UNBOXING! - Mystery Container - WWII Plane

[@b212hp]

Decades ago, when they first started importing Migs from the former Warsaw Pact and China, someone (can't remember who, possibly Kermmie) got a shipment of Mig-17's (or Chinese equivalent) into Long Beach, CA. The excrement hit the rotating cooling device when they arrived because the Chinese basically pulled the planes off the ramp, pulled the wings and tail surfaces, crated them up and shipped them...guns, ammunition and all! ATF went nuts!

[@thurin84]

clearly you meant "more nuts"

[@bjw4859]

I would have given a thumb to see that video.

[@Davie-jx4rh]

Anti Terrific Fun committee hates all those wild mig-17’s being used in street crime!

[@guitarTennisCarHomeFixFlying]

So thoughtful of Kermit to put on the gopro and let us see things as he sees them and let us hear this thoughts and comments, amazing ambassador of aviation restoration and history. Got to love a guy who gets his hands dirty, lifts and lugs heavy stuff around, like me, probably had his back go out from time to time, LOL

[@syncro16se]

Thanks for your fantastic videos 👍🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@tgjaedan]

Kermit Weeks...cool enough to actually make me ok with rocking those white Dad-style New Balance shoes.

[@maxlever9196]

I hope I live long enough to see Kermit fly his own S.E.5 or 5a. A magnificent plane to see in flight. The sound from the Hispano-Suiza defines flight in that era.

[@WillBravoNotEvil]

Max Lever Do you know of / where to find an audio recording?

[@rwthomas1]

Mr Weeks is a very lucky man. A family fortune to spend, and thankfully for the world, he spends it on preserving aircraft. Wonderful.

[@haroldmclean3755]

Very Cool 👍 Good Deal Kermit

[@andresgarcia7757]

Kermit that is a hot rod! Wow can’t wait for you to rebuild it!!!

[@3Cathill]

Boy it's a job saving History,, Thanks Kermit and crew for all you guys do

[@jimburig7064]

A friend who passed in 1999 built a Yak he had found in Egypt. He powered it with an Allison 1710 and a shortened DC-3 prop, reconfigured the fuselage to a razor back and eleminated the air intakes at the wing roots. It was a very nice looking plane although I didn't get to see it fly, I have tons of detailed photos I shot during construction from the late 80s and through the 90s. The pneumatically actuated landing gear was redone with more reliable hydraulics. The radiator and oil cooling were done P-51 style.

[@christopherg9806]

I'm a fan of planes and, at 48, took my first flying lesson. Eventually, I want to learn more. For the time being, I enjoy your videos and stories (you have a good voice for story telling). What I love about you (and Jay Leno with his cars and motorcycles) is that you are TRUE ENTHUSIASTS who are preserving history. There are many people who are envious of people with wealth, but our country is better because of visionaries who invest their time & treasure, enabling the rest of us to enjoy these amazing machines.

[@philgiglio7922]

Paul Allen ditto

[@Brad-S]

Funny how things may appear to other people. To Kermit, Its a long awaited 40 feet of awesomeness and parts! To the workers, It's job security! To me it looks like 40 foot sea CAN of WORMS! lol Thank You Kermit for sharing your love for planes of the past and breathing new life in to them!

[@Gamble661]

There's an old saying; the guy with the best toys wins....I'd say that would be Kermit Weeks hands down....

[@larryhodge3383]

Outstanding

[@davidfarmer7555]

Very cool plane. Hope to see it in November.

[@justforever96]

Yak fighter. Motor cannon and plexiglass canopy. Right shape for the rudder too. Interesting, I didnt know the Soviets also used cast engine mounts. That made me think Luftwaffe inline engine at first. But then I saw the canopy. Yep, and steel-tube truss fuselage framing, its a Yak. A 3-gun Yak, judging from the bulges in the cowling (2 x 12.7mm, 1 x 20mm in engine). Many were made with only the port side 12.7 and the 20, to save weight. The Soviets seemed to consider it perfectly sufficient. And they were probably right, since they didn't have to shoot down 4 engined bombers, but mostly Luftwaffe 2 engine and single engine tactical bombers, and fighters. And their 20mm was excellent, very fast firing.

[@rubensandri740]

Thanks for keep this beautys in flying conditions.

[@stimproid]

Kermit taking unboxing videos to a whole new level.

