Recent press reports regarding the upgrading of two aging “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft which were used in flights some 38 years ago, brings back memories of a far-earlier flight, using a far-earlier aircraft, equipped with only two piston engines.
In 1955, (60 years ago), a young news reporter for the CBS affiliated radio station in St. Augustine, WFOY, received a news release about a newly-formed weather squadron which would be flying into storms from Naval Air Station, Jacksonville. Inasmuch as the young reporter was also program chairman for the local Kiwanis Club, he made contact with the squadron, and arranged a special luncheon program at the historic Ponce de Leon Hotel, then still in operation. During the spellbinding program, showing films of early storm penetrations, the reporter was asked if he would like to go on a flight, using a tape recorder to document the event, to which he agreed.
A few days before takeoff of the aging PV2 Mariner aircraft, he was asked to postpone his trip, due to the arrival of three Canadian newscasters, who had to make a return trip to Canada upon the flight’s return. Since his trip to JaxNavAir would take only 45 minutes, he agreed. The plane took off with a crew of 10, plus the 3 news- casters, re-fueled in Puerto Rico, and flew into Hurricane Janet, in the Caribbean. There was a single transmission, then silence.
Who was the young reporter who missed the one and only flight lost by the valiant “Hurricane Hunters”, who continue their far more safe and more informative flights to the present day?
It was Julian Fant, the writer of the column, which you have just read.
Treasured Tales by Julian Fant
(Editor’s note – As hurricane season approaches, we repeat a story of our intrepid reporter’s first life-saving experience.)