November 1978
The November 1978 issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin. 7 pages. Almost the entire issue is devoted to the Frederick Valentich disappearance (21 October 1978) and the surrounding Bass Strait sighting wave.
In This Issue
Background
TUFOIC and VUFORS are co-operating on a joint investigation of Bass Strait UFO activity. "As this issue goes to press reports are still coming in by mail and telephone.
Timeline of 21 October 1978 Sightings
~2.00 p.m.: King Island (Currie)
The Valentich Radio Transcript
Post-Disappearance
Less than 2 hours after (~9 p.m.): Near Warrnambool
Search
The Missing Gaps (Paul Norman)
“A VUFORS contact who was following the developments with keen interest, decided to time the transmission with a stop watch. Thus, Ufologists learned of the missing gaps and that the release was merely an edited version.”
Debunking the Debunkers (Paul Norman)
“Flying upside down” (DOT spokesman): Norman: "This hastily presented ‘explanation’ immediately backfired. The general public apparently knew more about Cessna aircraft than the DOT spokesman, who must have forgotten that the fuel tanks were located in the overhead wings and that fuel feeds by gravity to the engine.
Department of Transport Refuses to Release Tape
“The Department of Transport is refusing to release its tape recording of missing pilot Frederick Valentich’s description of his confrontation with a UFO.”
King Island Background Sightings
September 12: Strange light near Camp Creek “seemed to light up the area as if daylight.” Object oval-shaped.
Notable Quotes
“It seems to be playing some sort of game.” Frederick Valentich (7.08 p.m.)
“It’s not an aircraft. Its…” Frederick Valentich (7.09 p.m.)
“Coming for me now.” Frederick Valentich (7.09 p.m.)
“Engine is rough, idling and is coughing… Unknown aircraft now hovering over me.” Frederick Valentich (7.12 p.m.)
“This fatal encounter will go down in history as just one more example where the Ufologists must be equipped with high hip boots so they can wade through the official hog-wash to get at a few facts.” Paul Norman
“There is something hair-prickling about the pilot’s recorded dialogue.” The Australian editorial
“Most members of the public refuse to accept official explanations.” King Island News
“We feel that air safety investigators can probably come to better conclusions than the Press.” DOT spokesman
