1929 Travel Air 4000 - Start-Up, Taxi, & Flight - "Illusions" Movie Audition

[@treywest268]

Pray tell that Richard Bach has sold the movie rights to "Illusions"! I have bought over 120 copies in my life, read it, than gave it away to someone. Everytime I have read it and learned new lessons that were appropriate to what ever I needed at that time. The book has been written perfectly to become a movie. I just hope that whomever has bought the rights sticks to the book. Thank you so much for sharing your Travel Air 4000 with us. Shimoda would be proud.

[@flymachine]

Oh to be alive and in love with flying in the 20’s! Lord send me back please it’s fun in the 2020s but I want to go back to the 1920s and meet Amelia, an learn to fly on a Travelair! That sound! Always thought it sounded like an engine made of flip flops and trombones

[@sameagle988]

That would have been a really great movie.

[@tgmccoy1556]

Steve Wolf gave me my first Biplane ride in his 4000 years ago. "The only way to fly.😁"

[@thomasbarthle9170]

I had the great pleasure of meeting Richard Bach at the Florida State Air fair in the mid 70’s held at the Kissimmee Airport. I had read “Jonothan Livingston Seagull” and was a fan of his writing and philosophy of flying and life. He had flown his BD-5J and I came across him just standing by his plane, and we chatted for about 30 minutes. Great guy.

[@vet6822]

Kermit,You are a treasure.

[@wingman5985]

What a graceful old girl. The engine sounds like a finely tuned watch and the suspension did a beautiful job of handling landing and the grass runway. A treat to watch!

[@kevindowd7769]

Love, love, love Illusions! Thank You for bring to light Donald Shimoda’s Travel Air! I see it’s true that the bugs fly to miss the prop and windscreen. By the way… excellent job of patching the cockpit from the shotgun blast! The plane is immaculate… but being Shimoda’s… we would expect that! Thanks Kermit!

[@richardgreen7811]

ALRIGHY THEN ... Let me tell you about your bro Richard Bach. On September 24th, 1973 I was trying to get home to El Paso (my headquarter city) from the Eastern sector of my district (District Manager Buick Motor Division) on Highway 20 between Midland and Odessa Texas. I was going to catch a Continental 727 at the Midland / Odessa Airport to end my long week of dealer contacts. While sitting in Friday traffic on highway 20 and contiguous to the airport property, I just happened to look toward my right and catch a glimpse of a P51 making for the infield with its gear up. As I watched in amazement, the P51 dropped its flaps to the full position and continued to descend. As a pilot, I recognized immediately the plane was going to belly in but didn't think that much about it. Then ... after hitting the grass ... the spinner appeared to be heading directly for my nose. Instead of the plane slowing upon touchdown, it appeared to increase its speed on the grass. As I watched in amazement, the plane slowed to around 50 mph while just 50 feet from my car, skidded slightly to the right with the right wing hitting a utility shed and the balance of the plane connecting with the flimsy cattle fence next to the highway. After going into the airport and cleaning out my trousers, I proceeded to the check-in gate. While I stood awaiting the boarding announcement, two gentlemen walked up to he guy behind me and asked if he was the pilot of the P51 "This Is It" to which the man responded Yes. Guess who ... it was Richard Bach, who was on his way to LA for a book signing event, and left the accident while proceeding to the airport for a commercial flight. Needless to say, the two gentlemen wanted to have a word and Mr. Bach missed his flight. FAST FORWARD 2016 ... karma being what it is ... I was looking at "Controller Magazine"" one day while living in Thousand Oaks, CA and saw a for sale ad for a P51 with the nose art "This Is It". I contacted the owner, who kept it at KCMA (Camarillo, CA, 12 miles away) and provided a complete written account of the event for him. He is a super nice guy who invited me to lunch at the Waypoint Cafe (now my favorite breakfast spot) and asked me to autograph the wite-up along with PIC's. When Bach bellied it in, I saw it again briefly on a flatbed on its way to Santa Monica Airport in LA. It was the first plane I had ever seen with IMRON paint. It was immaculate. The new owner restored it to its full beauty and ultimately sold her. As for Richard Bach ... I stopped counting the planes he has wrecked. I also know Harry Ford, who can't hold a candle to Richard's wreck record.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Thanks for sharing your story.