[@allanwilkerson6426]

The Yak9 is a great looking craft. One of Russia's best looking IMO. Never was much of a fan of Russian aircraft...but this is an exception. Hope she becomes airworthy and we all get to see her fly again. Good luck guys.

[@VidarLund-k5q]

You know that the MiG 25 is twice as fast as the F-35, don't you, and can fly 2,5 times highter if necessary?

[@cf6282]

So many projects Kermit. Good for a couple of lifetime. Hope to see a number of them getting finished and in the air.

[@jeffryheintz9405]

You have a pretty cool job Kermit.

[@kencaton6377]

hell, a couple weeks and a coat of paint. he will be ready to rock.

[@curtisboswell2619]

Bolt cutters Mr. Weeks. A good idea to keep'em around, if you're going to be opening many of these up. They don't cost much for a good pair, and they pay for themselves in aggravation. They let you cut shipping seals, with no goggles needed.

[@DerredmaxTRIAX]

YAK-9 Sweet! that explains the hole in the spinner.....Hope i live long enough to see it fly. lol

[@recklacetotheer]

Anyone else see how close the latch box/cover came to hitting his employee in his head as he opened the shipping container door?!?! Uses a cutting wheel to cut the lock off but grabs it with bare hands to steady it while he cuts? And starts the clip off saying “you need to error on the side of caution!” Haha brilliantly hilarious. Love the videos.

[@markjenkins1217]

Very interesting....looking ahead to coming back.

[@shelbyseelbach9568]

Please notify shipper of any damage before signing for your package.😝 What a packing job!

[@lorenzodunn3226]

Excellent film footage and sound. Great commentary.

[@sakadabara]

What a good man is that Kermit ! God bless !

[@ryanschweikhardt]

Love your videos. I hope you never retire

[@MrPhilkite]

Dear Kermit, You are going to have to live until 130 to get all your projects done!!!

[@lodgecav490]

And I thought I was having a good day when the Postman delivered some long awaited tig welding rods...great vid Kermie, thanks for sharing.

[@mitcholson2662]

Seeing all the parts thrown in the container like that makes me want to YAK.... Very cool aircraft

[@theonlybuzz1969]

You can imagine how in the 2nd world war, the Russians who were trying their best to make as many planes as they could, somehow I didn’t think that they would be so particular about any tiny marks etc. Well done Kermit on your new purchase, it’s in the best place possible. We’d love to come back over again and see what has changed changed since 2006.

[@williamcharles9480]

I sure am glad that people like you and your organization think differently today. If we had the same thinking as that of people in 1946 where the big melt down was happening we'd only have some photos and a few spare parts laying around. I'm glad that they weren't as thorough as they had liked. Thanks for doing what you're doing to preserve history and it's innovative progress. You'll have mastered the Russian language by the time you finish up with this one. Good luck with all of your projects, a new subscriber you've earned.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Thanks for the comments, and the sub. Welcome aboard!

[@robertlafnear4865]

From here it looks like it was THROWN in........ but......... I see some good lookin' aluminum stuff ! It is a joy to know somebody is saving History ............ If I were close I'd volunteer my time to help put this back in order. THANK YOU for the video.... see ya at OSHKOSH ?

[@rylanpien]

regular KZbinr: 1000$ mystery box! Kermit: MYSTERY WW2 PLANE UNBOXING!

[@merrittashmore695]

I’m happy to see that the multitude of plans appear to be dry and in good overall shape. That is a great project to take on!

[@parrotraiser6541]

Just as well that box didn't go through any heavy weather. It's an extraordinarily sloppy piece of packing. On the positive side, any time Kermit's feeling down, he can make it Christmas morning just by wandering around his yard and opening a box or two. :-)*

[@gregtheredneck1715]

Most epic unboxing video ever!

[@thesawch63]

Looks like you need Mikey MCBryan from Plane Savers to get this plane up and running !!

[@bobbydouzepis8260]

thesawch63 Im in. When the start date and where do we show up.

[@thesawch63]

Ha Ha , I would love to see it . good one Bobby !!!

[@bobwampler3387]

That would be an awesome addition to your collection! Can’t wait to see it fly someday.

[@walliehart2055]

Thanks. for all you folks do. I believe this one is going to be a fun puzzle. I have no doubt it will be a awesome plane soon.

