Short Sunderland - Tour Part 1

Here's a tour I've been wanting to do for sometime now . . . a full VIP walk around of the Short Sunderland flying boat. I had the opportunity to do this during a hangar reset, when the Sunderland was brought outside for a bit. This two part clip is loaded with a bit of history, some cool stories and plenty of useful or useless information, depending on your point of view. Hope you enjoy seeing this very rare seaplane, up close and personal.
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Kermit Weeks Hangar

[@UAPJedi]

I’m a Brit, I have absolutely no clue about how much it costs to house and maintain planes but can appreciate it is absolutely huge. To answer those critics, can I just thank you for saving a piece of aviation and British history, I’m just so glad there are people like you that are prepared to spend your own hard earned cash in saving a piece of history. You have my respect and thanks.

[@MianCowell]

Get yourself down to the vintage aerodrome at Shuttleworth. The engineers down there are more than happy to chat about the aircraft and how much things cost. At the moment they're looking to overhaul two Bristol Mercury engines, that's £100,000 alone.

[@Fedaykin24]

I would recommend reading the book "Restoring Museum Aircraft" by Robert Mikesh. It is about twenty years old now but it is pretty much the definitive guide to the issues of storing and restoring aircraft. You can find it on Amazon.

[@TheKilroy01]

@@BluntofHwicce Why?

[@shaun1293]

@@BluntofHwicce I'd argue a millionaire aircraft enthusiast with tons of old birds would take better care of this beaut.

[@topturretgunner]

muppetnumpty65 As an American aviation and history enthusiast I’ve long had an appreciation for British aircraft (primarily WWII) and love the lines of the Mk V Spitfire. Hats off to you Brits for facing Nazi Germany during the early days of WWII. I’ve been fortunate to tour the Short Sunderland at Fantasy of Flight as well as seeing the Mk XIV Spitfire that Mr Weeks has. Both remarkable aircraft. All the best to you from this “Yank”

[@reddogchi]

I had the privilege of a tour around the sister-ship Sunderland in the Southampton Aviation Museum just recently and even sat in the P1 seat after the guide found out that I was a pilot myself. At the current age of 70 years old, I felt like a kid again for the first time in many, many, years. I've loved the Sunderland ever since I made model aircraft kits in my pre-teens and to experience one in the flesh was just wonderful. Enormous gratitude to you Sir, Mr Weeks, for spending so much of your time and money in preserving the aviation heritage of our two great nations.....I hope it's within your gift to keep her flying. Your love and passion for these classics is very evident. Respect from a fellow aviator in the UK!

[@splinter196]

well said mate

[@richardgoffin-lecar1951]

My late grandfather, Ralph George Goffin, originally built these in Belfast. He was then promoted to Works Manager, and transferred back to England. He then lived in Gravesend, Kent, and worked at the Short factory at Hoo. He was responsible for the construction of these magnificent aircraft, and even designed a few of the features found on the later models. These were mainly small but important details, such as the radar and the radio mounting. I am very grateful for the fact that you have preserved this one. Thank you. My grandfather was always critical of the Bristol engines - he said they were underpowered. The American engines required less maintenance, and had more power. Once again, thank you.

[@peteacher52]

I will definitely have seen this Sunderland many times when a boy. We lived in Glenfield which, according to wind direction, was on the flight path for Sunderlands heading for base at Whenuapai. They came over low and slow, prompting me to say, 'Mum! Here's another Sunderland bumbling along in low gear!' A highly nostalgic sound indeed. Circa 1959 - 1963. Cheers, Col, NZ.

[@ScoutSniper3124]

As a former P-3 Orion Aircrewman (2nd Engineer) that part about the non-feathering propellers is amazing... P-3's routinely cut out two engines and feather the props to get more endurance out of the aircraft. Having to ALWAYS run ALL four engines, and heaven help you if one goes down because the drag from a non-feathering prop will eat up a LOT of fuel for the other 3. Thanks for the video, and do ALL that you do to preserve Aviation History.

[@MostlyPennyCat]

Yep, but you can land on the water! They had these great big tenders out at sea to service the aircraft and crew, they could even hoist them out the water with a crane for service. I would have loved to have been on these Sunderlands.

[@dragonmeddler2152]

Thanks, Kermit, for everything you are doing to share your passion for aviation. Those of us with sufficient passion but lacking the energy, talent and the resources, are grateful.

