Short Sunderland - Tour Part 2

Here's Part 2 of the 2 Part tour I did on the Short Sunderland flying boat. The Sunderland was brought outside it's hangar for an event at Fantasy of Flight. I took that opportunity to finally do this tour! This 2nd Part focuses on the flight deck and cockpit, and is also full of history, fun stories and plenty of information. Hope you enjoy seeing this very rare seaplane, up close and personal.
THANKS TO PATRICK KEMPE for use of several clips from his video, "THE LAST SUNDERLAND FLYING BOAT", available on his website, www.patrickkempe.co.uk/dvd/the...
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Kermit Weeks Hangar

[@skycarl]

" I'm saving it for your great grand children.",,,, Beauty ☺

[@imbok]

TRUTH!

[@hodaka1000]

I'm not saying he should hurry to fly it but they should fired the old girl up every now and then.

[@ikay2102]

Great museum btw, been to it twice.

[@niccracknell9780]

Super chap and thank God he's doing his best to look after the old girl ! Top man

[@mongolike513]

Kermit you are a legend. I have grown up worshipping the Sunderland because my father was in 461 RAAF and sank U270 in August 1944. It was a night action where they had picked up a contact and just immediately lined up , dropped flares and chased down the target and applied a solid squirt from the fixed forward firing machine guns to suppress the flak they were throwing at him. It was a total crew operation and he was credited with a kill because the boat was abandoned and sunk. Further, in the 60s we lived for a while overlooking the Rose Bay flying boat base and I got to witness some pretty interesting take offs when the swell was up. I wonder if your Sunderland is the same one that Ansett bought from the RNZAF to convert for passengers because I remember it from when it arrived still with its gun turrets- no guns tho. I very timidly stepped aboard and curse myself for not having crawled all over it. Thank god it is in safe hands and thanks for sharing and caring.

[@TreeTop1947]

Thanks for telling us about your dad's Sunderland action during WW II, Stephen! I really enjoy stories like that. Semper Fidelis, TreeTop

[@johncrispin2118]

Very interested, and rather dismayed to see this unique aircraft in such a delapidated state. Stephens comment about his dads bravery is a nugget which indicates the Valuable role this aircraft and the rather forgotten coastal command who were often lost without trace. A book I read once describes an action where a sunderland was attacked by a force Of Ju88’s and downed several and although riddled managed to get back . My own connection is I did my engineering apprenticeship in the ex Shorts works on the esplanade at Rochester In kent. Years before then I remember as a child seeing the a huge Sunderland anchored off the slipway there. My memories of thus particular machine are of two instrumental People who helped get the aircraft ready for its transatlantic flight, namely John Roast a neighbour of pilot Ken Emmet, and the late Geoff Masterton who flight engineered the journey. I hope Kermit does this kite justice also i wonder what happened to the ex Charles Church Lancaster that Kermit purchased from Doug Arnold I believe, but I fear he has relegated the plane.

[@hodaka1000]

I remember them from Sydney Harbour. He says in the first video that it is the ex RNZAF replacement for Ansett, so it must be the one you're talking about.

[@davecooper3238]

Thank you. I really enjoyed both parts one & two. They were both very informative. The Sunderland is the first aircraft I ever really noticed. In the late 1940s we were on holiday in the south of England. We spotted a number of these in a MOD base. Some moored others on the shore. I apparently became quite exited & asked my father if we could get closer. He apparently told my mother to sit still, smile whatever happened say nothing. He drove into the base saluting the guard as we approached the gates. The sentry saluted back & we drove straight in. Not stopping he drove by the flying boats before exchanging salutes as we drove back out. He says he got away with it because driving a car & saluting the sentry would presume that he was an officer with every right to be there.

[@Foxpest]

I am in the UK, and have memories of the Sunderlands from when I was a boy. They were based near my home, and flying out of Pembroke Dock in West Wales. Part of the Coastal Commands coast protection. Never will forget the thrill of seeing these wondrous flying boats.

[@harryb8945]

Kermit if I ever won the lottery, I'd buy this beauty of you and bring her home. Such a beautiful aircraft and thank you for keeping her alive.

