Uranus - 1956 - Vol 03 No 3 - Whole No 15

Magazine Overview

Title: URANUS FLYING SAUCERS
Issue: Vol. 3, No.3
Date: December, 1956
Publisher: MARKHAM HOUSE PRESS LTD.
Country: United Kingdom
Editor: DAVID WIGHTMAN

This issue of "URANUS FLYING SAUCERS" from December 1956, edited by David Wightman, features a range of articles exploring UFO phenomena, including critical examinations of prominent figures and detailed accounts of alleged sightings.

Articles

The Song of the Spaceman, by John Pitt (Page 42)

This is a poem presented as a monologue from a "man from Space" who is an "honest carpet-bagger" selling "Wisdom" and "Hope." The persona describes himself as a pedlar making a living, using "Space soap" and "Stardust enterprize." He claims to have come from Atlantis and made "a billion C" over "ten thousand years of salesmanship." The poem adopts a cynical and boastful tone, with the spaceman warning Earthlings to "hide away your money" as he intends to "get you done" unless they show "commonsense." The poem concludes with a playful "(with no apologies to anybody!)" and a festive greeting from the editor and publishers wishing readers a "VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS" and a "HAPPY NEW YEAR," hoping for many sightings and contacts.

Adamski - The Last Nail? (Pages 43-45)

This extensive article critically examines the claims of George Adamski, a well-known UFO contactee. The author presents evidence suggesting that Adamski's books, particularly "Flying Saucer from Other Worlds" (FSHL) and a second book, were "ghosted," meaning written by others. The article cites extracts from letters exchanged between individuals identified as "C.L.J." and Mr. Lonzo Dove, dating from May 1952 to July 1953. These letters reveal concerns about the handling of Adamski's publicity and the "prosaic" nature of his story. C.L.J. expresses a desire for anonymity but indicates involvement in "helping" with Adamski's story and another book.

Further evidence comes from a Mr. Art Jaffray, who claims that photos of Adamski's "scoutship" were checked with Dr. La Paz and the director of Palomar Observatory, who deemed them "not genuine." The article highlights discrepancies in dates and descriptions provided by Adamski, particularly regarding the "scoutship" from the November 20th, 1952, contact. Adamski described the craft as 20ft in diameter in a letter dated December 1st, 1952, but a photo from the "Phoenix Gazette" dated January 25th, 1953, allegedly taken at the landing, is discussed. The article also mentions that the word "scout" was not used in the "Phoenix Gazette" article. C.L.J. reportedly had another, clearer picture of a saucer that was not printed, with the editor speculating it might have been "TOO clear."

The article also discusses Adamski's lectures on tape, obtained by the "Wigan & District F.S. Group." The editor and Mr. Harold Hill, an amateur astronomer, analyzed the tape and sent comments and questions to America, but received no answers from Adamski. The lectures themselves are described as "poor, very poor," leading to the conclusion that Adamski was "uneducated, almost illiterate." Gray Barker is quoted as agreeing that Adamski impresses many as "grossly unlettered." The article concludes that hardly anyone is now outspoken in direct support of Adamski, and unless new facts emerge, the "Adamski Saga" must be considered finished. The editor notes that G.A. has been given opportunities to defend himself but has failed to do so.

Encounter in South Africa, by Edgar Sievers (Pages 46-48)

This article details an alleged encounter experienced by Mrs. Elizabeth Klarer, a music teacher and horsewoman from Johannesburg. She claims that in April of the current year, a "saucer pilot craft" rested on a hilltop in Natal, and she spent the day with "men from Venus." Mrs. Klarer offers circumstantial evidence and states her experience confirms aspects of George Adamski's accounts. The contact reportedly occurred on a farm in the foothills of the Drakensberge Range, near where she grew up. Saucer and carrier ships had reportedly been seen in the area for three to four years.

On April 7th, Mrs. Klarer walked to a hilltop and saw a ship with a wide, flattened dome resting on three-wheeled landing gear. A man, who later identified himself as a Venusian, was waiting. He helped her into the craft, and they departed without perceptible movement. A second man piloted the ship. Inside, they relaxed on comfortable benches and observed through "centre lenses." Refreshments were served, and Mrs. Klarer experienced a sense of joy and wonderment. A carrier ship was observed hovering high in the atmosphere.

