1953 12 00 Voila No 462

Magazine Overview

Title: VOILA EUROPE MAGAZINE
Issue Date: December 13, 1953
Issue Number: 462
Price: 40 FR.
Cover Headline: DES PREUVES SUR LES SOUCOUPES VOLANTES (Proof of Flying Saucers)
Subtitle: PHOTOS AUTHENTIQUES! (Authentic Photos!)

This issue of VOILA EUROPE MAGAZINE, dated December 13, 1953, features a prominent cover story on flying saucers, promising authentic photographic evidence. The magazine adopts a tone that acknowledges the public's fascination with the phenomenon while also presenting official explanations and various theories.

Article: DES PREUVES SUR LES SOUCOUPES VOLANTES (Proof of Flying Saucers)

Author: PIERRE FONTAINE

The article begins by addressing the resurgence of interest in flying saucers, particularly following a recent sighting in the skies over Kent, UK. The author, Pierre Fontaine, initially considered believing in them but was preempted by the British Ministry of Air's official explanation of the Kent incident as a mere weather balloon.

Fontaine describes the weather balloon in question as a plastic object, 3 to 4 meters in diameter, coated in aluminum paint for visibility. It carried a metallic plate for radar detection and a radar-sonde mechanism to record atmospheric variations, transmitting data via radio. Such balloons are launched daily, but the one observed over Kent on November 3rd, 1953, had been spotted by pilots T. S. Johnson and C. Smythe flying at 6,000 meters, and also by various radar stations. Launched from a new meteorological station in Crawley, Sussex, it reportedly flew over southeast London (where it was tracked by army radar) at an altitude of 18,000 to 20,000 meters before presumably falling into the English Channel around 3:30 PM. The official explanation, released weeks later, disappointed sensation-seekers.

The article then broadens its scope to discuss other reported sightings and characteristics of these mysterious objects. Many sightings share consistent traits: extraordinary luminosity, round shapes, the ability to remain stationary or move erratically (spinning, changing direction at right angles), ascending or descending rapidly, and often appearing in groups performing a 'ballet.' While some might be dismissed as weather balloons or natural phenomena, Fontaine questions whether these explanations fully account for the reported speeds (up to 15,000 to 30,000 km/h, with 17,000 km/h recorded and verified by radar) and altitudes.

Pilots attempting to intercept these objects have consistently found them to be evasive, disappearing or reappearing elsewhere in the sky. The author notes that no one has ever managed to get close to one of these phenomena.

Fontaine recalls a 1950 announcement from Pentagon commentator Henry Taylor, relayed via radio by Henry Taylor, suggesting that anyone finding a flying machine with a diameter of up to 75 meters should report it to military authorities without speaking to anyone else, as it was a 'secret' but not 'explosive.' Despite this implicit request to bring in any found craft, none were reportedly delivered.

Historical accounts of similar phenomena are mentioned, including a 1947 sighting over Norway described as 75 meters in diameter and powered by propellers. Other reports include stationary 'saucers' over the White House, which led to the dispatch of fighter jets, though the objects vanished upon approach. The article acknowledges that these early reports were taken seriously enough to warrant military intervention.

Several hypotheses are presented to explain these curious phenomena:

1. Weather Balloons: The most straightforward explanation, as seen in the Kent incident.
2. Natural Phenomena: Such as atmospheric reflections or optical illusions. The article notes that 'luminous globes' were reported as early as 1731 in Florence, Italy, and in England, the China Sea, and the Atlantic in subsequent centuries, often dismissed as natural occurrences.
3. Experimental Aircraft: Developed by countries for their own use or for other planets. The article suggests that if these are man-made, they could only originate from the USSR, referencing a 1949 Pravda article by Alexander Jakowlew.
4. Extraterrestrial Visitors: Beings from other celestial bodies or from 'interplanetary islands' or stations suspended in space, serving as relay points for future interstellar travel. This concept is linked to research from the Kaluga Institute in February 1952, which theorized about stations fixed in space beyond the stratosphere, unaffected by gravity.

Fontaine finds the extraterrestrial hypothesis intriguing, noting that while such stations might be theoretically possible, it doesn't explain why these 'interplanetary stations' would move at high speeds or become invisible when approached by terrestrial aircraft.

He then offers his own nuanced perspective. He acknowledges that many initially inexplicable phenomena have later been explained logically, with weather balloons being a common explanation. He also suggests that some sightings might be mirages, optical illusions, or products of imagination. However, he concludes that a significant portion of these phenomena, duly recorded and confirmed by credible witnesses, particularly pilots, remain inexplicable.

Fontaine quotes General Samford, who stated that while the U.S. Air Force's investigations classified about half of the reports due to lack of relevance, 60 percent of the remaining cases found logical explanations, but a substantial 40 percent remained mysterious and inexplicable.

The author concludes by posing the question of what prevents one from imagining these phenomena as actual craft from other worlds, sent to observe humanity. He speculates that their purpose might be observation, or perhaps, in the distant future, contact. He challenges the human tendency to assume any 'intruder' must be an enemy, suggesting that these visitors might be more evolved beings with advanced knowledge, potentially offering wisdom and science. He finds this possibility appealing due to its boldness and poetic nature, suggesting that humanity still has much to discover.

Visuals and Supporting Information

The magazine includes several images:

• Cover: A nighttime cityscape with a prominent skyscraper, overlaid with a banner about flying saucer proofs and authentic photos, and a series of luminous orbs in the sky.
• Page 2: A photograph of cars parked in a lot, with a mysterious luminous object in the sky above them. Another image depicts a classic flying saucer design, attributed to industrial designer Alex Tremulis of Chicago. A third image shows four mysterious objects in formation, reportedly photographed by an American sailor near Salem, USA, on July 16, 1952.
• Page 3: An image labeled 'Ces « objets lumineux non-identifiés »' showing several luminous points in the sky, identified as potentially ionized air molecules. Below this, a photograph of a weather balloon being prepared for launch, with recording equipment visible.
• Page 4: An image of a helicopter-like aircraft with a disc-shaped main rotor, labeled as a 'plateau wing' aircraft studied by Americans in 1942. Another image shows a model of a flying saucer, and a final image depicts a disc-shaped object in flight against a dark background.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to be exploring the UFO phenomenon with a balanced approach, presenting both official explanations (like weather balloons) and more speculative theories (extraterrestrial visitors, advanced experimental craft). The editorial stance seems to be one of open-minded inquiry, acknowledging the persistent mystery surrounding a significant portion of reported sightings, even after rigorous investigation by military authorities. The use of 'authentic photos' on the cover suggests a commitment to presenting evidence, while the inclusion of historical cases and diverse hypotheses indicates a broad exploration of the topic. The article ultimately leaves the reader with a sense of wonder and the possibility of unknown visitors or advanced technologies, challenging conventional assumptions about humanity's place in the universe.