Howard Hughes Sikorsky S-43 Disassembly and Move to Fantasy of Flight - Part 2

Kermit Weeks and crew travel back to Brazoria County Airport in Houston Texas to disassemble his Howard Hughes, Sikorsky S-43 and prepare it for its move back to Fantasy of Flight in Central Florida. Part 2 of a 2 part video, shows the disassembly completion and trucking from Texas to Fantasy of Flight. Come along for the ride.
For more information on Fantasy of Flight, and other aircraft in Kermit's collection, visit... www.fantasyoffl...
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[@ryancarroll3961]

Kermit I really appreciate your enthusiasm to save the history of flight in the USA You with your knowledge have been a God send to help us all understand the origins of another great invention in our wonderful country Thanks so much and God bless

[@KermitWeeks444]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@jimmarcellus759]

Thanks Kermie. This was fun to watch.

[@MarcvanExel]

Awesome video Kermit and an awesome plane too. Now don't forget to make a video about the putting it back together process, that would be fantastic to watch. Good luck with this gorgeous lady and thanks for sharing it with us.

[@roymanewell4958]

gday from nz,thank god there are still people prepared to put the effort time and money saving history,iam sure they will be a day when thats not the case.....,an amazing job well done..

[@BetterAircraftFabric]

Great Video ! A good documentary about how to disassemble and transport an Airplane right ! So many times we see huge damages done when salvaging &disassembling and shipping airplanes, by Not securing them to loadbearing structures or by making other hideous and costly mistakes. Have to say I flinched while watching the single cargostrap around the rear fuselage leading to the tailwheel: I was/would be worried it could buckle the skin on the sides of the rear fuselage....but it worked, GREAT !!!

[@deeremeyer1749]

Mr. Weeks you are an inspiration. It's awesome to see you getting in there and getting dirty with your crew. To me the willingness to get dirty is the difference between a "collector" and a "mechanic", lol.

[@mayagrafix]

Fantasy of Flight Museum here I come! Thanks you, Kermit Weeks for the great job you are doing in preserving the history of aviation. I and the rest of the flying community owe you big time :)

[@AeroworksProductions]

Great to see these beautiful aircraft cared for and remembered. Keep up the great work!

[@Avibeagle]

Kermit, thank you for spending the money, time and effort to save these great icons of aviation history. And I agree, I think Howard played a huge part in making sure this aircraft made its way to the capable hands of you and your crew.

[@CraigKirkpatrickInnovator]

I wish I could quit my day-job and work for such a fun crew and boss. Seeing Kermit sweeping the hangar floor in Brazoria tells me a lot about how things are run in Orlampa.

[@rolandalfonso6954]

It sure does. I've often thought just to be a part, I'd volunteer to sweep the floors, and clean the potty for free...

[@icelandviking1961]

I’ve notice Kermit says “Thank you” often to his crew. I don’t know what he pays but a well meant thank you is worth a hell of a lot. Seams like he would be a great person to work for.

[@markboss70]

Thanks for keeping the dreams alive!!!

[@schlutorflyer]

Great stuff..High on my list of places to visit in the States on my next trip over..

[@hoagybob]

Now this is what I call REALITY TV. Great stuff and kudos to a true aviation patriot! I bust my butt just changing the nosewheel tire on my ercoupe - this is epic stuff here.

[@viewfromtheroad2656]

The goose bumps just keep coming.

[@topturretgunner]

Congratulations Kermit Weeks from August 2 2019. I’m watching the saga of the S 43’s move from Houston to Polk City. Wow 😮 what an adventure. As an almost retired over the road trucker (some flatbed time also) I recognized some of those stretches of interstate you and the Sikorsky made the trek back on. Thoroughly enjoyed the video and best wishes with that rare and valuable airplane. As an aircraft lover I really appreciate both the videos that you do and the history that you commit blood, sweat, tears, and money to preserving. All the best to you Kermit and Fantasy of Flight.

[@mickboakes7023]

Thank goodness for people like you.

[@imagebob]

I loved every freakin' seccond of this !!! what a great job.

[@slobama]

Watched parts one and two. That's a lot of work that requires lot's of patience. Well done.

[@CollieJenn]

Great job. What great energy these guys have.

[@rolandalfonso6954]

This was wonderful. But all I thought about was what a group of incredibly talented, dedicated people. I imagined in the theater of my mind the truck driver showing up at a Flying J and the other guys asking him," So, what you hauling?" Points finger: " That."

