When I went to work on the B1 program at North American in 1981, I worked with people who started there on the F100 program. I stayed after work every day for at least an hour, trying to keep my mouth shut, listening to the old timers talk shop. What I learned from them was priceless. What happens at Chino, and other places around the world, is keeping the skills and artistry of past generations alive in the present day. It would be great to see someone in their twenties working alongside the “old timers” on these projects. Thanks for the great video. Thanks to everyone associated with the aircraft at Chino, awesome place.

Connies were the most beautiful piston age airliner ever built. It looks like this one will be better than new in many aspects, and not as complex to manage as compared to the original. I can't wait to see it back where it belongs... the sky.

I saw the Connie sitting on the corner near the B-17 with the tail off wrapped in plastic and stopped to talk to the guy taking panels off and thought it would never fly again, wow was I wrong, the amount of work that went into that boggles the mind.

Most beautiful airplane that was ever built. I got to flying in one in 1968 I was six years old.

For about a year Connies were flying a scheduled route into KIPT. I had the pleasure of watching them drone in and out for a while. I never was up in one but marveled at the smoky start ups and takeoffs. My first ride was a trip to KPHL in a DC-3 and I have a photo of my Sister and me standing on the rear stairs as we boarded in 1955. After that I was hooked.

COOL to the MAX Kermit.... and Thank You Steve, lot's of History would be lost without "Planes-of-Fame" 🤗👍👍👍.

Thanks Kermit for the tour of the mighty Lockheed Constellation..... Shoe🇺🇸

IKE was in the Marana Air Park in Marana AZ. just north of Tucson

Thanks for the tour Kermit. And thanks for the intro to Mr Hinton without his test pilot gear on.

Loved the picture of the way the original cockpit looked. This was the first 4 engine plane I "flew" 75 years ago. I still remember the experience of turning the yoke gently to the right, leveling off, and then back to the left (of course I was sitting in my father's lap). Good thing all the passengers didn't know a 4-year-old was making those slight course corrections.

Carl Scholl, Steve Hinton and Kermit Weeks all together. Fantasy of Flight is correct, Kermit and you are fulfilling the Fantasy of a bunch of Warbird enthusiasts with this video. Thank You. Thank You, Thank You. Oshkosh or Bust!

That Connie is already gorgeous. Can't wait to see the finished product!

I remember seeing the Connie in Valle, Az. What a beautiful project. Love Kermie Cam!

One hellava lot of aviation history, knowledge, and talent there-and the old Connie is nice also👍

The Connie was the first airliner I ever flew in as a child. Beautiful airliner. Nothing prettier.

The work they are putting into this plane is breathtaking! Absolutely stunning! Such a gorgeous airplane!

Sharing this vid with our Connie Crew VH-EAG 🇦🇺

@dalecomer5951

Жыл бұрын

My dad almost certainly helped build the original VH-EAG at Lockheed in the early Fifties.

@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536

Жыл бұрын

@@dalecomer5951 Lucky guy.

Former President Dwight Eisenhower's Constellation is 15 minutes away from my house at Dynamic Aviation in Bridgewater, Virginia. It is being restored to its original glory for public viewing. The one in this video certainly looks nice. I remember seeing them on the ground at major airports here on the east coast as a child flying around in my dad's 1958 J-35 Beech Bonanza.

@Weyco23

Жыл бұрын

The intent is to fly this plane again also, but from what I have heard not much is happening. Lack of money.

Kermit and Steve doing a walk round a Connie, what a treat! Steve.

Back in the 80s I used to be a copilot on C-46 flying cargo through the Caribbean, with a company called AMSA , we used to have a Connie , I got to flight in it , one of the most memorable experience in my life, also a big operator of Connies at the time was AEROCHAGO , I got to flit on those too , our base was in the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo. Love to see someone working on one of the most beautiful airplanes ever made.

WOW. This is amazing! A private tour with Steve Hinton? Are you kidding me?!! Thanks again for making these.

@ervinthompson6598

11 ай бұрын

Steve so nearly bought it at Reno , in the Red Baron...... lucky he's still around, such a legend.

I live in Kingman, AZ. One never knows what may show up here at the airport, so my 10X50s are right handy. It has been years but I put my quick response to the test one November when I heard the sound of a multi engine radial aircraft in the distance. I was thrilled to see a Connie in the distance. I assumed it would land here but alas, no joy. It was another two years before I read the story of the what and where of that flight. I SAW Y'ALL!!

This plane was at the aviation museum at Ft. Rucker, Alabama for many years. In the early 70s we as teens used to get on board and hangout in it. It was sitting outside with easy access and not much security. It was great watching this video and brought back many memories of an iconic plane. I actually flew on one of these Constellation TWA planes to Okinawa in 1961. My dad was being sent to Vietnam while our family had to live on base in Okinawa. We flew to Honolulu and then a fuel stop at Wake Island on the way to Okinawa.

