Category: Museums / Organizations

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Kermit Weeks Shares January 2020 Update on A-26 Restoration [Video]

Kermit Weeks has released an update on his Douglas A-26, which is currently undergoing restoration at Aero Trader’s in Chino CA.

As previously reported, the aircraft (S/N 41-39401) reportedly saw wartime service with the 9th Air Force and served with the Van Nuys Air National Guard before beginning civilian use as N3457G / “Whistler’s Mother.” Later acquired by Weeks, the A-26 was damaged during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and trucked to Chino in 1997, where it is now being restored by Carl Scholl and Tony Ritzman of Aero Trader.

Click below to check out the new video overview of the recent progress.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Shares January 2020 Update on A-26 Restoration [Video]

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“The Flying Machine” Winter 2020 Edition Now Available!

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the 14th issue of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #14 Contents:

36 Pages – KipAero’s Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter Project; Shaw Sopwith Camel #2 Update; MAM Thomas-Morse S-4C Restoration (Part 2); Products

The Flying Machine focuses exclusively on “aeroplanes” manufactured prior to 1920, as well as the current work of historians, builders, restorers, museums and collectors to preserve and promote interest in the early years of flight. Published in print and digital formats, The Flying Machine is offered on a pay-per-issue basis – no subscription required!

Join us as we pay tribute to early aircraft and the visionaries, geniuses and daredevils who conquered the air while producing some of the most fascinating, ingenious and beautiful machines in aviation’s short history.

Click here to purchase!

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Kermit Weeks Shares New Video Update on Messerschmitt Bf 108 Restoration

Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has shared the December update on his Messerschmitt Bf 108 restoration project.

The latest video features Fantasy of Flight Restoration Specialist Paul Stecewycz providing an update on current work as well as a wrap-up of the year’s progress before ending with another personal insight into how he got started in aircraft restoration.

Click below to check it out.

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Limited Time Offering: The Flying Machine 2020 Calendar!

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of The Flying Machine 2020 Calendar!

The Flying Machine 2020 Calendar compiles 12 beautiful, full-color photos of WW1 aircraft located around the world, with a focus on some of the outstanding reproductions and restorations that have been featured in The Flying Machine journal during its first three years of publication. The calendar measures approx. 11”x14” (closed) and is available as a PDF download or in print format utilizing high-quality cover stock with Wire-O binding.

Aircraft Include: Morane-Saulnier Type N; Hansa-Brandenburg C.I; Albatros D.Va; SE.5a; Sopwith Pup; Fokker D.VII; Thomas-Morse S-4B; Sopwith Camel; Fokker Dr.1; Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter; Avro 504K; Etrich/Lohner Taube

The calendar is available for a limited time only. Click here to get yours today!

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New Releases: The Flying Machine Fall Issue and 2019 Collection

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the Fall 2019 edition of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #13 Contents (36 Pages): Military Aviation Museum’s Thomas-Morse S-4C Restoration (Part 1); Spotlight: Golden Age Air Museum’s Sopwith Pup; Military Aviation Museum Biplanes & Brews 2019 Recap; News Briefs: Pioneer Flight Museum’s Thomas-Morse S-4C Restoration, Newly Completed Fokker D.VII Begins Ground Testing, National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Completes Avro 504K Restoration; Products

In addition to our latest issue, we have also released a new 2019 collection containing issues 10-13 of the journal. Click here to view our complete selection!

The Flying Machine focuses exclusively on “aeroplanes” manufactured prior to 1920, as well as the current work of historians, builders, restorers, museums and collectors to preserve and promote interest in the early years of flight. Published in print and digital formats, The Flying Machine is offered on a pay-per-issue basis – no subscription required!

Join us as we pay tribute to early aircraft and the visionaries, geniuses and daredevils who conquered the air while producing some of the most fascinating, ingenious and beautiful machines in aviation’s short history.

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Kermit Weeks Releases Part 2 of Seversky P-35 Wing Restoration Video Series

Kermit Weeks has released the second part of his FOF Mechanic’s Corner video series detailing the wing skin fabrication of his Seversky P-35A.

