James "Doc" McFadden and the Hurricane Hunters
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- Deliberately flying an airplane into a hurricane might seem crazy. Deliberately flying a plane into a hurricane for the purpose of research, to better understand, and thus better prepare people, for the hurricane’s wrath might seem heroic. Doing that nearly six hundred times in a career spanning more than five decades, might just make you one of the greatest unsung heroes of the modern era. The History Guy remembers James 'Doc' McFadden and the Hurricane Hunters.
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This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
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Script by JCG
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A true American Hero. These are the kind of people schools and society should be promoting as heroes, above sports figures and celebrities.
American reality show heroes
Do schools really promote athletes or celebrities as heroes? That claim seems dubious.
Is McFadden really a hero? Yes, he was on many flights into hurricanes which helped improve forecasting of hurricanes and saved lives, but while that is a great service to mankind it's not really heroic. Hurricane Hunters had been around for two decades before McFadden joined. There is an element of danger, but a rather low one. Have we expanded the definition of a hero to encompass anyone who is admirable?
I would rather schools not promote anyone has a hero. Heroics tend to have some personal connection. If you live in Montana, hurricane forecasting has little relevance to you. A guy worked tirelessly to invent a better snowplow would more likely be your hero, whereas he would mean nothing to someone in Florida is going to care a lot about the Hurricane Hunters.
Heroism is a murky thing.
@@jliller America loves its heroes. Even American sports are hero-centred. Football has the Quarterback, baseball has the Relief Pitcher. Trump is looked upon as a hero by his followers, as is Biden by his. All the talk show hosts fawn over Biden's every utterance. I remember them fawning over Robert Mueller for months, like he was their hero who would delivery them from Trump. Seeming reasonable people ask, how can people worship "that guy" and then turn around and worship their own guy.
Actual lump in the throat at the end there. I love the sincerity and compassion of THG's delivery, it was a beautiful tribute.
“So Doc, what do you do for a living?”
“I’m a Hurricane Hunter.”
“Uh, okay. And what do you do for excitement?”
Hats off to you Doc McFadden, one of the unsung hero’s whose day to day work and risk many of us rely on.
Wrangle them!
"Sewing. It absolutely has me in stitches." Doc, probably.
Worked on P-3’s in the Navy as an AD. Had the hosting duty’s when those guys came thru a couple of times. Always a friendly bunch and always willing to show what they do. Also the P-3 is one of those unsung aircraft. It is truly a jack of all trades.
Introduced in 1962, still in active service.
@@TheHistoryGuyChannel My older brother served in a VP Squadron in the mid 60s on P3s as an AO. I was an AX on them in the early 70s. Both of us were stationed at NAS Brunswick, Maine.
@@TheHistoryGuyChannel I believe the USN's use of them is nearly done with just a few still being used having been superceded by the P-8A. Still a few in the VPU community and maybe VQ. I suspect other countries will continue to operate them as long as they are structurally sound to do so.
My writing partner, a retired Commander, transitioned from Intruders to the P-3. He said it was no low-slow bomb wagon like the Intruder, but it was a damned fine reconnaissance aircraft.
I spent about 20 years in the Navy Reserve flying in P3B Orion's. Flew all over WestPac and actually made it to Spain once. A magnificent airplane. We penetrated more than one typhoon and that was really a thrill! My hat is off to the Doc.
I’ve been aboard many P-3 Orions as a proud “Trident” in Navy Squadron VP-26 out of Brunswick, ME. And I’ve worked for 11 years in Lakeland, FL just 4 miles from Lakeland Linder airport (of Sun-N-Fun fame) and been to McDill numerous times. Doc McFadden is well known in the area among aviation enthusiasts. Well done report!
A proud "Screaming Eagle" and "Pioneer" here. When he described losing 3 engines about 6:07 my jaw dropped. Thank God they made it!
I lived through Hurricane Hugo by the grace and professionalism of men like him. My hat is tipped to you, good sir. God Speed where ever you are at now.
