Here’s a video of an engine test for the Gee Bee Z done at Fantasy of Flight. The plane hasn’t flown in ten years. Sounds like Kermit Weeks got the hankering to fly her again. That would be cool to see.
By: sky quest - 17th June 2012 at 05:02
Andy is an Englishman who is originally from the London suburb of High Wycombe.
Thanks. Not too far up the road from here. Cheers.
By: Arabella-Cox - 17th June 2012 at 04:59
Yes, that is a Fieseler Fi 156 Storch landing in background, used by Germany in WWII for reconnaissance and as a transport for senior officers. I agree, they seem to fly that plane quite often, but I’m hoping this news of engine runs are a good sign that that is about to change.
By: Arabella-Cox - 10th June 2012 at 03:34
The mechanic Andy Salter in the video sounds like a Brit. Is he?
Yes sky quest, Andy is an Englishman who is originally from the London suburb of High Wycombe. He worked for Personal Plane Services there in restoration and maintenance of antique and rare aircraft. It was while working for them that he was put in charge of the restoration of a Supermarine Spitfire MK XVI owned by Kermit Weeks. From that, he wound up working for Kermit in the US.
By: Arabella-Cox - 8th June 2012 at 05:23
Remember seeing Delmar Benjamin flying the R1 (or R2, whatever it was…) in Reno close to 20 years ago. I have always wanted to see the Z fly as I really prefer that one of the “barrel shaped” racers.
T J
If I remember correctly, Delmar had a serious bout of lead poisoning from the exhaust gases that circulate in the Gee Bee cockpit. So much so, that he was laid up for quite some time. Even today, some 20 years later, he still supposedly suffers some effects.
By: sky quest - 7th June 2012 at 16:36
It’s a Storch..the aircraft I saw when I visited FoF.
Thanks slicer. It moves like a glider. Probably really easy to track with a camera.
The mechanic Andy Salter in the video sounds like a Brit. Is he?
By: T J Johansen - 7th June 2012 at 09:26
Remember seeing Delmar Benjamin flying the R1 (or R2, whatever it was…) in Reno close to 20 years ago. I have always wanted to see the Z fly as I really prefer that one of the “barrel shaped” racers.
T J
By: slicer - 7th June 2012 at 08:58
What a great noise that engine makes. It’s a Storch..the aircraft I saw when I visited FoF…unfortunately. Seen lots of Storches fly, and would’ve loved to see some of his other stuff airborne..but there yer go! It is an amazing collection, well worth a visit if you can.
By: HP111 - 7th June 2012 at 08:56
Most aircraft have engines fitted to them, but in some cases an engine has an aircraft fitted to it! Probably not nice to fly though.
By: sky quest - 7th June 2012 at 05:38
What is the plane that is landing when Z is being pushed out of hangar? Is it a Storch? Agree on the female mechanic. Seems kind of young too.
By: Arabella-Cox - 7th June 2012 at 04:13
Nice video. Would be great to see it fly again. Cool to see female mechanic too!
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June 7, 2012 at 3:31 am