Douglas DC-3 - Kermie Cam - FoF I-4 Icon
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- OK, Gang, here’s a visit to inspect the Fantasy of Flight DC-3 Interstate 4 Roadside Icon that has been displayed since we opened in 1995.
It’s served its purpose in the past and has become a bit of an eyesore, and now it’s time to figure out what to do with it!
Kermit Weeks
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Kermit Weeks
A DC-3 was the plane for my very first flight. I fell in love with the plane ever since. Your plane needs to be restored, by you or whoever, because there are only so many of them left. The best to you.
It's quite an undertaking to enter and leave alive given the position and condition of this airplane.😅
I love to see airplanes like this, shown to public 'bare naked' to see how it's constructed.
Thank you for filming this.
Looked like the first episode of Mikey McBryan's "Plane Savers"!! Could this be a new, exciting angle for Flight of Fantasy?
Real informative and entertaining! Keep on truckin' !
I travel I-4 regularly.
It has been sad to see this once proud bird fall into disrepair, but it will be sadder if she gets removed. I had always hoped Kermit would get a bunch of volunteers to clean up and repaint this icon of American flight.
I think if he were to ask for those volunteers, he might be surprised how many would step forward!
Fabricate the missing hatches (woodin plugs), power wash and paint! Could be done fairly cheap and keep the neighbors happy.
maybe you should volunteer
Good on you Kermit
What happens to old gymnasts? They get stuck in a DC-3 on the interstate.
Here is a no joke make it look OK thing. Spray rust inhibitor on the places you want to patch over, then use a really strong adhesive tape and tape across the hole. Then spray white, black, or clear FlexSteel over it. Do not laugh. I have done that over fender rot, rocker panels, etc.. I did my rotted-out pickup to give to my grandson, and when he gave it back to me 6 years later the tape and FlexSteel were still in place and holding. True teenager tested rust fix.
Its toast, find someone to pressure wash it, place some tin over the holes secure the mounts again, dummy up a rudder, paint it to look good from the highway and she'll be good for another 5+ years, then its off to the salvage yard ! Sad but its seen better days !
Thanks for sharing, that DC 3 needs some love 👍
Nah it needs a long visit to the scrap yard!
Since the Connie is static, you'd turn some heads if that was its new resting spot.
17:45 Sense of humour dryer than the Sahara! 🤣
A few hours with a buffer and she'll be good as new.
Knock it down below the grass. The tropics with take care of the rest.
I'm thinking the guys up at Buffalo Airways might be able to save it 🤣🤣🤣
Hi Kermit. Perhaps this has lanquished unloved for too long .....A cheap fix would be to place the Catalina or the Constellation in it's place . You know and l know this has flown it's last sortie . ....l think it's very important to have an aircraft in it's place . You know what Joe public are like .....if the Dak is removed and not substituted , they'll all guess and gossip !! Take care Kermit 💞
Kermit. Mikey McBryan
Buffalo Air, has a flying D-dayC-47.
sad to see that ICON slowly dying...
Needs to be saved that old bird 😅
hmmmm, maybe a candidate for Basler Air???
👍
Hmm, original three piece instrument panel. It looks like the original radio room layout as well. The corrosion in the inside looks minimal. Nothing like a good pressure washer to remove all that paint and gunk, ask me how I know....
Let the ponytail go ......
hey a little power wash and its good as new! LOL
Unfortunately fla not ideal safe location for any museum!🤔
Jman
Basler avation build dc3's out of bones
The "bones" on this plane are broken
@@Airplanefish nothing personal but im going to disalike this because i believe in the airplane fairy
Would like to see it used for something else if it can be saved
Kermit, I have to say Im a little disappointed that you would let a vintage WWII era aircraft rot away like that. Why dont you donate it and get it someone elses hands who will give it the love it deserves. Take the loss on your taxes and save this beautiful piece of history.