[@BLACKMONGOOSE13]

Now what we all want to know is what is in the REST of the containers! Some flying gold I am sure.

[@paulcharlton4788]

BLACKMONGOOSE13 There is a complete Lancaster at least!

[@markgamble8377]

Sweet. Project

[@Kalonofficial]

I don’t know a whole lot about planes, but my guess is the IL-2

[@justforever96]

No, you mean you hope it's an Il-2. Whart part of that looks anything like an Il-2? The wings and fuselage are way, way too small, and it has a hollow prop shaft and spinner. The Il-2 has a Hucks starter on the spinner.

[@Kalonofficial]

@@justforever96 I was guessing before I saw it. My bad

[@michiganengineer8621]

I had originally thought Airacobra when you mentioned the "shoot-thru" hub, then when you said the tubing was metric I was thinking ME-109. NEVER would have guessed a YAK though :D :D

[@nevTk-oe9ud]

Very Nice Kermit, But REAAAAALY wanna see the Fokker D7 Fly Please :D

[@DumbledoreMcCracken]

Love the Як

[@rsoppy735]

i love this guys commitment, he could just retire ang play golf in a nice part of the earth. Real passion thanks.

[@Pete-tq6in]

I don't think that Kermit considers restoring and flying warbirds as 'work', I know I certainly wouldn't. If I could afford to spend my life buying, restoring and flying rare vintage aircraft instead of dragging my ever wearying carcass into a job I hate for ten hours a day, five or six days a week, I would jump at the chance.

[@clazy8]

I love this channel

[@KermitWeeks444]

Thanks!

[@goring19]

Kermit, I love your world. Talk about toys to play with.

[@beakytwitch7905]

Have fun with your Meccano set... ;-)

[@darkredvan]

Great project for sure, like the unboxing. Thanks for uploading, special thanks to Phil for his help. Thumbs up!

[@davidduganne5939]

Thanks a bunch Phil, for producing this video. Kermit and Paul, I really enjoy your "behind the scenes" adventures. LOL that long, bleeped out comment about the Tempest ailerons!! So did you pay freight based on the 12,000 lb weight?

[@cf6282]

Never heard Kermit swear before.

[@RickBaconsAdventures]

@@cf6282 there was a video where an engine cowling came off and ripped up fabric wings. I don't remember exactly what was said but it was tense

[@odonovan]

RickBaconsAdventures, that was his Sopwith Pup. Definitely a pants-changing moment. The video is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hojWlJRnZauoi9k

[@roadking99jokerst60]

I got to Kermit's facility in Miami just before the roof fell in. Much later I visited the F of F . I could have used another day there. Stay well Mr. Weeks. Dad was a ball turret gunner.

[@bipolatelly9806]

It's a Yak-9!

[@lawdog490]

The ATF 6 is a casual import form, for dealers that are not importers/exporters...I used that form to get a few Beretta shotguns directly from the factory in Italy, and yes, I have a FFL,

[@popuptarget7386]

I had to fill in one as a service member when i returned from Germany in 1989 with firearms i had purchased. Another person i had heard of had a handmade chainmail hauberk that was confiscated because he didnt know he was supposed to have one.

[@scheusselmensch5713]

Kermit, if you haven't flown one of these (I'm guessing you have), you are in for a pleasant surprise. These pretty much outfly and outclimb almost all of the Allied or Axis fighters. Beautifully harmonized controls, really just a hot rod. I assume you'll use Allison power as the Klimov is virtually out of the question if you want to stay reliably airborne. Any impartial pilot who has flown the common types of WWII fighters will tell you that these are something special. Next order of business; Buy the DH Sea Hornet when it's finished please. I want to see one of those go before I'm tango uniform.

[@chip4104]

This project is so cool

[@shaunroberts9361]

Wow. I am excited for these builds. Going to be epic.

[@mickd6942]

The yak 9d was the very first airfix model kit bought for me as a child, were the decales and instructions in the box , good look with your kit i'm sure she will fly again.

[@pbyfr]

That's a lot better than an Amazon delivery.Thanks for sharing.

[@Paughco]

Good work! Safety third!! In Harley parlance, they call it a "basket case."

[@evo-labs]

Now THAT'S what I call an unboxing.

[@miketurner3834]

very cool!

[@michaelthomas7178]

I seen that smile when yoh said welcome to my world. I think you are goona enjoy this project. So rare an aircraft, to make flyable.

