WWI Dogfight - Omaka Air Show - Kermit Weeks & Gene DeMarco

Kermit Weeks and Gene DeMarco meet up in Omaka in April 2017 to fly the Air Show. They engage in some playful banter before participating in a WWI dogfight reenactment . . . enhanced here for your viewing pleasure.
Enjoy!
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[@mcmdrpiffle447]

All things considered in my life... I don't think I've ever viewed a better video than this. I'm pushing 60, and grew up making models of WWI aircraft. I got my commercial license, and flew lots of interesting aircraft. I never forgot the magic of building models, stringing melted plastic 'threads' for control cables, and wondering how those 'backwards' carved propellers were able to do their thing... Now I know. I feel like I was there. Phenom Video Kermit, seriously, thank you. Goosing the throttle on taxi, takeoff, and landing, constant rudder play, and just the sound... Wow.

[@InamberI]

No parachute, no helmet, no protection at all. Those pilots had iron balls

[@beeldpuntXVI]

That is the reason that an average lifespan of a British pilot in bloody april, just two weeks was

[@Confettish1]

A helmet gives a false sense of safety.

[@jeanpierreragequit1726]

they had no pararchute not to jump out and finish dogfights even if they wered overhelmed. Its a true historic fact.

[@beeldpuntXVI]

@Bob Wilson i do nog know of the was the case fying in WW1 was for the elites normale... Ik do nog know of forced pilots.

[@beeldpuntXVI]

@Pranit CHHABRA for this is WW1 not ww2 when they had parachutes to save themselves. Allthou jumping is serious a risky business. But AVG of two week you have some that die in the first missions some that die after 4 weeks or longer. Historicly your first 5 missions' are the most dangerous. That's why we now have this like red vlag.

[@idleonlooker1078]

While Kermie was still trying to get his bearings, that Fokker which slipped in behind him at 5.39, "spread his lights all over the cockpit floor"! "Kaput, doughboy!! Now I fly back to ze Vazerland for more beer, knackwurst and frauleins! Ja!"

[@goatflieg]

Wonderful... flying a genuine rotary has got to be intense. Even loved the rum pitch... gotta get me some!

[@Desertduleler_88]

Bloody marvelous! They really captured the WW1 dog fight scene well......

[@henrikcarlsen1881]

Sorry to break it to you, Kermit. That Dreidecker had you totally.

[@willythewave]

I have to agree.

[@thethepills]

pretty well instantly

[@danielgordon6097]

Henrik Carlsen yah he did

[@MonkPetite]

The Old neck didn’t swivel that good .,

[@jjt1093]

From the moment he took off LOL

[@smokemagnet]

"Shot down" several times from 5:39 onwards, by the Fokker... :)

[@darkwizard8292]

Agreed. Dead as a doornail...

[@hachipanki8634]

Kermit has god mode on

[@tonymarsh8436]

The video takes a while to take off...It's worth it when it does. Thanks guys

[@ShaneScott69]

Omaka never fails to deliver a quality airshow 😊

[@MarsFKA]

Every word true. I've been to the last three and already have my Gold Pass for 2021.

[@GGigabiteM]

Woah, that's a rare sight; Even amongst rotary engines. The Sopwith Snipe has a real Bentley BR.II, which was the pinnacle of rotary technology. It made 250-260HP. I've seen one in person, but it was a museum piece. Good to finally see one running.

[@MarsFKA]

And there I was, down in the stand, watching World War I going on up above. A lot of fun just watching it.

[@Murphy252000]

I can't wait to come from Ireland and visit your place in September, so excited and love how you honour the true heroes!

[@KermitWeeks444]

Sorry to inform you that our Museum Lite is currently in a seasonal closing, and will still be closed in September. Check the Fantasy of Flight website calendar for open dates starting November 10th, Veteran's Day Weekend.

[@Perktube1]

Kermit Weeks Videos interesting, I was born in a town called Kermit.

[@goneflying140]

One of the coolest videos I have ever seen. Thank you so much Kermit!!!!!! Please keep them coming for us who dream, but may never have the chance to fly something like that.

[@alouiciousjackson5812]

I didn't realize the vibration those old rotary radials created! What a cool plane though, I love the WW1 aircrafts' interiors.

