The sound of that Inline Six engine is music to my ears! Which reminds me...Thank You Kermit for not putting music over your videos..only the sounds of the machines and interesting and informative narration.. :)
As a boy in the 1960's I read veteran accounts from World War One where the authors described Mercedes Aero engines as making a sound like 'pour vous pour vous'.....etc. It was an incredible experience to actually hear it from the moment the revs stabilized at idle on that old Mercedes. I also read an article by a NZ pilot and Editor for a local Warbird/classic aircraft magazine who was fortunate enough to test fly a replica Albatross fitted with an original Mercedes engine. In the article the pilot described how the cooling system for the Mercedes tended to occasionally shower him with hot water from an overflow vent on a tank in the center section of the top wing!
If anyone's wondering, the D-VII is painted as WWI German flyer Ernst Udet painted his D-VII. "Lo" was Udet's girlfriend (later ex-wife) and on the tail, "du doch nicht," means "Definitely not you" - sort of a black humored message to any enemy fighter pilot who might get on his tail. Beautiful plane!
I read that at least one time, he really got an enemy plane at his tail and had to bail out with his parachute, which became available in 1918 and was allowed to be used by German pilots in an emergency, in contrast to the British Royal Flying Corps. So he was able to survive the war as the second-highest scoring German ace with 62 aerial victories (Manfred von Richthofen had 80).
When I retired from teaching/coaching in '97, ...I used to drive over to Fantasy of Flight every morning from Kissimmee, and fly the simulators with a bunch of old fuds...We had a blast...Thanks for that Kermit.
I always find your videos well worth waiting for Kermit. And with your showcasing of the early stuff such as this Fokker, it's really taught me an appreciation of those early types that I never had before. The design and engineering is truly fascinating, I can't get enough. Just keep them coming quicker so we can get a regular fix. I'll be out to visit this March. Cheers, Mark
Mr. Weeks, I can't even begin to explain how green with envy I am. I live down the street from you all in Valrico and I hope to see it trimming the tops of the trees some time soon.
Great video thanks. I recently built a 1/4 scale DR1 and did not go with a tail skid because of the "downwind turn" issue you mentioned. Many videos of the DR1 show this is a real problem. I installed a flat black tail wheel underneath so you might not see it and that way I don't have to walk out to retrieve the model and turn it around myself. Thanks a bunch for this tip!
The real significance of these was the wing section and their behaviour at fairly high alpha. I am guessing this replica has an authentic wing section, so I would be extremely interested to see and hear Kermit on how it behaves just before, at, and slightly after stall - compared to contemporary types. Allied pilots were terrified of it, because it could 'hang on the prop' and remain controllable. I would love to see that demonstrated, and hear a report from Kermit on what it's like to do that. A hundred years later, we have 3 way redundant fly-by-wire and dynamic instability, lifting body blended wing and vortex strakes to allow and use exactly the same kind of trick. A modern fighter can be flown and manoeuvred at very high angles of attack. This was the aircraft that showed the world that is a desirable trait in a fighter.
+Kneedragon1962 seemes they had a very thick upper wing, probably thick also because they didn't use a system of wires to brace it rather the internal structure of the wing itself, a thicker wing would be more rigid.
Saw this buzz Wright Field just this weekend during Dayton's Dawn Patrol event. Seen many times at previous DDP's...my question is who was at the controls this show?
Would you ever add brakes? Or are you of team "keep it original?" (I'm "make it work" camp, just hide the brakes) I'm so appreciative you keep these beautiful birds flying! Especially WWI German planes, no one is even close to them and their paint schemes. For me, each of those WWI German planes is a work of art, especially the Fokker Dr.1
I am not a pilot, but I do fly RC planes, could the throttle setup be intentional to help prevent nosing over?! Access to more power requires the elevator to not be pitched down but neutral or even pulled up? Its what I do when taxing my rc planes that are nose-heavy...
Kermit, you obviously love these great old machines, I'm curious about your thoughts on historic rotary wing aircraft? I'm surprised you don't seem to have a Pitcairn or Cierva machine or something similar, or perhaps even a reproduction of a WWII German helicopter.
