Douglas DC-3 - Kermie Cam - FoF I-4 Icon
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- OK, Gang, here’s a visit to inspect the Fantasy of Flight DC-3 Interstate 4 Roadside Icon that has been displayed since we opened in 1995.
It’s served its purpose in the past and has become a bit of an eyesore, and now it’s time to figure out what to do with it!
Kermit Weeks
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Kermit Weeks
I travel I-4 regularly.
It has been sad to see this once proud bird fall into disrepair, but it will be sadder if she gets removed. I had always hoped Kermit would get a bunch of volunteers to clean up and repaint this icon of American flight.
I think if he were to ask for those volunteers, he might be surprised how many would step forward!
Fabricate the missing hatches (woodin plugs), power wash and paint! Could be done fairly cheap and keep the neighbors happy.
maybe you should volunteer
An iconic I-4 visual. I understand some people see the old girl as an eyesore because, let's face she's, it's not looking good. I have to say I will miss the visual while driving past. It has been the midway landmark between Orlando and Tampa for decades. Thank you, Kermit, for making the drive a little bit more interesting.
I ALWAYS enjoyed seeing it on its belly with the rudder up in the air and the mannequin hangin Whenever I would drive down i4 I’d always get excited when I saw it. It will certainly be missed. Thanks Kermie
Looks like the top cockpit escape hatch is missing as well. Fortunately, the inspection plate under the nose is still there. When we redid ours to static display, that was one part that was almost impossible to find. Oh the joy of bolting on those wings!! Ours now resides at the Langley Museum of Flight in B.C. Canada, just outside Vancouver. They've pushed her over where there is no access. They may be interested in getting rid of it. We put ten years of our lives restoring her to static display, to watch her fall into disrepair again.
Thanks for the video Kermit.
Looks like the old girl needs lots of TLC.
Thanks again.
Retired Air Force veteran.
Kermit,
20 miles from my house is a DC3. Wings are there but they've been unbolted. Still sitting on its tricycle gear upright and proud but for 30 years Ive hated seeing her out there rotting. If you're interested let me know. Its in south Mississippi.
DC-3's - all variants, C-47, R4D, were conventional gear..... all other Douglas prop aircraft in airline service were the DC-4(C-54)6 and 7 and were trikes......sure you're not talking about a Beech H18 Tri Gear conversion ??
A DC-3 was the plane for my very first flight. I fell in love with the plane ever since. Your plane needs to be restored, by you or whoever, because there are only so many of them left. The best to you.
Enjoyed Fantasy of Flight when it was open. Always though it would be a great place for a fly in. Incredible what you do Mr. Weeks.
It's quite an undertaking to enter and leave alive given the position and condition of this airplane.😅
I love to see airplanes like this, shown to public 'bare naked' to see how it's constructed.
Thank you for filming this.
That HUGE Wasp Nest above your head back on the L/H horizontal stabilizer! Was waiting for someone to get popped!
WE have enjoyed your place since your opening. Thank you for the info on airplanes.
I visited FoF back in 1996 with my new wife and absolutely LOVED it. I wish I could visit again but it's a long way from Nova Scotia.
Real informative and entertaining! Keep on truckin' !
WOW !!--EVEN AFTER, NEARLY A100 YEARS,-THOSE DC.3's--STILL LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL !!--PLEASE DON'T LET HER DIE !!
She's already on life support with the power about to fail. Chunk it in for scrap. There are still plenty better around, even now!
SIR-YOU OBVIOUSLY,-DISLIKE OLD AIRCRAFT,---AND A "NARK"--PERHAPS YOU COULD BE ON "LIFE-SUPPORT'"--AND THE ''D.C.-3"--COULD "PULL THE PLUG??"---(WITH THE HELP, OF A LOT OF PEOPLE,!)---@@royfearn4345
@@royfearn4345another good idea is to probably, if there ever is some around, put in a DC-10 if possible.
Had a great Father’s Day visit to Kermit’s place several years ago as a gift from my wife. Got to tour, have lunch and fly the PT17! Sorry others don’t have that opportunity now.
Looked like the first episode of Mikey McBryan's "Plane Savers"!! Could this be a new, exciting angle for Flight of Fantasy?
