Spirit of St Louis (replica) - DAMAGED! - Trip to Le Bourget

Back in 2014 I was asked by a French group to ship my Spirit of St Louis replica to Le Bourget, Paris, to be there to celebrate the famous airports 100th anniversary. We thought it would be fun, and a great honor to be a part of the celebration. So, we prepared the plane, built a shipping fixture, and meticulously packed it for its trip overseas. Unfortunately, the trip there, and the trip back were not kind to my Spirit at all. This is the story of our sad Spirit of St Louis Le Bourget Experience.
(Had to add replica to the title . . . we assumed everyone knew that the original was in the Smithsonian! We were wrong!)
Kermit Weeks
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe with link above for notification of future Kermit Weeks videos.
Follow Kermit on Facebook...
/ kermitweeks
Watch all the other Kermit Weeks videos and Kermie Cam's here...
/ kermitweeks444
--------------------------------------------------------------------
We welcome and appreciate the comments of our viewers. Voice your opinion freely and have fun, but please keep the comments civil. We won't allow name calling, bullying or foul language.
Thanks for watching and making our channel possible.
Kermit Weeks

[@chadpm11]

DHL is shifty as f. We had a old steamer car shipped from the UK area we went there test drove it payed for it and we even videoed the whole thing as well as us packing it up into a container for them to ship it here to the USA and we closed it up locked it with our locks after customs clearing it on the dock next to the ship we flown back here then met it at the docks as it arrived a week later here and when it was unloaded (friend managed the dock it came in on and let us be there before DHL got to bring it to the shop) the container was the same one but the locks were changed to tags, the customs tape was cut that was installed in the uk area before we locked it, we had a customs officer on site here we let him know what we found and he opened the doors and found DHL shipped tons of other packages stacked all over on top of the car and around it.we filmed this as well. It was insured by DHL and was supposed to be the only thing inside the container. It ended up breaking all the glass all the oil lamp lights and many other parts there insurance said that it was found that it was damaged before it was loaded in the container as stated on their paperwork at the ship yard. They were not going to pay till they found out the whole process was filmed from start to finish as well as i installed a game camera in the container that watched the DHL employee's walking on top of the car putting packages behind it then on top it as well as beside it till the camera was covered up, we closed it back up and let them deliver it and our locks were back on it and it was empty except for the car. The owner of the car was about to file a lawsuit against DHL till DHL got a copy of all the videos and the game camera clips they ended up paying for all the damage. Unknown how much, i was just the mechanic took to look it over before he purchased it and help pack it up.

[@adamr9215]

DHL needs to be shut down. Horrible company. They have destroyed everything I have shipped with them. And it always took a court to make them pay. The last item was a 1969 ZL1 Camaro that was fully restored. I had trail cams all over the place showing their people breaking into the container and destroying the interior of the car as well as filling the container with other packages. Luckily with that one, the harbor manager was a good friend of mine and they had they crew of the ship arrested, including the captain, who liked to eat his meals in the car. The ship was scrapped “accidentally”, so I got my money and then some the easy way. Didn’t give them a say in the matter at all. When the crew was jailed, the ship was considered abandoned and I claimed it. The harbor ended up ending DHL’s warehouse lease too. I hoped that would teach them a lesson, but they are still scum.

[@SVSecondChance]

wow this is crazy I think I would be getting a very aggressive lawyer involved.

[@todaywefly4370]

Great! My son is currently having trouble with DHL item. Nothing at this level but concerning just the same.

[@madyogi6164]

I would like to see faces of these retards...

[@madyogi6164]

@@adamr9215 Hope you get your next ZL1 but without DHL "support"!

[@chevychase3103]

Sounds like the typical Insurance train wreck! Does anyone else hate insurance companies?

[@KimmyR3]

it feels like a scam sometimes.

[@jimarcher5255]

You just have to remember that insurance companies do not make money paying claims.

[@michaelbryant7377]

@@jimarcher5255 How many years do customers go before they file a claim? Insurance companies are the scum of the earth. A necessary evil, you could say.

