UFORUM - 1957 02 - Vol 1 No 10

Magazine Overview

Title: UFORUM
Issue: Volume One, Number Ten
Date: February-March 1957
Publisher: Grand Rapids Flying Saucer Club
Type: Monthly publication, a non-profit educational organization and member of the Michigan Flying Saucer Federation.

NICAP Reorganizes and Begins Operations

The issue prominently features a letter from Major Donald E. Keyhoe, the new director of NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena), addressed to Mr. Gibson, the editor of UFORUM. Keyhoe explains NICAP's plans and seeks comments from Gibson and other board members, including Admiral Fahrney. Keyhoe expresses his personal appreciation for Gibson's support and pledges to promote the welfare of serious UFO researchers.

The UFORUM editor enthusiastically supports NICAP, calling it "just what the doctor ordered" and "the shot in the arm that the serious Saucer investigation has needed." The editor addresses concerns that NICAP might act as a censorship bureau or create division among UFO clubs. He argues that the "powers that be," including the Air Force, have already created confusion and subterfuge, and NICAP's formation is a response to the need for credible investigation.

Keyhoe discusses the historical difficulty in gaining serious attention for UFOs, noting that the average American citizen's disbelief stems from the lack of reputable individuals admitting interest. NICAP aims to fill this void. He also laments the confusion within the UFO community, attributing it to "starry-eyed visionaries" and sensationalism.

Demise of 'ORBIT' and Challenges in UFO Publishing

The editor expresses regret over the closure of 'ORBIT', described as "one of the finest Saucer publications" that "stuck to the facts." Leonard Stringfield, the publisher of 'ORBIT', cited numerous problems and pressures, including overwhelming correspondence and the inability to keep up with the demands on his private life and business responsibilities. Stringfield also felt that 'ORBIT's' format and policies seemed out of character with "demagogues" and "extremists" within the UFO community. He observed that publications prosper by catering to sensationalism, promoting "pixie-like personalities," or peddling "inside stuff" and hatred for the Air Force, rather than focusing on honest work.

Keyhoe's mimeographed bulletin, excerpted in UFORUM, clarifies NICAP's past setup and addresses rumors. It states that T. T. Brown resigned from NICAP on January 18, 1957, the date Keyhoe was appointed Director. Rumors of an $85,000 staff payroll were based on a suggested salary schedule that was disapproved by the Board. "Heavy commitments" were also disapproved, and arrangements were made with creditors of the former regime. NICAP has emerged from a "shaky condition" and is beginning to operate as planned, with a nationwide response to Admiral Fahrney's statements in January giving confidence in its success.

Currently, NICAP operates with only two full-time workers, Mrs. Rose Hackett Campbell and Keyhoe himself, supported by part-time and volunteer helpers. The volume of mail and preparation for the monthly publication has been overwhelming. NICAP is seeking cooperation from experts and plans to operate without a large, paid staff, relying on individuals willing to work on a "sacrificial basis" due to their strong interest in solving the UFO problem. The publication clarifies that NICAP has not received huge donations.

NICAP has reduced its membership fee from $15 to $7.50, which will include a monthly 32-page publication, temporarily replacing the planned newsletter and magazine. They intend to establish a special department covering existing clubs and magazines and aim to cooperate in setting up a nationwide and worldwide reporting network. NICAP states it will print diverse opinions and welcomes comments, suggestions, and criticisms.

Cloud 'Saucer' Drills Hole in Knoxville Sky

This section reports on an incident at Knoxville Municipal Airport on Friday, March 8 or 15, 1957. A huge "hole in the sky" was created when a sudden downdraft caused a deck of cirrus clouds to fall 3000 feet through a layer of altocumulus clouds at 19,000 feet, forming a half-mile wide hole. Meteorologist John Thach, a weather observer for 15 years, stated he had never seen anything like it and described it as looking like a "huge.flying saucer." The phenomenon hovered over the airport for about half an hour before disappearing. Schools in the area dismissed classes for children to witness it.

Flying Saucer Lands in South Africa

This article is a condensation of a piece originally from the London Flying Saucer Review and later published in Search magazine. It details an account by Mrs. Elizabeth Klarer of Natal, South Africa, who reported a flying saucer landing on April 7, 1956. Mrs. Klarer had a childhood encounter at age seven with a "great orange-red wheel" spaceship. On December 27, 1954, a preliminary attempt to contact her was made when a saucer glided down near her family estate. She clearly saw the face of the pilot through the porthole, describing him as blond and handsome with light grey eyes. He smiled at her before the craft rose and moved away.

