Kingfisher Project Visit - Pioneer Aero Tour

In 2017 I went to Pioneer Aero LTD in Auckland, New Zealand to check up on my Kingfisher project. I saw some of the work they've completed and looked at the parts waiting to be restored, and we discussed the plan for the project moving forward. I also took a look around at all the other projects they were working on, including a couple of P-40's and a P-39. Come along and see this impressive shop and the great work they are doing.
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[@happyhome41]

These things are ultimately emotional. I have a soft spot for the Kingfisher, a result of being a child taken by my parents to visit the battleship Alabama in Mobile, and even as a child, I could understand they were proud of their Kingfisher sitting on the catapult, and may have helped launch my 20 year career in the Air Force. Thank you.

[@fasteagle41]

I was one of the crew that recently restored the OS2U-3 Kingfisher (static display) that is currently onboard the USS North Carolina in Wilmington, NC USA... What a great plane the Kingfisher is.

[@sulevisydanmaa9981]

@fasteagle41 ONE pulled several downed pilots out of the Truk Lagoon 3/44. Couldn t take off, so they taxied out, @ least 5 pilots using it as a pontoon.

[@angelreading5098]

Never realised that extant Kingfishers were like hens teeth,this will be worth the wait to see it to completion but that is obviously a long way off,meanwhile no doubt other parts will surface even a missing wing ? the standard of workmanship in Pioneer Aero is very evident in that equally historic hangar,love those big blisters ! thank you for securing this Kingfisher Kermit,you are doing a really great job in preserving our aviation heritage.

[@flyingdutchman700]

These guys are more like the re-encarnation of the latest manufacturer of these warbirds. God bless them for the job they do

[@justforever96]

glad to see Im not the only one who finds the OS2U strangely interesting. Definitely one of the underrated planes of the war, just because its not big or fast or powerful. But it did good service, and was a good plane.

[@teenchy]

You're not alone. My favorites among WWII aircraft are USN/USCG/USMC floatplanes and amphibians: the OS2U, SOC, PBY, J2F. I also have a soft spot for the PB4Y-1 as my uncle piloted one.

[@thomasdiaz5116]

Thank you for sharing this feast of classic machinery with us aeronuts!

[@ZacYates]

That was great Kermit, thanks for sharing! It’s amazing to see how far Jerry’s P-39 has come since then. My favourite moment has to be: “Whats the value of that, Kermit?” “It’s frickin awesome!”

[@nonyabiz9487]

That Kingfisher would be sweet! Ive never seen one in person before. One day I would also like to see a Buffalo or TBD Devastator.

[@agoodchristianpilot159]

I love the OS2U and I’ve been looking for a flying one everywhere, good to see that somebody’s putting them back in the air

[@bondisteve3617]

Wow Kermit! 2.5 mill? Your a committed enthusiast. Thank you! Good luck Mate.

[@jimjenkins673]

Awesome. Can’t get enough of these updates

[@hodaka1000]

Excellent, those kiwi's have got it together.

[@Joe-qj7oh]

Great to see some of these workshops in action.

[@tomjoseph1444]

The Kingfisher has been one of my favorite airplanes since I built a model of one 50 years ago.

[@justforever96]

Funny how often that happens.

[@JayStClair-mh5wv]

Whats it worth? Are you kidding me? This airplane is priceless. Once rebuilt, it will be one of a kind, the only King Fisher to be flying and that is truly priceless.

[@robertlafnear4865]

Airplanes... Aluminum.....Clecos.... nice green Zinc Chromate.....Airplane talk... LOVE IT KERMIT ! ,.... Thanks for the awesome video......or should I say ...... cool ?

[@mebeasensei]

NZ dude is very cool on the Kingfisher but I think it is very unique and applaud Kermit for loving it and valuing it.

[@1chrisandangie]

There was a Kingfisher at whaling station at Albany. Western Australia

[@jonathanhorne6503]

My dad flew the OS2U in AvCad training in 1941, and later in 1943 with VS-55 and VS-58. One squadron was In Espiritu Santo and the other in Noumea. He was a displaced aviator after the USS New Orleans lost her bow at Tassafaronga. One BuNo he flew is the one the the Smithsonian currently has. The mission of the squadrons he flew with was inshore patrol and he’d escort inbound ships into port. They’d look for submarines. It’s cool to see that there will be another one flying soon.

