• Interview, questions and

    From Ty Holder@RICKSBBS to all on Fri Dec 13 09:36:00 2024
    * THE PRESS RELEASE *

    Carol and Rex Salisberry
    State Section Directors for
    Pensacola MUFON

    Interview, questions and answers bearing on recent
    investigation of the Walters' Case. **************************************************************
    We wish to release to the public a progress report on our work
    involving the reopening of the Walters' UFO case. First, two
    voice stress analyses have been made on a tape recording of
    the telephone conversation among Mayor Ed Gray, Chief Jerry
    Brown, Craig Meyers, Mark Curtis and Tommy Smith on 15 June
    1990. These analyses both indicate that Tommy Smith was
    telling the truth in all respects regarding the allegations
    which he made concerning Mr. Walters and the UFO case. Second,
    we have investigated the writing on the model which Mr. Menzer
    found in the attic above his garage and have determined that
    the paper used in the model could not have been made from a
    house plan that Mr. Walters claims to have drawn in September
    1989 for the Lynn Thomas family. This second point has been
    independently verified by others including Mr. Phil Klass.
    Third, we have conducted analyses of Photos 14 and 19 in the
    Walters' book and have concluded that there is a very high
    probability that the reflections shown in these photos could
    not have been made by a hovering object as described by Mr.
    Walters and validated by Dr. Maccabee. It is a virtual
    impossibility for the reflections to have occurred as depicted
    in the photos. It is, however, very easy to have created these
    photos by using a small model and double exposure camera
    techniques as demonstrated by Mr. Mark Curtis of WEAR-TV. With
    Photos 14 & 19 shown to be probable fakes, scientific and
    intellectual integrity dictate that other photos depicting the
    same models should be considered as highly suspect. This
    includes the " Believer Bill ", the " Jane " and the so called
    " Tommy Smith " photos ( the voice stress analyses indicate
    that Tommy Smith did not take these photos).

    Question: Are you making this disclosure on behalf of MUFON,
    or is MUFON intending to release your information through a
    press conference or other means?

    Answer: We are providing this information of our own volition
    and are not speaking for MUFON. We don't know at this point
    what MUFON intends to do. **************************************************************
    Question: Why are you making this disclosure without sanction
    of MUFON?

    Answer: Over the past several weeks, many people have advised
    us of their opinions that MUFON will not acknowledge or
    release any information from our investigation which tends to
    disprove the Walters' case. WE have continued to believe in
    the objectivity of MUFON and believed that they would accept
    the results of our work at face value. However, in the past
    few days we have come to believe that others may be correct in
    their assessment of the situation. **************************************************************
    Question: What has caused you to change your opinion in this
    regard?

    Answer: We first provided Mr. Andrus, International Director
    of MUFON, with our preliminary analysis by telephone on 9
    Sept, 1990. At that time we described for him a simple
    demonstration that he could perform to convince himself that
    we were correct. It was decided at the time to seek additional
    analysis from other experts to support our own work. We did
    this and sent Mr. Andrus an Interim Report on 23 Sept, 1990
    which contained additional expert analysis confirming our
    conclusions. We talked with Mr. Andrus by telephone in late
    September and learned that he had not even done the simple
    demonstration that we had suggested to him. This tends to make
    us believe that he is not giving serious consideration to our
    analysis or the supporting analysis of other experts. Also, we
    have now learned that elements of MUFON are attempting to
    discredit us as " debunkers " which we deem eminently unfair
    in consideration of the large amount of time and effort we
    have devoted to objective reassessment of this case. **************************************************************
    Question: Can you describe the simple demonstration for us and
    could our readers do the demonstration for themselves?

    Answer: Yes, it is very easy to do. It is basically a
    demonstration to show what the reflection in Photo 19 should
    look like when reflected from the flat road surface. The data
    to use can be taken from Dr. Maccabee's article in the 1988
    MUFON Symposium Proceedings. These are as follows: distance
    from the camera to the object is 185 (+/- 5) feet; the
    diameter of the light ring at the bottom of the object is 7.5
    feet; the height of the object above the road is about 3 feet;
    and the height of the camera is about 5 feet. You then set up
    a scale of 1 inch = 1 foot to do your demonstration. For
    example.... Cut a circle of white paper 7.5 inches in
    diameter, place the white circle on a flat service and move
    away 185 inches to simulate the camera location, then raise
    your eye level to 5 inches above the elevation of the white
    circle, and you can see how the reflection should look. If you
    look at this photograph which we took of our own demonstration
    you can see that the reflection should appear as a narrow
    horizontal line and not as the much taller reflection as shown
    in Photo 19 of Walters' book. Walters' photo depicts the
    reflection as " hanging in mid air " instead of flat on the
    road as should be expected. It could be argued that the
    Walters' camera might have been higher than the 5 feet which
    we have used, but we have shown that the camera height would
    need to have been about 45 feet in the air to produce the
    reflection in Photo 19. If you will look at photo 19 in
    Walters' book, you can readily see that the higher elevation
    was not possible. Also, here is another photo which we took of
    our demonstration to show the results of the higher camera
    height, and you can see that the image of the reflection now
    approximates those in Walters' photos. This next photo shows
    the result if the road surface had been slanted up by about 14
    degrees under the object. You can again see that this
    approximates the reflections in Walters' photos. The point
    here is that there is a strong indication that a small model
    and double exposure camera techniques were used by Walters' to
    take photos 14 and 19. There is strong support for this in the
    work done by Mark Curtis of WEAR TV. He made the same mistake
    in setting up his model which produces the same " impossible
    reflection " results as shown in Walters' photos.

