Blakey Engine Service Visit - Part 2 of 2
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ค. 2019
- On my Epic cross country trip in April 2019 I got a chance to stop by and visit Jeff Blakey of Blakey Engine Service in Roanoke, Texas. Jeff and I go way way back, and through the years, he's done a number of engines for quite a few of my vintage aircraft. He's a great craftsman, one of the last of a dwindling breed, and he's also one hell of a guy. Come on along with me on Part 2 of this 2 Part series, and visit with Jeff, and check out his shop.
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Kermit Weeks - บันเทิง
THIS YOUNG MAN IS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE THANK YOU
Talks like this are always worth listening too especially in hangers
These two videos have to be the most interesting I have seen on TH-cam. I served my aeronautical engineering apprenticeship at Royal Air Force Halton, specialising in aero engines in the 1960’s. In the early 1970’s I was lucky enough to work in an engine bay reconditioning Rolls Royce Griffon V12 engines (similar to the RR Merlin) as fitted to the Avro Shackleton aircraft. Most of my peers only ever worked on gas turbine engines. If only I was now 50years younger and had the opportunity to work with Jeff in his amazing facility it would be a dream come true. As Kermit pointed out, Jeff with all his knowledge is getting older and will soon retire, who will have the knowledge and skills to carry on this vital work to repair and maintain these old engines and keep vintage aircraft flying.
I forgot to mention in my above comment that I visited Fantasy of Flight in Florida a number of years ago and had a chat with Kermit. Also in Orlando I was lucky enough to fly both the T6 Texan and Waco YMF-5 aircraft which take pride of place in my Pilots Logbook.
Thank you so much!
Thanks again Kermit for the opportunity to see into the Past ! ! The level of Workmanship is Outstanding ! ! You have many reasons to be concerned re the Drain on Knowledge of the all important Power Plants and Mechanical Engineering ( Aeronautical ) These skills are becoming increasingly important in the ability to Maintain let alone as you and others have done with a Forethought for the Future and yet NOT leaving the Past to Rot away as so many have become to this Fate unfortunately. Regards and Peaceful Flying 🦘🇦🇺🦅🇺🇸
It's good for Kermit to meet someone who knows his onions. Should be a humbling experience for him.
I watched this when it first came out...back again...wonderful content. Thanks Kermit and Jeff...
Thank you Kermit for this great video. I'm an older machinest when I was in my teens/twenties, still use Mills etc occasionally. The knowledge never leaves you
This was another fantastic video. I just found after watching part one it reminded me of the shop that I worked in when I got out of the Air Force in 1984. The place was called Stuart Davis at Long Beach, Airport. That brought back some memories for this 63 year old guy. One thing he didn’t explain, and I have vague recollections. We’re on some of the Pratt in Whitney engines they would paint the cylinder base a certain color and that would tell you if it was standard or oversize and if it was chrome or nitrated rings, that’s a lost art thank you for the video. Thank you for the memories and keep up the excellent work, sir.
Just wonderful to see and listen to a man who knows his stuff.
Regarding the future; a number of years ago I spoke to the owner of a DC3 tourist operation in Downunderland, his thoughts were that they would always have a queue of very willing pilots, parts were still available (give or take) BUT the technical and trade skills and people losses (retirements, training and newer technology focus) would ultimately and sadly see these beautiful aircraft relegated to static displays in museums.
Oh, I'd watch part 3,4,5,6 and on and on of this. Many thanks for doing this. Mr Blakey, Mr Weeks .... this is watch youtube is great for.
Kermit, I learn so much from your videos. These guys are keeping those oldies in the air and this art needs to be furthered. Thanks for all your hard work in this field.
Jeff mentioned it, but I think this is a prime example of how video can archive maintenance procedures in a way that a manual can never achieve. Small nuances in how the engines are overhauled can be captured on video. The video becomes an archive to prevent this knowledge from being lost.
Fascinating tour, thank you Mr. Weeks.
Jeff's shop is almost entirely immaculate.
Ohh my god..... Really!... I have been a gearhead for 3 decades. I have rebuilt countless engines.......and learned so much from this video. Amazed really to learn even a sliver of what this man knows. Cat. Cummins.detroit. ford chrysler.G.m. tecumse Briggs. Damn.....this man puts me to shame.....admittedly. Wow. Does he need a mentor? Just friggin shocked.......btw i am 48 y.o..... I would love rebuild radials.....but ONLY with MAN. Damn. Thank you Mr. Weeks.
