AFU 19690000 Vimana no 1

Magazine Overview

Title: VIMANA
Issue: 1
Volume: 1969
Publisher: Interplanetistit ry (Interplanetisterna rf)
Country: Finland
Language: Finnish
Publication Frequency: Four times a year

This issue of Vimana, a Finnish magazine for UFO enthusiasts, delves into various aspects of UFO research and sightings. It features a comprehensive survey of its members, an analysis of the controversial Condon Committee report, and detailed accounts of UFO encounters.

Editorial and Publisher Information

The magazine is published by Interplanetistit ry, an organization dedicated to studying and sharing information about UFOs. The editor-in-chief is Aili Nurmiaho, and the editorial secretary is P. Teerikorpi. The annual membership fee is 10 Finnish Marks. The publication encourages readers to submit their thoughts, information, and experiences.

UFO Research and Sightings in Finland

The issue highlights recent UFO-related activities in Finland, including media coverage from newspapers and magazines, and television programs discussing UFO phenomena. It notes the publication of translated books on UFOs, enriching the Finnish literature on the subject.

UFO-Tutkimuksen Näkymistä (UFO Research Observations)

This section discusses the growing interest in UFO phenomena in Finland, with various media outlets reporting on sightings and theories. It acknowledges the limited but growing body of Finnish UFO literature and the role of international publications.

Member Survey Results

A detailed survey of Interplanetistit ry members provides insights into their demographics, interests, and beliefs. Key findings include:

• Demographics: The survey, with a 50% response rate, indicates that men are more active in research than women. The majority of members reside in Helsinki and the Uusimaa region.
• Education: Members have varied educational backgrounds, from primary school to university degrees.
• Interest in UFOs: Interest in flying saucers began for most members in the 1960s, with a significant portion developing interest in the 1960-1965 period.
• UFO Literature: Members have read an average of six UFO books, with English-language books being the most common.
• Personal UFO Sightings: Over half of the members claim to have had their own UFO sightings.
• Beliefs: A majority of members believe that Earth is inhabited by humanoids from other planets and that reincarnation is a fundamental aspect of life.

Condon Committee Report Analysis

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the "Colorado UFO Report," also known as the Condon Report. The report, published in the fall of 1966, was the result of a UFO research project at the University of Colorado. The magazine expresses skepticism about the report's objectivity, noting the dismissal of two original research team members, Dr. Saunders and Dr. Levin, who were reportedly more positive about the UFO phenomenon.

• Criticism of the Report: The magazine cites criticisms from NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena), which argues that the report selectively used sighting reports and ignored numerous reliable accounts. NICAP points out that even though 20% of the cases studied were deemed unidentified, Condon did not consider further investigation necessary.
• Key Unidentified Cases: The report identified 17 unidentified cases, including three from astronauts, one photographic case, five radar sightings (four with visual confirmation), and two cases involving electromagnetic effects.
• Conclusion on Condon Report: The magazine concludes that while the Condon Report has generated controversy and may contain interesting material, it has not solved the UFO problem, and the solution is not yet in sight.

Key UFO Incidents and Accounts

• McMinnville, Oregon (May 11, 1950): Mr. and Mrs. Paul Trent witnessed a bright, metallic UFO with a superstructure. The object turned upwards, and witnesses felt heat. The object was described as disk-shaped, metallic, and several tens of meters in diameter. The photos taken were deemed authentic.
• Nivala, Finland (November 16): A strange phenomenon was observed where an object descended, leaving tracks in the snow, and then disappeared. The tracks were approximately 5 meters long, and there was a power outage in the area.
• Nivala, Finland (November 14): Oili Anttila reported seeing a bright, round object descend into a snowy field, leaving two approximately 5-meter-long tracks. The object was described as red in the center and white-glowing at the edges. It caused a temporary power outage.
• Toholammi, Finland (November 15): A fast-moving, reddish light was observed in the sky, distinct from a shooting star.

Theoretical Discussions on UFO Propulsion

The magazine explores theoretical possibilities for UFO propulsion, referencing experiments with magnetic fields and the concept of utilizing space's electromagnetic fields. It touches upon the idea of exceeding the speed of light and the potential for 'hyper-space' travel, linking these concepts to science fiction and the possibility of 'little green men' from Mars.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Vimana reflects a strong interest in UFO phenomena, with a critical yet open approach to research. The magazine actively engages its readership by soliciting their contributions and experiences. There is a clear emphasis on presenting factual accounts and analyzing scientific reports, while also acknowledging the speculative and theoretical aspects of UFO studies. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging further investigation and open-mindedness, particularly in light of the controversies surrounding the Condon Report and the ongoing debate about the nature of UFOs.