P.S. I want a job I never want to retire from. That is about as much as you can ask for in this modern life.
That is my job!
My father flew the Atlantic as an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter from 1956 until 1959. Back in those days, they flew the C-47 "gooney bird" (also known as the DC-3), with two engines and lots of duct tape and bailing wire to hold them together. He really enjoyed flying, and these missions ensured that he could get more "stick time" because few others were willing to take a two-engine aircraft into a raging hurricane. He kept reminding me that the motto of his squadron was "You have to go out, but you don't have to come back."
Thank you THG team. DOC was a great man and is truly missed.
He had a truly wonderful life. Learning, flying, adventure and a family. A lucky man.
The title sounds like the name of a 1960’s surf rock band 😂
"Doc McFadden and the Hurricane Hunters" is the name of my Beach Boys cover band.
It really Does!
I can hear the Dick Dale-esque guitar now!
Yeah, I could see that.
Bands like „Commander cody and his lost planet airmen“
As a Floridian this guy's name is relatively commonly known down here I was unaware that his name was not very commonly known elsewhere but hurricanes aren't exactly high I'm a priority list for somebody who lives in a place like Colorado so it's understandable
I'm Canadian, never heard of him.
This is why I watch The History Guy.
I’m Australian, and very familiar with Doc McFadden.
In California, we only know of the people and institutions that try to predict earthquakes....
It must be a regional thing.....
Thank you for this bit of history that truly deserves to be remembered. I grew up and lived in Florida for most of my life. I cannot begin to count the number of hurricanes and tropical storms that I have been through. Doc went through Hugo ... so did I. Andrew, was the worst I recall. This man was a true hero. Imagine the courage it took to make that first penetration !!! Thank you Doctor McFadden and thank you History Guy. I'm indebted to the work of NOAA and the aircraft unit of that organization ... many times over. Thank you once again.
I had the privilege of meeting a gentleman who flew B-17s into hurricanes after WWII with the newly formed Air Force. He did that for 15 years. Great stories!
I have to say living in CA I had not heard of him. After this I did some research and a man so dedicated to his science. My favorite story was of when he bummed a news team of a flight for 3 students that arrived and wanted to fly. When asked if he was going to get back latch for doing that, his response is incredible. Yeah it would be a problem but those students will do more for hurricane science than any public relation they can get from the news. All three students are now dr on top of weather carriers, he knew what mattered and he made it happen amazing.
Thank you _so_ much for this superb tribute to Doc. I had the honor of working with him daily from 2014 until his passing in my role as CARCAH (Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordination, All Hurricanes) at the National Hurricane Center. Doc's passion, knowledge, and experience in the field of weather recon will never be replaced. His story is without a doubt history that deserves to be remembered.
WOW! As a native Floridian, and 45 year surfer, hurricane season is something to look foreword too. Doc, Mcfadden's forecast have helped me save multiple homes and to surf the ultimate waves.
Thanks, Doc
Rest in peace Doc!! Thank you for all you have done to help this country over the many years of service the this country and around the world. He was a TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT and I'm sure his colleagues will miss him for many years to come.
Thank you History Guy for telling his story and giving me the chance to know more about him and how his service saved countless lives over the years! A disabled US Army Veteran
Thank you for posting this video. There are a lot of 'unsung' heroes who made contributions to understanding our complex world. I remember seeing a story about the hurricane hunters as a youth and I thought they were either brave or crazy, or maybe both. His work saved countless lives in the US and elsewhere.
One of my pastor's was as crewman on a Connie chasing these. The only time he ever got airsick was in a 747 out of Alaska. He enjoyed the hurricane duty.
I had a friend and neighbor who was in the Navy unit of the Hurricane Hunter squadron in the late 50s to early 60s. He did not talk about it too much, but did indicate that it was some ride! RIP Doc. Thank you for your fine lifesaving work.
The hurricane hunters are truly unsung heros. A friend flew Pacific Typhoons for the Navy in Super Constellations back in the 60's. He said as in all things flying the more you do something and get away with it the more the danger gets down played. He said the typhoon work was the most exciting and rewarding job he ever did in the Navy.