As someone who has spent my life working on Car and Hotrod engines(my father owns a Hotrod shop in Austin TX to this day), and with an interest in all things Military and Military Aviation(I spent 21 years in the Navy)... I found this video to be intensely fascinating. Thank You, Sir.
That is the answer. Video capture the process all over the world of every engine we can.
Thank you Kermit and thank you to Jeff for giving up so much of his time. This was very educational.
I flew on C-119G and C-119L's as a FE for almost 9 years and they had R3350-89WA (Water Injection) engines with PRT's. So many moving parts but, loved every minute of my experience. Our engine shop did a great job keeping them running well. Loved the Video and was very interesting about the inside of these radials which are a work of art. Amazing how these engines were designed and machined before Computers and CAD. All done by hands of Craftsmen !
I worked on a W-670 Continental engine in a Stearman. I still haven't figured out the math of how a two row, three lobe cam can run seven cylinders. That does not compute. But at least I knew how to set the valves correctly.
a superb couple of videos. this is what i really like to se. more please .
What a Professor of Engines working in his pristine laboratory. Respect.
Excellent. Thank you Mr. Weeks.
Thread timing and coke bottle cylinders, toolmakers and bicycle builders ,reversible scraper rings all beautifully explained wow...the alchemy of the radial engine builder. Love failure row, brilliant stuff.
Fascinating Mr Weeks, thank you for the tour, the in depth approach is really good. Mr Blakey has such knowledge, its an honour to hear some of it. Thank you !
Kermit- encourage Blakey to collaborate on a book- My Father's Tools; I'll bet every machine and half his tools each have a story, and some of his equipment is not mfged any more. As a collaboration, it would fit Fantasy of Flight's mission to educate about the war birds and classic planes! Oh, and fly more your self- you still smile to beat the band when you do!
Epic shop tour thank you Jeff and Kermit
That was absolutely BRILLIANT. I've got so much respect for Mr Blakey. You can see how much he actually likes talking about this stuff but he's a dying breed and that's a sad thing. I've got respect for you too Mr Weeks (of course!) and thanks for this.
When the this man passes, so much knowledge will pass with him.
Jeff Blakey is THE MAN on Radials. I know him from when i used to work and live on the same Airport where his Shop is. 52F Northwest Regional aka Aero Valley
I'll be darned, what a great video!
This guy is a national treasure,in fact both of you are ! something needs to be put in place for the future so this knowledge and practical working experience never ever gets lost into oblivion,we are dealing here with living working history that has to be diminishing in its working life and what we never want is a situation when these big round engines are only found in dusty museums and nobody can see them or hear them firing up into life.
Perhaps a trust can be established so more genuine engine builders can learn this unique trade otherwise what will happen to the warbirds we take for granted and see flying ?
The horror top shelf is a reminder that engines can have catastrophic failures no matter how well maintained,the vague publications Jeff mentioned only really are a condensed working tool,the reality is they were made for wartime situations when speed was important to keep the airplanes flying.
The specialised machinery in this engine facility are as historic as the engines themselves and truly fascinating,it takes real dedication to do work like this and long may it continue so we can witness a perpetual ongoing situation for the distant future,two great video's Kermit and very enlightening to say the least.
WOW you are so right on every point!
Working under that man as a mentor would be such an amazing job period!!
Serving old radial engines is like an ancient language that few still know how to speak. I wonder how much new CAD technology would be able to overcome old tooling processes? Besides the knowledge aspect having the equipment to service such would extremely difficult to recreate. Bottom line important those that have the skill set such as Jeff pass it on. His mentioning of making video's of his work (because seems some of the details were left out of the manuals) wouldn't be a bad idea. Thanks Mr. Weeks for the tour!
This was wonderful! Start to finish. Was so waiting for Part 2...Thank you!
If I had a rotary engine that needed overhauled and I saw this video, I would go all in on Blakey Engine Service. This is a huge marketing tool!