The craft returned her to the hilltop late in the afternoon. The taller of the two men, described with masculine features and heavy eyebrows, warned her that her son David had developed throat trouble, which proved true upon her return home. Mrs. Klarer believes her inner development facilitated this encounter. She had previously seen the same saucer on December 27th, 1954, hovering in front of her, but was too bewildered to approach it, and it disappeared. Since then, she had hoped for a return of the opportunity, developing a "trans-sensorial link."

On July 17th, during winter holidays, she felt a premonition and went to an elevation behind the house. A saucer, matching the previous description, appeared from the clouds, stayed for over an hour, and flew around her. She managed to take two clear photographs, while others were blurred due to the object's movement. The article notes that no one could object to the photos, and the "hub-cap" explanation for blurred images was dismissed as impossible given the craft's shape.

The article concludes by enumerating points in Mrs. Klarer's favor: 1) While direct proof is lacking, circumstantial evidence is strong. 2) The link facilitating the contact is described as "definitely not a psychic one." 3) Many who know her intimately attest to her truthfulness and integrity. 4) Her experience substantiates many of Adamski's claims. The authors conclude that her claims are genuine and suggest that if accepted, it would be difficult to doubt the existence of beings from other planets.

A British Naval Sighting Comes to Light (Pages 49-50)

This report, originally published in "Speyerer Tagespost," details a sighting by three British submarines returning to Plymouth after manoeuvres off the Bristol Channel. Commander Captain Chelwan reported seeing "Flying Saucers" floating on the sea approximately 11 nautical miles south of Lundy Island and managed to take two photographs. The research organization for U.F.O.'s, formed a year prior and attached to the Admiralty, confiscated the films for study.

Before the official order was imposed, a newspaper man interviewed Captain Chelwan. He described surfacing near Lundy Island and noticing two "silvery discs floating on the sea." Initially mistaking them for a light reflection, he and his engineer then heard a buzzing sound. Using binoculars, they observed the objects, which were shaped like discs, slightly elevated in the middle, with no windows or apertures. The elevated middle portion was stationary, while the flat outer portion rotated slowly. They estimated the objects to be approximately 100ft across, with the middle portion being about one-tenth of the disc's diameter.

Captain Chelwan stated that he and his crew were "very much surprised" and that the "whole show" lasted only 80 seconds, making a sober judgment difficult. The objects' origin was a puzzle, and they seemed "technically far above anything we knew." He thought they were Flying Saucers and intended to pursue them, but the buzzing sound intensified, and the two discs mounted horizontally, turned sideways at about 300 ft, and disappeared in twenty seconds at an estimated speed of 2,000 m.p.h. A reddish glow surrounded the objects. The Admiralty declared the sighting serious and that its evaluation would take time.

Officialdom - Complacency! (Page 50)

This short piece describes a visit by the editor and Mr. John Pitt to the Air Ministry in London on April 21st of the current year. The purpose was to obtain official information concerning UFO sightings that were not easily explained by conventional means. The article notes that previous attempts, as evidenced in an earlier issue of URANUS (June, Vol. 2, No. 6), yielded little satisfaction, with explanations like "long toy balloons" and "meteors" being offered. The report that appeared in the magazine was deliberately "mild," with the editor suggesting a more critical write-up would have better represented their reactions. The visit sought information on a dozen or so "apparently authentic" sighting reports.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation and skepticism surrounding UFO phenomena. The magazine appears to adopt a critical stance towards widely publicized UFO claims, particularly those of George Adamski, by presenting evidence that suggests his accounts may be fabricated or exaggerated. Simultaneously, it provides detailed reports of alleged sightings, such as the one in South Africa and the British naval encounter, treating them with a degree of seriousness while also acknowledging the need for corroborating evidence. The article on "Officialdom - Complacency!" highlights a frustration with the lack of transparency and satisfactory explanations from official bodies regarding UFO reports, suggesting a desire for more open investigation and less dismissive attitudes. The overall editorial stance seems to be one of critical inquiry, balancing skepticism with an openness to unexplained phenomena and a call for greater official accountability.

This issue of URANUS, dated 1956, delves into various UFO sightings and the perceived lack of transparency from official sources, particularly the Air Ministry. The publication appears to be a UK-based magazine focused on UFO phenomena.

