Waco YMF-5 - Aircraft Acquisition - Part 1

[@jamesfischer7334]

Flew right seat in a Caravan, out of Sedona to the West Rim and back a couple years ago. Was wondering where this plane went.. now I know. Great new home.

[@AirplanesLuxury]

Living the dream my friend! Love your videos and I went to fantasy of flight as a kid! Never stop flying your old birds around at Fantasy of Flight! it inspired me to become a pilot!

[@grob318]

Nice Waco Kermit. My Dad taught aerobatics during WWII in a Waco UPF-7 for Mountain States Aviation, run by Harry Combs. Other instructors were Lou Clinton, Oxy Chanute and Eddie Melin. After the war, dad, Grant Robertson and Lou Clinton started Clinton Aviation selling Cessnas and was across the taxi way at Stapleton Airport from Combs Aviation selling Beechcraft. He taught me how to fly at Stapleton International in my early teens. Dad and Lou Clinton’s secretary was Emily Howell who became the first female Airline Captain. They ran a large flight school as well.

[@whitecaneracer]

Im a visually impaired person and on the days my eyesight is better, its always exciting to see something I consider "art". This is one beautiful aircraft! Thanks for sharing!

[@johnnukecop]

In my personal and quite humble opinion, the YMF-5 is among the most gorgeous airplanes ever. It may be as close as I ever get to preflighting one of my own. Thank you for sharing this with all of us.

[@no_fb]

Looks like a lot of fun! Tip: we don't say "centigrade" because that doesn't exist since last millennium, we say "celsius" ;-)

[@flymachine]

Well, now that's just about as close to a WACO YMF as I am ever likely to get - thank you, Kermit!

[@i.r.wayright1457]

That's a beauty Kermit. I had a friend who worked with me on a Stearman for a while who used to work building Wacos, at the factory, after WWII. When he was in the war he told me of his time in the Philippines and working on seaplanes. He was getting on one once and dropped his whole tool box in the water, too deep to recover. Later he worked for Piper and was head of the experimental department for a while. He built many a fine project plane with perfection of workmanship you would admire. He passed away last year, but before he did we took him to the William T. Piper Museum at Lock Haven, PA, where a brick was dedicated to him and added to the wall near the entrance hall. Sylvester "K" Heller, R.I.P.

[@hieronymusbosch693]

Awesome thanks for sharing, can't wait for part 2

[@superduper1917]

Radial engine sound and it looks like jewelry. Plus it just has it’s own stance on the field. Truly Lovely!

[@bille.3126]

My wife and I got to fly in that bird many years ago. Still have picture of us in front of N53WC. It was a blast!

[@Kevin_747]

I got to tour the factory about '97. Hand built and beautiful work.

[@scottkeeney9911]

When I was 18 (1989) I worked for an FBO out of Lansing, MI called General Aviation. The owner also started/owned Waco Classic at the time. I spent many hours washing the new Waco's prior to delivery. Nice to see they are as beautiful as I remember. The brakes are no joke. I watched a new aircraft, with only 5 hours, flip on its back when the new owner was receiving instruction. Guess he was a little heavy on the brakes.

[@islander4986]

After I quit a job flying the Waco here in the islands, my successor managed to do the same thing. Not sure if the brakes may have locked due to corrosion the the slaves or masters. No injuries fortunately. The tour business folded after the loss.

[@scottkeeney9911]

@@islander4986 You say islands, do you mean Hawaii? If so, I was there when that plane was crated for shipment. That is if it's the same aircraft. Again, that would've been in 1989.

[@islander4986]

@@scottkeeney9911 I mean Hilo on the Big Isle, yes. The plane you're referring to may have been the totaled wreck that crashed out near the eruption when the prop flew off (see my other comment here). I wasn't flying Classic Aviation's Waco till the 90's at the earliest (not finding my logs or the clipping that was in the Tribune about the incident). The airplane that flipped after I quit probably wasn't damaged as badly.