Oh, Kermie, It's so sad to see that beautiful piece of Aviation History in such a sad condition, but I know that now that you've been reminded of the amount of attention she needs just to remain in existence, I know that she'll receive all the T.L.C she can ever ask for.😍💯👍👀
That reminds me of the video when Kermit went exploring into the wing of the Martin Mars and damn near never made it out !
David Tallichet had two DC-3 / C-47's at the restaurant at the airport in St Pete, both stored/abandoned, one in faded Moroccan AF markings. This is likely one of them. I crawled up into both when I was based at MacDill in the late 80's.
That's my kind of eyesore! Great stuff, Kermit, thanks! (Good to see Jack's back too, he was gone for a while, right? I call him Tom Petty because of his square-rims, beard and smile. :)
dont get down my friend, have a rum and take it as it comes!
Absolutely Love 💕 Kermie Cam !!!
Would love to see it flying again!
I've driven past this plane more times than I care to remember and it's always reminded me of the
glory days of aviation and to see it in this condition doesn't speak very well of how poorly you've
cared for it, even if it was never intended to be more than a road sign. Scrap aluminum isn't going
to earn you much, so perhaps the best thing you could do is to donate it to someone who might
fix it up enough so that it can serve as a reminder of those glory days for another half a centry.
17:45 Sense of humour dryer than the Sahara! 🤣
Its toast, find someone to pressure wash it, place some tin over the holes secure the mounts again, dummy up a rudder, paint it to look good from the highway and she'll be good for another 5+ years, then its off to the salvage yard ! Sad but its seen better days !
Thanks for sharing, that DC 3 needs some love 👍
Nah it needs a long visit to the scrap yard!
That's a handful! Did you find alot of corrosion? There's a restoration project for the "Real" DC-3 lover! Give Mikey McBrian a call. These guys love the DC-3s. They'd probably enjoy a field trip to Florida too.
I absolutely love going by this plane for all of my life! Ive always wanted to go to your museum. Is it going to open again?
Good on you Kermit
That was a really good video
Poor Old Bird , bet she could tell some stories , please try and save her if affordable.
This is a Douglas DC3 the most awesome airplane to ever fly the friendly skies of the United States of America and all other countries as well it holds the record for more miles flown than any other airplane in aviation history
Kermit I’m from Brevard and I’ve grown up with seeing this on I4 as I’ve crisscrossed the state, your place was one of the things that got me in to flying and I would hate to see it go. Maybe you can get a go fundme going to spruce it up.
This is the face of your business. It would be a good idea to have this plane and sign be in good shape and good looking. I worked airframe repair on F-4 Phantoms and F-15 Eagles in the Air Force. I would love to volunteer at this place if they had volunteers and I lived closer. I was there a few weeks ago on a Friday and FOF was closed with a sign saying they had mechanical problems (I live in the Jacksonville area).
What happens to old gymnasts? They get stuck in a DC-3 on the interstate.
Here is a no joke make it look OK thing. Spray rust inhibitor on the places you want to patch over, then use a really strong adhesive tape and tape across the hole. Then spray white, black, or clear FlexSteel over it. Do not laugh. I have done that over fender rot, rocker panels, etc.. I did my rotted-out pickup to give to my grandson, and when he gave it back to me 6 years later the tape and FlexSteel were still in place and holding. True teenager tested rust fix.
I know it'll never fly again but I'd love it if it can at least find another life as something other than scrap. They aren't exactly making new ones anymore. My dad used to fly C47s around the Caribbean so they've got a pretty special place in my heart.
You Guys are Awesome!😊
Looks a bit like DTD from Plane Savers! Before the amazing team put her back in the air😃
The most beautiful plane ever made...
No, THAT would be the B-52 . . .
Yes it is and the best airplane ever made as well
Since the Connie is static, you'd turn some heads if that was its new resting spot.
I remember seeing the plane back in 2019 when i drove to St. Petersburg from Orlando
Kermie is like one more member of the familiy by now. omg god what a thing that dc3
I'm surprised you didn't get dive bombed from the paper wasps underneath the left horizontal stabilizer root. Sad to see that airframe being reclaimed by the elements, but there isn't much left there.
