I've been watching another video series where a historical non-profit is rebuilding a Lancaster to flight worthy condition in Lincolnshire, England. Rebuilding a Lancaster is indeed a huge project, and the time budget for the team is ten years. (they're currently in year five) While Kermit seems to be in very good health, and I'm wishing him continued good health, I'm very concerned that a project of this magnitude will take more time than he has left. Perhaps he already is, but if not he should be in close contact with the team in England. Their hard won experience and expertise on what it takes to rebuild a Lancaster would be invaluable for this project. Ah... It seems he is in contact with Lincolnshire. Good!
I live in Scotland. I remember when this Lanc flew from Canada to Scotland in May 1975. It sat on the tarmac at Glasgow Airport for a few weeks before making a short flight to Strathallan in June 1975. I then saw it at Strathallan many times between 1975 and 1986. The last time I saw it,it had nose and tail turrets ,camo and markings and canopy restored to original configuration.
My flying interests started with my dad at Biggin Hill. It's in England, where I live. At fifteen or so, I met the late Ray Hanna at Redhill airdrome when he was flying Spitfire Mk9 MH434. I've seen WW1 originals fly at Biggleswade, as well as seeing the DH Comet (Grosvenor House) in boxes. The one thing I have learnt is that restoring these aircraft is a passion, but not of one persons lifetime but many others......None of you there need to feel difficult about anything, we appreciate what you do. There is no need to explain! Share your dreams by all means, we all enjoy them, but choose what makes you happy. We will still enjoy looking.
Kermit and Paul, you have done a massive first step in ensuring she is in good stable condition and moving some parts inside. I like the idea of putting the tailsection on display with fins and rudders etc attached.. might even be an excuse for a friendly "nudge" to Peter Jackson to get the turrets back and install the rear turret to make her complete again! Cheers from Canada!
A Lancaster Bomber in Kermit’s workshop! Wow! Got to get Paul onto this project one day because he knows his stuff and I think he’s raring to go - Bring on Act iii, as I expect it will eventually see Kermit flying his ‘dambuster’, low level at 60ft, over Orlampa and it would be cool to have the Stathallan Lancaster and Mosquito reacquainted again! I could listen to Kermit and Paul yarning about airplanes all day long. Great video.
Doug Arnold had the Lancaster and Lincoln parts at Biggin Hill and apparently later at Bournemouth. I remember a huge pile of fuselage and wing sections outside Doug's hangar at Biggin around 1992! Been looking for photos on line but haven't found any! Good to see it's all safe!
I worked for him briefly in about 1990 and the fuselage and the centre section were being worked on at the Warbirds UK hangar at Biggin Hill. The engines and a hole load of other parts were stored at Blackbushe
I remember seeing KB976 at Woodford before the damage, it was sad news when I heard of the accident. I'd love to see it back together one day, even better if it flew.
Thanks for an amazing video looking over the Lancaster parts. Most interesting. Special thanks to Paul for going through the containers and pieces stored in the building. Such a huge huge project. Wow. Looking at the video is a great reminder of what it would take to get the Lancaster together. Kermit and Paul I know you have your priorities for what you want built first and second and on. Big projects and big dollars to make it happen. Do understand. Heartfelt thanks to Paul for his time showing of history in the real. It really hits me in the heart seeing the history before our eyes. Terrific!!!!!!!! You all take care and be safe. Looking forward to the next video. Thanks for everything Paul and Kermit. Retired Air Force veteran. Steve.
Hey Kermit when my family and visited fantasy of flight in 1999 I recall going on the Back Lot Tour and the guide showed us the four containers with the Lancaster in them so as well as a good memory I am pleased that are finally getting round to moving onwards with , good luck from Northamptonshire England✈️👍
KERMIT,HI from a CROWN COLONY, my youngest maternal UNCLE joined the RAF, he became tail gunner, they were shot down behind enemy lines they ALL escaped, but later he collected some metal in left leg, which stayed there, they all returned after the war, but about 1957, as an apprentice working with someone, I heard this really DIFFERENT SOUNDING aircraft, it was the ONLY FLYING LANCASTER , flew around KINGSTON JAMAICA BWI, then it landed there, it was just visiting , NO TV those days, what a beautiful sound 4 MERLINS MAKE ! Never ever forgot it 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Bless you guys for restoring these historic bombers, my uncle loaded these in the south of England during WW2, brought home an English bride back to Canada. I love Lancs.
Such an amazing project, it’s incredible just how many parts make up this single aircraft. I was lucky to have a taxy ride in NX611 Just Jane a few years ago with my dad.. our uncle was a pilot flying Lancaster’s with 100 Squadron, he was KIA & crew (tail gunner survived) in Feb ‘43. I have his logbook. We were lucky to get to stand behind the pilot and engineer during the taxy and engine run up.. which was truly incredible!