[@paulcampbell5202]

I'm a Brit too although I have lived in Canada for many years. In the mid 1960's I can remember touring a Sunderland still in wartime configuration that was on display in Fishguard, a town on the coast of South Wales. I think I was 10 or 11 years old. She still had all the the gun turrets and depth charge racks etc. I remember thinking how big it was. Thank you for caring for this lovely specimen. Paul

[@joefrawley5295]

Many years ago, my father drove down from Atlanta to visit me and my family in Oviedo, Fl. Sadly, my father was absent most of my life and him and I never really bonded as a father and son should. However, when he arrived he said to me "hey Joe let's go to Fantasy of Flight." Shocked, I jumped at his offer. Anyway, seeing the Sunderland's upper cabin/lounge with its blue sofas brought back memories of my father's and I visit that day. I can still recall the distinctive odor in that cabin. My dad and I sat in that lounge and just laughed and talked like a father and son should about my favorite pastime... airplanes. A gracious thank you for your Sunderland Kermi cam Kermit as that aircraft has a special meaning known only to me until now. Many, many thanks and looking forward to part 2.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Thanks for sharing that personal moment and memory. In a way, that's what preserving these are all about.

[@jimh.5286]

"This is a practical 4-engine flying boat." Hah! Well, I guess everything is relative. Thanks for a great video, and for preserving a great airplane!

[@twobins2060]

As a young man, my father worked on these in Shorts Belfast during the war. The Sunderland, The Stirling, the Belfast heavy lift aircraft and the Skyvans were the aircraft he was fondest of. Shorts is now owned by Bombardier. This was a really interesting video. Thanks for posting,

[@EasyTiger700]

I remember clearly how amazed I was when I walked through one of these at RAF Duxford back in the early 80s. Great to see one still being loved and looked after. Fantastic. 👍🇬🇧🇺🇸👍

[@mikesimmonds1916]

I remember this plane sitting on the shore in Fawley on the south coast as a kid for years going to pieces. And the day it left - very pleased to find it in the hands of someone who loved it more than we did. Look after her.

[@1946nimrod]

I watched here leave that last time, flying low down the Solent into the sunset!!

[@richardhewitt3470]

On the slipway of the old RAF seaplane base at Calshot Castle, Southampton. As a child I used to see it on Ferry trips to the IoW.

[@normanboyes4983]

Kermit - you are an amazing chap and I wish you good fortune in saving these aircraft for our grandchildren.👍😀

[@nerdsrock243]

What you are doing at FOF is so important. No where else can we get an in-depth, personal tour of such a rare ship, from a man who can fly and has flown the aircraft. I am so completely amazed with each video - getting to experience all these historical planes that I've seen in pictures and read about my entire life, but of course never expecting to experience an actual air-worthy example. All the details you go into is a story that will be watched by generations to come. An amazing example of responsible use of the resources you have. You guys are paying it forward each day you continue this important work.

[@lowdwj]

Flew in the RAI Sunderland Bermuda in and out of the Leeward Islands in French Polynesia 1962, 1963. Raitea, Huahine, Bora Bora. Land on the lagoon, outrigger to the dock. Takeoff from Papeete harbor right downtown. Most romantic memories in my 79 year old brain.

[@Kelkschiz]

I love flying boats and the Sunderland is one of the finest. Great to see this one is still being looked after.

[@chrispza]

32:40 Those ropes are for hanging marauding Boy Scout troops, obviously. Lovely old machine, Kermit; you have every right to feel pride in conserving this old bird.

[@doffincodger]

Thanks for the video. My Father was trained to fly at Pensocola, Florida. He flew Catalinas, but never got to fly the Sunderland in England. Instead, flying Lancasters. He never received his RAF 'Wings, but always proud to be a USMC pilot.

[@ronjustincase]

My very young pals and I plus other admirers stood and watched this mighty plane, taxi down the River Medway to the Bridge with Rochester Castle in view. It turned 190 degrees, facing to Shorts factory. With engines reeved up heading toward Maidstone. Eventually, it took off and disappeared around a right bend, all amid loud cheers. I was about 5 years old. Never forget this, every time we heard another Sunderland was scheduled for a test flight, we walked and ran the several miles from Chatham to watch again. It was such a massive beast, no wonder the German called it 'Porcupine'.

