Grumman TBM Avenger - Arrival at Fantasy of Flight

My Grumman TBM Avenger was the last plane to leave the Weeks Air Museum in Miami, after it was destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. After some time and repairs, I flew the plane to Fantasy of Flight in 2009. In this clip I arrive at FoF, and do a few passes, before landing at its new home. At the end of the clip, there's an interview I did when George H.W. Bush passed away. Besides being the 41st President of the United States, he was also famous for being a TBM Avenger pilot in WW2. Check it out.
Kermit Weeks
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Kermit Weeks

[@dancoffman5681]

As a 17 year old Naval Reserve seaman recruit at NARTU Memphis in June 1950 right after North Korea invaded South Korea, I got a ride in the turret of a TBM. The Reserve pilot scared me when he started pulling a few Gs, but I was hooked. Come August 1955 I was designated a Naval Aviator, flying the Douglas AD-5N Skyraider in All Weather Attack Squadron 35. I am now 88 and still flying my Cessna 172M. Can’t give it up.

[@charlie1571]

My father was a turret gunner on an Avenger during WW2. He served off Newfoundland and off the coast of Africa on submarine search.Then his escort carrier VC 13 went through the Panama Canal and he served in the Pacific eventually ended up at the battle of Okinawa. He never talked much about his service. I wish he were here today.

[@craigpennington1251]

P.S. Thanks Kermit for all you do to preserve our history in aviation. A huge undertaking with today's insane pricing on everything. Also, very much respect for the pilots who went head on at enemy shipping in these and the ground crews who kept them flying.

[@gordonrogers4616]

When i heard the engine doing flyovers, It ran a chill down my spine. So awesome. Thank you Kermit. Really love what you do!

[@TSemasFl]

I saw that Avenger down at Tamiami, years ago. I'm glad it's still flying

[@johndavey72]

Lots of lovely comments and deservedly so . Kermits passion keeps many warbirds flying we would never have the opportunity to otherwise see . Thanks Keemit .

[@pac1fic055]

There’s one at the American Air Power museum in Long Island. The plane is absolutely gigantic. It’s hard to believe it operated from carriers.

[@1boortzfan]

Kermit, it is a great thing you do to bring honor to all these veterans. Thank you,

[@dianeswift]

You preserve much of our history in the most tangible way. Thank you again Kermit.

[@stringfellowbalk2654]

Really nice anecdote. That moment he was that young aviator again.

[@WilliamParmley]

I lived in Idaho years ago and there was one at the Rexburg airport. I remember working outside one day and hearing a distant rumble -- I was sure it was a radial engine. Sure enough, here came the Avenger and passed right overhead.

[@nicklambing9268]

As a young lad back in the 1950's there were two TBM Avengers that had been converted into agricultural spray planes and at that time they were both located on the west side of the airport at Wikes Air Service in Hillsboro, Oregon. I was helping my uncle sand rust off of the air frame of a Steerman he was renovating and installed a canopy conversion to cover the open cockpits. Like most of the comments, I was amazed at the size of the TBM's. I clearly recall the spray nozzle system below the wings, but do not recall ever actually seeing them spraying anything, possibly not so great being so large and not very agile.

[@henrykuhn5096]

TedK Love the all of your videos and the fact that you are preserving history by restoring all the various aircraft you own. I spent 43 years working on Grumman (later Northrup Grumman) aircraft including the C2A, A6E, EA-6B and F-14. President George H.W. Bush at 18 was the youngest Navy pilot during WWII, by 1944 he had flown 58 combat missions from 1942 to 1944 when he was shot down. His biography can define the Greatest Generation.

[@nonamesplease6288]

That big radial engine sounds like someone tearing a big old sheet of canvas. People talk about the Merlin engine being the classic warbird noise, but to me, nothing beats that radial sound.

