, New Zealand, Australia, and Indochina. The article highlights that in 1909, New Zealand had no dirigibles, countering claims that such sightings were merely dirigibles. It also mentions that many aspects of these 1909 balloon-UFOs are similar to modern UFO observations.

A remarkable case involving a "publicity balloon" is recounted by former NASA engineer Paul Hill. In 1962, in Hampton, Virginia, during an afternoon with a storm brewing, Hill observed a large, aluminum-colored, fuselage-like object resembling a dirigible. It was moving parallel to Chesapeake Avenue at a speed slightly over 100 mph (160 km/h) at an altitude of about 300 meters. Hill noted it had no stabilizers or tail empennage, with the rear being identical to the front. He clearly read "GOODYEAR" written on its flanks, identifying it as a Goodyear balloon. The object then accelerated incredibly, emitting yellow flames and reaching an estimated speed of 8900 mph (14,000 km/h) as it disappeared into storm clouds. Hill calculates this acceleration to be equivalent to 100 times Earth's gravity.

Camouflage and Multiple Intelligences

Jean Sider, in a section titled "EN GUISE DE CONCLUSION" (In Conclusion), discusses the "art of camouflage" practiced by some UFOs. He posits that this behavior suggests the existence of at least two distinct intelligences behind the UFO phenomenon. The first intelligence is described as cautious and reserved, aiming to achieve its goals without drawing attention. The second intelligence is characterized as direct and audacious, using decoys and camouflage without apparent concern for witnesses. Sider suggests that the fact these methods are observed in the same locations and time periods supports the hypothesis of two different types of UFO intelligence.

Other Topics

Uri Geller and Parapsychology

A section titled "URI GELLER: une arme pour les U.S.A." (Uri Geller: a weapon for the USA) discusses the American government's interest in parapsychological warfare. It suggests that individuals like Uri Geller, with his alleged abilities, could be valuable assets in such a conflict. The article notes that the US has reportedly imported Geller, and while laboratory results are not fully disclosed, researchers like Targ and Puthoff recommend Geller's abilities.

Population Projections

Another section, "Près de six milliards d'hommes en l'an 2000" (Nearly six billion men in the year 2000), presents demographic projections from the World Bank. It forecasts the global population to reach 5.9 billion by the end of the century, with significant growth expected in China and India. The report also outlines hypothetical future population levels, suggesting the world population could reach 10 billion within two centuries.

Ecological and Energy News

The magazine also includes brief news items on ecological and energy matters:

• Alert to Radioactive Gas in Colorado: On January 25, 1978, a nuclear power plant in Fort Saint-Vrain, Colorado, was evacuated due to a radioactive gas leak, hospitalizing five workers.
• Solar Energy at the White House: The White House is installing a solar water heating system.
• French Nuclear Test at Mururoa: France conducted a subterranean nuclear test at the Mururoa atoll on July 23, 1978, with an estimated power of 2.5 to 3 megatons.
• Aid for Solar Water Heater Buyers: In France, buyers of solar water heaters can receive state aid of one thousand francs.
• Plutonium Contamination: On July 25, 1978, thirteen employees at a secret British nuclear weapons research laboratory in Aldermaston were contaminated with plutonium, leading to the lab's closure.
• Gas Cloud over Vénissieux: On August 24, 1978, a nauseating gas cloud, identified as sulfur dioxide from the Rhône-Poulenc factory, affected Vénissieux, near Lyon.
• Birth of an International Anti-Nuclear Coordination: An international anti-nuclear coordination group has been formed, comprising 21 associations from various European countries, aiming to oppose nuclear power and organize protests.
• The Problem of Nuclear Power Plant Concentration on the Rhine: A committee is advocating for a treaty to coordinate the siting of nuclear power plants on the Rhine to prevent dangerous concentrations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the diverse manifestations of unidentified aerial phenomena (UFOs), particularly those resembling conventional aircraft and helicopters, and the analysis of their potential origins and behaviors. The magazine explores the idea of intelligent control behind these phenomena, suggesting distinct entities may be involved, and examines the concept of UFOs using camouflage. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these unexplained events, presenting various cases and analyses without necessarily offering definitive conclusions, while also acknowledging the complexities of witness perception and the need for rigorous investigation. The inclusion of topics like parapsychology and environmental concerns suggests a broader interest in the unusual and potentially significant developments of the era.

This issue of UFOLOGIA, identified as issue number 8, focuses on the existence and official recognition of unidentified flying objects (OVNIs) in France and presents various international sightings and investigations. The cover prominently features the term "objets volants non identifiés (o.v.n.i)" alongside related fields like "astronautique," "archéologie," "parapsychologie," and "phénomènes insolites..." The issue date is indicated as October 24, 1976, with the publisher being CFRU.

