All things considered in my life... I don't think I've ever viewed a better video than this. I'm pushing 60, and grew up making models of WWI aircraft. I got my commercial license, and flew lots of interesting aircraft. I never forgot the magic of building models, stringing melted plastic 'threads' for control cables, and wondering how those 'backwards' carved propellers were able to do their thing... Now I know. I feel like I was there. Phenom Video Kermit, seriously, thank you. Goosing the throttle on taxi, takeoff, and landing, constant rudder play, and just the sound... Wow.
@Pranit CHHABRA for this is WW1 not ww2 when they had parachutes to save themselves. Allthou jumping is serious a risky business. But AVG of two week you have some that die in the first missions some that die after 4 weeks or longer. Historicly your first 5 missions' are the most dangerous. That's why we now have this like red vlag.
While Kermie was still trying to get his bearings, that Fokker which slipped in behind him at 5.39, "spread his lights all over the cockpit floor"! "Kaput, doughboy!! Now I fly back to ze Vazerland for more beer, knackwurst and frauleins! Ja!"
Sorry to inform you that our Museum Lite is currently in a seasonal closing, and will still be closed in September. Check the Fantasy of Flight website calendar for open dates starting November 10th, Veteran's Day Weekend.
One of the coolest videos I have ever seen. Thank you so much Kermit!!!!!! Please keep them coming for us who dream, but may never have the chance to fly something like that.
Woah, that's a rare sight; Even amongst rotary engines. The Sopwith Snipe has a real Bentley BR.II, which was the pinnacle of rotary technology. It made 250-260HP. I've seen one in person, but it was a museum piece. Good to finally see one running.
Your 'Battle Of Britain' -esk shoot down animation was a nice added touch. Getting to fly 100+ y/o open cockpit designs (with guns) is about as good as it gets. Great video & best wishes!
Beautiful aircraft, just finished watching "WINGS" what a show they don't make them like that anymore. Thank you for posting this video. Only wish I could just sit in one of the Machines you get to fly. Wasn't lucky enough to ever become a pilot. If I ever win money I'm going to learn to fly definitely.
2:00 If your looking for that 5th German kill to make "ACE" he just taxied past you while you where strapping in! lol...Fantastic video thanks for taking us along for the ride!
Mr Weeks you failed to clear your 6! That Triplane had you,, meat on the table!! 😮😵💫😵💫😱😱😱funny how that engine remarkably sounds like the movie Dawn Patrol same sounds!!
This would be one of the ultimate ‘buy the farm’ situations if you didn’t know what you were doing. I have been to the museum at Omaka but I didn’t realise Mr Weeks had flown here, pretty damm impressive footage
Peter has a wonderful collection there. A museum well worth visiting. I used to live over the hill in Nelson, sadly was not able to see the shows at Omaka. But to see so many rotary radials in action is a site and sound to behold, especially after seeing too many Fokker's and Sopwith's with non rotary radials in the 90's. Thanks Kermit for posting this video. Hows that Tempest V coming along ;)
By Jove what a spiffing good shot you were. Some good aerial shots there. I guess you guys were trying to keep your distance for safety's sake but it gave a good idea of what it would have been like back in the day (but less life threatening). Thumbs up.
I'm afraid you got shot down early by the Fokker "Dreidekker" you never saw behind you... But hey; he could be out of ammo, right?? :D Very cool video, greetings from Norway. :)
After seeing this video, I forgive you for eating the last hot dog in the hot dog shop two weeks before you closed:) That was fantastic Kermit, thanks.
There should have been eight in 2017, but one was grounded by a fuel leak. The downside of 2019 was no DR1s at all. Maybe next year - I'll be there, too.
I had a huge grin the entire time. What a thrill, even vicariously. The boys a hundred years ago must have been some of the bravest (or most fool hardy) people around. To go up and do battle in a virtual powered box kite with guns and fuel, WOW. Nice friend, "here, fly my Snipe", very cool. As a Floridian, meeting you has been on my bucket list for quite some time, but you are a busy man. Maybe one of these days. I live in Brooksville, less than two hours away and have been to Fantasy Of Flight several times. Broke my heart when you cut down operating hours. I understand though and being disabled, my schedule is more flexible now. Until I can meet you in person take care and God Bless, Paul from, well, Florida.