[@bodeine454]

Gotta love the ultra modern harness in this thing! Lol Nothing like a brass stud wedged into your spinal column!!!

[@JPR3D]

Wow, what an experience! Seeing those formations flying over the field still gave me chills even though I could only see it on video.

[@ajstrong5409]

Happy Birthday Kermit Weeks ! 7-14-19

[@Rob-vv5yn]

Thanks for posting and bringing some of my favourite planes back to life

[@oscilis]

Fantastic to read my grandfather´s logbook while watching this.

[@13aceofspades13]

oh god I wish I could be there... to hear the beautiful sound of all those engines and see those birds soar.

[@NesconProductions]

Your 'Battle Of Britain' -esk shoot down animation was a nice added touch. Getting to fly 100+ y/o open cockpit designs (with guns) is about as good as it gets. Great video & best wishes!

[@avoidingtrees6692]

Humble respect from France Sir.

[@alyciamarrison2916]

Loved this video. Thanks!

[@crstothard]

Wow, what a.great video! Thanks for setting up the cameras and editing to brings right there with you!

[@brendaproffitt1011]

Incredible flying and the air show looks incredible too...these plane's are incredible...great video too..Thank you so much for your videos too..

[@brendaproffitt1011]

Your welcome still great job

[@craigpennington1251]

You guys are having too much fun. What a blast. Great stuff once more. What a wonderful job those folks did on those aircrft. Outstanding.

[@timj41]

This would be one of the ultimate ‘buy the farm’ situations if you didn’t know what you were doing. I have been to the museum at Omaka but I didn’t realise Mr Weeks had flown here, pretty damm impressive footage

[@dancahill8555]

Gotta love seeing a Snipe fly!

[@Rangertozero]

Beautiful aircraft, just finished watching "WINGS" what a show they don't make them like that anymore. Thank you for posting this video. Only wish I could just sit in one of the Machines you get to fly. Wasn't lucky enough to ever become a pilot. If I ever win money I'm going to learn to fly definitely.

[@johnv9854]

Thank you for posting these great videos!! I really hope to make to the Museum one day to see the collection..

[@mikenicholas6921]

Just brilliant! So exciting! Great job

[@jeoverv]

I'm afraid you got shot down early by the Fokker "Dreidekker" you never saw behind you... But hey; he could be out of ammo, right?? :D Very cool video, greetings from Norway. :)

[@cmans79tr7]

Yeah, caught him on the rise!

[@SmokeFlame1]

Great video. The sound was amazing.

[@tomjones9137]

Just fell in love with the WW1 era planes :)

[@CaptGoodThrust]

Great coverage Kermit!

[@warrenchambers4819]

I've never been the jealous type BUT if I were Kermit would top my list. Lucky devil.

[@tatersalad9416]

Excellent video, I felt like I was onboard with you. Thank you.

[@blowinkk9396]

Best way to wake up is with a coffee and a new Kermit video

[@88thCompany]

Waw this is like a dream! Thanks for sharing this video!

[@Cavalier1025]

You're nothing but a bunch of big kids!!! And I couldn't be more envious. lol Nice video.

[@tonystoakley5816]

Great video thanks Kermit

[@easttexan2933]

coolest aviation video ever on YT. Just frickin awesome. Kermit, you truly can fly anything.

[@MrMaxeemum]

By Jove what a spiffing good shot you were. Some good aerial shots there. I guess you guys were trying to keep your distance for safety's sake but it gave a good idea of what it would have been like back in the day (but less life threatening). Thumbs up.

[@kimfucku8074]

Is there anything he cannot fly? A toaster maybe?

[@dyer2cycle]

Space Shuttle maybe?... :) Nah, he could probably fly that as well....

[@mcmdrpiffle447]

Yeah, nope. Slap some boards on it and call them wings.....Kermit will love it, squeeze it, and fly the hell out of it...

[@kittonsmitton]

@@mcmdrpiffle447 LOL Yes!

[@commentatron]

I'll bet he could; he's got the bread.

[@pat36a]

When we were kids, we'd dress up and play Army. Kermit gets to play Fighter Ace.

[@44492611]

An amazing video. Man that camel takes off like a rocket.

