Douglas DC-3 - Part 2 - Move to the Ramp

OK, Gang, here’s Part 2 of 3 of the DC-3 Road Icon move from Interstate 4 to the Fantasy of Flight Ramp!
I appreciate everyone’s support and enthusiasm, but a limited few of you out there commenting appear to be trying to get a life by finding fault in others who obviously do. The only way we learn is to make mistakes and learn from them. I obviously don’t have a problem sharing my mistakes, and I readily admit, in hindsight, we could have done things differently. I’ve learned from my mistakes in the past and continue to do so, as it's helped me get to where I am today.
For the record, the crane company was NOT hired to move the airplane, ONLY to lift it! Everyone involved in Part 1 learned from the mistakes we made, including me and mine, and, fortunately, no one got hurt. I can only hope each and every one out there might learn something from our efforts and support what we’ve shared for free! Enjoy!
Kermit Weeks
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Kermit Weeks

[@Mamiya645]

June 6th for our flag day in Sweden, I had the pleasure to observe the legendary 1943 built Daisy roll and fly and generally exist there at the air show. Plenty nice things over at the FlygMuseum including a rare maybe underappreciated Bearcat in modern ish naval colors, what a beaut. The day any DC-3 no longer makes my heart beat and my face turn into a smile, is the day I am no longer of this world.

[@463high]

Several years ago my wife and I were heading from Cocoa Beach to Clearwater to see the Phillies. Saw that C-47 (sorry, old Air Force guy) and took the next exit and doubled back. Had a great visit at your airfield.

[@user-og1dj4qk3p]

What's funny about your statement is that you know its called a DC-3 but still chose to call it a C-47 just so you could say you once were in the air force guess what no one cares absolutely no one cares you didn't do anything in the air force and yet still choose to live life clinging to a fails identity what did you even fight for?? you ever even think of that so your grand kids can deal with DEI hires and there kids can grow up and turn to LGBTQ is that what your so proud of fighting for read some history and learn who the real enemy is

[@johnfalkenstine8377]

Great effort! I remember How Wally Flannery and I "hid" a very early DC8 airliner with its original engines in the boneyard at Pinal Air Park, keeping it far in the back. Then a new storage manager, a real career striver and he scrapped the plane. A real loss.

[@harrylewis7536]

I had yhe pleasure of meeting kermit while wirking at Fantasy Of Flight He is a Class Act through and through.I got to see mock B-17 low altitude bombing runs using pumpkins and for opening night was a dream cone true watching and listening to a P-51 Mustang do divebomb runs and vertical climbs and hearing thats Rolls Royce Engine Go Full Tilt.Watching these videos took me right back to that time and place .

[@larryreiner1427]

no matter what the view the DC-3 is a beautiful iconic shape

[@ProbableCause-DanGryder]

The gear didn't "fail" It simply wasn't being held down by trapped hydraulic pressure (no fluid) or gear pins. The main error here is trying to pull it nose forward first, the straps being attached to the two MLG. As the truck eased backwards and started pulling on the tail, the MLG ropes tightened up and pulled Left MLG over center and it just retracted. The RT MLG was right behind it. The gear/center section is the strongest part of the plane. If the gear is pinned and you pull it backwards with nothing near or attached to MLG it will go thru a hurricane and never flinch. Very lucky no one killed in this, having people under neath a moving DC-3 like this is not good. Never trust it. Assume its about to fall. Good video, there's nothing wrong with the gear, other than the tires are now wedged up in there. let the air out of the tires and the gear will free fall into position but DO NOT TRUST THOSE JACKS. Each jack is side loaded where two of the three are supporting 80% of the weight, they are crooked. You have got to get it up on wheels with TW locked asap! No hyd fluid pressure needed to lock TW. I can show you where the wing tie downs are located. - Dan Gryder

[@bradleymorris8875]

I love it !!! Dan can beat a guy over the head with the obvious without insulting or cussing. Thanks for your wisdom Dan !!!

