UFO Evolution: The Piney Woods UFO

    

  How I wonder what you are.     

Up above the world so high,     

Like a diamond in the sky.

-"The Star" by Ann and Jane Taylor

Initially, the two adult witnesses were unable to describe the object due to the bright light coming from it. The boy, Colby said it was "diamond-shaped".  As the coverage of the story progressed, the women began using the diamond description. Later, further details about the craft were revealed by investigators- completely new details.

Some of the key illustrations of the UFO most closely associated with the original witnesses:

Colby & Vickie Landrum March 1981

MUFON Journal April 1981

MUFON Symposium Proceedings 1982

Colby Landrum early 1981

APRO Bulletin Sept. 1981

Betty Cash Aug. 18, 1981 (Bergstrom AFB interview)

MUFON Journal Nov. 1981

The Unexplained 1982

The UFO Phenomenon Time-Life Books 1987

UFO Cover Up? Live  Oct. 1988

Unsolved Mysteries February 6, 1991

The Cash-Landrum UFO Incident 1998

UFO Hunters Alien Fallout episode aired January 14, 2009

Saucer Smear editor Jim Moseley on the Paracast

Jim Moseley was the featured guest in the first episode of Gene Steinberg's show, The Paracast, and was and invited back many times over the years. Jim was the publisher of Saucer News and later, Saucer Smear, active in ufology from 1953 up until his death in November 2012. Below is Gene's tribute to Jim published January 21, 2012, followed by Jim's Paracast appearances linked in chronological order.

Jim Moseley: The UFO Field’s Enduring Treasure by Gene Steinberg

The Paracast Show Archives: James W. Moseley Episodes

February 28, 2006 -- PREMIERE EPISODE! Jim Moseley and Brad Steiger

Explore the personality side of the world of UFOs with Jim Moseley, editor/publisher of Saucer Smear; prolific UFO and paranormal author Brad Steiger. 

August 22, 2006 -- Jim Moseley and Royce J. Myers III

Conspiracy theory expert Kenn Thomas, publisher of Steamshovel Press, talks about the real conspiracies and the ones that don't pass the logic test. In addition, controversial "Saucer Smear" editor/publisher Jim Moseley discusses the "Culture of Ufology."

September 2, 2007 -- Kenn Thomas and Jim Moseley

Conspiracy theory expert Kenn Thomas, publisher of Steamshovel Press, talks about the real conspiracies and the ones that don't pass the logic test. In addition, controversial "Saucer Smear" editor/publisher Jim Moseley discusses the "Culture of Ufology."

February 17, 2008 -- James W. Moseley and Christopher Roth

Spend an evening with the inimitable James W. Moseley, editor of Saucer Smear and his designated replacement, cultural anthropologist and UFO researcher Christopher Roth. This is going to be one rollicking session that will focus on UFOs in popular culture.

April 13, 2008 -- Philip J. Imbrogno and Jim Moseley

Meet UFO researcher Philip J. Imbrogno, an expert on UFOs and psychic phenomena in New York's Hudson Valley. Also don't miss a special appearance by Jim Moseley, the always-irreverent editor of "Saucer Smear."

May 25, 2008 -- Jim Moseley and T. Allen Greenfield

Veteran UFO/Paranormal Researcher Roundtable featuring Jim Moseley, editor of "Saucer Smear," and T. Allen Greenfield, author of "Secret Cipher of the UFOnauts" and "Secret Rituals of the Men In Black." During this session, travel through 50 years of UFO history.

July 12, 2009 -- John Keel Remembered with Tim Beckley, Jerome Clark, Loren Coleman, Jim Moseley, Brad Steiger and Curt Sutherly

We present a special three-hour tribute to the late Fortean author, John Keel, author of "The Mothman Prophecies" and other books. The all-star guest list of UFO and paranormal researchers includes Tim “Mr. UFO” Beckley, Jerome Clark, Loren Coleman, Jim Moseley, Brad Steiger and Curt Sutherly.

November 15, 2009 -- Jim Moseley and David Huggins

 We feature veteran UFO researcher Jim Moseley, editor of Saucer Smear, and contactee/abductee David Huggins, who is featured in the book “Love in an Alien Purgatory: The Life and Fantastic Art of David Huggins.

