Sopwith Snipe - First Flight in 5 Years - Prep for Oshkosh

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  • Опубликовано: 4 фев 2025

Комментарии • 552

  • @reconmodelsvaughn469
    @reconmodelsvaughn469 6 лет назад +78

    Kermit .I hope you read this.i was talking to my grandsons over the 4th of July and they were telling me the best time they Ever had with their grandparents in Florida was at the Fantasy of flight museum.we they met Kermit as he was walking through the museum and you took the time and Talk to them about different airplanes you have at the museum .they have watched every video you have on RUclips..you are a very awesome guy Kermit I appreciate everything you're doing for the aviation history It's extremely important To preserve these beautiful aircraft's ..we hope to meet you soon .keep up the awesome work and fly safe

  • @woooster17
    @woooster17 6 лет назад +14

    History right there... incredible that young men flew, fought and died in these aircraft 100 years ago. It’s great that your passion keeps their memory alive.

    • @chapmag6578
      @chapmag6578 10 месяцев назад

      ….. and no parachutes…

  • @UAPJedi
    @UAPJedi 6 лет назад +131

    It made me think that these guys were so incredibly brave, flying with no parachute, basic live or die flying. But it also made me think that these pilots thought they were the lucky ones, they thought they had it good not having to fight in the trenches. Different generation we must never ever forget.

    • @mikearakelian6368
      @mikearakelian6368 3 года назад +1

      Be fun; but i would stick to the in line engine s.... Real busy with a rotery engine however...

    • @LordSandwichII
      @LordSandwichII 3 года назад +3

      @@mikearakelian6368 Fun, until your plane is full of holes, and you're behind enemy lines...

    • @mikearakelian6368
      @mikearakelian6368 3 года назад +3

      You neednt remind me of war... Was in tet in '68 n bagged my share of bodies...

    • @budrose4183
      @budrose4183 2 года назад

      ​@@mikearakelian6368

    • @juanasanelli6831
      @juanasanelli6831 2 года назад

      @@mikearakelian6368 si me llamo la atención que tiene el motor rotativo ! He visto otras réplicas pero con motor radial ...

  • @robertneuzil9493
    @robertneuzil9493 3 года назад +18

    Its great to see you saving so many historic planes and keep them in flying condition. Thank you👍🇺🇸

  • @miketierney7510
    @miketierney7510 3 года назад +21

    The sound of that plane is hauntingly "CLASSIC"!🤗

  • @rosemarie3866
    @rosemarie3866 5 лет назад +17

    I have always been enthralled with the WW1 era. Just the sheer ingenuity.

  • @romiemiller2485
    @romiemiller2485 4 года назад +25

    All the motor revolves with the prop, so there is a huge gyroscopic effect. If I remember rightly, such engines made the planes hard to turn left in flight, but they'd snap roll in a heartbeat to the right.

    • @captaintoyota3171
      @captaintoyota3171 Год назад +1

      Yup except for 1 late engine germans made crank spin opposite of engine. Pretty crazy set up

    • @ianreed1528
      @ianreed1528 Год назад

      Yes, I think that it was an eleven cylinder rotary engine, geared to take advantage of the extra power. Because of the torque reaction it had to have a bigger rudder and the port wing was 4 inches longer than the starboard.

  • @vintageeveryday2020
    @vintageeveryday2020 6 лет назад +13

    Mr Weeks, you always amaze me with your flying versatility. One day your in a Martin Mars, and the next day your in a Sopwith Snipe...and you fly every plane like its the most natural thing ever. Your boundless talent and resources make you an entertainment dynamo! Many thanks.

  • @wulfheard
    @wulfheard 2 года назад +12

    Turning these old rotory engine planes to the left was a bear. The engines spun to the right and that's the direct they wanted to go. Turning to the left was slow and caused the plane to go nose up and sometimes stall. Turning to the right was fast and sharp and usually caused the plane to go nose down which could cause a downward spin in the hands of an inexperienced pilot. This planes sopwith predecessor, the camel, killed almost as many pilots in mishandling accidents as it did enemy pilots in combat. It took real skill to fly these old birds in combat.

  • @tomarmstrong1281
    @tomarmstrong1281 2 года назад +4

    So glad that there are people around with enough money, enthusiasm and mechanical ability to keep these old museum pieces in flying condition.

  • @BonnKialStevens
    @BonnKialStevens 5 лет назад +24

    It truly is hard to believe that in less than 70 years, we went from this as cutting edge aviation tech to having a craft that could be launched into space, orbit the planet, re-enter the atmosphere and land.