[@davidhoffman1616]

I could watch your shows all day. Thanks, stay safe.

[@scowell]

Hopefully someone went back and closed the cockpit window! Thanks for the tour Kermie... and for what you do.

[@daftpuddin7034]

My dad was an engineer on Sunderland’s in Singapore in the 1950’s thanks for this lovely to see what he had to deal with

[@andycain4924]

My Dad too was a flight engineer in singapore on the Sunderland, my eldest sister was born there

[@albertonex19]

Thanks for saving an amazing piece of history.

[@Gr8thxAlot]

This entire aircraft was designed without a computer. The engineering is astounding. Even the the hatches and windows had many, many hours put into their design. I know how much work an older car is. Imagine this complex beast! Nice work, Mr. Weeks.

[@gustaf3]

Kermit's description of how to synchronize a multi-engine plane, killed me; "... wah, wah, wah, waaaaaahhhhhhhh".

[@markb8326]

It's True. I have had the experience of flying in the old girl in England and you can really hear the prop noise.

[@Dunstire]

The Sunderland is a beautiful aircraft.It's nice that someone so dedicated is looking after this one

[@chrisclairedowsett8044]

BMW has'k """""""£"J

[@noelelkin1711]

I read a book recently called "The Kid Glove Pilot" by Alan Deller, who wanted to fly Sunderlands during WW2. He eventually got his wish and operated in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. Great stories of the operations of these wonderful aircraft.

[@ericohara2582]

Thank you for the book highlight ... Googling for it now :)

[@russcattell955i]

Thank you Sir for keeping this special warbird away from the breakers yard.

[@TrustMeiamaD.R.]

Thanks for this Kermit. My Auntie worked at Shorts in Rochester during the war as a Draughtswoman. She worked on the Sunderland especially. We may never see their like again. Auntie was scared of doodlebugs to her dying day.

[@sarinaman]

Thank you Kermit from Caboolture

[@rleeAZ]

Thanks for saving the Sunderland and all the others for my great grand kids!

[@blods]

Fascinating - My dad grew up in Southhampton and remembers seeing all the sea planes there as a kid

[@ta-fb1th]

Words of wisdom Kermit, doesn't matter who brings the rum as long as it gets brought !! Thanks for the tour amazing aircraft

[@kevthebusman4768]

My favorite aircraft of all time, Just the name flying boat got my interest when I was about 5 year old , Since then I have had a dream of living in one and flying around the world, Great video thanks for making it.

[@marccassstunt]

I visited the museum around 9 or 10 years ago and had the privilge of looking inside this beauty, a wonderful machine. Keep up the good work Kermit.

[@johnziegelbauer4999]

Toured through the museum in December of 2003 , with my young son . Sad to here that it closed . I managed to infect him with the aircraft bug . He is now a helicopter tech in the RCAF . Thanks Kermit for a little piece of heaven on earth there , God bless....

[@BoB4jjjjs]

It has closed? Ah that's a shame!

[@southjerseysound7340]

@@BoB4jjjjs Yeah but I think he's working on a new place.

[@BoB4jjjjs]

@@southjerseysound7340 That would be cool.

[@giannimoscottorc5441]

Very very nice

[@davidmiles3979]

Was lucky enough to see and tour inside this master piece along with my four children in 2004. My children and I miss the old Fantasy of Flight.

[@spectreintheair]

Kermit, love love love your videos. Can't wait to visit Fantasy of Flight!

[@bogus_not_me]

And I'm hoping someone remembered to close the window and put the control lock back in. Great work, Kermit!

[@vincesbardella3838]

I first visited Fantasy of Flight in April, 2007, including a tour of the Sunderland, while attending the Lakeland Sun 'N Fun aIr show with my son.

[@b.atwater3904]

I liked your explanation of how to synchronize the engines. As a big twin engine boat owner, that sound is the sweet spot. Some people have an ear for it, some don't.

[@MrMagnum500sw]

This aircraft sure is a labour of love. I for one am glad it has not been not made into beer cans.

[@WilHenDavis]

Thank you so much for sharing this splendid aeroplane! (…from a Brit, living here in USA since 1983) - Nice job, Mr. Weeks!!

