Howard Hughes Sikorsky S-43 Acquisition - Kermit Weeks

Kermit Weeks travels to the Brazoria County Airport in Texas with two of his restoration specialists to survey his latest acquisition... Howard Hughes Sikorsky S-43. The plan was to check out the aircraft and see what it would take to get it ready to fly back to Fantasy of Flight. After their thorough inspection, Kermit decides that a change of plans is in order.
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[@icebluecuda1]

Kermit, huge fan of you, Fantasy of Flight since ‘96, USAF Pilot, and airline pilot... God Bless. I can’t imagine how fun it must be to chase planes. I met you on the Sunderland as a kid. I’d love to meet you and see your shop in FL again!

[@tstanley01]

I use to work for the company that managed that Falcon jet. I have to walk around that Sikorski for years...There wasn't a drop of fluid left in it, because it was constantly leaving puddles everyone to clean up...was glad to see someone come and take it so that it may fly again someday...

[@scottreaser2496]

As a Lockheed employee loaned to Hughes in 1974, I found the Culver City facility a place of aviation wonderment. Among other S43 spare parts was a set of new wings that had been shipped from Pearl Harbor to Culver City in 1944. The attach bolts were in Sikorsky emblem bags. The fabric of the crated wings was gone, but the metal was pristine.

[@Rainhill1829]

Thank you so much for keeping this history alive, Kermit.

[@undrcoverlouky]

All the old flying boats and amphibians make my mouth water. Kermit is the best! He has been blessed with a lifestyle a lot of us dream. He "plays" with flying stuff and has the needed boatload of money to do it right. As a regular voyeur into his world via KZbin, I am thankful he allows us to watch and never rubs it in that he gets to live it. So I guess if this video blog can't be called Undrcover's Hangar, I'm glad it's called Kermit Weeks Hangar.

[@maxsmodels]

The aviation communtiy is very fortunate to have people like Kermit Weeks, Paul Allen and so many others that put forth so much of their personal wealth to preserve our aviation history.

[@garynew9637]

And Peter Jackson of NZ

[@Joe-uo9wv]

So well said.

[@77Avadon77]

So what is the gist here? Does he buy these things at his own personal money or does he take contributions? And then what does he do display them in a museum or does he fly them to air shows?

[@77Avadon77]

The worst thing is when a personal collector buys these things up and then never lets the public see them. I mean I'm glad they're taking care of these Aviation artifacts but to deprive people from learning their history while they're sitting in a private Hangar is Criminal

[@maxsmodels]

@@damu1814 sad

[@vehdynam]

Once again , fascinating. Thank you Kermit for another piece of aviation history being saved.

[@ibbylancaster8981]

Mr Weeks, thank you so much for investing so much time and money to preserve and show these planes. Awesome stuff man!!

[@weekendwarrior556]

what a plane! thanks again Kermit for keeping our aviation and also American history alive. and best yet so public informative

[@UAPJedi]

Jewish Ninja Very true, as a Brit I'm so glad he's preserved, renovated and saved so many British aircraft that would of otherwise been consigned to just the history books and not available for my grandchildren to be able to see and hear!

[@Rocknranchman]

This Historic plane sat at LaPorte Municipal Airport (La Porte, TX) for a couple years - last time I took pictures of it - Howards S-43 was at Wings over Houston Airshow supposedly just happened to be in route to somewhere out west where it was to be restored. I guess that never happened! Really a National treasure of Aviation History!

[@MarcvanExel]

This bird is soooooo gorgeous, and Kermit is such a lucky man!

[@joekurtz8303]

Recently watched a PBS show about Pan Am owner & Sikorsky's seaplanes. Toured H4 back in 77'. So much history and aviation development .

[@richborg45]

I really enjoy seeing how Kermit Weeks and his team brings these planes back to their glory days. I over haul airplanes, but I'm a rookie compare to them. Great job.

