Grumman Wildcat - Part 1 - Kermie Cam

[@rconger384]

Wishing I could show my dad these videos. He was a mechanic on these in 1942. He would be over 100 years old by now!

[@westschleife]

My grandfather was an engineer on the wildcat design. Thank you for keeping one flying.

[@voornaam3191]

My Grumman is a 17 foot canoe.

[@francissullivan6400]

I learned more in my 50 yrs of ABSOLUTELY LOVING the f4f and f6f in this video than all the books and manuals I've read which is ALOT..Thank you..BEAUTIFUL AIRCRAFT Sir..God bless you and be safe

[@EdwardRiggins-q3z]

Thank so very much for showing us those Beautiful Planes from the past

[@analogman1496]

Thanks for this series. My Dad's older brother flew the General Motors FM-2 version from the USS Makin Island (CVE-93) in the Pacific in late '44 and all of '45. I have some of his memorabilia and have donated some to the new USS Makin Island (LHD-8) which was commissioned in 2010 out of Coronado. My uncle's flight goggles and Pilot's Manual occupy a special place in my office/man cave. So great that I can see what he actually saw thanks to the Kermie Kam!

[@manuelkong10]

my favorite thing about THIS plane is that it's paint is in "war time" condition....not all shiny like the other restored aircraft that end up looking more like "sexy sports cars" than FIGHTING war birds

[@375GTB]

TRULY! (-8D J.C.

[@xtemplarx]

You're living every american man's dream, Kermie. Thanks for sharing with these videos!

[@fishsquishguy1833]

Thanks for sharing these incredible fly-a-longs with us! Nothing better than getting to hang out with someone who is so passionate about their hobby.

[@ltr4300]

Don't forget to tighten up those hose clamps holding the prop blades to the hub!

[@cmans79tr7]

LTR - yeah, i saw that too. Looked like that top one was kinda loose😉

[@tomservo5347]

I've read about Japanese pilots pumping 500 rounds into one of these and even seeing bits and pieces fly off-and to their amazement it would keep flying. The Wildcat had a rather dubious debut in WW2 as it went through an expensive development program and it's underwhelming performance against A6M5's caused some controversy as the Navy was stuck with it. Luckily in the hands of good pilots it's firepower and ruggedness evened out the odds along with the ingenious 'Thatch Weave' tactic where two Wildcats flew in a team-with the first one being the 'bait' and the second one following behind and both of them doing a back and forth 'weaving' pattern. When a bogey locked onto the first one, the second one would wait until he had a clear zone of fire. It worked brilliantly until the more capable Corsairs and Hellcats arrived that could take on the 'Zero' by themselves.

[@tulrob]

My friends Dad was on the USS Shangri La during WW2 and his Dad got a ride in one of these. Outstanding videos. Thanks for posting

[@bryanvincer7081]

Al Libowitz my grandmother helped build the Shanghai-La in Norfolk, VA back in the day.

[@UltraMagaFan]

I just recently found this channel my youtube recommendations are on fire.

[@foehammergaming309]

Man when is Kermit going to get his own show. I love watching these videos. Like dyer2cycle said it’s like Leno’s garage with warbirds instead of cars. And man I love these old planes. Thanks yet again Kermit and team.

[@jonathanyohan8653]

It's amazing that one little pin holds the wing in place ha....

[@carloscrack3]

I was thinking exactly the same!

[@chopperking007]

Its call the jesus christ pin because if it breaks...JFC !!

[@JOSHL50]

@@chopperking007 some old helicopters have a pin at the top that does the same thing and has the same name.

[@fitzyholden1036]

You are a lucky man getting to fly so many of the hot rods of the sky from WW2.

[@clarecochran7473]

Fitzy Holden p

[@johndoe5203]

Dude has $$$$$

[@timsindt5245]

It’s called being born wralthy

[@NigelsModellingBench]

OMG, those handles for the lock pin in the wing!! Awesome engineering!! Not a sensor or a servo in sight.. LOVE IT!!