It was already past the point of being salvageable when he purchased it in the mid 90s. DC-3s are plentiful still as well, there’s 20+ just sitting up at Oshkosh waiting for their turn in line up at Basler Turbo Conversions.
The sad reality of it is that it’s not worth saving. He could buy a flying airplane for a eighth of the price it would take to repair this one.
@@619viewloader Your opinion but I dont think it matters how many you think are still available right now. You never know what could happen and a DC 3 is a DC 3. It's a historical aircraft that can be turned into something else other then sitting on the side of a freeway rotting away.
@@On-Our-Radar-24News I certainly, and respectfully, see your point but the fact that he bought the airplane for $6,000 in the 90s says a lot about its condition back then. Keep in mind Kermit has to run a successful business first to even allow visitors to see these precious airplanes. That wouldn't be realistic or possible if he dumped a bunch of money into an airplane that is practically scrap, no matter what that airplane is. If your worry is about Kermit letting vintage airplanes rot, just remember the *literal* hundreds of airplanes that he has saved and restored to flying condition over the course of his flying career. Now imagine how many people's lives were changed while seeing Kermit fly and display those restored machines. Don't let one rusted, gutted, moldy, junky DC3 detract from the fact that Kermit has done more for vintage aviation than most museums and individuals will do in their entire lives. If he wasn't economical, you wouldn't have even known about that DC3. It's not like he tossed it into a scrap heap, he made it presentable for people to see on the highway.
The guy has more than one of these
What a disgraceful waste of DC3. Should be ashamed to let it sit there and rot for advertising.
nothing compared to the waste of the PBY that's been sitting out in the open, and the poor Connie.
Idk, if they were worth restoring it would be done. 30-40 years ago these thing weren’t very valuable. Even now they aren’t worth what it takes to get them airworthy, or transported for that matter.
first
Kermit,
20 miles from my house is a DC3. Wings are there but they've been unbolted. Still sitting on its tricycle gear upright and proud but for 30 years Ive hated seeing her out there rotting. If you're interested let me know. Its in south Mississippi.
DC-3's - all variants, C-47, R4D, were conventional gear..... all other Douglas prop aircraft in airline service were the DC-4(C-54)6 and 7 and were trikes......sure you're not talking about a Beech H18 Tri Gear conversion ??
Looks like the top cockpit escape hatch is missing as well. Fortunately, the inspection plate under the nose is still there. When we redid ours to static display, that was one part that was almost impossible to find. Oh the joy of bolting on those wings!! Ours now resides at the Langley Museum of Flight in B.C. Canada, just outside Vancouver. They've pushed her over where there is no access. They may be interested in getting rid of it. We put ten years of our lives restoring her to static display, to watch her fall into disrepair again.
Looks a bit like DTD from Plane Savers! Before the amazing team put her back in the air😃
An iconic I-4 visual. I understand some people see the old girl as an eyesore because, let's face she's, it's not looking good. I have to say I will miss the visual while driving past. It has been the midway landmark between Orlando and Tampa for decades. Thank you, Kermit, for making the drive a little bit more interesting.
Wash, wax and polish the DC3.....and put some spotlights to accent it
David Tallichet had two DC-3 / C-47's at the restaurant at the airport in St Pete, both stored/abandoned, one in faded Moroccan AF markings. This is likely one of them. I crawled up into both when I was based at MacDill in the late 80's.
driven by it many times, if it had been painted to look like C-47 i would have been all over fantasy of flight. I think many people would have been. too bad you don't have time to test my theory. all those years wasted. try it
My dream is to visit your museu, bit there is no tourists agencies programms in São Paulo city. Do you know anyone to promote This in Brasil?
Could a static restoration be used as a educational project. Perhaps local youth project.
" Plane Savers " might Help...lots of spare Planes...Parts...
I have to agree with others here; this may be the saddest video I've ever seen on this channel. Seeing the overgrown runways and rotting, damaged DC-3 definitely made me sad.
