February 1979
The February 1979 issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin. 17 pages. DOUBLE covering both the continued Valentich investigation and the New Zealand Kaikoura lights (Cook Strait flap). Paul Norman's editorial systematically demolishes 16 'explanations' for the Kaikoura case. Dr. Bruce Maccabee visits Melbourne for film analysis.
In This Issue
Editorial: Comments on the Cook Strait Flap (Paul Norman)
Pages 1-3
The Cook Strait Flap (Kaikoura Lights)
Pages 4-7
The Bass Strait Mystery - Continued
Pages 8-11
VUFORS has received “at least fifty good sighting reports” made before, during, and after the Valentich disappearance. Investigation requires “many miles of travel over several hundred square miles of area” at investigators’ own expense.
Valentich at the United Nations
Hobart Mercury (29 November 1978): Sir Eric Gairy cited the Valentich disappearance at the UN General Assembly, calling it “a compelling reason for the UN to take a serious look at the UFO phenomenon.”
“UFO Pilot Level-Headed”
Melbourne Herald (24 October 1978): Squadron Leader Ronald Grandy, who chose Valentich as an Air Training Corps instructor: “He was ‘level-headed’ and could hold his tongue… ‘common-sense on legs’.”
Allan Hendry / CUFOS on Valentich
Brisbane Telegraph (4 November 1978): “My hunch is that he’ll reappear, unhurt,” said Hendry, drawing parallels with the Travis Walton case (1975). “Statements by Frederick Valentich’s father that he believes his son could have been captured by a UFO strongly parallel statements by Travis Walton’s mother.”
Reverend William Gill on Valentich
Sydney Sun (27 October 1978): Father Gill, whose 1959 Boianai (New Guinea) sighting was “one of the world’s most spectacular and detailed UFO reports” (eight UFOs, four figures waved back), said: “I am tempted to say ‘yes, he did meet a spaceship’. But on the other hand the pilot could have been a believer in UFOs and willed himself into putting a false interpretation on something he could not explain.”
Freedom of Information Fight
Robert Todd, who revealed a 1967 case where a Cuban jet was “destroyed by a UFO after the interceptor fired on the UFO,” was visited at his home by two FBI agents. Ground Saucer Watch (GSW) and others leading the fight against official secrecy.
Guido Valentich (Father)
The Australian (27 December 1978): “The latest sightings, together with their radar confirmation, just go to show that something is going on… I now believe the Federal Government must know more than it is telling the Australian public.”
Notable Quotes
“Perhaps the Cook Strait Flap has done more to make Ufologists out of newsmen and clowns out of scientists than any other event in UFO history.” Paul Norman (editorial)
“Experienced Ufologists began to listen for the secret weapon theory. They had not long to wait.” Paul Norman (on “explanations”)
“I’ve been flying since 1944 and I know a star or a planet when I see one. This wasn’t anything I’ve seen before.” Captain Vern Powell (Argosy pilot)
“The radar echoes on our screens were very strong.” Radar controller John Cordy
“Common-sense on legs.” Sqn. Ldr. Ronald Grandy (on Valentich)
“My hunch is that he’ll reappear, unhurt.” Allan Hendry (CUFOS)
“I now believe the Federal Government must know more than it is telling the Australian public.” Guido Valentich (father)
“I am tempted to say ‘yes, he did meet a spaceship’.” Rev. William Gill
“The lights were like ‘Tinker Bell’s fairy dust’.” Mrs. McNiece (Ormond, 7.15 p.m., 21 October)