[@bigdaddydaddy3203]

Gotta love the man Dan hope ur healing ok bud✌🏼

[@jamesburns2232]

@@bradleymorris8875 Kermit is the visionary, but Dan Gryder is the pragmatist. Both of them have tons of Aviation knowledge and enthusiasm. I wouldn't trust either one of them to date my sister. LOL 🤪😜🤑🤣

[@Veritas419]

Hey Dan, you still trespassing on private property and stealing evidence from crash sites?

[@AlexandruStefan-mp4ym]

Nobody asked you Dan.

[@ianmckay1780]

Well, at least she's back where she should be, for now. Thanks for letting us see what you went through with the move, and look forward to the third part "conclusion". From UK.

[@Grossman2868]

Whoops, someone forgot the lock pins that keep the gear down when there is no hydraulics. I've towed ours around and that's the first thing you check.

[@fadilzubaidi264]

As an aircrafts engineer, lock pins were the first that came to mind.. love those plans Dc-3s

[@solarusthelonghaulerrailfa3226]

Well considering how old that aircraft was and how long it was out there might not been structurally sound enough to move like that

[@duanematthews9202]

Anything worth doing is worth bleeding for... 😉

[@oldmandoingstuff8997]

The Drone work , Especially a High Altitude Centered above Dc3, showed off Her Lines/ preciseness,. I lack vocabulary. So Iconic in Americian culture this Plane . Tks

[@BlitzK]

We appreciate it when you share the "fails" along with all your wins!

[@Mrbfgray]

Still waiting on a win. 😉

[@karaayers2867]

@@Mrbfgray the wins are that he's keeping tons of airplanes from being scrapped. Like the Hughes Sikorsky, the Short Sandrigham, and on and on. He's the biggest name in saving and restoring airplanes.

[@Mrbfgray]

@@karaayers2867 Hat's off for that. Thanks.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

This whole deal made me think of the movie with James Stewart and flight of the Phoenix......Thanks Kermit..... Old F-4 Shoe🇺🇸

[@user-og9hd2sj8z]

Thanks for the video Kermit. I don’t understand the intended purpose of this old plane. Give us some feedback on that please. Lots of effort to move this old bird. You take care Kermit. Thanks for your time on this. Retired Air Force veteran

[@RickBaconsAdventures]

during the last hurricane we had extreme winds very close to there in the direction that would have tossed the plane onto the highway. That combined with dumb people who thought it was ugly probably had local officials pestering him nonstop to move it

[@billwilliams9527]

I've seen this from I-4 so many times, gonna miss it. Kermit, you coulda left it there forever I suppose. As the truck travels with that DC3, I'm thinking, "rotate". Kermit, I have the greatest respect for what you do.

[@ctwalston1565]

Thanks Kermit for being willing to help save and restore so many of America, and the world's iconic aircraft!! You sir, are a National Treasure yourself!!

[@hodaka1000]

A global treasure 🇦🇺

[@Calatriste54]

Nothing like the sound of a Doug..

[@grayrabbit2211]

Looking forward to seeing this bird get back in annual.

[@madyogi6164]

Knowing Kermit's attitude, it should be ready to do spins and loops yesterday. :D

[@jamesburns2232]

ROI is negative. It's going to take more money, time, and effort, than you or Kermit thinks to ever get this Douglas DC-3 back airworthy again. 🤑🙄🤢🤮

[@walterbrown8694]

Towing her to the ramp I easily imagined her lifting off - full power - engines almost 100 % in sync. - Great stuff Kermit -"Keep 'Em Flying" (at least in our memories & imaginations)

[@Rom3_29]

That looked scary. Thankfully no one got hurt.

[@samparkerSAM]

I Agree!!! ❤ Lots of love from New Orleans Louisiana!

[@miloswanson9646]

First of all, I'm an aviation junkie, just so you know where I'm coming from... I first flew in the '70s, soloing at 17yo off the long-gone grass runways with 8.1hrs at KCLE (Cleveland Hopkins Int'l) on Dec 7, 1975 in a Cessna 150... WW2 aviation is my passion! Wife and I were in FL in 2012 for our 26th anniversary (our 25th was postponed because of my cancer surgery). We had spent the tail end of our first day at the Kennedy Space Center before driving across the state to the Tampa area for the week, and drove past the MOF. I wanted to stop at MOF, but she didn't...she won... You have NO IDEA of how much I'd willingly give my left nut (or both!) to be a part of the restoration process of aircraft in an aviation museum like yours!!! One thing the Wife did do on that trip was to allow me an aerobatic flight in a T-6 with Warbird Adventures (my fourth in a T-6) out of Kissimmee....