[@jestubbs69]

Kermit thank you for part 2 and wonderful cockpit tour. I so greatly appreciate your time effort and funds in preserving so many Fantastic aircraft and building such a wonderful aviation legacy for all posterity.

[@randyemerson8407]

My sentiments exactly. Hope you get to fly her again some day.

[@kranson8514]

Superbly done ole chap, basically a great in site into the Sunderland still up to your normal standard 👍😉

[@MrJames_1]

On behalf of my great-grandkids, thanks Kermit :)

[@seanhamer4864]

Would love to see this Sunderland in the flesh if I ever get chance to visit, but thanks very much for showing us round her

[@Dave-ty2qp]

Always the pilot: With a story going on. Ans always a businessman: Making things happen. Got a lot of respect for you Kermit. Thanks for keeping our history alive.

[@rangefreewords]

WOW! When you see the leading edge turn into a mechanic platform, not just an engine cowling, you realize the engineers had a mechanic's mindset. Everything from the Flight engineer to the pilot. Sailing and turning were a different beast, as to say with the advent of a 4 engine P3 on land which had GENs on 2&3 which also had reverse thrust and brakes. Your APU had to have been on during taxi on the pond. You couldn't be more at war than with the grit at your smile just taking the aircraft to a mooring bouy. It would have been loud in the can the whole time.

[@ColeAviation]

WOW!!! That is a very high tech built plane for its time. 😁👍🏼 Thanks for sharing Kermit!

[@1320fastback]

It's amazing the planes that used to be made. Just like the cars at the time they were ahead of their time!

[@pascalcoole2725]

Kermit last year in a comment i requested for the Shorts Sunderland Now you made my wish come out. Thanks verry much for that ! You're taking good care of it, if you take care of yourselve as well, i'd be well satisfied.

[@pauljohn8983]

it was a pleasure to meet you all those years ago at the Southampton Aviation Museum. I believe it was the day before you left to bring your Sunderland to back Florida with all those folks watching from Calshot Spit. It was quite a sight!!

[@jaycweingardt11]

This was one of the coolest things I have ever seen in my life, and I need it.

[@BobBrownIII]

There's nothing wrong with your memory, Kermit. Thanks for the wonderful explanations.

[@seanavery7265]

Thank you Kermit for your dedication to saving her,doing a great service to the old great bird.

[@samsutherland9745]

Kermit you rock! Thank you for sharing your passion & knowledge. Ur a true hero of aviation

[@juddpeterson9100]

Flying in that cockpit must remind you of Howard Hughes flying his Spruce Goose.

[@atoieno]

As a youngster In 1966 I flew to Lord Howe Island as a passenger either in this plane or its sister. We took off from Ansett's base at Rose Bay in Sydney and landed on the Lagoon at Lord Howe. A pretty special memory brought back thanks to you Kermit!

[@larrysunderland8554]

Thank you Kermit! Given my family name and my love for airplanes I really appreciate that you have shared this access to your Short Sunderland! And thank you for explaining why this is still a Sunderland even though it now looks like a Sandringham.

[@cynic-al]

My grandad used to fly those many years ago and had a few stories about them. Thanks for letting us see inside, enjoyed it 👍

[@scottbraddy7213]

Wow, so interestingly complex and weird in a very cool way. Call her the Kermie.

[@pierrelataillade7564]

Thanks Kermy for the ride.... these kind of aircrafts don't exist anymore.... glad your their to save them.....

[@jeffbroadway4704]

MR WEEKS thanks so much for the tour I was there in 2002 and seen the sunderland and all the other wonderful airplanes... thank you so much Sir hope to come back ...

[@ubiratancardoso5923]

Beautiful bird. Thank you for the presentation 😊

[@alanbooker]

I loved watching that beauty on the UK airshow circuit.

[@donaldparlettjr3295]

Just having her in the hanger is great. Crewing on a B25 I totally understand the logistics to get an old acft in the air and he has two more engines. The cost in labor and the materials are mind boggling. With Panchito you realize fuel and oil is the cheap part of flying and that can get as high as 180 gallons an hour at $6 per gallon. Inspections are always in the schedule and parts wear out so your always on the hunt. It's a passion that keeps them in existence and I thank those owners that have such passion to spend the money and put the hurculean effort in keeping the acft alive.