Hope you enjoyed your trip to Omaka (New Zealand) Kermit , we Kiwis know how to put on a show and our other Easter bi-annual Airshow is Warbirds over Wanaka, Peter Jackson's display at Omaka is something else well worth the visit and along with Gene both these gents have brought to life events with occurred over a hundred years ago outstanding!!
Can we all take a moment to appreciate the landing? It was so smooth, you could hardly Tell the plane touched the ground. That's insanely hard to do in a biplane of that era. This landing was absolutely perfect. I have huge respect for the pilot for being able to pull this off.
LOVE the sound effects! 😂 Kermit, you and Gene 🤙🏼ROCK!! 🤙🏼 Y'all fit the description PERFECTLY. 😁 Those engines Always sound like they are wanting to die. Lol
I wonder how many flight hours Kermit Weeks has ? My Uncle was a pilot in the USAAF during WW2 and did a lot of Private flying after the war , with the addition of a 28 year career with American Airlines , retiring with 33,000 hours .
machia0705 Was he a bomber or fighter pilot during the war ? Richard Bach was adamant there are important psychological differences between the two. Generally,A A had a policy of bomber pilots for decades. Anyone else had a particularly tough time getting hired. That number you quoted is staggering. I doubt modern pilots can achieve those very high numbers of hours. Hope you had a great relationship with the man. He must have been both tough and disciplined. Cheers.
Kermit Weeks Hangar Think Kermit does a wonderful job quite a showman and excellent pilot... Be nice if he could just do an interview or a mention I don't mean money....of my other Aviation heaven. "Plane "savers" saving a DC 3 to flying condition for Normandy anniversary...I have no connection with Plane Savers other than Joe Public a supporter of the project... Thank you again. From heavy snowing Scotland. Al
Without a doubt! ... that Dr.I on Kermit's tail was game over for the Sopwith Snipe! Otherwise, GREAT fun! Gotta say I was surprised to hear Kermit say that's a flock of FOE-KER'S ... as it is pronounced FAH-KER. I figured he would .. should .. know that it is not pronounced FOE-KER! Petty? Perhaps, but it has always made me insane to hear Fokker pronounced Foe-ker! Complete respect for Kermit Weeks though! Love all the footage!
@TheSoundsOfFrank, you had better check your pronunciation again. According to Dutch people (Fokker was Dutch), it's FOE-ker. forvo.com/word/anthony_herman_gerard_fokker/#nl
The only rotary engine to truly not have a throttle was the Gnome Monosoupape because of the oddball design it used. The Bentley BR. 2 used in the Sopwith Snipe had a basic carburetor and full throttle control, though it did keep the blip switch from earlier rotary engine types. Kermit does idle the engine at 4:18 without using the blip switch to cut the cylinders out. You can hear it ramp up and down without the cylinders cutting out, but he did make liberal use of the blip switch throughout the flight, since it's an easier way of slowing down such a heavy gyroscopic engine with a two stroke style fuel and oil system. The throttle has a bit of a delay since rotary engines use a two cycle style lubrication and fuel system where everything is thrown into the crank case before being inducted into the cylinders through tubes that run from the crank case to the top of the cylinder.
Haha! Great video as always and superb, greeeasy landing! But just to be Fair, you haven't checked your "six" at all. That german behind you.............
All things considered in my life...
I don't think I've ever viewed a better video than this.
I'm pushing 60, and grew up making models of WWI aircraft. I got my commercial license, and flew lots of interesting aircraft.
I never forgot the magic of building models, stringing melted plastic 'threads' for control cables, and wondering how those 'backwards' carved propellers were able to do their thing...
Now I know. I feel like I was there. Phenom Video Kermit, seriously, thank you.
Goosing the throttle on taxi, takeoff, and landing, constant rudder play, and just the sound...
Wow.
No parachute, no helmet, no protection at all. Those pilots had iron balls
That is the reason that an average lifespan of a British pilot in bloody april, just two weeks was
A helmet gives a false sense of safety.
they had no pararchute not to jump out and finish dogfights even if they wered overhelmed. Its a true historic fact.
@Bob Wilson i do nog know of the was the case fying in WW1 was for the elites normale... Ik do nog know of forced pilots.
@Pranit CHHABRA for this is WW1 not ww2 when they had parachutes to save themselves.
Allthou jumping is serious a risky business.