Great video - I remember when I travelled to Florida from the UK and visited FoF - was a great experience - when I was there they did back yard visits where tours of the storage hangers took place and it was mentioned about the Lancaster being in various containers - as I was ex Royal Air Force i was very interested in that - also the other thing they showed us were the (24 I think) Packard Merlin engines they had in storage to and they were basically brand new only having been run on the bench to make sure everything worked - keep up the good work
Paul is really a fantastic narrator and a great great guy to listen to. I love his Bf 108 series and he always shares a lot of technical details and tidbits regarding the plane, the history and the technical oddities etc etc. I bet he’ll be a fantastic teacher in his field. But the inventory of your place must be incredible… I guess the database is mostly in Paul’s head ?!
Enjoyed your Video Kermit on the Lancaster Part 1 and 2. Thank You for sharing and keeping / preserving this great piece of history. Like you said it would great to see this aircraft in the air once again however, Your Vision and ambition is greater at this time. I wish you every success.
Thanks for having your dream kermie, without guys like you, our dreams of seeing these wonderful aircraft flying would be more like a nightmare. I got a chance to see a bit of the planes of fame museum back in the late 90s or early 2000s and was amazed. Ha, in 82 a friend of mine Who had a 41 Luscome invited me to fly from Centralia wa. To Athol Id. For the fire cracker rally. Of course I jumped on that ! Knowing I'd get a bunch of stick time in the luscome. Which we missed snagging Best of show for pre WW2 civilian aircraft by 2 points because we took the wheel pants off. They don't like crop dusters grass strips, and we had to get fuel at those places more than once. But ! There was 1 P-51 at the show, and the pilot, who I briefly chatted with was the one and only Steve Hinton, Both of us being young men back then. I think I was about 25 back then, 68 now. Dam, where did all that time go. ❤ What you do! Thanks.
@@robm.4512 as a former ame and ame instructor, students need to buck a few thousand rivets before touching an aircraft. Many more before touching a piece of aviation history.
@@killer1963daddy As a retired World Motorsport chief eng with many wider interests, including lecturing in applied M’Sport technology at a British university or two, I entirely agree with you. However, for them, getting the opportunity to work alongside skilled people and to be given the opportunity to absorb some of their knowledge is, from my own experience, invaluable. Yes, I have bucked a few thousand rivets in my life too. Cheers, R.
You are slacking! Get a Beaufighter! Last I knew you were working on one from somewhere. My memory is terrible nowadays. You are almost as bad I am with car projects. I have more car projects than I do have money or energy. Keep up the great work Kermit. I truly wish I could help in some way.
Yes she isn't assembled etc but glad you have got her & that she is safe. Would be great to see you at Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre & see NX611 & also the taxiable Mosquito
When this Lanc was being stored at the Warbirds UK hangar in about 1990, They lifted the complete nose section on a crane with me as a counterweight in the nose to keep it level. So I've sorta been flying in a Lancaster bomber, a very low level mission
I think i could wander around the stirage areas you have down thwre for a week, and still not be satisfied that I saw everything! Hopefully one day, once I have my A&P, I can visit,and maybe even help out. I am a big fan of you and the collection!
If nothing else, it at least being kept together in a safe environment. Certainty would be a mammoth and expensive exercise to put it all back together. Thanks for the video.
I remember KB976 from its glory days at the Strathallan Collection (and what a collection that was!). You could go right up to it and get hands on - for a kid that was an amazing thing. It was bought by Sir William Roberts in '74 as reg G-BCOH for £45k and then sold on a decade later for £150k. Quite a mark up!
HEY, Mr Weeks I really Do appreciate and Think you have a Awesome look out on What you want fantasy of flight to become and hope one day we all will enjoy what your hoping to have us all Experience
Kermit has so many other projects that are nearing completion that starting this one anytime soon would, in my opinion, make little sense. In house they have the Jenny, the 108, the P35, etc. Contracted out are the Vega, the Sikorsky. the B-26, the Boeing bi-plane fighter and others that I can't remember. Act lll has to succeed so these treasures can be restored perhaps in another century or two. I would be grateful and awed to see Kermit fly the planes I noted as well as the continuation of the Mechanic's Corner vids.
It great that you have the ability to preserve these parts for future generations. I’ve been following the English just Jane build, and it’s no small undertaking. I like your vision, to create something for others and preserve old historic warbirds. I’d chase the two turrets down and get them back before they get chucked out by mistake with the mock movie parts... thanks for doing the videos and keeping the world informed. If I was Elon musk wealthy, I’d build you a bigger hangar 😂
Thx for the update on the big project. Looking forward to see your impact on the world by using these objects to help others discover their inner potential!
I drove past Blackbush the airfield everyday that Charles Church was trying to get to when he died in his Spitfire. Shame he did not just do a gear up landing in a field. The Lancaster then may well have been finished.
Just as an update to your discussion re the aft section badly damaged in the roof collapse. It is in fact now at East Kirby where it is being rebuilt to ground running condition. When complete they intend to replace Just Jane's aft section with it while they bring that one back to flying condition thus allowing the to keep their summer taxi program running as it is a critical part of the project funding.