[@sgkingly8392]

The Sunderland is an amazing plane. I have been in one before and it is amazing!.

[@tonycamplin8607]

Only just seen these two videos, they brought the memories flooding back. In1949 I flew in one belonging to BOAC? from Singapore to Darwin, this was a weeks trip. The 'plane stopped each afternoon for the night, there were beds upstairs and it had a posh lounge. I'll always remember the spray that came up as she landed. By the way we went to Australia because my father and I caught polio and then there weren't any civilian hospitals in Singapore unbelievable! We landed at Darwin and then had another two or three days, my memory fails, trip on a dakota to reach the hospital in Sydney.

[@dwightalfred]

This sweet old lady sounds like fun to fly and to be flown in.

[@mickd6942]

Thank you kermit for keeping this historic aircraft in a safe place for future generations to marval at , Even if it's not flying it is safe and that means a lot.

[@spagoz2136]

My uncle who I never got to know was lost on the 23rd March 1944 when Sunderland ML 740 attached to 461 Squadron RAAF was shot down by a number of JU-88s over the English Channel. The aircraft was forced down into a 20 ft swell and sank in a short time, and while most of the crew of 11 were able to get out, my uncle who had been knocked unconcious was last seen lying on a wing with another 2 crew members. 7 were eventually rescued by a naval vessel 2 days later. I was able to obtain his war records from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Your Tour of the aircraft gave me some insight into how it would have operated during the war, for which I am very grateful.

[@glennd1234]

My uncle was lost on the same aircraft, his name was Jack Herbert Smith.

[@AdventUK]

Brilliant really really enjoyed this video. I have lived in the town now City of Sunderland since November 1960 and as a young kid I have had an interest in the aircraft mainly because it bears the Sunderland name and what it was created for during WWII as a Submarine killer . Its good to see her in good condition and thank you very much for the tour inside. In the air she is an aircraft on the water she becomes a boat.. Thank you .

[@jkorshak]

Thanks for the tour and making the time for it - fascinating!

[@amc3]

Loved these 2 tours, thanks so much Kermit, its an incredible aircraft. Recently discovered that I live close to a WW2 Sunderland crash site near Dunbeath in the Scottish Highlands. It was on route to Iceland with 14 people on board, 25th August 1942, 13 out of the 14 people died. The aircraft was carrying Prince George, son of King George VI. RAF investigation said "navigational error by the crew" strange considering the 3 pilots were the best of the best, specially selected for VIP missions, the hill it hit was only 700 feet in height, 40 minutes into the flight, why would the be flying at 700 feet? Lots of conspiracy theories going on, even today. Most of the RAF crew were burred in Pennyfuir Cemetery in Oban, also the resting place of Frances Ruth Burke Roche, born in "Sandringham" the mother of Diana, Princess of Wales. Prince George is buried at "Sandringham"

[@mwilhelmindetroit]

Riveting tour of a special airplane. Loved the included memories, too.

[@alansimpson596]

Thank you for two wonderful videos. I live in Belfast, Northern Ireland and am quite familiar with the Shorts factory which has been owned by Bombardier for many years. They presently make wings and other components for Bombardier aircraft. During the war, these Sunderlands and Catalinas were based on Upper and Lower Lough Erne in Northern Ireland which are about 75 miles south west of Belfast. These lakes are the furthermost west one can get in Europe and just about 40 miles across country from the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, most of those 40 miles are in the Irish Free State which was neutral. Consequently, the flying boats had to fly a considerable distance north before they could turn west out into the Atlantic to offer anti-submarine protection to the great convoys of supplies coming from the USA and Canada. The president of the Irish Free State at that time was Eamon de Valera who had part American parentage. He came under presssure from American politicians to allow their boys to fly across the short area of land which became known as the Donegal Corridor. When the German battleship Bismarck sank HMS Hood in the Straits of Greenland causing the loss of over 1,400 sailors, Churchill sent out the order "Sink the Bismarck". A Catalina from Lough Erne was out over the Atlantic when a crew member spotted it through broken cloud and radioed back its position. Royal Navy ships homed in on it and sent it to the bottom. Sadly, a number of Sunderlands crashed when trying to find Lough Erne in the poor Irish weather which more often than not consists of low cloud and mist.

