Messerschmitt Bf-108 - Restoration Update #01 B - March 2018

FoF Mechanic's Corner - Fantasy of Flight restoration specialist, Paul Stecewycz moves the Messerschmitt Bf-108 from the Golden Hill storage facility over to his Restoration Shop to begin a long awaited chance to bring the plane back to its former glory.
In Part 2 here, Paul continues to explain a bit about the 108's history and, focusing on the wings, engines and parts, gives an overview on the planes condition, giving insight into the process of assessing the project's scope and setting a plan for it to be restored.
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[@imbok]

Yes, PLEASE more Mechanic's Corner episodes on this aircraft! Quite a fascinating design and a rare gem in the condition it is in! I'm glad it is going through your restoration shop!

[@abbottsplace8080]

This is incredible! I am happy these planes are being brought back by such awesome teams. I know from personally visiting shops like this that many hours are poured into making this stuff possible by volunteers! My hat is off to you all! I hope to see this bird in person one day. I flew or should I say I handled in flight (as a trainee) a built in 1945 , T6 Texan back in 2015. It was an incredible experience and was a gift from my awesome bride to be at the time. Myself and my sweet, now wife just 10 weeks ago, spent time looking over the Spuce Goose in Oregon. This aircraft sports 8....yes 8, 28 cylinder engines! The T6 texan flight is in my video list if anyone wants to check it out. Seeing this BF-108 once restored is on my bucket list! Thanks!!

[@mongolike513]

Dear Paul and Kermit, Thank you for sharing this time capsule. You have demonstrated that you have safe hands and intentions for this unit, let alone your wonderful library of flying history. My dad sank U270 in 1944 flying a Sunderland at night for 461 squadron RAAF, naturally I can’t wait for you guys to return your ‘sandringham’ to flight and Sunderland specs. Unlikely I know but it is in the safest hands with your organisation. I am like your legions of fans who are secretly envious, no totally madly envious nerds, who worship your efforts. Thanks boys for sharing it with us.

[@GARDENER42]

That toolkit is an absolute treasure.

[@Erated78]

WOW! I really enjoyed both parts 1 and 2, couldn't shut it off. What great work you're doing to bring this amazing aircraft back to life. I've subbed just to what the progress. German engineering at its finest when I see this aircraft. Cheers

[@RT-rh1ws]

Yes, Paul, please share with us more videos on the restoration of this aircraft. I'm sure that producing these videos is very time consuming but they are a great way for all aviation enthusiasts to share in the incredible journey.

[@ganthrithor]

I'm a heli guy who'd never even heard of the 108 before, but man-- what a cool aircraft! I would love to see every step of this restoration. It's like a perfect, barn-find 911 that flies. Holy moly, I'm envious!

[@stevem7868-y4l]

an hours or so of pure real entertainment, thank you, and Paul, you presentation is perfect,

[@Rickenbacker69]

"2 of 2" - Noooo! We need an entire series about this restoration! Such a beautiful airplane, in such amazing condition. I really, really want to know what they find under the paint :). Plus I've always loved the 108. There's just something about those lines...

[@-ZETA-]

I cannot tell you how happy I would be to see more videos of the restoration of this aircraft.

[@juniorwest5706]

That tool kit is super neat !

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Fantastic presentation, looking forward to the restauration and future videos!

[@bernhardecklin7005]

Thank you for using the correct and precise term "airplane" instead of the generic, imprecise "aircraft" that spreads like a plague.

[@hpux735]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE more of these! This is amazing.

[@donaldparlettjr3295]

This ought to be an amazing restoration as the acft is in such phenomenal condition. Kermit must be over the moon about the tools as he is such a stickler for the details. Great vids! Really enjoy the mechanics corner!

[@cmingo85]

Congrats on the 108 find and I’m happy its being taken care of.

[@adrielrowley]

I got this in my recomendation feed and thrilled to have found it! My dream since a lad was to get a ride in a 108, though Dad said never happen, maybe a slight chance now. So looking forward watching this series. She sure is a surviver! Can't believe how intact. Know the restoration is done, though just for fun, if was in this position, would remove the aforementioned skins so could have modern corrosion treatment.

[@Payne2view]

An excellent talk and show around as always. Its going to look great once finished.