[@JamesBond-xq3tw]

Your aviation world is AMAZin

[@Rhett662]

Fantastic

[@davidruddick3346]

Interesting change but all part of Kermit world

[@math4U1234]

Wow! God speed on your new endeavor.

[@peterbird7979]

Seeing all those containers I think you need a much bigger team of restorers 😁😁

[@korgeth]

Very cool

[@WebberAerialImaging]

So, some assembly required...cool

[@aircraftandships]

What a good project

[@carvinlambert6899]

packing job held up pretty good, even though the container was flipped over 5 times and bounced off the Ship.

[@josephjolly1936]

Thanks for the video 👍

[@randomnickify]

Tech crowd unboxing latest gadgets Kermit: Hold my rum. ;)

[@160rpm]

yeah lol this is unboxing for grownups

[@dirkkelly9596]

Thanks Kermit keep up the great work

[@m0ther_bra1ned12]

Man, vintage airplane parts piled in there like junk. Real shame. But still cool. The engine cowl with the blisters on the top for the guns is what gave it away for me. Its a Yak. :-D (Or it will be somday)

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

*GOOD ON 'YA, KERMIE!!!!*

[@timcastle165]

Always Christmas! Love it and Love what you all are doing to keep these vintage aircraft alive and how you explain everything about them!! As I said before I hope to visit Fantasy of Flight some day (soon I hope)! Great video!!!!!

[@MrCarGuy]

So awesome! Glad you saved it and got a good deal.

[@FroggyFrog9000]

Thats a Yak? lol. What an unboxing haha :)

[@vertik7]

Yak-9 was the most produced WW2 fighter of USSR. There were a lot of things on it made out of wood and fabric covered wings and tail. It's probably will be very hard to reconstruct it all. There was a shortage of aluminium and it was mostly used on bombers. And there was a cannon that shoots through the propeller hub, like on all Yak fighters.

[@rpurdey]

You are correct, although at 5:30 it appears that we are looking at the all metal wing of the postwar -9P. It would also appear that the carb air scoop (what Kermit picks the upper cowling up by) was mistakenly riveted on backwards. Oops.

[@donaldparlettjr3295]

The ATF was worried that Kermit was fencing Jamaican rum when really it's a lot of Russian Yak parts. My question is where's the vodka comrade?!

[@mudkingz6432]

Hope you can get it back together nice vid.

[@ufm10xxl27]

Hello Mr. Weeks., just wanted to let you know I give your videos 'likes' before I've even watched them. Many thanks and happy landings from Ireland

[@RickBaconsAdventures]

they did a 1/4 price packing job too

[@theheartland1861]

That's going to be a great build when it's finished

[@nealeskauge4197]

Thanks, Mikey! Great show! The Wife and I are traveling to the east coast by motorcycle and will be going through Thunder Bay. Hopefully it will still be there. That would be awesome to see it in the “flesh”.

[@sledawgpilot]

Raiders of the Lost Ark type teaser ending? Nice!

[@carguy1979]

That’s what I thought too! The camera pans out and we see an endless array of hidden artifacts.

[@benwatters9240]

that will be a cool plane. looking forward to the finished video when you fly it.

[@jimlassen9422]

Saw this video and then noticed the bit about Booker Airfield about 13:58. Blimey, that is just 5 miles from me and I have seen that hanger with the planes and cars in. There were some really old WW1 aircraft plus a Spitfire (two seater) being renovated over a few years and have the pictures to prove it. My pictures were probably taken about 4-5 years ago and the hanger is now empty of that stuff but interesting to see it crop up on a video here!

[@c.j.cleveland7475]

I know unexpected problems often raise their ugly heads but do you have any ballpark figure as to when you might have it done and airworthy? That would be really cool to see that happen!

[@KermitWeeks444]

Not a clue. Have so many projects in the works or waiting.

[@jeffmorleyy3825]

I like the Mystery Unboxings

[@JAG312]

Good luck putting that together. I hope to live long enough to see you fly the plane on youtube.

[@scowell]

First time I've seen a container unloaded from front to rear!

[@acrobaticcripple8176]

Good luck with that lot!!!

[@backpages1]

All I ever wanted was a GB-R2 .... you get shipping containers full of neat stuff ... always fun Kermit!