[@coover65]

I saw this video come up on the right hand side of the KZbin page. I thought "oh, cool. A Sunderland". In 1974 my father was an aviation journalist in Sydney. At the time 3 days short of my 9th birthday, he and I were invited to fly on Ansett's last flying boat service out of Rose Bay. That was VH-BRF. Now I don't need to tell you what became of that aircraft! Thank you for keeping a piece of my lifelong love of aircraft alive!

[@FloorItDuh]

Going to FOF as a kid is one of the reasons I became an aircraft mechanic. I love this stuff. So cool.

[@Tesseract1887]

Working on my pilots license for the same reason currently

[@FloorItDuh]

Good on you.

[@allanblack294]

In 1964, I sat in the nose of this ‘Sandringham’ when it was flown by Ansett Airlines in Sydney Aust. It was named Islander, and I recorded the sound of it alighting on the harbour at Rose Bay for a ‘secret sound’ on air competition on Sydney’s 2UE. If you play from 23.30 Kermit obligingly shows us the nose compartment, note how windowless, dark, and thin the fuselage sides are, oh yes and noisy. Thanks Kermit for showing us this, I’m reliving it on my blog, which I’ll put up when it’s finished soon.

[@stanleycurtis2971]

I am an Aussie that had the real pleasure of flying with Ansett Flying Boat Services on the" Islander" in 1967 on a flight to Lord Howe Island and was invited up into the flight deck during the flight. It was really fascinating to see the pilots operating the aircraft. My return trip was on the "Beachcomber" which is now located in the Solent Skies Museum at Southampton, UK. I had the pleasure to be able to inspect the entire interior when at the Museum in 2006. To be able to have flown in both of these aircraft is something that lives forever in my memory. I am going to Orlando, Florida in September 2019 and hope that i will be able to visit the Fantasy of Flight Museum and in particular to be able to see the Old girl again.

[@steuartneale9994]

My father flew in a Mark 5 Sunderland between 1945 - 1947 out of Koggala, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), in 205 Squadron, (early Radar Operator). He flew all across the Indian Ocean, on various patrols. Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, Singapore. He loved the mighty Sunderland, taking many beautiful and historic photographs, which I'm proud to own.

[@nalinfernando8093]

I am from sri-lanka. Have had Catalinas flown by Canadians during the war operating from Koggala. Didn't know Sunderland operated in Sri Lanka. Thank you for mentioning it

[@elenazeledon2091]

My Uncle, Kip Johnston, flew this plan out of Scotland, chasing subs in WW2. I had the oppurtunity to tour this plane about 18 years ago, and his name is in the logbook. Thanks for keeping this beast airworthy...

[@One_Stone61]

I live near where they were built

[@georgebarnes8163]

Grandfather flew them out of Castle Archdale in Northern Ireland on the Atlantic patrols tracking and sinking German subs, they were built locally in Belfast.

[@pascalchauvet7625]

Thank you so much for preserving this rare bird, despite all the extreme difficulties!!! Very few people know that the Sunderland atually took part in the Berlin Airlift, landing on the river Spree in the process!

[@justinlinnane8043]

What a superb Video !! my father was born in Chatham in 1929 and remembers seeing these take off from the river medway during the second world war . thanks for posting !

[@sidekickbob7227]

Love these in depth tours! Close to where I live in Norway, a Sunderland got shot down on the first day of the German invasion. It was on a recognition flight in the Oslo fjord, to get first hand information of the attack. I beleive two or three ME 110's (or 109) chased it and shot at it until it exploded in air above the "Lier" area. For some reasons the crew did not have parachutes. Miraculous the tail gunner survived the 3000 feet free fall! He hit a tall sprue forest, and the branches slowed his speed. At the ground it was two meters of loose snow that took of the remaining speed. He was discovered the next day and spend the rest of the war in hospital and prison camps. The rest of the crew was the first allied soldiers giving their lives in Norway during the war.

[@brewmann1]

Flew in it with Kermit back in the 90's when he flew the Olympic Torch from Sarasota to Miami. What memories I have of that day. From sitting anchored in Sarasota bay up on top of the wing, to hanging out with Kermit's dad in the front of the plane when we got to Miami. It was incredible. I was a student pilot at he time and he autographed my log book, LOL.

[@CatalinaThePirate]

Thank you, Cap'n Weeks, for sharing with us your passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm for this big, beautiful flying boat. I've learned so much from you! Fair winds and following seas!