You guys should restore this plane to flight worthiness again.
I’ve rarely disagreed with you on your right to do with whatever you choose concerning your own a/c. That disclaimer out of the way, how can an iconic aircraft such as the DC3 be considered an eyesore? A pressure wash would go a long way. Are you that bereft of individuals to perform tasks that do not require an A&P certificate? I still send money when possible and support FoF in every way.
Poor Old Bird , bet she could tell some stories , please try and save her if affordable.
I have to disagree,that's not an eyesore she's gorgeous
RESTORE IT!!! Take it down and have a regular sign built in its place.
dont get down my friend, have a rum and take it as it comes!
I'm surprised you didn't get dive bombed from the paper wasps underneath the left horizontal stabilizer root. Sad to see that airframe being reclaimed by the elements, but there isn't much left there.
my Dad flew those at west coast airlines in the 50s
I absolutely love going by this plane for all of my life! Ive always wanted to go to your museum. Is it going to open again?
That's a handful! Did you find alot of corrosion? There's a restoration project for the "Real" DC-3 lover! Give Mikey McBrian a call. These guys love the DC-3s. They'd probably enjoy a field trip to Florida too.
And we need parts for one we have in toccoa ga!
Thanks for the video Kermit.
Looks like the old girl needs lots of TLC.
Thanks again.
Retired Air Force veteran.
Clearly you have gone conservative on projects. Short term, hire a crew to clean it off. It will have a different feel when looking at it.
dont let her die please!!!!
That's my kind of eyesore! Great stuff, Kermit, thanks! (Good to see Jack's back too, he was gone for a while, right? I call him Tom Petty because of his square-rims, beard and smile. :)
That reminds me of the video when Kermit went exploring into the wing of the Martin Mars and damn near never made it out !
I seem to remember Mikey from Plane Savers saying that the hamburger door behind the cockpit is really hard to come by. Perhaps thieves got ahold of yours?
Yeah but they have new ones in stock. Look at Joes 'own' DC3 just the stones from gravel strip have hammered the hell out of that door
Any thief brave enough to sneak in there and get it could get an honest job changing strobe lights on radio towers.
Painful to Look at.
This is an actual DC3, not a C 47, which is not exactly very common place. It would be nice to see this restored to at least a static configuration… I know there’s someone down at Shell Creek aviation in Punta Gorda, who was restoring a prewar DC-3.
Maybe a wind powered sculpture / monument / weathervane / anemometer/ generator / flying saucer mobile above a VOR. Old movie Icon of a plane circling a globe.
SAD
Just curious.. was this aircraft formally deralict on the north side of Hwy 52 in between Tampa and Orlando?.... mom stopped so I could look at it around 1983 or '85. F.b.o. saw me looking in awe...so he gave me a tour.
This is the face of your business. It would be a good idea to have this plane and sign be in good shape and good looking. I worked airframe repair on F-4 Phantoms and F-15 Eagles in the Air Force. I would love to volunteer at this place if they had volunteers and I lived closer. I was there a few weeks ago on a Friday and FOF was closed with a sign saying they had mechanical problems (I live in the Jacksonville area).
WOW !!--EVEN AFTER, NEARLY A100 YEARS,-THOSE DC.3's--STILL LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL !!--PLEASE DON'T LET HER DIE !!
She's already on life support with the power about to fail. Chunk it in for scrap. There are still plenty better around, even now!
SIR-YOU OBVIOUSLY,-DISLIKE OLD AIRCRAFT,---AND A "NARK"--PERHAPS YOU COULD BE ON "LIFE-SUPPORT'"--AND THE ''D.C.-3"--COULD "PULL THE PLUG??"---(WITH THE HELP, OF A LOT OF PEOPLE,!)---@@royfearn4345
@@royfearn4345another good idea is to probably, if there ever is some around, put in a DC-10 if possible.