But AVG of two week you have some that die in the first missions some that die after 4 weeks or longer.
Historicly your first 5 missions' are the most dangerous. That's why we now have this like red vlag.
While Kermie was still trying to get his bearings, that Fokker which slipped in behind him at 5.39, "spread his lights all over the cockpit floor"! "Kaput, doughboy!! Now I fly back to ze Vazerland for more beer, knackwurst and frauleins! Ja!"
Wonderful... flying a genuine rotary has got to be intense. Even loved the rum pitch... gotta get me some!
Bloody marvelous! They really captured the WW1 dog fight scene well......
The video takes a while to take off...It's worth it when it does.
Thanks guys
Sorry to break it to you, Kermit. That Dreidecker had you totally.
I have to agree.
pretty well instantly
Henrik Carlsen yah he did
The Old neck didn’t swivel that good .,
From the moment he took off LOL
I can't wait to come from Ireland and visit your place in September, so excited and love how you honour the true heroes!
Sorry to inform you that our Museum Lite is currently in a seasonal closing, and will still be closed in September. Check the Fantasy of Flight website calendar for open dates starting November 10th, Veteran's Day Weekend.
Kermit Weeks Videos interesting, I was born in a town called Kermit.
"Shot down" several times from 5:39 onwards, by the Fokker... :)
Agreed. Dead as a doornail...
Kermit has god mode on
And there I was, down in the stand, watching World War I going on up above. A lot of fun just watching it.
One of the coolest videos I have ever seen. Thank you so much Kermit!!!!!! Please keep them coming for us who dream, but may never have the chance to fly something like that.
Omaka never fails to deliver a quality airshow 😊
Every word true. I've been to the last three and already have my Gold Pass for 2021.
Woah, that's a rare sight; Even amongst rotary engines. The Sopwith Snipe has a real Bentley BR.II, which was the pinnacle of rotary technology. It made 250-260HP.
I've seen one in person, but it was a museum piece. Good to finally see one running.
I didn't realize the vibration those old rotary radials created! What a cool plane though, I love the WW1 aircrafts' interiors.
Humble respect from France Sir.
Gotta love the ultra modern harness in this thing! Lol
Nothing like a brass stud wedged into your spinal column!!!
Wow, what an experience! Seeing those formations flying over the field still gave me chills even though I could only see it on video.
oh god I wish I could be there... to hear the beautiful sound of all those engines and see those birds soar.
Happy Birthday Kermit Weeks ! 7-14-19
Thanks for posting and bringing some of my favourite planes back to life
Incredible flying and the air show looks incredible too...these plane's are incredible...great video too..Thank you so much for your videos too..
Your welcome still great job
Your 'Battle Of Britain' -esk shoot down animation was a nice added touch. Getting to fly 100+ y/o open cockpit designs (with guns) is about as good as it gets. Great video & best wishes!
Fantastic to read my grandfather´s logbook while watching this.
Beautiful aircraft, just finished watching "WINGS" what a show they don't make them like that anymore. Thank you for posting this video. Only wish I could just sit in one of the Machines you get to fly. Wasn't lucky enough to ever become a pilot. If I ever win money I'm going to learn to fly definitely.
2:00 If your looking for that 5th German kill to make "ACE" he just taxied past you while you where strapping in! lol...Fantastic video thanks for taking us along for the ride!
Just fell in love with the WW1 era planes :)
Mr Weeks you failed to clear your 6! That Triplane had you,, meat on the table!! 😮😵💫😵💫😱😱😱funny how that engine remarkably sounds like the movie Dawn Patrol same sounds!!
Great video. The sound was amazing.
臨場感が半端ない。
An amazing video. Man that camel takes off like a rocket.
Well done chaps! With 4 to 1 odds you both were splendid! Back to base now for tea
Gotta love seeing a Snipe fly!
This would be one of the ultimate ‘buy the farm’ situations if you didn’t know what you were doing. I have been to the museum at Omaka but I didn’t realise Mr Weeks had flown here, pretty damm impressive footage
Should have checked six...that Dr.I behind you would have lit you up if you were fighting for real. 😆
You guys are having too much fun. What a blast. Great stuff once more. What a wonderful job those folks did on those aircrft. Outstanding.
Best way to wake up is with a coffee and a new Kermit video
VERY GOOD FLYGHT !! CARMIE CAM, FROM BRASIL CONGRATULATIONS.