    Your readers can get an idea of what we are talking about here
    by observing the reflections of car headlights on the road as
    they drive at night, or by noting shadows on the ground in the
    early morning or late evening. **************************************************************
    Question: You said that you have also done a mathematical
    analysis, what does this show.

    Answer: Since the three-dimensional appearance of the
    purported reflection is converted to two dimensions on film,
    we calculated what that two-dimensional presentation to the
    camera should be. The horizontal component is essentially
    unchanged because of the geometry of the scene, but the
    vertical presentation is calculated by trigonometric
    relationships as shown here. You can see that the vertical
    dimension that the camera would see is about 2.5 inches. You
    can compare this to the measured and calculated value of 22.5
    inches from photo 19 and readily see that vertical
    presentation to the camera in Walter's photos is roughly 9
    times " taller " than it should be. This should present
    conclusive evidence that photo 19 was faked. The same
    conclusion can be made for photo 14 since it is essentially
    identical to photo 19 except for the geographic location and
    the use of different models. With these two photos shown to be
    fakes, all other photos which show the same model, should also
    be suspected of being fakes. This would include the " Believer
    Bill " and " Jane " photographs as well as the so called "
    Tommy Smith " photos. By the way, an independent analysis
    conducted of the purported " Smith " photos by a Ph.D. level
    photogramatrist indicates his conclusion that, " The sequence
    looks systematic and staged with a model at 6-9 feet. " This
    tends to support Tommy Smith's allegations that Mr. Walters
    had taken those photographs of a model. **************************************************************
    Question: What about the other experts which you claim have
    validated your conclusions?

    Answer: We have had an analysis done by a local Analytical
    Physicist who hold a Masters Degree in Physics and does these
    types of analyses for his employer. He has constructed a
    rigorous mathematical model to show what the expected
    reflection should be under almost any set of conditions. When
    Maccabee's data, which I mentioned earlier, are substituted
    into this model the results are essentially equivalent to our
    own, i.e. that the reflections in Walters' photos 14 & 19 are
    about 9 times taller than they should be, which again
    indicates that the reflections in Walters' photos are
    suspended in air and not off of the road or field as one would
    expect. The conclusions of this analyst are, " A direct
    measurement from photo 19 reveals that r=4. This is physically
    impossible, in view of the above analysis. Therefore photo 19
    is a physically impossible representation of reality and is
    faked. The above analysis is rigorous and leaves no room for
    doubt. It assumes only cylindrical symmetry of light emissions
    with respect to the object axes of symmetry and the accuracy
    of Maccabees's calculations." ( r in this conclusion refers to
    the aspect ratio of the horizontal divided by the vertical
    dimensions.)

    We have another analysis done by a Ph.D. level
    photogrammatrist who is a friend. His results agree closely
    with those of ours which we demonstrated earlier. His
    conclusion is, " The reflection in Gulf Breeze photo 19 is
    inconsistent with the reported events." We will not use his
    analysis because of his need for anonymity.

    We have also shared our work with Dr. Robert Nathan who is
    doing an independent analysis of his own at our request. He
    has expressed his agreement with our analysis and conclusions
    verbally over the telephone, but because of his busy schedule,
    he has not yet completed his own analysis.

    We have also consulted with another Ph.D. level
    photogrammatrist who has done previous analyses of the
    Walters' photos. He has expressed verbal agreement with our
    analysis with the comment " I wish that I had thought of that
    aspect".

    Arguments may be advanced that a non uniform illumination
    might be able to produce the reflections as shown in the
    photos 14 & 19. The experienced analysts mentioned before
    assure us that such non-uniform illumination should still
    produce an elliptical pattern for the reflection. However, the
    brightness of the reflection might be " spotty " ( i.e.
    brighter in some places and dimmer in others. ) Also, The
    diamond shape of the reflections in these two photos is not a
    normal expectation and is probably the result of error in
    planning how the reflection should look when the model was
    photographed for double exposure process.

    **************************************************************
    Question: Dr. Bruce Maccabee has done considerable work on
    these photos and seems to have concluded that they are real
    UFOs. Your analysis and conclusions seem to be in conflict
    with his. How do you explain that?