[@gonuts4donuts]

Absolutely! People love the Merlin, whether it is a Spit, Hurricane, or Mustang, two on the Mosquito or four on the Lancaster, but the sounds from radial engines just evoke pure power. I love the sound of a Hellcat, Corsair, Thunderbolt, or even an FW-190. The Merlin powered fighters are akin to a sports car, but the radials are like a bad ass muscle car.

[@nonamesplease6288]

The ultimate radial sound is a B29 at full tilt going overhead.

[@George-pp2hr]

Wow! That looks fantastic in natural metal. First time ever. It's a monster of a bird but very much loved. I will build a model version of this metal finish. I'll have to guess my own ID letters and number. I have a few models of the Avenger and a large scale 1/32 of George H.W Bush's Aircraft. The other models I have received one and waiting for a second to build the Flight 19 Avengers lost in the Bermuda Triangle. But it's a wonderful flying machine. I hope to see what it looks like in its new paint coat.😮😯😲😳👍🇭🇲🦘🐨✌️

[@kevinwilliams287]

I can only imagine the sound of an entire Squadron flying over.!

[@Haywain]

You don't realise how large these planes are. Until that shot of you standing on the wing, and you see just how large the front end is. Amazing.

[@robertjutton6079]

Very large beast for a single engine plane

[@diggr13]

I've been an airline mechanic for decades but my first job as an apprentice in 1988 was on the world's last commercially operated fleet of Avengers. We had seventeen that year of which twelve were airworthy and used to spray the forests of New Brunswick in the battle against the spruce budworm. Great memories.

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

You lie about something as basic as your real adult name! Why should I believe a word of what you type?

[@lionfish1232]

WW2 vets are in a league of their own

[@darkredvan]

I watched one TBM at a regional airshow in Germany about 10 years ago. This is the only one airworthy in Europe, based in Switzerland. It is a big, intimidating airplane up close. Really impressing size and sound.

[@Gamble661]

Fantasy of Flight has been my Happy Place for a very long time!

[@ednesbit2988]

I can't wait for when you bring the a-26 home from chino that plane is one of my favorites in your collection

[@angusmotorsports4715]

Chino/Cal Aero/PoF isn’t that far away from me. It would be cool for Kermit to do a meet and greet with the fans.

[@craigpennington1251]

Love these aircraft because of their versatility. That (bomb bay) can be used as intended, a water tanker set up, or an extra fuel tank set up for extended flight. You can fit 3 people in (a small family) for a trip, etc. They look fab and sound same. Good luck on getting it back to pristine flying condition. These are like a big 68 Caddy Coupe De Ville. Smooth and powerful that maneuvers well, and very stabile.

[@paulsilva3346]

1:27 Oh the burbling sounds of my youth at Grass Valley Air Attack Base, CA. Back in the late '60's. The Roar of the PW motors in the Morning and all days on local wildland fires. And later during restoration of no few TBF, and TBM's. Thanks for the trip down the Memory Flight Line.!

[@mikehalm164]

A friend told me that she and her husband (both are pilots) attended a open house at a local airfield where ten TBMs had gathered. At dusk all of them were lined up abreast of each other well away from the crowd. All engines were started. At idle their chests were throbbing from the noise. After engine temps came up, power was increased on all - the sensation she said was almost chrushing, and the exhaust flames lit up the field. Wish I could have been there.

[@K-Effect]

I remember correctly there's an old KZbin video that about what you're talking about, I don't know if it's the actual same day but they're doing the same thing. If I can find it I'll leave a link

[@irishshintoshi8213]

The plane couldn't be in better hands. Thanks Kermit

[@billwilliams9527]

Wow Kermit, thanks for sharing that, you are 'the man'. As a native Polk County resident, I think how great it is to have you and Fantasy of Flight here. I was there several years ago, what a thrill it was, hope to do it again soon.

[@edwardbennett2312]

Thank you again Kermit.

[@olsonspeed]

An impressive machine, a lot of airplane to hang on one prop. Making a combat torpedo run must have been terrifying, amazing any crew survived.

