Kermit, I actually took a couple of flights on this aircraft while it was based at the museum in Michigan and prior to the storm that caused so much damage to that museum, including the distruction of the P-47 if I remember correctly. On the second flight I actually fell asleep during the flight. In fact, my ride certificate say that to their knowledge I am the only person to ever fall asleep in a Ford Trimotor. The certificate alone was worth the price of the flight!
As a kid, I went to the Royal church of England music camp on put in bay Ohio. I remembered seeing the Ford Trip motor for several years. Great memory. I'm now 68 years old and my first trip to Camp was 60 years ago
Wow! So glad I found this update (even though it's a few years old already...)! Long story short... Valerie Davies is (for lack of a better term) my mother-in-law, and was 'significant other' to Al Chaney back when he owned this plane and flew the circuit. Valerie used to drive the truck with the camper behind as Al flew from location to location. When Valerie learned that I work in the Port Clinton/islands area of the lake, and I have a pilot's license and A&P, she asked if I knew of this plane. We visit Valerie in St. Augustine each year around Christmas, and she always asked if I'd heard any updates. A few years back, she gave me a box full of documents and books about this aircraft that she'd had stored for years. Nonetheless, it was listed online as 'damaged beyond repair' after the hurricane, but so glad to see that it's not scrap metal! I'm very sorry to learn here that Michael has passed, and I hope that you are able to find someone to carry on the restoration. I'm interested to follow along on this one, as well as the Tri-Motor that's being restored by the Liberty Aviation Museum at KPCW. Thanks for the updates Kermit! Eric
I rode in that wonderful plane when Capt. Chaney had it. I think it was in 1980, he was giving rides out of the Mount Comfort Airport, east of Indianapolis. He couldn't have made any money. The price for the ride was either $15 or $20. I think he just loved doing it. I loved the ride and have wondered whatever happened to that plane. I was told the stall speed on that plane is 30 mph. Thanks, Kermit. I'm so glad it is now in your capable hands. Ben Richardson, Westport Indiana.
My dad (yes, my dad) use to fly these in the late 20s, into the 30s. He flew early airmail (Jenny's)... first Detroit/Chicago, via stops throughout Michigan. Then, up/down the west coast (Ryan's and Junkers, Seattle/San Fran and Sacramento/San Fran/San Diego. Made three jumps due to engine failure/out of gas, and two crashes, both of which he (obviously) survived. Then, early passenger/freight (TriMotors) in the Midwest. Of course, all this happened long before I was around. He was 20 years older than my mother, and I was last of three to be born. I’ve flown in this 4-AT a couple of times, here in Florida. Never gets old. Also, flew in the 4-AT to Put-in-Bay and the Bass islands when I was a youth growing up in Toledo, OH. I’m thrilled to see so much interest in the golden age of aviation. Something gets lost in the jet fast world today.
I cannot imagine the work involved in building one of these planes without the original tooling must take forever. Coast to Coast in 48 hrs Man talk about a loud rough ride for that length of time. People do not realize how lucky we are that aviation has come this far in such a short period of time.
Built like a tank and flys like an angel. 👌😁 I got a ride in a Trimotor in 1990 at Lock Haven PA. Sentimental Journey to Cub Haven. A high light of my flying years. Keep 'em Flying Kermit. 👍✌️🖖🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Kermit, Thanks for including everyone in your world of aviation. It feels as if you intend to make it our world too. You are truly the greatest ambassador of aviation history in our time. Again, Thank you.
Every time he visits one of his projects theredccvfs a huge shop with tons of airplane parts, tools, equipment and no one is there working. And during the walk through we find out that some of these projects have been there upwarrds of 25 years. These types of projects require alot of patience from both parties involved. The end product is always amazing and all of them are flight worthy examples. I really hope fof opens back up soon. I visited when they where still open. Cool place.
I was like 12 years old and the YMCA had a youth trip to Put-In-Bay. Island Airways and the Ford Tri-Motor was my first airplane ride. That would have been 1965. Years later, the family camped on East Harbor right on the flight path. Man I loved to watch them fly over.
The attention to detail is superb, right down to the correct rivets! Im saddened to learn of Michaels death, RIP to a great aviation artisan. Hope his memory continues with the completion of the restoration some day.
I once saw a tri motor flying around near my house, and realized it was flying out of Stead airport, where the Reno air races are held. Needless to say, my visit to see the plane resulted in taking a flight, and it was a lot of fun, talking off felt a bit like being on a motorcycle. The plane even had history with Reno as it had originally been restored by Bill Harrah and was hung inside his car collection museum. i heard the plane was lost in a crash a couple years later, but the flight was something I'm so glad I had the chance to take. Hopefully someday that plane may be restored and fly again.
I love these planes ! The very first model kit that my mom made mostly of for me was of this plane ! Iremember that like it was yesterday even though it was like over 40 years ago !
You drove past my house and didn't stop in! I've been out to Maurice s a couple of times with my friend Tom, they do great work there, and right in my backyard. Keep up the good work Kermit.
I flew on a 1929 Trimotor back in 2011. It was FANTASTIC. I love those old planes. 3x radial engines. Super low take off speed. I can only imagine what life what like back in the 20s and 30s flying around the country on those aircraft. I've actually got the video on my TH-cam page. Awesome stuff. And 4:38 I thought my 14 pound cat was fat.. Yowza..
