No further sightings though, of the actual objects Arnold described - as he did from the outset - not, 'saucer-shaped' at all.
So, what happened to our originals - did all nine simply drop by for a one-off appearance?
Despite extensive research, I have never came across one other, comparative sighting...
Unless, of course, you want to introduce the possibility of wildlife, as I think I might once have...!
www.forteanmedia.com/ft1.jpg
www.forteanmedia.com/ft2.jpg
www.forteanmedia.com/ft3.jpg
www.forteanmedia.com/ft5.jpg
www.forteanmedia.com/ft6.jpg
www.forteanmedia.com/ft7.jpg
www.forteanmedia.com/ft8.jpg
Furthermore, my new research discovery - see post #72 - to recap:
(Start)
The much interview later interview with Arnold which I recently unearthed, is a further massive clue to identifying our culprits, when Arnold reveals those objects played, 'follow the leader' - "If one dipped, the others did too".
It's a specific characteristic of undulating flight formation.
(End)
Doesn't matter whether anyone is comfortable with my own hypothesis for an explanation of Arnold's sighting, or otherwise. As always emphasised, one is merely a collector and distributor of data - your judgement call.
What does though, is simply my alert that a 'flying saucers' are so obviously a cataclysmic misnomer, it is evidently and essentially chasing rainbows - (although necessarily with conceivable exceptions).
There are countless, 'UFO enigmas' without them and they have been a fundamentally distractive, 'red herring', resulting in a plague of so readily inviting hoaxes.
When the Fortean Times cover feature was published, it naturally met with tremendous acclaim within our hard-core community of fundamental believers.
Well, not really... however, I did cite one reaction:
(Start)
Amongst the most significant endorsements were comments expressed by Dr Jacqueline Mitton, Public Relations Officer for the Royal Astronomical Society these past 13 years or so.
Dr Mitton wrote, "I found what you had to say of great interest and your detailed research adds strong weight to the interpretation of Arnold's sighting as birds".
Dr Mitton considered that my research, particularly the profound repercussions resulting from an almost certain misidentification of, 'Arnold's peak', merited being presented to the 'British
Association for the Advancement of Science'.
Dr Mitton, the Society's spokesperson for the past ten years, is highly knowledgeable about the subject of 'UFOs' and has written a children's book called 'Aliens' (Walker Books) which covers, "UFOs, aliens in fiction, the possibility of life elsewhere in space, and SETI.
(End)
Yes, I knew this would be so irritating (you have to keep a sense of humour!) and stalwart spokesperson Jerry Clark replied:
"Since when does writing a children's book on something make one an authority on that subject? All it tells me is that Easton's beloved Dr. Mitton has a child's-level understanding of the UFO problem's many complexities".
So, I offered a challenge.
I withdrew from any further discussion and ended with this:
"If still alive in 20 years time, I will look back on this day and note you are still championing those mythical, 'flying saucers' as the mainstay of a clandestine cover-up".
That was:
Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2001 10:33:48 -0500
All my endeavours are genuinely borne of trying to be helpful!
Conversely, on the, 'triangular UFO' thread, I have some far more intriguing material to upload there soon and it simply does not have that specious foundation.