Kermit adds a Rata

Warbirdnerd · **Joined:** Fri Apr 30, 2004 7:34 pm **Posts:** 2906

Looks like Kermit bought the CAFs I-16 Rata.

https://youtu.be/ch350b0YaPc

Zac Yates · **Posted:** Wed Mar 20, 2019 5:57 pm

As much as people worry about Kermit buying things and not flying them, I think the I-16 would be much more at home at Orlampa and stands a better chance of flying again. Great news!

Was anyone else yelling at their screens "It's for the engine! Look at the cover!" when Kermit was questioning the dates in the logs? Or was it just me? geek

airknocker · **Posted:** Wed Mar 20, 2019 6:55 pm

Sometimes I think Kermie is focused on video shooting while airplane shopping.

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3322

Since he stopped doing the 'airplane of the day' when he closed FoF, do any of his airplanes fly regularly?

TAdan · **Posted:** Thu Mar 21, 2019 6:30 am

Nice to see WIXer Randy Wilson make an appearance.

Nice acquisition for Kermit, hopefully it gets the same TLC his other "front burner" projects are getting. (The Bf-108, P-35, S-41, Jenny, etc)

Iclo · **Posted:** Thu Mar 21, 2019 8:07 am

KiwiZac wrote:

As much as people worry about Kermit buying things and not flying them, I think the I-16 would be much more at home at Orlampa and stands a better chance of flying again. Great news!

Flying ? Seriously, I doubt. Stored in good condition and disassembled, yes.
Kermit Weeks looks to bought a lot of things but is working on actively restoring very few of them. His team of AP was drastically reduced in last few years.

hbtcoveralls · **Joined:** Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:51 pm **Posts:** 151

God love him, but Kermit's what's known as a hoarder

Hoarders find the joy in collecting in the acquisition.

After he buys it, that's kind of it as far as the thrill of ownership

He enjoys telling people he has the largest private aircraft collection in the world, and that's the fun for him

All I expect from Kermit is that he does what he loves and continues to save and preserve the aircraft he has or acquires

We'll owe a debt to him when he's gone, just like the debt we owe Walter Soplata who was another hoarder.

I still regret not getting down to see FOF before it closed. My wife visited and not knowing a thing about airplanes had a great time.

Chris Brame · **Posted:** Thu Mar 21, 2019 12:17 pm

I admit my first reaction was, "Great! I can hardly wait to see him not fly it!" :wink:

But I do hope to see that P-35A in the air.

marine air · **Posted:** Thu Mar 21, 2019 6:17 pm

Some think the RATA was inspired by the Granville Brothers designs. Kermit owns a Gee Bee Model Z and other Gee Bees. You never know, he just may fly it.

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Thu Mar 21, 2019 9:04 pm

I believe the main building complex that was originally constructed at FoF (which included the gift shop, B-17 display, events room, two hangars, adjoining workshops, etc.) was always intended to solely be the restoration area. If so, that probably means that he intends to eventually ramp up the amount of restoration projects (along with A&P employees) since that entire facility is pretty large, while constructing new hangars and exhibit spaces. So we may see a some of these projects start to see progress, hopefully.

maradamx3 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 22, 2019 6:17 am

hbtcoveralls wrote:

God love him, but Kermit's what's known as a hoarder

Hoarders find the joy in collecting in the acquisition.

After he buys it, that's kind of it as far as the thrill of ownership

He enjoys telling people he has the largest private aircraft collection in the world, and that's the fun for him

All I expect from Kermit is that he does what he loves and continues to save and preserve the aircraft he has or acquires

We'll owe a debt to him when he's gone, just like the debt we owe Walter Soplata who was another hoarder.

I still regret not getting down to see FOF before it closed. My wife visited and not knowing a thing about airplanes had a great time.

You can still go to FoF. At the end of the video, he mentions being open 3 days a week seasonally. Still worth a visit!

DH82EH · **Posted:** Sat Mar 23, 2019 9:17 am

During the video Kermit expressed interest in the Swordfish.

If he wants a potential flyer the Vintage wings of Canada machine would be a better candidate.

As to how much he will fly something, well..... .....he is the only one who flies his aircraft and he is only one man.

maradamx3 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 23, 2019 1:42 pm

DH82EH wrote:

.....he is the only one who flies his aircraft and he is only one man.

Is he? I asked that question on one of his YouTube videos, but never got a response. I understand it if that's the case, but just think of the potential progress if more pilot's flew his fleet.

Iclo · **Posted:** Thu Mar 28, 2019 5:12 am

maradamx3 wrote:

I understand it if that's the case, but just think of the potential progress if more pilot's flew his fleet.

His planes are only flown for his personnal fun what's completly understandable as it's his money, and it's looks like this same mantra is followed in all his activities: "have a fun idea, just do it"

Kermit Weeks is not like others plane collectors who are business man and have a clear business plan to cover a part of the operating cost of the collection / fleet by operating them on airshow, rides, etc.

The museum is opened on a very limited time slot not to keep sharing his collection but due of tax deduction rules.

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3322

When I visited a few years back (late-2012) a couple of his employees were also flying several of the aircraft, such as the Storch and the Bestmann. I remember Dave Dudley was one of them.

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Kermit adds a Rata

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