Nice! Looks awesome. It looks like it's being restored properly,I love the attention to detail (the rivets, paint scheme, and it seems like they are taking the time to align the corrugation properly. No need for that excess drag!). I really appreciate you sharing, it's really cool!
I worked on junkers 14 we formed and cut all wing skin panels and riveted them together as one piece and capped off the wing on Top, then closed off bottom section with long riveting bars and inspected our work with endo camera down the spar tube contact points .
Wonderful that Kermit didn't write off so many of these Aircraft that were destroyed/damaged by Andrew and has been restoring them over the last 28 years.
Kermit, if it isn't too painful to talk about you should do one of these detailing the damage done during hurricane Andrew. My dad used to joke that the Ford Tri-motors ahd bridge gyrders for wing spars. Now that I see them, he wasn't kidding.
My best friend Max is the only person currently actually putting man hours into building this aircraft. As he is doing this mostly solo and everything has to be scratch made by hand, it's taking a LONG time.
As stated previously, below. The project has been put on temporary hold. Sadly, Michael Westveer, the head of the restoration featured in this video, was tragically killed in an aviation accident.
@@KermitWeeks444 I'm so sorry to hear this Kermit. I just recently went to Put-In-Bay and went to the Liberty Air Museum near Port Calrton, OH where they have the Ford Tri-motor exhibit and learned about your restoration in Vicksburg, MI which is about an hour's drive from where I live. I hope you are able to get this back up and running.
Ive been to the Air Zoo a few times and that place is amazing!! Seen the Tri motor from Port Clinton in Butler Pa in 2015. Ot was flyin over town all weekend and had to to the County Airport to check her out.
Kermit in this video you were pushing to have the restoration completed within 3-5 years. Any estimates on when this beautiful airplane will be completed? Thanks for the awesome videos.
Sadly, the project has been on hold. Michael Westveer, the head of the restoration featured in this video, was tragically killed in an aviation accident.
Mike the owner of the restoration co. in the video was killed in an aircraft accident 3 years ago. RIP I'm sure this put the project on hold. www.kathrynsreport.com/2018/09/luscombe-8f-n2007b-fatal-accident.html www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2017/03/pilot_killed_by_airplane_prope.html
@@flyinwalenda No the Tri Motor project is complete and amazing. www.fantasyofflight.com/collection/aircraft/currently-not-showing-in-museum/golden-age/1929-ford-5at-tri-motor/ www.fantasyofflight.com/collection/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/8-Ford-Tri-Motor.jpg
Awesome GoPro, work, Kermit! Thanks for the hangar tour - fascinating project. Gonna definitely take a flight when I make it to the good ole US of A. :-) Been following your fb page, but it's great to finally hear your dulcet tones and southern (?) accent. (Just guessing, I'm a New Zealander :-) )
I saw this aircraft around 1982 to 1985. Dad was a trucker of refrigerated commodities. There was a pork processor just to the south of the airport in i believe Clinton Co. OH. Near sandusky. Getting loaded i heard it start...taxi and takeoff. Man on the dock told me was used to deliver mail to the islands.of lake erie.
Right now the project is on hold. Sadly, Michael Westveer, the head of the restoration featured in this video, was tragically killed in an aviation accident.
Did you say that this was a plane that KalAro flew at one time? I remember they refurbished a trimotor and gave rides in the 90s in association with the AirZoo in Kalamazoo. I flew on it a couple of times, in '92 and in '95 or '96.
Please keep videos coming loving it. i been up ten times. but never ever landed in a plane. when you land do you drive or turn with brake system? thanks
KERMIT, AFTER ANDREW I WAS AT HOMESTEAD GENERAL. THERE WAS A FORD IN A HANGER BY THE JUMP SCHOOL ON ITS NOSE UP AGAINST THE BACK WALL. WAS THAT YOUR AIRPLANE? BE WELL, SALTY🇺🇸
8:24 Good side profile for hair styling choices, but speaking of side profiles, how thick is that wing? Why does it have to be so thick? Surely that slows the plane down a lot?
Actually, a thick wing is a good design for a plane like this; it doesn't slow it down anywhere near as much as you'd think. But that was a difficult lesson for early aircraft designers to learn. Up through World War One, they were convinced that thick wings would generate too much drag and that a wing had to be thin to be efficient. But a thin wing doesn't have enough space inside it to build a strong, stiff structure to support the wing. That's why biplanes dominated the early years of aircraft: a biplane could have thin wings which supported each other with bracing struts and wires, like a bridge structure. Those struts and wires generated extra drag, but that was considered a necessary price to pay. People tried building thin-winged monoplanes back then, but their wings, even with extra bracing, were always too flexible and weaker than an equivalent biplane would be. However, during the final years of World War One, German aerodynamics experimenters found that the bias against thick wings was all wrong: a properly shaped thick wing was actually *more* efficient in its ratio of lift to drag than the "efficient" thin wings that people were already using. And such a thick wing could fit all its bracing structure inside, where it wouldn't generate drag, giving the thick wing even more of an advantage. (Of course, you could also fit other things inside, like fuel tanks.) The war ended before the Germans could put this discovery to effective use, but the rest of the aviation world learned the lesson (after a lot of arguing with doubters), and the thick-winged monoplane eventually became dominant. Matters changed again with the jet age, since thick wings don't perform as well at very high speeds as they do at low speeds, but modern aircraft that stay well below the speed of sound still tend to have thick wings.