This issue of VIMANA, a Finnish publication focused on UFO phenomena, appears to be from 1969, Volume 1, Issue 1. It covers various aspects of UFO research and sightings, including the establishment of local UFO clubs, detailed accounts of specific incidents, and discussions on potential explanations.

Jyväskylän UFO-kerho

The magazine details the founding and development of the Jyväskylä UFO-kerho (UFO Club). It was established on September 26, 1966, with an initial four members. One of the early members, pilot Kari Korppi, tragically died in a plane crash in February 1967. By the autumn of the same year, the club had grown to about 20 members. They initially met in private homes but later moved to a room at Hotel Hospits. By the spring of 1968, the club had 34 active members. The Jyväskylä UFO-kerho operates as a local chapter of the Interplanetistit ry (Interplanetists Association), adhering to its rules. Their public activities included lending UFO books and distributing pamphlets about flying saucers, as well as sending articles to newspapers.

Due to the growing membership, the club sought its own meeting space. The city of Jyväskylä's youth services department assisted by providing a free club room at the bus station. This new location, described as spacious and furnished, is located at Väinönkatu 13 and meetings are held every other Tuesday. The club currently has 46 registered members, with many more participating in activities. A significant portion of the members are students, but nearly half are adults, indicating it is not solely a youth club.

The club boasts a library of 50 UFO-related books, primarily in English and German, with some in Swedish and Finnish. The library was funded through private means, as is the club's overall operation. Small voluntary collections have been held to cover general expenses, as there are no membership fees.

In its early days, the club conducted systematic UFO watch duty. They have visited Tampere for FUFOI events and collaborated with Helsinki, Lappeenranta UFO-66, and Turku UFO in a spirit of cooperation.

The club's meeting format has shifted towards more open discussion since moving to the new location. A challenge faced by the organizers is the limited time available due to members being students.

The Jyväskylä UFO-kerho is also affiliated with AFSCAN (American Flying Saucer Association). Upcoming spring meetings are scheduled for March 25, April 8, April 22, May 6, and May 20, all at 6:15 PM.

'Kellujat' (Floaters)

This section features a letter from a London-based optician responding to an article in Flying Saucer Review concerning an official explanation of a UFO sighting. The letter addresses a case involving Mr. Angus Brook and the Ministry of Defence's explanation that the observed object was a 'musca volitante' (floating flies). These are described as small particles floating in the vitreous humor of the eye.

The optician finds the explanation plausible, noting that Mr. Brooks looking upwards might have caused the floaters to shift on his retina, and that they are more visible against a bright background like the sky. However, he questions the duration of the sighting, stating it's unlikely a floater would remain visible for 20 minutes. He proposes a simple test to eliminate the 'musca volitante' explanation: observe the object with one eye closed, then the other. If the object is seen with both eyes simultaneously, it cannot be a single floater, as two floaters would not occupy the same position in each eye. He suggests all UFO observers perform this test to rule out the floater explanation.

Dino Kraspedon

This article reports on Dino Kraspedon, an author who had previously published a book titled "Men Contacto Com Os Discos Voadores" (My Encounters with Flying Saucers). In August 1968, Kraspedon confessed on Sao Paulo television that his book was entirely fictional. Shortly after, he was arrested in Brazil as a suspected leader of a terrorist group. While it appears he was involved in terrorist activities, his leadership role is questioned. Newspapers extensively covered his confession, with one Sao Paulo newspaper dedicating three pages to the story. Kraspedon's statements are described as imaginative and contradictory, suggesting he is mentally unstable. He allegedly claimed his arrest would have serious consequences for humanity, as Venusians would soon invade Earth to rescue him and his associates.

Lentävä lautanen ajoi takaa brittihävittäjää (Flying Saucer Chased a British Fighter Jet)

This article, originating from a US correspondent for the Sunday Telegraph, details an incident where the British Royal Air Force (RAF) successfully tracked a UFO with radar. The report, published in Washington, states that two RAF Venom fighter jets were scrambled in the summer of 1956 to investigate an object sighted near Lakenheath and Sculthorpe. The object was detected by radar and also visually observed.

