Vimana - Vol 01 No 04 - 1955

Magazine Overview

Title: The Vimana
Issue Date: March 15, 1955
Volume: Volume One, Number One
Publisher: Flying Saucer Council of America
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of "The Vimana," the official publication of the Flying Saucer Council of America (FSCA), marks the formation of this new organization dedicated to the educational dissemination of information regarding UFOs, or 'Saucers.' The magazine's title, "Vimana," is explained as Sanskrit for 'Boat of the Air.'

Flying Saucer Council of America Formed!

The formation of the FSCA is a direct result of the success of the Ande Vail production film, "We've Seen the Saucers!" The film's premiere at the Detroit Institute of Arts was so popular that it turned away over 200 people. Henry Maday, President of the Detroit Flying Saucer Club (DFSC), and George Hunt Williamson, an honorary director, have teamed up to establish the FSCA. Their primary goal is to educate the public about the 'Saucer message' through gradual steps across various communities.

The Council's first project is to take Mr. Vail's film on a road tour. Grand Rapids hosted a screening on February 11th to over 1000 appreciative attendees. The team is also preparing for a showing in Saginaw, Michigan, on February 16th, in cooperation with the SAUCER SENTINEL, whose editor, David Opperman, is the Chairman.

Henry Maday and 'Ric' Williamson believe the film is a crucial introductory tool for advancing the Saucer narrative. They aim to present the story without prejudice or imaginative embellishment, focusing on the thoroughness and candor of the evidence presented, including testimony from radar technicians and an airline pilot. The film's authenticity is further supported by a documentary letter from Mr. Vail, addressing claims that the object depicted is merely a 'sailor's hat' or 'ping-pong ball.' The erratic flight patterns observed are seen as evidence of its unconventional nature, drawing parallels to Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting of nine erratic Saucers.

Future plans for the FSCA include enlarging "The Vimana," which is now co-edited by George Hunt Williamson, and developing a TV broadcast to dramatize the 'real Flying Saucer Story' from a human interest perspective, moderated by a prominent commentator. They are also planning a second film to follow "We've Seen the Saucers!" The DFSC's efforts in Detroit have already garnered national attention, with coverage in over 150 newspapers.

Latest Saucer Sightings

This section, written by George Hunt Williamson, details recent UFO reports. Earl Nightingale, a TV personality, reported an incident where a commentator aboard a plane with 61 passengers observed several Saucers trailing their aircraft. The pilot radioed ahead, and upon landing, passengers were reportedly approached by FBI agents and told not to discuss the sighting, citing 'Security.'

In New Zealand, thousands reportedly witnessed a silver, cigar-shaped craft emitting a dazzling light and traveling at high speed. This sighting coincided with a mystery explosion that shook the west coast, with observers at various points seeing the strange silver shape overhead. The object reportedly lost altitude and moved inland towards the Southern Alps. The explosion was felt over several hundred square miles, and no official explanation has been provided.

Major Fault Lines of the World

This article, accompanied by a map, discusses the major fault lines of the Earth and their connection to seismic activity. It posits that the Earth is entering a new area of the Universe, subjecting these fault lines to increased strain. The article suggests that atomic bomb experiments are accentuating an already weakened condition, though they are not the primary cause of present disasters. The author notes that when pressure is applied to a crack in the Earth, it can worsen or collapse.

The article criticizes the government's choice of sparsely populated areas in the southwestern USA (New Mexico and Nevada) for atomic bomb testing, as these are dangerous fault line areas. It also points out a correlation between atomic bomb testing and the observation of strange sun spots on the sun by astronomers.

Further, the article draws a pattern between sightings of Saucers or 'fireballs' and impending natural disasters. Examples include sightings before the Ionian Island disaster, the Algerian quake, the Seattle exploding light, Italian floods, and French floods. The author suggests that these 'scanning devices' of Saucers are checking dangerous fault areas, possibly to evacuate populations to safer zones, and that they are here as friends. The article concludes that while the world will not end, significant physical, mental, and spiritual changes can be expected.

TV Broadcast Over WJBK with DFSC Leaders

This section reports on a TV broadcast featuring Baird Wallace and Henry Maday from the DFSC on Bob Murphy's Breakfast Club Program. They defended the UFO picture against challenges from two eminent Rocket Professors from the University of Michigan. Due to the interest generated, they were invited back for a second segment. The article also expresses gratitude to Mrs. Juliana Dobrash for bringing Bob Murphy's interest in the subject to their attention.

Meet COL. JOHN D. CRAIG

This segment introduces Colonel John D. Craig, who presents a realistic view of the Atomic program. His program, featuring high-speed photography, is described as offering interpretive material from his observations. The article highlights the creative potential of atomic energy, contrasting it with the often-discussed disastrous aspects. Colonel Craig's background as a deep-sea diver, Army photographer, and World Adventurer is mentioned, along with his book "Danger is My Business."

"I AM HOMESICK."

This is a poem by Ernest Crosby expressing a longing for an idealized land of equality, freedom, and horizontal human connection, suggesting the author feels out of place in the current world.