[@JOSESANTOS2612]

que bueno que no paso nada ... te callo un avion en eñ hombro

[@dyer2cycle]

Our nuts aren't rally worth much at our age anyways...experiences are, as life is getting shorter....

[@gregster1950]

I do not think I have ever stated that I have loved aviation since my teens. I still have my 1970's Flying magazines. I went to Spartan School of Aeronautics to learn how to work on radial engines, however, did not complete the course. I live in Tampa, and drive by your location often going to Orlando, and regret not having done what I have loved for over 45 years. (I am 60) To me, you are the pinnacle of vintage aviation. What you do to restore aircraft, is what I would do, if I owned and restored them. (I did have a patient of mine in Atlanta who owned a B-25, and I was able to visit him. How exciting to have a "regular" guy, who owns a B-25. I will say, he said his neighbors hated it when he started up the engines. So much louder than the private planes who lived at the airpark) Had I done what I loved, what you do, I could ask for nothing more. If I am feeling down, I love to listen to videos of the R-1820, R-2800, or especially the R-3350. I look back now and wonder how I would have ever learned to work on those engines! Thank you so much for sharing your adventures, since the museum is smaller, and seasonally open. I am so fortunate to have visited it when it was fully operational. Thanks again for all you do. What you do makes a LOT of difference to me, and helps me look forward to the future.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Thanks for sharing your story.

[@UncaDave]

Even decaying and falling apart, it’s still one of most beautiful planes made, of course next to the Lockheed Constellation. Just look at those wings!

[@crushingvanessa3277]

Fully agree.

[@JamminJedi]

Going to miss this iconic landmark.

[@Cruiser777]

I used to fly off of Tamiami and I miss that mosquito the duck flying glad to see you still doing the things you love God bless❤

[@FINNIUSORION]

that reminds me of all the old truck commercials. pulling trains and giant boats or a ford pulling trailer with three dodges on it. lol

[@jhaedtler]

No tie down is strong enough to hold a DC-3 if the wind comes up! The only thing to do is strap ladders on top of the wings to stop the lift! Thanks for the great videos!

[@oldfarthacks]

True, that plane is a bit of a kite. If it could be brought back to flyable condition, it would use half of that grass runway to get off the ground.

[@markbrown-us4xe]

Iconic Santa hanging on. Big Smiles to all that looked at it. Nice being up next to it.

[@robertthomas3364]

This was quite an ordeal. My dad was an aerobatic pilot (Christen Eagle II). His best friend flew military version of DC-3 (C-47) in the Berlin Air Lift after WW2.

[@Calatriste54]

On a fire up Skalkaho, out of Hamilton MT in 79. Was a ground pounder. Nothing so wonderous as hearing and seeing the Johnson Doug delivering jumpers and cargo to my fire. One (LR) broke a leg, a bad spiral break. Long night.. love that bird and it's heroes.

[@darkredvan]

This part turned out to be going much smoother than the first one. Finally you got her on the ramp, more or less in one piece, another one home where it belongs. . Luckily no one was hurt in the process but your own few scratches. BTW it is a great improvement (maybe even gets your videos more widely known and appreciated) that you offer a box to click on for watching another of your videos at the end. You have got such a big archive to choose from! Maybe it even helps to improve cash flow from YT. Good luck!

[@karlriley1314]

Now I won't know what exit to take. That DC3 was my marker to exit.

[@fudogwhisperer3590]

The big lighted sign is there

[@1hornet1]

We all need to live a life of "blocking trolls". You are out there doing important things while they type on a keyboard with the heart of a typical devil. Thanks for all you share with us and I look forward to updates on this bird.

[@1hornet1]

@@surviveclubnz Have you met humans? Thanks for all the unnecessary obviousness! The man was literally admitting all of his bad choices as the videos went on. I mean, literally every human being that craps all over other HUMANS for their mistakes is a hypocrite. Just curious....do you own a mirror? Being a troll doesn't make anything better.