    Answer: Numerous experts have applauded Dr. Maccabee on his
    analytical work, however, many of them have questioned his
    assumptions and his logic ised in drawing his conclusions. For
    example, on page 145 of the 1988 MUFON Symposium Proceedings,
    Maccabee states " The reflection in the road below the object
    is unusual because of its shape and brilliance. It is not
    round, but more diamond shaped, indicating that the object was
    emanating a non-circular pattern. The reflection beneath the
    object in Photo 14 ( Figure 19 ) is also diamond shaped." Here
    he draws the conclusion that the circular source ( to which he
    admits on the same page ) made a diamond shaped reflection,
    which as an optical physicist, he should know to be
    impossible. He goes on to say " ( From a hoax point of view
    this is surprising because a model with a bulb inside would
    very probably give a circular illumination pattern.)" This
    sentence indicates that Maccabee assumed that one needed to
    put a bulb inside of the model to create a hoax. He
    conveniently ignored other hoax scenarios, such as the one
    used by Mark Curtis ( and probably by Mr. Walters ) wherein
    the shape of the " reflection" was designed into the model set
    up. Maccabee goes on to say " The brilliance of the reflection
    is also surprising, considering that it was reflecting off a
    (wet) road." We find it surprising that Dr. Maccabee did not
    address this incongruity in more detail since it is known that
    he and Mr. Charles Flannigan conducted experiments in this
    regard. When you consider that the surface of the road ( Black
    top) is highly absorptive, it should be obvious to even the
    casual observer that the intensity of the " reflection" is
    much too great when compared to the intensity of the source.
    We find it surprising that Dr. Maccabee did not address some
    of these important considerations which lead directly to
    conclusions that Photo 19 is a fake.

    Another incongruity in Dr. Maccabee's work can be found in the
    last paragraph on page 169 of the 1988 MUFON Symposium
    Proceedings. In this paragraph, Dr. Maccabee explains the
    difficulties that Mr. Walters would have in photographing a
    model in Photos 36 L&R with the time elements involved and
    with witnesses nearby in the parking lot. He ignores the fact
    that Mr. Walters' wife, Frances, was with him and could have
    greatly reduced the difficulties. In fact, it would have been
    a rather simple process for two people as pointed out
    elsewhere by Maccabee in the article. Maccabee also fails to
    report that Frances did not emerge from the bushes at the same
    time as Mr. Walters and had ample time to have hidden away the
    model and other paraphernalia involved. Other witnesses have
    confirmed that Frances did indeed remain concealed by the
    bushes for some period of time after Mr. Walters appeared with
    the photos. Dr. Maccabee has also asserted that rigorous
    proceedures were used to record the numbers of the backs of
    the photos to track them and obviate the possibility of
    substitution. These assertions have been refuted by Mr.
    Charles Flannigan and the witnesses who were present at the
    time. None of the witnesses recorded the numbers!

    The public may not be aware that Dr. Maccabee was paid for his
    work concerning the Walters' case. At this point, we have not
    been able to ascertain when he was paid, how much, who paid
    him, when he was paid, or what he was expected to do for the
    pay. With this in mind, we have excluded him from our
    investigation team to avoid accusations of bias in our
    results. Now, with our conclusions in conflict with those of
    Dr. Maccabee, we expect the accusations anyhow.

    We understand that Dr. Maccabee and Mr. Robert Oechsler have
    done analyses on the so called " Tommy Smith " photos. We
    requested the results of their analyses as early as July, but
    neither shared them with us, which we find strange. Along the
    same line, many investigators around the country have shared
    their results with us, but we have not been able to
    reciprocate in kind because of our loyalties to MUFON.

    We do not want this misconstrued as any kind of personal
    attack on Dr. Maccabee for that is not our intent. He has
    written and spoken profusely on this case and we simply
    disagree with many of his assuptions and conclusions. **************************************************************
    Question: What have you determined about the model found in
    the Walters' former home?

    Answer: We have statements in writing from the current owners
    of the home and we have interviewed them on several occasions.
    We, as well as other investigators, have determined that the
    house plan segment used to build the mid-section of the model
    could not have come from the plans which were drawn in
    September 1989 as claimed by Mr. Walters. Those plans specify
    that the exterior of the home to be " Sinergy " whereas the
    plans in the model specify a brick exterior. The address for
    the home to be built from the plans drawn by Mr. Walters in
    September 1989 would have been 700 Jamestown Dr. whereas the
    address on the plans in the model appears to be 712 Jamestown
    Dr. The residence at 712 Jamestown DR. was apparently built by
    Mr. Walters in early 1987. This represents a direct
    contradiction to the claims of Mr. Walters that he drew the
    plans found in the model in September 1989.

    Mr. Walters has also publicly stated that the model was in
    plain sight in the attic when Mr. Menzer found it. This is a
    contradiction to Mr. Menzer's statement in which he indicates
    that he did not notice the model until he moved a considerable
    amount of loose insulation aside. The question begs to be
    asked, " Did Walters have foreknowledge of the location and
    relative visibility of the model in the attic prior to its
    discovery by Mr. Menzer?"

    If you look on the bottom of page 28 in Walters' book where
    he provides a description of the "UFO" that he saw: " There
    were also some diamond shapes between some of the large black
    squares and, unseen on the photos, there were definitely
    horizontal lines going around the main body. ( see drawing
    following page 64)". The drawings following page 64 do not
    show any horizontal lines except for the seams between the
    various sections. In the book, " photo 14, light-blasted and
    enhanced for detail, enlargement" show these same seams, so
    Walters could not have meant them when he described the
    horizontal lines. However, the model found in Menzer's atic
    have neatly drawn horizontal lines around the main body of the
    model, which is the only place that we can find the horizontal
    lines as described by Mr. Walters. This seems to indicate that
    Mr. Walters knows more about the model than he has admitted.

