Boeing B-17 - Suzie Q - Part 2 - Work Trip to Pick Up Plane
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- OK, Gang, here is the long-awaited Part 2 of now 4, working towards bringing home the B-17, “Suzy Q," from Paris, Texas, to the Weeks Air Museum in Miami, Florida. I can’t believe this was 35 YEARS AGO!
This episode is 55 minutes long and is a great trip down memory lane for me, so I would suggest finding the time to sit down, grab a drink, and Enjoy!
(FYI - We haven’t started on Part 3 or 4 yet, so hang in there!)
Kermit Weeks
The coolest thing about this is that you thought to record this for all of us to see and save for all time. Thanks Kermit.
Many of us cannot appreciate the life you have led, but oh my what a life, and what an adventure, thanks for taking us along the way.
Btw, from the home of the b, 100th, and nearby to many others, Norfolk,Suffolk border, England. We are close to you guys, for generations.god speed.
@Tris Rush Kermits is in pieces due to a storm in Fla. when it and another broke lose along w/a B-25 I believe. Both ended up 2 miles away across a rail road track .
Perfect response to the sad and wholly unnecessary loss of the B17 and P63 at the Dallas Airshow.
That drew me to watch this considering the number of B-17s that have been lost in recent years.
The story so far of the new Air Boss is pretty ridiculous and apparent lack of separation between the aircraft and their patterns is a head scratcher...
Thanks Kemit for an informative and entertaining video video of the ups and downs of aviation with War Birds. Gladnyou caught the fod on the test flight and not during your ferry flight. Happy Holidays to you and yours. Stay Healthy.
Kermit must have one of the greatest active logbooks in the world.
I bet he doesn't even log most of his flights anymore lol.
His log books would fill a hanger?
Wonder roughly types flown and hours.
Amazing gentleman for sure.
Believe it or not, I quit keeping a logbook, except for required entries, when I began flying aerobatics early on! Wish I had!
Cameron, I once wrote to Kermit, and asked, " how is it you get to fly all these airplanes?, I bet you helped ferry Mother Teresa up to heaven, and god gave you all these airplanes to fly". He actually replied back. Sure is a lucky man. Stay safe!
Cool to see Blakey in the video, you both go way back!
We need to keep as many of these flying as possible. With Nine-O-Nine and Texas Raiders no longer with us, they are becoming more rare every day.
Don't forget Liberty Belle, also lost
@@AerobatBrian not for good liberty belle is coming back along with B17G recovered from lake labrador 👍👏
@@HistoryBuff-dk1bz The Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana Ohio is also in the process of rebuilding a B-17 to flying condition. Some of the original parts of their Champaign Lady went to Liberty Belle.
The guys in the war did maintenance the same way...out in the open with a ladder! A testimony to the maintainability of the plane. You made some memories... Thanks for sharing.
Certainly makes you think how much the mechanics worked during the war and how little appreciation/credit they got for they did as without them the birds wouldn't fly.
Thank you for saving pieces of aviation history for future generations to enjoy, Keep ‘em flying and God bless
With that hat on, Kermit looks like Forrest Gump. "Run, Kermit, RUUUNN!"
What a beautiful original plane, an absolute pleasure seeing this vintage footage along with the commentary. Thank you.
After listening to the bearing material drop into the bucket probably made the choice to rebuild the other three engines an obvious one. Thanks for sharing the story and the insight to video the effort paid off for all of us.
THAT is a SH*T LOAD of work. So glad your guys were up to it because it's hard to keep some of our history. Thanks so much to the Week's Crew.
Brilliant landing after nearly two years away from the aircraft and with only 4 hours 15 minutes on the B17 !! Very cool video, must have been so much fun, looking forward to seeing the rest.
Looks like a REAL 8th Air Force B-17 all nicely weathered instead of looking like it just came out of a showroom. Outstanding.
Agree, often these planes are polished like a mirror, which to me is plain wrong, it ruins the plane.
Great video. I was just 80 miles away in Laredo flying LJ-25D, and KA-200, later flying CV-440, C-46 and DC-6 out of there, hauling cargo . I used to go down and visit the CAF there in the 70's. Great bunch of guys.
Where is this B17 today? After wings over Dallas we somehow need to pull a B17 out of a museum and get her flying. We need to replace Texas Raiders somehow.
IN STORAGE AWAITING REBUILD ONE DAY!
What a phenomenal life you have lived. Thank you from Alberta Canada. When is more news on the BF109 G6 coming out?
I had the privilege of seeing Suzy Q when it was at the Weeks Air Museum (Then) with my dad. I was a teenager then, but how amazing it was. It looked completely untouched since the war! I remember a good coating of oil and dirt all beneath the wings everything looked stressed and worn. (normal of course) I've seen some great restored B-17's, but this one stands out to me probably because at the time it was one of the most untouched B-17's I have ever seen. I'm hoping to see what she looks like today!
