Douglas A-26 - Project Update - January 2020
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.พ. 2020
- It's January 2020, and you know what that means? I'm back at Aero Trader's in Chino CA visiting my Douglas A-26 restoration project.
If you remember, January last year and the year before, there was mention that we'd be doing a taxi run soon . . . well, that hasn't happened . . . yet! Come along and let's see what kind of progress has been made since last year.
I hope we're one day closer to this beautiful bird flying again.
Kermit
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Kermit Weeks - บันเทิง
My mother worked in the Douglas factory building these planes in WW2. She’s 95 and still going strong. Amazing how many they designed built and flew in such a short time. Now it takes years just to restore one.
LOL, I loved it, the grumpy old guys are characters
They look like new, the planes and the engines. Marvellous.
I can't breathe thinking about the cost of restoration. I have some beautiful things in my world, and understand 'value', but I also understand the cost of expertise, and the cost of 'replacement' (if available) parts. If you are going to 'do it', 'do it right', as value evaporates with loss of condition. Very impressed.
GordonjSmith1 Yeah would think like $1m+ for most planes to restore to flying order. But I would think at least with planes it must be easier to find the designs so you could reproduce most things if needed. Well that is what I have found in comparison to trying to rebuild an old ww2 tank.
Preserving history is crucial to mans existence. Always amazed how long it takes to restore and all the hard work and attention to detail. Makes you appreciate the well oiled war machine 70 years ago that cranked these out by the hour.
The plane is really nice. Wish to see Kermit flying it just for fun (and any other plane as well).
As we all know, it's all about money. If you got enough, you sure can say "I want it ready yesterday"... Otherwise, restoration takes decades to finish...
That A-26 is going to be a Monster! I’m sure it would be an amazing sight in the skies over Duxford... 😉
Oh boy that’d be a sight to see
I worked on a B-25 for awhile . People , you can't imagine how complex these things are and all the systems have got to work . The engines are big and heavy . It really is quit an accomplishment knowing what little I know about these old planes and then see the fly .
Just amazing how complicated the engineering details got over about a 10 year period 1930-1940
Or the five years from 1940 to '45.
,,, thankyou Heddy Lamarr for selling all those war bonds .
LOL! Love the passive-aggressive encouragement to hurry TF up. ;)
Looks like the old Challenge Publication A-26. Used to sit in a hanger in Van Nuys.
I can relate Kermit. My 66 Mustang was in the shop for five years and four restoration shops later at a cost of 25 grand. Original estimate, 13 grand. I can't even imagine the cost of this beautiful A 26. Keep the videos coming, I love them!
SW Florida. We build vanilla gated communities.....or raise cattle. Florida law gives great tax write offs for "agricultural usage". So developers buy land, fence it off and stick a small beef herd on it. Which means you can drive through suburbia, past a Duncan's Diamonds, a Lexus dealer, a Jaguar dealer, Trader Joe's......and 6 bovines in a sub-tropical forrest.
I really love the A 26. Thanks for the update. Good luck with her.
I don't usually get excited about plumbing but this has me.
Me also...remember the Mosquito and the guy chasing down oil leaks! All for fun!
The AC171 (3 electrode, massive)spark plug is equivalent to the Champion REB37N (4 electrode, massive) and the REB37E(2 electrode, massive). We used the 171 and 37Ns on the Navy C118B (DC6A) with no compatibility problems. The gapping issue was a problem with 115/145 gas (4.6 cc/gal tetraethyl lead), we just changed out the plugs. Old time C118/C54 flight engineer.
The technology that goes into these weapons for maybe a flight time of 30 hours is breath taking. I was in New guinea in the 70s and came across a whole lot of wrecked Packard in port Moresby. I was amazed at the quality of construction.
Gary New my grandfather was soldiering on those beaches in WW2. Luckily they didn’t get attacked so mostly they were selling coconuts or whatever.
So great Kermit shares his great aviation adventures! The kid in us that built airplane models and stared thru an airport fence feel like we are right there!
Everybody gangsta till Kermie comes a visitin.
My pops was an engine mechanic in the pacific and he loved the 26
My dad was an RA-26C pilot in Korea. He never wanted to fly again after that.
Thank you for posting an updated. Excellent project.
Kudos to the men working on the aircraft.. the work looks to be top notch..
She's looking good! Can't wait to see her fly, I love the A-26.
Awesome, she is getting better every time.
Super job
Clean and brand new looking on everything.
Awesome !
👊😊🙌
Can't wait to see her flying Kermit. She is beautiful already!!
Kermit Weeks is a STUD
Great video , thanks again for keeping the dream and planes alive , what a great plane the A26 was .
Great video, really love these updates, I've followed all your A26 films over the years.
Think she'll be flying soon and the guys working on her are doing a fantastic job.