    It is also noteworthy that 12 and 14 in Walters' book bear a
    marked resemblance to the model found in the Menzer's attic. **************************************************************
    Questioon: What about the witnesses that have come forward and
    have claimed to have seen what Ed Walters has photographed?

    Answer: We agree that a few witnesses came forward in late
    1987 and in 1988, after they had seen the photos, and claimed
    to have seen a similar UFO. It is not our purpose to discredit
    those witnesses. We examined their case file reports and news
    accounts, and we have been able to interview most of them in
    person or over the phone. Under the conditions of observation
    (altitude, time of day, length of sighting, angle of view
    etc.) and general descriptions given, what they saw was
    similar in some cases but not an exact match to the Walters'
    photos. For example, we interviewed Charles and Doris Sommerby
    recently. They said that the UFO that they saw in Nov. of 1987
    was at least 150ft. across, had one row of round portholes
    with bright lights shining out of them, had a large lighted
    dome on the top that covered most of the top-half of the UFO,
    and it had a circle of smaller bright lights on the bottom.
    According to Dr. Maccabee's calculations the UFO that Mr.
    Walters photographed was only 12 to 25 ft across, had 2 rows
    of square portholes, had a small light on the top, and a solid
    ring of light on the bottom. Because they saw it on the same
    day that Walters reported photographing his UFO, they assumed
    it was the same. We have found that other witnesses did not
    see all the same details that are included in the photos, and
    because they made their report after they had seen a photo, a
    psychological principal known as "gestalt" may have influenced
    their report.

    (The MUFON Investigators Manual cautions against contaminating
    the witnesses by showing them photographs of other sightings
    prior to their own independent description.) But it is also
    important to recognize that witness testimony is supportive,
    but does not prove the authenticity of the Walters' photos.
    These two issues must be separated in the final analysis.


    **************************************************************
    Question: What about the lie detector tests that Mr. Walters
    claims that he has passed?

    Answer: The Lie Detector Tests-- A misleading Issue.

    In the Aug. 16, 1990, Gulf Breeze Sentinel, Ed Walters wrote
    an article entitled " Tommy Smith's Statements Questioned." In
    this article Ed writes: On June 19 I was challenged by Tommy's
    father to take a lie detector test. On that same evening I
    took the test and passed. Ed Walters has now taken 4 seperate
    tests with three different examiners and passed them all. My
    wife Frances and Hank Boland were also tested previously."

    In an interview with Ed and Frances in Sept. 1990 in which
    Charles Flannigan and the Salisberrys were present, we asked
    Frances if she had ever taken a lie detector test and she
    said, "No"

    She explained that a taped interview had been tested by MUFON
    without their specific approval. Two tapes were submitted by
    Bob Oeschler to an examiner in Maryland. The examiner stated:
    " The way the interviews were done and the type of information
    discussed does not give the examiner the verbal material
    necessary for him to be able to say if these individuals are
    being completely truthful with the interviewer.

    This examiner does find two areas in Mr. Hank's ( Hank Boland)
    interview that showed meaningful reaction which indicates a
    problem with his answer. The answer he gives regarding the
    reason for the object disappearing when Ed saw (Hank). Mr.
    Hanks said that the craft communicates through Ed and can
    sense things through Ed. The other area is where he does not
    want to sign the form with his true name."

    On June 19 Ed had himself tested with the Psychological Stress
    Evalutator, voice stress test by Robert Lauland in New
    Orleans. ( It is interesting to note that a test is only as
    good as its questions, or that the questions will determine
    the outcome, pass or fail) Here are a few of the questions
    that were asked: " Is it true that you did not kill a circular
    area of grass on the soccer field of G.B. High by using a
    trampoline?" A better question might have been, Did you tell
    Tommy Smith that you killed the grass with a trampoline? The
    real issue is whether or not he told Tommy certain things. (
    see additional questions below)

    In Feb., 1988 Mr. Charles Flannigan arranged to have Ed tested
    by a reputable examiner. Mr. Flannigan and other investgators
    created a list of questions that the examiner could use. Ed
    chose not to be tested under these supervised conditions.
    Instead he went by himself, on 2 occasions, to another
    polygrapher and paid for a polygraph. The questions that the
    investigators prepared were not used by the examiner, and no
    one from MUFON accompanied him to the testing site or observed
    the conditions of testing. This examiner stated that, " He
    (ED) claims to desire no personal gain or renumeration from
    these sightings. " ( However, Ed and Frances did have a book
    in preparation at this time and were actively seeking
    publication, which usually means money.)