[@hughlynas6219]

I joined Short Bros & Harland (as it was then) in 1950 as an apprentice and was immediately given the task of cleaning out the bilges of a number of Sunderlands - I believe they were owned by the French Navy. Later we were motored out into Belfast Bay to clean the interior of a Sandringham prior to delivery to ????. Some 20 Pratt & Whitney engines were stacked up against the wall. Later worked on the Sperrin, the Canberra, the Swift, and the Comet - and much later as a designer the freighter the Belfast. Then I left to help Blackburn Aircraft in England work on the Buccaneer. After that, the USA.........

[@vehdynam]

What a fascinating aircraft. Thank you for preserving it !!!

[@johnbishop6667]

I was lucky to have a tour through the Sunderland while in Florida about 1987 . Unfortunately I missed one of the flying days

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Really is more boat than plane in a lot of ways! Thanks for the very cool tour! Love all you do Kermit!

[@alistairmcdonald2382]

Thank you so much, for bringing it back to life for us

[@scotttoner9231]

Words fail me on so many fronts of what you a doing. Thank you.

[@mkusch2337]

I love your videos Kermit! It's like a trip back to the golden age of aviation. Thanks for sharing! 😎👍🏻

[@markgordon2260]

I was lucky enough to fly on both Beachcomber and Islander as a kid in 1973 when they were still flying to Lord Howe Island. Magnificent beasts!

[@cameron1975williams]

The stuff that airplane must've seen. Not to mention a skinny-dipping party. What a history!

[@AirGuitar]

I could literally watch this all day! Love the tours of the big planes!

[@TheCryptKeeper8]

Such a wonderful tour of this aircraft and giving it a voice. Thank you sir. I head to Old Wardens Shuttleworth collection regularly as it's my local Museum and as a member I take my time to sit with one aircraft somtimes and imagine the stores it's telling me. I wish we could have somthing so massive that i could just sit in it for hours and listen to what others would call silence.

[@ericohara2582]

I had to laugh along with you at your losing train of thought @ 18:35 :) . I really enjoyed this run through, you answered so many questions and gave such a perfect insight into the small details of how the aircraft responds. I once had the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of the Southampton UK Sandringham in the Solent Sky museum and have a long one to one session with a very elderly Sunderland pilot, I count that as one of my best moments and purely spontaneous which made it very special. My house is just to the south of Poole harbour UK on the coastline, it was built in 1935 and I can imagine the walls gently vibrating to the not too distant thunder of the flying boats operating from Poole and Sandbanks. Thank you for these great films and for the costs you have absorbed in saving this wonderful aircraft.

[@cyberdami]

Thanks for sharing Kermit..... Cannot wait to see her fly again!

[@bearsmith3655]

So fascinating. Thanks for sharing! -ex USAF Crew Chief

[@richardcollecutt256]

Thank you! Fascinating detail on the mooring process. My Dad used to pilot one of these for the RNZAF in the mid 1950s. Was based in Fiji but often flew back to NZ when the cyclones came in. No GPS then, all sextant work.

[@IAmSaintBlue]

Thank you Kermit for making these fantastic videos. I was thinking about making an RC Short Sunderland and now, after watching this video, I am definitely going to build one! What a cool airplane.

[@jamesw7327]

Super video. My grandfather took me to see her fly in England in the mid-1980s. Unforgettable. He flew Sunderlands with 461 Sqn RAAF out of Pembroke Dock during the war. I remember him talking about some of the points mentioned in the video like syncing the engines and deploying the water anchors as well as stories of his 14-hour patrols over the Bay of Biscay. During one such patrol he was jumped by four (I think) JU-88s returning home with some 200 holes in the fuselage. Their evasion technique was to return fire, perform corkscrews and fly low to prevent attacks from below. It would be great to see this fly again some day.