I'm trying to hangi'n i there! Whatever will be done to that mighty Lancaster during my lifetime, I consider what you are doing right now Kermit, is more than most of us plebs will be able to do anyways. So thanks for whathas been done so far,and thanks for these films and the whole crew of FoF.
The important thing is that you are preserving this iconic aircraft for future generations and hopefully at least initiating its reconstruction. It will fly one day and ultimately it doesn’t matter who finishes the project. In 500 years these things will be as precious as the pyramids, Stonehenge and Notre Dame cathedral.
Random, and I may have commented this on another of your videos already. But I'm in the UK. I live about a mile from an old Avro factory in Chadderton. Oldham. Near Manchester, where a lot of Lancaster's were built. I know there was a plan to build a runway in the area at the time but they decided not to. I wish they had.
NX 611 is about half way through its 10 year restoration to flight status,the rear end that has been borrowed is being restored to taxi condition while NX 611s one will be restored to airworthy.
Hi Kermit. Love your philosophy . And it's so true "we want it now ! " .......easier said than done ! It was fascinating to see the archive footage . And do you think your Lincoln may have made up a very large percentange of the" mock up " . Thankyou Kermit .
Okay now that everyone wants to kill me ( or all the B-17 fans want to pat me on the back), at 9:13 Paul and Mr. Weeks examine the center section. This is the piece replaced post-war when CWH's Lanc groundlooped while in military service, and it was replaced from a carcass a farmer was using as a shed in Alberta! This center section was also the largest item ever hauled (at the time) by Canadian National Railway.
I absolutely love these videos. And it must be great to have such an amazing collection, but I can’t help but think that sometimes it looks like you guys are drowning in projects (which must feel great 😂)
The great thing about the LAncaster is it was designed from the beginning to be modular, so no issues with subcontracting the work out and sticking it all back later?
Yes and no. Many RCAF Lancaster’s had the Frazier-Nash turret. The initial Lanc Mk. 10’s from Victory Aircraft in Toronto had Frazier-Nash turrets as well. Mk.
Get your parts back. Jackson has moved onto other projects and completely forgotten about that movie. Stephen Fry, wrote the filmplay and even 10 years ago on Twitter he was wondering about the progress. (As were those who realty cared) Make the call to New Zealand before someone mistakes them for movie props and dumps them...
I noticed “Gryphon” stencilled on one of the crates, so I presume this is a later version of the Lanc. The fact that some of the canopy parts are made of plywood is not surprising, aluminium was in short supply so plywood was used where possible. The Halifax was mostly plywood and the Mosquito was all plywood!
Any idea what the aircraft's fatigue index is? Those chunks of spar material are likely there because of this. The wing structure used in the Lancaster/Lincoln/Shackleton/Argosy has a definitive fatigue life so far as I am aware. The BBMF Lanc was re-sparred in recent years for this reason.
I wish I had the resources Kermit has. I’m just a small time A&P doing all the work and ALL the funding of my own Cessna O-2 restoration. Going to take me years to do this little plane. Kermit will probably have the Lancaster flying before I get the O-2 flying.
hate to think like this, but I'm 80 years old and have a motorcycle collection and lots of parts. what will happen when I check out is a interesting subject. have you (Kermit), a plan for the stuff?
I wonder if the folks at East Kirby lancaster restoration could use some of these parts? Sure would be better to have one lanc in the air rather than moldering away in shipping containers.
They all should chip-in together and began production of the new parts so we would have two flying lancasters, maybe more. Its 2022, we have computer controlled 3d lathes - that shouldn't be that expensive.
The folks in England have a Taxi rated Lancaster now and are restoring it to Flight worthy certification. The Majority of their funding is displaying and taxing their Lancaster and Mosquito during the Spring/Summer season. So they work on it over the Winter. 1 section at a time. They're working w/other museums restoring sections first, then installing them temporarily on just jane while they restore her sections. They are in year 5 of a 10 planned restoration.
The hangar incident is so sad. In hindsight, they should have puled it outside while working on the roof, a little snow would have been better than a roof landing on it. Let's hope that at some time, the money shows up and the project could go further.
This is great to see guys.. thank you so much. At one point around 17:33 you mention "the gear goes up inside here", the frame you were looking at is actually the rear engine bearers frame for no's 1 and 4 engines. The gear goes into the centre wing section at the ends behind engines 2 and 3. If you read this.. could you please answer a question for me.. Are the original radiators grey green or silver in colour?
@@harrymarwick2529 Hi Harry. No, just Lancaster content.. Interesting to see the almost RLM02 like grey colour on the engine bearers, darker than the normal grey/green we always use?? This is why I asked about the radiators.. they may also be this colour?