@@colindhowell thank you for your reply, but it doesn't suggest anything about why a thick wing is faster. No doubt the thicker wing is stronger, and once the internal bracing could be accommodated inside then the monoplane regained the advantage, but still a thin wing is better than a thick wing provided reasonable strength. The Hurricane and Spit used identical wings but had a huge speed difference. The Spit had a thinner wing, the Hurri had a thick one> I know it isn't that simple but frontal cross-sectional area counts. I think what I have learned from you here is that they figured the strength needed thicker wing in the 20s so why not use that extra space.
@@mebeasensei Sorry this took so long. After your reply, the more I looked at the situation and my initial response, the more I felt I needed to reconsider things. My original idea was that the thicker wing would be faster because it was more efficient in lift-to-drag ratio, so it could support the same weight with less drag. But looking back at the issue, I severely oversimplified things and failed to appreciate what you were comparing the Ford wing to. I was thinking of the change from World War One airfoils to post-World War One "thick" airfoils, and why that happened, but World War One airfoils were *very* thin, and they weren't what you had in mind. You mentioned the Spitfire: its wing had a thickness-to-chord ratio of 13% at the root, vs. 19% for the Hurricane and 20% for the Ford. But in the RAF-15 airfoil, one popular World War One airfoil, that ratio was only 6.5%, half the thickness of the Spitfire. Also, I hadn't checked just how thick the Ford's wing was at the root: 20% is a lot. By comparison, the Piper Cub's wing, a high-lift wing by any standard, has a ratio of only 11.6%! The Piper certainly isn't a fast airplane; why is its wing so much thinner than the Ford's? Looking over things more, I think I understand the pattern. The Piper Cub (and the Spitfire for that matter) are relatively light single-engine aircraft with all their weight concentrated in the fuselage. The Ford is a heavy multi-engine transport, so its wings have to support not just the fuselage, but the weight of the wing engines and landing gear as well. It also has to withstand the loads when the heavy aircraft lands with its weight supported by the two main gear under the wings, while the fuselage hangs from the center. All that puts extra stress on the wing center section, demanding a beefier structure. And a thick center section provides extra room for things like fuel tanks (which were located in the center on the Ford) and baggage compartments (which were located a bit further out on the wings, inboard of the engines). That also means the extra weight of fuel, etc. can be concentrated in the center rather than being positioned far out on the wing, where it could impose extra bending stresses. Comparing with other large multi-engined aircraft, I notice a similar pattern, where the center section is thick to very thick (anywhere from 15% in the DC-3 to 22% in the B-24 and B-29) to withstand the extended loads. So, what about the effect on drag? Well, you're right that frontal cross-sectional area counts, but think about the big picture. First, we're talking about just the center section, not the entire wing. Second, there's a lot of other drag present, especially in the Ford, with engines and landing gear hanging from the wing, the unstreamlined, angular fuselage, and all that corrugated skin. By comparison, I don't think the additional frontal area drag from a thick center section is going to matter much. All this gets very complicated, and I'm not an aircraft designer, just a plane nut. :) While looking up stuff about this, I did come across a recent story in Air & Space Magazine, dated February 2019, about the endless tradeoffs and difficulties in wing design, titled "The Perfect Airplane Wing", with the subtitle blurb, "Is it thick or thin, elliptical or squared, straight or cranked? Yes." :) Might be worth a read; just search for the title and blurb phrase I quoted.
My dad knew Carroll Holley, the deputy sheriff who's job it was to go to AZ and get John Dillinger after his escape from the Crown Point jail. Deputy Holley and Dillinger came back to Indiana, handcuffed together, aboard a Ford Tri-Motor. Holley told Dad that Dillinger was a nice guy. But he told me "You know I'll kill ya' if I have to, to get away". Not long after take-off they hit some turbulence, and Public Enemy Number One was absolutely scared to death. Ben Richardson
I Flew in an Airplane like this when i was a young kid, It was how we traveled to the Put In Bay Island, Lake Erie from Land, I still remember the flight in the big girl, They Called her the Tin Goose! How things change?
I hope by "aviators" he means "aviation enthusiasts" and not just pilots. I LOVE aircraft and hope to visit the Fantasy of Flight sine day - but I don't fly aeroplanes.
Sort of got lost in the timeline, but when I was a kid I flew on an Island Airways Ford Trimotor in 1981 at Port Clinton OH, I think that this was the only one that they had left at the time. They had another that was involved in a crash, which stopped them from the regular air service between Put In Bay and Port Clinton back in the 70s. I am trying to figure out if this would have been the one that I flew on.
I flew on one of these in 1968 or 1969, took a 4 hour drive (each way) for a pair of 5 minute flights. I got to ride co-pilot one time, my girl friend thought I was crazy.
If you don't mind me asking... you have really cool planes, what kind of cars do you have that you _drive?_ Daily drivers? If it's boring stuff like modern Pick'um up trucks, never mind. If it's cool stuff, I'm curious. =) Thanks.
@@KermitWeeks444 That's funny. And it just makes you cooler. Man...you rock on so many levels. Keep doing just what you're doing! I'm so very glad you restore these beauties to *_FLYING_* condition and *FLY* them. I'm on team, fly the damn thing! Thanks again for all you do for airplanes! If all goes ~well, I might have an N3 Pup sooon! I can hardly wait!