    It would be desirable for Ed, Frances, their son Danny, Hank
    Boland, and Tommy Smith to all take supervised polygraph tests
    to insure the validity of the results. So far the Smith family
    has agreed to these conditions if the Walters family would
    agree also. The Walters family has so far refused. **************************************************************
    Questions from Lauland voice stress analysis June 19, 1990 and
    observations on these questions:

    1... Is it true that you did not make the UFO model that was
    found at 612 Silverthorn Drive in Gulf Breeze, Fl, ? Ans: Yes
    ( observation: Someone could have made the model for Ed, and
    he could be answering this question truthfully)

    2... Is it true that you did not have a model of a UFO at 612
    Silverthorn Dr. in Gulf Breeze, Fl. Ans: Yes. ( observation:
    If Ed had more than one model of UFOs at the house, this
    answer could be truthful but misleading.)

    3... Is it true that you do not know who made the UFO model
    found on Silverthorn Drive in Gulf Breeze, Fl. Answer: Yes.
    (observation: The question has been skillfully juggled from
    the previous pattern by substituting ON for AT and omitting
    the house number. Ed could be answering truthfully in that the
    model was not found on the street, but inside the house.)

    4... Is it true that you have never taken stereo camera photos
    of any airplane landing any time in your life? Answer: Yes.
    (observation: Ed could be answering this question truthfully
    since it is the wrong question, The question should have read,
    " Is it true That you told Tommy Smith that you went out and
    took a picture of an airplane landing at night, held the
    camera sideways, " since that was the allegation made by Tommy
    Smith)

    5... Is it true that you did not kill a circular area of grass
    on the soccer field of Gulf Breeze High School by using a
    trampoline? Answer: (observation: again this is the wrong
    question. Tommy Smith's allegation was, " If I remember
    correctly, he told me that he turned a small trampoline upside
    down on it for a while and jumped up and down on it."
    Obviously the question does not address the allegation.

    Mr. Lauland states in his opening paragraph, " ...and the
    questions were reworded for clarification..." (This gave
    Walters the opportunity to carefully word the questions so
    that he could answer truthfully without providing any
    meaningful results.) **************************************************************
    Question: What do you foresee will be the official MUFON
    position to your disclosure of this information?

    Answer: We really don't know, but we feel that we have an
    obligation to share the results of our efforts with the
    citizens of Gulf Breeze and the Pensacola area. Remember that
    we too were believers of the Walters case and only changed our
    minds after the preponderance of evidence indicated that there
    was a hoax involved. We hope that MUFON will consider our
    evidence and support our conclusions. We sincerely hope that
    MUFON will continue to be an objective investigative agency of
    the UFO phenomena. **************************************************************
    Question: You probably know that Mr. Walters is running for
    the office of City Council member. What effect do you forsee
    that your disclosure will have on his campaign?

    Answer: We are not residents of Gulf Breeze and hence have no
    interest in the elections of the city. Our timing on the
    release of this information is precipitated by the lnowledge
    that some elements of MUFON are attempting to discredit us. We
    also would like to bring the investigation to a close because
    we have many important things to do that have been deferred
    because of our work on the case. We even gave up our usual
    summer vacation because of it. **************************************************************
    Question: Is there anything else that you would like to add?

    Answer: Yes, we would like to repeat that the validity of the
    hundreds of other UFO related events which have been reported
    in the area is not affected by this disclosure and the outcome
    of the Walters case. We still remain students and
    investigators of the UFO phenomena and are grateful to the
    many witnesses who have shared their experience with us. We
    hope that they will continue to do so. ************************************************************** **************************************************************

    *THE PRINTED NEWS ARTICLE*

    PENSACOLA NEWS JOURNAL
    SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1990
    ..............................
    INVESTIGATORS DOUBT UFO AUTHOR
    BY CRAIG MYERS
    NEWS JOURNAL
    ..............................

    Two investigators for the MUTUAL UFO Network said Friday they
    believe Gulf Breeze author Ed. Walters faked some of the
    photos of UFOs that appear in his book.

    " We believe that UFOs exist," said Rex and Carol Salisberry
    of Navarre of their study of several of Walter's photos. " We
    entered this investigation with a natural and favorable bias
    toward the Walter's case, " but " our investigation and
    analysis lend to the conclusion that several, if not all of
    the photos are probable hoaxes."

    Walters, who co-wrote " The Gulf Breeze Sightings" with his
    wife Frances, maintains the photos are real and that they were
    taken during numerous encounters between November 1987 and
    March 1988.

    Walters has appeared on numerous radio and television shows,
    including " Unsolved Mysteries " and the Oprah Winfrey Show,
    to recount his experiences with UFOs.

    He was reported to be out of town Friday and could not be
    reached for comment.

    In July the couple was named " Investigators of the Year " at
    a MUFON Symposium in Pensacola.

    Walt Andrus, MUFON's international director, said Friday that
    his organization is not yet ready to give its stamp of
    approval to the Salisberry's four month investigation of the
    photos.

    " I don't know how they arrived at that decision." Andrus said
    from his office in Sequin, Texas. " It is certainly premature.
    He has no business talking to reporters. It has never been
    cleared through here. He can't make representations for the
    organizations."

    Andrus, who has for two years endorsed the Walters case,
    appointed Salisberry in July to take a second look at the case
    after questions surfaced about the credibility of Walter's
    photos.