[@juxtaposeism]

awesome footage and that editing... ;-)

[@abundantYOUniverse]

After seeing this video, I forgive you for eating the last hot dog in the hot dog shop two weeks before you closed:) That was fantastic Kermit, thanks.

[@Bartmans_Garage]

Awesome Video Kermit. I enjoy all your vids.

[@Triumphs1962]

Well done chaps! With 4 to 1 odds you both were splendid! Back to base now for tea

[@ScottBrownlee]

Perfect way to get me in the mood for Shuttleworth on Sunday.

[@ColeAviation]

LOVE the sound effects! 😂 Kermit, you and Gene 🤙🏼ROCK!! 🤙🏼 Y'all fit the description PERFECTLY. 😁 Those engines Always sound like they are wanting to die. Lol

[@garynew9637]

Ignition controlled throttle in the sopwith

[@thomasdollenmayer4073]

gotta love the shameless rum promotion :-) Thank you for taking us along!

[@commentatron]

The disclaimer on the bottle, too: "Warning: Do not drink and re-enact vintage WWI aircraft dogfights."

[@oalithgow]

This is the most BadAss video ive seen in a long

[@youdoyouplayer8529]

I’ve never seen a pilot so relaxed when landing.

[@RidiculousMJM]

Be a dream come true to fly that! Well done!!

[@machia-mw1lm]

I wonder how many flight hours Kermit Weeks has ? My Uncle was a pilot in the USAAF during WW2 and did a lot of Private flying after the war , with the addition of a 28 year career with American Airlines , retiring with 33,000 hours .

[@paulmanson253]

machia0705 Was he a bomber or fighter pilot during the war ? Richard Bach was adamant there are important psychological differences between the two. Generally,A A had a policy of bomber pilots for decades. Anyone else had a particularly tough time getting hired. That number you quoted is staggering. I doubt modern pilots can achieve those very high numbers of hours. Hope you had a great relationship with the man. He must have been both tough and disciplined. Cheers.

[@busterdee8228]

If Kermit can't fly something, it probably doesn't fly.

[@dyer2cycle]

Man, does that look like fun!...and I am not even a pilot. Cool looking WW1 tank in background, also!

[@LULEKOSO]

Foi incrível esta batalha virtual!!! Um vôo ao passado.

[@andrewlabat9963]

How absolutely awesome it must be to be able to do stuff like this..

[@white-wy6dg]

Beautiful landing Mr Weeks but in reality I don`t think you would have lasted long enough to make it!

[@para1324]

Even though that Fokker was on your tail right after you rotated I say he was out of ammo. 👍

[@nndorconnetnz]

Peter has a wonderful collection there. A museum well worth visiting. I used to live over the hill in Nelson, sadly was not able to see the shows at Omaka. But to see so many rotary radials in action is a site and sound to behold, especially after seeing too many Fokker's and Sopwith's with non rotary radials in the 90's. Thanks Kermit for posting this video. Hows that Tempest V coming along ;)

[@KermitWeeks444]

All work on the Tempest V has stopped, since Andy Salter retired. It will be picked up again someday in the future.

[@robertbarlow6715]

Just wow. Awsome

[@harpothehealer]

Fantastic video, wonderful airplanes, best regards

[@brianmoore1820]

Yes I noted that the Jerry's behind you must have been outa ammo. I'd love to fly one of those. Great video, thanks.

[@dennythomas8887]

2:00 If your looking for that 5th German kill to make "ACE" he just taxied past you while you where strapping in! lol...Fantastic video thanks for taking us along for the ride!

[@LCMNUNES1962]

VERY GOOD FLYGHT !! CARMIE CAM, FROM BRASIL CONGRATULATIONS.

[@radiobikini6429]

Awesome!! Makes me want to watch The Blue Max again.

[@vaughanpower4538]

The short distance for take off is interesting. A modern aircraft carrier without use of a catapult seems possible.

[@rayjohn3946]

That is awesome! Man, you where so lucky this time! You had that Fokker right behind you, I heard his guns, but he missed every shot. You have a mirror on that Camel? ...Great video! awesome dogfight!

[@bravohotel100]

Hope you enjoyed your trip to Omaka (New Zealand) Kermit , we Kiwis know how to put on a show and our other Easter bi-annual Airshow is Warbirds over Wanaka, Peter Jackson's display at Omaka is something else well worth the visit and along with Gene both these gents have brought to life events with occurred over a hundred years ago outstanding!!