Mr. Edgar Siovers, author of "Flying Saucers uber Sudafrika," vouches for Mrs. Klarer's credibility, describing her as a "gifted pianist and music teacher" with broad intellectual interests and "both her feet on the ground."

Mrs. Klarer's compelling feeling to return to the hilltop persisted. On April 7, 1956, she slipped out early in the morning and reached the hilltop, about 24 miles away. She saw the "scoutship" resting on the ground in a dip. This time, she ran towards the pilot, whom she felt she had known all her life. He took her hands and said, "You were not afraid this time." She stepped into the craft, and the automatic door closed. Inside, she found the air invigorating. She noticed another pilot, described as dark and stocky, at the controls. When she asked the tall spaceman if he was Russian, he replied, "I am not from any place on this planet you call Earth. I am from Venus."

The interior of the craft was simple, with rows of pushbuttons on a desk, unlike modern aircraft. It had a clean, efficient design with a gentle humming sound. Looking through a porthole, she saw rolling green country and the distant blue sea, noting the haze. The Venusian pilot drew her attention to a floor lens, through which she could see clearly. The spaceman and his companion wore dark-brownish, close-fitting suits made of a material resembling shiny nylon. They were vegetarians, which the Venusian attributed to their long lives and good health, explaining that Venusian air has a higher oxygen content in its lower strata. He also mentioned that Venus has a great deal of water and many rugged mountains, with houses built in a circular pattern.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFORUM revolve around the serious investigation of UFO phenomena, the establishment and challenges of organizations like NICAP, and the reporting of specific sightings. The editorial stance is strongly in favor of credible, fact-based UFO research, critical of sensationalism and what is perceived as government obfuscation. The publication aims to provide a platform for genuine researchers and to counter misinformation, while also acknowledging the diversity of opinions within the UFO community. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing serious investigation from what the editors term "demagogues" and "extremists."

Title: UFORUM
Issue: 11
Volume: 1
Date: March 16, 1957
Publisher: UFORUM
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of UFORUM delves into a variety of UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, and aviation mysteries, reflecting the ufological interests of the mid-1950s. It features personal testimonies, photographic evidence, radar reports, and discussions on unexplained aerial phenomena and potential government cover-ups.

Reported Encounters and Sightings

Alien Contact and Venusian Testimony

The issue opens with a remarkable account of an alleged encounter with a Venusian. This individual, who spoke perfect English, claimed to have lived and studied on Earth for a limited period. He expressed sadness at the precariousness of human existence, dominated by the threat of war and uncivilized nations. He described space people as wise and understanding, concerned about humanity's potential to take war into space. The Venusian also stated that the Moon is inhabited by these space people and that they are observing humanity's entry into space. The account details the appearance of the Venusians, their advanced understanding of music, and the propulsion method of their craft, which used natural forces.

Mrs. Klarer's Photographic Evidence

On July 17, 1956, Mrs. Klarer reported a strange expectation and decided to photograph a saucer that appeared while she was watching a storm. The object flew around her, seemingly offering an opportunity to capture images. She took seven photographs, three of which were particularly well-defined. The negatives and object were examined, and no suspicions were raised. The family of Major Flowers, Elizabeth Klarer's brother-in-law, can testify to her solo photographic efforts. Saucers and a carrier ship have reportedly been seen over Major Flower's estate on multiple occasions.

Saucer Sighting Roundup

This section condenses several sightings reported to UFOrum:

• Case 172 (July 10, 1956, Washington, Indiana): Frank Edwards of WTTV reported seeing a bright, star-like object moving east. It stopped abruptly, pulsated with a bluish cast, and was brighter than most stars. Binocular observation revealed eight lights arranged around a central pulsating light that shifted from red to blue. The object then moved east, made a semi-circle, and moved off southeasterly.
• Case 173 (July 14, 1956, Gary, Indiana): A brilliant stranger was seen high in the southeastern sky for over an hour. Five citizens observed it. August Barnett described it as a beautiful jewel, as big as a full moon, with a bright white light at its center and ruby-like edges.
• Case 174 (July 19, 1956, San Bernardino, California): Michael Savage, a 15-year-old, photographed a disc-shaped object in his backyard. He described it as about 20 feet in diameter, making no noise, and having some apparatus or portholes. It receded rapidly, shrinking as it disappeared within 30 seconds. AF Intelligence officers took the negative for analysis.
• Case 175 (July 22, 1956, San Joaquin Valley, California): Reports surfaced of two mysterious flying objects. One was an oval object emitting a greenish light from its tail. Another was a jet-like craft that reportedly crashed and exploded near Pixley. These incidents occurred about five hours before a reported 'collision' between a C-131D and an unknown object over Pixley.
• Case 176 (July 22, 1956, Sierra region, California): Miss Jane Purcell reported that her friend, Miss Imogene Okes, saw a ball of light with a short pointed tail in the northwest sky. The colors, resembling a bunsen burner, faded from blue to green, yellow, orange, and then a trail of red sparks, forming a cone shape. It was visible for 3-4 seconds, traveling east to west.
• Case 177 (July 28, 1956, Cadillac, Michigan): A brilliant white light was reported, detailed in a previous August UFOrum issue.
• Case 178 (July 30, 1956, Bad Axe, Michigan): Another sighting reported in full in the August UFOrum.
• Case 179 (July 28, 1956, Brentwood, California): The Oakland Tribune reported a three-hour search for a 'sparkling green light' that appeared to land in an orchard. Six residents and a visitor reported seeing the phenomenon. Television reception was temporarily interrupted. Officials at Oakland Airport and Travis AFB stated no planes were in the area.

Flying Objects Over Scotland and Crash Landings

Scotland Radar Sighting

Just before this issue went to press, a report was heard over WOOD-TV about an object, too large to be an airplane, being picked up on radar over Scotland. Radar observers in England were alerted.

Carolina Crash Landing

Two weeks prior, a flying object was reported to have crash-landed in North or South Carolina. While not broadcast, fragments of the report were heard from reliable sources. Rumor suggested a man was injured. This report was allegedly carried on the Dave Garroway TODAY program but did not appear in any newspaper.

Aviation Mysteries

Dr. Duncan Littlefair and Free Speech

This section briefly mentions Dr. Duncan Littlefair, a preacher whose sermons were removed from airwaves (WGRD) due to complaints from 'bigots'. Another station (WMAX) agreed to air his sermons. Readers are encouraged to write to WMAX to support free speech.

Secret Jet Missing

An AP report from April 6, 1956, details a search for a top-secret Lockheed jet plane, designated U2, that went missing over Nevada during an experimental high-altitude test flight to determine its adaptability for extended weather reconnaissance.

Mysterious Plane Crash in Colombia

An excerpt from a Peter R. Clapper News Broadcast (March 10, 1957) discusses the wreckage of a plane missing since March 9, 1957, with 15 people aboard, spotted in the mountains of Western Colombia. Searchers noted a magnetic field or possible radioactivity in the Andes may have caused the crash, as compasses whirled 180° off normal.

#### The 'Star Dust' Mystery

Harold T. Wilkins' book, "Flying Saucers on the Attack," is cited regarding the British South American Airways' plane 'Lancastrian Star Dust,' which vanished over the Andes on August 2, 1947. The plane sent a final message at 5:41 p.m. stating its arrival time, followed by the word "STENDEC" repeated twice. The Chilean Air Force operator did not understand the word. Despite extensive searches, the plane and its crew of 5 plus 6 passengers were never found. The pilot, Capt. R.J. Cook, had been warned about bad weather over the Andes. Aboard was a British King's Messenger. Ex-police superintendent Askew suggested sabotage, but noted it didn't explain the cryptic "STENDEC" signal.

Organizational News

Michigan Flying Saucer Federation Meeting

The Michigan Flying Saucer Federation (MFSF) met on March 16, 1957, in Grand Rapids. Delegates from various flying saucer clubs attended. The meeting's first order of business was to decide on supporting the newly reorganized National Investigation Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP). Most groups pledged support and intended to join NICAP. The discussion also centered on adopting new policies for MFSF, but no new policy was adopted, and the Federation continued under its existing policies. A tentative meeting was set for late April in Lansing, and the Interplanetary Foundation offered to host a convention in Detroit in June, which would include a picnic and a saucer lecturer.

Saginaw Forming Saucer Club

Mr. Joseph L. Wagner is organizing a saucer club in the Saginaw-Bay City area and is seeking interested individuals to help form the group.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFORUM consistently highlights the unexplained and the mysterious, particularly concerning UFO sightings and alleged alien interactions. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and reporting of these phenomena, often questioning official explanations and suggesting the possibility of cover-ups or suppressed information. The magazine actively solicits reader contributions and encourages engagement with the topic. Themes of government secrecy, the limitations of conventional explanations, and the potential for advanced extraterrestrial intelligence are recurrent throughout the articles. The inclusion of aviation mysteries alongside UFO reports suggests a broader interest in unexplained aerial events.