UFO Times Number 17, Spring 1992

This issue of UFO Times (Number 17, Spring 1992), a publication of the British UFO Research Association (BUFORA), focuses on the re-evaluation of historical UFO cases and the introduction of new research theories. The primary feature is an investigation by John Spencer into the famous 1965 Warminster 'Thing' photograph. Spencer details his meeting with Roger Hooton, who admits to creating the photograph as a practical joke using a model made of milk bottle tops, buttons, and a cotton reel. The article suggests that this hoax, along with other activities in Warminster, was part of a local effort to tease the army and UFO enthusiasts. The magazine also covers the visit of Jacques Vallee to Britain to discuss his research into South American UFO cases, which he suggests are often linked to physical reality interwoven with psychic phenomena. Another significant section explores the 'Earthlights' theory, with reports on US Geological Survey geophysicist John S. Derr's findings that suggest a correlation between earthquake activity and UFO sightings in New Mexico. The magazine includes an 'Investigations Diary' by Jenny Randles, which provides updates on various UFO reports, including a sighting involving an RAF Tornado in Blackpool, which is analyzed as a potential hallucination. Additionally, the issue features a paper by Serena Roney-Dougal on the functions of the Pineal Gland and its potential role in psychic sensitivity and UFO experiences, linking these phenomena to geological stresses and electromagnetic fields. The publication serves as a platform for BUFORA members to share research, debate the validity of crop circles, and discuss the ethics of UFO investigation, particularly regarding the handling of witness files and the publication of sensitive information.