The BUFORA Journal and Bulletin, Volume 2, Number 4, Spring 1968

This document is the Spring 1968 issue (Volume 2, Number 4) of the BUFORA Journal and Bulletin, published by the British U.F.O. Research Association. The journal serves as a platform for the association's members to discuss UFO phenomena, research methodologies, and organizational updates. The editorial by J. Cleary-Baker addresses the ongoing debate regarding 'contactees' and the 'Space Brother' philosophy, expressing skepticism toward claims of extraterrestrial contact while advocating for a more rigorous, scientific approach to UFO research. The issue includes articles on the 'Unique Syndrome' of mankind's perceived importance in the universe, a guide to 'Spring Skies' for amateur astronomers and sky-watchers, and a technical discussion on the theoretical possibilities of gravitational power for spacecraft propulsion by S. L. Smith. A significant portion of the journal is dedicated to organizational news, including the announcement of a national sky-watch event scheduled for June 15, 1968, and the establishment of a data processing system for sighting reports using computer time provided by IBM. The journal also features a 'Letters to the Editor' section where members debate the nature of UFO visitors, with some arguing for the existence of 'negative' extraterrestrial entities. Additionally, the journal provides reviews of publications such as 'The Reference for Outstanding UFO Sighting Reports' and includes notes on historical mysteries like the 'Mary Celeste,' which the author argues can be explained through conventional means rather than extraterrestrial intervention. The document concludes with a list of member societies across the United Kingdom, demonstrating the association's reach and organizational structure at the time.