I'm thinking the guys up at Buffalo Airways might be able to save it 🤣🤣🤣
I have to agree with others here; this may be the saddest video I've ever seen on this channel. Seeing the overgrown runways and rotting, damaged DC-3 definitely made me sad.
Just curious.. was this aircraft formally deralict on the north side of Hwy 52 in between Tampa and Orlando?.... mom stopped so I could look at it around 1983 or '85. F.b.o. saw me looking in awe...so he gave me a tour.
Yes. An eyesore. Perfect description.
👍👍👍👍Dc3 God bless happy Halloween🙏🎃
Definitely would be cool to make it presentable again. Give it a good wash. And maybe a sand blasting. Haha
I see it painted like eastern airlines did in the 50's 😊
And we need parts for one we have in toccoa ga!
8:35 ‘Merica !! 🙂 ❤️ 🙂
As my Father in Law would say about most everything. "Hell, you better keep that, it's 80% good "
You guys should restore this plane to flight worthiness again.
I seem to remember Mikey from Plane Savers saying that the hamburger door behind the cockpit is really hard to come by. Perhaps thieves got ahold of yours?
Yeah but they have new ones in stock. Look at Joes 'own' DC3 just the stones from gravel strip have hammered the hell out of that door
Any thief brave enough to sneak in there and get it could get an honest job changing strobe lights on radio towers.
Wish Fantasy of Flight was still open alot of history there
They are open here and there.... check their website for the schedule. I have been twice this year. Will go again soon...need more rum.
A hamburger door, tail wheel, some cowl flaps, a cargo door and you’d be all set!
Actually looks pretty solid on the inside. Strip down the outside and paint it.
Hi Kermit. Perhaps this has lanquished unloved for too long .....A cheap fix would be to place the Catalina or the Constellation in it's place . You know and l know this has flown it's last sortie . ....l think it's very important to have an aircraft in it's place . You know what Joe public are like .....if the Dak is removed and not substituted , they'll all guess and gossip !! Take care Kermit 💞
Could a static restoration be used as a educational project. Perhaps local youth project.
My dream is to visit your museu, bit there is no tourists agencies programms in São Paulo city. Do you know anyone to promote This in Brasil?
A few hours with a buffer and she'll be good as new.
Darn and I have been looking for a ladder laying near a billboard to acquire.
Its real easy to say save it when its not their money.
The thing is end of life. If what your planning is a C-47 display, I'd just get a C-47 that'll last longer than this one. There are deals out there to be had.
You definitely got your money out of this thing.
This is an actual DC3, not a C 47, which is not exactly very common place. It would be nice to see this restored to at least a static configuration… I know there’s someone down at Shell Creek aviation in Punta Gorda, who was restoring a prewar DC-3.
my Dad flew those at west coast airlines in the 50s
That thing has got to be the world's biggest wasp nest......😳🫣
Bearing in mind Blaser strip these aircraft right back and have the type cert would this not be a candidate for a turbo prop conversion...??
Wash, wax and polish the DC3.....and put some spotlights to accent it
Kermit. Mikey McBryan
Buffalo Air, has a flying D-dayC-47.
Clearly you have gone conservative on projects. Short term, hire a crew to clean it off. It will have a different feel when looking at it.
" Plane Savers " might Help...lots of spare Planes...Parts...
Kermy brother, I appreciate what your trying to do but dang. If you are trying to market that place, get rid of the word "Fantasy" and get that junker Dc-3 off the highway. Just my take, but you need to focus on the war bird and history pathway. Their are a lot of patriotic Americans that are still very interested in that stuff. Mix in all the other cool aviation stuff that you have too and you got a winner. Maintain and fly the airplanes for people to see. You have a sweet collection, just get back to the basics. We have a killer museum here in Nampa Idaho called the war hawk museum. Check it out. People around here love it. Their events are packed and the locals love to see their birds flying at random. As far as the business model, fantasy and being all you can be to be your best doesnt mix well with airplanes and history in this current environment. I think you'r targeting two different crowds. Just my two cents Kermit, I love what you do. Keep up the good work.
FoF did that warbird and history thing for almost 30 years! Couldn’t get enough people through the door to pay my light bill.
@@KermitWeeks444 You know your business Obviously, I guess Im a dying breed. Love what your doing and always watch your videos. I admire all you have accomplished and your depth of skills.
