AFU 19720000 Vimana no 4

Magazine Overview

VIMANA, issue number 4 from 1972, is a Finnish publication by Interplanetistit ry (Interplanetisterna r.f.). The magazine serves as a member journal, published four times a year, dedicated to researching and disseminating information about 'flying saucers'. The issue features Aili Nurmiaho as editor-in-chief and P. Teerikorpi as editorial secretary. The annual membership fee is 15 Finnish Marks.

Kymmenvuotistaipaleelta (On a Decade's Journey)

This section reflects on the history of UFO interest in Finland, noting that news and amateur reports about UFO sightings had been present in Finnish media since 1947. It mentions the 'Lentolautasliitto' (Flying Saucer League) and the publishing company 'Kustannusosakeyhtiö Vimana', which published Finnish translations of UFO works by George Adamski, Desmond Leslie, and Daniel W. Fry in 1962. Following a lecture at the University of Helsinki on November 21, 1962, a group of enthusiasts met to found Interplanetistit r.y. – Interplanetisterna r.f. The association's statutes state its purpose is to research and collect information on objects called 'flying saucers', disseminating this through publications and organizing lectures and discussions, acting as a link for hobbyists and interplanetists across the country. The association is explicitly non-political.

Yhdistyksen historia (History of the Association)

The first board of the association included Arvi Merikallio as chairman, Jaakko Kukkonen as vice-chairman, Joel Rehström as secretary, Ilpo Koskinen as technical expert, and Brita Lagerblad as treasurer. The article highlights the significant growth of UFO interest in Finland since the association's founding, with the organization playing a key role in spreading information. They distributed observation forms, conducted on-site investigations, collected press clippings, organized public lectures, and provided information to the press and educational institutions. Vimana published the journal 'Lentolautaslehti' from 1964 to 1966 and has published the member journal 'Vimana' four times annually since 1967. The membership has grown from a few dozen to nearly eight hundred, with local clubs established across the country. Several independent UFO research groups are also mentioned, such as POLIJOIS-SUOMEN UFO-TUTKIMUS ry. in Oulu and TURUN UFO ry. in Turku. The article lists the chairmen of the association over the years: Arvi Merikallio (1962-1965), Ilpo Koskinen (1965-1970), Tapani Kuningas (1970-1972), and the current chairman, Jarl Lund.

HAVAINTO-Ilmoituksia (Sighting Reports)

This section details several UFO sightings:

• October 27, 1972: A light phenomenon was observed moving in the sky around midnight over Korpilahti, Kankaanpää, Pomarkku, Jämijärvi, Lavia, Ikaalinen, and Mäntyluoto. In Korpilahti, a loss driver reported a bright light with a tail that condensed into a star-like object and descended, becoming larger than the full moon before disappearing behind trees. In Röyhiö, Ikaalinen, a farmer observed a bright ball of light hovering about 200-300 meters above an abandoned house, moving back and forth. In Honkaskoski, Pomarkku, a group witnessed a bright object falling to the ground with a visible tail. In Niinisalo, a duty soldier reported a light moving horizontally in the sky.
• October 7, 1972: A witness walking their dog described a bright, self-luminous object descending rapidly like a falling leaf, oscillating, and disappearing over the forest edge. The object was described as having a tail and was visible for about three minutes.
• General Observation: A student from Lammilla reported an object whose brightness surpassed the moon, emitting a bright beam towards the ground. The object moved rapidly and was described as reddish, leaving a smoke cloud.

Kansan Suusta (From the People's Mouth)

This section presents anecdotal accounts from a Finnish dialect book, 'Suomen Kansan Murrekirja', describing unusual aerial phenomena.

• One account describes a bright light in the sky during a childhood autumn evening, unlike lightning or thunder, which was visible for a short time. The witness was young at the time, around the age of confirmation.
• Another account from a rural setting describes a sudden, intense light that illuminated the entire room as if it were daytime. The witnesses, including children, initially thought it was a 'valkeenvaara' (a type of atmospheric phenomenon), but looking outside, they saw a bright light in the sky. They were terrified, believing it to be the end of the world.
• A third account describes a large, round object appearing in the sky, moving towards a lake before disappearing. The witnesses were unsure what it was, with some suggesting it might have been a meteor.

CONDOIN KOMITEA SISÄLTÄ NÄHTYNÄ (The Condon Committee Seen from Within)

This is a review of the book "UFOs? YES!" by David R. Saunders and R. Roger Harkins, published in 1968. The review discusses the Condon Committee's UFO investigation, commissioned by the U.S. Air Force and led by physicist Edward U. Condon at the University of Colorado. Saunders, a psychologist and a member of the committee, later wrote this book detailing his experiences and criticisms.

The review highlights several key points:

• Background: The book covers the public events and secret investigations leading to the University of Colorado taking on the UFO research task after other institutions declined. The Air Force's motivation and the financial terms offered to the university are discussed.
• Saunders's Role and Criticisms: Saunders was one of five psychologists on the project. He recounts the committee's struggle to define the scope of scientific UFO research and the debate around the ETI (Extraterrestrial Intelligence) hypothesis. Saunders defended the possibility of proving the ETI hypothesis, while his colleague Michael Wertheimer argued for categorizing unexplained reports as 'miscellaneous phenomena'.
• The 'Trick Memo': A significant event mentioned is a memo written by Robert Low, the committee's liaison, in August 1966. This memo, intended to manage the university's image, suggested presenting the project as an objective investigation to the public while internally portraying the researchers as 'non-believers' trying to find nothing. This memo was discovered by some committee members and later shared with NICAP, leading to Saunders and plasma physicist Norman Levine being dismissed by Condon in February 1968, ostensibly for incompetence.
• The Ubatuba Case: The review details Saunders's examination of the Ubatuba, Brazil, UFO incident from 1957, where alleged flying saucer fragments were recovered. Analysis of these fragments, particularly by Brazilian laboratories and later the FBI, indicated a high percentage of pure magnesium, suggesting an unusual composition. Saunders considered this case significant.
• Condon's Involvement: Edward U. Condon's direct involvement in the actual research is described as minimal, with most communication happening through Robert Low. Condon himself expressed skepticism about UFO research, suggesting the government should abandon the effort.
• Methodology and Hypotheses: The committee's work involved case studies, including the Great Falls incident (1950) and the Ubatuba incident (1957). The review notes that the final report did not include the statistical analyses performed by Saunders using computer data. The book also touches upon the difficulty of proving or disproving the ETI hypothesis, with Hynek criticizing the committee's focus on it.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly supports the investigation of UFO phenomena and the dissemination of information to the public. It highlights the activities of the Finnish UFO research association, Interplanetistit ry, and its role in documenting sightings. The critical review of the Condon Committee's work suggests a stance that is skeptical of official, potentially biased, investigations and emphasizes the importance of open, scientific inquiry. The magazine appears to lean towards the belief that UFOs represent a genuine phenomenon worthy of serious study, as evidenced by the detailed reporting of sightings and the critical analysis of research projects.

This issue of VIMANA, dated November 16, 1972, is volume 17 and appears to be a Finnish-language publication focused on UFO phenomena and related unexplained events. The cover prominently features the headline "KAKSI OUTOA UFOA NETTA" (Two Strange UFOs Spotted).

Articles and Reports

UFO Sighting in Sköldvik

The issue details a sighting that occurred in Sköldvik, Finland, on the night of November 16, 1972. Approximately thirty men, including refinery workers, dockworkers, and other personnel, witnessed two strange, egg-shaped objects in the sky. The objects were described as moving silently and being red in color. They were observed moving high in the sky, appearing around 10 PM and disappearing around 3 AM. The witnesses reported that the objects were red and moved closer to each other at times. The sighting was significant as it reportedly caused many of the witnesses to stop scoffing at UFO stories.

The Teleportation Case of Adelino Roque

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the case of Adelino Roque, a 25-year-old illiterate farmer from Brazil. The report, referencing an article by Gordon Creighton in FSR (Vol. 17, No. 5, 1972), describes Roque's alleged teleportation event. On April 20, 1969, while visiting his uncle near Itaicú, Roque reportedly experienced a strange light that caused him to enter a hypnotic state. He felt himself being pulled upwards and lost consciousness. He awoke the next morning on the bank of an unknown river, 250 kilometers away, with no memory of how he got there or what happened to his horse, which was later found at home. Roque was described as being disoriented and frightened, with altered physical features, including a red complexion and changed facial structure, which later returned to normal. His father noted a change in his son's demeanor, describing him as restless and lacking interest in his usual work. The case gained attention from Brazilian authorities, including the air force, and local police initially suspected Roque had fabricated the story. However, his uncle suggested that something inexplicable had indeed happened to Adelino.

Later, on May 12th, Adelino reportedly reappeared at the home of his relatives, Alcino Francisco Raimundo and his wife, claiming he wanted to die. He entered the house with his nephew, and Adelino died instantly. His nephew's condition was critical, and she later died in the hospital. The cause of Adelino's death was officially undetermined, though rumors of poisoning circulated. Authorities later requested permission to exhume Adelino's body.

The article notes similarities between the Roque case and other reported incidents, such as those involving Morro do Vintem and Antonio Villas Boas.

Book Reviews and References

The magazine references two key books in the field of ufology: J. Allen Hynek's "The UFO Experience" (1972) and "Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects" (1969) by Saunders. The author, P. Teerikorpi, notes that Saunders' book offers valuable insights into fieldwork and the concept of 'remarkability' while also acknowledging the human element and difficulties in such research.

Collected Quotes and Observations

The issue includes a section titled "POIMINTOJA VIMANAN LEHDILTÄ" (Excerpts from VIMANA Magazines), featuring various quotes and observations related to UFOs and related phenomena:

• The Sanskrit word "vimana" is explained as meaning 'to measure or travel a distance,' 'sky chariot,' 'flying vehicle,' or 'flying palace.'
• A quote from "Michel" suggests that in ufology, one should be open to believing anything.
• A description of a tropical forest becoming unnaturally silent, with the absence of insect sounds, is presented.
• A statement posits that the UFO phenomenon, whether physical or psychological, presents a challenge to science.
• A personal anecdote about mistaking a light for an airplane.
• A reference to statistical methods used in Colorado University research.
• A note that Condon's report did not mention statistical analyses.
• A quote about a gynecologist preventing someone from leaving to watch a UFO.
• A suggestion that ball lightning might be the origin of some UFO reports.
• A personal testimony stating an experience was as real as anything else in life.
• A statement about Earth's biology being our only known biology.

Local UFO Clubs

A list of local UFO clubs across Finland is provided, including contact information for clubs in Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Kemi, Kotka, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Mikkeli, Nurmijärvi, Pori, Savonlinna, Seinäjoki, Tampere, and Vaasa.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings, unexplained phenomena, and alleged encounters with extraterrestrial or unusual beings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting case studies and observations without necessarily endorsing specific theories but encouraging reader engagement and scientific investigation. The inclusion of book reviews and collected quotes suggests an effort to contextualize reported events within broader ufological discourse and scientific challenges.