[@429thunderjet2]

Ditto ditto ditto! You better pay your premiums on time or else, but when the shoe is on the other foot, and it's time for them to pay an honest claim they will do anything and everything to deny you... And yes Jim A. They don't make money paying claims! But you dang know they MAKE MONEY. grrrr

[@denniskillmon769]

I don't blame you Kermit. To put your heart and soul in to preserving, protecting and promoting a flying aviation museum. ONLY to have so called professional's damage a beautiful representation of aviation history, is appalling. Shipping, Receiving and off loaders have got to be responsible. Guess what they don't care. They'll drop kick your Christmas package across the warehouse. I can't believe that SOMEONE is actually protecting and preserving our airplanes. My Dad's 1932 WACO is in the Oshkosh EAA Muesem. I'm so glad someone was able to preserve such an exquisite airplane. Thank you so much for what you and your gang do, y'all are marvelous simply marvelous!

[@WellRoundedWoodsman]

What a crappy response by DHL. Last year I shipped a custom made canoe I had spent 3 years building in a custom built crate made by the movers. When it arrived there were forklift holes right through the crate. Its such a helpless feeling sending something you love and cherish off with someone else.

[@TumzDK]

Well, there goes the opportunity to have Mr. Weeks P-51D sitting in my driveway for my 50th birthday......back to the drawing board 😊 thanks for sharing, glad to hear you got the compensation.

[@alfredrivers8324]

This is not a static model, it is a real airworthy replica that Kermit has flown.

[@sipet214]

The worst people in the whole world are Insurance people, lawyers and politicians period.

[@monostripezebras]

That is an easy thing to say.. but in this case the blame is largely on the inadequate packaging. From ATA Spec 300 to dangerous goods regulations.. they did not bother do that professionally and the result is predictable, actually I would have expected worse when I saw the amateurish one layer bubblewrap taping...

[@bassmith448bassist5]

Word!!!

[@JackTheSkunk]

And Democrats.

[@nursesteve2004]

no the worst people are the shippers...their attitude is "Oh well, so it's broke....well, that's what you have insurance for so put in a claim."

[@bellboy4074]

DHL declined the claim, dummy. Not the insurance company.

[@markwatson3135]

Report from French Insurance company...well, we tried to tear it apart back in 1927, we were just trying to finish the job. Seriously, I hope whoever denied the first claim got fired, because your packing and documentation was impeccable, as is everything you do. Paul must have been ready to kill someone.

[@azbloc]

pourquoi parlez vous d'assurance Française, c'est bien DHL qui est en faute puisqu'ils n'ont pas voulus assumer la responsabilité via leur assurance!! des hommes ont fait des erreurs et ne les ont pas assumées, AIR FRANCE a mandaté une personne pour le retours de Spirit of Saint-Louis sachant qu'il avait été abîmé pendant le transport USA => France entre la sortie du cargo et le Bourget, la compagnie a assumé pour que cela ne ce renouvelle pas mais la personne mandaté n'à certainement pas fait du bon travail!! c'est trop facile d'accuser !! Et surtout, ne comparez pas l'arrivée de Charles Lindberg au Bourget en 1927 a ce qui c'est passé en 2014 !!

[@steveholmes5207]

Love everyone of your posts mr weeks a real treat thank you greetings from England 🇬🇧💓🇺🇲👍

[@Frankestein01nl]

That has got to be the reason Lindburg flew it over himself, he hated DHL too ;) Sorry to see you've had such an experience.... i'd be mad as hell too.

[@kurtfrancis4621]

Lindbergh

[@Petaretjehh]

Well, in his biography he clearly states that after landing in France the French public broke through the fences and damaged the airplane in their excitement.

[@stay_at_home_astronaut]

@@Petaretjehh they tore all the fabric off for souvenirs.

[@matto9734]

lol

[@lanceav8r]

@@stay_at_home_astronaut Actually the damage was minor and not as bad as Lindbergh first feared.

[@D.Brett.Cartwright]

What a tragedy, I'm so sorry for your loss, Kermit!! As a frequent large piece shipper, I can only imagine you did a pre-shipment analysis/estimate of the damage the piece would incur during an open shipment of your airplane. I guess you might also have done a ROI of building a hard shell box for the shipment against the cost to repair from potential damages. A hard lesson to learn, and again, I empathize! - I'm reminded of how France shipped the Statue of Liberty to us.