So interesting to watch, Kermit. Your flying the twin Beech also bumped my memories of driving past the Beechcraft plant in Wichita when I was a youngster, and one could smell the odor of dope paint in the air and see the lines of updated C-45s on the ramp on the east side of the plant on the apron.
I can't imagine how long and many those days were to be working outside to get a B-17 with FOUR new engines hung and running. Awesome that you thought to document it
IF YOU WATCH THE VIDEO, ONCE WE GOT THERE, WE HAD THEM ALL HUNG IN TWO DAYS!
Thanks for another great video.
Unbelievable life you have led. This is so interesting. Can only wish that I could be involved with this. Am so proud of all of you for saving history.
My blessings.
Retired Air Force veteran.
I'll say that when seen from the outside, she looks like shes waiting to head out on a mission over Germany. She looks cool as all get out. I enjoy your video's immensely, Kermit. Can't wait for part 3. Thanks.
Excellent video. I'm thinking of our mechanics changing engines on B29's on Tinian island during WW2.
Can't wait for part 3.
Enjoyed this very much! Thank you.
Nothing better than the sound of round motors.
Kermit you really have a natural ability to fly and tell a story. Loved this one, reminded me of watching my family super 8 videos. Look forward to the next one.
I am wondering why the Museum is in Florida, with all that humidity, as opposed to being in the Desert.
IF THINGS ARE INSIDE, IT’S NOT A PROBLEM. I WOULDN’T WANT TO KEEP A DEHAVILLAND MOSQUITO IN A VERY DRY ENVIRONMENT, SO IT’S A TOSS-UP!
@@KermitWeeks444 Thanks for the explanation.
Kermit, I hope you have tons and tons of these old videos to share because I am really enjoy this. 😊
I guess , just like vintage cars , the cheapest part is the purchase ! Thanos Kermit .
weird to see a video filmed 40 years ago....and at the time, test flying a plane that was 40 years old at the time of filming 😀
very cool watching this work, and wishing I could be a part of it. one day!. also very sad to see that a few mud-dobbers trashed an engine, but that unfortunately happens. still better than sitting, rotting away in a field. thanks for filming and sharing this very interesting video!
Thank you for sharing this adventure.
perfect video, thanks professor
Thanks for this. My father did 15 missions in the B-17. He just passed a few years back. It’s a memory I treasure going to the air shows with him where there was a B-17 brought back memories and stories I never heard of quite a history lesson.
Love watching these old videos of guys wrenching, all just using their hard earned mechanic skills. Today, young guys would be looking for the diagnostic port to plug their laptops into.. RIP the Texas Raiders/P-63
Rekon its a safer model compared with thier late model production....( Boeing)....
Love to hear the radial engines starting up. Hum like true lady when the warm up. Soft and Smooth. You don’t realize how hard it is to turn the props by hand until you do it yourself.
Thank You for the video 👍
I remember when they fired up the B17F that is now at the Boeing Museum of Flight before the rebuild when she was still like a water bomber. You couldn't see the back end of the plane for the smoke. These are incredibly clean, of course they've just been rebuilt so you would expect that.
If you can recall, how much was an engine overhaul back then. I know the cost today is eye watering but there were a lot more parts available and a lot more shops and operators back then
These old movies from back in the day are great - much appreciated.
Up here in Connecticut i saw the "Nine-0-Nine" in action out of Waterbury Oxford Airport. It flew over my house in Naugatuck multiple occasions back in the 1990s. I crawled inside it with my kids. 3 years ago i was visiting a cemetery in Watertown and i heard the sound again, that Almighty Torque and Roar of a B17, and that was the last time I ever saw the "Nine-0-Nine"...
Congratulations Kermit and the crew for making such an interesting video of Suzie Q,well done.
I have been a B17 fan forever (now 85) and living in England have visited many 8th Airforce bases in England and stood on silent runways paying respect to all those young airmen who fought so bravely to help win the war.
I have seen and filmed "Our" B17 Sally B from her earliest days in England right through to now, When the Memphis Belle film was being shot, I saw the 5 B17s flying and doing low passes over Binbrook airfield and then was at Duxford to see the five returning, man, what a sight that was and so moving. Thank you so much,cheers from the UK.
i say only 30mm borsig auto kannon BF109......my respect to the crew....also wir haben ja weihnachten...peace for all nation Danke Kermit Happy chrismas...und Alles Gute ....
HEY, Mr. Weeks Hello
WOW boy that was a long time ago and that Aircraft sure needed Alot of work I can't believe how much time
Was put into getting just one engine running
Well thank you for showing theses old videos I really do Enjoy seeing them Take care stay safe and I will see you on the next video project
Kermit you do things that I have only dreamed of. Keep it up sir.