[@Airpaycheck]

Excellent! I saw this aircraft in the hangar a few years ago. Absolutely gorgeous! Glad it's going to a good home

[@danielledykgraaf6483]

Mr. Weeks and team. Thank you so much for the preservation of our aviation history. You do live the dream so many of us watchers would love to live so thanks again for sharing so of your most excellent experiences with the world. Keep up the great work men and keep these incredible videos coming ! If i ever get back down to Florida from west Michigan i want to stop into your museum.

[@HessFilms]

I flew on the Sikorsky VS-44A "Mother Goose" to Catalina Island in 1959 and 1960 as a baby with my mother and grandmother who owned a home on the island...

[@jimczerwinski4951]

Great to see we need more guys like Kermit Weeks

[@arboristo4407]

Do you have an update yet Kermit? It’s been 5 years 🤠

[@moss8448]

What a piece of history. Hat's off to you guys.

[@rotarytechnician]

wow…. I cant believe you bought this amazing aircraft, such a beautiful piece of history. my friend your are my hero.

[@rolandalfonso6954]

Oh, my what another great story! Now on to Disassembly Part 1.

[@bruceerwinsfavs535]

WOW, what a find! New in the year of my birth. Didn’t think any.were still intact. Recalling the days of the Dinner Key, Pan Am terminal, Miami, no longer intact, its relics moved to U of Miami. (Thankfully, I’m also still in one piece, lol.) Thanks, Kermit for sharing.

[@SheriffofYouTube]

pretty exciting . thank you for sharing

[@kimdossett1]

Brazoria County Airport. Angleton, Tx. Wow. I got my ticket there in 1886. Been flying ever since. Thanks for the memories.

[@DanByDesign]

Did somebody really write "Spruce Goose" on one of Howard Hughes's aircraft? He'd be furious! That name was an insult given to the Hercules by the enemies of Howard Hughes! Thank you Mr. Weeks for all your work in keeping aviation history alive! Hope to see this beautiful aircraft in the air soon!

[@SimonElenor]

I envy you Sir! You get to feel the seat of the pants flying that is lost on so may pilots of today. It used to be a challenge just to fly the aircraft. The days of starting the aircraft by hand. I know it isn't the same but when I used to start my RC aircraft using my finger I felt the danger. LOL. I admire your quest to keep the experience alive. Well done sir!

[@the10thleper]

Wow, Living the dream. Right on Mr. Weeks.

[@rogerstill71]

Blessings on thee, Mr. Weeks.

[@rustykilt]

Simply priceless machine...

[@davidcollins7826]

I used to walk around that airplane every day glad to see it getting the care it needed.

[@whirlybird3189]

Got some color slides of this, taken at Hobby, not too long after he died. It had dark green trim on the NM sides. Had curtains in the windows. It looked immaculate.

[@thebradfordcamps]

Great stuff, Kermit thank you for keeping my grandfather's history in the air.

[@ElCineHefe]

Kermit is a GREAT American. ♥️

[@thomassutherland5188]

Kermit may have more than a few weeks of work on his hands but he is the man that can.

[@tango9939]

Such a cool project! Its stuff like this that pushes me to get my a&p.

[@e-rj8984]

Thumbs up Kermit 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Prestonesfpv]

I live in Denmark, and that is one hell of a long way from Fantasy of flight !! But somehow, some day i will find a way to get there and see all those beautiful planes, and if im really lucky, maybe even meet Kermit

[@AvroAvian]

A magnificent aeroplane Kermit! It'll be great to see it on display.

[@rubensandri740]

Excellent, Congratulations.

[@flyswatter51]

Great job Kermit. Can't wait to see it restored.

[@Dive-Bar-Casanova]

How in the world did I miss this video. This is amazing. Thumbs up.

[@who2u333]

I wondered what happened to this plane. I used to poke around it in a hangar at the Houston Southwest airport in the early '90's. Still have a picture of it hangin' in the hangar.

[@nelsonmelamund1225]

2:40 - Centerline of the left engine lines up with the large, spinning celling fan. Kind of cool shot.

