I travel I-4 regularly. It has been sad to see this once proud bird fall into disrepair, but it will be sadder if she gets removed. I had always hoped Kermit would get a bunch of volunteers to clean up and repaint this icon of American flight. I think if he were to ask for those volunteers, he might be surprised how many would step forward!

@SpectrumRob

9 ай бұрын

Fabricate the missing hatches (woodin plugs), power wash and paint! Could be done fairly cheap and keep the neighbors happy.

@TraRod95

6 ай бұрын

maybe you should volunteer

Looks like the top cockpit escape hatch is missing as well. Fortunately, the inspection plate under the nose is still there. When we redid ours to static display, that was one part that was almost impossible to find. Oh the joy of bolting on those wings!! Ours now resides at the Langley Museum of Flight in B.C. Canada, just outside Vancouver. They've pushed her over where there is no access. They may be interested in getting rid of it. We put ten years of our lives restoring her to static display, to watch her fall into disrepair again.

An iconic I-4 visual. I understand some people see the old girl as an eyesore because, let's face she's, it's not looking good. I have to say I will miss the visual while driving past. It has been the midway landmark between Orlando and Tampa for decades. Thank you, Kermit, for making the drive a little bit more interesting.

I ALWAYS enjoyed seeing it on its belly with the rudder up in the air and the mannequin hangin Whenever I would drive down i4 I’d always get excited when I saw it. It will certainly be missed. Thanks Kermie

Kermit, 20 miles from my house is a DC3. Wings are there but they've been unbolted. Still sitting on its tricycle gear upright and proud but for 30 years Ive hated seeing her out there rotting. If you're interested let me know. Its in south Mississippi.

@ervinthompson6598

9 ай бұрын

DC-3's - all variants, C-47, R4D, were conventional gear..... all other Douglas prop aircraft in airline service were the DC-4(C-54)6 and 7 and were trikes......sure you're not talking about a Beech H18 Tri Gear conversion ??

It's quite an undertaking to enter and leave alive given the position and condition of this airplane.😅 I love to see airplanes like this, shown to public 'bare naked' to see how it's constructed. Thank you for filming this.

David Tallichet had two DC-3 / C-47's at the restaurant at the airport in St Pete, both stored/abandoned, one in faded Moroccan AF markings. This is likely one of them. I crawled up into both when I was based at MacDill in the late 80's.

Thanks for the video Kermit. Looks like the old girl needs lots of TLC. Thanks again. Retired Air Force veteran.

A DC-3 was the plane for my very first flight. I fell in love with the plane ever since. Your plane needs to be restored, by you or whoever, because there are only so many of them left. The best to you.

WOW !!--EVEN AFTER, NEARLY A100 YEARS,-THOSE DC.3's--STILL LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL !!--PLEASE DON'T LET HER DIE !!

@royfearn4345

9 ай бұрын

She's already on life support with the power about to fail. Chunk it in for scrap. There are still plenty better around, even now!

@johncaldwell-wq1hp

9 ай бұрын

SIR-YOU OBVIOUSLY,-DISLIKE OLD AIRCRAFT,---AND A "NARK"--PERHAPS YOU COULD BE ON "LIFE-SUPPORT'"--AND THE ''D.C.-3"--COULD "PULL THE PLUG??"---(WITH THE HELP, OF A LOT OF PEOPLE,!)---@@royfearn4345

@Yaw_yeet0121

3 ай бұрын

@@royfearn4345another good idea is to probably, if there ever is some around, put in a DC-10 if possible.

Looked like the first episode of Mikey McBryan's "Plane Savers"!! Could this be a new, exciting angle for Flight of Fantasy?

I visited FoF back in 1996 with my new wife and absolutely LOVED it. I wish I could visit again but it's a long way from Nova Scotia.

Looks a bit like DTD from Plane Savers! Before the amazing team put her back in the air😃

dont get down my friend, have a rum and take it as it comes!

That reminds me of the video when Kermit went exploring into the wing of the Martin Mars and damn near never made it out !