I love it when the rivets are unpainted contrasting with the green primer. Ed Heinemann is smiling somewhere.
As an Air Traffic Controller at NKP 50 years ago , the Nimrods were a vital part of our daily " Trail" experience . Flew in the Skyraider last fall, this will hopefully be another part of the bucket list.
Wow. Thank you so much for sharing this!
I worked for the company in SEA that had one of these, what an experience. I am 74 and still young.
Great time aviation engeneering , this aircraft was such a forerunner of whats flying today, excellent video, thnks Kermit.
Kermit. This is top drawer stuff, very very expensive top drawer stuff!! Brilliant craftsmanship and these guys really do know their stuff. Bet you can't wait!
At last!!.😊 but the atmosphere felt a little uncomfortable and with good reason i guess😉
Happy to be in the first 200 likes. Now to enjoy the clip. Thanks Mr Weeks. Chris in Ireland
From back when engineers designed the airplanes to be as good as they could be, and hired the accountants to keep track of the money. Today the accountants run the airplane business and hire the engineers to do the cheapest job possible.
Great video, Kermit. Thanks!
I love what you do for aviation Kermie! I feel like you must walk out of these visits saying WTF! I love how you pointed out the wiring wasn’t right. Can’t wait to come down and see FoF 3!
Love the videos. Thank you!!!
VERY VERY GOOD RESTAURATION , BRASIL OK.
Kermit, you have my total respect for your commitment to these aircraft, it must cost you more than I would like to have as a mortgage! Good luck to you my American friend, good wishes from across the pond!
I too would be pissed. Best of luck with all your ongoing projects.
Love the updates. Seems like yesterday for the previous update.
Great video...thanks for sharing this
Kermit, Thanks for sharing. It was of great interest. My parents met while rewiring A-26s out at Hill AFB after the end of WWII.
COOL COOL COOL!
I'M GOING TO CHINO THIS YEAR!
Great people doing great work.
Get this plane in the air!
Kermit mentions not finding any 9th AAF nose art. Here on You Tube under "Ninth Air Force Exhibit" is a static display in Paris right after the war of various aircraft. At 01:15 to 01:35 is an A26 with "Tom Swift's Time Machine" as nose art. Several other aircraft also have nose art. It's a black and white 20 minute film without sound. If you Google "A26 nose art", other pictures come up...
WOOHOO, Finally what I've been waiting for. Thanks for the update!!
A lot more dust has settled ! there just seems no end to this project,the piping is impressive,and complicated ! you are one very patient man Kermit.
The quality of American engineering at the time this aircraft is truly superb. It's not just aircraft, the USA built the highest quality weapons such as ship and submarines. It's really impressive up close. PS: I am 55 and I'm the same as 25.
Not any more. check out the latest overpriced Colt Python.
@@bigsolidboss781 the only pistol I have owned was a .38 S&W. Not the coolest thing for sure, but if you need a personal defense pistol, that .38 is going to fire every time I pull the trigger. I should have kept it. I am down to an old bolt action for deer hunting.
That is one beautiful plane! My brother had an A26 model when we were kids and I marveled over it to no end! Love the videos!
Great build!
The annual A26 updates are always my favourite videos......the worlds most Gucci A26!
WOW! that is Awsome, you're gonna have a brand new old plane! very cool Kermit
There’s an A-26 nearing completion near home, North of Paris, France.
I’ve always found this aircraft very modern looking, for a proppie.
What a tremendous airplane, Can't believe you are having it restored. It's going to be new.
Thanks for saving her..
Kermit, you are a lucky blighter.
Go Kermie Go
Hope it gets finished soon!
Hi Kermit, my French grandfather flew a Douglas A-20 Havoc (or Boston as it was called in Europe) in WW2... Your A-26 is probably the nearest I'll ever get to the A-20 (I think there's only one of those in flying condition now...). Please keep up the good work, and I hope my son and I will get to fulfill our dream of visiting you in Florida someday. All the best from a Brit in France!
Perfect timing, I was wondering what was happening with the A-26 project. It will be stunning when it's done. I can't wait to see it at 'Kosh.
Oh it will be at Oshkosh... who knows what year. =)
I followed the TwinMustang project by Tom Reilly. Got my hopes up to see it fly at Oshkosh. I finally made it to Oshkosh as I live in Europe. Turns out I was two years early. Still loved my two day visit with the family. Lot’s of beautiful aircraft to see.
My Flight instructor was a fellow named, Louis S. Rehr. He flew Marauders during WWII in France. He also wrote a book about his experience entitled "Marauder" many photos and infor that may be of some relevance in your rebuild.
Great vid kermit mate, stay cool mate 🙋♂️🇬🇧🇺🇸👍
Nice to see this project advancing. Invader is a so nice aircraft.
Awesome video!!!
I saw an AT-11 just last week, at the Hangar 25 museum in Big Spring, Texas (which is a great museum!).