About 8 or 10 years ago I remember seeing a Ford Tri-motor on the market, just out of restoration. I believe the asking price was 3 million when I enquired. Anyone know which aircraft that one might have been? The wicker seats had the same pattern on them as do the seats slated for this aircraft. I had joked that the pattern looks more like a Chevrolet logo, and not Ford. Is this pattern a standard feature common from the original planes? Also, was the reference to "Greg" concerning the brakes, about Greg Herrick and his restoration of N1077?
As we've mentioned several times before in the comments, the Tri-Motor project has been put on hold since the head of the restoration, Michael Westveer, featured in the video, was tragically killed in an aviation accident in 2017. Hopefully we will get it completed in the near future.
Are you sure you would want to do engine runs without the airplane being complete. The outer wing panels missing might change the natural frequency / dynamics of the structure with unhappy consequences. Please consult several opinions before you commit to the configuration. Thank
I remember years ago, I got almost an hour stick time in a Fort Tri-motor - I remember it pretty much flew like a truck, (low, slow and loud!) but the view out the cockpit windows was incredible, and you aren't exactly breaking mach! - The Germans loved the aircraft so much they were making them in Germany under license to Ford - "Iron Annie" (Watch the movie " Walkuri" English Valkyrie" Tom Cruise was in it.
I read through most of the comments attempting to find current status. The most recent post I could find, was a post by Kermit, which I'll post below. I hope this helps. (I wish this was in the video description.) "Kermit Weeks Channel - Over 340 Videos to See! As we've mentioned several times before in the comments, the Tri-Motor project has been put on hold since the head of the restoration, Michael Westveer, featured in the video, was tragically killed in an aviation accident in 2017. Hopefully we will get it completed in the near future."
No. The project has been put on temporary hold. Sadly, Michael Westveer, the head of the restoration featured in this video, was tragically killed in an aviation accident.
The Ford Trimotor is a pretty cool airplane to be restoring but there are differences between the 8th and the sea the truck DRI more motor C is converted seaplane And the trial order a it is a very hard Close to matching any parts and you have to be care of the rivets like you said the try the Ford Company didn't have T 85. They were made from recycled toilet pans. Just trying to be of some help because these planes that are the Spitfire and the Ford Motor Company There are part of my family.
just for shits and grins, kermit ar you an importe and exporter, or the kermit from the jim henson stuff? you dont seem to be a technical person, just a person with an intersest in aviation. terrific.
Kermit, I actually took a couple of flights on this aircraft while it was based at the museum in Michigan and prior to the storm that caused so much damage to that museum, including the distruction of the P-47 if I remember correctly. On the second flight I actually fell asleep during the flight. In fact, my ride certificate say that to their knowledge I am the only person to ever fall asleep in a Ford Trimotor. The certificate alone was worth the price of the flight!
The knowledge and skills these rebuilders have developed over the years is Incredible
As a kid, I went to the Royal church of England music camp on put in bay Ohio. I remembered seeing the Ford Trip motor for several years. Great memory. I'm now 68 years old and my first trip to Camp was 60 years ago
Wow! So glad I found this update (even though it's a few years old already...)! Long story short... Valerie Davies is (for lack of a better term) my mother-in-law, and was 'significant other' to Al Chaney back when he owned this plane and flew the circuit. Valerie used to drive the truck with the camper behind as Al flew from location to location. When Valerie learned that I work in the Port Clinton/islands area of the lake, and I have a pilot's license and A&P, she asked if I knew of this plane. We visit Valerie in St. Augustine each year around Christmas, and she always asked if I'd heard any updates. A few years back, she gave me a box full of documents and books about this aircraft that she'd had stored for years. Nonetheless, it was listed online as 'damaged beyond repair' after the hurricane, but so glad to see that it's not scrap metal! I'm very sorry to learn here that Michael has passed, and I hope that you are able to find someone to carry on the restoration. I'm interested to follow along on this one, as well as the Tri-Motor that's being restored by the Liberty Aviation Museum at KPCW. Thanks for the updates Kermit!
Eric
I rode in that wonderful plane when Capt. Chaney had it. I think it was in 1980, he was giving rides out of the Mount Comfort Airport, east of Indianapolis. He couldn't have made any money. The price for the ride was either $15 or $20. I think he just loved doing it. I loved the ride and have wondered whatever happened to that plane. I was told the stall speed on that plane is 30 mph. Thanks, Kermit. I'm so glad it is now in your capable hands. Ben Richardson, Westport Indiana.
My dad (yes, my dad) use to fly these in the late 20s, into the 30s. He flew early airmail (Jenny's)... first Detroit/Chicago, via stops throughout Michigan. Then, up/down the west coast (Ryan's and Junkers, Seattle/San Fran and Sacramento/San Fran/San Diego. Made three jumps due to engine failure/out of gas, and two crashes, both of which he (obviously) survived. Then, early passenger/freight (TriMotors) in the Midwest. Of course, all this happened long before I was around. He was 20 years older than my mother, and I was last of three to be born. I’ve flown in this 4-AT a couple of times, here in Florida. Never gets old. Also, flew in the 4-AT to Put-in-Bay and the Bass islands when I was a youth growing up in Toledo, OH. I’m thrilled to see so much interest in the golden age of aviation. Something gets lost in the jet fast world today.