[@davedennis6042]

American engineers are trying out do each other and design things more complicated and nothing works right. Simple is better.

[@flylooper]

I can't imagine a better job than you have, Kermit. What fun, what fun!

[@fudogwhisperer3590]

Those folding wings are an amazing display of incredible engineering! Very cool!

[@The_Real_Indiana_Joe]

You are a good man to share this with the world. Very few can do what you do, and your sharing is much appreciated!

[@DH2pilot]

And I will add that back when he was still in the Dallas area I saw him demonstrate a LeRhone or Clerget (I can’t remember) engine from a WW1 Nieuport. He showed the small crowd of 15 or so how the blip interrupter or whatever that is called (regulates how often spark plugs ignite) controls engine RPM. The engine was on a test stand and when he hand cranked the wooden prop and went full throttle it seemed like the cable come-along winches that we’re holding the stand to the tarmac we’re going to pull apart. That 100+ HP engine was loud and amazingly powerful - kind of frightening. He was standing behind the stand in the prop wash (or more like prop blast). Thanks again, Kermit. Cool stuff happens around you, it seems.

[@dyer2cycle]

Thank You, Kermit...Aviation's version of "Jay Leno's Garage"...

[@VintageTechFan]

Yes. Exactly that ..

[@boatfaceslim9005]

But better!

[@cinderellassober8265]

yeall arnt disrespecting jay...right?

[@dyer2cycle]

@@cinderellassober8265 ..Not at all!..What Jay is doing is Great!..same with Kermit!.. :)

[@bitrage.]

omg that pin holding that wing is soooo hard for me to trust!🤣

[@rconger24]

Thank-you, Kermit Weeks! This was fantastic to see all of this happening in front of me. Always wondered what it would be like to fly one of these. I have a special interest in the Wildcat and other Navy planes of the era , because my father was a carrier aircraft mechanic at that very time. I just wish that I could sit with him and watch all three reels of your video together, but unfortunately he passed at the age of 83 at the end of the year 2004 , before KZbin was a thing and certainly before you had your Channel. But Thanks all the same Kermit, I can just imagine that he is with me and I am very grateful to you for this production. Warm regards, Ray Conger PS I still have his classroom notes for the courses that he took to learn how to work on these incredible birds!

[@KermitWeeks444]

Thanks for the kind words. God Bless!

[@dapsapsrp]

I always learn lots of subtle details through watching these videos. Another great one.

[@MaxwellPSmart]

How a video is done! To the point, all the walk through,all the natural sound of tin n hinges etc, and seeing how she spreads her wings! Great stuff!

[@iain1526]

Great video! I really enjoyed how you realized the sun was straight on and would impact the video, so you turned the a/c 180 and had the sun at your back.

[@zrpicorelli]

Sir, your videos are like lessons, I love it. I'm not a pilot, tried to learn to fly helicopters, but it's too expensive in here Brazil, so i quit... But I like to see your videos and I love this old planes.

[@pr9383]

This is in fact a General Motors built (GM) FM-2 Wildcat. It is painted in an authentic "Atlantic" ocean camouflage scheme. On a sunny day, this paint made the aircraft almost invisible from a ship or u-boat. Kermit makes these nice and detailed vids about some awesome planes.

[@sniper9786]

I'm from India and a huge ww1 and ww2 buff.... especially propeller driven fighter planes.... I keep playing my IL2 flight simulator and enjoy dogfights, recon missions, bombings etc etc. This is the first time in my life that I'm seeing what it feels like to touch a F4F Wildcat and how big it is when you stand next to it and touch all the controls. Thanks a lot! I hope that someday I would be able to touch any of these fighters....

[@elblitzb]

i love POV Plane Videos!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@michaelmurray9154]

To be certified in such a variety of aircraft is unreal. You are a pilots pilot. Much respect for you.

