WIX Archives
Re: Kermit Weeks Lancaster
Posted by Rob Mears on Thu Feb 20, 2003 02:40:17 PM
In reply top Re: Kermit Weeks Lancaster (Rob Mears) posted by steve hatton on Thu Feb 20, 2003 07:43:44 AM
: Is there any reason why Mr Weeks only flys his aircraft fo
: r relatively short periods before grounding them? Im guess
: ing its due to Costs and also wanting to have them all fly
: at some point. Either way, even if they fly for a short t
: ime its still great..
From what I understand, with his investments currently prioritized toward site construction, and Hurricane damage recovery (plus new aircraft restorations), he currently chooses to budget enough insurance to cover about eight flying planes at any given time. That's still a sizable chuck of cash. You'll notice as each newly restored restoration takes to the skies, another airworthy plane in the collection is seemingly relegated to the back of the hangar for display. I'm sure as the A-26, P-40, and other current projects are completed, even the newly restored P-51C and B-25 will be ultimately taken off of the active roster to make room for the next collosal Golden Wrench winners. Of course, many of the planes he restores go immediately on display (like the Tempest II). I reassure myself in the understanding that all the money he's saving on insurance is going toward the completion of Phase II & III of the museum - which will of course be the support base for all future restorations and flight operations.
If you center your focus around the eight or so aircraft that he keeps rotated in for active duty, his flight operations are actually pretty exciting. I have to hand it to the guy if only for the fact that he consistantly showcases and flies new, all original, award winning planes. In time the facility will grow closer to completion and become an even greater attraction (at $26 a head :) The most important aircraft in his collection will ultimately be restored and paid for which seemingly would leave only one thing for him to finance - flying the restored collection :)
That's my optimist point of view anyway. I doubt Mr. Weeks will ever reach a point where he is content with what he already has. As most enthusiasts will attest, the search for new treasures is half the fun!