I cannot imagine the work involved in building one of these planes without the original tooling must take forever. Coast to Coast in 48 hrs Man talk about a loud rough ride for that length of time. People do not realize how lucky we are that aviation has come this far in such a short period of time.
Built like a tank and flys like an angel. 👌😁 I got a ride in a Trimotor in 1990 at Lock Haven PA. Sentimental Journey to Cub Haven. A high light of my flying years. Keep 'em Flying Kermit. 👍✌️🖖🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Kermit, Thanks for including everyone in your world of aviation. It feels as if you intend to make it our world too. You are truly the greatest ambassador of aviation history in our time. Again, Thank you.
Hoping to meet you at Oshkosh 2018
Every time he visits one of his projects theredccvfs a huge shop with tons of airplane parts, tools, equipment and no one is there working. And during the walk through we find out that some of these projects have been there upwarrds of 25 years. These types of projects require alot of patience from both parties involved. The end product is always amazing and all of them are flight worthy examples. I really hope fof opens back up soon. I visited when they where still open. Cool place.
I was like 12 years old and the YMCA had a youth trip to Put-In-Bay. Island Airways and the Ford Tri-Motor was my first airplane ride. That would have been 1965. Years later, the family camped on East Harbor right on the flight path. Man I loved to watch them fly over.
Wonderful craftsmanship. This is probably my 4th or 5th time watching it. So sorry to hear about Mikes passing!
The attention to detail is superb, right down to the correct rivets! Im saddened to learn of Michaels death, RIP to a great aviation artisan. Hope his memory continues with the completion of the restoration some day.
I once saw a tri motor flying around near my house, and realized it was flying out of Stead airport, where the Reno air races are held. Needless to say, my visit to see the plane resulted in taking a flight, and it was a lot of fun, talking off felt a bit like being on a motorcycle. The plane even had history with Reno as it had originally been restored by Bill Harrah and was hung inside his car collection museum. i heard the plane was lost in a crash a couple years later, but the flight was something I'm so glad I had the chance to take. Hopefully someday that plane may be restored and fly again.
Gorgeous. It's great to see this wonderful aircraft being brought back to life.
I love these planes ! The very first model kit that my mom made mostly of for me was of this plane ! Iremember that like it was yesterday even though it was like over 40 years ago !
i like how hes particular about authenticity but has no problem with small changes for the sake of safety. these old birds are in good hands!
Eccentricity brings electricity. What an awesome restoration job.
Beautiful tri-motor.
You drove past my house and didn't stop in! I've been out to Maurice s a couple of times with my friend Tom, they do great work there, and right in my backyard. Keep up the good work Kermit.
This has quickly become one of my favourite TH-cam channels!
Thank you!
Very interesting , great to see under the skin , what really makes up the aircraft. Fascinating . Thank you.
i totally agree, this guy Is the top ambassador and pretty good guy..............thanks Kermit
You must have one hell of a research team!! I wouldn't even know where to start!! I realy appreciate these videos you put out!!!
Very nice. Keeping these birds as if they just rolled out of factory, not just to be put in a museum but actually fly them. Thanks. Happy landings
I flew on a 1929 Trimotor back in 2011. It was FANTASTIC. I love those old planes. 3x radial engines. Super low take off speed. I can only imagine what life what like back in the 20s and 30s flying around the country on those aircraft. I've actually got the video on my TH-cam page. Awesome stuff. And 4:38 I thought my 14 pound cat was fat.. Yowza..
Very Talented Ford Tri Motor restorers. Know Mo and he is a very special talented person that loves his "FORDS"
I flew on the Scenic Airlines trimotor and loved it, the control cables outside the fuselage was so cool. Wonder if John Seibold still has it?
Nice! Looks awesome. It looks like it's being restored properly,I love the attention to detail (the rivets, paint scheme, and it seems like they are taking the time to align the corrugation properly. No need for that excess drag!). I really appreciate you sharing, it's really cool!
I lived on Kelley's Island and my mother was the nurse on the island and she flew in the Trimotor many times on emergency runs
I worked on junkers 14 we formed and cut all wing skin panels and riveted them together as one piece and capped off the wing on Top, then closed off bottom section with long riveting bars and inspected our work with endo camera down the spar tube contact points .
Wonderful that Kermit didn't write off so many of these Aircraft that were destroyed/damaged by Andrew and has been restoring them over the last 28 years.
I live in Kalamazoo, never would have thought you would be in my backyard. Way cool.
Kermit, if it isn't too painful to talk about you should do one of these detailing the damage done during hurricane Andrew.
My dad used to joke that the Ford Tri-motors ahd bridge gyrders for wing spars. Now that I see them, he wasn't kidding.
I can't wait for the Kermie Cam of THIS! :) Thank you so much for bringing Fantasy Of Flight to us!
My best friend Max is the only person currently actually putting man hours into building this aircraft. As he is doing this mostly solo and everything has to be scratch made by hand, it's taking a LONG time.
That looks like so much work, I had no idea it took so long. I always look forward to your videos. Thank you.
Great video. Thanks for sharing your adventures!
It's four years later and I was wondering about an update on this aircraft to see where it is at this point.
As stated previously, below. The project has been put on temporary hold. Sadly, Michael Westveer, the head of the restoration featured in this video, was tragically killed in an aviation accident.