[@Seansaighdeoir]

We grew up in Rochester just along from where they used to build these, in fact in Shorts Way. The factory shut before I was born but my father remembers seeing the Sunderland Flying boat on the Medway. This is the river which used to launch all the Short Brothers Aircraft before they moved to Belfast in '48. I have a photograph of the Short Bros with the Wright Bros in Sheerness Sheppey when Shorts setup their first operation. This was in 1913 shortly before they moved to Rochester Airport. From there in 1914 they moved down to river where all the major Flying boats were launched. Thanks for posting this and thanks Kermit for your passion and enthusiasm in keeping this great piece of engineering history alive.

[@lakingpin6370]

I remember seeing this fly at the West Malling air show in the late 80's, I didn't even realise one was still airworthy, but saw it circling in the distance through my dad's binoculars, I said "that looks like a sunderland' my dad didn't believe me until he took a look, neither of us could believe our eyes. A few minutes later it gave a wonderful low level display. Thank you for preserving our heritage.

[@DustinR80]

Thank you Mr Weeks for the time you invest to keep these flying machines alive.

[@johnbuchanan6219]

Remember seeing one of these birds in St. Croix in the 70s. Always wondered what happened to them. Thank you for sharing Kermit!

[@slammerf16]

The Sunderland! Not forgotten! This is such an important aircraft and one of my favourites. Thank you so much for looking after it.

[@zombikombi59]

Thanks for the walk around. I live in Southampton and have had a good look around the Sandringham we have here, even sat in the captains chair on the flight deck! Amazing machines. I remember yours flying over our farmhouse in Hampshire, I ran out because the crockery was shaking, and couldn't believe my eyes when a Sunderland flew right overhead not more than a few thousand feet! Magical moment for an aviation obsessed youth.

[@027joe]

i enjoyed visiting this plane about 12 years ago very cool never thought id get to crawl thru one of those

[@barneyfive-0404]

If it has a radial engine.....I love it.....Thank you for keeping these planes alive

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

Barney did you know that model of that plane has the AMERICAN PW R1830 engines ???? Brit engines did not have the beans to get it into the air....

[@nzsaltflatsracer8054]

I flew on a Sunderland from Auckland to Fiji when I was a kid & got to explore everywhere during the flight & even spent some time on the flight deck. This video is like a memory lane trip.

[@tonycamplin8607]

I also flew in one as a passenger in 1949 from Singapore to Darwin.

[@julianscott76]

I saw this aircraft as I was heading north with my eleven year old daughter on the M23, as we drove under the Gatwick flight path it flew over the car as if it was on an approach for a landing! I found out later that it had done a few fly by's before leaving the UK. I too thank KW for saving this aircraft and the many others that he has taken under his wing, and please keep the videos coming.

[@angelreading5098]

What a flying machine this is,I was lucky enough to fly in VH-BRC the sister ship down at Middle Leape,Southampton when Charles Blair and his wife Maureen O'Hara visited the UK,all of that beaching and water handling you mention Kermit is for real you need a lot of skilled crew to operate these big birds,the immense structure internally and the belt and braces approach to flying boat engineering are all there in the Sunderland. So sorry to see the internal vandalism and problems that you mention of keeping her safe in the past,these monsters are no light undertaking let alone a Martin Mars ! thank you for showing us around your beautiful big bird and look forward to Part 2.

[@emailandy79]

My Father took me to see it before it left the UK, we spoke to the engineer and he showed us around. It's good to see it's still in good shape.

[@LennyJohnson5]

Thanks to Kermit Weeks - my grandfather flew one for the RAF in WW2, based in Scapa Flow. Great to see this one being so lovingly cared for.

[@Code3forever]

This is certainly a piece of aviation history worth keeping and remembering. I remember in the late 50s, my Dad and I flew to Catalina Island on Catalina Airlines in a small Grumman twin engine amphibian. That was so much fun. You have this huge seaplane and I can only imagine how it must have been to travel across the Empire in such luxury. I do remember in the mid 1950s flying with my Dad to Honolulu on a Boeing Stratocruiser 377. Now, it is all jets and being packed like sardines but being in the DC-4, DC-6, DC-7, Constellations and the Convair 340/440 was so much fun and feeling the vibrations of those powerful piston engines putting out over 2400 horsepower and lulling you to sleep was so comfortable. The food was so good and the seats reclined so much like a bed for a little kid like me. It took all day to fly to Hawaii and there was no inflight entertainment other than looking out the window at the clouds and the ocean below. I was entertained enough.... As I said, I would have loved to have been able to fly in a Clipper or a plane like this Short Sunderland. Amazing engineering owing to the time period....

