1 Dec 10: Kermit replies to a query on the Tempest and Mosquito
“The Hawker Tempest V is currently in England. The fuselage is slowly undergoing restoration with attention to replacing, treating, and preserving all the aluminum and tube structures. Wing and tail fairings have been made with only final fitting needed. The cockpit details are currently being gathered with the option of later restoring everything to airworthy condition. Currently no systems work has been done, i.e. wiring, instruments or coolant pipes. All airframe work to date has been done to airworthy condition. My main goal right now is to continue with the airframe work, gather everything up, and paint it for static display with one day having the option of tackling the systems and the engine. To my knowledge, a Tempest V has not been seen flying since the early 1950’s, let alone anyone having heard a Napier Sabre engine run!
We were very fortunate the De Havilland Mosquito was on display at the EAA Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and not in Miami when Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992. It has been many years since it has flown (1989) and once I get some additional hangars built at Fantasy of Flight, I intend to truck it back to Florida where we will go through it and get her flying again.”
Although the above is not news to some, it’s great to get an update from the man himself on these exciting projects. If you would like to leave a message for Kermit here (even a few words of encouragment) I will bring this thread to the attention of the museum when it is good and fat – he will see it.
My thanks to Kermit for replying and to Jennifer Montague, Director of Events Sales and Service at Fantasy of Flight for dealing with the enquiry.
By: AndyG - 16th May 2011 at 23:24
He either needs to employ a LOT more people, or start selling airframes. At the current rate stuff is being done most of us won’t be alive when it gets finished.
On the other hand, at least there will still be rather some tasty projects available for our children to work on and theirs too. 🙂
By: ZRX61 - 16th May 2011 at 21:41
Is it down to the availability of approriately skilled engineering shops, perhaps?
No 🙁
By: Seafuryfan - 16th May 2011 at 21:36
That’s interesting, I’ve wondered that too. Is it down to the availability of approriately skilled engineering shops, perhaps?
By: ZRX61 - 16th May 2011 at 21:32
He either needs to employ a LOT more people, or start selling airframes. At the current rate stuff is being done most of us won’t be alive when it gets finished.
By: Seafuryfan - 16th May 2011 at 20:19
New build Albatros
May 2011: Kermit has just taken delivery of an Albatros DVa, with an original Mercedes engine, built by The Vintage Aviator factory (Peter Jackson & Associates). Here is Kermit with his beautiful new aircraft at Omaka (other aircraft too) before export to the USA. Audio shades of the LVG perhaps?…
By: WJ244 - 6th December 2010 at 21:37
Thanks for that. I wasn’t aware that the book existed so I am hoping my other half will get it for me for Xmas.
She keeps telling me she is considering growing wings as she says the sight of the edwardians flying at Old Warden makes me far more starry eyed than she can ever manage!
I actually emailed the US Museum about a Goodyear or Formula One racer in their collection but like I said my posts on this forum and elsewhere have since turned up the info I was after and photos appeared soon after on the airportsdata.com website.
By: scotavia - 6th December 2010 at 10:35
WJ 244 you might find this book useful..
http://www.amazon.com/Mustang-Thoroughbred-Birch-J-Matthews/dp/0887403913
By: Matty - 5th December 2010 at 16:43
I hate to disappoint you, but the Tempest bit is more or less word for word his blog post from 20 June this year; and the Mossie information again is from his blog, from August.
Didn’t know he had a blog, I’ve just sat here reading it for over an hour now!
An interesting update in the Tempest comments:
“# Kermit Says:
November 21st, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Brett,
Hope to have it headed this way for display in 2011!
Kermit”
By: avion ancien - 5th December 2010 at 07:56
Obviously it’s not just US museums. On behalf of a friend, I approached four French museums concerning an aircraft component in which it was thought that they might be interested. One responded immediately. One responded eventually. Two have not – despite several reminders – responded at all after more than six weeks. One of those two was the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace at le Bourget!
By: WJ244 - 4th December 2010 at 22:09
On a positive note you did at least get the courtesy of a reply.
I emailed another fairly major US museum over a year ago to enquire about the history an air racer in their collection and also asked if they might have a photo that they could email back and I didn’t even get an acknowledgment.
Thanks to others (including an American gent who I have since learned is a well known author of air race books) who have seen my posts here and elsewhere and have taken the trouble to reply I now have a pretty clear idea of the history of the airframe I was researching and it’s relationship to others of the breed. I have also learnt of some interesting long term restorations of air racers which are under way but I won’t post details as I am not sure that the owners want the projects publicised and I think it is only fair that I respect their right to privacy.
By: Mark V - 3rd December 2010 at 22:15
I hate to disappoint you, but the Tempest bit is more or less word for word his blog post from 20 June this year
Yes it did look somewhat familiar.
By: JT442 - 3rd December 2010 at 22:15
yes, and eventually.
By: Jester1979 - 3rd December 2010 at 21:45
Is Kermit Weeks still the owner of Lancaster KB976? If so are there any plans to restore and put it on display?
By: Seafuryfan - 3rd December 2010 at 21:28
I hate to disappoint you, but the Tempest bit is more or less word for word his blog post from 20 June this year; and the Mossie information again is from his blog, from August.
Awww, you just extinguished my bonfire! 🙁 (Where’s that wailing smiley gone?)
By: JT442 - 3rd December 2010 at 21:08
Well, IF he does read this and fancies setting up a UK Fantasy of Flight, I have just the location an an army of willing volunteers….:D
By: richw_82 - 3rd December 2010 at 20:49
I hate to disappoint you, but the Tempest bit is more or less word for word his blog post from 20 June this year; and the Mossie information again is from his blog, from August.
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December 3, 2010 at 8:12 pm