[@BillB23]

The only downside to your end story is that you weren't compensated for 1.5 years of waiting.

[@ericcowan3490]

Wow unbelievable!! You guys did everything in your power to CYA and still got bent over. But thank God you guys had took that extra step of additional insurance, and the same company non the less lol and they covered it....great job! What you guys do is absolutely amazing....I wish I wasn't so far away, I'd be a fixture there at your facility and even donate some of my time and expertise in any type of crane work, forklift work, any kind of equipment operations you could possibly need. Keep doing what your doing. It is so incredibly wonderful. Wish I could be a part, best wishes, Eric

[@deanehill9730]

Can’t blame you for not wanting to risk your valuable planes to uncaring mindless maggots like you had handling your equipment. Such a beautiful replica and looks so nice flying. Thanks for the video.

[@ashleyneale9162]

Hi Kermit, I have been in the Australian transport industry for over thirty years. You never tie a tarp down directly to a item like your aircraft or a car. There is always scuffing & the pressure of all the rope tie downs is immense. Always have a external frame around the object. A mistake a lot of people make but the truck drive should have know better! Glad that it all worked out in the end & thank you for saving these incredible machines

[@williamsternberg8867]

Leno has a story about a friend who rented a perfect Citroen DS (I think) only to get it back with half the dash cut out from where the film crew had mounted a camera. Moral of the story: Never rent your classic car out to a film company.

[@memey5308]

I’m glad you guys got it sorted out in the end 👍

[@johneratcliff]

I love it. Good guys always come out ahead!

[@ReZiN8R]

You are awesome Kermit. Thanks for sharing your life with us. :)

[@MrSeoigh]

That's outrageous Kermit. You should have been paid at the outset as your preparation and documentation were more than adequate to validate mishandling. I hate to hear that this has made you reluctant to share your treasures as freely as you want to...the aviation world is poorer for that. Grateful for your videos...and anxious to visit 'phase III' with my family when your plans come together. Keep 'em flying!

[@crooked-halo]

The preparation was not adequate, it was very poorly done in my, and many others, opinions.

[@johns8689]

Damn, my gut hurts after watching this! Thank you for sharing Kermit!!

[@Pauls-World]

Sorry that happened to your plane, and especially to you. You’re such a great stand up guy. After years of visiting FOF, I said, I’m gonna buy a plane. Long story short, I bought Cessna 150 20k. The paper work was incomplete and after a year and a half. I had to sell it for 9K. I’m glad you were made whole again. I learned a lesson too. Be safe and take care of yourself Mr. Weeks.

[@Gassit]

Need to get yourself a Guppy for the collection.

[@CanadairCL44]

THere is an ex - Flying Tigers CL-44-o Guppy at Bournemouth airport in the UK that I believe is available. It was registered N447T while it was with Transmeridian Air Cargo when I knew it. There is a faceb**k page called the CL- 44 association if you're interested.

[@deepscuba7384]

Glad you finally won!! Insurance companies in general totally suck! I had a problem with theft replacement. Sometimes you have to out snake them!

[@stellarpod]

I spent 30 years in positions of authority in Sales/Customer Service for a couple of oil/gas valve and instrumentation manufacturers here in Oklahoma City, OK - USA. We arranged shipping all over the world by a myriad of carriers on a daily basis. Sometimes they were our choice, sometimes they were mandated by the customer. FAR AND AWAY, the most difficult carrier with which to deal was DHL. Sadly, in some parts of the world, they seem to be the only game in town. And for the life of me, I cannot understand how the European continent seems to embrace DHL when their level of service is so bad. Suffice it to say, when the decision was ours, we would use virtually ANY other carrier whenever possible. Sorry for your experience, but can't say I'm surprised (sadly). As always, thanks much for sharing. Steve

[@saabysaabinsky2785]

You have a servants heart, kind and giving. It was a special event and you were backed in the corner, in the sense, you had the only excellent replica of the Spirit. You did your best to assure the safety of your airplane by packing it well. We know this wasn't your "first rodeo" packing airplanes to be shipped else where. I agree....Each one of your airplanes are special and most are irreplaceable. I wouldn't send any of them anywhere, unless it was something I initiated and wanted to do. Glad you were made whole again by the weaselly insurance company. Enjoyed your video as usual. All seems to be well again.