[@garynew9637]

Did the museum at omaka 2019😜

[@webb3251]

great video i love the theatrics!!!

[@hillsmith]

Great video.

[@pR1mal.]

"Starring Kermit Weeks as The Great Waldo Pepper".

[@jonnybeck6723]

Kermie ya looked pret-ty cool in that whole get up... cheers

[@corny3566]

Can we all take a moment to appreciate the landing? It was so smooth, you could hardly Tell the plane touched the ground. That's insanely hard to do in a biplane of that era. This landing was absolutely perfect. I have huge respect for the pilot for being able to pull this off.

[@willythewave]

You are amazing sir.

[@nzslackie]

Love the audio!! But I think that Fokker got you at 6:00!!

[@rztricky]

Celebrations Kermit, best footage of your life and accomplishments is 4:30-5:20

[@georgew.5639]

It sounds like the aircraft is full throttle all the time. It’s ignition on and off to regulate the engine speed.

[@GGigabiteM]

The only rotary engine to truly not have a throttle was the Gnome Monosoupape because of the oddball design it used. The Bentley BR. 2 used in the Sopwith Snipe had a basic carburetor and full throttle control, though it did keep the blip switch from earlier rotary engine types. Kermit does idle the engine at 4:18 without using the blip switch to cut the cylinders out. You can hear it ramp up and down without the cylinders cutting out, but he did make liberal use of the blip switch throughout the flight, since it's an easier way of slowing down such a heavy gyroscopic engine with a two stroke style fuel and oil system. The throttle has a bit of a delay since rotary engines use a two cycle style lubrication and fuel system where everything is thrown into the crank case before being inducted into the cylinders through tubes that run from the crank case to the top of the cylinder.

[@nicholastaylor6455]

Awesome, go Kermit

[@dylanmccallister1888]

There should be a company that makes laser tag kits for aircraft. Yeah the leading of the target wouldnt work because its a laser but still that would be cool. I was thinking of something you and your friends could essentially attach it the way go pros do. Maybe with some fancy program and different laser system it could calculate the hits to simulate the lead you would need with a bullet.

[@hoodoo2001]

Awesome!

[@TheSoundsOfFrank]

Without a doubt! ... that Dr.I on Kermit's tail was game over for the Sopwith Snipe! Otherwise, GREAT fun! Gotta say I was surprised to hear Kermit say that's a flock of FOE-KER'S ... as it is pronounced FAH-KER. I figured he would .. should .. know that it is not pronounced FOE-KER! Petty? Perhaps, but it has always made me insane to hear Fokker pronounced Foe-ker! Complete respect for Kermit Weeks though! Love all the footage!

[@odonovan]

@TheSoundsOfFrank, you had better check your pronunciation again. According to Dutch people (Fokker was Dutch), it's FOE-ker. forvo.com/word/anthony_herman_gerard_fokker/#nl

[@tankermottind]

Should have checked six...that Dr.I behind you would have lit you up if you were fighting for real. 😆

[@jessekiefer0206]

That was cool!

[@toadelevator]

This is so cool.

[@robertwilson9826]

Kermit looks great in the helmet and goggles. Gimme a shot of Naked in Jamaica!

[@dickbolderman9846]

Wahahaha...the plane that was "hit". Great video.

[@Tree_Dee]

You Sir, were having too much fun!

[@marioreis7347]

Awesome!! Superb!!

[@garynew9637]

Video of omaka from 2017 got me there in 2019. 7 drieders in the air at one time. Going again in 2021

[@MarsFKA]

There should have been eight in 2017, but one was grounded by a fuel leak. The downside of 2019 was no DR1s at all. Maybe next year - I'll be there, too.

[@gregward2186]

One word. Thanku. Love england

[@adamwhite3584]

Keep your head on the swivel Kermie !!

[@Lee78072]

6:11 That Fokker behind Kermit could have easy shot him down

[@bassmith448bassist5]

What a cool video!!!!! Wish I could do something like that!!!!

[@dicemancolostrum7369]

Hey, you have the Red Baron on your tail, man!! 😀😎👍👍👍

[@EldredTGlass]

Thank you for some more fun. Now for some good rum The Nutmeger