Tag: Fantasy of Flight

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Kermit Weeks Releases Part 2 of B-24 Liberator Video Tour

Kermit Weeks has released part 2 of his video tour through his B-24J Liberator based at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.

This particular aircraft was one of four surplus Indian Air Force B-24 bombers acquired by collectors in the early 1970s before being purchased by Weeks and flown to Fantasy of Flight in the early 1990s. It will reportedly undergo a complete restoration before flying again.

The video consists of a walk-around and walk-through and includes an abundance of interesting details. Part 1 can be seen here. Click below to check out part 2.

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Kermit Weeks Films Tour of His B-24 Liberator [Video]

For his latest edition of “Kermie Cam” Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks conducted a video tour of his B-24J Liberator.

This particular aircraft was one of four surplus Indian Air Force B-24 bombers acquired by collectors in the early 1970s before being purchased by Weeks and flown to Fantasy of Flight in the early 1990s. It will reportedly undergo a complete restoration before flying again.

The video consists of a walk-around and walk-through and includes an abundance of interesting details. The tour will be covered in two parts, the first of which can be seen below.

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Kermit Weeks Films “Mystery Container Unboxing” at Fantasy of Flight

Kermit Weeks has released a video documenting the unboxing of a “mystery” shipping container that he has been waiting over a year to receive.

As we see, the container is filled with a variety of components, and Kermit challenges us to guess the plane before he reveals its identity (which occurs around the 9 minute mark).

Click below to check it out.

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Kermit Weeks Posts May 2019 Seversky P-35A Project Update

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 reveals the structure of the port wing panel following removal of the skins and details some of the work that will need to be carried out in order to restore the panel to new condition. Click below to check it out.

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Kermit Weeks Conducts Video Tour of His Lockheed Constellation

In response to a subscriber request, Kermit Weeks has posted a video tour of his Lockheed Constellation.

The video includes a walk-around and walk-through, along with the commentary that is “full of fun and interesting tidbits.” As Kermit points out, if the video has good views and feedback, he will go on to the subscriber’s second choice, the B-29.

Click below to check it out.

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