The scariest time in a typhoon was one storm the winds were so high going in that forward movement was stopped, and the plane actually began going backwards. Which this was well before GPS, the navigator figured it out by triangulation of beacon signals. Jimmy said at about the same time he noticed the compass was showing a right turn and he was actually making a left turn. To get out of it they had to climb nearly 10,000 feet all while true ground speed figured out to negative 20 knots. He had a beautiful picture of the right wing the flight engineer took, the vibrant blues and whites of the clouds lit up by the 2 foot flames coming out of the radials exhaust as they applied full power. He said that was the most terrifying hour of his life. When the power of nature can overpower an actually quite powerful aircraft it humbles you. It wasn't all lost in excitement, they got a lot of unique readings of the storm, enough that the research crew wanted him to hold position. They didn't quite grasp how precarious their position was.
Thank you for that amazing story
My worst one was flying the P-3 Super Bee into a typhoon looking for the Glomar Java Sea that went dead in the water off the coast of South Korea. I thought that aircraft was going to shake itself apart. Nope she held together, but unfortunately the ship sank in 300 feet of water with most of her crew trapped onboard.
Having the honor to have served in the Navy's Hurricane Hunters, VW-4, who pioneered the WP-3 aircraft, which NOAA later adopted, I spent my 3 + years with WEARECONRON 4 having the best time of my life professionally and personally. I even managed to qualify for Aircrew Wings in that squadron, and am eternally proud to be an old "Hurriphooner".
@@daledietzman9901 yeah my friend Jimmy said it was the best time. He wanted to transition to the P-3 but got caught in the 60's bubble of having too much time in the Connie but not enough rank to move on up. Well there was a case of using a Buffalo's call sign and dropping out of a 300' ceiling, with flaps and gear down and doing a landing approach on a carrier on Yankee Station that really pissed of an Admiral...the pictures were cool though!
If you have it can you link the picture? it sounds really cool.
RIP, Doc McFadden. Thank you for your service.
Thanks for letting the world know. That was a great remembrance piece.
It is said that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. "Doc" McFadden did just that. His love of meteorology, airplains and travel contributed to the knowledge of our planet and saved thousands of lives who now get advanced warnings. Thanks for the video!
How nice to hear a story about a guy who didn't get up every day to go to work, but rather got up every day to go and have some fun. On top of that, he got to pass away quietly in his sleep after a brief illness. Must have been Karma's reward for all the good he did during his life. We should all be so lucky.
Please, do a whole episode on the P3 Orion aircraft and it's contributions and long service to the USN. As a former enlisted Aircrewman, I would love to see you do an episode on this wonderful aircraft and the men and women who flew on them. It is History that Deserves to be Remembered.
Let us all raise a glass and toast the brave and brainy scientists who have worked selflessly and in obscurity to make our lives a little safer! Thank you so much for your efforts!
Glad you acknowledged this hero scientist...there are plenty of celebrity scientists...but this guy definitely deserves to be honored for his heroism and work in saving lives...
A great story about a great man! When I was a kid in the 60s, I saw a TV program about Navy and Air Force Hurricane Hunters, and was amazed that it was actually possible to fly in such violent storms; then, back in 1995, I had the opportunity to fly into a hurricane with the USAF Hurricane Hunters, based at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, and it was quite the memorable experience. To think that this gentleman did it hundreds of times is almost mind-boggling. Thanks for once again, History Guy, for pulling the unassuming, unsung pioneer and their little-known stories into the spotlight for all of us to appreciate.
One of your better videos Mr HG. I worked with NOAA out of Columbia SC, as a Skywarn operator but had never heard of Doc. Well done Sir.
Another unsung Hero ... Thanks Doc
Wow, in the few minutes we got to learn about Doc it feels like I learned of a friends passing. What a dedicated man, a hero in some people’s minds.
