Tag: Fantasy of Flight

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Moving a Lockheed Constellation is Not a Simple Process [Video]

Fantasy of Flight founder Kermit Weeks has posted a new video documenting the move of his Lockheed Constellation in preparation for construction of a new hangar.

This particular aircraft (N974R) is a Lockheed L-1649 Starliner, the final Constellation variant. During its long service history it flew with Lufthansa and served as a freighter with Lockheed Air Service. It was acquired by Fantasy of Flight in 2011.

The new video is the first in a two part series and can be seen after the break along with Kermit’s overview of N974R’s journey to Fantasy of Flight. As you’ll see, the move is more complicated and interesting than you might expect.

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Kermit Weeks Releases Part 2 of His Lockheed Vega Project Update [Video]

Kermit Weeks has released part 2 of his new video series documenting the progress on 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 project commenced once again in September 2019.

Part 1 of the series deals with the fuselage frame work and can be seen here. Part 2 covers the making of the fuselage skin and can be seen below.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Releases Part 2 of His Lockheed Vega Project Update [Video]

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Kermit Weeks Documents Progress on His Lockheed Vega Project in New Video

Kermit Weeks has released the first video in a two part series documenting his trip to check out the progress on 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 project commenced once again in September 2019.

Part 1 of the series will deal with the fuselage frame work and can be seen below. The upcoming second part will cover the making of the fuselage skin.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Documents Progress on His Lockheed Vega Project in New Video

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Kermit Weeks’ A-26 Performs First Taxi Test Since Restoration Began [Video]

Kermit Weeks’ A-26 project has reached another milestone, taxiing for the first time since the machine began restoration following damage sustained by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

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 the hurricane 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 newly released video.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks’ A-26 Performs First Taxi Test Since Restoration Began [Video]

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Kermit Weeks’ A-26 Project Marks Major Milestone With Engine Run [Video]

Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has shared a new update on his A-26 restoration, including footage of the machine coming to life, a “major milestone” in its progress.

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.

Kermit notes that they “are starting to make serious progress towards completion.” Stating “the airplane was already very original, but it’s being restored to an even higher degree of authenticity. When completed, there will never be an A-26B to compete with this one.”

Click below to check out the video.

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Kermit Weeks Releases Second Part of “Kermie Cam” B-25 Tour [Video]

After releasing part 1 last week Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has returned for the second installment of his Kermie Cam B-25 tour, which explores the whole aircraft interior, from tail to cockpit.

As previously reported, the machine (S/N 43-28059) was originally delivered in 1944 and was used for training during WW2 and for some time after the war ended. In the 1950s it was used for proficiency flying and transport duties. Following military service, it operated as a tanker fitted with a 1000 gallon tank and passed through the hands of several owners before being acquired by Weeks and restored.

Click below to check out the new video.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Releases Second Part of “Kermie Cam” B-25 Tour [Video]

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Kermit Weeks’ B-25 Mitchell Takes Center Stage in Kermie Cam Video

Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has released his latest “Kermie Cam” video, this time focusing on his B-25J Mitchell “Apache Princess.”

The machine (S/N 43-28059) was originally delivered in 1944 and was used for training during WW2 and for some time after the war ended. In the 1950s it was used for proficiency flying and transport duties. Following military service, it operated as a tanker fitted with a 1000 gallon tank and passed through the hands of several owners before being acquired by Weeks and restored.

The new video is part one of the series which includes a walk around and interior tour of the aircraft. Click below to check it out.

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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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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