GEPAN: Official French Investigation

The lead article, "EN FRANCE, LES OBJETS VOLANTS NON IDENTIFIES EXISTENT OFFICIELLEMENT," details the establishment and work of GEPAN (GROUPE D'ETUDES DES PHENOMENES AEROSPATIAUX NON IDENTIFIES), a group within the CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALES. The article highlights a significant meeting organized by GEPAN in Toulouse on September 12, 1978, which brought together over 100 representatives from French ufological groups. The seriousness with which GEPAN approaches its work is attributed to the leadership of M. Claude POHER and his collaborators. The article notes the contrast with past skepticism from the scientific community, quoting F. SCHANTER's ironic remark about astronomers previously dismissing UFOs.

GEPAN is described as comprising 45 full-time members, supported by a Scientific Council of 7 esteemed scientists whose identities are kept confidential to shield them from pressure. This council has reviewed GEPAN's work and approved the continuation of their investigations in December 1977 and June 1978.

Practically, GEPAN is organized into several working groups:

• INTERVENTION RAPIDE (Rapid Intervention): A team of 6 people who respond to requests from the Gendarmerie and local authorities, as well as private groups, operating 24/7 for important and concrete cases.
• ANALYSE DES TRACES (Trace Analysis): This group, advised by the Scientific Council, focuses on investigating physical traces. It includes 7 engineers who study traces on the ground or on vehicles, requiring specialized laboratories. A key difficulty is that intervention is only possible if the landing traces are intact, which is often challenging due to public curiosity.
• ALERTE RADAR (Radar Alert): This group is tasked with cataloging operational radar systems nationwide and exploring possibilities for delayed information exploitation. The radar alert group consists of 14 people who act upon express requests from the intervention team or qualified air navigation personnel, collaborating with military and civilian surveillance networks.
• EXPERTISE (Expertise): GEPAN possesses approximately 15,000 reports, including 3,000 foreign ones. About twenty people examine these cases, classifying them into four categories (A/D/C/D) by two specialists. Observations in category 'D' are processed by the NATIONAL FILE and STATISTICS group, composed of engineers from the CNES MATHEMATICS division, with each observation coded onto cards for computer analysis.
• OPTIQUE (Optics): This section is developing an OPTICAL SIMULATOR to aid in investigations by effectively utilizing witnesses' visual memory. This simulator will help reconstruct OVNI characteristics such as colors, shapes, angular dimensions, positions, and trajectories.
• PSYCHOLOGIE (Psychology): This group analyzes the personality of witnesses, deeming it a necessary step for thorough investigations.

The article concludes that GEPAN's efforts are positive and that any comparison with the Condon report would be misplaced. GEPAN proposes reciprocal collaboration, with a functional phase potentially starting in 1979.

International Sightings and Incidents

Ovnis dans le ciel australien... Un avion et son pilote disparaissent

This section reports on the disappearance of a "Cessna" monomotor aircraft and its pilot, Frédérick Valentich, in the Australian airspace on October 24, 1978. Valentich reported seeing an object with four strong lights, described as a large object with green lights and a metallic exterior, playing with his aircraft before it disappeared. The conversation with air traffic control lasted six minutes. Valentich mentioned the object was circling above him, and his engine began to falter. He intended to head for King Island, but radio contact was lost. An oil slick was later spotted in the sea. The German newspaper BILD published the pilot's photo and an imagined reconstruction of the event.

Fièvre de l'OVNI en Australie

Following the disappearance of the Cessna and its pilot, Australia experienced a "UFO fever," with numerous sightings reported. Frédérick Valentich, a 20-year-old pilot and air force instructor, had reported an object described as long, with green lights, that seemed to be playing with his aircraft. The visibility was good that night, though Venus was noted as being very bright and changing color. The recording of Valentich's last exchanges with air traffic control revealed his confusion about a large object with four lights passing close by, and that the object seemed to be following him. His engine failing, he announced his intention to reach King Island, after which radio contact was lost.

«L'araignée spatiale»: illusion ou réalité?

This article discusses the "space spider," an animalcule reportedly found on November 2, 1959, in a cotton-like cloud near Evore, Portugal, allegedly released by OVNIs. The creature is described as having a round body and ten tentacles, measuring about 4 millimeters in diameter. Photos of this "strange animal" were published by a Porto newspaper and shown on Portuguese television. The center organizing the congress in Porto, which discussed this discovery, sells these photos for about a thousand dollars, claiming the scientific report, kept secret for 18 years, states the animalcule is completely unknown on Earth. The cotton-like cloud, nicknamed "angel hair," was composed of known materials like carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, tin, boron, silicon, calcium, and magnesium.