[@jerrybryant4489]

I remember flying in a 1929 travel air in the late 1990s in Bakersfield. I purchased a ride for me and my girlfriend in the front seat. Great pilot. He took off and did a very smooth flight. When he landed I remember the talewheel touching down first and riding along for a while steering or maybe 40 or 50 feet. Then the mainwheels finally gently touched down and the plane rolled to a stop. Great pilot.

[@geoffburns2841]

Stunning , great to see these vintage planes flying.

[@TROYCOOKS]

That was a terrific and unique sound from the engine as you mentioned at the beginning. I love watching those old biplanes flying again. Great video Kermit!!!!

[@michaelbailey1578]

I got a ride in a Travel Air in 1973 when Richard Bach was doing a barnstorming tour. That was a nice experience. Thank you.

[@chrissheridan33]

It’s almost impossible for me to see the words Travel Air and not think of ‘Illusions’. Bach and Weeks - two champions for vintage aviation and the spirit of flight.

[@kurtfrancis4621]

The Wright J-5C Wright "Whirlwind" 9 cylinder engine is my favorite. Beauty of symmetry, sound, and power. THE engine that made the "Summer of Eagles" 1927 possible as the first air-cooled, reliable engine capable of sustained long distance flights. It was not only the engine on the Spirit of St. Louis (SOSL), but also powered the flight of the "Columbia" 2 weeks after Lindbergh from NY to Germany, and then the "America" flown by Col. Byrd & company from NY to the shores of France (they had to ditch) in late June of 1927. A damned FINE engine!!!

[@alangreer1142]

What an elegant looking aircraft!

[@mikeoswald8053]

Kermit, thank you for this. At 19 and 20 I earned college money crop dusting in SE Washington State in Stearmans. The sound of an inertia starter often makes me cloud up and shed a tear. I'm back, it's an hour past a brilliant dawn, no wind and blue sky. Three or four silver Stearmans, oil stained and aged by work, their engines just started, are idling, warming up before the hoppers are loaded. We (the pilots) are sipping bad coffee before the work day begins. Soon we'll be working the wheat, peas or other crop fields, payed twenty five cents an acre. . The guys I flew with were unique, all experienced WWII verses my 250 hours, yet they let me among them and taught me. It was more than 60 years ago, but each time I hear a inertial starter pull a radial through, I remember them. Thank you.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Thanks for sharing your story.

[@ColeAviation]

Kermit what a FANTASTIC part of American history you have here. All original looking all the way down to the flat head/slotted screws AND they all face the same direction just like I did on my J-3 Cub. 😁👌🏼 BEAUTIFUL flight!

[@jesuiskiwi4033]

Thank you for keeping all these wonderful aircraft alive Kermit.

[@goatflieg]

I've had a couple of correspondences with Richard Bach that I will always treasure. Back in the '80s, I bought all of his books from a used book store. I became a huge fan, but felt bad about buying his books used, knowing he would not see any royalties from my purchases. I sent him a letter through his publisher that included a check for royalties owed. Several weeks later, to my amazement I received a response from Richard and Leslie (they were still married then). They sent my check back, thanking me for my gesture, and having endorsed the check to the "Bank of Sweetness and Light" and signed by them both! I still have that letter and check stored in my archives. I also corresponded with his son through a Compuserve forum; in later years I messaged Richard through his website and enjoyed some thoughtful discourse. I will always remain a loyal fan. I've also kept track of Richard Bach's biplane, a 1929 Parks P2A built by Detroit-Ryan that is still registered as airworthy.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Great! Thanks for sharing.

[@cm9247]

WOW! What a beautiful piece of engineering. Very nice Kermit.

[@tinlizzie37]

What a gorgeous airplane Mr. Weeks. I love the biplanes, because I was co-owner of a Stearman, actually two different ones, for twenty years, and put a heck of a lot of hours on them. They also had the inertia starter on them, but mostly we propped it. It was much easier. I love watching your videos, because you really get into detail of each one of them. Thank you for your generous making and posting them. It keeps my Soul flying, while I can't physically fly any more. I'll be 85 in July and sure wish I could still get up there ! As far as I'm concerned, you passed your screen test, with "flying colors" ! Bob U ,from Chardon, Ohio!

