Tag: Kermit Weeks

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Kermit Weeks Shares Updated, Lengthened Video of Curtiss Wright CW-19R Maiden Flight

Kermit Weeks has posted an “updated and lengthened” video showing the arrival and first flight of his Curtiss Wright CW-19R back in 2013/14.

The CW-19 began life as a a civil utility aircraft, performing its maiden flight in 1935. The 19R was a militarized two-seat variant with a Wright J6-7 engine and weapons mountings. The type saw limited use.

Kermit’s example was acquired in 2013 and restored, performing its first post-restoration flight in February 2014. The newly released video captures Kermit flying the machine performing some high flying, a couple of landings and take-offs, and a set of very fast low passes. Click below to check it out.

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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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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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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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Kermit Weeks Shares Restoration Report on Rare Seversky P-35a

Kermit Weeks has shared a new series of images detailing the ongoing work on his exceedingly rare Seversky P-35.

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.

Click below to check out the update.

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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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New Kermie Cam Video Offers Uncut Pilot’s Eye View of Albatros D.Va Flight

Following on his recent Curtiss Pusher video, Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has released another new “Uncut Kermie Cam” video capturing a full flight in his Albatros D.Va reproduction from the pilot’s perspective.

The reproduction was built by The Vintage Aviator, Ltd. in New Zealand and sports an original Mercedes engine as well as other original equipment. It appears in the colors of Ltn. Adolf Schreder of Jasta 17. Schreder scored one victory before being killed in action on March 17, 1918 while flying a Pfalz D.IIIa.

Click below to check out the video.

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New Kermie Cam Video Offers Uncut Pilot’s Eye View of Curtiss Pusher Flight

Kermit Weeks has released a new “Uncut Kermie Cam” video capturing an “exhilarating” full flight in his 1909 Herring-Curtiss Pusher reproduction from the pilot’s perspective.

This two-seat, Continental O-200 A-powered machine was constructed in 2009 by Dean Wilson and Jim Otey to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first flight in the state of Idaho. It is now part of Weeks’ Fantasy of Flight collection in Polk City, Florida.

Click below to check out the video.

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