[@Elvis-lw7vy]

Love these long term projects...I’m doing the same with a 1934 ford roadster

[@mongolike513]

What a bloody quandary Kermit. It is an iconic aircraft, Cessna tiny judging by the example I saw on display in Havana. Then, further, you have an amphibious museum . Thanks from this old guy for including us in your tour. Check out the Werribee liberator rebuild.

[@kiwibonsai2355]

Glad ya had fun here .

[@axelrajr]

very interesting. but it makes sense that the kingfisher is a lightly built plane, they were flying them off of cruisers and whatnot, so it had to be small and light. they were also launching them from catapults, they only landed into the water and were hoisted back aboard.

[@dyer2cycle]

..this Kingfisher has got to be one of the most significant projects Kermit has going..will be GREAT to see when it is finished!...It has been my wish to see a restored, flying Ki-61 Tony since I was a kid...I remember following Ki-61 recoveries and projects in Air Classics and Warbirds International magazines in the early-mid 1980's when I was in my teens...now I'm 55, and still, none are restored...well, maybe I'll get to see it still?...we've seen Zeros rebuilt, significant Me-109's rebuilt, new-build and restored Fw-190's, even some Ki-43 Oscar(mostly replica) built...but still, no Ki-61's are on anyone's front burner..if only I could afford it, I would find some bits and remains and have them restored myself..but alas, that's never going to happen...I always figured, if I were a wealthy warbird collector/restorer, I would probably be one of the most accentric out there...I would go for the rare and HARD stuff...Ki-61, F2A Buffalo, D3A Val, G4M Betty...P-40B/C, P-36, B-24, B-26, JU-87 Stuka, F4U-1 "Birdcage" Corsair,...you get the idea...something that nobody else pretty much has..forget "common" stuff like A-26's, DC-3's, Avengers, even P-51D's, etc....and the holy grail (to me)..reconstruct a B-32 Dominator and a P-43 Lancer(got to be some bits out there somewhere)...well, at least I can still dream at 55!.. :) ..and MUCH thanks to Kermit for ALL he does to preserve these beautiful and historic aircraft!.. :)

[@mikeupton5406]

Bristol Freighter. I love it.

[@waynebudman9558]

Thanks for the vid Kermit, an interesting build.

[@hilarykahn7632]

Pretty neat project. Look forward to it becoming a front burner project. Thanks for sharing.

[@odonovan]

Please give Paul and the lads our best. It will be a lovely little beast when it's finished. I look forward to the 30 minute drive to Fantasy of Flight (Anyone jealous yet?) ;) to see it when it goes on display.

[@robertlafnear4865]

30 Min. ,...... yeh my wife would like to close to anything in Florida....St. Augustine to be exact........ lucky you :)

[@EnterpriseXI]

Going on display? Knowing Kermit, he'll defiantly fly it. If he does, can not wait to see that. It's been too long not having a flying Kingfisher

[@billbright1755]

No worries mates, keep up the good works, Jolly Good! 🇳🇿🇺🇸 Would love to see a Vultee Vengeance restoration and to hear her dive once again. Nashville Tennessee U.S.A. The DC 3 tail was light as that as well. Such craftsmanship, and so knowledgeable!

[@ldnwholesale8552]

I can see that Kermit is going to have to live to at least 200 and be active just top finish all the projects underway.

[@f1matt]

Great stuff! Really enjoy these videos

[@Vincent-Vega24]

I love all your videos! Keep them coming!!!!!

[@tyronneshoelaces8843]

What a great historical plane it will be, thx Kermit. I saw that look in your eye when talking about the P-36... oh yeah!

[@mdplemons]

I've used the screw on clecos. I used them for 1/4" holes and larger. They really clamp things in place. Useful in putting together heavy stuff like structure.

[@ianeyolfson6525]

Love it 🥰

[@khwaac]

Love the hangers

[@mebeasensei]

The Kingfisher looks big enough in shape and proportion, but I guess it really is a super light plane. I heard stories of the war where they couldn't take off when rescuing sometimes had to become a powerboat and motor along the surface, such was the light weight and low power. The Japanese Aichi E13A 'Jake' or E16? 'Paul' were much stronger. Would love to see a restored 'Jake' but I guess they are no more.

[@bobcohoon9615]

They weigh 4500 lbs. I found out something the other day about the hanger on the ships . The hanger access door and opening are too narrow to pass a plane. I'm sure to take a replacement plane out of the hanger , they lifted out a fuselage/ float ass'y and wings and assembled them on the catapult. The wings came off for shipping , from the factory, I read .

