Visit to Fantasy of Flight -- Quick report and some pics

Chuck Gardner · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 3:43 pm

Here is the cockpit of the A-26 at FOF in storage.

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

Col. Rohr wrote:

The 26 flew in 2000 that I do know it had its engines run about three years ago.

The problem with both aircraft is that they need to be completly restored from the frame up.

Say whaaaaaaat?????? Didn't Tallichet restore this aircraft less than 40 flight hours ago?

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3331

Didn't Aero Trader prepare it for the ferry flight to Polk City?

Jack · **Joined:** Wed Jun 29, 2005 3:34 pm **Posts:** 45

The B-26 last flew May 29, 1999, it was pickled soon after and has not been run since. On its last flight we dropped the ashes of 2 B-26 crew members.

The B-24 last flew in early Nov. 1995 when it was flown into Fantasy of Flight, we dropped a load of pumpkins on the runway on arrival. It is outside for the time being but will be hangared before hurricane season.

Fertile Myrtle is scattered across the country. The nose section was restored by Aero Trader and is on display at the Florida Air Museum on Sun n Fun grounds. Most of the fuselage is in Polk City. Restoration is not scheduled for anytime soon.

Piccadily Lily was comprised of 5 different airplanes at last count. The reason it is so dark in the B-17 display is because it is supposed to be pre-dawn.

Chuck Gardner · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:19 pm

Didnt some parts of this plane get used?

henning · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:13 pm

Hmmmm,

Help me folks,

I'm very curious why it would need a full restoration on the B-26 -
wasn't this the same one that was up at EAA not too long ago -
I didn't think it was all the way back to 1999 though... I can only
remember seeing one B-26 at EAA in the past 15 years or so and
I seem to remember it was kermits... in fact I thought it had stayed
up at OSH for quite a long time after the show?

It seemed like it was in very good shape at the time.. I think I had
taken a full roll on the whole plane back then... hmmm..
I'm sure someone out there can fill in the gaps here... :-)

..

thanks,
hh

bluethunder28 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:26 am **Posts:** 199

The B-26 was done at Areo Trader in the 90's. Some where I have photos her back then. I would be surprised that she needs a full job.

Jack · **Joined:** Wed Jun 29, 2005 3:34 pm **Posts:** 45

The B-26 was flown to Oshkosh in 1998, on the way up we did the show at Selfridge, stopped at the Air Zoo and Kenosha. When we got to Oshkosh I pulled the screens and found metal in the right engine, lots of it. We pulled the engine, Rudy Blakey overhauled it and we put it back on in March of 1999. Got it home in time for Sun n Fun.

Aero Trader did not restore the airplane, they only made the airplane safe to fly back to Florida.

The only requirement for the airplane to fly again is for Kermit to say "I want to fly the B-26". Until then, it is on display for everyone to see at Fantasy of Flight. Come by and see it.

no4mkit · **Posted:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:30 am

Great pics CH2T!!

Anyone know the state of airworthyness of Kermit's Mosquito (still at EAA Museum I believe), and if he plans to fly it again? Rumors abound about delamination but at my last visit to FOF I was told by our tour guide that only some fabric needed replacing on the control surfaces. Was hoping to ask Kermit himself but he wasn't around.

Lightning · **Joined:** Fri Nov 05, 2004 7:06 pm **Posts:** 424

Hi Jack

Whats happening with Kermit's P-38L ?
From the photo's I noticed that the P-38 was in the restoration facility building.

Lightning

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:59 pm

I thought the same thing when I saw the P-38 during my visit last year. It looks exactly as it did when I first saw it in an Air Classics article back in the late 1980's or so.

As wild as Mr. Weeks has been about the more eccentric and unique aircraft types, I always figured the P-38 would be right up his alley when it came to WWII fighter types.

Other than the A-26 Invader at Chino, does anyone have any insight into what other FoF aircraft are currently in the que for restoration?

Jack · **Joined:** Wed Jun 29, 2005 3:34 pm **Posts:** 45

The Mosquito is in the EAA Museum, safe from the florida heat, humidity and hurricanes. No plans to fly anytime soon.

The P-38 is on display. You have to understand we have more airplanes than we have space, so airplanes get moved around, just because it is in the 'restoration shop' does not mean it is being restored, just stored. 5 mechanics can only do so much.

The Boeing 100/F4B's are nearing completion, a DH-4 is in the works and we got the go ahead to start repair work on the Avro 504. The P-51A and Ford 4AT are also being worked on. Kermit is concentrating his resourses on developing Fantasy of Flight, the airplanes will come later.

The Tigercat is in storage due to the space issue, if we put it together it would have to go outside. It was only repaired back to static condition after the hurricane.

ww2John · **Posted:** Sat Apr 15, 2006 9:47 am

Jack, thanks so much for the detailed updates.

I truly enjoy visiting Mr. Weeks' collection and have enjoyed seeing so many of his aircraft fly. Look forward to hearing more news as thing scontinue to develop.

CH2Tdriver · **Posted:** Sat Apr 15, 2006 1:07 pm

Jack,

Do you happen to be one of the gents who gave the backlot and shop tours on Sunday March 26th during my visit?

If so thanks, I enjoyed it! If not, please pass it on.

Peter

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Visit to Fantasy of Flight -- Quick report and some pics

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