[@martinda7446]

I had to pause their response and stare at it for five minutes. It is one of those things you reread till you gradually note every word in its entire essence and still not quite believe its really there printed in front of you...So you read it again. I felt that. I can honestly say i know how you felt. I wonder what made both companies come to the same collusion er I mean conclusion?

[@angelreading5098]

I could have cried looking at the way that they treated such a beautiful aircraft,you were kind enough to allow them to display it and this was your awful reward a damaged artifact,never again as you say Kermit a hard lesson to learn but so be it,they showed no respect for your property,I hope that you managed to fix all of the damage done and the Spirit of St Louis replica is now safe and sound.We would love a walk around when you get the time to do so and perhaps even hear the sound of that delightful radial engine.

[@mtsflorida]

Before becoming a crash investigator for the highway patrol I delivered shipments some oversized 85 feet long all over North America. Only had so mb e damage to one car my first trip. After 10 yrs I made sure things were created or properly strapped. All aspects considered during transit including rough conditions. Always kept atleast 4 inches of clearance and insured that no movement up or down, side to side or front to back would move more than two inches. I could easily determine what happened based on how it was loaded and what secured it to what by examining it the way it was. When receiving something an inspection for damage must always be what your accepting, if no exception is made then that shipper is responsible for any and all damage. It's best to use air bags to prevent movement. They are inexpensive and only require an air compressor and about 6 airbags at $6 dollars a piece. It's always good to hire your own insurance claim rep. I was trained in crash reconstruction and can tell you where and what made contact with a part. Fraud makes for up to 3 times the cost in restitution as compensatory and punitive damages. The original Spirit of St. Louis caught fire in 1978 when the San Diego Museum of Aviation was vandalized by fire and a replica was made.

[@kurtfrancis4621]

The San Diego Museum of Aviation never had the original. It's been with the Smithsonian since April 1928

[@deanehill9730]

Quite the achievement Kermit. Thanks for the video.

[@Geoduck.]

Respectfully, that aircraft should never ever have left your hanger without being secured into a purpose-built wood or aluminum shipping box.

[@ColinWatters]

My jaw dropped when I saw how they just put the wing on the top and threw a tarp over it. Very next trucker to drive it is guaranteed to throw (and I mean throw) some extra ratchet straps over it and crank it down hard. Then there are passing tree branches etc.

[@melted_cheetah]

Yeah No kidding. I'm sorry but it should have left with a wood box cover.

[@lmaoroflcopter]

Yup. They do not need cargo slipping while taking off, they'll crank that down hard. How naive of them, no indicators as to where to tie it down. No "no step" type markings applied. Just a single layer of bubble wrap and some duct tape, talk about a damn half assed job. Yes they got £&££-++':& by their insurers (until they paid up) but damn you'd think they'd have taken more care over their stuff than trying to ship it open like that. Absolutely should have been crated.

[@stevenslater2669]

At least a tubular cage like the fuselage was in. And tie down points clearly marked on the tubing - maybe even welded-on loops so the transport guys can’t make a mistake. Well - we wouldn’t make a mistake...Freight handlers are *special*!!

[@matto9734]

It is the insurance company/transport companies due to tell the customer what to do!!! If they say/do nothing it is their problem. Do you clever commentator clowns all work for an insurance company or WHAT?

[@jonfranklin4583]

I feel your pain! I shipped a dismantled Cessna 180 via Northern Air Cargo from Naknek Alaska to Anchorage and despite building very sturdy frames that enclosed the perimeter of the wings and the edges extending above and below the chord of the wing, the savage forklift drivers of said company managed to take a forklift out to unload with to short of forks and in doing so caused extensive damage to the wings. I was fortunate enough that Northern was a good company and paid for the damage inflicted but the lesson was learned, beware of the handling of any fragile thing sent air cargo. Glad you got compensated!

[@fpvoslo]

Thanks for sharing Mr. Weeks Have some heavy frases from fare north of Norway on my mind when I saw this clip Universe allway pay back :) Yours friendly....