[@andrewthorne9034]

It still looks beautiful in the overhead shots. Gotta love the DC3

[@robh4671]

You just proved Sir Kermit you have spilt Blood sweat and tears for us all, Keep up the good work but steady on the Blood 😂😂😂

[@williamwerner]

My motto “There is no progress without blood”, happens every time I work on an airplane.

[@richtaylor2129]

Glad you & the other member of your staff are ok after the landing gear collapsed

[@nedharrisjr2991]

Good job Kermit! Thanks for sharing.

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

An absolute "safety" ballsup throughout.

[@greghamilton5461]

Great Vid Mr Weeks.Good you are trying to save it. I always loved the 3. Monumental project.

[@oldmandoingstuff8997]

Tks Mr. Weeks for Sharing what Most can only imagine. Trolls are A Part of our Lives unfortunally. LUCK

[@tonyf9076]

No plane will ever get me says Kermie....DC3 "hold my beer" 😮 glad you're all ok 🇬🇧👍🏻

[@WildWeaselPhantom]

Mistakes is how we learn and grow. Time to celebrate for at least getting the DC-3 on the ramp. Cheers! 🍻

[@century66s]

I love it! I haven't this close to a C-47 since my days in the canal zone, Howard AFB. I was radio and climbed all over the fuselage trimming spark arrestors, hf antenna long wire. It was a treat to see Kermit way up there!

[@Pauls-World]

Hello Mr Weeks, that was scary. I’m so glad that you and your team didn’t get hurt bad. Every time I pass that plane over the years I always wanted to clean it for you. Anyway, stink happens and I’m glad everyone is ok. I hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend. Be safe and take care of yourself. You’re the best!

[@craigpennington1251]

At least the real props weren't on. That was horrifying. Glad no one was hurt. Yep, it due for a bath & a whole lot more. The weather sure messes things up doesn't it? That aircraft has some real gunge to get off. Thanks for posting a wild & crazy day.

[@bxpress6507]

I drove by this DC-3 for soooo many years going back and forth to Kennedy space center..used to have a dummy pilot hanging from it..I went recently and shocked to see it gone!😮now I know what happened to it😅😅 years ago a constellation sat by it but not long after that it was gone

[@melbyrne]

Lovely morning's work. I hope everyone enjoyed their lunch. Looking forward to part 3 of this beautiful old bird's adventure.

[@jimydoolittle3129]

You really think the hyd presure will keep up 🤣 there’s something called lock pin , ….. just kidding , glad you are OK 🙏🏻

[@RickBaconsAdventures]

crane guys very good, patient and not trying to micromanage.

[@anthonywilson4873]

Interesting thing with DC3 if the gear fails to lower in flight, the wheels stick out of the cowlings, you could do an emergency landing with the wheels up and still land on the wheels. So even though the gear collapsed it still landed on the wheels.

[@ronmurphy9819]

Please keep us informed! I really am interested. I love the aircraft and the service they gave us in the war. It’s history that must not be forgotten.

[@ednesbit2988]

For me this is kinda sad Kermit I've been following for a lot of years I hope you post on the A-26 that's been my favorite plane to track of I grew up 20 mins from Chino airport my dad would fly me over there in his stearman as a kid this is back in 1968 ish or his j-3 cub he kept them at Riverside municipal airport where I grew up a block away and can't wait until you fly it home I don't think I missed it if you already have you flew right over my house through the banning pass on a test flight I recently moved to Florida got out of socal finally I hope you keep the videos coming thanks for everything!!!!

[@user-wg3tu9sj8f]

Good to see a smile at the end…..what else can you do!

[@nihilmiror6312]

So pleased it will live again. Thanks Kermit. 👍✌️🫡🇦🇺🦘

[@donstor1]

Yea, you know you are trying to do something that is not a normal activity for the airplane or for you guys. You can try to anticipate what you need and what might happen but you can’t see everything coming you just plow on and do the best you can. As long as nobody is hurt, you are good.

[@oldschoolman1444]

Huston, we've had a problem! Glad nobody was hurt, that was a close call!

[@Frankestein01nl]

Glad you guys are okay! A falling DC-3 is nothing to bump heads at.... Nice job getting her to the ramp!