    • @RideAcrossTheRiver
      @RideAcrossTheRiver 2 года назад +1

      And now we are back to Spam in a can.

    • @chrisjohnson4165
      @chrisjohnson4165 2 года назад +1

      And 50 years after this plane, the Brits had a plane that could go supersonic in a vertical climb -The English Electric Lightning. It's amazing to me.

  • @luck112a
    @luck112a 2 года назад +4

    Beast! Much harder to turn over than the old Tigermoth inline 4 lol. Dad and Mr, Dow flew 20- 50 ft off the deck straight across Lake Superior, the tiger was on floats lol and made the appearance at Oshkosh era 70's. thunder bay to OC. CF-FUG. Keep 'em flying!

  • @rick7884
    @rick7884 5 лет назад +5

    Watching that piece of history fly it blows my mind thinking they fought battles in these planes. Nicely done.

  • @tdkilpin
    @tdkilpin 5 лет назад +5

    Never gets old, watching her fly . . .

  • @randelmatt
    @randelmatt 5 лет назад +8

    Nice to see that plane out flying again. Re. the rudder, this particular model was built in the 'early' style to match the original number and pilot's paint scheme. Kermit's snipe might be the only one in this version, the later snipes built in NZ recently have the later style, larger rudder and stabiliser.

  • @buchenwaldprisonersgrandso613
    @buchenwaldprisonersgrandso613 5 лет назад +6

    What a nice jaunt around the field. Luckily none of the Circus or Archie about to ruin your fun. Next up some sausage busting and trench strafing? So good to see it in the air where that beautiful machine belongs. Saw an old interview with the late Mr. Sopwith. What an amazing pilot and designer and individual.

  • @solucky70
    @solucky70 2 года назад +1

    I’ve watched this video several times since it was uploaded and it kicks ass every time!

  • @craigpennington1251
    @craigpennington1251 5 лет назад +9

    As usual Kermit, outstanding stuff. That Sopwith is awesome. Those guys in New Zealand do some excellent work.

  • @pigpen3499
    @pigpen3499 6 лет назад +5

    I watch alot of aviation videos and really appreciated the making of yours! And I also want to say good job to the pilot the flight crew and ESPECIALLY to the camera operator. Nice job on filming, you nailed it!

  • @patrickhale424
    @patrickhale424 2 года назад +5

    Wow no wonder those planes had issues with flipping over....that huge engine with all that weight spinning around has got to be throwing massive torque. Great job flying that beautiful plane !!

  • @GamingwithKandA
    @GamingwithKandA 4 года назад +3

    Super Connie in the background! Got to fly in one about 10 years ago. What an experience.

  • @stejer211
    @stejer211 2 года назад +1

    7:35 'Turns great to the right!' had me LOL after all the effort it took to make the thing turn left.

  • @Sorarse
    @Sorarse 6 лет назад +9

    Such a beautiful old airplane. Well done for keeping it in the air.

  • @china-trip
    @china-trip 2 года назад +1

    Wow, My best friend, OMG! So wonderful! I really love this! Thank you so much!

  • @TheMDJ2000
    @TheMDJ2000 6 лет назад +3

    Wonderful to see this aircraft in such beautiful restored condition and flying.

  • @UAPJedi
    @UAPJedi 6 лет назад +11

    SO glad and appreciative of people like you saving and preserving our history, thank you👍
    It is so important for the generations behind us to understand how we became to be where we are and where we are going.

    • @gitfiddlejimagain
      @gitfiddlejimagain 6 лет назад +1

      Yes agreed, and lets not forget the wonderful Shuttleworth Collection in UK.

  • @boilermaker7754
    @boilermaker7754 6 лет назад +8

    Beautiful flight...the sound if the engine is just great...good luck getting her ready for Oshkosh, wish I could be.

  • @rodmauldin
    @rodmauldin 6 лет назад +1

    Man was I grinning watching that rotary engine fire up. Got a chuckle watching the crew hold her in place during the throttle up too. Thanks for these fun videos.

  • @b.atwater3904
    @b.atwater3904 6 лет назад +14

    Giving that Blip switch a real workout, nicely done!

  • @footieballer
    @footieballer 6 лет назад +1

    Love seeing old Sopwith’s in flight. Tom would be very proud of your work.

  • @UAPJedi
    @UAPJedi 6 лет назад +17

    Wow sent shivers down my spine seeing it in the air!

  • @billwelter4101
    @billwelter4101 6 лет назад +2

    Those old rotary engines are great!!! Beautiful plane, keep 'em flying! Have fun at OSH !