[@islander4986]

I found an old Tribune Herald clipping of the September '98 incident on Hilo's runway 8 when the guy who took over the Hilo tours to the eruption flipped the Waco. So I must've been flying it from about '97 till then. I don't remember the brakes or the airplane being particularly touchy compared to other taildraggers I flew.

[@gonagain]

I flew one out of Hilo, HI doing volcano tours and put a thousand hours on it. It's a very gentle aircraft to fly, kinda like driving a 56 Buick.

[@islander4986]

You flew for Classic? With Rex? I did too. Not sure how much time I have in the Waco. My successor flipped the airplane on 26. Sad.

[@stephencoan247]

@@islander4986 I owned Biplane Barnstormers out of Maui with my Waco - 33 KD

[@islander4986]

I found the old newspaper clipping of the landing accident. Apparently the plane landed on runway 8, not 26. No date on the clipping, but there was an ad for Sept. 98 on the reverse, and the text says the accident occurred on a Thursday. I narrowed the date of the incident down to Thursday, 9/3/98. So, I must've been working for Classic Aviation for a couple of years in the late 90's and quit a few weeks before the accident which ended Classic Aviation's operation.

[@odonovan]

2:58 - I've flown in both (helicopter and open-cockpit biplane). It would be a COLD day in Sedona (or Hell) when I would choose a helicopter ride over a ride in that Waco!

[@jamesriordan7]

Congrats Kermit! You're going to love your YMF! I actually own serial #003 here in Kanab, UT where I hop rides. Our company is called Pioneer Aviation. Anyhow, my Waco was used for ride hopping in Hawaii for 7 years or so and then was owned by the late Ron Alexander there at Peachstate Aerodrome just south of Atlanta, GA. I bought it from Ron's estate after he passed and flew it cross country to our then home in northeast Nevada. I've been giving tourists rides in it for 2 and a half years now. Great airplane! Enjoy and thanks for sharing your experience with all of us!

[@terrygrady7683]

Coolest show ever. Wow....until pt2.

[@grahamaindow8894]

Brilliant video. Keep em coming Kermit...all of us aeronuts need our fix of aviation videos while we are quarantined at home. Stay safe and best wishes, Graham, Essex, UK.

[@trojanorse]

Great video Kermit. Very informative. Looking forward to part 2. Thanks.

[@sblack48]

He don't need no stinkn airspeed indicator. Does touch and goes anyway. That's a real pilot.

[@av8tore71]

Paperwork in the aircraft A= Airworthiness R= Registration O= Operating Limitations W= Weight & Balance

[@Tree_Dee]

What a neat little bird!

[@bradmullins229]

Very beautiful Waco, looking forward to part 2. Thanks for sharing

[@easttexan2933]

what an awesome airplane and acquisition. Kermit, you look really happy.

[@jonnybeck6723]

Cripes Kermie! The engine sound is musical Magic!

[@seguyalain9217]

Hello Kermit, a real dream flying, thanks for your video from Toulouse, France. Alan

[@richardmirandagrimm5601]

Kermit , how cool. and thank you for taking us along with you. its such a great way to get out. I hope to make it to Fantasy of flight one day.

[@MarkInArizona]

I remember that flying over Sedona years ago. Glad to see it found a new caretaker. Hopefully part 2 of this video is the trip home with it!

[@donaldparlettjr3295]

For 7000 hours on the Hobbs she has aged gracefully. Nice purchase Kermit.

[@gregaussie5254]

cant wait for part 2

[@solucky70]

Beautiful plane! Wow!

[@Enid2Sacramento]

What a gorgeous flying machine. Hope to see video of her in her element soon...

[@jimburig7064]

Arizona's low humidity and abundant sunshine helps preserve aircraft and automobiles. I saw this a few times over Flagstaff.

[@vipertwenty249]

Now that - is a beautiful looking aircraft. Along with the old saying, I'd expect it flies right too.

[@sski]

What a looker that plane is. And it sounds wonderful. Good catch, Kermit.