Ralph Waldo Emerson and Conscience

This section recounts a statement by Ralph Waldo Emerson, who left the Unitarian Church due to his conscience. When questioned by a Bishop about whether his worship was of the devil, Emerson replied that he would follow it gladly if it were, for the joy it brought him. This is used to illustrate a point about following inner guidance.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine strongly advocates for the reality of UFOs and promotes the educational mission of the Flying Saucer Council of America. The editorial, by Henry Maday, addresses 'contempt' from those who dismiss UFOs as demonic phenomena, contrasting literal-minded fundamentalism with a more universal spiritual understanding. The publication appears to align with a worldview that sees UFOs as potentially benevolent visitors and seeks to counter skepticism with evidence and reasoned discussion. There is a clear interest in exploring the intersection of science, spirituality, and unexplained phenomena, as seen in the articles on fault lines, atomic energy, and philosophical reflections.

The overall stance is one of open inquiry into UFOs, with a critical perspective on established authorities and a belief in the importance of individual conscience and spiritual understanding. The magazine also touches upon broader themes of global geological instability and the potential impact of human activities like atomic testing.

This document, likely an issue of a UFO-focused publication, contains a statement from the Detroit Flying Saucer Club (DFSC) and details on a purported Mexican Saucer Landing from 1949, presented as verifiable from multiple sources. It also includes information about an upcoming West Coast Space Convention.

A Statement and a Clarification: Detroit Flying Saucer Club The first section is a statement from the Detroit Flying Saucer Club, reflecting on the past eight months of their activities. They describe their mission as serving UFO enthusiasts and interpreting the phenomenon of interterrestrial spacecraft interacting with Earth. The club acknowledges experiencing numerous vicissitudes and rapid growth, leading to complexities and conflicts of ideas. Despite delays, they have attempted to establish a foundation in Detroit, believing they serve a worthwhile purpose. The statement discusses the possibility of reorganization to expand the club's scope and emphasizes the importance of neighborhood group discussions. It expresses a belief that members are being used as instruments to condition consciousness, preparing for a potential mass landing of 'Space-friends' and the need to help stabilize the unprepared.

Mexican Saucer Landing of 1949 Appears Verifiable This section presents three examples intended to verify a saucer landing in Mexico in 1949.

Prime Example No. 1: Ernest Grates, an automobile dealer, reported hearing a special newscast from Mexico City while driving in 1949. The broadcast described a saucer landing in the outskirts, with authorities attempting to access the craft. The reporter noted the difficulty in penetrating the saucer's hard surface, even with blow-torches. She also observed several "smallish" men slumped over, apparently unconscious or dead. The newscast promised further updates, but none followed.

Example No. 2: An article in the Detroit Times on March 10, 1949, quoted Ray L. Dimmick, a Los Angeles businessman. Dimmick claimed to have inspected the wreckage of a flying saucer that had crashed near Mexico City. He stated he was escorted to a secret, heavily guarded military installation near Mexico City by Mexican business associates. Dimmick described the saucer as 46 feet in diameter. Mexican officials and scientists reportedly believed the saucer was from Mars or another planet. He was told by Mexican officials that the pilot was a "strange type of man" only 23 inches tall and was killed in the crash in hilly country near the capital. Dimmick added that U.S. military and government officials also inspected the saucers.

Apocryphal insertions This subsection poses a question about whether the same saucer was then carefully wrapped, hoisted onto army conveyor trucks, and transported with heavy escort to Wright-Patterson Air Base in Dayton, with several sources reportedly believing so. It mentions that fields were crossed day and night to avoid large cities and main traffic arteries.

Example No. 3: During a Flying Saucer Council program in Saginaw, Michigan, "Ric" Williamson and Henry Maday met a photographer. The photographer recounted a story his son, stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Base around the same period (1949), told him. The son reported seeing a huge semi-truck with heavily canopied material of immense size enter the air base. No one seemed to know its origin, but it was shortly driven to a far hangar (possibly No. 27) with no visible windows or doors. The grapevine suggested it was a saucer, but no official statement was made.

The DFSC and FSCA state that this is all they know about the subject, but it offers more than speculative evidence. Frank Scully's book "Behind the Flying Saucers" is mentioned as relating this or a similar episode, and George Adamski reportedly certifies the incident as likely factual. The publication asks for further substantiation.

Neighborhood Group Activity Harry Brown, a neighborhood group leader in Zone 38, is planning a meeting on Friday, February 28th, to play Daniel W. Fry tapes. The publication expresses support for this initiative.

West Coast Space Convention March 12th This section announces the upcoming West Coast Space Convention in California on March 12th, to be held at Giant Rock for two days. It is under the joint auspices of George Adamski and George Van Tassel and promises an interesting program. "Ric" Williamson is mentioned as a speaker, representing Detroit and national activities. George Hunt Williamson, a featured writer for VIMANA, will also be present.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes in this document are UFO sightings and landings, particularly focusing on a 1949 incident in Mexico, and the activities and beliefs of UFO enthusiast groups like the Detroit Flying Saucer Club. The editorial stance appears to be one of earnest investigation and belief in the reality of UFO phenomena, presenting anecdotal evidence and personal testimonies as significant. There is a strong emphasis on the potential for extraterrestrial contact and the need for humanity to be prepared. The publication also actively promotes UFO-related events and figures within the community.