  • @xpump876
    @xpump876 6 лет назад +2

    Awesome flying history ->...logging 5more hrs in the Snipe is a lot of flying time to do in 2/12 weeks .. God Speed Kermit and much respect!

  • @ManSkirtBrew
    @ManSkirtBrew 6 лет назад +14

    Always amazes me to see and hear a rotary. Beautiful!

    • @carmen071972
      @carmen071972 5 лет назад

      Isn't it radial engine? Rotary is another type of engine without piston and conrod. Search it.

    • @carmen071972
      @carmen071972 5 лет назад +1

      Thank's

    • @sarnnox
      @sarnnox 5 лет назад +2

      TheAngrySnail No, it’s a rotary engine.

    • @JimmyCasket02
      @JimmyCasket02 4 года назад

      @@carmen071972 this is a rotary as the whole engine rotates around the axis of the “crankshaft”

  • @farmgene
    @farmgene 3 года назад +1

    Thanks for all you do for aviation!

  • @1bizjets
    @1bizjets 2 месяца назад +1

    Great flight. Engine sound pretty healthy.

  • @chrisdavis3642
    @chrisdavis3642 2 года назад +1

    Sounds like Kermit is bumping the mags just like a boss.. outstanding!

  • @phantumdrummer
    @phantumdrummer 6 лет назад +2

    Amazing aircraft! Love and truly appreciate the work you guys are doing. On a side note... looks like it may be time to mow the runway.

  • @mooman351
    @mooman351 5 лет назад +3

    Love the collection in the background, Connie and Catalina are among my favorite old girls, can't beat the big old radials, would love to get my hands on and get some experience helping

  • @stevenmiller184
    @stevenmiller184 Год назад +1

    The difference between the Snipe and the Pup in terms of Engine compression, trying to start it was incredible.

  • @cynthiaklenk6313
    @cynthiaklenk6313 6 лет назад +2

    Great flight Kermit (makes up for the Pup, huh?) - boy that A/C swings a big prop for the size of the aircraft! I remember the first time I saw one many years ago at an airshow at Selfridge AFB - and I heard the interrupter I had NO idea why the pilot would fly it with the engine cutting out! - and I asked dad why the engine was going around - it was all very fascinating LoL (I was pretty young, dad flew B-17's in Europe) - planning on making Oshkosh this year! Long cross country from Seattle in my C-172...... See you there!

    • @SnakebitSTI
      @SnakebitSTI 6 лет назад

      I’ve seen a video of a rotary engined plane coming in for a landing that described the blipping as “engine failure” lol.

  • @ffotograffyddgohebwyr8308
    @ffotograffyddgohebwyr8308 6 лет назад +2

    What an absolutely beautiful aircraft.

  • @joegeiman2964
    @joegeiman2964 4 года назад +1

    Boy that Sopwith looks like it really puts the fun in flying!

  • @oscarzt1652
    @oscarzt1652 6 лет назад +2

    and to think its a hundred years old is absolutely incredible

  • @adrianrosenlund-hudson8789
    @adrianrosenlund-hudson8789 5 лет назад +1

    Wow. An astonishingly beautiful aircraft.

  • @rescue270
    @rescue270 Год назад +2

    Cool to hear a rotary radial with a throttle. Still needed to blip the ignition to land.

  • @robertpait1916
    @robertpait1916 5 лет назад +1

    Lived in central Florida for most my life, never knew what FOF was, driven by plenty of time on way to and grom St Pete. Now I want to visit.

  • @dapro2848
    @dapro2848 6 лет назад +1

    Just found this channel and have a lot of cool videos to catch up on. I live in not very far from the EAA near Oshkosh and have been there many times. Was familiar with Mrs, Weeks but didn't know he had that extensive of a collection and museum. You are truly an aviation historian. The world is a better place with you in it sir. Thank you for sharing this with us on RUclips.

  • @ronmoore5827
    @ronmoore5827 6 лет назад +1

    Very nice, thank you for keeping these old airplanes in the air where they belong. Hope to see you at Oshkosh.

  • @pstrutt1
    @pstrutt1 4 года назад +1

    This airplane carries the markings of Canadian WW1 ace William Barker VC. He also flew the Sopwith Camel prior to the Snipe. Lovely video!

  • @vehdynam
    @vehdynam 3 года назад +1

    Amazing and scary at the same time. Kermit you can obviously fly anything ! Thank you.

  • @XRP747E
    @XRP747E 5 лет назад +2

    Great stuff and nice breakdown of the aircraft's idiosyncrasies!