Enjoyed Fantasy of Flight when it was open. Always though it would be a great place for a fly in. Incredible what you do Mr. Weeks.

Had a great Father’s Day visit to Kermit’s place several years ago as a gift from my wife. Got to tour, have lunch and fly the PT17! Sorry others don’t have that opportunity now.

That HUGE Wasp Nest above your head back on the L/H horizontal stabilizer! Was waiting for someone to get popped!

WE have enjoyed your place since your opening. Thank you for the info on airplanes.

Real informative and entertaining! Keep on truckin' !

What happens to old gymnasts? They get stuck in a DC-3 on the interstate. Here is a no joke make it look OK thing. Spray rust inhibitor on the places you want to patch over, then use a really strong adhesive tape and tape across the hole. Then spray white, black, or clear FlexSteel over it. Do not laugh. I have done that over fender rot, rocker panels, etc.. I did my rotted-out pickup to give to my grandson, and when he gave it back to me 6 years later the tape and FlexSteel were still in place and holding. True teenager tested rust fix.

Oh, Kermie, It's so sad to see that beautiful piece of Aviation History in such a sad condition, but I know that now that you've been reminded of the amount of attention she needs just to remain in existence, I know that she'll receive all the T.L.C she can ever ask for.😍💯👍👀

Good on you Kermit

Poor Old Bird , bet she could tell some stories , please try and save her if affordable.

Since the Connie is static, you'd turn some heads if that was its new resting spot.

Its toast, find someone to pressure wash it, place some tin over the holes secure the mounts again, dummy up a rudder, paint it to look good from the highway and she'll be good for another 5+ years, then its off to the salvage yard ! Sad but its seen better days !

Would love to see it flying again!

I know it'll never fly again but I'd love it if it can at least find another life as something other than scrap. They aren't exactly making new ones anymore. My dad used to fly C47s around the Caribbean so they've got a pretty special place in my heart.

I remember seeing the plane back in 2019 when i drove to St. Petersburg from Orlando

You Guys are Awesome!😊

That's my kind of eyesore! Great stuff, Kermit, thanks! (Good to see Jack's back too, he was gone for a while, right? I call him Tom Petty because of his square-rims, beard and smile. :)

I'm surprised you didn't get dive bombed from the paper wasps underneath the left horizontal stabilizer root. Sad to see that airframe being reclaimed by the elements, but there isn't much left there.

That's a handful! Did you find alot of corrosion? There's a restoration project for the "Real" DC-3 lover! Give Mikey McBrian a call. These guys love the DC-3s. They'd probably enjoy a field trip to Florida too.

I've driven past this plane more times than I care to remember and it's always reminded me of the glory days of aviation and to see it in this condition doesn't speak very well of how poorly you've cared for it, even if it was never intended to be more than a road sign. Scrap aluminum isn't going to earn you much, so perhaps the best thing you could do is to donate it to someone who might fix it up enough so that it can serve as a reminder of those glory days for another half a centry.

Kermie is like one more member of the familiy by now. omg god what a thing that dc3

Absolutely Love 💕 Kermie Cam !!!

That was a really good video

This is the face of your business. It would be a good idea to have this plane and sign be in good shape and good looking. I worked airframe repair on F-4 Phantoms and F-15 Eagles in the Air Force. I would love to volunteer at this place if they had volunteers and I lived closer. I was there a few weeks ago on a Friday and FOF was closed with a sign saying they had mechanical problems (I live in the Jacksonville area).

Kermit I’m from Brevard and I’ve grown up with seeing this on I4 as I’ve crisscrossed the state, your place was one of the things that got me in to flying and I would hate to see it go. Maybe you can get a go fundme going to spruce it up.

17:45 Sense of humour dryer than the Sahara! 🤣

I absolutely love going by this plane for all of my life! Ive always wanted to go to your museum. Is it going to open again?

A hamburger door, tail wheel, some cowl flaps, a cargo door and you’d be all set!

