Vimana - No 06 - Aout 1969

Magazine Overview

Title: VIMANA
Issue: 6
Date: August 1969
Publisher: C. E. R. E. I. C.

This issue of VIMANA, a French-language magazine focused on UFOs and related phenomena, presents a collection of articles exploring the historical and contemporary aspects of unidentified flying objects and space exploration. The cover prominently features the title 'VIMANA' and the issue details, along with the publisher's logo.

Special: Flying Saucers

The magazine dedicates a significant portion to the topic of flying saucers, with two main articles:

Flying Saucers in the Past by J.-C. Dufour

This section argues that the phenomenon of flying saucers is not a recent occurrence. It traces historical accounts of aerial phenomena, mentioning 'Vimanas' from ancient Indian texts and 'sun chariots' from ancient Egypt. The article then details specific UFO sightings from the mid-20th century:

• 1946: On August 1, Captain J.E. Puckett reported a cigar-shaped object with luminous windows near Tampa, Florida. During the summer of 1946, over 2000 'ghost rockets' or 'fuselage-shaped' unidentified objects were observed in Scandinavia.
• 1945: In March, a US Navy crew reported a metallic object emerging from the ocean near the Aleutian Islands.
• 1944: During World War II, pilots reported encountering small, brilliant discs or luminous spheres, dubbed 'foo-fighters' or 'fire hunters'.
• 1942: On February 26, the Dutch cruiser Tromp observed a large metallic disc performing rapid circles for several hours in the Timor Sea before departing at high speed.

"Apollo XI" and the Cursed Facts by G. Tarade

This article by G. Tarade connects the Apollo XI mission to the broader context of UFOs and potential extraterrestrial contact. It begins by discussing humanity's outward gaze towards space, mentioning NASA's Mariner VI and VII missions and plans for lunar and Martian exploration.

Apollo XI and the Question of Extraterrestrial Visitors:

Tarade reflects on the Apollo XI moon landing, posing the question of how many 'visitors from the Infinite' might have already visited Earth. He views the moon landing as a pivotal moment, signifying a shift in human consciousness and the realization that greater achievements are possible. The article suggests that the Apollo XI mission provided confirmation for those who study Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and offered insights into unknown civilizations.

Two Strange Missions:

The article highlights the concept of telepathic communication between humans and extraterrestrial entities, noting that many witnesses of UFO landings claim to have communicated telepathically. It mentions a secret experiment involving a telepathic transmission mission between the Moon and Earth, referencing a 1958 experiment with the 'Nautilus'.

Why Luna XV?

Tarade discusses the Soviet launch of 'Luna XV' shortly before Apollo XI, suggesting it was a logistical support mission for the American astronauts. He recalls a 1968 Soviet offer to assist the Apollo 8 crew and quotes Frank Borman's desire for Soviet-American cooperation in space. The article notes that Luna XV orbited the Moon with a backup LEM, and speculates that it may have impacted the Moon or entered a solar orbit after its mission.

Towards Other Worlds Facing Unknown Beings:

This section delves into theories about extraterrestrial life. Wernher von Braun is quoted stating his belief in other forms of life in the universe. The article introduces the 'Uranides' theory, attributed to Professor Herman Oberth, which posits that UFOs are piloted by intelligent, plant-based beings from another planet, far more advanced than humans. This theory is supported by research highlighting the structural identity between plant cells and nerve cells.

A Shock Between Two Civilizations:

This part examines the Vatican's stance on extraterrestrial life, referencing an interview in 'LA VIE CATHOLIQUE' and an article in 'L'Osservatore Romano'. The latter suggests humanity is not morally prepared for extraterrestrial contact but must strive for it with concord. The article implies that religious institutions may possess secret knowledge about UFOs and their origins.

The Moon, Key to the Bible: The Quest for the Stones of Selene:

This section explores the idea that the Moon holds secrets related to Earth's prehistory. It discusses the collection of lunar samples by Apollo XI astronauts, particularly the 'glass-like' fragments identified as tectites. The article references Professor Agrest's theory that tectites found on Earth, formed by thermonuclear reactions, could be evidence of extraterrestrial probes or spacecraft. It also touches upon the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as a potential ancient atomic event and the possibility that the Moon itself was an ancient base or relay point, atomized 150 centuries ago.

Other Lunar Mysteries:

This section discusses various unexplained phenomena observed on the Moon, including geometric patterns and luminous phenomena in craters like Platon, Aristarchus, and Littrow. It mentions observations by Robert Curtis of a luminous cross near the 'Parry' crater and NASA's acknowledgment of powerful lunar lights. The article expresses a desire for Armstrong to have found evidence of ancient pottery or tools on the Moon, but notes the limited scope of the exploration. It concludes by quoting Major Patrick Power on the competitive nature of lunar exploration and a poetic reflection by Blaise Cendrars on the roles of celestial bodies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the idea that UFOs are a real and significant phenomenon with a long history, predating modern technology. It links UFO sightings to space exploration, ancient civilizations, and the possibility of extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these mysteries, encouraging readers to consider unconventional theories and to view events like the Apollo XI mission through a broader, potentially extraterrestrial, lens. There is a clear skepticism towards official explanations and a leaning towards speculative, yet scientifically-informed, hypotheses.