That´s the sound of freedom! I´m german, not old enough to have witnessed the war but living in Berlin history surrounds us. I grew up near Tempelhof Airfield (the one the Nazis built). After the war the airlift brought the bare necessities for a life to West Berlin. So yes, it´s quite an emotional thing hearing the engines and thinking of all the guys risking their lifes in those flying cans in order to put an end to that Nazi sh*t.
Thank you for your constant sharing of these gems!!! Been following you for years now, keep on doing what you do!
Thanks Kermit for the walk back in time when we were young and full of vim, vigor and vitality. One of my last flights to Paris, Tx airport was in 2010 in my RV8 and my first was in 1973 in a friend's old T Craft at the Flying Tigers Airstrip. At time they a B25, a P51 and a P40 that you could get checked out in. Now in my later 70s I can look back on the easier, to me, times we had to fly around the country. Hopefully this spring I can fly out to Sun and Fun in my Sonex and perhaps share a pot of coffee with you at your place. Keep those memories coming. The world needs men of your vision.
There can't be many 30 year olds out there that buy a vintage B17. Mind you, long time since the average B17 was available for 200k.
Really liking your videos...sharing things we can't all participate in. But I feel I was on the scene. Thank you.
Surprise that there isn't a method to blow and clean out all the oil lines, coolers so no chance of fod oil going into a fresh engine. Thanks for videos and your keeping these historic birds for world to remember.
WE HAD COVERED THEM ALL WHEN WE LEFT, BUT TWO YEARS LATER THEY GOT IN THERE SOMEHOW AND WE MISSED THEM.
Kermit you have lived such an interesting and wonderful life! I'm so very happy for you and thank you for sharing it with us! I hope to make it down for a tour someday!
Kermit, this plane is part of all of our shared history and the nation has intrest in it rightfully. So how about sharing what the status of this plane is now. The last any of us know is it was damaged by hurricane Andrew and some degree of repair had been done. So how about an update? Is the plane air worthy? If not, is the goal to make it air worthy again? If it can't be adequately repaired to fly again, can it be restored to a static display? of is it now just spare parts? It would be great to let everyone know. Thank you
I don't know what it is, but at 41:50 I laughed way too hard, Awesome Video!
Love the video! Thanks so much!
My grandfather survived / flew 50 combat missions with the 463rd 774th BG
Outstanding video! Love the old Flying Fortress! Thanks for posting this Kermit.
Thank you for putting together this series...it brings back lots of memories.
Kermit has reached the ultimate dream of having & flying his own B-17. What an accomplishment it is. God has smiled Graciously upon him. And this video confirms that it wasn't easy peasy. Lots & lots of very hard work. Thanks Kermit for preserving this great aircraft & this film. Plus all the crew who made it possible.
Sure glad you filmed this Kermit Thanks very much 👍Mud Dauders won on engine #4 = What a 💩ty deal......
Shoe🇺🇸
Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful moment of saving our aviation history.
Thank you so much for documenting this Mr. Weeks. It is always a pleasure watching your videos. My best wishes for you and yours.
Kind regards
Tomas Linnet
Denmark.
As a plane enthusiast I would love to meet Kermit I live not to far from fantasy of flight I have been there my love for aircraft is so strong I can name every single aircraft from WW2 to now by sight!
Sure enjoy all your videos Kermit. Just started seeing them this year. It’s just like I am there with you. Henry n Billie.
ow extensive was the repair on the #4 engine once he tore it back down? AVGAS at that price. You won't see that today.
Mr. Weeks I, at 74, REALLY appreciate the detailed videos you make. USN, 68-74, ETR-2, NAS Miramar, 70-74, I maintained GCA RADAR (pair of FPN-36 QUADS and an FPN-52) as well as TACAN. As a radio amateur, first licensed about 65, I am familiar with some of the WWII radio gear which was sold surplus in those days. Cold VERY cold up here in the N end of Idaho state, about 5F today
Eyes were glued to the screen. It was great.
I used to work with a guy whose favorite saying was "nature provides a plethora of ways to run amok?"
Love this stuff
Looks to me like she's a F model, I don't see anything around the bottom of the nose to indicate a turret and the large forward nose windows make me think F model.
Oh, Just saw your FYI...can't wait!
At the beginning of the video you noticed the strange smoke Puff s on the left side👍
That picture of the putt putt was really cool! I actually have a Lawrance APU supposedly from a B-17 laying around that I have been thinking of making a motorcycle out of. Since I can't afford the rest of the plane that is, LOL. Merry Christmas. Thanks again for the video.
Flying to the job in a old twin Beech, yes the 1980,s.
I wonder if there are a younger generation interested and trained to maintain these antiquities ? Kids I know see them as Ford Model T of the sky 😢
When you watch the takeoff, you see number 2 belch some smoke.
Such a great video Kermit.
I really appreciate all the work you guys did to get it flying again.