Huge respects to these guys for looking after such an iconic aircraft. I am now intrigued by Kermit's grand Vision. Sadly there aren't that many about and only 2 in flying condition so another one flying (IMHO) is a great big deal. 'Just Jane' in Lincolnshire (Bomber County) will be the next and they are just performing miracles there. And yes a part of this Lancaster is being rebuilt to fly 'Just Jane'. On those wheels being so big Americans often don't realise that the Lancaster was the most capable of all WWII bombers bar none. It was the only bomber to lift the 22,000Ib Grand Slam or 2 x 12,000Ib Tall Boy bombs (which were used on the Tirpitz). It had a 33 foot long bomb bay and could lift 2.5 times that of the B-17 or B-24. It was a very heavy aircraft. While there is some 'discussion' about it the Lancaster was in fact earmarked as the aircraft for the A Bomb missions as the B-29 was having many problems in 1944. Even the 'Silverplate' early airframes were hand picked off the line and specially finished like removing the original bomb doors and creating a 33 foot bomb bay. Although it was the 'Lancaster' earmarked in reality it would have been the Lincoln B 1 (aka Lancaster Mk IV and Mk V) which first flew in June 1944 as it had longer range and a higher cruise speed matching the B-29. Eventually I think American pride dismissed the Lancaster idea and put heaven and earth into making the B-29 work which to their great credit it did. But they had to use the Lancaster bomb retaining and release mechanisms as the Boeing ones could not be made to work with the A Bombs.
Just to clarify something here. The rear section being rebuilt for Just jane is not a permanent replacement for her, it is being done to temporarily replace the rear section so she can carry on doing taxi runs whilst her own rear section is restored to flying condition. I assume once complete, this airframes tail section will return to the museum it came from.. I believe it is not being restored to airworthy standards. Oh.. and I don't think the Lanc ever carried two Tallboys?
@@NigelsModellingBench I am not sure I said it was permanent just that parts are being used (as a means to that end if you will). I am aware that they use assemblies from other aircraft so they can keep the ground runs going to keep revenue coming in while the original assemblies are rebuilt. Its why it will take 10 years and in fairness I did say "and they are just performing miracles there". If you are referring to 'Just Jane' rather than the temporary rear structure it is indeed being restored to flying condition. The temporary section is not.
I love the juxtaposition of many different classic warbirds in pieces and lo-a bicycle just randomly sitting there like it's staked out it's own little piece of hangar space. Being that Peter Jackson is borrowing the turrets why not get him involved in figuring out how to fund and get this lady in the air again?
I can’t believe the scale of this project. Kermit is an extraordinary curator of aeronautical history.
I've been watching another video series where a historical non-profit is rebuilding a Lancaster to flight worthy condition in Lincolnshire, England.
Rebuilding a Lancaster is indeed a huge project, and the time budget for the team is ten years. (they're currently in year five)
While Kermit seems to be in very good health, and I'm wishing him continued good health, I'm very concerned that a project of this magnitude will take more time than he has left.
Perhaps he already is, but if not he should be in close contact with the team in England. Their hard won experience and expertise on what it takes to rebuild a Lancaster would be invaluable for this project.
Ah... It seems he is in contact with Lincolnshire. Good!
Do know of Lancaster north of church hill manitoba that is all intact except 1 engine came off.think it call milton Mike
Use as weather plane
Code name is KB 999
Keep after your dreams Kermit. Appreciate all what you, Paul, and the rest of your crew do.
I live in Scotland. I remember when this Lanc flew from Canada to Scotland in May 1975. It sat on the tarmac at Glasgow Airport for a few weeks before making a short flight to Strathallan in June 1975. I then saw it at Strathallan many times between 1975 and 1986. The last time I saw it,it had nose and tail turrets ,camo and markings and canopy restored to original configuration.
I too saw it many times. I was at the Strathallan auction when Kermit flew the Mossie which he bought.
Same here got to see it in the mid 80s when it had been stripped back for camouflage painting , not sure if it ever happened
@@rnichol22 It was painted in camo by 1984. Also front and rear turrets were fitted by then and canopy restored to original configuration.
My flying interests started with my dad at Biggin Hill. It's in England, where I live. At fifteen or so, I met the late Ray Hanna at Redhill airdrome when he was flying Spitfire Mk9 MH434. I've seen WW1 originals fly at Biggleswade, as well as seeing the DH Comet (Grosvenor House) in boxes. The one thing I have learnt is that restoring these aircraft is a passion, but not of one persons lifetime but many others......None of you there need to feel difficult about anything, we appreciate what you do. There is no need to explain! Share your dreams by all means, we all enjoy them, but choose what makes you happy. We will still enjoy looking.
Kermit and Paul, you have done a massive first step in ensuring she is in good stable condition and moving some parts inside. I like the idea of putting the tailsection on display with fins and rudders etc attached.. might even be an excuse for a friendly "nudge" to Peter Jackson to get the turrets back and install the rear turret to make her complete again! Cheers from Canada!
If Peter has teh turrets yiu should really get those back asap. Maybe he'd donate one of his relics Lancs at the same time?