  • @slopsec2358
    @slopsec2358 5 лет назад +7

    Grandpa always said, the hardest thing about flying the Sopwith was getting it started. The second hardest thing was getting it to turn left while taxiing.

    • @xandercreates6766
      @xandercreates6766 5 лет назад +1

      Slop Sec Ah yes, the flywheel effect
      It also shows on ww2 aircraft
      But not nearly as bad as a rotary engine
      One example- The Spitfire

  • @jwolters4453
    @jwolters4453 Год назад +2

    Love seeing a Snipe that is painted and flying like William G. Barker's famous VC winning aircraft. I've seen the original airframe of E8102 in the Canadian War Museum.

  • @tomservo5347
    @tomservo5347 5 лет назад +14

    It's always reassuring seeing a mechanic there on startup eyeballing the engine for any potential problems before taking it up.

  • @jvcardesign
    @jvcardesign 4 года назад +1

    just amazing! Thank you for sharing this video.

  • @toadelevator
    @toadelevator 6 лет назад +5

    Love these videos! Be safe, Kermit!

  • @RTD1947
    @RTD1947 4 года назад +2

    What a treat for the folks around the airport!!!

  • @pR1mal.
    @pR1mal. 6 лет назад +1

    What a crazy little vert stab.

  • @JimWakable
    @JimWakable 4 года назад +1

    Have been to this museum... absolutely magnificent place to visit. Unbelievable selection of aircraft that are one of's. I believe in markings of Billy Barker, Vc winner?

  • @5CGQ
    @5CGQ 2 года назад

    Love the menual parking brake at 5:30.

  • @jeffhoser7717
    @jeffhoser7717 6 лет назад +5

    WoW !! The Snipe sounds and looks good Mr. Weeks ! Considering the ager of your ground crew perhaps you ought to consider making one of the truck-mounted cranking systems for those old rotary I've seen in picture from that era ? Hope all goes well in flying off its hours . Stay safe !

    • @453421abcdefg12345
      @453421abcdefg12345 6 лет назад

      Jeff Hoser: Yes, a Hucks Starter would be very nice to see.

  • @peteacher52
    @peteacher52 4 года назад +4

    Nice to see the old girl flying with the 'spit and spray' sound of the rotary engine! Col, NZ.

  • @edwardbennett2312
    @edwardbennett2312 3 года назад +1

    Still love your US Army Warrant Officer rank on your surplus flight suit! 👍🏼 Nice flying too Kermit!

  • @rmf11699
    @rmf11699 4 года назад +1

    Fantastic flight and love the sputter of the engine!

  • @williamturnwald2791
    @williamturnwald2791 Год назад

    I watch all your videos love them a big fan of WW1 aircraft its funny watching you fly the snipe and I,m building a Wingnut Wings Sopwith F.1 Camel BR.1 at this time keep it up love all you aircrafts keep alive for our future.

  • @shaunroberts9361
    @shaunroberts9361 5 лет назад +1

    Kermit. I am really enjoying your channel for sure.

  • @arthurmagalhaes1678
    @arthurmagalhaes1678 4 года назад +1

    Very good, very beautiful, congratulations!!!

  • @microchannel377
    @microchannel377 5 лет назад +1

    Awesome video.

  • @CR4ZYHOR5E
    @CR4ZYHOR5E 6 лет назад +1

    Very cool Kermit....grass looking long!

  • @travelbugse2829
    @travelbugse2829 6 лет назад +3

    A first for me - I'd heard of the Armstrong starter, but never seen a Double Armstrong starter! I was thinking exactly the same thoughts as Wilson Laidlaw below. Many thanks - wonderful aircraft, in first class condition!

    • @mothmagic1
      @mothmagic1 4 года назад

      I've actually seen a triple armstrong in the efforts to start the Shuttleworth Collection's SE5

  • @cameronsvajdlenka6383
    @cameronsvajdlenka6383 6 лет назад +6

    I drove by during this flight. Cool stuff!

  • @123sheepdip
    @123sheepdip 6 лет назад +3

    Great video, guys. Congratulations to all those involved in the making of this video. 5*****

  • @christophermalone2770
    @christophermalone2770 4 года назад +1

    I was just looking at a fine example this aircraft at RAF Hendon museum. Great to see one in flight.

  • @MrCarGuy
    @MrCarGuy 6 лет назад +1

    A nice thing to see. Always exciting when they haven't flown in a while.

  • @Akinph
    @Akinph Год назад +1

    Amazing the plane has rotative engine of the old days which has not been replaced by the modern one.

  • @tomfey6020
    @tomfey6020 6 лет назад +1

    Make no small plans. Go Kermit Weeks.

