Kermit Week's projects future status

[menards]

This might be heresy, but rather than some of the more "common types" (F6F, Bf109,B-24, B-29) there are a few others I would really like to see fly. The three I would like to see is the B-26 Marauder, the Kingfisher and the Tempest.

So, I will ask, regarding the B-26.

He restored it to flying condition 20 years ago and had it on the airshow circuit for a season or two (or so it seemed). Then it was parked.

Did something break? Was he uncomfortable in it? Was it more fuel and maintenance intensive than he imagined?

I never understood why he went to the trouble of acquiring it and restoring it, only to retire it.

I don't claim to be an expert on this B-26, but my impression is that it was not really a modern day "restoration" in terms like we like to think. Remember, before Kermit bought it, it was one of the "Million Dollar Valley" B-26's that Tallichet recovered from Canada. I saw it at Tallichet's place in Chino in the early 80's while they were restoring it. I distinctly remember it being a "functional" restoration rather than a pretty award-winning Oshkosh type restoration. I got the impression that it was more of an extensive IRAN than anything else. The initial restoration was entirely done by Tallichet's crew. Kermit bought the aircraft after it was "finished". I also remember that Kermit had the Marauder thoroughly gone through at Aero Trader next door before he took delivery of it to go to Florida.

From people who have posted on here over the years, it sounds like the "restoration/IRAN" or whatever you want to call it, was not adequate for long term airworthiness of the aircraft. Other people have said that it needs a complete re-restoration to be a functional flying airplane for many years of service. Apparently, it still needs a lot of work.

That is my impression, but hopefully someone else closer to the aircraft can fill in the blanks.

The short-wing B-26 is a tricky airplane to fly, and you need to be an expert in it. Remember this was the type referred to as "One-a-day-in-Tampa-Bay" regarding training accidents. I saw this plane a year ago, it was looking tired, but Im glad I got to see it.

[menards]

I was watching a video of Kermit Week's projects which the video was shot in 2013. I didn't realize how much more stuff the man has in storage. My question in general is this giving where Kermit Week's is in life now what really might be the chances that any of the following will get restored to flying status? And if not restored it makes one wonder what might happen to the following aircraft.

1. The P-38
2. F6F Hellcat
3. B-29
4. B-17 and B-23
As always I always look forward to WiX folks replys a lot of knowledge in this group. Merry Christmas to all in Wix land

1) WestPac would have the P38 flying in 2-3 years with ~$5 million of capital. This one will be restored to flight, if not by Kermit by someone else with deep pockets that wants a P-38
2) F6F same as above.
3) The B-29 could be resotred to flight by a group as dedicated as the DOC crew. Keep in mind Kermit owns Fertile Myrtle and a couple more disassembled -29s stored in California.
4) Arent there 2 b-17s in the kermit collection? There has always been an affinity for the Fortress and some groups are close to constructing new-build airframes pretty much. Both of these could be restored by dedicated collection of individuals.

[Chris Brame]

4) Aren't there 2 B-17s in the Kermit collection?

Kind of. He has 44-83525 which is complete, and he assembled components (mostly the remains of crashed air tanker 44-83542) to build a walk-through display at Fantasy of Flight.

[JFS61]

Just wondering, have there been any clues/reveals as as to just what the new FOF will be? There was a lot of buzz when it was first announced, but I haven't seen anything since that really explains or illustrates just what the concept is in any real detail.

[maradamx3]

He bought the Sikorsky helicopters several months back and hinted that Act III would involve rides. Maybe there will be a selection of airplane/helicopter "immersions" to choose from??
I'm very interested in what Act III will be. He closed Act II in part because it was not financially sustainable, so is Act III going to be self sustaining? Curiosity is killing!

[phil65]

When is this Act III opening ?

Phil

[JimH]

His Facebook posts indicate a 30's era seaplane base and terminal along the lake, an expanded zip line experience, a WWI set up, and few other things I can't remember. He has big plans to make it an aviation and inspirational life attraction. His 109 is coming along in Canada, the P-12s are nearing completion, and his Jenny is just about done. He is having a few WWI era engines being reverse engineered in New Zealand for who knows what. I think he is trying to make an attraction that covers every era of aviation history. It will be a way to immerse yourself back in time He doesn't call it the "Worlds Greatest Aircraft Collection" for nothing. He also posted that he is going to build a replica of the "Gone With the Wind" house. No projected opening date is listed...but I'm guessing 2020.

jim

[Forgotten Field]

He also posted that he is going to build a replica of the "Gone With the Wind" house.

Oh boy, that won't cause any controversy....

[ZRX61]

Just wondering, have there been any clues/reveals as as to just what the new FOF will be? There was a lot of buzz when it was first announced, but I haven't seen anything since that really explains or illustrates just what the concept is in any real detail.

There was a press release ages ago that made it sound like a glorified wedding venue at which point I kinda lost interest.

[Zac Yates]

There are a few double-ups in the collection that cause one to scratch one's head: some time ago he bought a CAC Wirraway from Oz, that I think was in flying condition and whose sale was lamented by enthusiasts there, only to store it...then a year or two back he bought another flyable Wirraway which has been seen in recent videos.

I watch all his videos - except for the rum promos because I imagine the shipping costs would rule it out for this Kiwi! - and I still have no idea what Act III is. I'm very curious because the facility and airfield just look so cool and I want to visit.

It wasn't until I really got into Kermie Cam that I began to realise we don't meet any other FoF pilots. It hadn't occured to me before.

On the Tempest V project: last night YouTube suggested I rewatch his first video visit to the project at PPS. Cruel timing, YouTube.

[12XU2A3X3]

regarding "short wing" marauders and losses in training:

while i'm sure angle of incidence of the wing as well as the size of both the tail and wing on the initial variants (up to C model?) contributed to many of the vaunted losses, my understanding was that many of those were due to prop issues on takeoff. these prop issue were, primarily at least, due to the electric pitch props going flat when under high rpm settings due the aircraft batteries dying (from being misused by airman guarding them to list to the radio).

since any surviving b-26 that could be considered a potential flyer is a non-alphanumeric -26 model (some noses not withstanding) it's worth considering how much the wing would affect issues of experience required for checkout and currency. i think comparing the likely causes of stateside training mishaps would be enlightening.

He bought the Sikorsky helicopters several months back and hinted that Act III would involve rides. Maybe there will be a selection of airplane/helicopter "immersions" to choose from??
I'm very interested in what Act III will be. He closed Act II in part because it was not financially sustainable, so is Act III going to be self sustaining? Curiosity is killing!

What TYPE or TYPES of Sikorsky Helicopters did he buy??

[airnutz]

He bought the Sikorsky helicopters several months back and hinted that Act III would involve rides. Maybe there will be a selection of airplane/helicopter "immersions" to choose from??
I'm very interested in what Act III will be. He closed Act II in part because it was not financially sustainable, so is Act III going to be self sustaining? Curiosity is killing!

What TYPE or TYPES of Sikorsky Helicopters did he buy??

Three S-55's so far, of which one is a badly corroded parts bird to get the other recent aquisition converted from turbine config. The 2 S-55's are planned to give flying tours over FoF and possibly Orlando as I recall.

[Tony C]

Just out of interest, is there a list of the airframes, stored pending restoration, restored and in FoF (or elsewhere) and/or airworthy, that are owned by Kermit?

Ta

[OD/NG]

Just out of interest, is there a list of the airframes, stored pending restoration, restored and in FoF (or elsewhere) and/or airworthy, that are owned by Kermit?

Ta

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy_of_Flight