[@grantm6514]

What a handsome little plane! It's like a Hawker Hind/Hartebeest with a radial.

[@Mega_Trond]

Love your channel. Regards from Norway..

[@barrywinslow9798]

Awesome story, airplane, and video Kermit. God Bless ya my friend.

[@tonywitherspoon6844]

I enjoy it every time I see the planes from yesterday flight hope my breathe and kids know what the age of flight is thank you Mr.weeks.

[@dirtylatte]

Ron Howard, are you listening? What an awesome movie that would be if done by the right person. Especially when everything else coming out of Hollywood is some re-heated version of the great originals.

[@nonamesplease6288]

B-E-A- utiful plane ! Thanks for letting us experience it, Kermit!

[@hangie65]

Awesome aircraft. I read "Illusions" as a kid, I remember the description of that beautiful Travel Air 4000. Thanks for looking after her and sharing this video with us, Mr Weeks!

[@stevennagley3407]

Awesome seeing history take flight in modern times!

[@stevenvicino8687]

Beautiful plane. Illusions is one of my favorite books, a movie would be incredible. Don Shimoda lives!

[@willythewave]

Thank you for letting us hear that beautiful sound.

[@jaydee7614]

Watched Mr Weeks along with other USA aerobatic team members when they were practicing at Strathallan airfield Perthshire Scotland in 1986. The Weeks solution was quite an aircraft. This Travel Air 4000 is stunning.

[@PhilBender612]

I really like that starting method. Pretty neat. Great sounding radial.

[@37silverstreak1]

What a beautiful Airplane!!! I also love the fact that they used the sound of that inertial starter system as the sound of the Millennium Falcon failing to go into hyperspace in "The Empire Strikes Back"!

[@craigmclean8260]

...and also the sound effect for when the Tasmanian Devil "whirlwinds" into the scene, after Bugs or Daffy!

[@37silverstreak1]

@@craigmclean8260 You are absolutely right! I had completely forgotten about that!!!

[@mstx1007]

Thanks Kermit, Dad had a Stearman when I was a kid ( Contenental 220 ) and it was always my bigger brothers turning the inertia starter! Brings back good memories

[@leaveonlywake]

She is a perfect fit for the role of Don's TA! Excellent pilotage by Kermit Shimoda, thank you for sharing, sir! :)

[@markfrench8892]

This plane must be a blast to fly. Beautiful plane. Thanks for sharing.

[@jerryfraker377]

I'm a model air plane guy. That's Fricken awesome 👌!

[@dirkkelly9596]

Wow what a great looking airplane, sounds is very different

[@barrygrant2907]

Nothing like the sweet sound of a smooth-running radial. Gorgeous aircraft!

[@RedRoosterParty]

That engine is important in engine genealogy. When the Navy wanted an engine built by Charles Lawrance but didn't have confidence Lawrance could produce it, Wright came into the picture. Wright was headed by Frederick Rentschler at the time, and his engineering and manufacturing team of George J. Mead, Andy Willgoos, Charles Marks, and John Borrup refined the Lawrence into the Wright J series. When Rentschler wanted to increase R&D at Wright, the board balked, so Rentschler left and got funding from Niles Bement Pond to create Pratt & Whitney Aircraft -- named after NBP's tool company, Pratt & Whitney. Upon founding P&W, the aforementioned engineering/manufacturing staff at Wright left and joined Rentschler at P&W. Less than a year later, around Christmas 1925, they birthed the R-1340 Wasp. The rest is history.

[@winsor68]

Fascinating detail. Thanks.

[@kennethpaladino4948]

👍thanx 4 the history lesson! 👌

[@pauldulworth2768]

I’ve got a hard cover copy of Graham White’s book “R-2800 Pratt & Whitney’s Dependable Masterpiece” on my night stand. He details the creation of the manufacturer. I would highly recommend finding a copy of it. Y’all would love it.

[@RedRoosterParty]

@@pauldulworth2768 Graham's book is definitive. I would also recommend Jack Conner's book, The Engines of Pratt & Whitney: A Technical History. It is fascinating.

[@gazzertrn]

King Kermit of the sky , only the flyers can survive .

[@P61guy61]

Love that sound. Thank you for posting.