[@malcevans5762]

Lol . Thought I was the only one who noticed that. Did look cool .

[@leonardodominguez3491]

Exactly what I noticed and came to read the comments. Most of the people do not see the details.

[@MrBook123456]

looking great

[@coreymcdonough1779]

Nice montage!!

[@PrairieDogPoo]

I agree, it would've been a scary flight without major restoration. Evidently some critters have been calling it home.

[@Promethesis]

Like stepping into a time capsule. That is really cool!

[@SuperTastyone]

What a really fantastic Aeroplane. . . I hope you do it up good. . .then fly it around the world. . just as Hughes wanted too. . .Be sure to drop in at England. Got a big lake by me and the Tea and cake will be free!

[@usedcarsokinawa]

I like that you didn't take the chance of flying it. Much respect

[@pauljohansson7697]

Wow what a beautiful aircraft

[@fargknob]

Incredible project Kermit. She will be magnificent. Thanks for the update.

[@daniel_of_jersey4775]

i live about an our 2 hours away from Kermits Fantasy of Flight museum and ive talked with him about this airplane. He's very passionate about all of his planes. Ive also seen him by chance at the udvar hazy airplane museum in the restoration hangar.

[@pR1mal.]

Shanon Leffler That's cool! Took my nephews to Udvar-Hazy this spring. Wasn't lucky enough to see Kermit there, but I'd make the drive tomorrow if I thought he'd be there. I would love to shake the man's hand. I had a grandfather that stoked my love of aviation from a very early age, and I really appreciate the conservation aspect. My grandfather was alive to see much of the golden age of aviation and lived to see jet air travel become commonplace. We all only get to go through life once, and I appreciate the things and the people that Kermit shows us because life is so short and time is precious.

[@haroldmclean3755]

You are absolutely spot on👍 kudos

[@marcliebhold9625]

A couple of PT-6 Turbines would really look good on that Beautiful Sikorsky! Expensive, yes, but so much less maintenance, less fuel costs to keep that Magnificent Aircraft in the air and landing on the water for many years to come!

[@johannmckraken9399]

Uh, no, just no.

[@dias_se]

This is so cool! Cudos for doing this. Fantasy of flight is now in the top of my bucket list!

[@hdaviator9181]

Fantasy of flight closed sadly.

[@dias_se]

...! :-(

[@rickyt11010]

Clockwork data | diasse it closed for renovations and expansion with a goal or reopening sometime before 2020 its currently open for corporate events and things like that though.

[@rickyt11010]

Clockwork data | diasse actually here you go www.fantasyofflight.com/about-us/press-room/press-releases/fantasy-of-flight-open-scaled-down-museum/

[@dias_se]

Thanks mate! :-)

[@RideswithChuck]

I can't wait for a ride!

[@garrieleepeck8753]

Great stuff

[@nicholasjohnson6724]

What a beautiful old bird !!!!!!!

[@GeneralPadron]

That aircraft was never called the “spruce goose” by Mr. Hughes. In fact Howard Hughes hated that nickname coined by Senator Owen Brewster who brought Mr. Hughes up on charges of war profiteering. The aircraft is called H4 Hercules.

[@yamahonkawazuki]

we all know this. but the nickname is the one its best known by

[@Hek692]

Joseph Caesar Padrón also is was made of birch wood.

[@davidkyle5017]

Just stopping by to watch this vid again having just watched your recent Martin Hawaiian Mars Oshkosh trip vid (you put me in a seaplane state of mind). I would love to see an update on work on this plane as of 2019. I love this era of flight and look forward to seeing this beauty fly again.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Would love to show an update, but it is patiently waiting its turn in the restoration queue line.

[@davidkyle5017]

@@KermitWeeks444 I assumed as much, your build queue has to be substantial.

[@KikoF101]

Congratulations Kermit. Hope to see this bird in the sky again.

[@stephengardiner9867]

What an elegant bird. That thing wants to fly again.

[@JayStClair-mh5wv]

Your doing gods work Mr. Weeks! I would give anyhing to work for you.