[@billbright1755]

Fly on flyer! An American treasure my good man. Would love to see a Douglas Devastator. Reminds me of my good friend Gordon, as his ground man for his early fixed wing hang glider, what a flyer and the amazing times we had! I drove his land cruiser to many a Montana Mountain top and he would fly as Condor for many hours I could make the trek to landing area oft before he landed. He was an Eagle 🦅 in a man’s body. He could flare out and touch down as if he stepped off a two foot ladder. A college level teacher and a Korean War vet, he knew every plant and tree he flew by. I treasured the Ray Bans, his war glasses, he gave me till they fell apart from use. He also had a Piper J 3 “Cub”. He passed away in his eighties and I never once heard him complain of anything. We always assembled his craft with great care as pre flight, sometimes I would survey the huge cliff with 1000 feet plus precipice and say Gordon where are you going to land? Oh I saw a meadow about five miles back near the road we came in on. A Bird man talking to land man. I’d say Gordon I wouldn’t take of there if my life depended on it but he knew what he could do and very rarely had any sort of mishap. Long before Go pros it would be amazing to see today. Once another flyer chose not to fly and rode back down with me. He commented later he wished he’d have flown! The Wildcat had small windows in floor.

[@anim8torfiddler871]

Thanks for posting this. My Dad served as a Chief Ordnanceman's Mate on the USS Hornet CV-8 from a few months before the attack on Pearl, through the Doolittle Raid mission, to the day it was sunk in the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands in October '42. One story he told was that as they were steaming toward Japan to launch that raid, sometimes they would find that the wire ropes securing the aircraft to the flight deck would be RED HOT. They eventually worked out that they were absorbing energy from the New RADAR system that had been installed before they sailed! Years later I got a few chances as a kid to see the interior of the Forrestal and the Intrepid, visiting the ships as a dependent when my Dad was crew on those ships.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Thanks for sharing. And thanks to your Dad for his service.

[@roo1314]

My pop flew a Wildcat off a beat up carrier conversion in WWII. After watching these three videos it's hard to believe he returned in one piece--how the hell did they actually carry out combat action while keeping the thing in the air and running at the same time? Amazing! Heaters--must have been awfully old inside and given the noise communication must have been really difficult. I'm just in awe of it all. Thanks for the videos.

[@anandshukla8782]

Very nice Thank you so much for plane tour really I'm feeling like I'm beside you watching everything as you do

[@robertkavich7426]

This is a great video , brings back a lot of memories . Both my parents worked for Grumman Farmingdale during WWII . In fact that's how they met . I still have the letter from Leroy Grumman recommending my Father for the Navy . I have his machinists Tool Box that he painted Midnight Blue . Thanks for keeping the memories alive .

[@Chownz]

You good sir are living my childhood dream, once dreamt of flying aircraft from both wars among the clouds. I'm so jealous of you, please keep uploading your flights, so this sick man can still dream...

[@GamePlayWithNolan]

He is living the life everyone dreams of.

[@TK421-53]

Electric motor to change prop angle, now I am curious how that wire connects to a spinning object. Happy to see the gun sight in place - warbird cockpits look kind of naked without.

[@TK421-53]

Ok, electricity is provided via slip ring and brushes - had to look that up. Makes sense, nifty for 1930-tech - still used today. The hydrologic system seems more simple, less likely to malfunction (but what do I know, not technically inclined).

[@video3ish]

I can't believe that's all that's holding that wing out.. considering the forces it would see

[@Franky46Boy]

How can you tell it is not a General Motors Wildcat? I heard that most 'survivors' nowadays are GM-made planes because they were still in production when Grumman were producing the Hellcat.

[@oldcremona]

The General Motors FM-2 has a taller tail. I think this is an FM-2.

[@manny2ndamendment246]

These videos are the best.

[@craigpennington1251]

I always learn something from your videos Kermit. A great series of videos you have about flight. All are outstanding.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Thinking of doing a voice-over for Part 3 of this series too.

[@Luigi-pk8mk]

Legend has it that Lee Roy Grumman sketched the design for the folding wing on a napkin at a local luncheonette in Farmingdale LI.