Magnificent ! The Connie is THE most Beautiful of the big prop liners. I grew up in the 1960's about 3 miles from Burbank Airport, (everybody called it Lockheed) and loved watching the Connie's, Flying Tiger DC4's & DC6's, even the PSA Lockheed Electra's. Man, what a time!

I was able to fly on a Air Force Connie from California to Hawaii in 1960 when my father was resigned to Hickam AFB. I was 12 year's old and it has always been one of my favorite aircraft. Thank you for the tour.

I stopped by the museum in Valle on my way back from the Grand Canyon about 15 years ago. Went through this bird, was sad that it was just rotting outside in the Arizona sun. So glad to see it being so well restored to fly again.

There were EC-121s at Hanscom Field and Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts and I saw them fly overhead almost every day back in the 50s. I never thoughts there'd be a time when there was only a couple left in existence.

Was very fortunate to fly in the MATS connie when it did it’s uk tour back in 98. Remember bashing through the cloud tops standing between the pilot and co pilot, happy times! Stunning aeroplane!

@spacedreamz3820

Жыл бұрын

What happened to MATS Connie

@jonhiggins504

Жыл бұрын

It’s grounded and sat outside in South Korea, it’s rather sad.

@spacedreamz3820

Жыл бұрын

@@jonhiggins504 thought she was in the US

Steve is just a unending Fountain of knowledge 👍🏻🙂👍🏻

I will have to make sure I see this connie fly.

The most beautiful commercial plane after the Concorde. I flew on one from Belem, Brazil to Miami in 1961. I was 11. I would love to hear those incredible engines roar again up close. Good luck with your project!

My dad's favorite airplane. Flew for MATS in the 50s. (military air transport service)

Thank you, Kermit, for updating us Connie Lovers on the Bataan project! Gotta save as many Connies as possible! 👏💖👍👍

Kermit, you rock! What great planes you bring to us.

Thank you for posting this great video. Nice to see this project. Finally a Connie will fly again. After Lufthansa‘s desaster and termination of their project, the Swiss (Breitling) one grounded it is great to see one getting ready to fly again. Thanks again!

@sg-yq8pm

Жыл бұрын

There is one flying in Australia

@darkredvan

Жыл бұрын

@@sg-yq8pm Thank you for the information!

@2:03 the alien spaceship Alien... I always thought it had a bit of Connie about it..

Does anyone remember Steve when he did Roaring Glory Warbirds ? Man that was a great series!! That Constellation is a beautiful plane.

I flew on a Connie with tiger Airlines from Saigon to kuala Lumpur in the 60s. What a cool plane!🙏

Hey Kermit little fun fact, I flew from Los Angeles to Anchorage then on to Japanese Air Force Base outside Tokyo. Operated by Flying Tigers in a constellation. I laid down on the floor of the airplane and lift the hum of the engines rock me to sleep

Brilliant, recall the only one I ever saw was your's ! Brilliant !\

It's a shame how few are left considering how much they were a part of the heartbeat of air transportation in that bygone era when props ruled the commercial airways.

prettiest airplane ever. this is joyous to see.

That's what we call cubic dollars! to restore a a Connie, WOW. Thanks for sharing.

OMG!! My mouth hung open during that entire tour. Unbelievable the attention to detail and craftsmanship is stunning. Thanks Kermit for showing off the most beautiful airliner ever made.

Fun to hear that Mark Magin put some cameras in it. Love working with him.

This is INSANE. Can't wait to see this BEAUTIFUL bird back in flight!

What a great group of classics, a Connie, Kermit and Steve. I met Kermit in Kalamazoo Mi and Steve in Tucson Az years ago. Great video, keep them coming please

I love flying, love aviation and love this channel. Thanks Kermit for keeping us enthused!

Absolutely gorgeous

What a wonderful job that they are doing on a very Historical Aircraft. Thank You Mr. Kermit, another Great Video. 🙃

Kermit!!! You’re cool, Hinton goes without saying…

So this bird is going to fly again. That's sweet

@Weyco23

Жыл бұрын

All of Rod Lewis planes in his collection fly.

Just an elegant aircraft!

Great that another one will soon fly again! Thanks for this, Kermit.

Mesmerizing and what a time machine to another era. She was and is a super model.

that has got to be the most elegant plane i've ever seen. you never see the cockpit match the exterior design, somehow this one does. so if i got it right, rod lewis bought this from them and then payed them to restore it. good on all of them. i can't wait to see this fly. the quality of the restoration of something of this magnitude blows my mind. every component looks brand new.

Now Kermit you are ticking my boxes now, can't wait to here this Bird Fire up..

Very cool. Almost makes you want to get yours flying! I know it won't happen, but man the connie was once great looking airplane, and such a shame that so few are left.

Coral Gables 🌴🇺🇸 Remarkable re do. Thank you for sharing. 🏄

My first flight when I was four years old was on Constellation in Delta Airlines livery. Wonderful memories, and more coming. Thank you.

thank you for taken me along

Man does that bring back memories! I had almost 1900 hours in "Willy Victors" back the early '60's. Vw 2 in Newfoundland. When there and just before I left we upgraded to R3350's -42 with 150 more HP. The last one I flew in was 145940 the next to the last "CONNIE" made. Thanks for the memories.

