Description
Are we alone in the universe? The History Hunter examines an unexplained disappearance to find out.
In 1978, a young pilot vanished during a routine flight over a notorious stretch of water known as the 'Bass Strait Triangle'. His radio transmission to airport control is one of the most bizarre ever recorded. What did Frederick Valentich encounter? Where did he disappear to? Can the truth be found? Join the History Hunter to explore this extraordinary story.
Review
Part of a new series by Mark Greenwood, that looks at real historical events from Australia’s past and will intrigue many middle grade readers!
This instalment looks at the disappearance of Frederick Valentich, a twenty-year-old pilot who disappeared off the Victorian coast near Cape Otway, heading for King Island, on the 21st of October 1978.
It received many headlines at the time but, of course, interest eventually waned. Many theories appeared over the years, but the one unshakeable one was that he was taken by a UFO, due mainly to the strange radio communication that took place between Fred and the control tower immediately before his disappearance.
Our author presents all of the possibilities and leaves it up to the reader to make up their own mind as to what actually happened to Fred and his plane nearly 50 years ago. We will likely never know for sure!
This is a terrific, easy-to-read account of a mysterious incident from Australia’s past that will enthral many readers aged 10 to 14, but I think it is ideal particularly for those reluctant readers in lower secondary that want real facts in their reading.