[@ToreDL87]

Actually, 1941-1943 allowed the MK.13 torpedo to be dropped at speeds of only 150 knots, FAR below what the TBM was capable of :) There was Midway, sure, but firstly, that was more due to poor deployment (and little to no fighter cover). And the Japanese (even if they hadnt lost carriers needed to recover their torpedo bombers) likely lost just as many to USN surface fire & fighter cover on that day. It wasnt until the latter 2 years of the war that the Mark 13's kinks and quirks were worked out, to allow for reliable use, so much so, in fact, to earn universal praise as best aircraft borne torpedo, with most kills (including the Musashi and Yamato) attributed to TBM drops (and high survivability rate).

[@TheSonicfrog]

What a sound! Brute power driving a tank of an aircraft...

[@jimschnurr3512]

I really love your museum and displays. I used to travel in the area on business and took quite a few customers to lunch there. I took a flight in the Stearman since I had never flown a tail dragger. Great place and I hope to see it again.

[@On-Our-Radar-24News]

Who hasn't Kermit Weeks met? Your the wizard of knowing important people as well the wizard of orlampo

[@willamcombs1106]

Imagine what the sound was like when 30+ of these Aircraft were in the air at one time. Then add 30+ SBD's and 40 - 50 F4F's heading out on a mission during WWII.

[@dennisud]

I've been to FoF once and the old Weeks Air Museum back in the day a few times. I really hope to see more hangers used for displaying AND seeing you fly these old birds again!

[@carlosmerlin8727]

It's the first time I've seen this model converting its wings. A really beautiful aircraft. It looks like a P47 Thunderbolt.

[@newtnewton6721]

Really cool Kermit and made me remember the first one I saw in Kissimmee Florida at a air museum in 1992 and the tour guide told the story of president Bush also and after the tour I went for my very first warbird ride in a at6 with a older pilot named Jack and he let me fly it from the back seat and when we landed I had to have my smile surgically removed lol!!

[@Mercmad]

When I was little kid in New Zealand in the 1960's there was an avenger parked at the local Aerodrome. As far as i know it changed hands a few times and eventually fell into disrepair and fell apart. It was an interesting thing to play on as an 8 year old.

[@longtimepittsowner5589]

K: Your a class act. I did not know Pres Bush was downed twice. Anyway, you know what it takes to fly one of these. You explained your time with the President perfectly. He acted just like a pilot does when seeing his favorite airplane.

[@regmason2329]

Saw an Avenger several years ago at the Naval Museum in Pensacola. What struck me was its size relative to the prop. If you didn't know better you would swear it could not fly!

[@bassmith448bassist5]

Always loved the Grumman wing fold!!!

[@doctorwigglespank8933]

I saw an Avenger parked at a local airport when I was a teenager in the mid-80's. I was into jets back then, and had no idea what it was other than being WWII era, but my friend and I stopped to take a look. There was nobody around, and we spent a good while looking at it (not a chance that would happen today). That experience stuck with me, and I've loved the Avenger since.

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

L:iar.

[@doctorwigglespank8933]

@@MichaelKingsfordGray You're the KZbin version of a street pigeon: a nuisance whose only purpose seems to be shitting on things.

[@mattharte7334]

There’s an Avenger at the Imperial War Museum Duxford and I think it’s named after Barbara Bush too. President Bush opened the American Hangar at Duxford, it’s an amazing place. George Bush and Ronald Reagan were two of the very best. Great video.

[@danielkeirsteadsr6939]

Kermit, I love you and Jay Leno.

[@Kaless215]

I just love the look of those old World War 2 airplanes. There's just something about them.

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

Great video. Thanks Kermit

[@ianashton886]

Amazing plane, a tank with wings !

[@machia0705]

Thank you Kermit for keeping history alive.