[@ianroper7456]

Thanks Kermit! My Grandad flew in the Sunderlands during the war. It’s great to get some insight.

[@georgebarnes8163]

My Grandfather flew the Sunderlands out of Northern Ireland on the Atlantic patrols , I wonder if our grandparents ever met?

[@davidzimmer2694]

Thank you once again for your contribution to aviation. I understand the cost, time and effort Kermit to keep and house these aircraft and I appreciate it. Hoping to see you soon as my sister just moved down there. Thanks again

[@eriknulty6392]

BY FAR my favorite episode. i just love flying boats. the only thing better than this would be a PBY in full BLACK CAT attire. thank you Kermit.

[@donaldparlettjr3295]

I remember when you arrived at Oshkosh. You were definitely the biggest acft at the seaplane base. I outdoor hear the exasperation in your voice when discussing the cost. I can only imagine but yet I can hear your passion to continue the legacy of this boat. I also got a chance to go through her when visiting your place years ago. It's a shame that a few rotten apples spoiled and abused her. Thank you again for sharing your passion for flight.

[@adriangray6951]

I remember going on board this at Chatham Dockyard in the 1980s - made a lasting impression! I'm sad it's not been flown for yonks, but glad it's not tin cans.

[@alancollard8939]

as a young boy in the 50,s i lived in a village near the chesil bank , which had a r a f gunnery range on it,the first planes i remember using it were sea fury,s , firing 20,mm cannon and salvos of rockets ,after the sea furies were discontinued the coastal command used the range with sunderland s ,as there were targets on both sides of the beach ,the front gunner would have his turn firing 4 .303 brownings, then the rear gunner would have a chance at the target on the other side , but the fun didnt stop there as there was another target ,a float about 1 mile off shore at which they would roll out depth charges, very exciting for us kids , then many years later i went on a sunderland that was a gate guardian at pembroke dock , i hope that this plane will be converted to war spec as these has a lasting impression on me

[@EricIrl]

There are a couple of World War 2 era Sunderlands preserved. although none in flying condition. Kermit seems pretty adamant that he wants to keep this one in passenger configuration. I saw the other Antilles example (VP-LVE) when it visited Ireland in 1977. Lovely sight. That's the one preserved in Southampton.

[@swiper1818]

Great airplane - I remember as a little boy these Ansett flying boats in Rose Bay when my father was flying 707's (138's and 338's) for Qantas. Beautiful aircraft and a superb video!!!

[@richarddawnay3245]

I hen flew to worked on this aircraft when it was at Chatham prior to being flown to Calshot, from where it flew to your museum. Great 'going to work' in a boat!

[@ChrisB257]

Super load of history Kermit... what a wonderful airplane. The Mars was like a cathedral inside! Look fwd to cockpit in next part.

[@rubensandri740]

I take and collect a few thousands of pictures for all the times I was there. Cheers from URUGUAY.

[@brianfuller7691]

My dad crewed Sunderlands and he always loved them. These were magnificent birds.

[@KmcGaming]

literally just watched your purchase and flight away to the west in 93!!! awesome to see it again!

[@MattWvsoaring]

Monumental undertaking. Thanks for all your hard work and sharing.......

[@drmoss_ca]

And pronounced 'SANDringum'.

[@michaelfuller2153]

Thanks for sharing, Kermit...I look forward to "each Wednesday".

[@jf7243]

This a huge commitment and I can only guess at the cost of owning, maintaining and flying it costs. Well done and a very good thing to do.

[@macfross1234]

Great to see this. So many of the mods and repairs I worked on during my time with this aircraft I can still see. Also the fin ladder in the rear. The upper deck was my bedroom whilst on the water. So many good memories from this aircraft and one that launch my carfeer in aviation. Look forward to visiting this someday.

[@mmpotash1]

We are thrilled to watch your video of the British Short Sunderland. We have had a solid black rubber model of the Sunderland that my father gave us after he returned home safe from the Second World War in 1946. He was Captain Charles Potash, in the U. S. Army Air Corps, and he brought home several other models, but the Sunderland is the most beautiful with a wing span of 19 inches. We have kept and admired it for over 70 years, often wondering what it was like inside, its history, missions, and functions. Thanks for finally answering our questions. I have a photo or two of our Sunderland model I would like to share. Hmm....done. I just changed our youtube id image.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Cool pic. Awesome that you still have it

[@andrewpotter5313]

Hi Kermit,my Dad flew this when it was with Ansett Flying Boat Services out of Rose Bay in Sydney,he turned 92 on the 8th of January .BRC was repaired and Dad was co pilot,for the test flight.I was a passenger,never have forgotten it!This was formerly VH-BRF Islander

[@billolgaau]

HEY! Was your Father Allen Patter? I flew with him many times on the F-27. Say Happy Birthday for me.