    The first question arose after a model was found in the
    Walter's former residence in Gulf Breeze in March. The
    Styrofoam and drafting paper model was found in the attic of
    the home and strongly resembled a drawing Walter's made of one
    of his UFO sightings.

    The second question arose when Tommy Smith, formerly of Gulf
    Breeze, said in July that he witnessed Walter's fake UFO
    photos. Smith said Walters asked him to take some faked UFO
    photos to the Gulf Breeze newspaper and claim they were real.

    But Andrus on Friday said Smith is lying and the UFO model was
    hidden in the attic by someone who wants to discredit Walters.

    "Tommy Smith can't prove any of his statements- they are
    outlandish lies," Andrus said.

    The Salisberrys said Smith's testimony and the model
    contributed to their conclusion, but more convincing was an
    analysis of Walter's so-called " road shot " that shows a UFO
    hovering over a road.

    Salisberry said the reflection of the spacecraft, which should
    be flat, actually is at an angle that does not match the
    road's surface. The triangular shape of the reflection also
    does not match the round light source on the bottom of the
    craft, he said.

    The Salisberrys said the photo and a second photo probably was
    created by a double-exposure-- a process by which a model is
    photographed and the image is exposed again onto the same
    frame of film.

    " With these photos reassessed as probable hoaxes, the other
    photos... should be considered as highly suspect, " Salisberry
    wrote in the preliminary report.

    Seven MUFON members investigated the sightings in 1988 and
    concluded Walter's story was true. The Salisberrys were not
    among the original investigators, but joined MUFON in November
    1988.

    Andrus said that while the Salisberrys are good investigators,
    they cannot yet speak for MUFON.

    " They ( the Salisberrys ) do not have grounds to arrive at
    that conclusion until it is submitted to us. We will have to
    look at their facts," Andrus said.

    The Salisberrys have not yet submitted their report to MUFON.

    Phil Klass, a contributing editor to Aviation Week & Space
    Technology magazine and a longtime Walters critic, said Andrus
    is too " proud and stubborn " to accept the report.

    " I think the Salisberrys should be commended for being
    willing to change their earlier opinion," said Klass.

    But Dr. Bruce Maccabee, a photographic analyst who has
    defended Walter's photos. said the road reflection does not
    discredit the photo.

    Maccabee said his analysis of the photo shows light from
    beneath the object was projected at an angle-like car
    headlights shinning ahead of a car on a wet road.

    Maccabee said Friday he still is open-minded about the
    Walter's sightings, but said it would take more convincing
    evidence than Salisberry's report to convince him of a hoax.

    " Nothing I have seen has changed my mind," Maccabee said.

    Salisberry said his conclusion on Walters' photo does not
    shake his own belief in UFOs. And he said his report won't end
    the Walters' debate.

    " The problem with Walters' story isn't a UFO problem, it is a
    human problem". Salisberry said. " If the Walters' case is
    typical of most UFO cases, the debate will probably go on for
    years in spite of any evidence pro or con."


    ************************************************************** **************************************************************
    *THE INTERIM REPORT TO MUFON*

    From: Carol A. & Rex C. Salisberry 23 September 1990
    Navarre Beach, Fl. 32566-7235

    To: Walter H. Andrus, Jr.
    103 Oldtowne Road
    Sequin, Tx 78155-4099

    Subject: Interim Report on the reopening of the Walters'
    UFO Case


    Background: The investigators, Carol & Rex Salisberry had not
    been involved with the prior investigation of the Walter's
    Case and had accepted the MUFON assessment of its validity
    without close personal scrutiny. When Tommy Smith came forward
    with his allegations on 15 June 1990, the investigators
    doubted them and, in fact made several public statements in
    support of the Walter's Case. After the press conferences on
    19 June 1990, wherein Mr. Charles Flannigan ( Florida MUFON
    State Director) announced the reopening of the Walters' Case
    and the commitment by MUFON to finding the truth, we were
    asked by Mr. Flannigan to assist him in the next phase of the
    investigation. During a meeting of Mr. Walter Andrus, MUFON
    International Director, Mr. Flannigan, and Mr. Salisberry on
    Thursday 5 July 1990, Mr. Andrus expressed his capacity to
    accept the result that the Walter's Case was a total fraud if
    that was proven to be the case. We deemed this to be a
    critical commitment on his part , because we didn't want the
    results of our work to " be swept under the rug" if they were
    contrary to the then prevailing views of many MUFON officials
    and others. Upon receiving this commitment from Mr. Andrus we
    proceeded with the investigation with an open mind and with
    the greatest degree of objectivity that we could muster. Our
    previous, personal supportive views of the case had to be
    subjugated so as not to influence the fact finding process.

