New Additions @ Kermit's Golden Hill Storage Facility

[TAdan]

Thanks Bryan, I never get tired of seeing Kermit's collection. I hope now that FoF is reinventing itself we'll see more of those stored aircraft return to display and hopefully the air.

[Warbirdnerd]

That is the bulk of stuff from Golden Hill...

[Dan Jones]

I thought the Ki-61 project was down under getting rebuilt?

[Rajay]

That's impressive - I can't wait to see more! To think that all of that belongs to single individual and not a major museum for example is just too much!

Any info about the Grumman F9F parked next to the B-29? (Excuse me! Next to the P2B-1S...) Is it a straight-wing Panther or a swept-wing Cougar? (The Panther might be my second favorite aircraft of all time...)

I asked Kermit once (via a comment on his blog) if he'd ever flown or owned a Grumman Goose (my no. 1!) As I recall, he said not, but considering his love of Grumman Ducks & Wildcats, other seaplanes, etc. it would seem like a "no-brainer" to me - and Seward Johnson's former Goose (N401SJ, s/n 1168) is currently for sale in FL...and not for all that much considering....

[Warbirdnerd]

Only the wings for the Ki-61 are in storage on Golden Hill. I believe the fuselage is in NZ.
The Grumman is F9F-2B Bu 123420.

[Courier Sportster]

last pic-- are those blimp gondolas? and what is the hulking T-6 looking thing with a 4 blade prop? an early tora tora tora conversion?

[Warbirdnerd]

last pic-- are those blimp gondolas? and what is the hulking T-6 looking thing with a 4 blade prop? an early tora tora tora conversion?

Yes they are blimp gondolas. The T-6 looking thing is an SBD that had been used as a wind machine.

[Project Warbird]

Does he still have the Piasecki HUP-2 Retriever?

[Warbirdnerd]

Does he still have the Piasecki HUP-2 Retriever?

I did not see one, but that does not mean it was not there somewhere...

[Steve Nelson]

Here are a couple shots I got of the Panther in the summer of 2012. She's a bit rough, but in better shape than a lot of the aircraft he has in storage.

SN

[WIXerGreg]

They were working on the P-35 again a year or two ago. Has anyone seen it lately or know it's condition? Would be nice to see it back in the air.

[APG85]

Ugh, I wish that B-29 was put together and on display...

[Chappie]

For crimety sake! I had no idea that he had so many rare and historic aircraft. I would love to see Fantasy of Flight turn into a 100% restoration facility and get as many airplanes as possible flying.


Chappie

[tom d. friedman]

staggering collection, both restored & unrestored!! seriously, where does he get the funding for all these projects, right down to the rivets?? & daily operations?? inheritance?? wealthy wife?? my dream job would be to be on his search & scrounge team for any of those projects!!

[Kyleb]

staggering collection, both restored & unrestored!! seriously, where does he get the funding for all these projects, right down to the rivets?? & daily operations?? inheritance?? wealthy wife?? my dream job would be to be on his search & scrounge team for any of those projects!!

IIRC, he inherited a substantial fortune.