[@davidquarltere7877]

Thanks so much for sharing . Love all of your shows. You have done so much for vintage aircraft.

[@darrylwbraun]

Kermit, these are the videos I love. Watching someone fly a plane is interesting, sure and getting a tour is very nice indeed... but listening to the stories while you lead the tour? THAT'S the ticket Brother! I could spend an entire day just feeding you your rum of choice, grilling some steaks and just listening to your stories. Why, well, because the pilots of old who did the EXACT same things and had the EXACT same problems are getting more and more rare and a lot of them don't think their deeds worth talking about. To guys like me though, those experiences are the finishing touches, without which the planes are just what they normally are; static displays. I got to tour a B17 at Pima Air and Space Museum and they had a fella there who was a war photographer in WWII. The plane was interesting enough, but the stories... MAN, the stories. They bring life to the plane and that's what you're doing with these tours Kermit. Don't ever stop telling your stories Sir. They provide context and you provide a living link between the pilots of old and the youth of today.

[@johnnunn8688]

Very, very interesting. As a Sea Cadet in a Southampton, Hants, UK, we were based in the old BOAC building at Southampton old docks, from where they flew Princess flying boats. All gone many years ago. Often wondered if anyone had the sense to save the entry door glass, which had the speed bird symbol on them. Thank you, Kermit.

[@alanjm1234]

Love the Sunderland. IMO it's the classic flying boat.

[@bondisteve3617]

Mr. Kermit. That's huge...your huge...the whole "thing" is massive! Thanks heaps for all of it.

[@acetreeman]

My Dad was a photographer in Sunderland Flying Boats, based in the Shetland Isles with the Norwegian Air force. Strange to think he might have flown in that one.

[@59patrickw]

my scout master was a pilot on a short sunderland out of R.A.F mountbatten in plymouth in WW 2

[@ThreenaddiesRexMegistus]

Great video! Really enjoyed the walk through and explanation. I remember looking around the one at MOTAT in Auckland. Big plane !

[@Bavvo69]

Utterly delightful. I love the way you have to refresh your memory about where everything is, no easy feat with a complex 4 engine flying boat! Thank you for keeping this wonderful old seabird alive, lets hope you get her in the air again one day.

[@rustykilt]

As a kid I would watch the Sunderlands taking off from ROSE BAY, in SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. They were operated by ANSETT , and a more majestic sight never existed as they ran down the Harbour. I still have photos of the Hanger at ROSE BAY as it was being demolished. There was an old CATALINA at the rear of the hanger which was also reduced to scrap..

[@errickmackey8983]

Wow, fantastic video. 😊 Thank You, Sir.💖

[@patrickibex]

Great Videos Kermit , good to see the Sunderland is in good hands and we all can't wait to here the four big round ones burst in to life again, good luck with Act 3

[@brentnorman6848]

Kermit, this was the one plane I have been dying to see inside of. I have loved the Sunderland ever since I was a young boy building airplane models. If I ever get the chance to visit Florida, you can bet that I will be there to see your collection in person. I have been lucky enough to see some of you collection at Airventure and in almost every aviation mag that I buy. It is a shame that not everyone respects history and had to be closed to the public, but I totally agree.

[@CourtneyEdmonds]

Nice info Kermit! I’m from New Zealand and we have an original Short Solent and Sunderland along with a Lancaster , mosquito and many others undercover at MOTAT Museum in Auckland. Thank you so much for investing in the past so future generations can continue to learn and enjoy your magnificent collection. Cheers, Courtney

[@KermitWeeks444]

Thanks Courtney!

[@johnkamm8886]

My Grandkids will love to see it fly again. Great video, thank you for saving such a flying part of history............ Ps: I will love to see it fly again too......😉

[@ImpendingJoker]

I am very glad to live so close(about 20min drive) to Fantasy of Flight. I have been there many times and have seen you flying around the Tampa Bay area many times.

[@trueblue2k2]

Thanks for the tour Kermit.

[@xsbuilder1]

Bravo! Great info, great story ... love that plane.

[@lek1223]

This is such a cool plane. I am a sucker for old passenger planes like this, the 'lounge' is pretty sweet