[@theofficialdiamondlou2418]

Great video Kermit . So I'll bet you know my friend Patrick Hutchinson ? Anyhow can't wait to see her flying again.

[@michaelweir6691]

boy kermit what a home run!!!!!hows she comeing along are you getting close to flight?

[@pentatonic22]

Awesome video, very interesting

[@ThePostal67]

Another fantastic item not to be lost to the ages. Just to know that some people can do this makes my day. I hate Florida, but might have to forgo common sense and make at least on trip.. Hope to see progress until complete.

[@mmmmmmb7536]

Good Job Kermit...... Great buy!!!!!!!!!!!!!.... on to the panties!

[@Mrsonicslash5]

Beautiful

[@Falkenroth1]

The plane was sunk in Lake Mead during WWII. Howard spent like 150K back then to salvage it.

[@scottcol23]

Yikes! that is roughly 2.2 mil in 2021 money. But now we get to enjoy it 70 years later. Money well spent

[@fargknob]

Awesome Kermit.............man, I can't wait to get down to see ya Bro.

[@irgski]

So, is this the plane that HH flew to Hepburn’s movie shooting site and the one they both flew in where he got a bottle of milk from the fridge? Cool and historic airplane!

[@AirAmbassador]

I think that was the Sikorsky S-38. Not the 43 as shown in this video

[@TomJones-hi2wb]

love this channel

[@philglover2973]

Another good video well done it's awesome

[@carlosalbertosanchezleay]

Son increibles con lo que hacen,only in America!!!

[@k2superlative72]

One of the best youtube Channel.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Appreciate it. Thanks!

[@Koaslice191]

Mr Weeks....check with the Anchorage Aviation Museum....they have an S-43 hull and maybe parts.

[@willythewave]

AWESOME!

[@jessievato]

thats cool as hell. its goin to a great home

[@blackbirdpie217]

The reporter said that Hughe's hercules (Spruce Goose) "flew... Barely". It flew just fine, not barely, it just flew briefly.

[@theofficialdiamondlou2418]

Dave B correct. It was never cleared for flight by the FAA. He was only supposed to do a taxi test. But being Howard he decided to "run her up a little" and up she came. No flaps ,just natural lift dynamics. But she was designed to carry huge payloads , so that would make sense being very empty.

[@UncleKennysPlace]

It never appeared to leave ground effect.

[@BAZZAROU812]

I have seen it in Oregon..it's way bigger than I thought.. Amazing airplane for the time..

[@robertfeeley9738]

Very good. I would fly with you any day

[@bluemarshall6180]

Howard must be watching you Guys.

[@dwtees]

Why do you say "uncle Howie" facetiously? Did you mean he's really not your uncle or do you not like Howard Hughes? Its awesome you got this piece of history flying again. I enjoy all your videos.

[@carloscar149]

It's feel like it that you are so excited to get a hands about disclaimer there and playing with this toys the big toys and I left him and look like you're excited so much

[@bmgm3]

Nice video. Please also doing something similar with your Hawker Tempest and its Napier Sabre engines. Thanks

[@antoniomoura9347]

Bom trabalho Mr. Kermit!

[@davidholdman8015]

Awesome 😎

[@billyjack3361]

Why did they stencil ‘Spruce Goose’ on the nose. Howard hated that name. It was meant as an insult by the governor of Maine. It called the ‘Hercules’. And rightly so. Let’s show the respect Mr. Hughes deserves.

[@cmte.brazinazzo2061]

Ow, Kate Blanchet supposedly took the controls of it in a beautfull night flight at Aviatior movie! Would definitly be wonderfully Nice to do that ride, even though I'm no KATE, just a PPL that flew mostly Cessnas and Pipers and a 😃T6 (Texan 4).