June 27, 2010 — Co-host Greg Bishop with Bob Wilkinson, Jim Moseley and T. Allen Greenfield

 Co-host Greg Bishop presents filmmaker Bob Wilkinson, director of “Shades of Gray,” a documentary about the amazing life of UFO researcher and provocateur Gray Barker. Along for the ride are two of Gray’s close friends, Jim Moseley, editor of Saucer Smear and T. Allen Greenfield. And don’t miss a special cameo from co-host Paul Kimball.

December 5, 2010 — Co-host Christopher O'Brien with Jim Moseley

 Co-host Christopher O’Brien presents the UFO field’s famous “trickster” himself, Jim Moseley, editor and publisher of “Saucer Smear,” a thought-provoking publication that emphasizes the unique personalities in the field, and their eccentrics.

July 10, 2011 — Jim Moseley

 Gene and Chris are joined by the irrepressible Jim Moseley, Editor/Publisher of Saucer Smear, who will discuss the fakes and the outright frauds he has discovered, and sometimes exposed, in the UFO field since the 1950s.

July 10, 2011 — Jim Moseley

 Gene and Chris are joined by the irrepressible Jim Moseley, Editor/Publisher of Saucer Smear, who will discuss the fakes and the outright frauds he has discovered, and sometimes exposed, in the UFO field since the 1950s.

January 22, 2012 -- Jim Moseley

 Gene and Chris welcome back the inimitable Jim Moseley, Editor/Publisher of "Saucer Smear," an irreverent look at the entire UFO scene. Jim will come onboard to present not only his solution to the Roswell UFO crash, but answers to many questions from our loyal listeners. This is one episode you won't want to miss!

February 12, 2012 -- Kevin D. Randle and Jim Moseley  Gene and Chris will be flies on the wall for this episode, featuring a "great debate" on Roswell, the Roswell "Dream Team," UFO abductions and other topics featuring Kevin D. Randle, author of such books as "Reflections of a UFO Investigator," and Jim Moseley, Editor/Publisher of "Saucer Smear."

May 13, 2012 -- Jim Moseley, Bob Zanotti with "Voices of the Past"

Gene and Chris present a special "Voices of the Past" episode featuring Jim Moseley, Editor of Saucer Smear, and long-time broadcaster Bob Zanotti. We will revisit the active UFO and occult scene of the New York area in the 1960s, and present long-forgotten show excerpts featuring such researchers as August C. Roberts, Dominic Lucchesi, John J. Robinson, and Yonah Fortner. For a change of pace, we'll also present two of the more outrageous contactees of the period: Andy Sinatra, "The Mystic Barber," and Alexander McNeil.

Jim Moseley passed away on Nov. 16, 2012, and was memorialized in a Paracast episode. 

November 25, 2012 -- Jim Moseley Memorial with Tim Beckley, Jerome Clark, T. Allen Greenfield, Geneva Hagen, and Bob Zanotti  

Gene and Chris remember Jim Moseley, the UFO field's court jester and editor of "Saucer Smear," who died on November 16. His close friends join us with their anecdotes about Jim's amazing life.

. . .

Gene Steinberg launched the site jimmoseley.com to remember the life, work, and merriment of James W. Moseley.

What is this?

What is this?

Could it be a glowing UFO blasting flaming exhaust across the ground?

It's a CH-47 at twilight. Imagine the effect in total darkness on a country road in Texas.

The picture is a still frame from the clip below found at about 2:40.

Mute the sound to avoid irritating music.

100 helicopters- Robert Grey airfield, came in, for effect

George Sarran

On the UFO Hunters episode "Alien Fallout", Bill Birnes questioned Colonel George Sarran about the following entry in his notes:

  

“- 100 helicopters- Robert Grey airfield, came in, for effect”

Colonel Sarran was unable to explain the entry. The implication was that he'd uncovered a massive helicopter operation and then buried the evidence. A bit of digging reveals the probable source for the helicopter notation. 