[@tomsbasement4884]

So I guess it's a NO for having the P47 shipped to my house in Maryland next June for my Bday celebration...

[@billyjack3361]

There’s an old saying “Never let a good deed go unpunished”. My heart is broken.

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Fun fact, when the Wright brothers shipped their first Wright Flyer to France for their first ever demonstration it also was heavily damaged during shipping. So damaging airplanes on the way to France is like an aviation tradition!

[@salmonking01]

I have been in the shipping and receiving business for 26 years and this does not surprise me a bit. I have had my time with claims departments and it has gone bad many times. Never as nice a shipment as this one, but I feel for anyone who has to fight to get what they deserve, thanks for sharing.

[@victor-emmanuel7485]

Well that's unfortunate... Thanks for sharing Kermit!

[@vehdynam]

That is quite a story , most unfortunate , to say the least. I am happy to know you were compensated properly , as you should have been , at the beginning. Thanks Kermit.

[@joef2171]

Can't blame you one bit for never wanting to ship an aircraft again.

[@nursesteve2004]

next time fly it to where you want to go, or ask the Navy to loan you space on an aircraft carrier that happens to be going that way, LOL

[@alfredrivers8324]

Charles Lindbergh would not be surprised that the Spirit was damaged. The original was too after he landed. You did all you could under the circumstances, so glad it worked out for you in the end

[@concerned1313]

I did not know. As an amateur historian, spectator at Planes of Fame and a non pilot and fan, thank you for your care and service!

[@baward]

DHHell. As Shakespeare said, "Neither a lender nor a borrower be"! I bet Lindbergh's flight was in better shape after the actual flight...

[@stay_at_home_astronaut]

No it wasn't. After landing, the locals tore all the fabric off of the aircraft, for souvenirs.

[@RMJTOOLS]

Another interesting tidbit is I’ve seen videos and reports of port authorities and US Customs agents arbitrarily cut the locks on sea containers, rummage through them looking for contraband, damage valuable stuff, then just leave it unlocked.

[@puremaga17]

When I saw the video title, my mind went to "Fans" stripping off fabric as souvenirs as befell the original Spirit. Damn DHL.. Thank you Kermit! 👏👍

[@kennysherrill6542]

Wow!!! Sorry to hear about that Kermit, I'm very happy you got compensation for the damages. Yeah no more Mr. Nice Guy, it just doesn't work anymore. I do want to thank you for saving so much aviation history.👍👍👍👍👍🇺🇸

[@Chris-1974]

Why didn't you fly it over there like Lindberg did 😇

[@mylesspear]

Chris1974 I think it’s only a static model, but that would be cool!

[@curtisjackson355]

It’s not static it will fly

[@matt_waddy]

@@curtisjackson355 *would :( Probably would've been safer in the long run!

[@curtisjackson355]

Matt_Waddy depends on a few factors that bit of damage from shipping or possible loss of aircraft into the ocean I know I’d never attempt it I’m happy flying over land 😂 unless I’m in a lake or beaver

[@curtisjackson355]

Dang that’s sad if you do ship another plane build not just a rack to put it on but a whole enclosure so there is no chance of strap damage due to people not knowing how to strap something so delicate but glad it was insured. Keep up the great work Kermit

[@davidgierke7582]

What a shame! Your experience reminds me of what Wilbur Wright found when he opened the shipping crate (wooden box) that his brother, Orville, had prepared and sent him from Dayton-the Model B, that Wilbur was to fly outside Paris in 1909-almost everything was damaged in transit; some believe that the plane was sabotaged. Never-the-less I agree with you-don't send your airplanes anywhere unless they're for your own purposes.

[@kevatut23]

Forty-five years of building high-end prototypes, has me in complete solidarity with your disappointment. The horror stories of periodic mishandling still haunt me. Beautiful aircraft Kermit. One of the first models I built as a boy.

[@leesherman100]

What a nightmare. Crooked as hell. In the future, ship nothing!!