[@davidvincent1093]

This will be so missed along I4. I used to go out of my way at Christmas time to bring friends and family over to see Santa hanging off the window. It is such a shame that this icon fell out of its glory days. I am sure you will make it like new again. I am an old A&P and would be glad to come help anytime you need me I am just here in Clearwater drop me a note even if you only need someone to decrease and scrub this old gem back to glory

[@phillipmaguire5138]

Had 3 DC3's - this is a BIG known threat. Especially if they get missed in the preflight inspection - you cannot retract the gear when airborne with them installed...!

[@brealistic3542]

Just had a thought, the US Army uses large according fabric and wire structures that are easily assembled and filled with dirt or sand to protect their aircraft and equipment temporarily. They are very strong once filled with dirt or sand and stackable too. That would certainly protect it from any Hurricane. Once you don't need it anymore they are easy to take down. I wouldn't trust those strap lines totally in a Hurricane or excessive strong wind. Just a thought. Hope it helps you.

[@TeachinTV]

Is this the same Kermit Weeks who had a great air museum at Tamiami Airport in southwest Dade County? I went there several times, scouting locations and background aircraft for motion picture use. I clearly remember the fuselage of a B-17 awaiting for restoration and how shocked I was at how small it really is.

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

Diehedral saved that dudes head.

[@madyogi6164]

8:13 Oh, Kermit, if you had ordered a shipping dock crane that would not happen! 🤣😂🤣The one you just picked wasn't visible enough!

[@National757]

The old girl's flying days may be over. And she is a little worse for the wear. But it is good to see her safe and somewhat "sound" back on the airport ramp. ;) Awaiting her next mission for Fantasy of Flight! :)

[@barrysteinlage6888]

Always enjoy your video's. It's surprising how many internet "Experts" there are in the aviation and safety fields. I just enjoy watching watching these old planes

[@chad6080]

You’re surprised that the fields of aviation and health and safety are associated with expertise?

[@barrysteinlage6888]

@@chad6080 no, just that they're all on the internet commenting

[@chad6080]

@@barrysteinlage6888 if you post a video of doing something badly, you can’t be surprised if people point that out. The aircraft was damaged and people were nearly injured.

[@jamesrecknor6752]

Master toilet mechanic [plumber], I am just here to make sure they do everything right.

[@barrysteinlage6888]

@@jamesrecknor6752 it's funny that the video was shot last month, why weren't they there helping out and advising beforehand. LOL

[@77Sunsetstrip]

Wow! Even the cows were amazed...

[@ChristianRB89]

The cow was very concerned

[@ronaldjennings8057]

I'm glad you're okay.👍🙏🙏🙏

[@erickricharson5196]

That poor DC3 looks like it realy wants to reach for the skys again.

[@WH-um2gx]

I like the way Weeks is a hands on person

[@USApatriotLarry]

This DC3 is an escapee from the scrap man.

[@ThirdDegreeWitchExplores]

Was good to see the old girl ‘Flying’ again , albeit briefly .

[@richb.4374]

I'm going to miss seeing that old bird as I pass FOF on I4.

[@weekendwarrior556]

I just went to fof when in Orlando. Traffic is terrible there for sure

[@Skip_Donahue]

Been waiting for part two 👍✈️

[@troymolitor3968]

Thank you for sharing all these awesome videos with us. Thank god no one got hurt when the gear collapsed. Yikes! Long term ideas for the DC-3?

[@stinkel1966]

No no no, yeah yeah yeah. Pretty cool. What’s happening. I love it!

[@lapoint7603]

No one can say that this video was staged! I like that you just kept rolling with it and got the beast tied down on jack stands. When life hands you lemons it's best to make some lemonade.

[@catshotfourone7951]

I noticed the cowlings were broken or off-center before the collapse and watched them during the fall all they did was shake a little.

[@inclusivemodeldesigns16]

I wonder how many folks drove by thinking she belly landed there?

[@williamdixon1992]

A few years. In Puerto Rico had several DC 3'S from 4 Star cargo when they shut down.

[@LTVoyager]

I was waiting for the front of the trailer to rise up picking up the back of the truck. 😂

[@MichaelCairns-fv2vi]

Kermit came close to dying like the Segway inventor.