I wished I lived closer so I could volunteer just to be near such a phenomenal collection and projects
A Lancaster Bomber in Kermit’s workshop! Wow! Got to get Paul onto this project one day because he knows his stuff and I think he’s raring to go - Bring on Act iii, as I expect it will eventually see Kermit flying his ‘dambuster’, low level at 60ft, over Orlampa and it would be cool to have the Stathallan Lancaster and Mosquito reacquainted again! I could listen to Kermit and Paul yarning about airplanes all day long. Great video.
Kermit is one cool guy, and so glad he’s keeping these planes alive UK 🇬🇧
Videos like this are excellent. Thank you for letting us watch from afar.
Keep the avaiation history alive!. I admire anyone who restores and flys such classic aircraft as it is such an expesnive exercise. Kudos to you all.
Doug Arnold had the Lancaster and Lincoln parts at Biggin Hill and apparently later at Bournemouth. I remember a huge pile of fuselage and wing sections outside Doug's hangar at Biggin around 1992! Been looking for photos on line but haven't found any! Good to see it's all safe!
I worked for him briefly in about 1990 and the fuselage and the centre section were being worked on at the Warbirds UK hangar at Biggin Hill. The engines and a hole load of other parts were stored at Blackbushe
I remember seeing KB976 at Woodford before the damage, it was sad news when I heard of the accident. I'd love to see it back together one day, even better if it flew.
Thanks for the virtual tour, I a fortunate to have 4 Lancasters in my province to admire.
Thanks for an amazing video looking over the Lancaster parts. Most interesting.
Special thanks to Paul for going through the containers and pieces stored in the building.
Such a huge huge project. Wow. Looking at the video is a great reminder of what it would take to get the Lancaster together.
Kermit and Paul I know you have your priorities for what you want built first and second and on.
Big projects and big dollars to make it happen. Do understand.
Heartfelt thanks to Paul for his time showing of history in the real. It really hits me in the heart seeing the history before our eyes.
Terrific!!!!!!!!
You all take care and be safe.
Looking forward to the next video.
Thanks for everything Paul and Kermit.
Retired Air Force veteran.
Steve.
Hey Kermit when my family and visited fantasy of flight in 1999 I recall going on the Back Lot Tour and the guide showed us the four containers with the Lancaster in them so as well as a good memory I am pleased that are finally getting round to moving onwards with , good luck from Northamptonshire England✈️👍
I have just made the same comment LOL -
KERMIT,HI from a CROWN COLONY, my youngest maternal UNCLE joined the RAF, he became tail gunner, they were shot down behind enemy lines they ALL escaped, but later he collected some metal in left leg, which stayed there, they all returned after the war, but about 1957, as an apprentice working with someone, I heard this really DIFFERENT SOUNDING aircraft, it was the ONLY FLYING LANCASTER , flew around KINGSTON JAMAICA BWI, then it landed there, it was just visiting , NO TV those days, what a beautiful sound 4 MERLINS MAKE !
Never ever forgot it 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Bless you guys for restoring these historic bombers, my uncle loaded these in the south of England during WW2, brought home an English bride back to Canada. I love Lancs.
Such an amazing project, it’s incredible just how many parts make up this single aircraft.
I was lucky to have a taxy ride in NX611 Just Jane a few years ago with my dad.. our uncle was a pilot flying Lancaster’s with 100 Squadron, he was KIA & crew (tail gunner survived) in Feb ‘43. I have his logbook.
We were lucky to get to stand behind the pilot and engineer during the taxy and engine run up.. which was truly incredible!
Sorry Kermit, but Paul is the only reason I watch this channel. Can't wait for an update on the ME 108 😎
Mind boggling! Even just maintaining the storage status of everything is a project in itself
Great video - I remember when I travelled to Florida from the UK and visited FoF - was a great experience - when I was there they did back yard visits where tours of the storage hangers took place and it was mentioned about the Lancaster being in various containers - as I was ex Royal Air Force i was very interested in that - also the other thing they showed us were the (24 I think) Packard Merlin engines they had in storage to and they were basically brand new only having been run on the bench to make sure everything worked - keep up the good work
Great video. The Lancaster is a big plane for sure. Good she is safe for the next years. Thank you for showing her.
Once again, I love the thorough labeling of "container" written on the container. ;)
Paul is really a fantastic narrator and a great great guy to listen to. I love his Bf 108 series and he always shares a lot of technical details and tidbits regarding the plane, the history and the technical oddities etc etc. I bet he’ll be a fantastic teacher in his field.
But the inventory of your place must be incredible… I guess the database is mostly in Paul’s head ?!
Brilliant video! Love seeing all the stuff stashed away!
Absolutely fascinating view of the Lancaster you've provided--seeing the parts laid out like that thanks for the videos!
Enjoyed your Video Kermit on the Lancaster Part 1 and 2. Thank You for sharing and keeping / preserving this great piece of history. Like you said it would great to see this aircraft in the air once again however, Your Vision and ambition is greater at this time. I wish you every success.