[@KermitWeeks444]

Actually it was a Sikorsky S-38 (which Kermit Weeks now owns) that was featured in the Aviator movie. Howard Hughes owned a different S-38, as well as the S-43 in this clip, that Kermit now owns. In this clip the crew restoring the S-38 for Kermit talks about covering it for the Aviator movie. (around 30 minute mark) kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH6cfpyGlpecabc

[@jessereiter328]

What stopped us was the metal corrosion in the rear of the aircraft it was pretty bad I'm sure somebody fixed it since then otherwise you couldn't get a permit to fly this thing ten feet. Back when Howard Hughes was still flying the s43 they tried to land in it I think at Lake Mead the mechanic and put his toolbox the very rear of the plane and Howard Hughes lost it upon Landing the plane because of the tool box's weight so far to the rear, it sunk. During ww2 the S43 was commandeered by the military to fly out over the ocean.

[@elosogonzalez8739]

It's 4-14-2024. What's the latest on Howard Hughes S-43 that you purchased? Next to the Seversky P-35, this is the airplane I want to see airthworthy. Keep pluggin'😊 away!

[@gilleslavigueur4625]

I am emotionally DEEPLY TOUCHED as an AIRPLANES Enthousiast

[@endthedrugwartoday]

Thx for the great video!

[@johngalt9262]

Who knows about the surviving S-43's? I remember seeing the fuselage of one, outside the Sikorsky plant (probably Bridgeport, but maybe Stratford) back in the early 80's (?)

[@tristan8697]

I hope you have all seen the movie 'The Aviator'.

[@josephkane825]

Hey!!! Why are you parking in the Handicap Zone?!?!?!?

[@KermitWeeks444]

If you look closely, you'll see that Kermit parked in the spot next to the handicap spot. This is very clear in the closing shot at 14:17.

[@dougatdesertdemongarage7777]

Little bit of history about Howard shoes that you probably already know about that the ship be built to recover a nuclear sub years later that same ship came into the Portland shipyard well when massive overhaul and I acquired the compass off the I watch the spruce goose come up the river cool man very smart

[@jessereiter328]

We flew that S43 to the 1990 wings over Houston air show. Hope you have a lot of money. I see someone took some names off Jess pilot Jack copilot. we got it the plane out of 25 years of storage.

[@KermitWeeks444]

There are names visible at 16:40 - 16:50 while Jess Bootenhoff speaks.

[@wtburns01]

@@KermitWeeks444 Hoping that Jess Bootenhoff is still with us. Was transported back to thinking about my own dad, a Navy vet of the Korean War, when I saw Jess' Korea vet hat during the video. My dad learned Air Traffic Control on the USS Oriskany (now the world's largest manmade reef off the coast of Pensacola) during the Korean Conflict. Came back to KCMO, got out of the Navy (NAS Olathe, now New Century Air Center...home to a small CAF contingent, btw), and joined the CAA>FAA working at the Kansas City ATC Center for 30+ years. Absolutely agree with many others wishing you very long life and your efforts to preserve vintage aircraft and aviation history nothing but success.

[@threehorsesxxx5759]

Well jess was ok but remember working on the hydraulics and jess bitching at me for being late but he didn’t-think that someone that was hurting form a overheated radiator burn would even show up so I forgave and moved on . We all worked very well together And I was the only one that would get near the prop to set the carbs so I did my part . And every else did there’s. However the names wore taking off and they wore on the left side , not on the right even jess’s is missing off the left “politics “ a few days before the air show it was going for a test flight at the last second the control cables came off the pulley but was able to abort the mech got a good chewing.

[@TheWoodStroker]

Is this the aircraft that he flew Kate Hepburn around over LA in the movie "The Aviator"?

[@KermitWeeks444]

In real life the Sikorsky S-43 was the plane Howard Hughes flew Kate Hepburn and many other starlets of the day in. In the film "The Aviator" a Sikorsky S-38 was used in its place. That very same plane, owned by Kermit Weeks, is featured in this clip. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJDSi2ytYrtnhqM

[@dondesnoo1771]

there was a seaplane at linden NJ. airport in back corner 50yrs ago looked similar stored many yrs strange looking unknown w happened to it.was in natl.guard there 150avation bn .