[@beavis6363]

Your passion shows. It's in good hands. Thanks for the vids, I look forward to seeing this beautiful bird re-assembled. Also can't wait to see what the paint on the wings reveals. Good stuff man!

[@jimg205]

Great find ! Cannot believe how original it was kept.Very informative video.

[@blackbirdxx4613]

Beautiful plane....good presentation

[@exxocaliber]

Thrilled to see more of this restoration! Please make a hole bunch of videos! Best regards /Victor

[@clazy8]

I love these mechanics corners! I want more! Beautiful airplane, can't wait to see the work go forward.

[@sucapizda]

Amassing, please keep posting new updated on this build. Cheers.

[@JRindt]

What a great little aircraft, i think one was used in the great escape movie as well , also looking forward to more of the restoration of this Bf-108!

[@n3307v]

Great vidoes. Can't wait to see more of this restoration as it progresses. Thanks for making these available.

[@johnschultz9947]

Great presentation.

[@chuckpatterson9672]

Yes i love the mechanics corner as much as Kermie's videos !

[@carrichard]

Thank you, I'll be watching as the work proceeds !!

[@TumzDK]

Thank you all so much for doing this type of videos, priceless for any #avgeek. Kind Regards Tomas, Denmark

[@garywheeler2055]

This is incredible......please keep the videos coming. Cheers from Canada

[@drbichat5229]

Cool video. Good luck with the restoration. Looking forward to seeing her flying.

[@jackbelk8527]

Amazing and interesting! I look forward to seeing every update of the Kermit Kingdom!

[@mej6519]

Fascinating piece of mechanical archaeology.

[@michaelfuller2153]

Nicely done video! Keep us posted, Paul!

[@AdmiralQuality]

That's amazing! Thanks Kermit and Paul!

[@marchindy]

Great job. Please up this project as often as you can, I would love see more. Thanks

[@jimh.5286]

A fantastic plane, and a great presentation of the project.

[@trisrush9155]

Astonishing originality, very interesting project, can't wait to see more!

[@christiancormier7847]

I’m in love with this aircraft.

[@watcher13th]

Please post updates as often as possible!

[@daniloviana8818]

what a fascinating job . Paul is a lucky guy

[@TeemarkConvair]

YES mechanics corner!! we are geeks

[@ryanmoeller3308]

When can we see some video's of the 109 you guy's are having built? Thanks for all the fantastic video's you guy's put up for us to enjoy. I really enjoy these as I am going through Aviation Maintenance School right now. Keep up the great work.

[@craigpennington1251]

Best of luck to you and hoping for a complete successful flying craft.

[@Paladin1873]

The only single engine light passenger aircraft of that period that I can think of which possessed superior performance were the Spartan Executive and Staggerwing Beech Model 17, but they required much more horsepower. The Bellanca Cruisair and Cessna Airmaster also deserve mentioning for their efficiency. While 10-15 MPH slower than the 108, they managed it on 100 less horsepower. Nevertheless, there is is something quite graceful and elegant about the 108 that foretold the future of general aviation. It was at least 10 years ahead of its time in terms of design, construction, features, and performance.

[@SeanReitmeyer]

Fascinating! I just love this channel Thanks!

[@RWBHere]

Knowing that it was built as a civilian aircraft in 1938, I hope that you repaint it inits original, pre-war, civilian blue colour scheme. That would be way cooler than being sucked into the temptation of painting and rebuilding it as a military aircraft. Too many things will need changing if you do that. It's far more relevant, interesting, and valuable, as a civilian aircraft. I've helped ground crew to manoeuvre an Me 108, and saw enough to see that the control surfaces were metal-skinned, it had an armour plate behind the pilot, gun fittings in the wings, and it did not have four seats. (It also had at least five barely visible war-damage holes which had been repaired, but those were strictly custom modifications!)

[@antonioleitao7953]

Fantastic! Congratulations for the great project.

[@thx113868]

It would be great if you do many more of these Mechanic's corners. The BF-108 is a cool aircraft.

[@alwatt6656]

Paul you are amazing - so good

[@jayfmiller]

Fascinating video and amazing aircraft for its design date. I hope you can expedite the restoration so I'll live long enough to see it fly. It would be very cool if four of the crew could fly it up to Oshkosh EAA in 2020. You could take the luggage up in the bomb bay of the A26.