According to October 1982 issue of the MUFON Journal article written by John Schuessler:

On 19 March 1982 I was called by Lt. Col. George Sarran from the Department of the Army Inspector General office in the Pentagon. Col. Sarran explained that his office had received the inquiry from the Air Force Liaison Office because the Air Force had concluded their units were not involved. He explained that his interest was in the possibility that Army helicopters were involved. He would be investigating that allegation. He stressed that the U.S. Army had no opinion about the unidentified object or UFOs in general.

Lt. Colonel George Sarran made these notes, in March or April 1982, probably during a phone conversation with UFO investigator John F. Schuessler in preparation for their first meeting in May. The "100 helicopters" notation seems to be just a recording of Schuessler’s comments. Compare them to earlier published statements by John Schuessler:

One significant helicopter operation took place at Gray Air Force Base near Killeen, Texas, where more than 100 helicopters came in from the field “for effect.” 

-The Spectrum of UFO Research: The Proceedings of the Second CUFOS Conference (Sept. 25-27 1981, book published 1988
(Published first in UFO Report Winter 1981 Vol. 9, No. 4: Texas UFO Trauma by John Schuessler)

 The unit operating out of Ellington AFB in Houston had landed before the sighting time. Robert Gray Field had 100 helicopters come in from the field at one time "for effect," but claimed to have avoided the Houston area. Hence, no one claims the helicopters that filled the Huffman area sky that winter night.

"Cash-Landrum Radiation Case" by John F. Schuessler -MUFON UFO Journal November 1981 pg. 6: 

 Update: Another clarifying entry found:

At the Robert Gray Field near Fort Hood a spokesman said they might have 100 helicopters from the field home at one time "for effect", but he claimed they avoided the Houston area.
"Blind Terror in Texas" by John F. Schuessler, The Unexplained (UK magazine) 9(107) 2121-25, (1982)

Update: On a site hosting a video of the UFO Hunters episode, one of Col. Sarran's co-workers spoke on his behalf:

Author exitpleasantrealty    The characterization that Mr. (Former Colonel) Sarran was lying is quite incorrect - - you have to know Mr. Sarran as I do and have for six (6) years - - he literally (even after retirement and becoming a businessman) writes down notes copiously. As soon as we saw this episode we knew someone had mentioned "100 helicopters" and he had merely wrote it down...........if they had shown all the notes instead of just that line you would have probably seen more info - - this man doesn't lie. 

It made for a "gotcha" moment on the UFO Hunters show, but in this case, the charges are false.

It's Not My Job, Man...

In 1981, Betty Cash and Vickie Landrum were encouraged by Allan Hendry of CUFOs to write to their Congressmen to ask for the government to help with their UFO problem.

“When Betty and Vickie contacted their congressmen, their frustration was heightened. all they received in return was a form letter telling them about the now defunct Air Force project ... and a suggestion they contact a cult group in California.”

- UFO Report Winter 1981 Volume 9, Number 4, "Texas UFO Trauma" by John Schuessler

The Air Force project is obviously Blue Book, but what is being characterized as a "cult group", and who was the party sending this form letter?

After Project Blue Book closed, the Air Force answered UFO inquiries with a form letter fact sheet and a list of organizations that were investigating aerial phenomenon. The letter and resources were updated over the years, but here's a copy from around the right time of the Cash-Landrum incident.

Below is the text for entry for Frank Stranges' NICUFO:

NATIONAL INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE ON UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS

7970 Woodman Ave.. Suite 207, Van Nuys , CA 91402, Phone: (213)781-770

"Individuals Interested in investigating "the truth concerning UFOs and associated phenomena." Probes UFO reports and relates findings to governmental agencies and the general public via the press, radio, television and newsletters. Holds seminars produces and distributes books and cassettes. Bestows awards. Maintains library of 1700 volumes."

So the best match for the "cult group" seems to be Frank Stranges' NICUFO, leaving the question of who sent the form letter. This quote clenches it all:

“Congressman Charles Wilson didn’t reply until July and then all he did was recommend that they contact Ufologist Frank Stranges.” 
-The Cash-Landrum UFO Incident  pg. 121

  Charles Wilson, aka "Good Time Charlie," member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the 2nd district of Texas.