View from cockpit of WB-29 aircraft, from 59th Weather Reconnaissance Flight, on final approach to runway 30 at Kindley Air Force Base, Bermuda. The sun has almost set and the runway lights are lit. The camera stops filming at touchdown. A dropsonde operator seated inside the aircraft. He records telemetered information in a form. The hand of the dropsonde operator as he releases the dropsonde from an airlock. Officer in makeshift office sitting in front of a wrinkled map. Arrows on map highlight Eastern U.S. Interior of B-29 aircraft. A flight engineer making notes in a log. Navigator checking a Loran set and marking information on charts.
Vertical panning view of radio tower at Kindley Air Force Base, Bermuda. Mockup of a civilian broadcasting studio. A U.S. airman in mufti acts the part of a weather broadcaster delivering news of a storm. View of large wall clock.
Weather chart shows a hurricane North of Cuba and East of Florida. A pointer outlines a flight pattern planned for USAF Hurricane Hunters of the 59th Weather Reconnaissance Flight to penetrate the storm, from their base in Bermuda. A navigators pocket watch placed on a map. A captain of the 59th Flight briefs crew members about the mission. Diagram of the storm track is sketched in chalk on a blackboard behind him. He uses a pointer to highlight information on a weather chart. An officer seated in the front row steps forward to further explain some aspects of the weather chart. The group rises and leaves following the briefing. Another sequence shows the briefing from behind the speaker's podium. Closeups of the crew members.
Support vehicles with sirens running exit Cape Canaveral airfield pre dawn. NASA scientists communicate with “Friendship 7” and the Bermuda Mercury-Atlas 6 telemetry station at mission control center. Bermuda station requests a 5 minute hold on count down. Officials in Mercury-Atlas 6 control room. Mercury-Atlas 6 flight path on world map on wall. NASA scientist on his computer. Astronaut John Glenn's face in helmet before launch. People gathered on the beach waiting to watch the “Friendship 7” launch. A reporter talks on his headset beside the Mercury-Atlas 6 flight path. John Glenn’s face in helmet. Mercury-Atlas 6 officials talks on headset, agreeing to continue with countdown to “Friendship 7” launch. The “Friendship 7” before launch. Positional globe in capsule holds steady before launch.
British Prime Minister Harold MacMillan emerges from a plane just arrived at Bermuda. President Eisenhower arrives at docks in launch. Liner at a harbor. President greeted by VIPs. He speaks at the mike and thanks people for a warm welcome. Crowd cheers.
WB-29 Hurricane Hunter aircraft, of the 59th Weather reconnaissance Flight, landing at Kindley Air Force Base, Bermuda. Aerial views of storm clouds. View from inside a building. Pilot in cockpit of WB-29 appears to be flying in turbulent conditions. The pilot, later seen, eating a sandwich and drinking from a cup while monitoring the controls of the aircraft.