Warbird Information Exchange

Thanks Chuck. The weather is our biggest issue right now. Our goal this trip was to get the engine on and maybe a float test. The engine and test runs went perfect, and there were only minor leaks on the float test. Now we are hoping to get a test flight in this week. Float ops and winter is not a great combination, we scrubbed today because of north winds and 35 degree temps.

What is the top speed in a Duck?

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Awesome, thanks for the info. I remember reading about it back then and wondering where it had disappeared to in the ensuing years.

So how many airworthy Ducks are there now? So, is this an accurate account of the airworthy population:

1) Yours in this thread
2) Kermit's two birds
3) Tom Friedkin's
4) Chuck Greenhill's

Which Duck was the one that Herb Tischler was working on at the Texas Airplane factory, before they went T.U.? Was it Greenhill's bird?

So, in total after this one flies, that would make 5 airworthy birds, correct?

Are there any other potential flyers out there?

Thanks for the info and awesome picture. The Duck is an undervalued warbird, IMO! It needs a lot more respect and praise for the awesome job it did!

As seaplanes go, is a Duck a 'boat' or a 'float'?

Canso42

VNE minus North winds!

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Live to fly, Fly to live.....

Vne is 258 mph, cruise depends on how much you want to feed it. 140 mph is about average.

There are 6 potentially airworthy Ducks.
Kermit only has one flyer, the other airplane is far from flying.
The EAA has one.
I'm not sure if Tom's is in annual.
Chuck's is flying and yes, that airplane was started in TX.
The other possible flyer is in Tillamook.

Neither, it is an amphib boat.

Well,
Here's hoping it flies as well as it swims.

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

Excellent, thanks for the info. I don't believe that the Tillamook example or the EAA's has flown in a VERY long time, if ever, since their last restoration. I stand corrected on Kermit's two. I would love for the Tillamook example to be sold to a private individual so it could be flying again. With their recent sale of the Spitfire and P-47, it seems like they are slimming down their collection. I would give anything to see 3 Ducks flying in formation together.

On a side note, which Duck was the one that was used in the filming of Black Sheep squadron?

Your airplane is simply beautiful. Are there any plans to take it to airshows or display it for the general public?

Thanks for your efforts to get another classic in the air!

Just one. The other is supposedly in restoration. If ya'll express interest, I might try to go up and see it (I hear it's located at Wichita Air Services in Newton, a little ways north of me).



It was started, but the work was pretty bad, according to the WD article. It was then moved back to Wichita, where WAS matched it with the stuff they'd already restored (they subcontracted the work to TX, I guess), and rebuilt it all.

I don't mean to point out such a silly little detail but I thought I'd flex my nerd muscles.

The Tillamook Air Museum is a private collection. But you're right, if it was in a "non-museum/private" situation it would probably be flying more than it is now.

Here's their Duck. Please pardon the blurriness of the picture.


As for the Duck, it looks like it's in great shape. As well, talking with an "employee" there, all the airplanes there are in flying condition, but not flown. They all get an annual done each year and are "flight ready" so to speak. At least that's what I was told. I'd love to see their PBY fly, and their Duck, oh, and their P-38, oh, and their B-25, and.... jeez, I think I'd like to see their entire collection fly.

Cheers,

David

Yes, I am very interested to see pictures of Kermit's other Duck restoration. Do you know any more info on it, like how long it's been in restoration, and how much work they have left?

Thanks!

I can't help you on the Black Sheep duck, but I'm sure someone else here knows.

Kermit has expressed an interest in a Duck reunion at Oshkosh at some time. His airplane is being inspected now for flight in Nov.

We are only concerned with flight testing right now. After that, who knows.

Since Frank Tallman was involved with the filming of the "Black Sheep Squadron", it was probably one of his Ducks, hence, it's now Kermit Weeks.
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."