Thank you for posting these great videos!! I really hope to make to the Museum one day to see the collection..
Excellent video, I felt like I was onboard with you. Thank you.
Loved this video. Thanks!
Peter has a wonderful collection there. A museum well worth visiting. I used to live over the hill in Nelson, sadly was not able to see the shows at Omaka. But to see so many rotary radials in action is a site and sound to behold, especially after seeing too many Fokker's and Sopwith's with non rotary radials in the 90's. Thanks Kermit for posting this video. Hows that Tempest V coming along ;)
All work on the Tempest V has stopped, since Andy Salter retired. It will be picked up again someday in the future.
You're nothing but a bunch of big kids!!! And I couldn't be more envious. lol Nice video.
Man, does that look like fun!...and I am not even a pilot. Cool looking WW1 tank in background, also!
By Jove what a spiffing good shot you were. Some good aerial shots there. I guess you guys were trying to keep your distance for safety's sake but it gave a good idea of what it would have been like back in the day (but less life threatening). Thumbs up.
coolest aviation video ever on YT. Just frickin awesome. Kermit, you truly can fly anything.
Be a dream come true to fly that! Well done!!
Wow, what a.great video! Thanks for setting up the cameras and editing to brings right there with you!
awesome footage and that editing... ;-)
Just wow. Awsome
4:41 Someone had a bad day
I'm afraid you got shot down early by the Fokker "Dreidekker" you never saw behind you... But hey; he could be out of ammo, right?? :D
Very cool video, greetings from Norway. :)
Yeah, caught him on the rise!
After seeing this video, I forgive you for eating the last hot dog in the hot dog shop two weeks before you closed:) That was fantastic Kermit, thanks.
How absolutely awesome it must be to be able to do stuff like this..
Só pra piloto nato privilégio pra poucos parabéns very Good
Video of omaka from 2017 got me there in 2019. 7 drieders in the air at one time. Going again in 2021
There should have been eight in 2017, but one was grounded by a fuel leak. The downside of 2019 was no DR1s at all. Maybe next year - I'll be there, too.
Waw this is like a dream! Thanks for sharing this video!
Love the audio!! But I think that Fokker got you at 6:00!!
I've never been the jealous type BUT if I were Kermit would top my list. Lucky devil.
I had a huge grin the entire time. What a thrill, even vicariously. The boys a hundred years ago must have been some of the bravest (or most fool hardy) people around. To go up and do battle in a virtual powered box kite with guns and fuel, WOW. Nice friend, "here, fly my Snipe", very cool. As a Floridian, meeting you has been on my bucket list for quite some time, but you are a busy man. Maybe one of these days. I live in Brooksville, less than two hours away and have been to Fantasy Of Flight several times. Broke my heart when you cut down operating hours. I understand though and being disabled, my schedule is more flexible now. Until I can meet you in person take care and God Bless, Paul from, well, Florida.
You should've taken a photo of that huge grin of yours and posted it.
HAHAHA, thanks, but no one wants to see that.
Perfect way to get me in the mood for Shuttleworth on Sunday.
Hope you enjoyed your trip to Omaka (New Zealand) Kermit , we Kiwis know how to put on a show and our other Easter bi-annual Airshow is Warbirds over Wanaka, Peter Jackson's display at Omaka is something else well worth the visit and along with Gene both these gents have brought to life events with occurred over a hundred years ago outstanding!!
Did the museum at omaka 2019😜
Can we all take a moment to appreciate the landing? It was so smooth, you could hardly Tell the plane touched the ground. That's insanely hard to do in a biplane of that era. This landing was absolutely perfect. I have huge respect for the pilot for being able to pull this off.
Foi incrível esta batalha virtual!!! Um vôo ao passado.
One word. Thanku. Love england
Just brilliant! So exciting! Great job
Fantastic video, wonderful airplanes, best regards
When we were kids, we'd dress up and play Army. Kermit gets to play Fighter Ace.
LOVE the sound effects! 😂 Kermit, you and Gene 🤙🏼ROCK!! 🤙🏼 Y'all fit the description PERFECTLY. 😁 Those engines Always sound like they are wanting to die. Lol
Ignition controlled throttle in the sopwith
I wonder how many flight hours Kermit Weeks has ?