Hopefully she'll fly again some day.
20500 % Good Karma , I like this Stuff
Great recorded history for sure. I can’t help but think about the B29 lost Antarctic when the APU fuel can broke loose on takeoff and the plane burned to the icy ground.
Probably was not that weathered in WW2 as it was almost new!
Sounds like everyone is having a lot of fun in spite of the fact that its hard manual labor! I always recall the book 'Flying Forts' by Martin Caidin when seeing the inside of the B17, all the great history of this amazing airplane.
BEATS WORKING OUT IN A GYM!
Sir Kermit im looking forwards to part three 👍
Kermit did you sacrfice your tee shirt! LOL
Note to self..... plug all open lines, especially oil lines!
I saw Suzy Q at Kissimmee in the 1970's when Burchinal tried to open his Flying Tigers Museum at the Kissimmee Airport.
Thank you for sharing part two with us. I wish that I could have been there to help, what an adventure, best home movies ever! In 1997 I got to go inside here at Tom Reilly’s shop. I can’t wait for part three.
Reminds me of the VAC work parties on the C-47. Good to see you did it right
Love the home movies Kermit!
What a journey, you obviously have the excellent qualities of resilience, fortitude, stamina, endurance and enthusiasm, hats off to you!
Jesus is the way, the truth, the life.
Did the guy get 3.00 per hour to check for oil leaks behind spinning props?
Wow sounds so good. Can't imagine hearing hundreds of them flying overhead
I was at the Air and Space Museum years ago and they had a large painting of the Thunderbird and other B-17s, there were a family of people standing there looking at the picture and I talked to them, they were from Holland and the mother and father told me that they well remember the sky being almost black with bombers heading to Germany and the tremendous noise of all those planes passing overhead
Excellent Kermit, thanks
Great video!
I had the opportunity to meet Junior Burchinal in Paris, TX back before or after his prison time with Mark Clark of Courtesy Aircraft from Rockford, IL I remember Junior and his stories he had doing something with Black Sheep Squadron. I was only 16 at the time sweeping floors at Courtesy and helping Mike Muraski the mechanic with all the warbirds. First ride in a P-51 was working at Courtesy 25 years later Mark sold that same Mustang and I farried it from KRFD to Chino. I flew the B-18 and MU-2 at Aero Taxi flying cargo. The B-18 was a fun old plane to fly
As I sit here watching this video 6 miles from Cox Field in Paris Texas, in my garage 100 feet away is my largely disassembled John Deere 6x4 Mil Gator. Reason for disassembly? Mud Daubers made a nest spanning the cooling fan wiring and a shift linkage causing the wiring to be dragged into the linkage which subsequently shredded the wiring. Intricate equipment that doesn't get used often pretty much has to be stored in sealed buildings here. Kermit, thank you so much for taking the time "way back when" to record these videos, and for publishing them now. Very good stuff indeed!
I've always appreciated that you have an awareness of your good fortune. "Thanks Grandpa". Really cool Kermit. :)
Happy Christmas Kermit
finds something (admittedly serious) wrong with 1 engine and makes the call to pull all four, and rebuild them and the props. now thats dedication to preservation! i respect that!
its so good to see a b-17 fly. love that airplane.
now question is; will she ever fly again?
WHEN I PICKED UP THE B-24, WE GOT HALFWAY HOME, AND ONE ENGINE STARTED BANGING. WE DIDN’T CHANGE THE ENGINES, BUT WE OH’D ALL THE ACCESSORIES ON ALL FOUR ENGINES! THIS B-17 HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FLY AGAIN! $$$
@@KermitWeeks444 bet that was a pucker factor 11 significant emotional event lol.
Beautiful aircraft, but that sound of the engines. God bless this aircraft and all who fly in her.
Sadly, I will never see and hear the Texas Raiders B-17 fly over my house again. I grew up watching that plane fly in air shows at Ellington Field and my son of 9 got to experience the beauty of her in October of last year- before Dallas. 🥲
It would have been nice for some of WWII machinic’s to be there when you were working on the birds. You had great working conditions. The conditions they worked incredibly hard. The stories the could tell. My uncle was in Europe working on 17’s and that was all he would say. Tell a few very few funny things. Then wouldn’t say anything else and changed the subject. A wonderful farmer great uncle and special friend to me. I wish we could get him to do an interview with one of our VA people. Never said anything bad always positive. Would say some German words or sayings then stop and changed the subject. Wonderful Wonderful American. Loved him Dearly 😢
Even the old concrete apron looks in-period
My Father in law was a co - pilot on a B-17. (Helton's Hellcats 493rd BG-863rd BS. ) They were shot down over Germany in 44 and taken POW. They were liberated after several months by the Russian army. I'm in awe of the men who were able to muster the courage to board an aircraft knowing that they faced a very high probability of injury or death. We owe them so much.