Un OVNI au-dessus de Strasbourg ?

The Alsatian section of the French Ufological Research Circle received several testimonies about a luminous phenomenon observed over Strasbourg on the evening of October 11, 1978. An amateur astronomer, Mme W., reported seeing a large yellow ball, joined by a smaller one, which then disappeared. Similar sightings were reported by two other individuals. The CFRU investigated, ruling out the possibility of a collision between two Soviet satellites.

Rencontre du « troisième type » au tour auto d'Amérique du Sud

Chilean pilots Carlos Acevedo and Ramirez Molla, participating in a South American car rally, reported encountering an OVNI near Viedma. They claim the OVNI lifted their Citroën GS car off the ground, emptied its fuel tank, and then returned it. Acevedo described a bright light that illuminated the car's interior, causing the engine to stop. The car then lifted, and after a minute, the light extinguished, and the car landed. Upon restarting, the engine worked normally, but they later discovered the fuel tank was empty.

Des ovnis dans le ciel de Mulhouse.

Witnesses in Mulhouse, France, observed unidentified flying objects on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday. The objects were described as luminous balls moving from the north at low altitude and in complete silence, then ascending rapidly and disappearing into the clouds. Three of the objects were shaped like flat saucers topped with a hemisphere, with a diameter estimated at 25 meters. The observers concluded they were not conventional aircraft.

HESTROFF-HOBLING (57) 24 OCTOBRE 1976 22h30

This report details an observation by Monsieur Lucarelli and his granddaughter on October 24, 1976, near Hestroff-Hobling. They saw two lights in the fields, which turned out to be a hovering object about 100 meters above the ground, approximately 15 meters long, shaped like two balls connected by a rectangular structure, with numerous colored lights. The object followed their car, moving parallel to the road. Lucarelli observed a window with a faint internal light, and his granddaughter noted a figure inside with a long beard. The object then descended and cut off the car's path, prompting Lucarelli to accelerate. The object preceded the car to the village. Upon reaching his home, the object stopped above the garage. Madame Lucarelli observed the object with binoculars. Suddenly, all lights went out, and the object emitted a characteristic loud noise before moving away towards Tromborn.

The next day, Monsieur Lucarelli found three distinct traces on the ground, each in the shape of a figure eight formed by two double-circles, measuring 15 meters in length. These traces were characterized by an absence of grass. Part of these traces were still visible five months later. The gendarmerie of Bouzonville conducted an investigation, finding no electrical anomalies on the vehicle or in the village.

BRETTNACH-57- 12 MARS 1977

This observation was made by Monsieur and Madame D. from their apartment in Brettnach on March 12, 1977. They saw a conical, elongated object of red-orange color, topped with a crown of 8 to 10 intensely red, rapidly twinkling lights. The object, described as very dazzling, rotated slowly from right to left and moved laterally before taking an oblique downward trajectory and disappearing behind trees. After the object vanished, the witnesses observed a luminous spherical cap reflection in the treetops for a few seconds. The distance to the object was estimated at a minimum of 1.5 km. The witnesses used 5x50 binoculars. The object appeared to be vertically above an old quarry. There was complete silence, apart from a dog barking.

Check-list de l'enquêteur

This section provides a detailed checklist for UFO investigators, compiled by CFRU, to ensure a correct and comprehensive recording of UFO observation cases. It covers essential details such as witness information, date, time, location, meteorological conditions, number and description of observed objects, trajectory, color, shape changes, duration, presence of lights, dimensions, altitude, sounds, speed, electromagnetic phenomena, physical effects, and any actions taken by witnesses (e.g., contacting authorities, taking photos, making sketches).

Bibliographic Documentation

The final pages list an extensive bibliography of books related to UFOs, extraterrestrials, and related phenomena. The publisher emphasizes that recommending these books does not imply endorsement of all their contents and warns against selling books in the name of CFRU. The list includes works by authors such as Frank Edwards, Henry Durrant, Peter Kolosimo, Jacques Vallée, Aimé Michel, Michel Carrouges, J. Allen Hynek, Erich Von Däniken, Charles Fort, and many others, covering a wide range of topics from ancient astronauts to parapsychology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of UFO phenomena, the presentation of witness testimonies, and the scientific and official approaches to understanding these events. The editorial stance, as represented by CFRU and GEPAN, is one of serious inquiry and documentation, aiming to move beyond mere speculation and toward a more structured understanding of OVNIs. The inclusion of a detailed investigator's checklist and an extensive bibliography underscores the commitment to thorough research and information dissemination within the ufological community.