Category: Museums / Organizations

Posted on by

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.

Posted on by

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.

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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”

Posted on by

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.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Shares September 2019 Messerschmitt Bf 108 Restoration Update

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

Kermit Weeks Releases Part 2 of Stinson L-1 Video Series

Kermit Weeks has released the second video in his two part “Kermie Cam” series dealing with his 1941 Stinson L-1.

This particular example was delivered to the Army Air Corps in December 1941 and initially served with 112th Observation Squadron at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina before moving on to different locations on the East Coast. It was later used for rescue with the 11th Air Force in Alaska. Following its military service the aircraft was acquired by Paul Mantz and used as a camera platform in a number of movie productions including The Great Waldo Pepper. Weeks acquired the machine from the Movieland Air Collection in 1981 and used it to tow banners. It was damaged during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and has since been completely restored.

While part 1 (available here) included a walk around, cockpit tour and start up, part 2 sees the machine take flight. Kermit points out some of the things he pays attention to when flying the L-1, performs a slow pass or two, and sees how she does overall. Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Releases Part 2 of Stinson L-1 Video Series

Posted on by

Kermit Weeks Shares August Update on Seversky P-35A Project

Kermit Weeks has posted a new update on the restoration of his extremely rare Seversky P-35A.

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 by Florida-based Fantasy of Flight attraction in 1992. When complete, this will be the only airworthy example of the type in the world.

The new update details work to the wings. Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Shares August Update on Seversky P-35A Project

Posted on by

Stinson L-1 Takes Center Stage in Latest Kermie Cam Video

The latest installment of Kermit Weeks’ “Kermie Cam” series focuses on Fantasy of Flight’s 1941 Stinson L-1.

This particular example was delivered to the Army Air Corps in December 1941 and initially served with 112th Observation Squadron at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina before moving on to different locations on the East Coast. It was later used for rescue with the 11th Air Force in Alaska. Following its military service the aircraft was acquired by Paul Mantz and used as a camera platform in a number of movie productions including The Great Waldo Pepper. Weeks acquired the machine from the Movieland Air Collection in 1981 and used it to tow banners. It was damaged during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and has since been completely restored.

The video will be released in two parts. This newly released first part includes an overview of a problem sorted out with the engine, a walk around, a tour of the cockpit and start up. Click below to check it out, along with a bonus video of its first post-restoration flight in 2013.

Continue reading Stinson L-1 Takes Center Stage in Latest Kermie Cam Video

Posted on by

Kermit Weeks Shares Video Update on Sikorsky S-38 Project

For his latest installment of Kermit Cam, Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks visits Langer Aviation in Minnesota to check up on his Sikorsky S-38 project.

Langer is working hard to complete the example of the machine, which was introduced in 1928 and became Sikorsky’s first widely produced amphibious flying boat. Weeks hopes that the aircraft will be ready in time for involvement in what he describes as “a really big IMAX film project about Martin and Osa Johnson, that will shoot in Africa, and feature both my Sikorsky S-39 and this S-38.”

Click below to check out the newly released video.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Shares Video Update on Sikorsky S-38 Project