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Kermit Weeks Shares New Video Update On A-26 Project

Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has posted a new video update on his A-26 project, which is currently underway in Chino, California.

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 video.

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EAA Shines Spotlight on World’s Only Flying B-26K/A-26A [Video]

The EAA is shining the spotlight on the world’s only flying example of Douglas B-26K/A-26A Counter-Invader in a newly released video.

Restoration of the machine (S/N 64-17679 / 44-34198) began in 2010 and required 65 volunteers and nearly a million dollars. Dubbed “Special Kay,” it returned to flight on July 8, 2017 wearing a mid-60s USAF livery and is said to be the pride of the Texas-based Vintage Flying Museum.

The new video was filmed at Oshkosh 2018, where Special Kay was awarded Best Bomber and the Silver Wrench Award. Click below to check it out.

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Newly Restored Mosquito PZ474 Featured in New Video

Lewis Air Legends and Avspecs, Ltd. have shared a new feature on newly restored Mosquito FB VI PZ474 aired by Television New Zealand’s (TVNZ) Seven Sharp.

As previously reported, the machine was originally constructed at Hatfield in 1945 and used for RAF training before moving on to New Zealand in 1948, where it was overhauled and delivered to 75 Squadron as NZ2384. In the early 1950s, the aircraft was acquired by new owners and registered as ZK-BCV before being transferred to the United States. There, the Mosquito was given civil registration N9909F and, from around 1955-66, was owned by the Insurance Finance Corp. of Studio City, CA. During this time it was believed that the machine was used by the CIA for intelligence gathering in South America.

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Kermit Weeks Shares Part 2 of His VIP Short Sunderland Tour [Video]

Kermit Weeks has shared part 2 of a “full VIP” tour of his Short Sunderland flying boat.

As reported with part 1 of the series, this particular machine was acquired by Weeks in 1993 from Edward Hulton. After five months of work in England he flew the machine across the Atlantic, directly to the Oshkosh Fly-In in Wisconsin with stops in Ireland, Iceland, and Canada. It remained at Oshkosh until 1994, when Fantasy of Flight’s seaplane ramp was completed. Two years later, the machine flew to Sarasota and participated in the Olympic torch relay to Atlanta.

The newly released second installment focuses on the flight deck and cockpit while also offering some “history, fun stories and plenty of information.” Click below to check it out.

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New Video Details Progress on Airworthy Restoration of Lancaster FM104

A new video has been released providing a report on the restoration of Avro Lancaster FM104 at the British Columbia Aviation Museum in Canada.

As previously reported, the bomber was originally built by Victory Aircraft of Malton, Ontario in 1944 and was installed along Toronto’s waterfront following its retirement from the RCAF in 1964. In 1999, it was moved to a museum in Downsview Park, where a restoration effort began. However, it was relocated once again when the museum closed in 2011. The machine had spent recent years in storage at Edenvale Aerodrome west of Barrie while its future became a topic of debate.

In July 2018 the British Columbia Aviation Museum became the successful bidder and, now having formally taken possession of the machine from the city of Toronto, the process of restoration to airworthy condition is underway.

The newly released video, narrated by BCAM President John Lewis, details work that has been done since the aircraft was moved into their Restoration Hangar on Oct 16, 2018. Click below to check it out.

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Kermit Weeks Provides “Full VIP” Tour of Short Sunderland [Video]

For the latest installment of his Kermie Cam series, Fantasy of Flight’s Kermit Weeks has filmed a “full VIP walk around” of his Short Sunderland flying boat.

This particular example was acquired by Weeks in 1993 from Edward Hulton. After five months of work in England he flew the machine across the Atlantic, directly to the Oshkosh Fly-In in Wisconsin with stops in Ireland, Iceland, and Canada. It remained at Oshkosh until 1994, when Fantasy of Flight’s seaplane ramp was completed. Two years later, the machine flew to Sarasota and participated in the Olympic torch relay to Atlanta.

The newly released video serves as part 1 of a two part series and includes “a bit of history, some cool stories and plenty of useful or useless information, depending on your point of view.”

Click below to check it out.

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Mosquito PZ474 Performs First Post-Restoration Flight [Video]

Yesterday, Mosquito FB VI PZ474 performed its first post-restoration flight from Ardmore Airport in New Zealand.

As previously reported, the machine was originally constructed at Hatfield in 1945 and used for RAF training before moving on to New Zealand in 1948, where it was overhauled and delivered to 75 Squadron as NZ2384. In the early 1950s, the aircraft was acquired by new owners and registered as ZK-BCV before being transferred to the United States. There, the Mosquito was given civil registration N9909F and, from around 1955-66, was owned by the Insurance Finance Corp. of Studio City, CA. During this time it was believed that the machine was used by the CIA for intelligence gathering in South America. Continue reading Mosquito PZ474 Performs First Post-Restoration Flight [Video]

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Kermit Weeks Shares Curtiss Jenny Restoration Update [Video]

Fantasy of Flight’s Kermit Weeks has posted a new video update on his Curtiss Jenny project, presented by restoration specialist Ken Kellett.

As previously reported, the aircraft (S/N A5360 / C/N 2404) was damaged when Hurricane Andrew struck the Florida-based collection back in 1992. Since then, all damaged wood and metal components have been replaced, including all of the wing spars and fuselage longerons. The paint work, which is just about complete, saw the application of the same USAAS markings the machine wore while it was based at the EAA Museum in Oshkosh back in the 1980s.

Click below to check out the new video.

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New Kermit Weeks Video Takes Viewers Aloft in P-51D

Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has shared a new video capturing a 2012 “Airplane of the Day” flight in his P-51D Mustang.

Weeks acquired this particular machine in 1979 for $155,000. It is painted in the colors of 44-13321 “Cripes A’Mighty 3rd” flown by highest scoring Mustang ace George Preddy of 328 Squadron, 352 Fighter Group.

The footage is described as offering “cool cockpit shots, some awesome fly-by’s and a roll or two to thrill you.” Click below to check it out.

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New Kermie Cam Video Features AT-6 Flight, Voice-Over and Cockpit Tour

For his latest installment of “Kermie Cam,” Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has released a new version of his North American AT-6 flight while providing a full review of the machine’s cockpit and a voice-over of the flight, which includes a couple of rolls, 4 point roll and snap rolls.

This particular machine is a AT-6D painted in the colors of the Womens Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) and featuring their mascot “Fifinella” on the cowling.

Click below to check out the new video.

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