[@axispowerdiesel]

Dang Kermit, that is one sweet bird

[@fenny1578]

The first, and only, Avenger I ever saw was at a Hope AR CAF airshow in the 90s. The thing is insanely huge, the scale of it really can't be explained until you're standing next to it.

[@deeremeyer1749]

There generally is no way to "explain" scale and scale is irrelevant to the size of a specific object. Less hyperbole generally equals more impact if and when you have an actual point to make such as "Those planes are BIG!". The video shows several humans on and beside the plain if you get that far. Obviously in your rush to make this video about you that didn't happen. A "sense of scale" is included in the video. As usual.

[@fenny1578]

@@deeremeyer1749 Bro, you're drunk. All I said is that they're big airplanes. I'm sorry others can't have life experiences in your presence.

[@victorhodgson8767]

Kermit, My uncle, John Gaunt (Royal Navy) flew one of those from a aircraft carrier during the last war, unfortunately he, and the crew perished when he was shot down while attacking a German warship, or installation ( can't remember which!) in one of Norway's Fjords

[@nicholasroberts6954]

10th August 1944, Operation Offspring, the largest aerial mining operation conducted by the Royal Navy Home Fleet during WW2. This operation was conducted just before the intended operation (Goodwood 4) against the battleship Tirpitz moored, at that time, in Kaa/Alten fjord. On Op Offspring, Forty-Seven anti-shipping mines were dropped by Fleet Air Arm 852 and 856 squadrons, from HMCS Nabob and HMS Trumpeter respectively, in the area between Haarhamsfjord and Lepsorev, and shipping at anchor straffed. One Avenger shot down. This may have been your uncle, as this was the only operation in which Fleet Air Arm Avengers actually flew off Norway - they were scheduled to perform minelaying against Tirpitz as part of Operation Goodwood 4, but the minelaying op was cancelled after Nabob was torpedoed and it and the Trumpeter were ordered to withdraw to the UK. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Goodwood_(naval) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Nabob_(D77) - construction and career, paragraph 4. The Avenger shot down during Op Offspring was possibly 856 squadron and this I believed occurred, following the usual practice of seeking targets of opportunity for straffing, once the main mission (The dropping of sea mines) had been completed. My dad, a pilot in 852, witnessed the crash. These Avengers, however, were designated TBF 1C's so presumably were Grumman (TBF) built not General Motors (TBM), Fleet Air-Arm name Tarpon 1

[@davelewandoski4292]

would love a Kermie Cam Pre and Flight of this Kermit! Thanks for sharing.

[@mattwilliams3456]

I remember seeing this beauty down in Tamiami in her prime.

[@asimsherzai]

Gotta love this piece of history Thank you for sharing

[@mikem5043]

Love the wing folding mechanism

[@Tactical_Tism]

I got to crawl through one. It's amazing and BIG

[@davidmurphy8190]

There was a TBM-3 at the VFW hall on a long concrete strip along with a F-84F Thunderstreak and F-94C Starfire. They were systematically ravaged by vandals over the years and were eventually scrapped. Still love those three warbirds.

[@fredbaldwin3221]

Thanks for the video I appreciate the opportunity to view history

[@corksucker]

Gotta love how it cuts between them completely getting it wrong and him explaining it to them in accurate detail

[@ironpirate8]

Yeah I think they mixed up dive bombers and torpedo bombers there!

[@artd.]

Another Historic Video Mr. Kermit, Thank You...:-)

[@josephpeterka2311]

Thanks for the inspiration!

[@harterbob]

George Bush was a class act. I met Barbara and Jeb Bush at Signature at Boston Logan when I was flying for the fractionals. I used to wear my company ID badge on an Army lanyard. When she saw that she hurried over to introduce herself and Jeb and thanked me for my military service (I was career Army). I laughed and told her thanks, and that I knew who she and her son were. The entire Bush family represents the best about the United States.

[@RXRSawdustStation]

I would have been tempted to toss HW the keys and turn my back ;-) Great video! Thank you for offering it up! All the very best!