[@DustyBalz]

Looking at the WACO gives me that funny feeling like when you used to climb the rope in gym class or seeing Cindy Crawford in tank top and shorts

[@steveshoemaker6347]

O my gosh this is so cool....Beautiful aeroplane....Kermit you are so lucky my friend...In the strange times it's always good to remember this don't touch your face......lt is easy....lf you got a drink of Jamaisaian Rum in each hand.....you can't touch your face....problem solved....Thanks so much...Truly...!

[@markcorboy8528]

A beautiful airplane. It will be a proud acquisition to your collection no doubt.

[@blancolirio]

Excellent info on this aircraft!

[@jimjenkins673]

Hey Juan!

[@barryervin8536]

Beautiful airplane. There was an identical one based at the now closed Kutztown, PA airport and I got my first open cockpit ride in it. Love these old round engine bi-planes.

[@billbright1755]

Got to go up in a 1927 Travel Air bi plane. Tillamook Oregon. Like riding a motorcycle through the beautiful country side. Low and slow fantastic! We could have flown though the blimp hangers there but the back doors were shut. Give me a plane boss. I’ll buzz through their hangers! My Teresa is Julie Ann 37 years today. Anniversary. Jack screw on the Max 8 was in the news. M.C.A.S. was Boeing’s name for the computer override. She’s your ship. Pre flight her before every hop. Check list complete,, let’s run her up, clear for takeoff.

[@angelreading5098]

She is a beauty Kermit,a big round engine in a biplane painted red what more could a vintage aviator want ? looking forward to the next two parts and I just know this aeroplane is going to grow on you,wow 7,000 houred airframe she defies that in her looks with just a little natural patina,love the control surface hinge points with plenty of grease on them,she has a new home and will get a lot of TLC.

[@patrickibex]

Nice addition there Kermit to the collection 👍😎

[@rogerturner5504]

Only the coolest chap on the planet. When Kermit gets up in the morning, he pisses excellence!

[@KermitWeeks444]

Oh my! Thanks!

[@slit4659]

Rodger... Maybe you can Lend him a Hand...

[@3ducs]

Lovely aircraft. I had the pleasure of a ride in one, an original, a few years ago, an airline pilot would take summers off and offer rides from a local airport here in NH. It was great going up and seeing things I'd only seen from the ground. They are very sturdily built but get blown around like a leaf in eddying winds when landing.

[@guitarTennisCarHomeFixFlying]

Great preflight video, thanks for bringing us along Kermit felt like we were cocooned in your shirt pocket as if we were a fountain pen!

[@weswyleven9540]

Good to see you still so active Kermit! I love your work.

[@jonathansteiner3251]

I can say I’ve been up in that bird. Beautiful plane great ride!

[@artd.]

Don't know what happened to the video yesterday it just disappeared. glad you reposed it Mr Kermit.

[@KermitWeeks444]

My cell phone number was visible in some shots. Couldn't have that. Re-edited and re-posted.

[@artd.]

I never noticed to busy watching you and that gorgeous airplane!!!!!!!!

[@airgliderz]

Ultimate social distancing machine that makes you smile, makes all it Flys over smile. Life is good, the meaning of life.

[@Docinaplane]

I've been at FOF several times. Thanks for creating that. I do wish I could fly my Arrow there (I live in Gainesville). Sedona is wonderful and that airport location is spectacular! I think I saw that red Waco when I was at that airport a few yeas ago. Best and fly safe!

[@SaltyDawg-wu5kr]

LAST TIME MY WIFE AND I WHERE AT COTTON WOOD AIRPORT THEY WHERE REBUILDING A 1972 180 THAT HAD GROUND LOOPED. NOT PRITTY! THE JACOBS 275 WAS A TANK ENGINE SINGLE MAG. NOW COVERTED DUEL MAGS. THE TANK HAD THICKER CYLINDER WALLS. I GOT TIME IN MOSTLY THE SAME SETUP EXCEPT THE ONE I FLEY IN WAS A CONSTANT SPEED METAL PROP. WACO IS A WONDERFULL AIRCRAFT. RALPH MAY YOU HAVE BLUE SKYS AND ALLWAYS A TAIL WIND...R.I.P. ✌🇺🇸

