Mother Nature's Fury Continues To Astound Survivors

The Corridor of Classic Aviation in Central Florida was hit hard by Hurricane Charley on Friday August 13, 2004. Airplanes from history, as well as new general aviation aircraft, were destroyed in record numbers from the west coast to the east coast of Florida.

Some of Florida's finest aviation attractions and museum's united last year in the Pastport program, now unite to help those effected by the storm.

Worst hit by the full force of the storm was the Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum in Kissimmee, Florida. The eye of hurricane Charley passed directly over Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM )spawning tornados that compounded the category two hurricane force winds. The Warbird Museum's hangar suffered severe damage, forcing it to close temporarily until repairs can be made.

Warbird Adventures's T-6 flights located adjacent to the Museum, was dealt a fatal blow when their two SNJs and two Helicopters were destroyed in one of the many hangars that collapsed under the relentless wind. It is estimated that 70% of the aircraft on the field were damaged.

Fantasy of Flight in Polk City was just north of the path of the storm and suffered no appreciable damage. Lack of electricity forced the aviation attraction to close to the public for a few days, reopening in full swing, Wednesday 18 August 2004. Kermit Weeks and his staff at Fantasy of Flights spent their down time helping with the massive clean up effort at the Warbird Museum in Kissimmee. Kermit is all too familiar with the damage that can be caused by a killer storm, surviving Hurricane Andrew in 1991 at his former south Florida facility. Mr. Weeks had been generous with his support and help to those effected by the storm, appreciative for all the kindness he received after Andrew blew through his hangars and collection almost 13 years ago.

The Lakeland-Linder airport's primary function, of late, has been to provide space and some facilities to support the large number of personnel and equipment arriving onto the airport virtually on an hourly basis. On Saturday alone, eight (8) USAF C-17 "Globemasters" flew into Lakeland carrying various supplies to support these combined efforts.

Titusville's Valiant Air Command was south of the destructive path of the storm as it exited Florida and headed up the East Coast of the United States. They, along with Fantasy of Flight, will carry on the Pastport program as they help the Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum recover from Charley.

FMI: www.fantasyofflight.com, www.warbirdmuseum.com, www.warbirdadventures.com, www.rangerprogress.com