@@KermitWeeks444 Very nice, I had no idea. I'm ratcheting up my opinion of you 3 notches, 6 if you post a flying video. As to your D-VII, is it set up to start on the hand crank mag? Thanks for the personal reply.
hahaha is that an original livery? the writing on the stab roughly translates to "oh no not you!" to be read by the pilots trying to shoot this bird down
Just to understand, you wanted down elevator while giving it power in order to... lighten the pressure on the tail skid so it can come around better? You were trying to get the elevator down and the R's up but that odd throttle lever hit the panel with the stick forward. Seems that could be a dangerous move but I'm just speculating about that. I got to thinking that since it was hard to turn in the grass you might have been trying to take some load off the skid to aid steering, am I right?
Nice video, great to see the old airplane come alive again! By the way, Americans always pronounce Fokker like "folker" with a long o, but actually it should be pronounced with an o like in "boss" or "lock", so like saying "locker" with the "l" replaced by an "f". Hope to see more videos soon!
No idea why you dont pull the chocks from behind the wing with a tail on the connected rope so the front chocks comes away and doesnt tangle . Like a Y shape
I find it almost incomprehensible that teenagers born in 1890s Germany with unmade roads and horse-drawn transport in the main, could be given this high performance, fabric killing machine after just a few hours of tuition and pushed into the appalling ruthless battle over the Western Front. No parachute and sitting on 20 gallons of petrol in a thin unprotected tank, with the pilot and petrol being the first solid impediment to an attacker’s two heavy machine-guns fired from effectively point blank range.
Kermit let me ask you a question ... I glider pilot and I am crazy french ..... My dream is that one day I would hit the handle of a messerschmitt BF109 or similar plane ... How do I access it?
The sound of that Inline Six engine is music to my ears! Which reminds me...Thank You Kermit for not putting music over your videos..only the sounds of the machines and interesting and informative narration.. :)
God its so badass
As a boy in the 1960's I read veteran accounts from World War One where the authors described Mercedes Aero engines as making a sound like 'pour vous pour vous'.....etc.
It was an incredible experience to actually hear it from the moment the revs stabilized at idle on that old Mercedes.
I also read an article by a NZ pilot and Editor for a local Warbird/classic aircraft magazine who was fortunate enough to test fly a replica Albatross fitted with an original Mercedes engine.
In the article the pilot described how the cooling system for the Mercedes tended to occasionally shower him with hot water from an overflow vent on a tank in the center section of the top wing!
If anyone's wondering, the D-VII is painted as WWI German flyer Ernst Udet painted his D-VII. "Lo" was Udet's girlfriend (later ex-wife) and on the tail, "du doch nicht," means "Definitely not you" - sort of a black humored message to any enemy fighter pilot who might get on his tail. Beautiful plane!
I read that at least one time, he really got an enemy plane at his tail and had to bail out with his parachute, which became available in 1918 and was allowed to be used by German pilots in an emergency, in contrast to the British Royal Flying Corps. So he was able to survive the war as the second-highest scoring German ace with 62 aerial victories (Manfred von Richthofen had 80).
When I retired from teaching/coaching in '97, ...I used to drive over to Fantasy of Flight every morning from Kissimmee, and fly the simulators with a bunch of old fuds...We had a blast...Thanks for that Kermit.
how did i miss this channel!? Thanks kermit for making these videos. I always call you the "Jay leno" of aircraft collecting.
I love your videos....if it wasnt for you we wouldnt have the history and the flying experience.
I love you Kermit Weeks.....I seriously love you.
I love that biplane .I built a couple of models of her in my younger years as well as the Se-5 ..
This probably makes the most beautiful sound of any airplane I've even heard.
I always find your videos well worth waiting for Kermit. And with your showcasing of the early stuff such as this Fokker, it's really taught me an appreciation of those early types that I never had before. The design and engineering is truly fascinating, I can't get enough. Just keep them coming quicker so we can get a regular fix. I'll be out to visit this March. Cheers, Mark
Another beautiful biplane! Very nice! Thanks For Sharing Kermit! :)
Awesome aircraft. Can't imagine young fearless 20 somethings flying these in combat. Brave young men.
Each plane must be a real learning experience !! I'll bet it's sometimes scary !!
Danke Kermit! History comes to life.
So you need an airfield, instead of an airstrip ;)
Thanks sir, for preserving aviation history!
Mr. Weeks, I can't even begin to explain how green with envy I am. I live down the street from you all in Valrico and I hope to see it trimming the tops of the trees some time soon.