[@Luigi-pk8mk]

I was told this story by a few of the old timers at Von Lessen's Luncheonette on Main Street in Farmingdale NY back in the late 1980s. Apparently Lee Roy Grumman and some of his associates were regulars there.

[@TheWafty1]

When you see how simple the wing folding mechanism you wonder why all airplanes don't have it. Great video. What a simple robust aircraft. No wonder it was so successful. Well done Grumman.

[@guitarTennisCarHomeFixFlying]

thanks for the pov kermie cam, great experience! So different but in ways so similar to learning to preflight a cessna!

[@TOMAS-lh4er]

I was on a carrier ! ID HATE to have to undo those small bolts ancabel to get the wing ready to unfold , on a pitching deck in a storem !! those guy were the best!!

[@f1matt]

Beautiful restoration. Love the Atlantic camo.

[@DanOblacksmith]

I wonder if this is the same Wildcat I saw parked on the Flightline at MCAS El Toro in the summer of 1986. I was told at the time that one belonged to a retired USMC Brigadier General. Pretty nifty toy to have.

[@normanjtongmd]

Kermit, You MADE MY DAY! So much fun to watch!

[@Minong_Manitou_Mishepeshu]

This is one of the coolest vids ever. Answered a 1000 questions I had, and didn't know I had, in one sitting. A+

[@bentleybull1962]

Thank you so much for doing all this! Growing up in South Texas I was blessed to attend some of the CAF Air Shows in Harlingen, TX. Your vids bring great insight, Thanks again God Bless.

[@bodasactra]

This looks like a very late model FM-2 version for escort carrier duty. I can't wait see him spin the hand crank 30 odd times to manually raise the wheels. This plane looks post war that might have been brought back from export.

[@lonecrapshooter67]

What a neat old plane, the old wildcat got us through the opening years of ww two

[@dwtees]

Love all your video. The Wildcat was no match for the Japanese Zero. The Wildcat taught the US how ill prepared we were to fight the Japanese Zero. Many of our guys lost their lives in these planes. Because of American ingenuity we developed tactics (Thatch Weave ) to deal with the planes inadequacies compared to Zero. The Hellcat and the the excellent excellent Bearcat were much better aircraft. Still how fun to fly this 1200 hp hot rod.

[@ositogringo]

FANTASTIC video. Thanks.

[@MrAlumni72]

Watching the extension of the wings like that - I can't help but think, those pilots had to have complete faith in their deck crews to be completely thorough cause that gap in the first wing, at least, makes me wonder how it wouldn't just collapse in mid-air. Excellent video - a TON of information and close-up looks at aspects of this historic warplane I had no idea existed.

[@PennHoo]

Kermit, awesome video. My late Great Uncle flew with the the 118th TRS in China and was one of the first guys to complete their combat misions to come home in late 1944. Although he flew P39's stateside intially and then P40's and P51's B and C in combat. I'd love to send you his short memoir from his 118th TRS CBI days. You'd appreciate it as much as I do your vids.

[@ramongarciano569]

love ur videos . always wanted to know how these things get started and fly. nice procedure run up. the p51 vid was clearer in the cockpit compared to this. but great as well.

[@stephanerheaume2435]

i'm a rc planes fan and own a B-17 and looking to buy the wildcat..it so great to see the real one in action

[@johnconley9966]

Thanks for doing your videos it’s very interesting for us. I flew with my dad in his plane when I was young. I’m in a radio control flying club and fly the F4F and it is a very sweet plane to fly.😊

[@EnterpriseXI]

that is always soo cool on the mechanism that allows these carrier planes wings to fold. the wildcat and hellcat look like they have the more complex way of folding a wing. is there a plane more complex then the wildcat with folding wings?

[@bassmith448bassist5]

Love your vids Kermit. Sadly this time, I couldn't see anything on the portside console. Starboard side either. I think that they were in deep shade due to the aircrafts orientation to the sun. Love the Grumman Ironworks cats. Wildcats, Hellcats and Bearcats!!! Oh My!!!!!!!