[@xsbuilder1]

Fascinating! The technical details of the Kingfisher construction are very interesting to me. The idea that the OS2 is so lightly made that it can be compared with a Cessna is intriguing and a bit scary for a War Bird. Think of one of these being catapult launched from a Cruiser at sea ... hmm. Imagine having not only an OS2 but a Navy cruiser catapult as well at your Seaplane base (when you build it). Some dramatic flight demos possible there.

[@whalesong999]

I've wondered about the Kingfisher and the existence of any in private hands, such a notable airplane that served well in the war but seems to have such spotty interest in the restoration community. I was an active r.c. scale modeler until a few years ago and wondered why the foam model factories in China hadn't worked up a version of this on floats to further fill out the selection of WW2 types to commemorate their historical significance. I can sense a kind of conundrum in the full scale community, like what's it's ultimate worth being a float plane, a glorified trainer..? Keep up the good work, Kermit..!

[@achillebelanger989]

kingfishers were based in Casco Bay in Maine. Many planes were filled with cement and dropped near islands. More cement was poured over them.

[@oddballsok]

how sad is that.

[@babaganoush6106]

Great to see this Kermit....come on get the sunderland in the air and have a flying boat air display. That would be worth a trip from the uk

[@peachtrees27]

Chance Vought made some cool stuff. Wish I could party with those guys...

[@WarbirdKid1940]

You can at least come to visit where they worked. www.ctairandspace.org

[@michaelfuller2153]

Kermit, Awhile back I commented, "I would love to see you guys do a Kingfisher..." You were way ahead of me! I'm working with the staff at the battleship USS Alabama to help put their 1940's darkroom back in service. I hope I can bring my Speed Graphic (camera) to FOF one day and get some pix of your flying OS2U. I did not know that the ship's catapult used the gas from a 40mm shell blank to launch the plane. Thanks for the videos! Mike F.

[@mindeloman]

I just did a quick wikipedia search. Evidently there are only 8 known kingfishers out of the 1,500 manufactured. This one in New Zealand was originally built for Netherlands Navy in Dutch East Indies, it was transferred to the RAAF in 1942, serving with Seaplane Training Flight (later 3 OTU) and 107 Sqn before being sold as war surplus in 1945.

[@goatflieg]

Learned another thing we have in common: we both owned E-types. I sold mine in the '80s for $6500... been kicking myself ever since.

[@garynew9637]

Had a sunbeam tiger in the 70s. Same story lol

[@nicholasroberts6954]

My dad crashed one of the "Butt ugly" wheeled versions whilst under training at Pensacola - apparently they stall easy and without warning, under low-speed, slight nose up conditions. In his case, after following the instructors guidance, under protest, it dropped 50 feet onto the concrete runway. No more wheels. Despite this bitter sweet memory, may I urge you to get the restoration done for the "Old Navy" flyboys.

[@donaldholman9070]

Very nice. Thank you for sharing!

[@scottwatrous]

Yeah, start on a P36! Those P40's look great.

[@vinnievector]

I can just visualize the chance vought engineers putting the the kingfisher together at the bar after work.

[@clydecessna737]

I dig the jigs.

[@goneham4015]

Fuck yes the best Plane is being restored

[@MarkAW2003]

There is a Kingfisher wing float for sale at the Australian National Aviation Museum in Melbourne (Moorabbin Airport). It looks to be in good condition.

[@michaelfuller2153]

BTW, I understand the Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk replaced the Kingfisher during the war...I had never heard of one. Very rare bird!

[@Legitcar117]

Michael Fuller the interesting thing is, the Seahawks is an extinct plane now, none exist, unless they have new builds made from scratch.

[@fw1421]

I had no idea Kermit was restoring a Kingfisher. Neat aircraft. The only one I’ve ever seen was on the cat of the USS North Carolina in Wilmington NC. That may have been a fiberglass replica,I’m not sure. I imagine leaving it out in the weather for all these years on the water would corrode the hell out of the real thing. I hope I live long enough to see this project finished,Kermit and I are about the same age so hopefully he lasts long enough too.

[@PHDarren]

That's a real one on USS North Carolina, recovered in 1963 after crashing in Canada in on a ferry flight to Alaska in WWII and fully restored by Vought themselves.

[@steveskouson9620]

Kermit, we had those threaded Clecos at Mickey D. I worked on the MD-11, a LONG while ago. steve

[@stanleybaker8707]

I built a lot of seaplanes models when I was younger but don't have them anymore, really miss having them 😥😥😥😥😥

[@willythewave]

YAAYY A kermit Weeks video! :)

[@TheSpoon369]

20:30 pacific aviation museum sends out free P-40 magnets, i have one on my fridge like on the tool box haha

[@kennedysingh3916]

A Kingfisher squadron ,VS-60 , use to be based in Jamaica in 1943. one disappeared during a training mission and was never found.