Critiques of Official Explanations

The issue opens by referencing the "Brazier incident" (October 1955), the "Coniston Sighting," and a sighting by R.A.F. fighter pilot Flt.Lt. Salandin (October 1954), noting that these have been investigated, some by the Air Ministry (A.M.) themselves. The editor expresses frustration that despite promises from the Air Ministry spokesman to provide facts, no information has been forthcoming, even after a reminder was sent.

The article then "exposes" two "wrong explanations" given by the A.M. spokesman regarding two further sightings. The first is the Portuguese Airlines "Skymaster" incident (May 24, 1955), where the crew described a long, cigar-shaped object the color of polished aluminum that "flashed past under the nose of our aircraft at a terrific speed." The A.M.'s explanation was that it was a "long toy balloon," which the author and others find laughable. Professor Filmer is quoted as saying anyone calling such an object a "long toy balloon" would be a "fool and a liar." A student from Leeds University further elaborated on the impossibility of a balloon moving at such speeds relative to the aircraft.

The second "false explanation" concerns "The Thing which Blazed over Britain" (March 24, 1955). The A.M. claimed this was a meteor, but the article presents a letter from the Royal Greenwich Observatory dated May 25, 1956, stating they had no observations of the object and could not confirm it was a meteor. This leads the author to conclude the A.M. is caught in a misstatement.

Government Secrecy and Media Role

The author suggests that authorities have "clamped down very firmly on the subject" in the UK, possibly benefiting from "official's mistakes in America." The article mentions Captain Ruppelt's book "The Report on the U.F.O." and a "juicy little sentence" within it that suggests liaison between the UK A.M. and other countries, despite the A.M. spokesman denying such liaison in an interview. Evidence cited includes two R.A.F. officers visiting the Pentagon with questions about Flying Saucers.

The magazine calls for readers to be less complacent, noting that "Saucerology" is "fast earning the insidious title of a 'cult'." It urges readers to contribute their thoughts and observations to the magazine, emphasizing that their input is vital and that the editor is actively seeking information.

Book Reviews

"They Know Too Much About F.S." by Gray Barker

This review of Gray Barker's book, published in New York in 1956, highlights its "new phase of Ufology." Barker, the humorist who edits "The Saucerian," is praised for his "extremely readable and fluid style." The book's theme is "Intimidation," featuring "grim agents of the Silence Group" and the "Flatwoods Monster." It mentions figures like Al Bender, Dom Lucchesi, August C. Roberts, and James W. Moseley. The reviewer notes a subtle suggestion that the "S-men" might be "literally 'right out of this world'" and that investigators like Al Bender, "Smallwood," John E. Stuart, and Doreen A. Wilkinson have experienced "pressure" and been "badly scared."

"Report on the U.F.O." by E.J. Ruppelt

The review of Edward J. Ruppelt's book, former Head of Project Blue Book, describes it as an "official account of reports of sightings." Ruppelt, who studied over 4,500 reports, poses questions about the nature of UFOs but, according to the reviewer, does not provide answers. The book is noted for its factual reporting rather than a consolidated opinion. Ruppelt's own views are that UFOs are not from other planets and there's no evidence of them being "superterrestrial." He believes many reports are due to hoaxes, science fiction, publicity-seeking, or misidentification, with only a small percentage being credible. The reviewer agrees with Ruppelt's skepticism about extraterrestrial origins, stating, "I remain as unconvinced as before that any of the U.F.O.'s have come from outer space."

"The Truth About 7th November"

This is a condensed report about a hoax involving "tape recorded messages." It details the alleged actions of Dick Miller, who claimed to be watching from a saucer. The story traces Miller's involvement with various groups and his attempts to create electronic machines for receiving "saucer messages," which reportedly did not work. The "Solar Cross Foundation" is mentioned in relation to these tape recordings, which allegedly used music from Gustaf Holst's "Planetary Suite" and led to a copyright infringement suit. The author dismisses these tape recordings as a "farce" and advises readers to disregard them.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critique of official explanations for UFO phenomena, the perceived secrecy and lack of transparency from authorities like the Air Ministry, and the role of researchers and the media in disseminating information. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards official narratives and a call for greater openness and reader engagement in the study of UFOs. The magazine encourages readers to actively participate by submitting their observations and thoughts, aiming to counter complacency within the UFO community.