[@jkorshak]

Always great to see these great airplanes in operation. Two important tips for this kind of pitch for cinema: Figure out what you want to present so you can choreograph it around the space the aircraft needs and the "decent looks" the camera needs, and definitely shoot at whatever "magic hours" in the morning or evening. Too bad the film never got made.

[@beegee22]

What a great sound from that engine! And that biplane seems to float on those big wings. Lovely watching it fly, I'd never seen a Travel Air fly before. Here's hoping that the idea for the movie finds new life. Thanks for the great video! 👍👏👏👏

[@dufus7396]

If you can describe a plane as gorgeous..then it would have to be this one

[@shortribslongbow5312]

Nice flight engine sounds awesome. Thanks for taking me along. :o)

[@rolandalfonso6954]

Just. Wonderful.

[@craigpennington1251]

Can only imagine of how much fun it would be. This is a gorgeous Travel Air 4000. Sounds terrific too. Thanks for sharing this beauty.

[@glencrandall7051]

Beautiful airplane, beautiful flight. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.

[@jackharris4697]

WOW, it is something that most people would give anything to do what you do, THANK YOU.

[@cuzzinyes]

Absolute work of art. Thank you for sharing.

[@downwindchecklist6567]

Thank you for sharing and maintaining these pieces of flying history. A true testament to those who designed, built and flew them and how their dedication made dreams come true!

[@artd.]

What a Beautiful sounding airplane, and of course I love the looks of the Travel Air 4000........🙃

[@dickdurbin8109]

That is one beautiful aircraft!

[@gemfaceter]

What a beautiful plane.

[@hakan737]

When I read Travel Air in the title, images of Richard Bach, his books and travel air suddenly appeared in my mind. Illusion was translated into Turkish under another name. So I had a hard time remembering. But it's not easy. I read this book almost 35 years ago. Bach's books were my favorite books when I was younger. Just imagine, 30-35 years ago, at the age of 18, you are in a flight camp where you have a glider training course with the Turkish name of the "biplane" book of Bach's in your hand, and a grass runway in front of you, an AN-2 engine behind you, while she is warming up her engine, at your lunch break at noon, you are reading the book.... Fantastic moments are really likes "illusions". I have been visited Fantasy of Flight 23 years ago. Never forget of that amazing museum. If you haven't been to Fantasy of FLight yet, don't think, just go.

[@treywest268]

You need to read all his newer publications. Especially "Travels With Puff". He still writes and is still sharing his wisdom.

[@hakan737]

@@treywest268 Many thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, the book has not yet been translated into Turkish and has not been published. I have to wait for this. I'm not sure if my English will be enough to enjoy reading. I will definitely stop by the bookstore on my upcoming trip to England.

[@talldude5841]

What a great show Kermit. I really enjoy all your videos. Keep them coming.

[@francklafontan4497]

Whah it's a biautiful plane!!! The engine song .....❤️👍👍🇨🇵

[@eamo106]

1985, had an inertia start on a Diesel engine on an Oilfield barge in Venezuela, the BEAST ! It never started first time and was a workout until we upgraded to electric. Wow you are a pilot ! You Kissed that landing !

[@eamo106]

Inertial starters for me were a workout when I was fit and young. It always reminds me of blackbirds starting Me 109s , imagine the task in the real cold.

[@CC-te5zf]

I'd have to have the grin surgically removed from my face so I could chew food. Unreal! What a thrill!

[@leeroyholloway4277]

Nice treatment with the white fabric and jewelled metalwork.

[@6Sally5]

What a truly beautiful, beautiful airplane!

[@anthonypirozzi837]

Love the Beatles reference!!! Great fight👍

[@tayninh69]

I sure do love the sound of that engine, great video.

[@winsor68]

Richard Bach's JLS was my first grown up book. I would love to see Illusions made in to a movie.

[@mitchcronin8689]

Kermit.... PLEASE give that pretty little bird a fitting paint job? Please? Wow! Such a sweet little biplane... I read Illusions many years ago and thought I might have developed an unhealthy love for Richard Bach. ... I sure as hell loved his writing. Very cool to hear he's a friend of yours. :)

[@EdWhisenantAviation]

Incredible machine and enjoyed watching how this one starts up, I love flying in these old Travel Air's whenever I chance. Thank you for the great footage Kermit 😎👍

[@AirstripBum]

I hope you get the part. "I'm ready for my closeup Mr Demille!" LOL

[@robertpray1064]

Ah indeed the perfect bird for Illusions. Richard is a genious at blending human spirit with the magical spirit of these fine machines. Don't drop the wrench! Illusions makes a great handbook for life. Would love to have seen that project come together, but perhaps the idea was too big. We can, however hold this vid as a reminder of Donald. PS: No bugs on that windscreen!