[@glennbelldc1651]

I had a much older cousin who flew the P39 air cobra during ww2 . I saw a photo of him by his plane , we would be twins if our ages where the same.

[@TheMDJ2000]

C-type Jaguar? That's as cool as the planes...

[@lauriepocock3066]

Cooler

[@woooster17]

Equally cool.. love both cars and aircraft!

[@azbloc]

oui, ça ressemble fortement a une Type C, certainement une des plus belles Jaguar!

[@andrewandraka4612]

There is a full center float for a Kingfisher in a truck yard in Rhode Island.

[@Snow_owl1966]

There's also a kingfisher tell Rutter and pilot papers and reports. Over in Rhode Island. It was former Kennedy's hobby for airplanes.

[@WarbirdKid1940]

Can you PM me?

[@KermitWeeks444]

Andrew, Kermit asked me to get in touch with you to get more info on this. You can email me at [e-mail] Thanks

[@KermitWeeks444]

@Katakoyzenos . . . Please email me with more information on this and I will relay it to Kermit. Thanks, Phil . . . [e-mail]

[@andrehz5970]

@@KermitWeeks444 Is it possible to talk to someone about an internship?

[@bfmcarparts]

I just saw this P-39 in a recent publication. It looks great. If my memory isn't blowing me smoke rings, one of the few Kingfishers on public display was on a USN battleship's fantail. When it was static restored they had to build a wing from scratch. Two KFs Kermit?

[@tonytiger943]

Thanks for another great upload Kermit. I’m trying to make scale models of all the aircraft in your collection. Superb interior views here. If anyone could point me in the right direction for photographs of this aircraft in original KNEIL markings it would be much appreciated. I would love to see this flying soon; beautiful aircraft. Best regards from Canberra 🇦🇺 ✈️ 👍

[@barryervin8536]

Love this stuff! The P-39 is particularly interesting to me, because my mother worked in the Bell factory building them during the war. Maybe she worked on this one?

[@TheJimbodean67]

Imagine these fairly light constructed aircraft strapped onto a ship, and catapulted into crazy pacific weather or If the ship suddenly found itself in a night action with a Japanese patrol. I bet the plane would almost always get wrecked. No wonder not many survived the war.

[@jefferyrichards3165]

I think the cleco's you are talking about are called "draw" cleco's which are used for heavy structures

[@philipm7054]

I used to work with Stu at PAC in hamilton nz , what a character! Hey stu howd the dummy hand grenade go at stopping burglars?

[@jimradix6684]

What I heard you say Kermit, is what you need to restore a warbird is a number plate. Is that so? Like, essentially those P-40's aren't a restoration as much as a homebuilt/experimental aircraft...yes?

[@samsonsees]

Hawaii still has some P36 wrecks in the mountains

[@caesarillion]

How many lost in combat/war? RIP Freedom Fighters and thanks you guys for the cool project.

[@bfmcarparts]

Hello Mr. Weeks! Have you seen the video of a fellow that made a 1/15th scale all-aluminum scratch-built Kingfisher. Beautiful! Merry Christmas!

[@Inferalanding]

How many P-40's are they breathing new life back into? Amazing

[@KermitWeeks444]

They're the P-40 Kings!

[@billyhyde1415]

My understanding is that Pioneer has had their hands in something like two thirds of the flying P-40's in the world. If they have 2 more in the works, that'll climb a bit more.

[@richardlahan7068]

Even though these planes were mass produced during the war, I don't think many people understand how involved the construction really was.

[@MonkPetite]

Kermit.. you mentioned Jerry? Is that Jerry Yagan you refer too?

[@spoonnz]

Bloody Hell!

[@1MrB]

Cleco envy...

[@samphillips7040]

With all due respect for the life of me I do not understand why mr. Weeks does not operate the B-24 Liberator on a regular basis personally I could not imagine a better public relations campaign for not only fantasy of flight butt naked in Jamaica rum with that gigantic billboard like no section of the B-24. I am also disheartened that the B-26 Marauder is not operated on a regular basis as myself personally I have never seen one in the skies........ in my opinion mr. Weeks has one of if not the finest collection I've aircraft on the face of the Earth and does not get the respect that he deserves the man should have a national holiday named in his honor thank you sir for your hard work and dedication to the preservation of aviation history

[@kellyreim6627]

Those things extremely expensive to fly and the marauders had a bad habit of hitting the ground real hard.