I'm sorry to hear that. He must have been a highly skilled man.
@@KermitWeeks444 I'm so sorry to hear this Kermit. I just recently went to Put-In-Bay and went to the Liberty Air Museum near Port Calrton, OH where they have the Ford Tri-motor exhibit and learned about your restoration in Vicksburg, MI which is about an hour's drive from where I live. I hope you are able to get this back up and running.
growing up in Akron we used to go fly out to the islands every summer
Always like the Kermie Cam, thanks for the insight into your world!
Ive been to the Air Zoo a few times and that place is amazing!! Seen the Tri motor from Port Clinton in Butler Pa in 2015. Ot was flyin over town all weekend and had to to the County Airport to check her out.
Kermit in this video you were pushing to have the restoration completed within 3-5 years. Any estimates on when this beautiful airplane will be completed? Thanks for the awesome videos.
Sadly, the project has been on hold. Michael Westveer, the head of the restoration featured in this video, was tragically killed in an aviation accident.
@@KermitWeeks444 very sorry to hear that. Thank you for the update.
Can we get another update on the Ford 4-AT project please?
Mike the owner of the restoration co. in the video was killed in an aircraft accident 3 years ago. RIP I'm sure this put the project on hold. www.kathrynsreport.com/2018/09/luscombe-8f-n2007b-fatal-accident.html
www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2017/03/pilot_killed_by_airplane_prope.html
@@flyinwalenda No the Tri Motor project is complete and amazing. www.fantasyofflight.com/collection/aircraft/currently-not-showing-in-museum/golden-age/1929-ford-5at-tri-motor/ www.fantasyofflight.com/collection/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/8-Ford-Tri-Motor.jpg
@@Dive-Bar-Casanova 5at, this video is the 4at
I believe this plane was damaged on Kelley's Island in the 1950s. I used to Summer there then.
Awesome GoPro, work, Kermit! Thanks for the hangar tour - fascinating project. Gonna definitely take a flight when I make it to the good ole US of A. :-)
Been following your fb page, but it's great to finally hear your dulcet tones and southern (?) accent. (Just guessing, I'm a New Zealander :-) )
I saw this aircraft around 1982 to 1985. Dad was a trucker of refrigerated commodities. There was a pork processor just to the south of the airport in i believe Clinton Co. OH. Near sandusky. Getting loaded i heard it start...taxi and takeoff. Man on the dock told me was used to deliver mail to the islands.of lake erie.
Excellent footage
Great video.
So well done.. this awesome.
I've been trying to figure out who Kermit reminds me of, and I just figured it out. Lee Van Cleef.
David Lee: not bad, not bad.
@@stranraerwal Yes not the good nor the ugly.
What a remarkable video,,,
Just been to a Scottish distillery this afternoon, which was identical to your process in every way.
Kermit do you have an update on this beautiful restoration?
Right now the project is on hold. Sadly, Michael Westveer, the head of the restoration featured in this video, was tragically killed in an aviation accident.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. Sad to read and I do hope you will be able to finish and be able to display Micheal's beautiful work.
Grande vídeo. Obrigado por compartilhar suas aventuras!
Did you say that this was a plane that KalAro flew at one time? I remember they refurbished a trimotor and gave rides in the 90s in association with the AirZoo in Kalamazoo. I flew on it a couple of times, in '92 and in '95 or '96.
Awesome Studebaker sign
So similar to building, repairing and flying scale model airplanes, takes a lot more space and skills though.
Ahh Michigan. My home country and home until I moved to Italy. Coming back soon.
Some day I'd like to have enough Wright 760 radial engines that I too have trouble keeping track of where they all are.
It was August 24 1992 Kermy.
Please keep videos coming loving it. i been up ten times. but never ever landed in a plane. when you land do you drive or turn with brake system? thanks
My granddaughter went to elementary school in Port Clinton in the school at the end of the runway that this plane used to deliver kids to. ;-)
Wow nice work.
I have work with this corrugated skin it hard work to form and work you really have to think 3 dimensional and treat it soft like thin skin material .
Kinda surprised you didn't stop by the Kalamazoo Air Zoo.
KERMIT, AFTER ANDREW I WAS AT HOMESTEAD GENERAL. THERE WAS A FORD IN A HANGER BY THE JUMP SCHOOL ON ITS NOSE UP AGAINST THE BACK WALL. WAS THAT YOUR AIRPLANE? BE WELL, SALTY🇺🇸
8:24 Good side profile for hair styling choices, but speaking of side profiles, how thick is that wing? Why does it have to be so thick? Surely that slows the plane down a lot?
Actually, a thick wing is a good design for a plane like this; it doesn't slow it down anywhere near as much as you'd think. But that was a difficult lesson for early aircraft designers to learn. Up through World War One, they were convinced that thick wings would generate too much drag and that a wing had to be thin to be efficient. But a thin wing doesn't have enough space inside it to build a strong, stiff structure to support the wing. That's why biplanes dominated the early years of aircraft: a biplane could have thin wings which supported each other with bracing struts and wires, like a bridge structure. Those struts and wires generated extra drag, but that was considered a necessary price to pay. People tried building thin-winged monoplanes back then, but their wings, even with extra bracing, were always too flexible and weaker than an equivalent biplane would be.