Thanks for having your dream kermie, without guys like you, our dreams of seeing these wonderful aircraft flying would be more like a nightmare. I got a chance to see a bit of the planes of fame museum back in the late 90s or early 2000s and was amazed. Ha, in 82 a friend of mine Who had a 41 Luscome invited me to fly from Centralia wa. To Athol Id. For the fire cracker rally. Of course I jumped on that ! Knowing I'd get a bunch of stick time in the luscome. Which we missed snagging Best of show for pre WW2 civilian aircraft by 2 points because we took the wheel pants off. They don't like crop dusters grass strips, and we had to get fuel at those places more than once. But ! There was 1 P-51 at the show, and the pilot, who I briefly chatted with was the one and only
Steve Hinton, Both of us being young men back then. I think I was about 25 back then, 68 now. Dam, where did all that time go. ❤ What you do! Thanks.
Very good Kermit, it’s great that you are creating your future plans for the aircraft parts.
Gigantic project. Get aviation engineering students to restore it under Paul’s expert supervision.
Cause they will be working primarily on ww2 British aircraft....
@@killer1963daddy Nope, but the training in both skillsets and mindset is entirely relevant, universal and transferable.
@@robm.4512 as a former ame and ame instructor, students need to buck a few thousand rivets before touching an aircraft. Many more before touching a piece of aviation history.
@@killer1963daddy As a retired World Motorsport chief eng with many wider interests, including lecturing in applied M’Sport technology at a British university or two, I entirely agree with you.
However, for them, getting the opportunity to work alongside skilled people and to be given the opportunity to absorb some of their knowledge is, from my own experience, invaluable.
Yes, I have bucked a few thousand rivets in my life too.
Cheers, R.
Go for it Kermit!!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍
Never mind boxes of bits, Kermit in narrative mode is always worth watching.
You are slacking! Get a Beaufighter! Last I knew you were working on one from somewhere. My memory is terrible nowadays. You are almost as bad I am with car projects. I have more car projects than I do have money or energy. Keep up the great work Kermit. I truly wish I could help in some way.
Kermit and Paul, thank you both for sharing your hard work.
Yes she isn't assembled etc but glad you have got her & that she is safe. Would be great to see you at Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre & see NX611 & also the taxiable Mosquito
Amazing stories of you buying aircraft Kermit....lt is good to see you are doing well....Thanks Kermit & Paul....Shoe🇺🇸
When this Lanc was being stored at the Warbirds UK hangar in about 1990, They lifted the complete nose section on a crane with me as a counterweight in the nose to keep it level. So I've sorta been flying in a Lancaster bomber, a very low level mission
Huge but nice project. We all appreciate it.
Love that old time rhythm n' blues background music.
Anybody counting how many times Kermit says "oh my gawd" in this video lol...
Nice looking plane for a project and thanks for keeping it alive ;)
Preserving the collection for future generations! I think thats all anybody could wish for?
Well said sir ; I totally understand where you are coming from , and wish you all the best in your mission. Thank you.
Avro Lancaster kit, 1:1 scale, some assembly required.
A great project tailored to the Great Man and His Great Team. Cultivate dreams and make them come true. Good luck. Greetings from Warsaw.
I think i could wander around the stirage areas you have down thwre for a week, and still not be satisfied that I saw everything! Hopefully one day, once I have my A&P, I can visit,and maybe even help out. I am a big fan of you and the collection!
This was great; start-to-finish, word-for -word...
If nothing else, it at least being kept together in a safe environment. Certainty would be a mammoth and expensive exercise to put it all back together. Thanks for the video.
I remember KB976 from its glory days at the Strathallan Collection (and what a collection that was!). You could go right up to it and get hands on - for a kid that was an amazing thing. It was bought by Sir William Roberts in '74 as reg G-BCOH for £45k and then sold on a decade later for £150k. Quite a mark up!
Thank you, Kermit. I BELIEVE.
Wow, PBY, Lancaster, Ju52, my new Disneyland!!
Sure would be nice to see the Staggerwing take to the air again. Happy building!
HEY, Mr Weeks I really
Do appreciate and Think you have a Awesome look out on What you want fantasy of flight to become and hope one day we all will enjoy what your hoping to have us all Experience
Man I wish I lived closer to you guys.
Can]t wait till you can work on the bigger planes. Love the 108.
Kermit has so many other projects that are nearing completion that starting this one anytime soon would, in my opinion, make little sense. In house they have the Jenny, the 108, the P35, etc. Contracted out are the Vega, the Sikorsky. the B-26, the Boeing bi-plane fighter and others that I can't remember. Act lll has to succeed so these treasures can be restored perhaps in another century or two. I would be grateful and awed to see Kermit fly the planes I noted as well as the continuation of the Mechanic's Corner vids.
+ kingfisher restoration in new zealand?