    Tentative Conclusions: Although there is much work remaining
    to be done in the investigation of this case, we have arrived
    at result that we deem should be brought to the attention of
    MUFON before it is uncovered and released to the public by
    outside interests. On 9 September 1990, our analysis of Photo
    19 of the Walters' case indicated a very high probability that
    the reflection on the road could not have been made by an
    object hovering over the road as described by Mr. Walters and
    validated by Dr. Maccabee. It is a virtual physical
    impossibility for the reflection to occur as depicted in Photo
    19. Perhaps one of the easiest methods of producing the photo
    is by use of a small model (photographed at close range) and
    double exposure techniques as demonstrated by Mr. Mark Curtis
    of WEAR TV. Mr. Curtis and his associate, a biologist and
    model maker, have been harshly criticized by their critics. We
    were allowed to witness their effort and know that their
    intent was to demonstrate that the process was feasible and
    their purpose was not to duplicate the Walters' photo. (It is
    interesting that they too introduced the fatal flaw of
    creating a reflection which was not possible under the
    circumstances.) The detailed account of our analysis of Photo
    19 is shown in Attachment 1.

    Mr. Flannigan and Mr. Salisberry telephoned Mr. Andrus on
    Sunday evening 9 September 1990 to inform him of the results
    of the analysis. During the conversation it was suggested that
    two independent experts be contacted to confirm the validity
    of our analysis. Those two experts were provided the details
    of the analysis and have orally responded with their
    confirmations of the validity of the results.

    With Photo 19 shown to be a probable hoax, Photo 14 is
    likewise categorized since it is essentially identical to
    Photo 19 except for geographic location. With these two photos
    reassessed as probable hoaxes, the other photos which depict
    an image of the same model should be considered as highly
    suspect. Intellectual and scientific integrity then dictate
    that the suspect photos be downgraded in the overall
    assessment of the validity of the case.

    Another aspect of the Walters' case which has come into
    question is whether or not he knew how to take double
    exposures prior to 11 November 1987. Mr. S. Peter Neumann, of
    WEAR TV and a resident of Gulf Breeze, has informed us that
    Mr. Walters had told him and his wife much earlier than 11
    November 1987 that Walters sometimes used double exposure
    photography to amuse the young people who attended the parties
    in the Walters' home. Mr. Neumann has declined to provide us
    with a written and signed statement to this effect, but
    indicated that he would provide the same information to anyone
    calling by telephone. Additionally, the young people whom we
    have interviewed relate that Mr. Walters consistently "had a
    camera in his hand" at the various activities at which he was
    present. These young people also confirmed that Mr. Walters
    sometimes took what appeared to be trick photos and that they
    could not understand how it was done.

    Discussion: It is emphasized that the reassessment of the
    Walters' Case should not be cause to believe or disbelieve the
    hundreds of other UFO related experiences in the Pensacola
    area. Each reported case had been evaluated on its own merits
    and should stand as reported. It is even quite probable that
    the Walters family have had experiences with UFO related
    phenomena; however, this is difficult to assess at this point
    because of the previous preoccupation with the photos which
    may have distorted the data.

    Recommendation: MUFON should release the results of our
    analysis to the public as soon as practical. We consider this
    important to maintain our integrity as an objective UFO
    investigative organization.

    Attachment One

    Preliminary Analysis of Photo 19 of the Walters' UFO Case made
    by Rex C. Salisberry on 9 September 1990.

    ASSUMPTIONS:
    (1) The object and the light ring at the bottom are
    circular (source - Mccabee, 1988 MUFON Symposium Proceedings).
    (2) The distance from the camera to the object is 185
    (+/- 5) feet (source - Maccabee, page 145 of 1988 MUFON
    Symposium Proceedings)
    (3) The diameter of the light ring at the bottom is 7.5
    feet (source - Maccabee, same as #2).
    (4) The tilt of the object away from the observer is
    about 13 degrees ( source - Dr. Willy Smith, page 14 of his "
    The Gulf Breeze Saga")
    (5) The height of the object above the road is about 3
    feet
    (source - Maccabee, same as #2).
    (6) The height of the camera was about 5 feet.
    (7) The reflection on the Flat and relatively level road
    should have a round or slightly oval shape. Regardless of the
    shape of the reflection, since the cross dimension of the
    light is roughly equal to the cross dimension of the
    reflection, fore-and-aft dimensions of the light and the
    reflection should also correspond.

    APPROACH:
    It seemed to be a prudent scientific approach to
    determine what the reflection should appear to be under the
    given assumptions and then compare that result with the
    photograph.

    ANALYSIS:
    (1) Since the three-dimensional appearance of the
    reflection is converted to two dimensions on film, the two
    dimensional presentation to the camera should be determined.
    The horizontal presentation is unchanged because of the
    geometry of the scene, however the height and depth
    presentations are converted to a vertical only presentation as
    follows:
    5ft-> |
    |90__________> (Angle A )
    185ft

    Angle A = arctan 5/185 = arctan (0.027027) = 1.54815 degrees

    The fore-and-aft dimension (x,) of the reflection on the road
    is given by ^ <-7.5ft
    /90
    /_____________13 degrees
    x,
    x, = (7.5 feet)/(cosine 13 degrees)= 7.6972813 feet
    The vertical dimension (y,) as it would appear to the camera
    is then given by
    |
    5ft | ^y,
    | |
    |90_______________7.6972813______>Angle A =
    1.54815
    185ft
    y, = ( 7.6972813 feet)( sin 1.54815 deg.) = 0.2979574 feet =
    2.49549 inches.