However, during the final years of World War One, German aerodynamics experimenters found that the bias against thick wings was all wrong: a properly shaped thick wing was actually *more* efficient in its ratio of lift to drag than the "efficient" thin wings that people were already using. And such a thick wing could fit all its bracing structure inside, where it wouldn't generate drag, giving the thick wing even more of an advantage. (Of course, you could also fit other things inside, like fuel tanks.) The war ended before the Germans could put this discovery to effective use, but the rest of the aviation world learned the lesson (after a lot of arguing with doubters), and the thick-winged monoplane eventually became dominant.
Matters changed again with the jet age, since thick wings don't perform as well at very high speeds as they do at low speeds, but modern aircraft that stay well below the speed of sound still tend to have thick wings.
@@colindhowell thank you for your reply, but it doesn't suggest anything about why a thick wing is faster. No doubt the thicker wing is stronger, and once the internal bracing could be accommodated inside then the monoplane regained the advantage, but still a thin wing is better than a thick wing provided reasonable strength. The Hurricane and Spit used identical wings but had a huge speed difference. The Spit had a thinner wing, the Hurri had a thick one> I know it isn't that simple but frontal cross-sectional area counts. I think what I have learned from you here is that they figured the strength needed thicker wing in the 20s so why not use that extra space.
@@mebeasensei Sorry this took so long. After your reply, the more I looked at the situation and my initial response, the more I felt I needed to reconsider things.
My original idea was that the thicker wing would be faster because it was more efficient in lift-to-drag ratio, so it could support the same weight with less drag. But looking back at the issue, I severely oversimplified things and failed to appreciate what you were comparing the Ford wing to. I was thinking of the change from World War One airfoils to post-World War One "thick" airfoils, and why that happened, but World War One airfoils were *very* thin, and they weren't what you had in mind. You mentioned the Spitfire: its wing had a thickness-to-chord ratio of 13% at the root, vs. 19% for the Hurricane and 20% for the Ford. But in the RAF-15 airfoil, one popular World War One airfoil, that ratio was only 6.5%, half the thickness of the Spitfire. Also, I hadn't checked just how thick the Ford's wing was at the root: 20% is a lot. By comparison, the Piper Cub's wing, a high-lift wing by any standard, has a ratio of only 11.6%! The Piper certainly isn't a fast airplane; why is its wing so much thinner than the Ford's?
Looking over things more, I think I understand the pattern. The Piper Cub (and the Spitfire for that matter) are relatively light single-engine aircraft with all their weight concentrated in the fuselage. The Ford is a heavy multi-engine transport, so its wings have to support not just the fuselage, but the weight of the wing engines and landing gear as well. It also has to withstand the loads when the heavy aircraft lands with its weight supported by the two main gear under the wings, while the fuselage hangs from the center. All that puts extra stress on the wing center section, demanding a beefier structure. And a thick center section provides extra room for things like fuel tanks (which were located in the center on the Ford) and baggage compartments (which were located a bit further out on the wings, inboard of the engines). That also means the extra weight of fuel, etc. can be concentrated in the center rather than being positioned far out on the wing, where it could impose extra bending stresses. Comparing with other large multi-engined aircraft, I notice a similar pattern, where the center section is thick to very thick (anywhere from 15% in the DC-3 to 22% in the B-24 and B-29) to withstand the extended loads.
So, what about the effect on drag? Well, you're right that frontal cross-sectional area counts, but think about the big picture. First, we're talking about just the center section, not the entire wing. Second, there's a lot of other drag present, especially in the Ford, with engines and landing gear hanging from the wing, the unstreamlined, angular fuselage, and all that corrugated skin. By comparison, I don't think the additional frontal area drag from a thick center section is going to matter much.
All this gets very complicated, and I'm not an aircraft designer, just a plane nut. :)
While looking up stuff about this, I did come across a recent story in Air & Space Magazine, dated February 2019, about the endless tradeoffs and difficulties in wing design, titled "The Perfect Airplane Wing", with the subtitle blurb, "Is it thick or thin, elliptical or squared, straight or cranked? Yes." :) Might be worth a read; just search for the title and blurb phrase I quoted.
My dad knew Carroll Holley, the deputy sheriff who's job it was to go to AZ and get John Dillinger after his escape from the Crown Point jail. Deputy Holley and Dillinger came back to Indiana, handcuffed together, aboard a Ford Tri-Motor. Holley told Dad that Dillinger was a nice guy. But he told me "You know I'll kill ya' if I have to, to get away". Not long after take-off they hit some turbulence, and Public Enemy Number One was absolutely scared to death. Ben Richardson
I Flew in an Airplane like this when i was a young kid, It was how we traveled to the Put In Bay Island, Lake Erie from Land, I still remember the flight in the big girl, They Called her the Tin Goose! How things change?
i flew in that plane when Chaney had it i remember cause same last name ive still got a certificate for that flight somewhere funny to find this video
VERY GOOD JOBs , BRASIL OK.
Kermit. At 21:20 you´re saying that you will close down Fantacy of flight in a coulple of years? Why?
he wants it to be more of an aviator place than an attraction. He likes aviators, not people who just go to go.
I hope by "aviators" he means "aviation enthusiasts" and not just pilots. I LOVE aircraft and hope to visit the Fantasy of Flight sine day - but I don't fly aeroplanes.
Uh, aviators are pretty much pilots. Surely you know that. Pilots will generally pay for things "aviation enthusiasts" want cheap or free.