[@SaltyDawg-wu5kr]

@Cr6479 I KNOW YOUR ARE RITE . I CAN SEE IT BETTER. JUST USING A PHONE. THANK you for your concern. Cool CHICKEN. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸Trump🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍

[@Lucius1958]

That takes me back well over 50 years, to Robertson Airfield in Plainville, CT, when I was a kid. There was a Waco there, the pride of the field. I believe one of my parents took a ride in it...

[@Georgewrigley]

Wow. Beautiful plane. Look forward to seeing more flight videos. ✈️😊👍

[@JohnVHRC]

Fun. Classy plane.

[@txnetcop]

Wow! A WACO...AWESOME

[@dougscott8161]

Congrats, Kermie that will make you a great gift for surviving the Corona Virus scare (ya gotta have some kind of excuse for adding to your collection). That is one beautiful air plane.

[@harrowtiger]

What a fabulous video of a fabulous plane. Thankyou.

[@bondisteve3617]

Great Mr. Kermit! Fine lookin' plane....hurry up with part 2....please...?

[@ruftime]

Congrats Kermit, a beautiful plane!

[@weekendwarrior556]

Sedona is a great airport to hit for the views. Red rocks of Sedona excellent views. Thanks for another great video love your work and aircraft preservation!

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

What a gorgeous airplane! Very nice!

[@danielsanchez5249]

Beautiful plane!

[@stevemiller2210]

Best of luck with the new acquisition I wish they flew as well as a Taperwing

[@chestercallahan8856]

What a beautiful bird!

[@Stringbean421]

I've just purchased one of these, for Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 Lol. Flight model by Carenado. It's the nearest I'll ever get to flying the real thing.

[@mattbucko6900]

I think Waco is in Battle Creek now

[@rpellicciotti]

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did mine. Flew it about 500 hours. Gave a lot of people rides in it.

[@roncyr1850]

thanks for stream......shareing these flying dreams

[@scottmitchell8273]

Beautiful

[@islander4986]

I flew air tours to the Volcano here on the Big Island in one of these back in the late '90's. It had the mag/battery ignition rather than the dual mags like this Waco. Before I was hired the wood prop departed the airplane when another pilot was flying a tour one day-forced landing in the rough lava (not molten) near the eruption, no injuries, airplane destroyed. I had a tough time starting the replacement airplane one day (probably due to bad plugs) and decided to use both ignition systems to start. This procedure was verboten because the engine could run in reverse on the magneto ignition if the prop bounced back on compression, and that's exactly what happened. But I eventually managed to get it started, and flew the tour. After a day of flying, I noticed that the wood prop was cracked with a split all the way through the blade. I much later realized that this crack was probably due to the extreme torque the sudden reversal of the engine during the start exerted on the prop mounting bolts and laminated maple prop. The "chief pilot" (I use the term loosely) insisted that I continue to fly tours the next day with the cracked maple prop. I declined, and he decided to fly it himself back to the other side of the island where the prop was changed. This was the same pilot who had a few years earlier experienced the prop departure incident. I now knew the probable cause of the prop failure he experienced. So, if you have the 755 Jacobs with mag/battery ignition and the maple prop, there is a good reason why starting on "both" is not an option you should ever consider.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Thanks for sharing that.

[@woooster17]

Enjoyed that. Ahh..new toys are awesome 👍🏼

[@Bill23799]

I remember attending an Air Show at Andrau Airport in Houston, Texas in the 90's. They had a WACO aircraft flying at this airshow and what really impressed me was how that Bi-Plane just BEAT UP the air as she flew by.

[@johnnystieferman6527]

Wow Kermit shes beautiful,one of my favorite airplanes.....