I have to agree with others here; this may be the saddest video I've ever seen on this channel. Seeing the overgrown runways and rotting, damaged DC-3 definitely made me sad.

my Dad flew those at west coast airlines in the 50s

Hi Kermit. Perhaps this has lanquished unloved for too long .....A cheap fix would be to place the Catalina or the Constellation in it's place . You know and l know this has flown it's last sortie . ....l think it's very important to have an aircraft in it's place . You know what Joe public are like .....if the Dak is removed and not substituted , they'll all guess and gossip !! Take care Kermit 💞

The most beautiful plane ever made...

@misterwhipple2870

9 ай бұрын

No, THAT would be the B-52 . . .

Wish Fantasy of Flight was still open alot of history there

@diversherwood9631

9 ай бұрын

They are open here and there.... check their website for the schedule. I have been twice this year. Will go again soon...need more rum.

And we need parts for one we have in toccoa ga!

I see it painted like eastern airlines did in the 50's 😊

You guys should restore this plane to flight worthiness again.

Thanks for sharing, that DC 3 needs some love 👍

@samrodian919

9 ай бұрын

Nah it needs a long visit to the scrap yard!

I'm thinking the guys up at Buffalo Airways might be able to save it 🤣🤣🤣

A few hours with a buffer and she'll be good as new.

That thing has got to be the world's biggest wasp nest......😳🫣

Yes. An eyesore. Perfect description.

I seem to remember Mikey from Plane Savers saying that the hamburger door behind the cockpit is really hard to come by. Perhaps thieves got ahold of yours?

@ldnwholesale8552

9 ай бұрын

Yeah but they have new ones in stock. Look at Joes 'own' DC3 just the stones from gravel strip have hammered the hell out of that door

@misterwhipple2870

9 ай бұрын

Any thief brave enough to sneak in there and get it could get an honest job changing strobe lights on radio towers.

Definitely would be cool to make it presentable again. Give it a good wash. And maybe a sand blasting. Haha

This is an actual DC3, not a C 47, which is not exactly very common place. It would be nice to see this restored to at least a static configuration… I know there’s someone down at Shell Creek aviation in Punta Gorda, who was restoring a prewar DC-3.

Wash, wax and polish the DC3.....and put some spotlights to accent it

Ouch, the corrosion devil has this one in it's grasp.

Actually looks pretty solid on the inside. Strip down the outside and paint it.

As my Father in Law would say about most everything. "Hell, you better keep that, it's 80% good "

Darn and I have been looking for a ladder laying near a billboard to acquire.

As I see it she needs some TLC but aircraft have been brought back from worse conditions. I have faith in her.

Kermit. Mikey McBryan Buffalo Air, has a flying D-dayC-47.

👍👍👍👍Dc3 God bless happy Halloween🙏🎃

RESTORE IT!!! Take it down and have a regular sign built in its place.

Clearly you have gone conservative on projects. Short term, hire a crew to clean it off. It will have a different feel when looking at it.

Maybe a wind powered sculpture / monument / weathervane / anemometer/ generator / flying saucer mobile above a VOR. Old movie Icon of a plane circling a globe.

" Plane Savers " might Help...lots of spare Planes...Parts...

Just curious.. was this aircraft formally deralict on the north side of Hwy 52 in between Tampa and Orlando?.... mom stopped so I could look at it around 1983 or '85. F.b.o. saw me looking in awe...so he gave me a tour.

Its real easy to say save it when its not their money. The thing is end of life. If what your planning is a C-47 display, I'd just get a C-47 that'll last longer than this one. There are deals out there to be had. You definitely got your money out of this thing.

It'll buff out, no problem..........

Knock it down below the grass. The tropics with take care of the rest.

sad to see that ICON slowly dying...

dont let her die please!!!!

oh, thatll buff out. im sure lol.

👍

8:35 ‘Merica !! 🙂 ❤️ 🙂

We need a Kermie Cam flight!

Could a static restoration be used as a educational project. Perhaps local youth project.

hmmmm, maybe a candidate for Basler Air???

See if Basler turbo conversions wants it. 😂

Would be good to know the history of the airframe

Some one please let Kermit know he is a human and won’t live for ever so he needs to organize his projects and pick his battles .