Kermit I’m from Brevard and I’ve grown up with seeing this on I4 as I’ve crisscrossed the state, your place was one of the things that got me in to flying and I would hate to see it go. Maybe you can get a go fundme going to spruce it up.
看起来结构还没什么大问题，也许可以改造成一个可以供小朋友游玩的飞机迷宫，装上滑梯？O(∩_∩)O哈哈~
I ALWAYS enjoyed seeing it on its belly with the rudder up in the air and the mannequin hangin Whenever I would drive down i4 I’d always get excited when I saw it. It will certainly be missed. Thanks Kermie
Maybe it could have been built as a Douglas C-53 Skytrooper originally please restore it.
I wonder what the Buffalo Boys would say about this.
But if they think its a good project I would like to see be saved.
Wonder what story it have.....
Nothing about the operational history of that particular aircraft.
Its real easy to say save it when its not their money.
The thing is end of life. If what your planning is a C-47 display, I'd just get a C-47 that'll last longer than this one. There are deals out there to be had.
You definitely got your money out of this thing.
This is a Douglas DC3 the most awesome airplane to ever fly the friendly skies of the United States of America and all other countries as well it holds the record for more miles flown than any other airplane in aviation history
Bearing in mind Blaser strip these aircraft right back and have the type cert would this not be a candidate for a turbo prop conversion...??
Some one please let Kermit know he is a human and won’t live for ever so he needs to organize his projects and pick his battles .
That HUGE Wasp Nest above your head back on the L/H horizontal stabilizer! Was waiting for someone to get popped!
Try selling lotto tickets for rides in you planes so the average guy can get the ride of a lifetime,
I remember seeing the plane back in 2019 when i drove to St. Petersburg from Orlando
As I see it she needs some TLC but aircraft have been brought back from worse conditions. I have faith in her.
Wish Fantasy of Flight was still open alot of history there
They are open here and there.... check their website for the schedule. I have been twice this year. Will go again soon...need more rum.
I visited FoF back in 1996 with my new wife and absolutely LOVED it. I wish I could visit again but it's a long way from Nova Scotia.
Would be good to know the history of the airframe
Enjoyed Fantasy of Flight when it was open. Always though it would be a great place for a fly in. Incredible what you do Mr. Weeks.
Had a great Father’s Day visit to Kermit’s place several years ago as a gift from my wife. Got to tour, have lunch and fly the PT17! Sorry others don’t have that opportunity now.
You sure let that 3 go to crap.
WE have enjoyed your place since your opening. Thank you for the info on airplanes.
Warum lässt du das Flugzeug einfach verrotten? ??
That thing has got to be the world's biggest wasp nest......😳🫣
Sooo sad to see a plane left out to slowly rot. And stripped of parts
Darn and I have been looking for a ladder laying near a billboard to acquire.
👍👍👍👍Dc3 God bless happy Halloween🙏🎃
A hamburger door, tail wheel, some cowl flaps, a cargo door and you’d be all set!
Kermie is like one more member of the familiy by now. omg god what a thing that dc3
The most beautiful plane ever made...
No, THAT would be the B-52 . . .
Yes it is and the best airplane ever made as well
I see it painted like eastern airlines did in the 50's 😊
oh, thatll buff out. im sure lol.
That was a really good video
It'll buff out, no problem..........
Get a guy on a telescopic lift out there and soak the plane down with pool bleach concentrate. will clean that up at least. You could sell advertising on it .
I can vouch for that! That pool-shock, UNCUT, works wonders on Mobile Homes, but it will destroy any clothing you are wearing at the time.
Oh, Kermie, It's so sad to see that beautiful piece of Aviation History in such a sad condition, but I know that now that you've been reminded of the amount of attention she needs just to remain in existence, I know that she'll receive all the T.L.C she can ever ask for.😍💯👍👀
Man, I hate to see rotting aircraft like this. As an old A&P mechanic it drives me nuts!