[@charlesfoster141]

Nice plane Kermit. I feel like I am there making the deal. Done that many times myself. Pre-flighting the Waco is a bit more involved than the taildraggers I owned. I really love these airplanes. I imagine you went for this plane for price. 7,000 hours and nearly 30 years old with the engine that close to TBO had to make for a bargain deal. I would guess you bought her for around 150k compared to twice that or more for later models. I would look for a very low time Jake with fresh major overhaul to replace that tired engine. It was likely well maintained in commercial service with continuous 100 hour inspections but radials are prone to cylinder problems and blowing jugs. That is why I would look for a better engine and save that one on the bench. Happy flying! Wish I was still in the game but getting too old to keep a medical.

[@maxsmodels]

Waco...nice

[@ahugs8843]

Gorgeous plane

[@mattharte7334]

Getting a feeling of deja vu from last night! Great looking aircraft and I sense the seller was a little sad to see it go. Looking forward to seeing part 2.

[@billireland2029]

That's a purdy airplane!!

[@goosf5746]

It is beautiful plane, really beautiful 👍

[@colinjones3388]

Last time I saw you was at that airport and I went for the sight seeing ride maybe in that plane. Hope to see it in Florida sometime.

[@arnhemseptember2009]

Very well built beautiful plane.

[@alfa-foxtrot]

Man, I wish I could afford one of those at some point. Gorgeous airplane!

[@Popsaircraftdetail]

She’s beautiful congratulations Kermit

[@seansky2721]

Lookee! Baron von Weeks has another Schoner Flug-spiel-zeug! Keys and a Heater?! What will them Yankees think up next! She's a purty thang! BTW, I found a 1988 issue of Sport Aviation in my "Achieves" today. Your F-EG Mossie is on the cover. Whatever happened to Her? Thanks for teaching me how to fly the WACO! Happy landings!

[@MrHiBeta]

I go to Sedona every year and stay at Enchantment resort. The best restaurant in town is at the airport- the Mesa Grill.

[@gadixH]

had the privlage to fly this baby back in 1998 :)

[@jimburig7064]

What a beautiful little biplane!

[@derekblake9385]

Glad to see your safe

[@KermitWeeks444]

This was bought, and shot in better times, in November .

[@derekblake9385]

Kermit Weeks glad to know your safe, sorry my comment may of sounded like a complaint it wasn’t meant like that I love the videos here in the UK especially at the moment.

[@bobwampler3387]

What an absolute beauty!

[@robertinscoe2379]

My goodness what a beautiful airplane.

[@crushingvanessa3277]

Love this colour scheme, very nice plane.

[@reckemroysrc3764]

OHH Boy. Kermie you've gone WACO. IT'S ABOUT TIME 😁

[@onthemoney7237]

Nice very cool 👍

[@leeklemetti1887]

Great addition. A beautiful airplane, looks like new. Remember whoever is driving the car back, maybe driving 80 mph, and beat ya home

[@celticpatriot1527]

Kermit really like airplanes I've learned

[@benmartz3405]

Its time to push it back to fla so we can come see it. So much for spring break? Hopefully august.

[@jerrytee2688]

Cool, I got to go up in the same model a few years ago at the Cape Cod Airfield in Marston Mills MA.😎

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

I'd be curious to know how much preflight briefing/tuition you had given it was your first time in the aeroplane and you hadn't flown one before? I assume, as you'er such an experienced pilot of warbirds/tail draggers of all shapes and sizes, you can fly pretty much anything by feel now, but I would crap my pants jumping into an unknown aeroplane and flying solo first go - especially with no ASI!! Hats off to you sir great video, really enjoyed that respite in these crazy locked down times, I cannot wait to get back in the air.....

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

PS I love Sedona airport - I flew into there from North Las Vegas at night in a rented Cessna about 20 years ago with my Mrs pregnant with twins, I couldn't believe where we had landed the next day when daylight dawned! Fabulous part of the world to fly....sadly for us UK based pilots flying in the US got a whole lot harder after 911 and I haven't flown solo there since :0(

[@humbertovaldivieso5171]

" I don't believe in brakes" that one is going on my hangar wall !