In the new video, Fantasy of Flight’s sheet metal specialist Rick Reeves continues the process of restoring the P-35 wing, which was damaged in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew struck the Florida-based collection. The wing skin work begun in part 1 is carried through the final steps of the fabricating process and Rick demonstrates the paint prep and painting, followed by the the wing skin going to the wing for fitting, clecos, and riveting.

Click below to check it out.

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Kermit Weeks Documents Seversky P-35 Wing Restoration in New Video

Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has posted a new FoF Mechanic’s Corner video dealing with the restoration of his extremely rare Seversky P-35A. The new update will be released in two parts and features Fantasy of Flight’s metal specialist Rick Reeves “taking us through the process of restoring the P-35 wing.”

To help show all the steps in detail, we’ll follow one particular wing skin through the whole process. Rick starts by pulling the old wing skin off the frame, and then goes through all the steps it takes to bring a new skin to life.

As previously reported, the machine was acquired years back in a trade with the USAF Museum and is reportedly one of only three remaining examples of the single seat fighter, which was introduced in the mid-1930s and saw limited action at the beginning of WW2. It came from the Swedish Air Force and was stored in underground bunkers during the war, which resulted in significant pitting and surface corrosion. Additional damage was sustained when Hurricane Andrew struck Kermit’s Florida-based collection in 1992. When complete, this will be the only airworthy example of the type in the world.

Click below to check out part 1 of the new series.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Documents Seversky P-35 Wing Restoration in New Video

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Cooperation Announced to Build and Display Westland Whirlwind Mk 1 P7056 “Pride of Yeovil”

The Kent Battle of Britain Museum and the Westland Whirlwind Fighter Project have announced a cooperation to build and display an example of the Westland Whirlwind Mk 1 at the Hawkinge-based museum.

According to the announcements, the museum will be helping to raise the needed funds and each sub assembly will be displayed in their Stuart-Buttle Memorial Hangar as they are built. These displays will “bring the work of the Whirlwind Fighter Project to a wider audience” and provide an opportunity for the public to “expand their knowledge of airframe construction and design.”

The twin-engine, single-seat Whirlwind fighter-bomber was developed in the 1930s and went on to serve in WW2, where it saw use in a variety of roles including bomber escort and ground attack. In addition to Hawker Hurricanes, 263 Squadron was equipped with eight Whirlwinds during the Battle of Britain. It was eventually withdrawn from service in 1943 and succeeded by the Hawker Typhoon. Continue reading Cooperation Announced to Build and Display Westland Whirlwind Mk 1 P7056 “Pride of Yeovil”

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Kermit Weeks Shares September 2019 Messerschmitt Bf 108 Restoration Update

For the latest installment of the Fantasy of Flight Mechanic’s Corner video series, owner Kermit Weeks shares an update on the restoration of his Messerschmitt Bf 108.

This update has been “a long time coming,” having been postponed by “multiple distractions” including Hurricane Dorian. In the report, Fantasy of Flight restoration specialist Paul Stecewycz explains some of the delays, and catches us up on the ongoing work, which centers on the fuselage, tail, rivets, and wood and metal parts that need to be recovered in leather.

Click below to check it out.

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Kermit Weeks Announces Lockheed Vega Project Restart in New Video

In his latest video, Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has announced the restart of his Lockheed Vega project.

This particular aircraft was purchased from Dave Jameson after Hurricane Andrew devastated Weeks’ Polk City, Florida collection in 1992. In arrived at Fantasy of Flight in 1995 and, having not flown in over a decade, was placed on static display. In 2012, restoration was begun by Kevin Kimball, but Weeks eventually had to postpone the project “due to various distractions.”

The new video announces the project restart and captures Kimball stopping by to take a look at the project and going over some of the work that has been done – including looking over the cartons of Vega parts, and making a plan for moving forward on the restoration. Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Announces Lockheed Vega Project Restart in New Video