Great video thanks. I recently built a 1/4 scale DR1 and did not go with a tail skid because of the "downwind turn" issue you mentioned. Many videos of the DR1 show this is a real problem. I installed a flat black tail wheel underneath so you might not see it and that way I don't have to walk out to retrieve the model and turn it around myself. Thanks a bunch for this tip!
you have to love the sound of that engine what a handful to fly I'm guessing can't wait to see it take off for the first flight
Don't tell my girl, but I'm in love with that airplane!!
good to see the videos coming again, many thanks.
such a badass, beautiful aircraft!
The real significance of these was the wing section and their behaviour at fairly high alpha. I am guessing this replica has an authentic wing section, so I would be extremely interested to see and hear Kermit on how it behaves just before, at, and slightly after stall - compared to contemporary types. Allied pilots were terrified of it, because it could 'hang on the prop' and remain controllable. I would love to see that demonstrated, and hear a report from Kermit on what it's like to do that. A hundred years later, we have 3 way redundant fly-by-wire and dynamic instability, lifting body blended wing and vortex strakes to allow and use exactly the same kind of trick. A modern fighter can be flown and manoeuvred at very high angles of attack. This was the aircraft that showed the world that is a desirable trait in a fighter.
+Kneedragon1962
seemes they had a very thick upper wing, probably thick also because they didn't use a system of wires to brace it rather the internal structure of the wing itself, a thicker wing would be more rigid.
Sweet. Will be awaiting the first flight with great anticipation!
Great plane and nice YJ!
Beautiful Aircraft. Kermit would you Please Please do a video walk around of the entire aircraft?
finally a new kermit weeks vids. can't wait for more flying vids :) Happy new year from Luxembourg Europe :)
and Germany :D
Can we get a little Kermie Cam sometime soon please!
Loved the hat blow off at 2 minutes...great videos!
Fantastic kermie bloody fantastic !
Kermit is lucky, he gets to fly cool aircraft like the Fokker D VII.
does the kit include a copy of the Mercedes engine that went into the original plane ?
Now I understand why original film footage always depicted a bunch of guys trotting alongside many of the old stringbags when they taxi'd out and in!
Nice has the airspeed indicator in the correct spot on the wing.
Love these videos, especially the Kermie Cams.
Kermit, I believe the Fokker will turn left during taxi any time it wants
Just an educated thought
👊
Love the d7.
This totally reminds me of that scene from "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World"
"When was this plane built??"
"1916!"
Hopefully we'll see more videos of your Hawker Tempest V soon!! Ready to see more videos from you good sir!
Great videos and love the WW1 planes.
When I grow up, I want to be Kermit Weeks too.
Saw this buzz Wright Field just this weekend during Dayton's Dawn Patrol event. Seen many times at previous DDP's...my question is who was at the controls this show?
Would you ever add brakes? Or are you of team "keep it original?" (I'm "make it work" camp, just hide the brakes)
I'm so appreciative you keep these beautiful birds flying! Especially WWI German planes, no one is even close to them and their paint schemes. For me, each of those WWI German planes is a work of art, especially the Fokker Dr.1
I'd love to see Mr. Weeks build a replica of the Curtiss Pusher made for the film The Great Race. I loved both that plane and that movie.
Hope we see her in the Air soon
Boy that throttle arrangement...did you ever figure out a good reason for it?
That looks like the plane that was used in an episode of "Get Smart".
Still a bueatiful ride. I'm still not sold on that paint scheme though. : )
I am not a pilot, but I do fly RC planes, could the throttle setup be intentional to help prevent nosing over?! Access to more power requires the elevator to not be pitched down but neutral or even pulled up? Its what I do when taxing my rc planes that are nose-heavy...
Outstanding my friend. Bless ya
Thanks for posting.
Yea I'd change that throttle setup with that little shoe arrangement on the skid...nice little vfr a/c then...stay away from large airports....ok
Kermit, you obviously love these great old machines, I'm curious about your thoughts on historic rotary wing aircraft? I'm surprised you don't seem to have a Pitcairn or Cierva machine or something similar, or perhaps even a reproduction of a WWII German helicopter.
I have two. www.fantasyofflight.com/collection/aircraft/currently-not-showing-in-museum/golden-age/1934-pitcairn-autogiro-pa-18/
@@KermitWeeks444 Very nice, I had no idea. I'm ratcheting up my opinion of you 3 notches, 6 if you post a flying video.
As to your D-VII, is it set up to start on the hand crank mag? Thanks for the personal reply.
Where is that region In the World? Plenty of green, and countryside is beatiful too.
