Kermit Weeks to get his B-25 Apache Princess back in the air

[CH2Tdriver]

I get the email updates from FOF and noticed this in the latest. I think he's a little late, as he could have got her up and running over the winter and gone to the Raiders reunion at Dayton. But I think it's great that he has a plan to unpickle various aircraft from time to time and get them airborne! Maybe one day the B-26? With a variety of airplanes from time to time, I know if I lived in FL near FOF I would be heading over regularly for the fly days.

Pete


The B-25 Begins its Journey Back to the Skies
(Beware of Low-Flying Fruit)

Why is the B-24 guarding the ramp in front of the Maintenance Hangar? To make room for her "little" sister, the B-25, who has rolled in for the full spa-treatment in preparation for some sky climbing!

Spa Day for the B-25

Yes, summertime puts us all in mind of lazy days, relaxing at the beach, and, of course, low-level watermelon bombing, a famous (infamous?) pastime of the Fantasy of Flight "Apache Princess." Click here to check out a film you may have watched in one of our South Hangar kiosks if you need proof of the watermelon bombings.

The current maintenance plan includes installing and plumbing a new fuel cell, repairing and running-up the aircraft's two Wright R-2600 engines, and provided everything is A-OK, an annual inspection.
The unforgettable face of "The Apache Princess"

So if you happen to notice watermelon falling from great heights (and hear Kermit's laugh at a distance), you'll know the "The Apache Princess" is flying by.


P.S. The beautiful face gracing the nose art on "The Apache Princess" is none other than the boss's wife, Teresa Weeks.

[Pat Carry]

I remember seeing Apache Princess at Oshkosh a few years back. A fine looking B-25. It belongs in the air.

[Django]

Maybe the reunion is what sparked the interest.

[Ethan]

Why was it parked ?

[LysanderUK]

Why was it parked ?

It's just the way the FoF collection works, due to the size of the collection not everything can be actively airworthy at the same time. They have a kind of rota in operation where some aircraft spend a couple of years airworthy, and are then rested to give another aircraft a chance. This does however mean that it can be years before a technically airworthy exhibit gets to actually fly.

Good to hear the B25 will fly again, perhaps he could get the Marauder and Liberator flying too?? Not many places where you can see a B24, '25 & '26 flying together! We can dream...

[CH2Tdriver]

Why was it parked ?

Kermit Weeks has over a hundred aircraft at his Fantasy of Flight facility. While 95% of them may be airworthy, he can't fly them all at once so only about 2% of the fleet is actively flown by him at a given time. Since the aircraft he doesn't fly may sit for months or even years, he has them "Pickled" for display. Basically the fuel and oil is drained and in its place is put a preservative type of oil, which seals up all parts of the engine and fuel system. The battery is disconnected and the annual inspection is allowed to expire. A note that says "Do not rotate" is stuck on the prop to remind the ground crew, else they would break the seal.

When he decides he wants to fly a particular ship he reverses the process and performs the annual inspection.

Pete

[Roger Cain]

A non-aviation friend just visited there yesterday and sent me a picture of it in the hangar, they said she was just getting some engine work done and was about ready to fly again.

[richkolasa]

Why was it parked ?

Kermit vectored his passion away from aviation a bit once his child was born...about what, 6-7 years ago? I'm not knocking him, just stating what those who've been "in the know" down there have told me.

He also seems to spend a lot of time with his "development" plans for "Orlampa", which I will knock him for (like most of his neighbors).

For those outside the area, Kermit sees the entire area from Orlando to Tampa, Florida being one big housing development. Ugh...

Rich

[richkolasa]

A non-aviation friend just visited there yesterday and sent me a picture of it in the hangar, they said she was just getting some engine work done and was about ready to fly again.

Why would you have such friends? That does not compute...

Rich

[Roger Cain]

A non-aviation friend just visited there yesterday and sent me a picture of it in the hangar, they said she was just getting some engine work done and was about ready to fly again.

Why would you have such friends? That does not compute...

Rich

Rich, the magic word "she" went there and took pictures and sent them to me along with the details she remembered, such as the name Storch, etc. I do think I worded that terribly though now that I reflect on it, because she works for Frontier Airlines

[Jack Cook]

The "Wizard of Orlampa"

[Jack Cook]

After we sold our B-25J they pulled the aux tanks to replace them and it
was a chamber of horrors in there!!

[Lynn Allen]

I would like to see Kermit's Lancaster restored and flying....

[warbird1]

I would like to see Kermit's Lancaster restored and flying....

I would too, but somehow I think that Kermit will never restore that, the B-29, B-24, B-26, A-20, the Shorts flying boat, or any of the other large stuff. I think all of those airplanes are beyond the resources of even him. I hope I'm wrong, but it wouldn't surprise me to see all of those airplanes sit in his collection and eventually be sold off sometime in the distant future.