[@faustobaptista8555]

It's a fantastic visual machina, and so ir das for your ex-presidente. A great vídeo for sure.

[@whalesong999]

Wright R2600s are the "growliest" sounding radials to me, especially in B-25s.

[@robertmorey4104]

The story i read about Lt HW Bush was they were supporting assault on Iwo Jima (carrying bombs instead of torpedo) and were shot up by ground fire. Bush held the plane to try and allow his crew to get out, no easy feat in Avenger out the side door. But they bailed out and were captured by Japanese. The crew were executed by beheading by Japanese. Bush was picked up by US submarine. The man is a hero in my eyes for serving his nation in WW2. Thanks for vid, I hope the naked Turkey gets Lt HW Bush's markings again some day.

[@sargepent9815]

Very cool. Nice to see it back in flying condition. Not too many dive/torpedo bombers still flying since most hobbyists seem to prefer fighters. Just needs a fresh coat of paint.

[@ColeAviation]

Every time I see or hear of a TBM Avenger I think about those that lost their lives in 🇺🇸Flight 19🇺🇸God rest their souls. Great video Kermit!!! Beautiful flying!!

[@David-uy6ch]

Awesome

[@fabriciopetroni9684]

Yo are awesome Kermit !!! Your videos are full of historical information and planes in and incredible way. I hope one time can visit you. Greetings from Argentina! From a pilot and fan of warbirds.

[@jhaedtler]

Thank you !

[@RealWoutLies]

My neighbor has one of these. Wish I could go up with him....

[@renehettinga6610]

Wow, great to see it flying, I use to see it all the time parked outside getting weathered.. you probably don't remember me Kermit but I use to talk to you in the Miami museum, mostly discussed WW2 aircraft and u were surprised by my luftwaffe knowledge.. "I would love to paint the me 109 when it's done".. I rarely see a restored one accurately painted..

[@NigelsModellingBench]

What a brilliant video!! Thank you.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thanks Kermit........From An old Navy Shoe.....!!

[@tankacebo9128]

I think it's funny how the news crew cut Kermit off while explaining how a torpedo bomber makes an attack run, and then explained how a DIVE BOMBER makes an attack run, which the TBM is not a dive bomber lmao...

[@Heathh49008]

Whenever you watch a news program regarding a subject you know about, it's always that way. Which is a good indicator of why you should never trust the news on ANY subject.

[@leeroyholloway4277]

Aviation to the media is like Kryptonite to Superman.

[@outlawflyer7868]

@@Heathh49008 funny you say that. Then why is it that there is a lot of those who are believing what the media is saying that isn't really true news to begin with. New stations that came to be after a certain someone was elected. Hmmm, how ironic.

[@doctorwigglespank8933]

Surprised they didn't call it a "fighter jet". Every military plane is a "fighter jet" to a "journalist".

[@samsignorelli]

@@doctorwigglespank8933 Even a Fokker Eindecker....

[@Mike-01234]

Don't realize just how massive they are until he gets out on the wing and looks like he is only 3 feet tall

[@elosogonzalez8739]

You need to authorize some overtime for your video team! Not getting our "KERMIT" fix nearly enough. As always, I enjoyed this. Thanks!

[@hansgruber650]

My Dad was on one from the USS Franklin CV-13

[@oleroorelo2094]

Nice looking and amazing history :-)

[@Pauls-World]

Thanks for the video Mr Weeks. Made my day.

[@unclemike1206]

You got it made

[@woof3598]

thats one big plane

[@toddeaton3269]

Most crash tested of all assuring best survivability... Still a friend & passenger bailed out of one recently over the Apache national forest, and still haven't heard of it being found (despite a reward offered for finding it)!

[@yes_head]

"They had to dive at the target for the torpedo to be accurate"... what?