[@jayfmiller]

Very interesting and well filmed. I stand in awe of Kermit and his team's skills. I am looking forward to a series of videos showing the restoration process - hopefully they will get that done before they nail the lid on my pine box.

[@jcperine]

Thank you!!!

[@Steve-bo6ht]

So organised you must have great faith in your team really good to see everybody taking time to be safe and get the parts lifted and positioned on the trailers thanks for sharing.

[@Rocknranchman]

Really makes me (and others) very happy that you acquired this piece of aviation history! Good luck with it Kermit! Would love to see a video of it when you folks get her back together and flying!

[@NeonsStyleHD]

The USA has some of the best Aviation museums. I wish I could get there for a year and visit them all.

[@bprplane]

The transition to the travailing montage made me think the fuselage tipped off . P.S Its a amazing plane :D

[@pbdaytona]

God Bless Kermit-and his crew

[@gunsaway1]

What a beautiful ship!

[@donaldparlettjr3295]

Geez that bird is deceptively big the flap looks larger than the B-29s. That is gonna be a fun plane to fly when done. It surprises me how it avoided being pulled into federal service when the war broke out. I love the original executive interior, old Howie knew how to live.

[@GordonjSmith1]

Wonderful. I echo comments about Kermit getting his hands in the work, excellent. I also think the champagne toast was nice, especially as you chose 'The Widow', a very decent champagne and non of that 'Crystal', or 'Moet' rubbish.

[@corsairprime1963]

Great video, Some assembly require though huh.

[@CR4ZYHOR5E]

Thank you Kermit

[@NigelsModellingBench]

I am amazed at how hard the young lady works.. in every shot shes busy doing something!!

[@rolandalfonso6954]

...but in Kermit Week's Hanger, Fantasy Of Flight, she's just another person with mad skilz, hard work and dedication bringing them to the table. And being paid as well as the boys.

[@memikell]

What a great project! Now I really have to see your operation. I have no interest in Disneyland or any other "park" of its kind but to see your Fantasy of Flight, I will make the trip for sure.

[@seansky2721]

"Interesting & Entertaining for everybody............" Absolutely! There is an inescapable romance to the flying boats of days gone by. 4-0 Kermit & crew! I wonder how many airplane nuts wrecked their cars and wet their pants when the storied Sikorsky was seen on highways in the Sunny South.

[@chucklamont9778]

Ditto to Robert Hoaglands comment, this is better reality TV. Howard Hughes S-43 wow, it's great to see Kermit pitching right in helping fellow Fantasy Of Flight team members bringing home this beautiful aircraft on a total white-knuckle road trip. What a plane, and now, Kermit got his wish and he'll sure do it right, now, if we cross our fingers maybe just maybe in the wishful thinking wishing well Kermit might consider acquiring the Spruce Goose, that would be one acquisition Fantasy Of Flight so rightfully deserves, I know, but it's just a thought, but for now this one the S-43 is right where it belongs....

[@pauljohansson7697]

I am glad you're saving the plane.

[@robmitchell3633]

Cool job

[@Snow_owl1966]

I feel sorry that the plane turned out like it did . Haward is a great man

[@fargknob]

You did good Kermit.......I'm excited for ya Bro.

[@RaoulThomas007]

Howard loved that plane. I would like to see some period pictures of the interior!

[@airmech1985]

Absolutely excellent!

[@Captionmarvelous]

AMAZING !!!

[@Madmoody21]

My Dad would approve of your decision to not risk the flight. He was a crew chief from about 1945 to 1970. The man was a stickler for details and told a story about a base commander putting him on kp duty for not releasing a plane he planed on using for takeoff due to fuel gauge problems. Needless to say this base commander put in a yes man to approve worthiness of the aircraft he wanted to use to get to his vacation flight. 2:30 seconds after takeoff power was lost and down it came. This lead to a promotion for taking the undeserved punishment after the investigation.

[@TheDemon190]

love the raven at the end kermit or was it mr Hughes

[@Q3ark]

How is the restoration coming along? It would be amazing to see this old bird fly again.

[@konstantinoskatomeris3851]

the aircraft now is in good hands!!!

[@matthewmorrissey3280]

Was that Howard on top of the hangar giving his approval before flying off?

[@12tuber1234]

You guys are good!