It great that you have the ability to preserve these parts for future generations. I’ve been following the English just Jane build, and it’s no small undertaking. I like your vision, to create something for others and preserve old historic warbirds. I’d chase the two turrets down and get them back before they get chucked out by mistake with the mock movie parts... thanks for doing the videos and keeping the world informed. If I was Elon musk wealthy, I’d build you a bigger hangar 😂
Thx for the update on the big project. Looking forward to see your impact on the world by using these objects to help others discover their inner potential!
Thanks for sharing 👍
Awesome! Looking forward to the future of Fantasy of Flight.
That is a national treasure you have there.
I drove past Blackbush the airfield everyday that Charles Church was trying to get to when he died in his Spitfire. Shame he did not just do a gear up landing in a field. The Lancaster then may well have been finished.
Just as an update to your discussion re the aft section badly damaged in the roof collapse. It is in fact now at East Kirby where it is being rebuilt to ground running condition. When complete they intend to replace Just Jane's aft section with it while they bring that one back to flying condition thus allowing the to keep their summer taxi program running as it is a critical part of the project funding.
I'm trying to hangi'n i there!
Whatever will be done to that mighty Lancaster during my lifetime, I consider what you are doing right now Kermit, is more than most of us plebs will be able to do anyways. So thanks for whathas been done so far,and thanks for these films and the whole crew of FoF.
The important thing is that you are preserving this iconic aircraft for future generations and hopefully at least initiating its reconstruction. It will fly one day and ultimately it doesn’t matter who finishes the project. In 500 years these things will be as precious as the pyramids, Stonehenge and Notre Dame cathedral.
awesome..part two...get to work on this thing Kermy!
Random, and I may have commented this on another of your videos already. But I'm in the UK. I live about a mile from an old Avro factory in Chadderton. Oldham. Near Manchester, where a lot of Lancaster's were built. I know there was a plan to build a runway in the area at the time but they decided not to. I wish they had.
Very wise words , Mr weeks👍 A very good long term strategy
NX 611 is about half way through its 10 year restoration to flight status,the rear end that has been borrowed is being restored to taxi condition while NX 611s one will be restored to airworthy.
amazing,thank you for sharing .
Hi Kermit. Love your philosophy . And it's so true "we want it now ! " .......easier said than done ! It was fascinating to see the archive footage . And do you think your Lincoln may have made up a very large percentange of the" mock up " . Thankyou Kermit .
That is one rare project and plane 👌
No doubt the state of the floor in the container as actually allowed for good air circulation and prevented damp conditions
Awesome!
I wonder when P Jackson will give the turrets back?
Okay now that everyone wants to kill me ( or all the B-17 fans want to pat me on the back), at 9:13 Paul and Mr. Weeks examine the center section. This is the piece replaced post-war when CWH's Lanc groundlooped while in military service, and it was replaced from a carcass a farmer was using as a shed in Alberta! This center section was also the largest item ever hauled (at the time) by Canadian National Railway.
I absolutely love these videos. And it must be great to have such an amazing collection, but I can’t help but think that sometimes it looks like you guys are drowning in projects (which must feel great 😂)
The great thing about the LAncaster is it was designed from the beginning to be modular, so no issues with subcontracting the work out and sticking it all back later?
Yes, it is a Martin Mid-upper turret. Canadian Lancs had Martins, British Lancs had Frazer-Nash.
Yes and no. Many RCAF Lancaster’s had the Frazier-Nash turret. The initial Lanc Mk. 10’s from Victory Aircraft in Toronto had Frazier-Nash turrets as well. Mk.
@@ronhudson3730 Thanks for that, I had a vague memory of that, but was too lazy to look it up!
Thanks so much!
Get your parts back. Jackson has moved onto other projects and completely forgotten about that movie. Stephen Fry, wrote the filmplay and even 10 years ago on Twitter he was wondering about the progress. (As were those who realty cared) Make the call to New Zealand before someone mistakes them for movie props and dumps them...
That Lanc has a long history up here, hope something gets done with it.
Forty years ago I read how inner engines and landing gears are coupled with cast aluminum element now I could see those castings. Roy Chadwick design.
Great video. Indeed, it would be great if a business model can be made to keep these airplanes flying on the long term.
I noticed “Gryphon” stencilled on one of the crates, so I presume this is a later version of the Lanc. The fact that some of the canopy parts are made of plywood is not surprising, aluminium was in short supply so plywood was used where possible. The Halifax was mostly plywood and the Mosquito was all plywood!
Awesome video thank you for taking the time to do it.👍
Any idea what the aircraft's fatigue index is? Those chunks of spar material are likely there because of this. The wing structure used in the Lancaster/Lincoln/Shackleton/Argosy has a definitive fatigue life so far as I am aware. The BBMF Lanc was re-sparred in recent years for this reason.
I wish I had the resources Kermit has. I’m just a small time A&P doing all the work and ALL the funding of my own Cessna O-2 restoration. Going to take me years to do this little plane. Kermit will probably have the Lancaster flying before I get the O-2 flying.