Bearing in mind Blaser strip these aircraft right back and have the type cert would this not be a candidate for a turbo prop conversion...??

My dream is to visit your museu, bit there is no tourists agencies programms in São Paulo city. Do you know anyone to promote This in Brasil?

hey a little power wash and its good as new! LOL

Maybe it could have been built as a Douglas C-53 Skytrooper originally please restore it.

Nothing about the operational history of that particular aircraft.

Hmm, original three piece instrument panel. It looks like the original radio room layout as well. The corrosion in the inside looks minimal. Nothing like a good pressure washer to remove all that paint and gunk, ask me how I know....

What kind of Wax are you using ? Turtle wax carnauba ?

Kermy brother, I appreciate what your trying to do but dang. If you are trying to market that place, get rid of the word "Fantasy" and get that junker Dc-3 off the highway. Just my take, but you need to focus on the war bird and history pathway. Their are a lot of patriotic Americans that are still very interested in that stuff. Mix in all the other cool aviation stuff that you have too and you got a winner. Maintain and fly the airplanes for people to see. You have a sweet collection, just get back to the basics. We have a killer museum here in Nampa Idaho called the war hawk museum. Check it out. People around here love it. Their events are packed and the locals love to see their birds flying at random. As far as the business model, fantasy and being all you can be to be your best doesnt mix well with airplanes and history in this current environment. I think you'r targeting two different crowds. Just my two cents Kermit, I love what you do. Keep up the good work.

@KermitWeeks444

9 ай бұрын

FoF did that warbird and history thing for almost 30 years! Couldn’t get enough people through the door to pay my light bill.

@tripple3473

9 ай бұрын

@@KermitWeeks444 You know your business Obviously, I guess Im a dying breed. Love what your doing and always watch your videos. I admire all you have accomplished and your depth of skills.

@tripple3473

9 ай бұрын

Kermit, I just watched your "higher Plane" part 1 video. The following is a comment I left on it. I though Id post it here........... I commented on one of your recent videos about getting back to the basics of a war bird type operation and you mentioned to me about the business model being a failure. This video is your best yet. I gives us so much clarification on where you are from and especially where you are going. Thank you for this. I cant wait to read your book and see the progression of your plan. Hearing about your experiences gives me so more of an understanding of were your going with Fantasy of Flight. Keep us posted. Reply @@KermitWeeks444

Needs to be saved that old bird 😅

Sooo sad to see a plane left out to slowly rot. And stripped of parts

I’ve rarely disagreed with you on your right to do with whatever you choose concerning your own a/c. That disclaimer out of the way, how can an iconic aircraft such as the DC3 be considered an eyesore? A pressure wash would go a long way. Are you that bereft of individuals to perform tasks that do not require an A&P certificate? I still send money when possible and support FoF in every way.

Sadly, it's basically so corroded from the salt air environment that there's nothing of it that can be reused.

@RickBaconsAdventures

8 ай бұрын

any salt air would have to be from previous locations, no salt air here

@CaliforniaFly

8 ай бұрын

@@RickBaconsAdventures Really? Where did all that corrosion come from? Arizona?

@RickBaconsAdventures

8 ай бұрын

​@@CaliforniaFlythe town he said he got it from is near the coast. Where he is at there is no salt air. So all I was saying was no salt air for the last 30 years. Any salt air would have been before he owned it.

driven by it many times, if it had been painted to look like C-47 i would have been all over fantasy of flight. I think many people would have been. too bad you don't have time to test my theory. all those years wasted. try it

Get a guy on a telescopic lift out there and soak the plane down with pool bleach concentrate. will clean that up at least. You could sell advertising on it .

@misterwhipple2870

9 ай бұрын

I can vouch for that! That pool-shock, UNCUT, works wonders on Mobile Homes, but it will destroy any clothing you are wearing at the time.

Bummer. I'll be down in FL and driving on 4 from Tampa to Orlanda in a couple of months. Guess I won't be able to wave to the old girl like I always do.