A very nice tribute to a very great man that few would ever know about. Thank you HG
Much respect for this man and his work. To have the passion for his career and be able to save lives
And to "The History Guy" I want to say that it's amazing to have a channel on UA-cam that our history is worth remembering and learning from, not erasing.
A real hero.
Although I enjoy some of your pieces on more ancient history, videos such as this are my favorites. So many unsung heroes of recent history inspire our better selves and, to coin a phrase, "deserve to be remembered."
One doesn't think of modern times as "history", but this guy's activities prove otherwise: He literally MADE history (not to mention having written one of the books on weather patterns), even if his contribution only ended last year. Even so I doubt it was by choice to "retire" from his work. That's some dedication that deserves to be remembered.
Amen!
Yet another amazing story. Well done, History Guy! Well done.
I'm a contractor and recently had the pleasure of doing some work at the new NOAA facility in Lakeland. The planes they use to fly into the hurricanes are extremely impressive machines, and the people working there were like modern day cowboys.
Thank you Doc and to his fellow Hurricane Hunters for the work they do!
As a Connecticut resident living 6 miles from the coast, all I can say is God rest his soul and bless all who perform such heroic deeds. I've lived through many hurricanes and been without power and water. It isn't fun.
Awesome story. They should make a movie about Doc. 🌀
Hollyweird? Let's see now, any time for "parachute folding" at night? Sharks/Megalodon swimming in the storm wall? Snarky/sarcastic bitching among the Hurricane Hunter crew? An Alien spaceship making Hurricanes at random? Aquaman smiting Hurricane Hunter aircraft for "violating Atlantean space"? Catfighting and cosmetic drama in an all-female Hurricane Hunter team? Clueless male newscaster "puts the moves" on a female aircraft commander? It'll never sell in Podunk.;)
I am a Western Australian who happened to live all over the world when I was a kid thanks to my Dad's job.
We ended up in America in about 1979, we moved from Metairie New Orleans to Fort Bayou, Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
My mate across the road , his Dad was a Hurricane flyer from Keesler AFB in Biloxi.
It was a good time to be in America.
I'm home safe here in Western Australia now.
I was across the Lake from you in 1979. Stationed at Biloxi in 1986. My wife and I visited Perth in 2010.
@@YeOldeTraveller Next time, stop in for a cold beer mate.
In 1980, when I was in training for a position in the USAF Reserve, I was offered (and accepted!) an opportunity to ride on a training flight with a hurricane hunter crew. Awesome!
Thank you "Dr. McFadden for your dedication and passion. Rest in peace Sir. God Bless.
I always love aviation-related content. Thank you for bringing us the history of this great American.
I had turned 3 a few days before Hurricane Andrew came ashore just south of Fort Lauderdale where I was born and raised. I remember a home movie from my birthday party in which you can hear the advisory playing on the radio. Although the considerable amount of damage was a ways south I was still particularly affected by the storm thanks to us sharing the same name. My 3 year old brain was not able to distinguish that the "Andrew" the news was claiming had caused all this death and destruction could be any other "Andrew" then yours truly. I was convinced that surely it was only a matter of time before the wrath of my parents would fall upon me for the chaos I had been falsely accused of causing. I was so nervous about this that I actually developed a stutter, one that took me five years of speech therapy to get rid of. Now here I am these decades later a veteran of countless storms including inside the eyewall three major hurricanes. I am eternally grateful for the work Doc and the hurricane Hunters do and have done for me and my fellow Floridians. And I am eternally grateful THG and these videos. You sir are truly a ruby rolling around in a bucket full of Dimes. Thank You.
Well said, one of your best to a true unsung hero. Tis of little comfort now I suppose but we had heard of him over here in Australia. His influence is both far and appreciated.
Noel, he influenced our understanding of the power of the cyclones that regularly hit Australia's northern coastline, from both the Coral and Arafura Seas, we also owe him a great debt for that.
Thank you Mr. History!
Fair skies and tailwinds Doc.
Beautiful tribute to an unsung hero.
