WIX Archives
Re: one of Kermit's B-17's
Posted by Brendon Deere on Sun Oct 13, 2002 08:39:45 PM
In reply top Re: one of Kermit's B-17's posted by Matt on Mon Oct 07, 2002 07:52:13 PM
I had the opportunity to visit both Fantasy of Flight and Tom Reilly's Museum/Facility on October 4th (couple of weeks ago). There is a B17 on display in one of the interactive areas at Fanatsy of Flight which you can walk through and I believe this was restored at the Reilly facility. Not sure how long that has been there. There is a B17 also at Reilly's which looks quite advanced. Kermit Weeks happened to be at the Museum the day I was there, as there was a large group of ex B24 pilots and he gave a flying demonstration in the B25. He outlined his plans for the new "theme" hangars on the airfield with a WW1 one and a WW2 one, Golden Age of Flying one etc. The current hangars would then revert to being his restoration/maintenance areas - explains why the public entrance is some way from the current hangars. He said the first of the new hangars was due to begin in the next few weeks adjacent the road entrance. I'll be posting photos of both Museums on my web site at www.integration.co.nz/Aviation.htm within the next week. I also saw the B17 being restored at the Brasilian Air Force Museum at Rio de Jaeiro and their newly completed P47 which is due for first flight shortly.