Kermit, I just watched your "higher Plane" part 1 video. The following is a comment I left on it. I though Id post it here........... I commented on one of your recent videos about getting back to the basics of a war bird type operation and you mentioned to me about the business model being a failure. This video is your best yet. I gives us so much clarification on where you are from and especially where you are going. Thank you for this. I cant wait to read your book and see the progression of your plan. Hearing about your experiences gives me so more of an understanding of were your going with Fantasy of Flight. Keep us posted.
Reply
@@KermitWeeks444
I’ve rarely disagreed with you on your right to do with whatever you choose concerning your own a/c. That disclaimer out of the way, how can an iconic aircraft such as the DC3 be considered an eyesore? A pressure wash would go a long way. Are you that bereft of individuals to perform tasks that do not require an A&P certificate? I still send money when possible and support FoF in every way.
As I see it she needs some TLC but aircraft have been brought back from worse conditions. I have faith in her.
oh, thatll buff out. im sure lol.
Maybe a wind powered sculpture / monument / weathervane / anemometer/ generator / flying saucer mobile above a VOR. Old movie Icon of a plane circling a globe.
It'll buff out, no problem..........
Ouch, the corrosion devil has this one in it's grasp.
sad to see that ICON slowly dying...
What kind of Wax are you using ? Turtle wax carnauba ?
RESTORE IT!!! Take it down and have a regular sign built in its place.
Knock it down below the grass. The tropics with take care of the rest.
See if Basler turbo conversions wants it. 😂
Would be good to know the history of the airframe
hmmmm, maybe a candidate for Basler Air???
dont let her die please!!!!
Needs to be saved that old bird 😅
👍
Maybe it could have been built as a Douglas C-53 Skytrooper originally please restore it.
Hmm, original three piece instrument panel. It looks like the original radio room layout as well. The corrosion in the inside looks minimal. Nothing like a good pressure washer to remove all that paint and gunk, ask me how I know....
We need a Kermie Cam flight!
Nothing about the operational history of that particular aircraft.
Kermit, I have to say Im a little disappointed that you would let a vintage WWII era aircraft rot away like that. Why dont you donate it and get it someone elses hands who will give it the love it deserves. Take the loss on your taxes and save this beautiful piece of history.
It was already past the point of being salvageable when he purchased it in the mid 90s. DC-3s are plentiful still as well, there’s 20+ just sitting up at Oshkosh waiting for their turn in line up at Basler Turbo Conversions.
The sad reality of it is that it’s not worth saving. He could buy a flying airplane for a eighth of the price it would take to repair this one.
@@619viewloader Your opinion but I dont think it matters how many you think are still available right now. You never know what could happen and a DC 3 is a DC 3. It's a historical aircraft that can be turned into something else other then sitting on the side of a freeway rotting away.
@@Ryanboy2020 I certainly, and respectfully, see your point but the fact that he bought the airplane for $6,000 in the 90s says a lot about its condition back then. Keep in mind Kermit has to run a successful business first to even allow visitors to see these precious airplanes. That wouldn't be realistic or possible if he dumped a bunch of money into an airplane that is practically scrap, no matter what that airplane is. If your worry is about Kermit letting vintage airplanes rot, just remember the *literal* hundreds of airplanes that he has saved and restored to flying condition over the course of his flying career. Now imagine how many people's lives were changed while seeing Kermit fly and display those restored machines. Don't let one rusted, gutted, moldy, junky DC3 detract from the fact that Kermit has done more for vintage aviation than most museums and individuals will do in their entire lives. If he wasn't economical, you wouldn't have even known about that DC3. It's not like he tossed it into a scrap heap, he made it presentable for people to see on the highway.
The guy has more than one of these
driven by it many times, if it had been painted to look like C-47 i would have been all over fantasy of flight. I think many people would have been. too bad you don't have time to test my theory. all those years wasted. try it
It’s so sad to see this historic plane in such disrepair. From the looks of it, it is just junk. I hope somebody can save it.
I have to disagree,that's not an eyesore she's gorgeous
Some one please let Kermit know he is a human and won’t live for ever so he needs to organize his projects and pick his battles .
That could make a awesome b&b of sorts. Fix her up into a very unique cabin type room to rent