[@andrewpotter5313]

Yes he is,I remember the Jump Seat on the F27

[@ripfos]

Right before Ansett ceased flying to Lord Howe Island, the headmaster of the primary school (Bellevue Hills Primary) I was attending realized that that would probably be the last opportunity for the students to have to fly in such a magnificent machine and so arranged flights for all the students. This was in around 1970-71 and I was about 10 years old. I am eternally grateful to that wonderful man and treasure the memories forever. It´s amazing to think that this might be that plane. Sadly, the one photo I have of that day, taken on my box camera, is not clear enough to show the planes registration number. Please Andrew, could you ask your father if by any chance he recalls those flights. I don´t believe it was repeated for any other school.

[@jackfrost2146]

My Dad would have would have watching out for your Dad's safety during takeoffs and landings at Rose Bay since he was the skipper of one of the "crash boats" on duty during that period. He told me that some times when the planes were a few feet off the water when landing, a giant spark of static electricity would jump between the plane and the water---all very exciting since I was five or six at the time!

[@andrewpotter5313]

@@ripfos Hi there,I will try and remember when I speak to mum tomorrow.If itdoesnt have a streamlined nose it will be Islander,as this aircraft used to be,if it has a streamlined nose,it will be Beachcomber,BRC,hope this helps

[@markmyword295]

Remember this sunderland flying from the river medway in the 1980s.It was kept in chatham dockyard for a while. It also appeared at west malling airshow.

[@Tiger-lg5of]

The factory that built them was in Rochester along the river Medway, its now a modern housing estate called The Esplanade .

[@peterlloyd8313]

Shorts aircraft factory was on the river Medway, what is now Shorts Way in Rochester

[@frankr7306]

Thank you for being a caretaker of so much aviation history. Keeping it flying is amazing and a true labor of love. Thank you again!

[@fatbudgiekillen8997]

I can still remember a few times first hearing, then seeing this aircraft as it took off from Sydney Harbour to Lord Howe, island. Thanks for your preservation, hope to make it it FOF one day.

[@johnkamm8886]

Great video, hope to see it fly soon. Also thanks for the history lession......😉

[@ColeAviation]

Awesome video Kermit! Thanks for taking the time to show us around the Sunderland. I’ve always wanted to see this walk around of her. 😁👍🏼

[@jonathanbywater2063]

Fantastic as always Kermit. Thanks so much for everything you do to preserve this wonderful era of aviation heritage for future generations to enjoy.

[@robertsmith5557]

Im nursing a 102 year old gentleman that piloted a Sunderland in WW2. I'll see if his eyesight is good enough to watch this program. Hopefully he can. From Australia.

[@jeremytravis360]

My father flew Sunderlands when based in Northern Ireland during the last years of the war.

[@hachipanki8634]

Wow, great! The Sunderland is my favorite bomber!

[@georgebarnes8163]

My Grandfather flew the Sunderlands out of Castle Archdale in Northern Ireland during the war on the Atlantic patrols, he was in 201 Squadron RAF and based in NI from 1941 through to 1945.

[@BobBrownIII]

Thank you for your wonderfully informative video and narration. Your knowledge is encyclopedic. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@thecollierreport]

Short Sunderland is my favorite aircraft of ALL time. If I owned one I probably would never want to leave it.

[@clewerhillroad]

Great video thanks for sharing. I remember as a kid when she was languishing outside in the elements for many years at Calshot Spit. Glad she's got a good home.

[@P61guy61]

Thank you for posting this video. I’ve awaited something like this. You’re doing a great job of preserving and sharing aviation history.

[@13ahab]

A great video, if this was restored and reused on some of the old classic fight routes for holidays where you stop over in a hotel for the night you would be fully booked for years.

[@byronbailey9229]

I was RNZAF Sunderland Navigator 1964-1967. This is a civilian conversion called a Sandriham. Besides the front, rear .303 turrets we had .5 Brownings in the beams same as a B17. All crew were gunnery trained except the captain. We sometimes lived on board when landing in the string of pearls corral atolls in the South Pacific.