[@1999softailharley]

Of course you have my vote !! So refreshing watching all your videos after my house burned down November 7th i need these for a few moments of taking my mind off it im wating for paul to finish up the the B F 108 and my favorite bomber your A'26 that plane will be amazing great video thanks for sharing this with us and all your hard work

[@robertwilson9826]

Great plane Mr Weeks. Love all your aircraft.

[@aholatom]

Great to see the Cat blister in closeup. Please do a walkaround of your PBY Catalina.

[@colinvos4443]

Wow Mr. Caretaker. I think that is the nicest plane you look after.

[@deanehill9730]

Great video Kermit and what a lovely old aeroplane you have there. Quite a unique sound with the individual exhaust pipes. Thanks for the video.

[@bigrobnz]

Richard Bach was my favourite author when I was a kid....just turned 59......Illusions was a great book...

[@MililaniJag]

Distinctive exhaust! Cheers!

[@stevem7868-y4l]

Great Vid, Kermit, thanks for posting

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Kermit what got me interested in flying started back in the late 1940's and looking up seeing Army biplanes flying in formations over our house as they did many times.....Thanks for this beautiful 1929 Travel Air 4000.....lt sure got a fine sound to of it's engine 👍

[@enriquecancino7519]

What a beautiful bird that one is! It's like a Stearman on steroids and then some. I love biplanes anyway but there are some that are better looking and performing than others, especially the real old ones. Thanks, Kermit, for allowing us to dream.

[@dronemonkey2038]

I adore all your videos… Keep em coming…

[@gmcjetpilot]

Wright's first flew in 1903 and this was 26 years later. Pretty amazing how much progress they made. And then in 1940 through 45 with World War II, Aviation technology expanded greatly. That ushered in the jet age in the 50s and 60s.

[@icarustheother8591]

Moving forward to the run-up ramp

[@Jimbo-in-Thailand]

AWESOME!!! 😁👍👍

[@simonolsen9995]

Thanks for sharing Kermit. Gorgeous machine! I'm glad they didn't make the movie. No way could they do the book credit.

[@leifvejby8023]

That sound reminds me of Pierre Holländer passing my parent's house in his Spirit of st Louis replica on the 75 years day of Lindbergh's landing in Paris. Impressive sound and sight! And one year later it broke up in Coventry and he was killed.

[@jonbridge8064]

The engine also used on other pioneering flights, including the "Southern Cross" across the Pacific

[@larryanderson8049]

seems to have a little more snap to the exhaust with those individual pipes....still got the familiar radial shuffle

[@kenmercer8040]

Liked "Illusions", but "Nothing by Chance" is still my all-time favorite...

[@AlanpittsS2a]

Very very cool airplane

[@karelbarel7431]

Beautiful plane, will there be also an on board camera footage?

[@KermitWeeks444]

Not this time.

[@kbjerke]

Finally!! Got my "Weeks Fix!!" Thanks, Kermit! Edit to add: LOVE the Beatles reference!!

[@Angelum_Band]

Beautiful airplane!

[@badGamr]

What an awesome aircraft! Great video!

[@garybrummett6215]

Man she sounds absolutely gorgeous.

[@keithb6717]

Illusions is actually based on a true story.

[@free-birdrocker8809]

What an awesome looking vintage bipe! The engine sounds meaty! Love it!

[@icarustheother8591]

Rotate when it starts vibrating itself on the ground to where it's going to fall apart. That's the lesson I learned.

[@mp6756]

Wow what a beautiful airplane and I am always fascinated by the knowledge shared in the comments. The sound of the inertia starter system gives some obvious clues it is definitely a high gear ratio mechanism winding up a flywheel of some sort. I am curious though as to how heavy of a flywheel the system uses because after all it is an airplane. I wonder how big of a penalty is paid for the luxury of not having to propeller start the engine?