My Father was a gunner on one of these in WWII, in the 9th Air Force, luckily it was at a time of the war where the German Luftwaffe was almost nonexistent, so thankfully he never had to fire his guns in anger!
I work over at Camarillo airport, I would love to work on that A-26, but again unfortunately, its the olds guy club that don't seem to never want to bring in some new blood. I hope this changes one day? Love the plane. Take care. Hawk out!!
Beautiful airplane, looking forward to the flights!
It's looking quite amazing...I'd have it finished in a week....I'd have to - I'd be so desperate to see it complete..
Gret update Kerm!👍
I love the A-26. Best medium Attack/Bomber ever!
good video
These guys hate answering questions but the money guy is there so they have no choice. It's time for an audit.
I miss turning wrenches on Airspray's A-26 tankers. "ALWAYS"
You're so right, "way too much going on". Some good, trustworthy on-site representatives would really help reduce the workload on you. Just a thought. Oh, and I'm in the same boat as you, the mind is still going at like 90 MPH, but the body is only good for about 35-40 anymore... still beats the alternative, though.
Can likely 3-D print new eyepieces out of nice supple silicone that'll last forever.
Hope someone buys the A-26 we have here sitting and needing some love in Winnipeg, Canada. Hasn't flown in a few years now.
Kermit , I can't wait for the big rounds ones to fire up. great Update.
First thing out of the...Box talking about J RUM and l can't can't get any...Name your price.??...it's always good to see you in a video Kermit,hope you and yours are doing fine....Thanks for the Super fine update....WOW....l am 77 years old now....To old to fly...But l sure like your updates...At least you don't haft to get you Termites in a row to fly this plane ?.....Thanks very much indeed...! PS What could be better than a A-26 nothing at all..l remember them from way back...!
Thanks! You can buy some Naked In Jamaica rum online here. . . jensensliquors.com/products/naked-in-jamaica-spiced-rum-750-ml.html
How many projects do you have actually? You said it yourself so much is going on. And still you show us new projects coming in. I wonder how you manage to keep this all going. I also hope you keep it going while I am able to enjoy it all. I am amazed at the craftsmanship all these guys show to get the planes in such a beautiful condition. You showed some wiring details and it really is a lot to make these machines work. It makes me realize that it all had to stick together in operations. One bullet in the wrong place might bring you down. Back in the day thousands of aircraft were produced. Not so anymore. Aircraft have become much more complicated and much more potent too. Amazing stuff.
Part numbers on the wiring pointing the right way; that's attention to detail bordering on the obssessive, but if you're spending what Kermit is, you might as well get it right.
I’ve been watching your videos for years and it amazes me how fit you appear to be. How do you do it? I’m 66 and am a long way from your level of fitness!👍🏻
its the Naked in Jamaica ;)
Thanks.
I am sorry but I would tell them it's time to finish my plane like yesterday!!! Can't wait to see her flying again but damn kermie I might be your age by the time they get off there butts and finish the darn thing...
Cant wait to see this plane fly. maybe when you take it back to FoF you can fly over my house, I only live about 2 hrs drive time from FoF. Just make sure to tell me when you fly over so I an come outside and drool
Maybe next January you will FINELY get to test fly her. 😁👍🏼
Thank you for posting the video update of your visit of the B-26 project. It will be a very fine aircraft when ready. Just one question: Do you intend to do a restoration update video of your Bf- / Me-109 project in Canada? I would very much appreciate it. Thanks again for your dedication and will to let us join your dream. 👍 Michael.
Did I get it right? spark plugs for $ 170 each?
18 for each bank of cylinders are 36 for each engine, 72 for a complete change ..... hopefully they will last a long time!
I knew that restoring an airplane was expensive but this makes us understand better those huge costs.
Thanks for sharing your videos!
Beautiful airplane!!! Used to see an A-26 (Counter invader?) w/ tip tanks flying outta Palm Springs. Think it was owned by Occidental Pet. family. Thx!
Chino! I live 20 minutes from there, would love to come see projects like these
I love it when Kermit comes to Chino. I get to see my friends Carl and Tony, but where was my buddy Mark?
WOOHOO FROM TEXAS 😎😎😎
I think Kermit bit off a bit more than he thought. Would like to live long enough to see this fly.
Carl, has been around a long time doing Twins .....Hope to see your damaged P38 back on its wheels again and running in the next 10 years along with the Mosquito and KI-61 ?????? was just at Pof last month to See Hinton SR for advice on what to see in England this year ..
Kermit, do you have a "Holy Grail" airplane would be the pinnacle of your collection?
I know talking money is somewhat crass.. but I would be so interested in what it really does cost to restore these beauty’s.. Thanks for bringing us this content Kermit 👍🏼
can't wait to see it fly, there's a lot going on in that nose