[@MrGTO-ze7vb]

When shipping a fragile item like this plane.. you need to make hold down hooks to support structures for the cargo folks to tie it down inside the airplane. No belts going over the top of the DELICATE wings or fuselage ..!! Always have an outside insurance writer. I have taken Fed Ex to court 3 times to collect on damages that they created during shipping and would not pay out. Over $15,000. COLLECTED IN COURTS..!!

[@Promethesis]

Sorry to hear this story Kermit. It continually amazes me the extent an insurance company will go to not to honor their agreement. I'm glad it finally paid off for you.

[@jamesburns2232]

You can derive some satisfaction that at least a hand-full of people at Le Bourget showed up in the rain and got a chance to see your replica of Spirit of St. Louis.

[@bartneal8605]

I’ve been in the shipping industry for most of my adult life, that is I switch back and forth between air cargo and trucking, some ocean going fright, and I have seen all kinds of damage, I’ve hauled just about everything you can think of, and everything that you didn’t think of. Currently I’m trucking, and a few weeks back I hauled some rocket stuff to NASA, from California to New Orleans la. I made sure that chains were used instead of straps. The second driver refused to use chains and strapped it down instead. Long story short, the second load had considerable damage and it could have been avoided. Shipping knowledge is priceless,

[@esdeekay4344]

I've worked for DHL for less than a year. I once was involved in a collision (had right of way) and called it in. They immediately asked if I could resume my route without even checking if I was OK. That was the day I resigned....

[@invertmast]

As much as i hate to say it, i saw the writing on the wall with how that insurance claim was going to go, but did NOT expect the ending. Its absolutely HILARIOUS that the same insurance company came to two separate conclusions and had to pay. I love it! LoL As for not shipping anymore airplanes that you dont have to, i do not blame you at all! The risk/reward venue in doing this is far to risk leaning imo

[@geraldmartsy2165]

LOL at least you can add "shipping container expert" to your already impressive resume!

[@dyer2cycle]

...Ha! Ha!..You are so right, about ending a drought by having an airshow or fly-in, aerobatics, etc!....

[@markmcdaniel3975]

Wow What a disappointment! Very discouraging to see a large corporation conducting business in such a counterfeit manner. Reflects well on you not to be too bitter. Thanks Kermit for trying to honor Lindbergh's flight and America's roll in aviation history.

[@kevinkoepke8311]

I feel it had to do with the trailers it was shipped on. Aluminum trailers flex, and strapping secured to them will bite with every bump. Thanks Kermit

[@pat36a]

As a Mover for 3 yrs. I had moved some plane parts , never a whole plane. Those things are very fragile. But and Insurance company is not in the busines to protect you, but to make money. They always deny the first claim. Sometimes the 2nd. It's to make sure that you really think they are responsible. Now was the damage in Truck Transport or on the cargo plane? It left FoF looking good. I bet it was the Trucking company on the other side of the pond. That then calls into mind the guy riding w/it. Shouldn't he have known were to strap it down at?

[@donaldparlettjr3295]

Kermit I don't blame you one bit. I had an insurance company claim of an incident the other side (a fellow businessman and friend). It was our equipment failure therefore our fault. The two insurance companies haggled for 5 months till I went after my insurance company telling them it was OUR fault. Get this, they were the same insurance company just a different department and neither of them wanted to take the loss. Absolutely beyond belief!

[@fochall1]

I knew it. Anybody else? Good job Kermie!

[@joseruiz-Joecool]

As an A and P it is a sad story for me. I love these civilian airplanes that made history especially replicas that fly. Although this happened in 2014 I still feel for your loss of time and for the damage to the plane. Someday I will visit your museum.

[@robertwoodhams2318]

What a sad story,moral is give DHL a wide birth and that insurance company too...🙁🇪🇦🇬🇧

[@tenlittleindians]

I remember when the Oshkosh air show was segregated between members and the rest of the population. Pilots know the general population has no idea how fragile airplanes are.

[@Paiadakine]

I remember those days. You could not go past the line unless you were an EAA member, pilot, A&P, or worked for an airline or aircraft company (had company ID). I see lots of folks touching, squeezing, running their hands over the planes. Sometimes their bags or cameras would swing into the planes. Or worse try to climb on the wheels wings struts to see inside the cockpit.

[@ktanner11]

The general population knows how snobbish pilots are.

