It's fantastic Kermit that you keep all us aviation dreamers and flyers in mind and talk directly to us. You show us things we will never be able to see our lives.
I love that Stinson! My dad and his best friend bought a surplus Stinson right after WW2. Dad's pal had been a Navy aircraft carrier pilot, and dad had been a USAAF aviation cadet. His class had been scrubbed in the fall of 1943. All of them were sent to Ft Sam Houston and made medics...just in time for D-day. They had the Stinson from 1946 to 1952, sold it for what they paid for it... $750 ! They needed the cash because each had kids to support.
Amazing progress with a great team of craftstmen at the helm,all of that specially made plywood for the project,remember this was the one used for radar trials as Kermit points out they changed the fuel tanks for fibreglass so there would be low radar signature,what a rare bird and I bet he cannot wait to fly this machine.
I have been in the building as a teenager where the original wing shop was for that airplane was an old brick building that was in Burbank California my family was involved in the Vega development ... this video has really made my day thank you Kermit
I hate to say this, but I was pretty disappointed upon hearing talk of replicating the Winnie Mae livery that's on the plane right now. Maybe my sensibilities as a classic auto racing guy are different from those of aircraft restorers, but I'd much rather see the Vega restored to match its own history, not simply emulate one of its more famous siblings. That aside, looks like it's coming along nicely. Having another flying Vega will be great, no matter how it's painted.
Didn't realize there was a glue available strong enough to withstand the pressures and temperatures involved in flying in modern times . Let alone 80 years ago. Mr. Weeks is awesome .
He does his signature like a stunt pilot show. 13:31 Big high loops with altitude, a low audience pass section. star pattern with the T and then a grand finale, lined with high and low passes. Then he lands with the line and shuts off with the dots. The last dot being his love for the sky. Kinda funny
Oh... AND... I LOVE the NEW Human Tri-Pod Addition to your "Kermit-Cam" Videos... If you're EVER looking for an Additional Human Tri-Pod... I live just down the road from Your FoF Museum and I'm generally (ALWAYS!!!) Available... (Due to some health issues) NOTE: And, You wouldn't even have to Pay me...😉
Hey kermit I wanted to tell you that you are deff a inspiration sir to me. I am a aviation anthuiest and rc pilot also avaiton artist I would like to make you a peiece. You tell me the model I'll draw and send it to you :)
It is. This is a different Vega built in 1929 and painted to replicate the Winnie Mae when it was first restored in the 60s. There's a detailed history under NC105W here: aircraft-in-focus.com/lockheed-vega
There are so many projects in the pipeline, I'd love to do them all . . . but that's not possible. Hopefully some day in the "near" future we'll get to it.
Kermit Weeks Hangar Thank you for responding. The reason I ask is many years ago Kermit Weeks showed my Grandfather, Farther and I the nose of the Lancaster. He also let us stand out on the concrete when he started his prize P51. It made all of our day that you would take time and show us around yourself. Thank you.
Kermit... I'm flat-out confused... There's a Photo of a Restored Winnie Mae, parked behind Your vintage Howard Hughes Car and BOTH appearing in being in one of Your Display Hangers on Wikipedia...??? Can ya help a confused person out...??? YIKES... Thank You...!!!
+Bargain Boondocker I finally figured that out about the real Winnie Mae in the Smithsonian... BUT... The Photo I've seen, is from onsite at Fantasy of Flight... Not real sure who owns it... BUT... It wouldn't surprise me in the lest if it's Kermits...
Kermit, by your videos you are getting a lot of great old aircraft restored. Old aircraft are my favorite. I thank you for your passion.
Really nice to see someone with wealth that gives back to humanity by preserving history and making others happy along the way. Way to go Mr. Weeks.
It's fantastic Kermit that you keep all us aviation dreamers and flyers in mind and talk directly to us. You show us things we will never be able to see our lives.
Fun to see the passion these guys have on restoring these old flying machines!
Good to see Kermit making new videos. Keep 'em coming!
My word that's craftsmanship at its best I was glued to this video all the way through thanks for sharing Kermit.
Kermit, what a legacy you are leaving the world, and you aren't done yet.
I love that Stinson! My dad and his best friend bought a surplus Stinson right after WW2. Dad's pal had been a Navy aircraft carrier pilot, and dad had been a USAAF aviation cadet. His class had been scrubbed in the fall of 1943. All of them were sent to Ft Sam Houston and made medics...just in time for D-day. They had the Stinson from 1946 to 1952, sold it for what they paid for it... $750 ! They needed the cash because each had kids to support.