I always enjoy your sessions. This one especially, as I have lived on the Gulf coast and always marvelled at the Hurricane Hunters. I just can't understand why anyone would give you a thumb down. Thanks.
RIP Doc. The world is safer because of people like you.
Growing up in Florida I love and appreciate the Hurricane Hunters and the work that they do.
You are one of the only youtubers i stop to watch every new video since i found your channel. I haven't found a single video of yours that wasn't well researched and well told yet. Keep up the good work of protecting History from those who would deface it or forget it
My brother in laws father was a Hurricane hunter pilot and a transport pilot flying C 123,C 130, and C 141 aircraft from the 50's through the 80's....many trips to Anarctica, Vietnam during the war and all over the world. He was an amazing pilot and one great guy. a salute to Charles Helton
Thank you for recognizing people who truly deserve to be remembered.
In 1974 I was amazingly fortunate to be aboard a Navy P3A Orion when it flew through hurricane Becky, near Bermuda.
I wasn't crew, I was a 20 year old OT3 (SOSUS) onboard "observer". We had had a pretty good flight/patrol up to that point, mostly harassing Soviet "fishing boats", and about to head back to Bermuda when the plane was diverted to fly through the hurricane.
At first I thought they were messing with me, a bit of hazing, but it was real.
We all had to wear "may wests" and everyone had to be strapped in. I had an amazing spot on a jump seat in the cockpit behind the left-seat pilot. I could see it all from there!!
At 20 years old, I had zero fear, only the same anticipation excitement as the aircraft crew - especially the pilots - and none as I recall were over 30.
This was not a "hurricane hunter" P3, it was a standard ASW aircraft and I have no idea why we were diverted to fly through the hurricane, but after watching the video I am now wondering if perhaps at the time they were looking at the appropriateness of the P3 airframe for use as a hurricane hunter?
It's really impossible to put into words how it felt as the plane bounced and rolled in the storm, or what it looked like, especially when we flew into the eye and you could see the shadow of the aircraft against a background of boiling clouds. The images in the video are great, but just so much more when watching and feeling it in person.
A totally amazing trip and a life-long memory.
Thanks History-Guy for reminding me of how awesome it was!!
Great video. I used to fly on P-3's. I miss it very much. A very forgiving and tough airplane.
I had the opportunity of riding in P3A, P3B and P3C's over the years (not crew). Some great memories!
That was an outstand!!!! "Doc" has saved more lives than any other man!
As a Marshbilly on the Texas Gulf Coast, who had ancestors ride out the 1900 storm and sat thru a few hurricanes myself all I can say is...
Thanks Doc 🙏🏻
One can only hope to make such an impact and leave such a legacy for others to live and enjoy life.
Love the way you can tell a story. Got my eyes wet
Great Episode. Heroes don’t always wear capes.
Somehow I knew he was going to reference the power of hurricanes to a number of atomic bombs. Still waiting for a pirate reference though...
He might have said that Doc McFadden was as bold as a pirate.
Some hurricanes had the same names as pirates, perhaps?
That was a great tribute to a man doing a job not many people have the nerve to do, having to go through many storms myself I truly appreciate the work done someone of his dedication.
McFadden and Whitehead "🎼Ain't no stopping us now !🎼 " That was the song that he played while involved!
Love these shoutouts to unsung heroes
Certainly deserves to be remembered.
I have always had a fascination with meteorology, especially severe storms, tornadoes and hurricanes. This was an awesome history lesson about a great man in this field.
Another excellent episode about someone who inspires us to serve others well done
Thank you THG and team! 👍💜
These guys are legitimately nuts. Years ago, one of my meteorology instructors was the enlisted sensor operator aboard a WC-130.. the amount of times he nonchalantly mentioned almost dying because of everything from severe clear icing to violent up/downdrafts really made me wonder if he was still all there. That and during a powerpoint lecture on clouds, he spoke for at least three hours before even moving off the intro slide..
o_o
I had a chance to get that job back around 1990, but there was word that the USAF was going close that operation down. Hasn't happened yet. I do wonder where I would have ended up had I taken that job.