Sort of got lost in the timeline, but when I was a kid I flew on an Island Airways Ford Trimotor in 1981 at Port Clinton OH, I think that this was the only one that they had left at the time. They had another that was involved in a crash, which stopped them from the regular air service between Put In Bay and Port Clinton back in the 70s. I am trying to figure out if this would have been the one that I flew on.
I flew on one of these in 1968 or 1969, took a 4 hour drive (each way) for a pair of 5 minute flights. I got to ride co-pilot one time, my girl friend thought I was crazy.
Cool program :0)
If you don't mind me asking... you have really cool planes, what kind of cars do you have that you _drive?_ Daily drivers? If it's boring stuff like modern Pick'um up trucks, never mind. If it's cool stuff, I'm curious. =) Thanks.
Boring Stuff. I've had the same Chevy Suburban for the last eight years, before that, I had another Suburban for eight plus years.
@@KermitWeeks444 That's funny. And it just makes you cooler.
Man...you rock on so many levels. Keep doing just what you're doing! I'm so very glad you restore these beauties to *_FLYING_* condition and *FLY* them. I'm on team, fly the damn thing!
Thanks again for all you do for airplanes!
If all goes ~well, I might have an N3 Pup sooon! I can hardly wait!
@@cluelessbeekeeping1322 Great! Best of luck, and enjoy. Thanks for the kind comments. Appreciate it.
About 8 or 10 years ago I remember seeing a Ford Tri-motor on the market, just out of restoration. I believe the asking price was 3 million when I enquired. Anyone know which aircraft that one might have been? The wicker seats had the same pattern on them as do the seats slated for this aircraft. I had joked that the pattern looks more like a Chevrolet logo, and not Ford. Is this pattern a standard feature common from the original planes? Also, was the reference to "Greg" concerning the brakes, about Greg Herrick and his restoration of N1077?
hay that is a every day thing in michigan
We are almost at the sixth anniversary of this video appearing. Any updates on it or has it been put on hiatus and just sitting in Michigan?
As we've mentioned several times before in the comments, the Tri-Motor project has been put on hold since the head of the restoration, Michael Westveer, featured in the video, was tragically killed in an aviation accident in 2017. Hopefully we will get it completed in the near future.
@@KermitWeeks444 Heartbreaking! 😪
Awesome !
I think I might want to work for Mr. Kermit.
Are you sure you would want to do engine runs without the airplane being complete. The outer wing panels missing might change the natural frequency / dynamics of the structure with unhappy consequences. Please consult several opinions before you commit to the configuration. Thank
I remember years ago, I got almost an hour stick time in a Fort Tri-motor - I remember it pretty much flew like a truck, (low, slow and loud!) but the view out the cockpit windows was incredible, and you aren't exactly breaking mach! - The Germans loved the aircraft so much they were making them in Germany under license to Ford - "Iron Annie" (Watch the movie " Walkuri" English Valkyrie" Tom Cruise was in it.
We need an update on the update lol
I read through most of the comments attempting to find current status. The most recent post I could find, was a post by Kermit, which I'll post below. I hope this helps.
(I wish this was in the video description.)
"Kermit Weeks Channel - Over 340 Videos to See!
As we've mentioned several times before in the comments, the Tri-Motor project has been put on hold since the head of the restoration, Michael Westveer, featured in the video, was tragically killed in an aviation accident in 2017. Hopefully we will get it completed in the near future."
@@Lapeerphoto I’m sorry to hear that what a great loss to the aviation community !
Is this plane done now?
No. The project has been put on temporary hold. Sadly, Michael Westveer, the head of the restoration featured in this video, was tragically killed in an aviation accident.
Sorry to hear that! Just found your channel this weekend and have been binge watching episodes....amazing stuff....thanks so much for sharing!
Why do you have Chevy logos on ford seats? :)
Criminy! I thought it was just ME seein' those Chevy bowties! ;0) Ol' Henry musta been asleep when they designed those seats!
The Ford Trimotor is a pretty cool airplane to be restoring but there are differences between the 8th and the sea the truck DRI more motor C is converted seaplane And the trial order a it is a very hard Close to matching any parts and you have to be care of the rivets like you said the try the Ford Company didn't have T 85. They were made from recycled toilet pans. Just trying to be of some help because these planes that are the Spitfire and the Ford Motor Company There are part of my family.
Firefighters appear relaxed and several apparatus on scene. I think this might be a controlled burn of an old house.
Does Kermit rent his planes out to be used in movies and TV shows?
Must be scary to trust a restorer with your Life, how do i know they Done the Job right?
Reputation. Everyone working on my aircraft are at the top of their field in restoration.
It's 2016 how's it coming?
just for shits and grins, kermit ar you an importe and exporter, or the kermit from the jim henson stuff?
you dont seem to be a technical person, just a person with an intersest in aviation. terrific.
Why do you call modern small private aircraft "spam-cans"?
Elvis regrets to inform you that your seats have Chevrolet emblems on them. (Elvis chuckles)
FEWER people, not LESS people.
🤲🌠
Its too bad you don't have a Ford automated line to build this thing faster.. just watched the recent update it's been 22 years😳
Nice Try Lao Che....
That was a massive cat
Awesome 😎 job but taken way to long
what's making that awful background noise ? Air-conditioning?