    (2) Computation of the comparable vertical dimension from the
    photo facing page 129 of Walter's book is as follows:

    The ratio of the vertical dimension to the horizontal
    dimension is approximately 1 to 4 as measured on the
    photograph.
    Then by proportion Yz / 7.6972813 feet = 1/4
    Yz = (7.6972813feet)/4 = 1.9243203 feet
    which is over 9 times greater than the expected value computed
    in (1)

    (3) If the road surface was sloped up abruptly below the
    object at an angle of about 14 degrees, the presentation of
    the reflection as shown on Photo 19 could have been attained.





    . |
    . |1.9243203 feet
    . |
    Angle B <________________90|
    7.6972813 feet

    Angle B = arctan (1.9243203)/(7.7972813)= 14 degrees
    (This computation is not precise but is a close enough
    approximation upon which to draw a conclusion.)

    Since the road is known to not have a 14 degree slope at the
    point indicated in the photo, this possibility is ruled out.
    However, a similar reflection to the one shown in Photo 19 was
    produced by Mark Curtis for WEAR TV which indicates that the
    reflection could have been made by using a small model and
    double-exposure camera techniques. Mr. Curtis and his
    associate made the mistake of slanting the top of their light
    pipe and then covering it with thin paper to create the image
    for reflection. The fatal flaw produced a similar " fat "
    reflection as the one shown in Photo 19.

    (4) It is possible that the camera elevation could have been
    higher than the 5 feet assumed, so the camera elevation needed
    to produce the photo image of the reflection is roughly
    calculated by using a proportion as follows:

    |
    Y3 | |< 1.9243203 feet
    | |
    |_________|____________________
    7.6972813 feet
    |<.............185 feet.......>|

    Y3/185 feet = 1.9243203 feet/7.6972813 feet

    Y3 = (1.9243203) (185 feet)/7.6972813 = 46.25 feet

    Visual inspection of photo 19 indicates that a camera
    elevation of 46.25 feet was not possible.

    (5) It could also be argued that the fore-and-aft dimension of
    the reflection on the road could have been greater than the
    approximate 7.7 feet calculated in (1) above. Therefore a
    calculation of the fore-and-aft dimension needed to produce
    the reflection of Photo 19 is as follows:
    | .
    5 ft | | <1.9243203 feet
    |90........|.....X2.......
    |> 185ft <|
    X2 = (185) ( 1.9243203feet)/5 = 71.2 feet

    Again, a visual inspection of Photo 19 rules out this
    possibility.

    (6) Other arguments could be offered, e.g. heat from the
    bottom of the UFO heated the wet road which caused steam to
    rise. The reflection on the water droplets in the steam would
    then cause the reflection to appear " fatter " than expected.
    Such arguments employ circular logic and hence must be
    discounted. Additional, the case file does not contain any
    evidence to indicate that the road was subjected to heat.

    (7) Anyone can perform a simple demonstration to convince
    himself of the validity of the above analysis. Construct a
    model of the scene using a scale of 1 inch = 1 foot as
    follows:
    (1) Cut a 7.5 inch diameter circle from a piece of white
    paper.
    (2) Place the 7.5 inch circular piece of paper on a flat
    surface to represent the reflection on the road.
    (3) Move away 185 inches to simulate the distance from the
    camera to the object.
    (4) View the circle from an elevation of 5 inches above the
    elevation of the circle as shown below ( You can cut a peep
    hole 5 inches above the bottom edge of a piece of cardboard to
    help in setting the proper height above the circle of paper):

    (Eye)>|
    |5 inches
    |____________________________()7.5inch
    white disc
    185 inches

    One can then easily see that the circle appears as a thin line
    and not as the "fat" reflection shown in Photo 19

    Conclusions: It is virtually impossible that the object as
    described in Walter's book and Maccabee's analyses could have
    caused the reflection as shown in Photo 19. A small model and
    double exposure camera techniques could have been used to
    produce the reflection as described in (3) above.

    *END OF RELEASE OF MATERIAL* ************************************************************** ************************************************************** **************************************************************
    *COMMENTS*

    Few UFO cases have captured the attention and interest of both
    Ufologists and the general public such as the Gulf Breeze saga
    has managed to do. For that reason this information is being
    distributed to the public and interested parties for their
    evaluation in determining their views toward case.

    After review, any person wishing to submit their comments may
    write to the various parties involved and share their opinions
    on the integrity of the case or those points which they would
    like to make in regard to the investigation. This may be done
    either by letter or responding via various BBS Networks. Each
    sysop who carries MUFONET can download your comments directly
    into the MUFON organization. Others may respond by sending
    their messages and comments to ALL with the subject or file
    named GB-?-USA.XXX(your initials)

    This information is being supplied in the interest of making
    details well known locally in GULF BREEZE available to the
    public at large.





    The information which is included in this release is as
    factual a reproduction of the material just released assuming
    no errors in composition under the time restraints in getting
    this information made public. Actual copies of all the reports
    are available and final decisions should be based on those
    documents, as necessary for supporting conjecture. However,
    the presented information is as accurate a reproduction as can be
    evaluated by the submitter.

    10-28-90 Phillip Ray Griffin - Rainbow BBS













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