[@ILLEagle_1]

Pretty sure I head the B24 has corrosion on the wing spar. A full tear down and repair would be needed before ever flying again

[@samphillips7040]

Well this is my personal opinion but I think it is a great shame that his organization or he himself is not actively engaging in the process of repairing the aircraft and returning it to the sky...... as I said before I think it would be a enormous public relations success if either the B-24 or the B-26 was returned to the skies.... rather than devoting so much time and energy two lesser-known aircraft..... by that I mean the World War 1 aircraft

[@jimradix6684]

Grab a few million and knock yourself out pal. Fill your boots!!!

[@ozrbfan]

glad to see they are in good hands...i hope at least one of them ends up in it's original RAAF scheme

[@ronaldlundelius936]

I would love to see that kingfisher finished and flying or landing on the water. l.o.l.

[@merlin51h84]

Just fascinating! Love these workshop tours. There are some great aircraft being built. Shame it's so expensive and at such a slow pace. Keep the updates coming please.

[@travissmith962]

My dream seaplane for central Florida lake hoping

[@richvandervoort2950]

A 3mm oversize hole in aircraft structure is a big deal, thats over 0.10 inches. I hope you did some stress calcs on this.

[@fieryfive0127]

I am pretty sure that I found one of the wind tunnel models for the Lockheed Constellation.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Where? Let us know!

[@fieryfive0127]

@@KermitWeeks444 I bought it as soon as I saw it. I can email some photos of it. If you guys are interested I'll ship it to you.

[@GliderDs2]

Hi Kermit Thanks for another grate film as it’s coming up to Christmas one question. If you could pick one of all your projects for Santa to bring finished on Christmas Day which would it be?

[@vinnievector]

Power pins , with a pin gun or thumb wheel.

[@Sethorion99]

Are you restoring a 109 G-6?

[@happyhome41]

Hey, Kermit -- where are we on this project, please ? I see almost no reference to it on the Pioneer site.

[@wendellb36]

Those clecos are used by Boeing they don't damage metal like wing nut draw clecos can

[@dshogan6174]

Does anyone know the status of this project? I understood that shop may be restoring 2 of the Kingfishers

[@KermitWeeks444]

Still being restored

[@Laodell]

I would have such an objection to flying with something spinning like that prop-shaft so close to my nuts.

[@alespersin6066]

Jesus, there is nowhere to walk in this hangar. See you with Kingfisher after 20 years.

[@naydenewiseman-kerr4183]

The P39 is already finished and flown. The 3 P40s will be done within 3 years ( My friend just brought one ) then its Kingfisher time. So not quite 20 years. This is New Zealand we don't f--around.

[@alespersin6066]

​@@naydenewiseman-kerr4183I do bet in 20 years buddy. Even if all parts are present there is a lot of work. We have restored an airplane and it took 10 years. It was half so complicated than Kingfisher.Wires and wires miles of them!

[@BlackHeartGuitar]

So, 5 years to finish the Kingfisher? ETA? I've heard there are ''lots'' of WW2 Airplanes all over SE Asia and that area.

[@bucyruserie1211]

Does anybody know if there are any Kingfishers flying in the world? Is that what Kermit meant by he has the only restored Kingfisher Vertical stabilizer & Rudder on the planet?

[@johnnylee5664]

二戰的飛機！（ 我都愛！）

[@combathistoryoverloaded6738]

wait so are you restoring an OS2U to flying order

[@MARKLOCKWOOD2012]

Is the um other float plane the zebra print still running?

[@australian3308]

Please Kermit, I know it's yours, but keep it historically correct and put the Aussie roundels on it, not Stars 'n Bars (or Stars no bars). I was saddened to see it leave Oz in the first place, but at least it will fly again - a benefit that outweighs the loss to Australia.

[@deeremeyer1749]

That's a Vought aircraft. Going home. To the United States.

[@erichhartmann1]

LKM 777 You buy it then you can make that decision. The aircraft is American built and he can paint it however he wants. The last flying F-104 is a CF-104D painted in green Norway colours and you don’t hear us Canadians going on about it. Also, this specific plane was built for the Netherlands until Australia bought it so why aren’t you saying it should be painted in that colour.

[@sleeplessingc]

i dont think kermit was too happy with the progress on this one.

[@jimradix6684]

At least this guy looked comfortable in the video. I have seen some Kermi-cams where the guys he is visiting look flat out rattled that he is there!!!