Brilliant; what a most enjoyable time I had sat learning a few things about Radial engines. Kermit you MUST get Jeff to make some of those videos that he explained facilitated working on these engines, a video library is what should be attempted, an archive on different engine types and by these fellows whilst they're still alive & working. This would be one way to try and keep these trades going, even if we have to re-learn in the future we would have these videos, when these brilliant minds have eventually moved on west.
Kermit - this two part series is your best ground video yet. Keep up the great work! Thank you for sharing your friendship with Mr Blackly - truly an trusted and old friend relationship. The discussion about failed row (parts) is riveting. The need to keep this (machinist/mechanic) art form / profession is more apparent than ever before. You ask an incredibly pertinent question. Challenge to you millennial disrupters - come reclaim radial engine maintenance!
Keep up the good work- love the content and passion for keeping this aviation history alive! Coming to Fantasy of Flight Soon!
Absolutely loved this visit, thanks Kermit!
the knowledge and information carried around inside that head
I could listen to jeff talking about engines all day long
Thank you Kermit for taking us along, that was very interesting, Jeff is very knowledgeable and interesting, great video.
I'm finding learning about aircraft engine repair is very helpful with regard to automotive work.
Great video.
Awesome video. Setting here in Michigan and joying another Kermits Videos with Large glass of Orange juice and naked in Jamaican rum life is amazing.
Thanks for the NIJ shout out. Hope you're enjoying the rum.
@@KermitWeeks444 its the best i sent it to Germany and France for my friend and they love it.no joke its its amazing.
Wow! I just learned so much about aircraft engines. Very engaging watching a master like Jeff at his workshop. Thank you Kermit yet again!
This one of your best videos. Super interesting stuff. I wish he did Warner Engines and I'd ship mine to him today.
This 2 part video takes me back to my A&P days at Colorado Aero Tech when radials were still active curriculum, 1976. we were well into the turbine era but we had a NFS B17G for our OJT. Those days are long, gone! Thanks for all of your videos.
Very informative! Learned a ton from you guys and Jose at vintage v-12s! Burned a lot of data watching both but it was so worth it!.not a big plane pilot but I fly the shit out of r/c! Keep em coming Kermit!
These failed parts are incredible, especially the piston with the big hole in it. In then end, experience is the most valuable thing. If we loose that, these motors would never turn again.
Thanks for sharing.
Super Super Cool 👍
Knowledge is Power
I could watch parts 3 through infinity of this series. Fascinating stuff.
Oh man, these two videos were awesome, I love seeing this stuff, which is mind blowing. I mean the knowledge Jeff has is immeasurable and priceless ! Kermit, thank you soo much for making this and the 1st part vid, and sharing them with us.
Ah part 2 more magic! His knowledge is priceless.
Thank you Kermit for these two videos. Amazing
"This Guy Ain't Got No Airplane" . Well you got a few now !! My dad was a an A&P, in WWII. Later was offered a nocom flight school slot to be a pilot. Ended up flying right seat in a PBY flying out of Goose bay Labrador to search for German subs.
@ Neil, for God's sake, you got that right. I'm the man I am today for all of his guidance, I didn't always listen and regretted when I didn't, which taught me to listen even more. He was one cool cumber, never saw him rattled. He didn't ask for respect, he demanded it. Woe be unto you if you ever showed any disrespect to any one or any thing. He taught me to observe rather than to judge. Yes I am very proud of what he and many other aviators have done !!
I can think of nothing I would rather do than spend a few hours flying a hanger and toasting with some naked rum..with these guys!!! Heaven..
I was really looking forward to seeing part 2 and I was not disappointed. I hope Jeff decides to make some videos of engine assembly, valve grinding, cylinder honing etc.
Wow great to see the insides of a aero engine machineshop👍
It’s humbling to think about the phenomenal destructive forces unleashed in one of these engines when a component fails. Amazing that they were as reliable they were. And to think all those stress calculations were done with slide rules and mathematical tables, wow! If I wasn’t such a dummy at math I could have been an engine designer in a previous life....love this stuff. Thanks for sharing with us Kermit!
Super visit
Amazing couple of videos! Jeff should be making instructional videos with all his knowledge! Fantastic work and well worth watching!
Another incredible watch, thank you for all the work you put in,
Hey Kermit, we need more videos like this. Thank for the effort you put into these.