[@email4664]

Thanks for the sound advice Kermit. I have set our Family's Triplane as static many times as donations to local air museums, but no longer unfortunately.

[@walt8089]

Same Insurance Co. ----- now that's true Poetic Justice !

[@StevenVanLoven]

Good to hear finally all was payed as it should have been in the first place ! It' so damn sad , when you wanted to give the airplane enhusiasts in Europe a great time , you have been treated like this . The shipping company who act like this should be punished by a much higher fine than the actual cost of repair...

[@gemini1965]

WOW, that´s just sad...so sad... I do only have a few 50 years old cars but such damage is just bejond everything...

[@Bobo-bw1uc]

I’m imagining something like space shuttle piggy back 747 idea but for the spirit of St. Louis 5:12 once the 747 has caught its prey its consume it starting from the tail

[@rcscaler]

I once shipped an aircraft windshield via UPS. When it arrived at the destination, the driver shoved it off the back of the truck with his foot right in front of the customer!

[@peterlewis7292]

Hi Mr. Weeks, that's a really upsetting "story", you have a wonderful collection and are very proud of it and your workforce's skills in maintaining it. You get an enquiry for a show to celebrate a historic landmark, you make all the necessary arrangements and make the exhibit ready for shipping safely. Its the bit in between that has let everybody down. They are quite happy to take your money in the insurance premium though aren't they. As a wagon driver myself I'm ashamed of the standards and understanding of some idiots who "claim" they are wagon drivers. All they have is a licence to drive a wagon... and that can be questioned. So I quite understand your decision, a great shame and hope that you and your crew will be able to bring her back to your high quality condition soon.

[@PDZ1122]

I once shipped a "Der Jäger" and a single seat Pitts from Torrance CA to Sydney. A "professional" shipping company did the packing. When the container was opened, both fuselages had their landing gears driven up into the fuselage. Both aircraft had g-meters registering 6.7G! Somebody obviously dropped the container. And,of course, the insurance took a year to pay out.

[@sterni70]

Never leave anything precious in french hands!

[@pepitoperez2510]

I worked in shipping once..long ago, and we called DHL, Dewey, Huey and Loui😜

[@clydecessna737]

Interesting stuff.

[@richardbertram9192]

I have never had a good outcome from any insurance claim. They are 100% committed to collecting premiums and 200% opposed to paying claims. I'm glad you were made whole and agree 100% with your never ship again decision. BTW, my auto mechanic used to be located next door to your Tamiami hangar and I remember seeing and hearing your P51 Taxi across the street onto the airport grounds.

[@sgkingly8392]

I dont blame you in the slightest to not ship any aircraft again. I am a volunteer at an air museum in the UK and we shipped off a model of the lee richards annular bi plane to an opening ceremony. It was a very old and fragile model daing from the 60s I think. It left us in one piece and returned broken into 3 separate parts with the fabric skin torn up and bits missing

[@darkredvan]

Over here we have a lot of specialist companies that build machinery and components, lots of them for export. Why do I mention it? Well, they quite often don‘t fit in standard containers. To avoid damage, most of it is shipped in custom built boxes (there are several companies who just do those wooden boxes for shipment). Usually they need special trucks / trailers as well. Most of them are too bulky for use of forklifts. So the bottom is reinforced, often weight is not evenly distributed, so special lifting points (for crane chains or belts) are drawn on the sides. It would have been an (expensive) way to ship, but the plane most probably would not have been damaged. Maybe to keep in mind if another one has to be shipped that won’t fit into a standard container. Our company had problems with items when the shipping containers were unloaded of construction materials onto trailers in one of the southern ex-Soviet states, not at the construction site, but at the border. Damage and missing parts. It was a pain in the a.. to get the insurance company to pay.

[@frankboyd7993]

Wow, what a mess. Glad it worked out in the end

[@captaintoyota3171]

Shoulda wrapped bubble wrap then "Ram board" over that. Its a thick paper/cardboard we use to protect floors in commercial building construction

[@heaven-is-real]

Looks like you have to encase it beyond all four corners in steel frame to keep the ham handed gorillas from crushing it. And even then there are no guarantees (sheeesh)

[@wim0104]

basically ship it in your own container; and only let customs open it when you're there with them.