[@kevinstephenson3880]

As of 9-12-2020 what is,the status of the S-43? Such a magnificent piece of aviation history. So excited to see it's progress back to flying once again.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Still in the restoration pipeline. Once this Virus stuff passes and we get back into the swing of things, it could be the next one up.

[@kypo2674]

The world is waiting Kermit, Can we get a rough start date on the restoration please.

[@KermitWeeks444]

At this point, no. Have some other projects to be completed first.

[@kypo2674]

@@KermitWeeks444 ty for that kermit, I,m sure your biteing at the bit to get started .

[@courtman007]

Any updates on this project? Thanks FoF for all you do!

[@Promethesis]

I want be curious how much this place was purchased for. Kermit's a class act. I hope to get down there some day.

[@MyLeftFoot23]

What's the status on this aircraft? This is an amazing plane. I will have to go back and watch The Aviator and see if this was the plane they flew in at night on a date with Hepburn. Amazing scene.

[@bluemarshall6180]

Howard must be Smilling....

[@GamePlayWithNolan]

"What's that coming down the highway?" "OMG, IT'S HOWARD HUGHES'S SIKORSKY S43!!!!!!!! AND KERMIT WEEKS!!!!!! OMG OMG OMG!!!!" I wish I saw it. :(

[@TheRainmanBachelor]

I like how the end of this movie shows two lights on top the hanger, was this intentional as to show the eyes of Howard Hughes looking down on Kermit?

[@Geebax2]

I think the shot was more intended to show the bird on top of the building. There was an earlier shot where a bird, possibly a hawk, was spotlighted up in the roof of the hangar where the aircraft had been stored, possibly the owner of the nest that Kermit cleared out of the aircraft.

[@willythewave]

Are there any updates on this?

[@f1matt]

Don’t think I’ve ever seen an airplane before where you enter the passenger cabin via the roof at the rear.

[@jpatt1000]

This may sound like a silly question before I ask it (judging by the way you treat all you planes) but is this going to be a flying display when you are done? How do you go about flying your aircraft? Does every one get an annual, or do you pick a few of the exhibits besides your regular flyers that you want to use each year and freshen them up from sitting around? I really would like to see the Sunderland and B-26 flying at Oshkosh again!

[@Cinnabun]

He plans to restore this plane to flying conditions. As for the other questions, only kermit can answer those :)

[@keithlincicum3691]

Kermit probably studied it thoroughly, it being a priceless plane, but I would have been plenty nervous having the main gear protrude beyond the lowboy that way. Another truck with a sleepy or impaired driver could have proved disastrous....open to comments...KL

[@adrianlarkins7259]

What is the latest news? Is she close to flying?

[@sanfranciscobay]

Good job to all the crew that helped. I bet they worked 12 hour days with just enough time to sleep, eat and shower, then get back to work. When you see mechanics with parts of their hands missing, it's easy to see how it can happen when you are handling large parts that want to fall off and crush and amputate your body parts.

[@leaveonlywake]

S-43 Tail #N440. Fantasy of Flight Exit #44. Coincidence? Maybe not... ;)

[@benfuller6316]

What is happening to it now? Is it were we can see it or is in going to fly again?

[@KermitWeeks444]

It's awaiting it's turn in the restoration line. At some point, It will get done and flying again.

[@benfuller6316]

@@KermitWeeks444 thanks for 5ye update.

[@RCB58Hustler]

What did you find out about the Bra? Ha !

[@jessereiter328]

The only reason it could not be flown is corrosion in the tail section.

[@jessereiter328]

When we assembled the S-43 it had been packed for storage 25 years everything had to be gone through engines to much to even think about. We flew it to the airshow in 1990. We had planed to fly it to Hawaii. Boy that would been a crazy thing to do but I wanted go. Sure glad they found the corrosion would have hated to land somewhere in the pacific. So good bye old plane it has gone through hell

[@412av8]

Kermit, what is the status of the S43?

[@pauljohansson7697]

How long did it take you to ship it?

[@KermitWeeks444]

Two trips over 6 days.

[@mas_udin]

🤲🌠

[@TuffBurnOutTeam]

Gee you Blokes did a beautiful job pulling it to pieces with out damaging it in any way ? top work

[@deeremeyer1749]

Shots fired! Shots fired! I can't believe the Limey Brigade hasn't rolled in on you with Brens and Stens blazing...