This issue, titled "LES SOUPCOUPES VOLANTES DANS LE PASSE (2)" (Flying Saucers in the Past), is part of a series exploring historical accounts of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). It presents a chronological compilation of sightings from various years, primarily focusing on the 19th and 20th centuries, with a few earlier entries.

Historical Sightings

The magazine details numerous UFO observations, often providing the year, location, and a brief description of the event:

• 1935: A metallic, disk-shaped object was observed motionless over Adis-Abeba during the Ethiopian war.
• 1931: Renowned yachtsman and pilot Francis Chichester encountered an aerial vessel shaped like a pearl, emitting intense light flashes, which approached his plane and then disappeared.
• 1926: Explorer Nicholas Roerich and his caravan in Mongolia witnessed a large, metallic, ovoïd object flying at high speed.
• 1916: A bright object was seen in the sky over Ballinasloe, Ireland, for about fifteen minutes, moving northwest, stopping, and then returning to its original position before disappearing vertically.
• 1909: Numerous cigar-shaped objects were reported in New Zealand, both day and night.
• 1905: A bright object was observed in Cornwall, and a luminous disk surrounded by a halo was seen over Cherbourg for several consecutive nights.
• 1904: Three luminous disks flew in formation alongside the American ship Supply, eventually ascending and disappearing into the clouds.
• 1897: Numerous mysterious aerial vessels were reported across the United States. A large flying cigar was seen over Kansas City, Missouri, observed by over 10,000 people, emitting green light flashes before accelerating away.
• 1883: Mexican astronomer Bonilla observed 143 circular objects crossing the solar disk. In the same summer, two luminous globes were seen flying side-by-side in Germany.
• 1880: A member of the French Academy observed a cigar-shaped object from which a smaller luminous disk emerged.
• 1874: A large, luminous, trumpet-shaped object was observed in Oaxaca, Mexico.
• 1833: About a hundred people observed a large, luminous, rectangular object hovering over Niagara Falls for over an hour.
• 1820: A formation of flying saucers traversed the sky over Embrun, France, executing a 90-degree turn at high speed.
• 1777: French astronomer Charles Messier observed several circular objects in the sky.
• 1762: A vast, spindle-shaped object was observed passing in front of the solar disk by Swiss observatories. Monsieur de Rostan in Lausanne observed the object for a month and reportedly took the first photograph of a UFO.
• 1718: Physician Sir Hans Sloane described a bright, pearl-shaped meteor that moved slowly, emitting intense white and blue light, with a diameter similar to the full moon, leaving a reddish, shimmering trail.

Specific Case Studies and Reports

The issue also includes more recent reports and analyses:

• Cannes-La Bocca, France (July 1969): A young girl's dog became agitated, leading her to observe a luminous ball above a rose bush. The object was described as soup-plate sized with horizontal stripes and a vertical black band.
• Alpes-Maritimes, France (July 1969): Madame T. in Nice observed a bright, silver "star" that moved, stopped, returned to its starting point, and then moved rapidly towards the sea.
• Romania (1968): A green, oval-shaped object emitting intense light was observed by the crew of an Ilyoutchine 18 aircraft near Oradea. The object, estimated to be 4 meters in diameter, accelerated to an incredible speed of 10,000 km/h.
• Romania (1967-1968): Ion Hobana, a scientific editor, reports a significant increase in UFO sightings in Romania during these years, calling them frequent and irrefutable.
• Petrila, Romania (November 1967): Farmer Ladislau Schmit witnessed a large silver or aluminum disk hovering and then accelerating rapidly northwest, observed also by workers on a nearby house roof.
• Mont Semenic, Romania (March 1967): Batsa Stefan, chief meteorologist, observed a brilliant conical object that reappeared multiple times over several days, tracked by multiple meteorological stations.
• Near Tulcea, Romania (September 1967): Engineer Valeriu Bitu observed a bright, disk-shaped object, about 7-8 meters in diameter with a reddish edge and a butane-like flame underneath, which hovered before ascending rapidly into the clouds.
• Bucharest, Romania (December 1957): Psychologist Adina Poun observed a luminous, blue-green object resembling a "luminous sea urchin" below the cloud cover.

Statistics and Analysis

The magazine presents statistical data compiled by Jacques Vallée on UFO landing cases worldwide from 1868 to 1968. This analysis covers 923 landing cases, showing France with the highest number (201), followed by the USA (323) and Latin America (162). It also notes that observations are inversely proportional to population density and peak between 9 PM and 4 AM.

A reporter from O.R.T.F. recounts an anonymous encounter in the Var region in 1967 where two bright lights, initially mistaken for truck headlights, passed over his car and ascended towards a mountain. The experience was so shocking it required two months of nerve treatment.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the historical prevalence and global nature of UFO sightings, presented as a continuous phenomenon across centuries. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of these events, treating them as "deconcertantes manifestations des O.V.N.I." (bewildering manifestations of UFOs) rather than dismissing them as mere misidentifications or fabrications. The magazine aims to provide a comprehensive historical record, promising further installments in future issues.