[@halroofner4069]

Incredible video. Your explanation of the restoration step process was great. I would love to be there to help. Keep the videos rolling.

[@neilharrison1420]

thats amazing,what a great project,once again thank you so much for sharing.

[@unclejack123]

Just finished watching the factory assembly video of the 108 ...... most interesting the use of the wires running horizontally during wing assembly ...... especially as they used the wires to hold the skins in place before riveting ......... JRW

[@richardreid1251]

Great video. I think this is my favorite ever. Keep up the good work.

[@shortribslongbow5312]

Awesome find looking forward to the build.

[@jeffwoods5661]

Awesome keep showing us more.

[@mcgama88]

Mild heating with typical halogen light to wing, infraed film might provide markiing map. Loved the build and look forward to the project finish. M.

[@crazybrit-nasafan]

A great presentation and a beautiful aircraft. I am working my way through the rest of the videos. I my garden I have the remains of a Cessna 140 and the Ercoupe cockpit section that is on my profile picture. Neither will ever fly again but I hope to get them restored as static trailer mounted examples.

[@leesherman100]

Seems similar to the BF-108 aircraft used in the movie The Great Escape. Gonna be a nice one.

[@MrFrontenginedragste]

The tool kit amazes me!

[@sumrica]

I would love to see more updates as the restoration progresses.

[@philorkill]

Top notch video. Very interesting, keep em coming! I'm also intrigued by those ginormous ceiling fans in the shop.

[@KermitWeeks444]

They are Big Ass Fans.

[@Rickenbacker69]

Fans? What about the AIRPLANE hanging from the ceiling? :)

[@SouthgateScream]

Awesome! I was just looking for part 2!

[@Rickenbacker69]

Needs more than 2 parts - at least 10!

[@kurtovesen2975]

great story of the airchraft. love the fact that you use so mutch originale parts. and love your collection of aeircraft.you should have a ju 88 in your collection..my favorite aircraft. regards fron northern norway.

[@Cemi_Mhikku]

A plane with an automotive style tool roll. That's really neat.

[@dribsbiddlestone]

Fantastic video.

[@davidblurton7158]

great stuff,,,,

[@rolandalfonso6954]

This was wonderful. Very much appreciated. Parts! Ebay! "Yeah, I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy...shops that do beautiful work. Tool kit! Leading edge slats!. And what a wonderful , original airplane to start with. I dunno, but I think you're having way to much fun...

[@akennyd]

Bunches of Mechanic's Corners... Please!! Also very interested in the investigation into the paint scheme.

[@9HighFlyer9]

Knowing how much aircraft parts cost in general added to the individual craftsman making small runs of parts I can't imagine what that cowling cost.

[@damientowning4656]

I've seen articles about using the fancy laser gadgetry magic to scan the walls of tombs and paintings to look down under layers of paint without having to lift off the layers above. Wings really seem like a big painting. Sounds like a university project for somebody ! :)

[@rgilpatrick1]

Hi Paul: Within the last 10-15 years I used to maintain a hangar at the New Smyrna Beach airport (hangars were on the north side near the control tower) and in one of those hangars a gentleman (I believe his name was Dennis MacDonald) had one or two BF-108 fuselages and at least two Renault engines plus a ton of spares for those airplanes. I don't know if they are still there or if Mr. MacDonald is still with us. He told me he was hiding them from an ex-wife.

[@Nord1002]

Now in France

[@mikercflyer7383]

What a great video will follow every step of the way.

[@tobias4918]

Follow all your videos here from Sweden. Lovley videos and so nice planes you have. If i get the money i com visit you at ones. Sorry for the english :)

[@sheep1ewe]

Hawe You wisited the museum on former F-15 in Söderhamn, Sweden?

[@oldbiker570]

Great stuff ! Thank You!

[@GeneralPadron]

There is an instrument cluster for a Bf-109 being sold on Facebook Market place in Grand Junction, CO. It is being sold for $35.