[@robertmorey4104]

I think what he meant was fly straight at the target. TBM didn't really dive, although late war US torpedo could be dropped from higher altitude allowing the pilot to turn around and escape. You still had to lead the target (moving ship) to launch the fish. All guns would be on you- that part is correct.

[@morlock2086]

Reporters often don't know what they are saying. They just want copy that sounds good.

[@busterdee8228]

Dive torpedo-ing. Right.

[@thomasdalton2042]

That's really cool and a cool story to tell

[@peelreg]

Seeing this plane brings back memories. In the 50s I was a young teenager in Gander, Newfoundland. Gander was a large international airport with heavy trans-Atlantic commercial traffic. I was interested in airplanes and would visit the flight line from time to time to inspect interesting aircraft. There was no such thing as “security”. I could inspect parked aircraft and go into the hangers. Eastern provincial Airlines had a B-17 and a Canso (PBY). Parked side by side, the Canso looked to me to be bigger. Max Conrad would stop by on his way to Europe, ferrying a small airplane, and would wait a day or two for the weather he needed for the trip. His planes had an internal long range tank installed. There was a submarine scare. Fishermen were reporting seeing subs. The news down played the sighting. But some RAF Neptunes arrived and when I looked into the open bomb bays, I saw depth charges. And a number of Canadian Avengers arrived, also carrying depth charges. Someone was taking the sub sightings seriously. I was struck by how large the Avenger was. At a distance, it looks like a normal single engine aircraft, but when you walk up and under it, it is actually quite large. I used to like the sound of the big radials starting up, and then doing run ups and mag checks.

[@massmike11]

I remember standing next to an Avenger and just being agog at how large it was. Grummen never did anything by halves.

[@eamo106]

A great post and you flew it so well, the TBM behaved knowing it was her last flight perhaps behaved herself. Kudos to you and President Bush Snr. What is her and other planes futures ? You are a great custodian, but what is the future for you and your collection ? We will all pass but they will remain ? Any thoughts and news about the future ?

[@miguelsuarez8010]

There is nothing like the sound of 8, 10, 12 cylinders. The fright the japanese must have felt when this beast paid them a visit....

[@busterdee8228]

Radials have odd-number cylinders.

[@Warbird-Aviation]

what a cool sound

[@imbok]

I've seen several TBMs over the years and one impression they always give is that they are B I G. It took brass balls to point one of those at a Japanese warship and drop that fish in the water. Much respect to those who served.

[@nicholasroberts6954]

US torpedo bombing tactics were different to the British, 'cause the British Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm pilots that were trained in the U.S. had to be re-trained in British Torpedo tactics before being deployed, something to do with differences in the way they let down from altitude prior to attacking. One method incorporated "Staging" at set altitude points, where angle of descent was adjusted on the way down the other method involved just a continuous steady rate of descent. I was told, but I can't remember who "Owned" which tactic.

[@LCMNUNES1962]

BEAUTIFUL SOUND ENGINE RADIAL 14 CILINDERs

[@haroldmclean3755]

President Bush was a very Good President , The Avenger has a Nice sounding engine 👍

[@Bigsky1991]

President Bush flew the TBM in WW2 and TBM transition training for Naval Aviators after getting their basic flight instruction and Wings at Pensacola was down in DeLand Florida...formerly NAS DeLand.

[@drcornelius8275]

You did a great job in that interview.... however, I had to laugh when the "news" showed footage from a dive bomber's perspective as if... it's always been fake hasn't it LOL

[@UlHeiko]

Verry nice Plane ....impressive👍

[@Zoydian]

Great airplane! And it looks cool in bare metal!!

[@davef.2811]

Off-topic: I think the old 1649 Starliner is still parked out there in the back yard, as it's seen in this video. It would be a monumental task, but do think she'll ever see the skies again?

[@alantoon5708]

That is why it stayed in service for so long, both in the military and civilian worlds..

[@blueboats7530]

If the TBM had an engine oil smoke trail, this would have been even more of an accomplishment