[@todaymania1985]

F4Fカッコいい！！ 零戦と違って翼をたためる機構は素晴らしい！

[@Adam-xd4sb]

There were 3 shades of blue, that were accepted for use the the Pacific Theater of War. The exact names escape me, but they were essentially, Royal Blue/ Navy Blue and Blue Gunemetal or a mixture of all 3. The European ATO colors differed, depending on your location. Africa Campaign- Olive Drab, Tan, Dark Brown or OEM paint. Italy campaign- Mostly OEM Silver, Blue or Olive Drab. Northern European campaign- You name it, they used it!

[@leftnoname]

Bsides the airplane being absolutely magnificent, the wild cat emblem gave me a good laugh :-)

[@partycat2921]

This guy is so cool, it's unbelievable.

[@MrDgwphotos]

And that they were composite squadrons, equipped with the Wildcat and TBF/TBM Avengers.

[@TheSound0fLegends]

absolutely fantastic set of videos Mr Weeks, only just discovered your channel, but I'm ready enjoying the live briefings about the aircraft. Thank you

[@MrDgwphotos]

I don't really know the specific squadrons either, just that the Gray and White scheme is specific to the Atlantic.

[@leons2003]

My former squad boss flew Wildcats in the PTO, as a 19yo Navy pilot he was shot down but was rescued saying it was very dark down below the surface. Here is what he said about the speed of the Wildcat "When I was based on Guam we used to try to make a couple of dummy passes on the B-29 in our Wildcats but due to their speed we could only make one and they were gone ! RIP Bob

[@vstol]

Absolutely fabulous videos. Thank you so much Kermit for your time and trouble.

[@Buelligan88]

This is so cool. I always wondered about how the wings unfolded. Great video.

[@n8sur]

Fairly certain I want to be you when I grow up! Love the warbirds!

[@ariktaranis3016]

It was absolutely perfect!

[@philader6206]

the lucky you are to fly those legendary WWII warbirds. the lucky we are so that we can follow with you your preflight check up and then the flight itself. thank you sir. what about a flight upon a british hurricane or spit mk II or V ?

[@DH2pilot]

Folks may not believe this and I wonder if Kermit remembers, but I sat in that Wildcat. I was among about 100 people at a private party at Kermit’s facility in Florida in 1995. I worked then for a special guest of Kermit’s that did a little concert along with a couple of other bands at the day party outside. He flew a Storch for everyone into a strong headwind and it just hovered up there. A lucky guy from another band got to ride in the back seat. That night at the gathering inside the buildings guests ate and visited and some (including myself) played on an early flight sim with six or eight cockpits linked together for dogfighting. Each had seats, sticks, throttles and pedals. At some point during the party I asked Kermit if I could look more closely at the Wildcat as it was my favorite Navy aircraft and he took me out to the large hangar - no one else was with us- and put me in the seat of the plane in this video. He said you can move the stick and rudder pedals but don’t touch the switches ESPECIALLY THESE (he didn’t shout but he did add emphasis). He said those will start the engine!! Then, amazingly, he walked back into the reception room adjacent to the hangar and left me there alone sitting in the cockpit. I was just tripping. The cockpit is much larger than I expected. That was a fun day and night. Thank you, Kermit Weeks!! I treasure that memory.

[@braeeee_]

I believe ya bud

[@mschmhegrt]

Question: How much does having foldable wings compomise their structual integrity? In a dogfight, would you be limited to a certain amount of g's/speed? I love your videos by the way!

[@KermitWeeks444]

The Wildcat has no limits. The wings are stronger because of the extra stuff in there, but it makes them heavier also.

[@stenduginski2306]

There were a few aircraft g limited by the folding mechanism in the wing, such as many bearcats, but the wildcat and hellcat had different mechanisms and weren't g-limited by the wings.