The O-2 is a great airplane! Good luck with the restoration!
hate to think like this, but I'm 80 years old and have a motorcycle collection and lots of parts. what will happen when I check out is a interesting subject. have you (Kermit), a plan for the stuff?
Kermit is to Aviation what the WWF is to endangered animals.
I hope Kermit lives to 200. But sure hope he has a great legacy plan for the continuance of his dreams.
I wonder if the folks at East Kirby lancaster restoration could use some of these parts? Sure would be better to have one lanc in the air rather than moldering away in shipping containers.
They all should chip-in together and began production of the new parts so we would have two flying lancasters, maybe more. Its 2022, we have computer controlled 3d lathes - that shouldn't be that expensive.
The folks in England have a Taxi rated Lancaster now and are restoring it to Flight worthy certification. The Majority of their funding is displaying and taxing their Lancaster and Mosquito during the Spring/Summer season. So they work on it over the Winter. 1 section at a time. They're working w/other museums restoring sections first, then installing them temporarily on just jane while they restore her sections. They are in year 5 of a 10 planned restoration.
East kirkby have the tail section of this very Lancaster, currently under restoration.
The Lancaster was the finest bomber of WW2, better than the B24 and B17. It could carry more than either American aircraft.
wait hold up.. one of those engine mounts said "Griffon"... is this a griffon powered Lanc? 20:38
The hangar incident is so sad. In hindsight, they should have puled it outside while working on the roof, a little snow would have been better than a roof landing on it. Let's hope that at some time, the money shows up and the project could go further.
A vintage warbird lover's lament:
S T O R A G E !
Curious about the Merlins,, were they Packard built ?
Go for it
This is great to see guys.. thank you so much. At one point around 17:33 you mention "the gear goes up inside here", the frame you were looking at is actually the rear engine bearers frame for no's 1 and 4 engines. The gear goes into the centre wing section at the ends behind engines 2 and 3. If you read this.. could you please answer a question for me.. Are the original radiators grey green or silver in colour?
Hi Nigel !
fancy seeing you here , looking for references I guess for your Lancaster build 👍
@@harrymarwick2529 Hi Harry. No, just Lancaster content.. Interesting to see the almost RLM02 like grey colour on the engine bearers, darker than the normal grey/green we always use?? This is why I asked about the radiators.. they may also be this colour?
Huge respects to these guys for looking after such an iconic aircraft. I am now intrigued by Kermit's grand Vision. Sadly there aren't that many about and only 2 in flying condition so another one flying (IMHO) is a great big deal. 'Just Jane' in Lincolnshire (Bomber County) will be the next and they are just performing miracles there. And yes a part of this Lancaster is being rebuilt to fly 'Just Jane'.
On those wheels being so big Americans often don't realise that the Lancaster was the most capable of all WWII bombers bar none. It was the only bomber to lift the 22,000Ib Grand Slam or 2 x 12,000Ib Tall Boy bombs (which were used on the Tirpitz). It had a 33 foot long bomb bay and could lift 2.5 times that of the B-17 or B-24. It was a very heavy aircraft.
While there is some 'discussion' about it the Lancaster was in fact earmarked as the aircraft for the A Bomb missions as the B-29 was having many problems in 1944. Even the 'Silverplate' early airframes were hand picked off the line and specially finished like removing the original bomb doors and creating a 33 foot bomb bay. Although it was the 'Lancaster' earmarked in reality it would have been the Lincoln B 1 (aka Lancaster Mk IV and Mk V) which first flew in June 1944 as it had longer range and a higher cruise speed matching the B-29. Eventually I think American pride dismissed the Lancaster idea and put heaven and earth into making the B-29 work which to their great credit it did. But they had to use the Lancaster bomb retaining and release mechanisms as the Boeing ones could not be made to work with the A Bombs.
Just to clarify something here. The rear section being rebuilt for Just jane is not a permanent replacement for her, it is being done to temporarily replace the rear section so she can carry on doing taxi runs whilst her own rear section is restored to flying condition. I assume once complete, this airframes tail section will return to the museum it came from.. I believe it is not being restored to airworthy standards. Oh.. and I don't think the Lanc ever carried two Tallboys?
@@NigelsModellingBench I am not sure I said it was permanent just that parts are being used (as a means to that end if you will). I am aware that they use assemblies from other aircraft so they can keep the ground runs going to keep revenue coming in while the original assemblies are rebuilt. Its why it will take 10 years and in fairness I did say "and they are just performing miracles there".
If you are referring to 'Just Jane' rather than the temporary rear structure it is indeed being restored to flying condition. The temporary section is not.
I love the juxtaposition of many different classic warbirds in pieces and lo-a bicycle just randomly sitting there like it's staked out it's own little piece of hangar space. Being that Peter Jackson is borrowing the turrets why not get him involved in figuring out how to fund and get this lady in the air again?