[@ThreenaddiesRexMegistus]

Great to see someone cares about these icons of aviation history. Quite understandable how one would worry about this when it is moored. Unbelievable that Boy Scouts would do wilful damage like that - things certainly have changed!

[@Lee-qp6gf]

This is a fabulous video. I just found your channel and enjoy everything you are doing. I am so glad you are you. Thanks for your time, Lee (aviator)

[@stephensimpson5283]

I really enjoyed this. I always see it in the background wishing you did a talk on it. Can't wait till part 2.

[@blairpage3117]

Di a trip on one of these in '75 or '76 from Rose Bay to Lord Howe Island and back as kids. We loved them and especially getting to fly in one.

[@splinter196]

i have sat in one of these a dream come true in the cockpit at southampton just by chance donated some timber to them and got free tour happy days

[@redjim1903]

Wow nice video, I was lucky enough to take a tour of this aircraft with my son and uncle in the hanger before the dreaded boy scouts damaged it. Great to see it again brings back many memories. Looking forward to part 2

[@JDS11ify]

Having been a Wolf Cub and a Boy Scout, as well as a Leader until family came along, I am very sad that a Scout Troup would break, or destroy anything. What is the world coming to? Read the Scout moto and nothing there allows this behaviour. Poor leadership or what?

[@Ronbc000]

1968 I spent time with RNZAF Hobsonville as Sunderland engine mechanic. Those were the days!

[@sgkingly8392]

Wonderful plane! I have been able to get access inside a Sunderland before and it is incredible to see the inside of these incredible aircraft in person. I also have a limited edition 1/72 die cast model of a Sunderland MKIII. I love these planes!

[@neilmacleod5120]

My Dad, an oil engineer, used to re-fuel the flying boats in Cochin Harbour, South India during WW2, as they flew between Britain and the Far East and Australia via the Trans-Africa Air Canal! I was only a babe but they trigger a memory in me and I think they are the most beautiful and practical planes ever made. Thank you.

[@Lithonion1]

Staggerwing in the back is my fav bi-plane.

[@avoidingtrees6692]

Thanks Kermit for the tour. Cheers from France 👋

[@willythewave]

Always the most fascinating historical and technical history and information from you Kermit. Thank you for always going to great lengths to share with us. You are more appreciated than you know. George.

[@saabysaabinsky2785]

Wow...an amazing amount of work and attention needed to keep this "practical flying boat" in decent shape. Thank you Kermit for rescuing and keeping these wonderful old airplane going. They are all history and have a story to tell. Can't wait to see the upper deck and cockpit! Thank you again for all you do...it is so much!

[@Psychiatrick]

The short sunderland was laid over in Toronto harbor en route to Florida retirement. There are photos posted in the Royal Canadian Military Institute (RCMI) in one of their editions..... BEAUTIFUL plane!

[@cowboy10uk]

Damn the Short Sunderland is my favourite aircraft of all time. However I had NO idea any were still flying. Now I have a new goal in life, to get over the pond and see you guys flying her once you restore her obviously.

[@OneManandaRandomEvent]

I will always remember seeing G-BJHS gracing the skies above RAF Coningsby for a flying display, extremely graceful bird, such wonderful memories, thank you for the tour of her, you've made this old man very happy.

[@phillipclaridge3112]

Very interesting, great to see such a great old British icon being maintained - well done

[@EltoV]

Another truly mesmerising video, Kermit. I could listen to your stories all day! I hope to visit FOF someday....

[@captaindave47]

60 years ago I had a big model of the Sunderland, I loved its lines and have had a soft spot for them ever since. Thank you for saving it.

[@dutchvanhelsing6671]

Thank for keeping her fit and well.

[@scottmcdonald3019]

I started thinking "33 mins for a video, too long and boring". But the wonderful casual narrative style with lots of anecdotal detail holds you entralled. Brilliant - well done - thanks for sharing.

[@bedano2983]

Great stories! Thanks!

[@monochromaticlightsource9153]

I remember seeing one of these in the 1960's it was awesome. There's another one at Solent Sky, previously the Southampton Hall of Aviation, and you can walk round that one too.

[@roadking99jokerst60]

Stagger wing in hangar! I got to see the museum some years back. Also saw the Miami facility just before the hurricane. God bless Kermit !

[@mojorising627]

Champion tour Kermit, thanks. Really brings my little 1/72 replica to life