[@coreys2686]

I'm surprised it wasn't done that way, to be honest.

[@heaven-is-real]

@@coreys2686 I have seen motorcycles shipped that way inside a cube of steel frames (that is where I came up with the idea)

[@lmaoroflcopter]

Or just put that arrangement in a wooden crate. I was shocked at how little care they took over packaging it up. Like that shipping fixture was great but then whoever did stuff after that should be shot. A single layer of bubble wrap!? What the hell are you protecting it from? a damn scratch? That entire fixture with wing, should have gone into a wooden crate. There should have been dedicated hold down points provided and guidance markings for cargo handlers to know where they can or cannot place straps. This is a lesson in how to package something in as much as anything else. The company (future of flight) done did a derp.

[@garygower702]

A Fact: Insurance companies have two GOALS: 1.- To sell at the higher price possible 2.- Look everywhere any way to avoid paying!!! World is in the hands of lawyers and Insurance... Glad you got paid.

[@bitemykrank1970]

It could have been worse. If this had been handled by Fastway Couriers (Australia), they would have just tossed it on your doorstep from the passing truck, barely slowing down as they drove by. Or left a note in your mailbox saying you weren't home at time of delivery, you can pick up your package from the depot in the next town (or another state) with prior arrangement.....but only AFTER they have driven the odd forklift over it first.....it hardly compares to an aeroplane, but I have lost count of how many packages I have received via Fastway's that have been damaged or totally destroyed in transit. I sincerely HOPE this won't stop you doing this type of thing in the future, it's NICE to see someone willing to share their EXPENSIVE and EXOTIC toys with other's, my only advice is next time, don't send it through the mail....

[@MiHiHemi]

Nothing new here with insurance companies. Default response is typically to deny a claim then see how much push back there is.

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

I've had a few bad experiences with DHL, they're always slow and they've damaged a few of my shipments. I don't understand how they're still in business.

[@bassmith448bassist5]

Moral of this story: No matter how much you want to help an event like that, if you have a one of a kind aircraft even if it's a replica, unless you are handling the entire shipping process down to renting a tractor- trailer and chartering a transport aircraft, Don't. Damn Kermit. That is a spectacular airplane. Have you flown her??? Would love to see a Kermie-Cam of it.

[@normg2242]

Can't believe how badly it got crumpled up! Charles knew what he was doing when he flew it across himself...

[@TractorMan104]

I give you credit you certainly kept your cool (at least on camera). I would have shipped it right back the same day.

[@Bryster51]

As soon as the DHL initials were spoken, hairs stood up on my neck. Sorry to hear about the damage, wonder if a letter writing campaign will get them to re-investigate...

[@shanek6582]

No good deed goes unpunished. So many times I’ve been bitten by helping folks, I tell myself that idiom but fall into the trap again and again.

[@duanequam7709]

Sounds right. Even though you did a good of documentation and they were the only one who handled it, it would never be there fault.. Really!. Everyone needs to hear your story. Thanks for sharing

[@Chybear]

Deep down Lawyers, Brokers, and Insurance adjusters, are really good. That is to say about six feet down or deeper !!

[@MicheleBoland]

There is now an amazing replica being flown in Arlington Wa.

[@steveskouson9620]

Kermit, you indeed got ****ed! And, sandpaper, instead of Vaseline. Glad to hear you FINALLY got your money! steve

[@thatairplaneguy]

I am incredibly sorry it happened. It really really stinks that you can’t share your beautiful and one of a kind aircraft with the world. I don’t blame you. I’m glad they had to pay out.

[@keith6234]

The US Navy just shipped several war birds on the deck of an aircraft carrier for an airshow in Hawaii . I hope they put them below decks if the elevator was big enough. I imagine the PBY will be on deck. I like the idea of putting cameras in with your shipments to document what happened when you cant be there.

[@Rodeo32145]

It’s YOUR collection, protect it! It’s nice that you want to help other organizations but these aircraft are just not replaceable. Insurance toads just look at it as another silver kite, small airplane. Glad it worked out. Keep the videos coming, we’re always interested in your passion to preserve aviation history.