[@angelreading5098]

Really good insights into these historic aircraft,thank you for sharing a valueable piece of aviation history,the end result is going to be just fantastic with all of the knowledge and expertise on hand at Fantasy of flight,Paul you are a natural too for the way you explain things with such passion in your dream job,more ongoing updates please in mechanics corner because every step of the restoration on this is going to be something us geeks want to know about,a lovely aircraft with lots of character,really curious about those colours ?

[@73ake]

Awesome video and a great channel !! Subscribed👍

[@nashguy207]

please more on this plane!!!!!

[@rpurdey]

So you're thinking that landing light doubler is a repair and not part of the landing light install? Interesting.

[@alohathaxted]

Just reading up on the BF-108 and read about the Mechelen Affair. I was immediately reminded of James Gardener crash landing this plane in the movie, The Great Escape. The description of the crash happened the same way. Right down to a sudden starvation of fuel due to cut off of a cockpit control.

[@Nord1002]

No, it was a Bü 181 in the Great Escape

[@alohathaxted]

Nord1002 yeah but accident was the same

[@alohathaxted]

Nord1002 Bestmann looks like a nice airplane also to bad there is only about ten left flying.

[@markdavis2475]

Another wonderful video, thanks! Amazing to have the original tools, but, now that everyone knows where they are, perhaps you may want to lock them away!

[@paulmanson253]

I was very recently watching a KZbin site where the magnesium bodied Bugatti was recreated. There was one individual in the comments section who stated he was expert in magnesium sheet metal. He particularly stated unlike aluminum, magnesium panels cannot be trusted past about 40 years. The greater reactivity of the metal effectively self destructs. You might want to talk with the Bugatti recreators,as well as working with the suppliers of magnesium sheet metal. That flaking paint I hope is paint related,but if also metal related would mean at least ultrasonic inspection for remaining strength. I sincerely hope for you people that what that gentleman wrote is much ado about nothing. Good fortune and Godspeed go with you . I remember my chemistry set had a strip of the stuff,and it ignited easily and burned the most amazing bright white light. You do NOT want to have that happen. Cheers.

[@bigun447]

PLEASE DO MORE MECHANICS EPISODES!!! Remind the stick jockey's "NO NUTS AND BOLTS NO FLYING" Mechanics rule and can stop the planes and pilots from flying by simply red flagging it.

[@jfrorn]

Love it!

[@TheBks573]

Maybe use multi-spectral camera to see the different layers of paint.

[@boelwerkr]

Magnesium can be soldered. I've done it with a motor. I used a product from Interweld i think. Thin sheets could be hard to work with. A build up should be possible.

[@standonit7331]

SUBSCRIBED!! You are doing great stuff.. thanks!

[@FlyguyXII]

How long do you think the restoration will take? Id love to see pictures and videos along the way. Its a fascinating aircraft!

[@karitane]

I will follow this cool project throughout. Would you let me know how often you will put a video out please. I have subscribed.

[@ColeAviation]

Can you tell me what the red like solution is called that you dip nuts and bolts in to prevent corrosion? And where can I get it at?

[@monsenrm]

Loved the video. Both ones. I am curious about what you will do with the historical but unusable things like seat cushions upholstery, even the landing gear well covers? Does that just go in the dumpster after using them for templates?

[@AmesiesCorner]

Those are some Big Ass fans!

[@trebushett2079]

The skin where magnesium, would almost certainly not be pure magnesium. Magnesium alloy can be worked and gas welded in the traditional of the sheet metal workers craft.

[@wasim486]

Wow! That's an awesome project! I just moved to Zephyrhills, you guys hiring ☺️

[@gdc6666]

That's an incredible project, and such an unbelievable platform to start with. Keep up the great video's, this will gain some good traffic here. As an aside, I watched a Canadian company build a magnesium bodied Bugatti, the Aerolithe. www.guildclassiccars.com/1935-bugatti-aerolithe.php Thier skills in forming magnesium sheet dumbfounded even the sheet suppliers, worth a look at the extensive coverage of thier artisans. Many thanks, I just love to see your work.

[@SniperSteve1]

I was going to recommend the same thing, I'm sure they could help with the wing tips.

[@sheep1ewe]

Is it possible to hawe a closer look at the oilcooler?

[@tonyhaines1192]

The color of the 2 large tools might be the factory color of the airplane.