My Uncle was a pilot in the USAAF during WW2 and did a lot of Private flying after the war , with the addition of a 28 year career with American Airlines , retiring with 33,000 hours .
machia0705 Was he a bomber or fighter pilot during the war ? Richard Bach was adamant there are important psychological differences between the two. Generally,A A had a policy of bomber pilots for decades. Anyone else had a particularly tough time getting hired. That number you quoted is staggering. I doubt modern pilots can achieve those very high numbers of hours. Hope you had a great relationship with the man. He must have been both tough and disciplined. Cheers.
Yes I noted that the Jerry's behind you must have been outa ammo. I'd love to fly one of those. Great video, thanks.
Wonderful guys. Wish I had found this site earlier
Glad you did. Be sure to subscribe.
Kermit Weeks Hangar have done already.
Kermit Weeks Hangar Think Kermit does a wonderful job quite a showman and excellent pilot... Be nice if he could just do an interview or a mention I don't mean money....of my other Aviation heaven. "Plane "savers" saving a DC 3 to flying condition for Normandy anniversary...I have no connection with Plane Savers other than Joe Public a supporter of the project... Thank you again. From heavy snowing Scotland. Al
Kermie ya looked pret-ty cool in that whole get up...
cheers
This is the most BadAss video ive seen in a long
Great coverage Kermit!
gotta love the shameless rum promotion :-) Thank you for taking us along!
The disclaimer on the bottle, too: "Warning: Do not drink and re-enact vintage WWI aircraft dogfights."
Beautiful landing Mr Weeks but in reality I don`t think you would have lasted long enough to make it!
Great video thanks Kermit
Awesome Video Kermit. I enjoy all your vids.
Excellent landing
Fantastic 👍🏼 ✨
You are amazing sir.
Nice landing !
great video i love the theatrics!!!
Awesome!! Makes me want to watch The Blue Max again.
Without a doubt! ... that Dr.I on Kermit's tail was game over for the Sopwith Snipe! Otherwise, GREAT fun! Gotta say I was surprised to hear Kermit say that's a flock of FOE-KER'S ... as it is pronounced FAH-KER. I figured he would .. should .. know that it is not pronounced FOE-KER! Petty? Perhaps, but it has always made me insane to hear Fokker pronounced Foe-ker! Complete respect for Kermit Weeks though! Love all the footage!
@TheSoundsOfFrank, you had better check your pronunciation again. According to Dutch people (Fokker was Dutch), it's FOE-ker. forvo.com/word/anthony_herman_gerard_fokker/#nl
I’ve never seen a pilot so relaxed when landing.
Well done! Here's to the hero's Cheers.
Damn! I live right near Omaka, wish I'd of gone!
The short distance for take off is interesting. A modern aircraft carrier without use of a catapult seems possible.
Even though that Fokker was on your tail right after you rotated I say he was out of ammo. 👍
It sounds like the aircraft is full throttle all the time. It’s ignition on and off to regulate the engine speed.
The only rotary engine to truly not have a throttle was the Gnome Monosoupape because of the oddball design it used. The Bentley BR. 2 used in the Sopwith Snipe had a basic carburetor and full throttle control, though it did keep the blip switch from earlier rotary engine types. Kermit does idle the engine at 4:18 without using the blip switch to cut the cylinders out. You can hear it ramp up and down without the cylinders cutting out, but he did make liberal use of the blip switch throughout the flight, since it's an easier way of slowing down such a heavy gyroscopic engine with a two stroke style fuel and oil system.
The throttle has a bit of a delay since rotary engines use a two cycle style lubrication and fuel system where everything is thrown into the crank case before being inducted into the cylinders through tubes that run from the crank case to the top of the cylinder.
Super... No words for.
Celebrations Kermit, best footage of your life and accomplishments is 4:30-5:20
Glad he made it back out. Saw him in 2011 when he got the Albatros
You are referring to Mr Weeks? He was back in 2015, flying another Albatross.
What a cool video!!!!! Wish I could do something like that!!!!
Is that an honest to goodness Bentley in this particular Snipe? I know you have one in your machine back home. Love how that engine purrs...
Wahahaha...the plane that was "hit". Great video.
Nice shooting!
Haha!
Great video as always and superb, greeeasy landing!
But just to be Fair, you haven't checked your "six" at all. That german behind you.............
Well done, Feldwebel Stachel