My great grandfather flew these bad boys in WW1.
hahaha is that an original livery? the writing on the stab roughly translates to "oh no not you!" to be read by the pilots trying to shoot this bird down
Awesome 😎
@kermitweeks Where can the Lozenge pattern fabric be obtained from? I need 4 square metres…
I only have 1 left leg 2 give, Don't be scared. Fly like it's your last time, & Score!
*Rock and Roll Baby.*
Is the engine a original, or reproduction of the original or a more modern engine? Sounds great!
cool looking
Just to understand, you wanted down elevator while giving it power in order to... lighten the pressure on the tail skid so it can come around better? You were trying to get the elevator down and the R's up but that odd throttle lever hit the panel with the stick forward. Seems that could be a dangerous move but I'm just speculating about that. I got to thinking that since it was hard to turn in the grass you might have been trying to take some load off the skid to aid steering, am I right?
Reminds me of when I had an old Mazda with a manual choke lol
Nice video, great to see the old airplane come alive again! By the way, Americans always pronounce Fokker like "folker" with a long o, but actually it should be pronounced with an o like in "boss" or "lock", so like saying "locker" with the "l" replaced by an "f". Hope to see more videos soon!
Not most. Just some.
Fly it on the unfiltered low octane gutter fuel they had back then for the real turn-of-the-century flight experience!
These videos are GREAT, thanks for posting them. I don't think you uttered the word "coooool" at all. So that was a bonus!
I love your videos!
No idea why you dont pull the chocks from behind the wing with a tail on the connected rope so the front chocks comes away and doesnt tangle . Like a Y shape
2:28..."Sound's like a John Deere." That it does!
I thought these could start solely on the hand cranked starter magneto once positioned properly?
Wonderful!
Whats the oil pan for? Did y'all change the oil after you flew it?
You have big balls sir.
Glide, like a slide.
😃 Espectacular muy bien 😃👍👍
I find it almost incomprehensible that teenagers born in 1890s Germany with unmade roads and horse-drawn transport in the main, could be given this high performance, fabric killing machine after just a few hours of tuition and pushed into the appalling ruthless battle over the Western Front. No parachute and sitting on 20 gallons of petrol in a thin unprotected tank, with the pilot and petrol being the first solid impediment to an attacker’s two heavy machine-guns fired from effectively point blank range.
Amazing to think about!
Does anyone know if Kermit has ever flown this airplane. Can’t find any videos other than taxi test
It has yet to fly. Still issues with fuel tank. We were dealing with other projects first, then COVID came along. It’s in the pipeline.
Painted up in Ernst Udets' color scheme with LO! painted on the side for his wife's nickname
that sure looked like a challenge.
Only the single Spandau ?
Nice video!
Any reason for the garish paintwork on these otherwise meticulously restored machines?
that was udets actual paintscheme.
There's no need for handpropping! Get it right and use the Anlass magnet the way you should.
A beautiful plane though!
Have u flown this plane?
Not Yet
Kermit let me ask you a question ...
I glider pilot and I am crazy french ..... My dream is that one day I would hit the handle of a messerschmitt BF109 or similar plane ... How do I access it?
How do you learn this and not get killed?
Did you ever fly it?
Have you ever flown it?
Not yet. Still sorting out fuel tank leaks.
Wasn't there when we were last . Wonderfull place. Looking forward to a return.
Is it blasphemy in some way to remove the throttle from the stick and just use the wall mounted throttle?
Great sounding engin, but to be real safe, have a ''FIRE BOTTLE'' HANDY, on your starts and runups !
Mercedes DIII Engine?
Is that a Norwegian flag on the side of the plane?
+Simen Christensen nope, it's just the ww1 style Balkenkreuz of the german air force, it used to be like this, thinner and with longer branches.
+Morenn Alright, thanks.
that really looks like a reaplica!
that engine is bass boosted
Where is Snoopy?
more kermie cams please!!
Love your videos! Its actually pronounced exactly like an american would say focker, so fucker with an O xD
Do you fly warbirds for a living? God, I want a job like that...
My dream is to fly a god damn p51, I'm sick of flying cessnas and pipers lol
+Charbel Al-houkaim my dream is to fly. Period.
+Creepy Productions well go make your dream come true, if you live in the USA there is a flight school pretty much at every airport. Good luck
I have a propeller from a fokker DV11
Its about time. lol
Udet !