[@warwatcher91]

Fighting Squadron 3, it's commanding officer was the guy that created the Thach Weave.

[@woooster17]

As ever Kermit, fantastic video..we really appreciate your sharing your hobby with us. My second home is Duxford or the Shuttleworth Collection which im lucky to live just 5 miles from. One day I will make it to Fantasy of Flight too. I look forward to your next video!

[@CadetJRHafer]

Kermit I am really looking forward to Part 2 and 3 and flight in the Grumman Wildcat I have read so much about it from Midway to the Philippine Sea to the Guadal Canal, I feel a kinship to the Old bird myself. More so than the later ones, such as the gullwing Corsair. The Wildcat was just a real Fly by the seat fighter Right? I'm excited let's fly it! "JR"

[@artmoss6889]

The Wildcat often is considered inferior to the Zero. However, in post-war analysis of American and Japanese loss records, during the pivotal year of 1942 the F4F had a small advantage over the Zero in kill ratios, at 1.32 to 1.

[@MrDgwphotos]

After doing some research, I believe the cat marking belongs to VC-13.

[@MrDgwphotos]

Sorry, that's not VF-3's insignia. VF-3's insignia is Felix the Cat holding a bomb. I know it well, I have a model of Thatch's F4F at Midway. Plus, this plane is in the Atlantic scheme, which means that it would be from a composite squadron aboard an escort carrier.

[@mackadresse6095]

Respect Flying these old planes is work.

[@kevine3484]

I love Your video’s Kermit! Why dont you check if the mags are in off position, before you turn the prop. Greetings from Holland!

[@mbonazzi]

thanks for the video my friend, unfortunately here in brazil, I will never have a chance to fly one beautifull airplane like yours

[@JetAircraftMuseum]

Great video Kermit! Makes me want to do something similar next time we do a walk around for the next T-33 Mako Shark flight.

[@d.howerton9273]

Following a checklist during the walk around inspection would have reduced the number of trips around the plane and the likelihood of missing an inspection item...like having to backtrack and check that the battery was secure and connected. One of the first things that should have been checked was that the battery and magneto switches were in the off position...especially before turning the propeller.

[@flllooofie]

You take such care in the walk arounds , a very good pilot, one that knows how the plane works. My dad taught me a lot from being a fixed wing and a rotor wing pilot as to what to look for. I took that and worked on commercial aircraft with northwest airlines and now on fighter jets, god bless the USA !

[@hansgovers2963]

Hello from a big fan from Holland😁

[@CS_247]

Amazing how they engineered the wings to fold like that. And still carry an aerobatic capable airplane. V cool.

[@Chownz]

Is that a PBY in the back?

[@bakerboy4413]

Pervy_Sage indeed

[@voornaam3191]

Sure it's not a PB2B? That 1922 system is complicated. Just kidding...

[@waynechester3847]

The perplexing cat decal on the cowling, how about a 'wild cat' ?

[@pbase36]

The way those wings fold, I can almost fit the whole plane in my pocket, take it home with me.

[@p47thunderbolt68]

I wonder if due to parts being extremely rare in some cases if these planes are "babied" a little to cut down on wear and tear ?

[@Bbendfender]

Kermit, do you own any warbirds that once belonged to Jr. Burchinal from Paris, Tx? We used to go over to Paris and watch Jr. fly these old planes. I own an old prop blade that came off the B-17 that Burchinal owned.

[@sanfranciscobay]

Regarding the cable that keeps the wings retracted, why is there a quick release locking pin on the forward part and a bolt and nut on the rear part? Why not have two quick release pins?

[@showpro1178]

Those of you who are following Kermit's terrific series on the Wildcat may be interested in a book I was recently reading. " The Grumman Story" , by Richard Thruelsen, published by Praeger Publishers in 1976. Everything Grumman, right from the beginning to the F-14 Tomcat as far as 1974. Very cool stuff! Disclaimer: I ain't making a dime off this!

[@ulfnowotny01]

What a great plane!