The Ultimate Stash
Whenever I look at my feeble collection of un-built kits I think of these photos I took at Fantasy of Flight. I like to think of Kermit as any one of us after we hit the Powerball. In addition to the warehouses there are overseas shipping containers with the best labels..."P-47", "Lancaster", and many others...more than a couple of lifetimes of work. Over the years I've seen a lot of museum stashes but what sets Kermit apart is his intention to fly everything. Realistically he won't get around to everything but for now they are part of a living entity that he truly dislikes being called a museum. Restoring any warbird, or any airplane for that matter isn't cheap, a Mustang can cost $1.5m to $3m...so I won't complain about spending $3.99 on a jar of paint. Since Kermit closed down his main facility to tours I hope he can focus on getting his attraction where he wants it to be. If you haven't been there, and if he re-opens, it is a must see for any airplane buff.
Jim
Interesting, just might have to go win me a Powerball and go get me a plane.
Wonderful Photos Jim !
Nice!
Thanks, Jim.
I've been there a couple times, but had never seen his "stash". WOW! Thanks.
I was there with my Dad in 2010 on one of our day trips after a scrubbed Shuttle launch. We took the guided behind the scenes tour. The standouts for me include hanging out in the Sunderland and one hangar wall stacked floor to ceiling with crated Allison engines! I've been watching his videos on YouTube dealing with his S-43 that was owned by Howard Hughes. Never saw any bits of the B-29, but it sounds like he's had it a while. Would be neat to see three B-29s airborne!
Glad you guys like these...it’s pretty amazing. I know when we needed a rare B-17 part he was like calling NAPA. He has 2 complete B-29s, one has been for sale for the last 20 years. There are 3 1/2 B-17s, a couple Corsairs, atleast 1 More Mustang that need rebuilt. Back to modeling 🙂
Awesome place. If only ...
If I ever win the Lottery, I'm buying SOMETHING that flies. Oh wait ... do you actually have to BUY a ticket to win? Oh, well. No new toy for me, then! LoL!
Our shed in the back is full of stuff but this is much more interesting. What I never got is who Mr Weeks is and from where he got all money to purchase all these aircraft. Any info on this? What aircraft is photo #6?
Interesting pic's Jim, thanks for posting ! --------
Stellan, answers on wikipedia !
Kermit’s Grandfather was a geologist and found an oil reserve on the south coast of Australia. His deal with the oil company was to gift his share to Kermit and his brother and sister a share of the profits in perpetuity. I’ve heard numbers but it’s all hearsay but around 2m a month depending on current oil prices. There are oil barrels by the FOF sign off of I-4
Jim, thanks for the short version of Weeks story.
It's been a little while since I have driven past the FOF sign on I-4. There used to be a DC-3 / C-47 parked next to the sign, and when I saw it last he had a big Santa Clause sitting on top of the fuselage !
I have taken the behind the scenes tours several times before and they are always great. I hope that he gets the museum opened again soon. It's a great place to visit.
Thanks Jim for sharing these pictures with us. I have not seen some of these planes before.
He definitely has a great supply of parts as well as his collection of planes. The last time I was there he was flying his P-51 "Ina the Macon Belle" and put on an air show for us. He took his Ford Tri Motor up that day as well.
Thanks again ...
Now if I could just get that winning lottery ticket.
Very cool, but if I win the Powerball I'm going to take some time and build my plastic stash first. 🙂
Then maybe I'll buy a small squadron. However, like Jeff, I don't play. 🙂
Lol! I just have the Monogram kit of that B-29 and I don't have enough room since I moved to keep it. This guy has the actual airplane!
Great photos, Jim. Yea, that is pretty much what my hangar would look like if I had Kermit kinda money.
@jimbates yep, I had a good chunk of that powerball spent...maybe next time 🙂