I'm not a big aviation geek but its great these old birds are being saved! Love the channel too.=)

@cf6282

Жыл бұрын

Ohh keep watching..before you know it you will be a geek too 😂🎉!

Glad to see another Connie will be in the sky soon. We're lucky enough to have one flying here in OZ.

Thank all of you for keeping these old birds flying. Kelly Johnson did a wonderful job designing that thing, it would be a shame to see it go away. It is oh so beautiful! The Connie and the Lanc are my favorites for four engine jobs and it is so satisfying to see them still flying!

Everyone's favourite at Avalon Airshow Melbourne. 👍

@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536

Жыл бұрын

👍

Just a note to say how much I enjoy your channel........Very interesting contents of all kinds of aircraft and how you've got to fly most of them........Kudos to you Kermit.....

@KermitWeeks444

Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much!

America seems like paradise for pilots and aviation lovers. Flying the Lockheed Constellation would be the dream of my life.

I’m so excited to see a Connie being restored! My dad flew these for Tigers in the 60s.

The Constellation a thing of beauty !!!

Fantastic 😊😊😊

What a project, can't wait to see it finished.This has got to be one of the sexiest airliner aircraft ever designed, with the exception of Concord of course 👍👍👍

There are hobbies and then there are projects like this.

Well ! How exciting is that ! And 3 legends under one roof ! The total commitment to get this 4 engined beauty back where she belongs is staggering and the fuel consumption is trivial compared to the money pit these aircraft cost to restore . I guess you really came to see your B26 .......Thanks Kermit

Man, this will be great to see in the air again.

What an amazing aircraft. I could only dream of flying in one of these. Thanks for sharing.

Oh man I hope it makes Oshkosh!! It’s been years since I’ve seen one !

Very cool

Thanks for another great video Kermit. What an honor to see that Connie. And McArthur’s at that. These Connie’s touch my heart. What an aircraft. It was a pleasure to see it. Getting close to seeing it do its magic, fly. Just wonderful. Thanks so much Kermit. Retired Air Force veteran.

That would be awesome to see both the Connie and a-26 at Oshkosh!!!!!

Not just one legend, but Two! Awesome Video!

What a project! Way cool!!

I believe this used to be a NASA Connie. My father flew this testing instruments for the APOLLO missions.

this is simply beautiful.

Nice to see Steve in front of the camera long term.

I have the original airplane radio from that plane. My dad was a flight engineer on that plane when they decommissioned it. He got the radio out of it and talked all over the world for years. He always wanted it to go back to the airplane or to a museum. I’m trying to find somebody to take it. You have done amazing work on that plane. Thank you for sharing.

An example of air warning variant of the Constellation was kept at the x-USAF air base at Camarillo for several years.

That is not a refurb, that is a reconstruction! Absolutely Beautiful! I want to see this bird fly!

I flew on one when I was a kid. I will never forget looking down and seeing the towns and cars go by. We were low enough to see a lot of detail. So COOL!

Being able to see priceless aircraft up close is one thing. The thing I love most about your channel is the little tidbits and factoids about some of these aircraft I would never see otherwise. One of my favorite series was your visit to Vintage V12s. I really enjoy the nuts and bolts of it all.

Maurice gave myself and three bicycle riding brothers a tour in Auburn around 2010, his lovely wife engaged us staring through the fence surrounding the plane and asked if we would like a tour. A day we haven't forgotten!

Kermit is SUCH a pilot. He's staring at the FE panel with virtually all of the engine controls and says "what does the engineer do, just watch the motors?" He then successfully identifies a turnbuckle.

When I was but a pup, my dad, a WWII vet, used to take me to a local airport, outdoor second floor observation area, when the Connies came and went, in the midwest. They were spectacular as far as looks and sound... always made me think they were nearly ready to just leap off those tall struts straight into the air. Best times were early evening, watching them fire up, flames shooting over/under the wings as they taxied out to the runway. Then the whole show, as if someone called lights, action, camera! Permanently burned into my memory. He'd take me to Krispy Kreme after for some donuts!

Who need's a Lear Jet when you can have a Connie. What a beautiful resto, she's going perform as good as she looks. Thanks for sharing Mr. Weeks.

So many years of reading about what you folks have been up to, to now being able to look over your shoulder at that beautiful restoration work! Thanks so much for presenting it!

Wow Kermit!! Appreciate the tour!! Fantastic project!! I think to get blood pressure up to specs on The Missus, I'll just mention, "Hey, saw Connie again today, and she's lookin' great!!" That's all it should take!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you SIR!!!

So glad that Steve is saving this beautiful and historic plane. Cant wait to see it fly after the resto.

The most beautiful plane ever!

My Mother flew to Canada from England on a Constellation a very long time ago. Beautiful aircraft!

That's beautiful, looks like a new plane. "They meant to scrap it" - Please tell me no one is even considering scrapping the planes like that this days.