Another great video thanks for taking me along.
Amazing progress with a great team of craftstmen at the helm,all of that specially made plywood for the project,remember this was the one used for radar trials as Kermit points out they changed the fuel tanks for fibreglass so there would be low radar signature,what a rare bird and I bet he cannot wait to fly this machine.
I have been in the building as a teenager where the original wing shop was for that airplane was an old brick building that was in Burbank California my family was involved in the Vega development ... this video has really made my day thank you Kermit
The real Winnie looks great up here in DC and Kermits will be on point in time I'm sure.
I hate to say this, but I was pretty disappointed upon hearing talk of replicating the Winnie Mae livery that's on the plane right now. Maybe my sensibilities as a classic auto racing guy are different from those of aircraft restorers, but I'd much rather see the Vega restored to match its own history, not simply emulate one of its more famous siblings.
That aside, looks like it's coming along nicely. Having another flying Vega will be great, no matter how it's painted.
Kermit is the koolest!!
I like your projects... You need two lifetimes to be satisfied by the time all the work is done !
I never realized it was a plywood airplane. Pretty neat.
Didn't realize there was a glue available strong enough to withstand the pressures and temperatures involved in flying in modern times . Let alone 80 years ago. Mr. Weeks is awesome .
Yes -- the de Havilland Mosquito and its German "clone" were both made of wooden composites -- look up Tegofilm
I would absolutely love to fly the L1. So awesome
Christ I cant imagine what that costs to restore that airplane. Happy to see new videos!
The Stinson is bad-ass, and the Vega is going to be beautiful
That Stinson is a handsome bird!
good video
Well done video!
indeed ;)
Awesome 😎
Smokes, I didn't realize that the Stinson was so large!
He does his signature like a stunt pilot show. 13:31
Big high loops with altitude, a low audience pass section. star pattern with the T and then a grand finale, lined with high and low passes. Then he lands with the line and shuts off with the dots. The last dot being his love for the sky. Kinda funny
Great video for sure! Thank you. What is the latest status if this restoration? Is it completed? On hold? Thanks!
Currently the project is on hold. It is in line to be started up again soon.
Kermit Weeks Hangar Thanks, big time, I doubt I’m the only one excited about it!
Oh...
AND...
I LOVE the NEW Human Tri-Pod Addition to your "Kermit-Cam" Videos...
If you're EVER looking for an Additional Human Tri-Pod...
I live just down the road from Your FoF Museum and I'm generally (ALWAYS!!!) Available...
(Due to some health issues)
NOTE: And, You wouldn't even have to Pay me...😉
Kermit how is the D7 coming along? I can't wait to see it fly.
Hey kermit I wanted to tell you that you are deff a inspiration sir to me. I am a aviation anthuiest and rc pilot also avaiton artist I would like to make you a peiece. You tell me the model I'll draw and send it to you :)
My email is F9F8CougarFlyer@gmail.com
Is that the original Winner May from the mid 1930s ?
So the skin is also plywood?
I thought the original Winnie Mae was in the Smithsonian?
It is. This is a different Vega built in 1929 and painted to replicate the Winnie Mae when it was first restored in the 60s. There's a detailed history under NC105W here: aircraft-in-focus.com/lockheed-vega
Please also tell me you are still going ahead with a flying Lancaster?
There are so many projects in the pipeline, I'd love to do them all . . . but that's not possible. Hopefully some day in the "near" future we'll get to it.
Kermit Weeks Hangar Thank you for responding. The reason I ask is many years ago Kermit Weeks showed my Grandfather, Farther and I the nose of the Lancaster. He also let us stand out on the concrete when he started his prize P51. It made all of our day that you would take time and show us around yourself. Thank you.
Kermit...
I'm flat-out confused...
There's a Photo of a Restored Winnie Mae, parked behind Your vintage Howard Hughes Car and BOTH appearing in being in one of Your Display Hangers on Wikipedia...???
Can ya help a confused person out...???
YIKES...
Thank You...!!!
This one is a copy, the real Winnie Mae is in the Smithsonian so that's probably where the pic is from.
+Bargain Boondocker
I finally figured that out about the real Winnie Mae in the Smithsonian...
BUT...
The Photo I've seen, is from onsite at Fantasy of Flight...
Not real sure who owns it...
BUT...
It wouldn't surprise me in the lest if it's Kermits...