This guy needs to make a video diary on rebuilding these engines .
This was amazing.
My uncle was a flight line mechanic in England and north Africa in WWII. He worked on bombers. The 2 radial engines in use were made by Pratt & Whitney and Wright. He told me that as far as combat damage to engines that if a Pratt got hit that the aircraft would more than likely not make it back to base, but if a Wright engine suffered damage that it more than likely would make it back to base.The reason being the lubrication system used. The Pratt & Whitney used an oil pressure system, where as the Wright used a splash lubrication system. The Pratt suffering combat damage would catch fire with the oil pump feeding the fire. The Wright had no such issues. He told me that he had seen multiple cylinders and cylinder heads knocked off of a Wright engine and the engine would still be running. By the way, he helped service the 6 lend lease A-20s with all American crews that made the first bomb run on Europe July 4, 1942. The Target was a German held Dutch airfield. Two of those planes were shot down over the target.
Great info. Thanks for sharing.
This was an absolute pleasure.
Very interesting, I like the depth of tech
Gotta say I love aviation. Thanks Kermit!
So much knowledge
Whenever I see a tour of one of these recip facilities and see the complexity of the radials, I really understand why turbines are easier to service.
Always judge a man by how clean his shop is.... my auto shop was clean, but this place is spotless... very nice.
I would like to thank you for shooting and posting this video. A lot to be learned what could go wrong, how it is done correctly. I hope there will be enough qualified shops with great people to do those engine repairs and overhauls in the future. Those expertise and tools and machines should not get lost. It is a real concern you expressed. Without those people Warbird operators will have a hell of a life getting their planes in the air.
Very cool video. I totally geek out on this stuff. Thanks, Kermit!
The guy needs wrapping in cotton wall to protect him, this video will be referenced in the future for info. My father who passed a few years ago would have sat and watched it multiple times taking in the info given. More please like this.
What Jeff said about the manuals is spot on around minute 28:00. Speaking on Haynes and Chilton automotive manuals- They are sometimes vague and sometimes flat wrong. Nobody has to check them to call them "good" before they are published.
that was a really good one
Fantastic 2-part series of videos. Thanks for sharing these, as they are fascinating for any gear head.
I enjoyed this series the most. Learned a lot about radials from the two videos. Great idea to interview this man.
fascinating...I watched both parts completely
So informative learning tricks from absolute perfectionists, love the attention to detail from aviation guys
You guys are the son's of the old masters. So the question as you so aptly put it , whose going to take your place. Just a great video. Sure does make you think!!!
Fantastic series ! Didn't take much for something to give on those engines. Keeping those planes flying during the war, and then on the airliners to the jet age. Yes, becoming a lost art. Love your "trip across country " posts. 🤙👍👍
These two posts made such a story. The man is bordering on genius! What happens when these people retire? Well, nothing ever flies again. A sad day is coming.
That was great, gentlemen! Thank you both so much for a look into the past, present and future of maintaining these amazing engines and aircraft.
Wow my brain hurts. Great video Kermit
This was amazing. There was a air show here in Grass Valley Ca TODAY. And there was a man by the name of Tom Dewelle i got to talk to. Wow what a amazing pilot.
I was a recep. eng. mech. in the navy ('66 to '74) . This brought back many memory's from that time. Often wondered how ppl keep those eng. going. Thanks for the video and Jeff for the work he does. (Really hated changing spark plugs on those 3350's)
Friendships and know-how and parts keeps these fine craft running...
Fascinating! Thank you so much for this interesting tour!
So excellent to see the fire of there youth captured in the 1980 videos however brief , like life itself.
Fascinating. Thank you Kermit.
Amazing series! Thanks for the beautiful expos'e.
That was fascinating Mr Blakey, thanks again for your knowledge.
ol’ kermit with a pop-quiz right off the bat!
This is incredible, thanks for sharing
Awesome ,Thanks For Sharing With Us!
Awesome 😎
This is so interesting. Loved this, thanks!
This is a machinist Disney World, what great fun!
I was glad to hear about the Boeing 100, I'm can't wait to see that beauty fly!
Love these deep dives! Thanks Kermit!
Great questions kermit! All relevant and keeps the conversation moving forward