[@jaminsamy]

I've got about 600 hrs. R seat in these. Safety tip: When climbing onto wing, Place the ladder such that when you fall off the wing you won't fall on the ladder.

[@efo1358]

I’m respectful of the Caring Kermit! 👍💪❤️👌

[@ConfusedParrotfish-zn3yu]

Parking at Loves truckstop in Davenport Right across highway from here, have seen this bird many times. Once, i walked over and got a closer look.

[@cggage]

Just tuned into this, and to this channel! Very interesting. A friend of mine flew the C-47 in Vietnam. I am curious - what is the end goal with this airframe? Frankly, maybe a museum piece? It looks a bit much for getting her airborne again.

[@FlyMeAirplane]

Amazing how Kermit goes hands on.

[@azscratchers8596]

Excellent! No tie down spots except for the main landing gear, guess the Douglas engineers never considered this sort of needed possibility. Question, do you have all the records for this aircrafts history?

[@stephensimpson5283]

Hey Kermit, please put one twist for every three feet in those straps. If they are straight like you have them, the will vibrate so fast in the wind, they can shatter like glass. Putting a twist in them stops the flutter a prevents that. This is from Military training on rigging loads.

[@Terry_Fritz]

I'm amazed at how dry that ground is there even though has water everywhere. I always pictured Florida as a swamp surrounded by ocean.

[@RickBaconsAdventures]

we were in the middle of a crazy drought, though the middle of the state where he is is pretty dry. Only the bottom third of the state is a swamp

[@Grossman2868]

Tail dropping was no surprise, no weight from the motors puts the CG further back. She's an old gal with that light in the nose cone. Ours was American Airlines Flagship Texas s/n 2198. Driver, driver, there's a DC3 on your tail! Of the pictures I have of DC 3s being tied down, all but one show them being tied on the front strut of the landing gear at the knuckle. The one oddball shows, from what I can see, a tie down point on the trailing edge near where the wing joins the center section.

[@paulcrawley390]

Our C-47 had an eye ring towards the end of the wings for tyre downs

[@timw6596]

Watching part one all I could think of was do not trust the landing gear... get a trailer ! After watching pat 3 and getting it to the ramp///I'm thinking set it on the ground and call the guys with sawzalls and a big dumpster to haul it away to the metal scrappers ! Waiting for part 3 !

[@barrysimmons5489]

Nice job Boss Man. But shouldn't you have a bit more air speed for "nose down trim?" Just askin for a friend. If I didn't live so far away I'd come down and help you wash it.....😅 Thanks for sharing, Blessings. 🇺🇲

[@judnichols8041]

Well done.

[@xenia5101]

Great coverage of the move and the problems encountered. I noticed that the engines were missing and the main landing gear was modified or jury rigged. Normally you would expect to see pins with streamers sticking out of them to confirm down and LOCKED. I assume that was not possible due to iron pipe type modifications that were good enough for static display but not for towing. Probably a big lesson learned here -check the integrity of the LG or use air bags if in doubt.

[@flymachine]

Kermit I have been following you for a few years now and really admire your take and passion for aviation, I started my aviation journey as a toddler drawing airplanes, as a teen I was illustrating for several aviation publications and at 45 I have a business designing liveries and bespoke interiors for aircraft around the world - I’m only just beginning, it is my dream to restore a grounded airframe as a showroom for the different textiles, technologies and finishes we offer in exteriors and interiors but man it’s hard getting an in tact airframe where I live - any advice or ideas for a fellow lifelong aviation lover?

[@wstlndiesel]

Rookie mistake! NEVER tow a retractable backwards! 😂😂😂

[@mlehky]

It’s not the backwards but lack of gear pins.

[@shadowfaxcrx5141]

I think you missed a great opportunity for a Sleep Number sponsorship here... ;)

[@mrmagoo916]

I would love to see the buffalo airways guys, rejuvenate this beast to flying. Mission impossible?

[@Jeffrey-Flys]

Well…. That explains why Harbor Freight was out of straps…. Hopefully she stays put and even better, no hurricanes come near

[@MartyK2144]

Exciting project! Thanks for the video. I am new to the channel!