  • @fteenglish
    @fteenglish 6 лет назад +3

    you guys rock! thank you very much for sharing this!

  • @JessWLStuart
    @JessWLStuart 6 лет назад +67

    I love that this vintage airplane is being started by people with smart phones in their pockets. Anachronistic juxtaposition at its best!

    • @mikegmdw1
      @mikegmdw1 4 года назад +3

      Now I know why they didn't have an instruction 'scramble' in WW1

    • @kbrickell4732
      @kbrickell4732 4 года назад +1

      No such thing as Airplanes They are Aeroplanes !!

    • @KyleCowden
      @KyleCowden 4 года назад +2

      For just a second, as he taxis across the grass, your imagination is transported to 1916. Theeeeeen, a huge Connie looms up behind the Sopwith. Oh well. Anachronistic indeed.

    • @robertwylie5944
      @robertwylie5944 2 года назад

      Appearantly your car gets operated by someone with no common sense.

    • @romanpolanski4928
      @romanpolanski4928 5 месяцев назад

      Congratulations on posting the most idiotic remark of all time.

  • @paulw176
    @paulw176 4 года назад +2

    wow looking so modern even at the end of the war - amazing progress in four years of airplane design.

  • @jayt6524
    @jayt6524 6 лет назад +1

    Wish I could go to EAA. I’m only 1/2 hr South but I have to work. Love to see ya.

  • @BillB23
    @BillB23 6 лет назад +10

    Fingers crossed. Kudos to your crew (and you) for keeping these old war birds alive.

    • @Rob-vv5yn
      @Rob-vv5yn 6 лет назад

      That’s not a old war bird it’s only like 7 years old built by TVAL in New Zealand. Not sure about the motor though it might be an original, TVAL has a original motor in their camel, they have built like 30 new old planes, and now build a number of new / old engines as well.

  • @tonyloechte9994
    @tonyloechte9994 6 лет назад

    It’s a Brazilian show you should mow her strip. Beautiful airplane and a successful flight love it best at Oshkosh.

  • @farmers2630
    @farmers2630 5 лет назад +3

    PBBT PPPBBBBTT PBBBT I love that radial/ rotary engine sound. Great content.

    • @farmers2630
      @farmers2630 5 лет назад

      @Possumlove I'm new to the hobby, thanks for catching that and letting me know.

  •  5 лет назад +1

    A little trivia. The Sopwith Snipe was rated as one of or best WW1 fighter. It's basically the Sopwith Camel 2.0. Only 500 were manufactured before the war ended but the British continued to fly them up to 1927. It performed as well as the Camel but pilots preferred it over the Camel due to it's better and safer handling.

  • @mikepalumbo4362
    @mikepalumbo4362 6 лет назад +1

    Nice aircraft. One can only imagine the pressure of combat in these old aircraft!

  • @philip8624
    @philip8624 2 года назад

    Just awesome..Curmie!

  • @modelrc9500
    @modelrc9500 6 лет назад +1

    I never knew the engine rotated on those things! Also that propeller is huge!

  • @chaosopher23
    @chaosopher23 2 года назад +1

    I'm glad Fokkers were as easy to start! Awesome airplane, I'd love to passenger in something like that someday - but not around here. Airplane traffic superhighway overhead almost all the time!

  • @TheTubeTube2
    @TheTubeTube2 2 года назад

    Superb, a wonderful restoration.

  • @matthewconti79
    @matthewconti79 4 года назад +2

    Marvelous.

  • @urbanfpv3852
    @urbanfpv3852 6 лет назад +1

    Amazing work. good job

  • @StonyRC
    @StonyRC Год назад +6

    Many Thanks from the UK. Thank God SOMEONE is keeping British flying heritage alive. The UK certainly doesn't!

  • @PeteSnipe
    @PeteSnipe 6 лет назад +1

    Proper flying. Thanks for sharing. Use to love visiting Fantasy of Flight.

  • @stulynn2005
    @stulynn2005 2 года назад +1

    I jumped at the chance to start a airplane like that. It was a J3 cub Starting that airplane would be a bucket list item taking me back over a hundred years

  • @bublinfra
    @bublinfra 2 года назад +1

    Sensational Job

  • @joemason9187
    @joemason9187 2 года назад +1

    that engine sound fantastic vid

  • @brandyyoda
    @brandyyoda 6 лет назад +1

    beautiful airplane...fantastic job

  • @viking66.
    @viking66. 3 года назад +1

    What a wonderful machine

  • @Stringman1950
    @Stringman1950 5 лет назад +1

    Great video!