@@YeOldeTraveller inside a hurricane I'd assume.
@@IggyWon True
I ended up loading and unloading cargo for the USAF. Port crew vs air crew. It was a fun career, but quite different I expect.
Thank you Doc! Longtime resident of Florida and so appreciate his service. True hero!
No one cares about meteorologists and what they do. Thanks for remembering this man.
Thought you had a VQ aircraft then I noticed the IFR probe. I did 20 years active on EP-3E and P-3A/B/C. Then ten years as a powerplant Tech Rep for P-3C/C-130Ts. I passed up being an Aerographer's Mate to work on them because I fell in love with the aircraft that brought my dad home (VP-60). Those storm chasers are a great bunch. If it wasn't for health problems, I would have tried to be around those planes until 6 feet. Another great post!
The MAN brought early warning to the globe.
Salute to a great American... Thankyou !!
I live on a hurricane zone, we get hit by a category 4 storm every now and then. Therefore, we owe Doc Macfaden a debt of gratitude for his work on forecast.
May he rest in peace.
Great tribute to this fascinating American Hero, thank you!
Being from the Gulf Coast, this is a story that I can appreciate !
An absolutely amazing and interesting story of a dedicated public servant.RIP sir.
Excellent tribute. Well done
I truly enjoyed this and learned much. I would enjoy and appreciate your version of the history and achievements of the Navy "Hurricane Hunters," VW-4.
"Doc" and his fellow "hunters" must have enjoyed the shake, rattle, and roll every time they entered a hurricane. More thrills than all the rides at an amusement park. Still it was very dangerous and the information these brave hurricane hunters provided was extremely valuable to the research of hurricanes and other storms. Great work by a great team.
Just an incredibly well produced, professional and deeply moving video! Bravo Sir!
That was a very moving acknowledgement to a quiet hero. Thank you.
And I thought I knew about hurricane hunters. Thank you, The History Guy, you do tell a great story and remind us about important forgotten people.
A legend with remembering, a great presentation Mr History guy
You never get to retire if you're doing what you love.
Great story! I hope they renamed one of the P3's "Doc".
In my USAF days I tried to get on with the USAFR 53rd WRS Hurricane Hunters but failed. I was privileged to work for a season with Project Rough Rider in the late '70's doing thunderstorm penetrations with a specially modded RF-4C. Now that was tough flying!
What an amazing man! Thank you for your service! RIP Doc!
Excellent summary of both ‘Doc’ McFadden’s life AND the government’s efforts to forecast and understand hurricanes. As a professional pilot and a Florida resident I have followed the progress of NOAH in this endeavor bit, I was unaware of the man himself who steered this project to fruition. Thanks, History Guy.
History Guy, you have enormous numbers of excellent episodes, but this is one of your best. Thank you!
Thank you HG and crew and
Thank you Doc.
One of the better episodes you've done. Thanks
I'm sure someone, someday will be so smart as to track a hurricane with just a sharpie on a map ...... but till then I'll listen to this guy !!
Great video. The P3 is a tough plane and in heavy turbulence the wings don’t bend at all so every bump goes right to the fuselage. This knowledge is from personal experience.
I grew up in Florida in the Lakeland area. I had heard his name but never knew all of this. Thanks.
I spent 2 tours in Nam and I always wondered if a Typhoon was equivelent to or more than a Hurricane. If it is I cansay that I lived through at least 3 of them. Great episode as usual. Keep up the good work.Thanks
Typhoons, hurricanes and tropical cyclones (the generic term) are all the same type of storm, with the only difference being location. The measurement system is the same. NOAA describes these types of storms: “A tropical cyclone is a generic term used by meteorologists to describe a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation.”
Another great feature by The History Guy and THG team. A wonderful tribute to a fascinating scientist.
Excellent work...
History is replete with Scottish names starting Mc. I'm a Mc, so I know. I've heard of McFadden on and off for decades, in almost every documentary or interview ever done with hurricane flyers. He's a legend.
That was a wonderful story!