The report's conclusion is cautiously worded, acknowledging that while conventional explanations cannot be entirely ruled out, they seem unlikely in this case. The probability that at least one genuine UFO was involved is considered high.

The incident is described in a comprehensive study titled "Scientific Study of Unknown Flying Objects," commissioned by the US Air Force and prepared by Colorado University. While the study's preface attempts to dismiss UFOs, its detailed findings reveal several peculiar and unexplained cases. Most of these are attributed to hoaxes or misinterpretations of natural phenomena, but the Lakenheath case strongly suggests the presence of a visitor from another celestial body.

The event was brought to the researchers' attention by a retired US Air Force officer who was stationed at an American radar base in England at the time. He recounted how a radar operator reported an object moving at approximately 6,500 km/h. Simultaneously, the control tower observed a light phenomenon streaking across the sky. A US C-47 aircraft flying at about 1,500 meters altitude reported a similar light passing below it.

Shortly after, the radar detected a stationary object about 22-30 kilometers away. When tracked, it suddenly moved at speeds between 650-900 km/h, changing positions multiple times in straight lines without altering its speed. These positional changes covered distances of 10-30 kilometers, with no discernible pattern.

After approximately 30-45 minutes of tracking, two RAF fighter jets were dispatched. The pilot of the first jet was directed towards the UFO and reported having it in his sights when about a kilometer away. After a pause, he asked if it was still visible. The UFO then moved so rapidly that it was difficult to track on radar, circling behind the fighter jet. The pilot attempted evasive maneuvers, including climbing, diving, and circling, but the UFO remained close behind, maintaining a consistent distance. The pilot reported that both the aircraft and the UFO were visible as separate points on the radar.

The pilot tried to shake off the UFO for about 10 minutes. The radar station could detect his growing anxiety in his voice. Eventually, the pilot had to return to base due to low fuel. The second fighter jet had returned earlier due to engine trouble.

The UFO was observed following the first jet closely for a short distance before stopping momentarily and then rapidly disappearing from radar range. The article notes that the object's movements were too complex to be explained as meteorites.

US Air Force investigations confirmed the officer's account, with minimal discrepancies from other witnesses. The report from Colorado University does not include evidence collected by the RAF but states that the UFO issue is being handled by a department within the British Ministry of Defence in London. The Ministry reportedly does not consider the investigations to be of "particular urgency."

Summary in English (Nivala Sighting)

On November 14, 1968, an interesting UFO sighting occurred in Nivala, western Finland, at 5 p.m. A 16-year-old young lady named Oili Anttila was fetching water about 70 meters from her home when she saw a strange, bright "star" appear in the sky. It approached and grew brighter, accompanied by a humming sound. The object descended among the trees, about 50 meters from her, causing snow to fall from the treetops and a light breeze to touch her face.

The object was described as bright and round, with a red center and white elsewhere. Everything around the object became very bright. It moved in a straight line without changing color. It landed briefly in the snow, then rose into the sky and disappeared. Notably, at the time of the sighting, lights in nearby houses went out, and later it was discovered that a fuse had blown in the village transformer. As the object ascended, it flew above electric wires, its direction of flight being at a right angle to them.

At the landing site, a round mark was found in the snow, measuring 1 meter in diameter and 10 cm deep. The magazine's representative interviewed Oili Anttila and found her to be a normal young lady.

Local Clubs

A list of local UFO clubs is provided with contact persons:

• Jyväskylä: Erkki Erähonka, P.O. Box 171
• Kemi: Kari Kuure, Urheilukatu 11
• Kotka: Pekka Teerikorpi, Merikatu 4 B
• Lappeenranta: "UFO 66", Tapani Kuningas, Uro kk
• Nurmijärvi: Viljo Penttilä, Nurmijärvi kk.
• Pori: Jarl Lund, Valtakatu 5 D
• Seinäjoki: Runar Smedlund

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the organization and activities of UFO clubs, detailed accounts of specific UFO sightings and encounters, and the investigation into potential explanations for these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO reports, presenting evidence and witness testimonies while also exploring official explanations and debunking attempts. The magazine aims to document and analyze UFO events, providing a platform for discussion and research within the UFO community in Finland and beyond. There is a clear interest in both the scientific investigation of UFOs, as seen in the Lakenheath incident report, and the personal experiences of witnesses, as highlighted in the Nivala sighting.