My mother worked as a riveter in the Douglas factory assembling the A-26 during WW2. She probably helped build the airplane you are flying. She passed away this year at the age of 97.
Then your Mother may have helped build the A-26's that my father flew on, is so I and my family thank her for help building a plane that got my father home safe, or me and my sisters wouldn't be here today! My dad died in 2009 of natural causes, and I'm sorry for your loss! There isn't that many left from that era,
I live right behind Chino airport used to be dairy preserve. I've seen you fly your b-26 over my house. God bless your mother and all the mothers of that generation ❤️
My Dad taught aerobatics (Waco UPF-7) during WWII in Denver. He then had a parts dealership, Cessna sales and flight school. Around 1960 there was an A-26 out behind the hangar that I used to play in. The head mechanic built me a go kart for Christmas out of airplane parts and it had the A-26 yoke on it. He wired the intercom button and 2 gun triggers as engine kill switches. I remember it being a dark red. Seeing it here takes me back. He taught me how to fly. I hope that yoke made it back into an A-26! Thanks, You go Kermie!
Thanks for the great video. I flew in and was plane captain in 1956 to 1969 in the Navy. We towed targets out of Quonset Point R.I. I am now 84 .Brings back lots of memories.
HI KERMIT !-WE TWO "AUSSIES"-WENT TO THE PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM !--AND LUNCH TOO !--GREAT MUSEUM & REALLY NICE PEOPLE --WE MET SOME "W.W.2-P38 PILOTS THERE !--THEY TOLD SOME GREAT STORIES FLYING OUTA "GUADAL-CANAL"-(EVERYONE-PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR "MUSEUMS !)
Nice, benign, stall for such a powerful, high perfprmance, airplane. A real non event. Just what you want. What a terrific airplane. Thanks for taking us along!
This brings back memories of my Dad and I on our adventures with admittedly less impressive aircraft. We ran a Lakecraft Buccaneer, Piper Cub on floats and the Cessna 150 I finally got my wings on...
With all you have to know to fly one of these multi engine planes, I can't imagine flying in a formation being shot at and keeping it all together. There were a lot of brave guy's.
Kermie, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for the fly-along. A wonderful bird brought back to her former glory days (less bombload and bullets). Great teamwork and flying. True professionals who love what they do. Over and out!
Thanks for all you do for the old warbirds, Kermit. One of my favorite posters I have is one taken by Bud Davisson of you in a P-40E in 1983. We were both young men, then 🙂 Cheers! Neal in OKC.....old Marine F-4J wrench
Beautiful downtown Bombay Beach with America’s fastest water. Negative two hundred twenty six feet sea level. National vacation destination with lots available for expansion of the next boom. Yacht Club membership availability as well. “ the summer wind comes blowing in from across the sea “
Situational awareness. Observe for other aircraft at all times. Vintage aircraft avoid bad weather and solid overcast. Flying in pleasant weather conditions they’ve earned their joyride status.😊
That was super fun,yhanks for the ride. I like the cow pastures....chino is surrounded now. When i was a kid it was full of B-17's and other fire bombers. I enjoyed chinos A-26 @airshows when the chino kids flew it. I hope chino will be able to do air shows again.
Amazing the evolution of twin-piston engine fighter bombers in WW2 with the A-26 near the apex of such development. The expression 'if it looks good it should fly good' seems to apply to the Invader 😘. I'd assume the stall/engine out characteristics of the A-26 are laid out in flight manuals but understand the importance of establishing such boundaries especially for lack of air time this bird has had in decades. Only this missing here was a test firing of guns & watermelon/pumpkin drop down at the range 😁. Thanks as always to Kermit, Steve & Tucker for allowing us to come along for the ride, best wishes! PS: Kermit & company gave those on the links at Palm Springs an eye full on the breaks & nice gunsight ❎view on departure . I'm sure it's a very exclusive golf club, but Kermit's in a league of his own 😚.
My uncle was an USAF Air Commando and flew the B-26 in Vietnam in early 60s, before we were officially there. His missions were classified and his medals were not awarded until years later. He had cool stories of training at Hurlburt Field Florida and then ferrying the planes to Thailand, then flying missions in Vietnam. He recently passed away at 88 years old. He was a really great man and a wonderful pilot.
Great ride. It's really super to see a WWII plane still flying. I know you will take good care of this old lady. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂
These are my local airports we do touch and go,s at Jackie Cochran and palm springs international I drive through the banning pass almost everyday great to see you in the area I live right next to yucca valley airport palm springs international has a great WW2 air museum nothing like your collection but nice I was raised next to Riverside municipal airport where my dad kept his stearmanan and j- 3 cub your a blessed man kermy thank you so much for sharing these videos I love the A - 26 just a marvelous aircraft!!!!
I saw Don Bullock display an A-26 in 1980 a few weeks before he tragically crashed at Biggin Hill. I hadn't expected much from a twin engine bomber, but it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Utterly thrilling. Too thrilling as it turns out. His B-17 displays were also known for pushing the envelope.
I was at the Biggin Hill airshow when it crashed. Very sad. The Invader was impressive and its great to see Kermits flying now. Looking forward to seeing the Invader with the pods on.
@mambastu that must have been awful for you. It was a shocking thing to happen. It changed the way airshows were managed, and they became a little less thrilling.
@@captaincrash9286 I remember it very clearly although I was only 9 at the time. It went out of sight at the end of the runway and a great big cloud of smoke appeared and initially the crowd thought it was some sort of pyrotechnic effect and then it slowly dawned on everyone that it wasn't. Very sad.
@@captaincrash9286Passengers were banned from airshow aircraft subsequently. Airshows didn't become less thrilling but certainly safer with less lives at risk.
@andrewwaller5913 I agree that they became a lot safer for all involved. That has to be a good thing. The steady increase in regulation that began with that very public tragedy did have the effect of reducing the spectacle. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, it's just an observation.
I live in Borrego Springs wish I would have spotted your old piston pounder flying around, keep up the great videos Kermit and thank you for keeping these flying pieces of history alive
Thank you Kermit for sharing this video and thanks to Steve and Tucker. Looking forward to seeing that Douglas at FOF. I’ve long had a fascination with the A-26 Invader. All the best to you Kermit. Blue skies and tailwinds. 🫡🇺🇸⚓️
I watched this clip twice. Loved every minute of it. The selfie is classic and the Smile on Mr. Weeks fave is priceless. Thanks for sharing. Any more updates on the Bf-108? I sure do miss those videos.
Uh-oh... that yoke emblem is still missing. Tell Aero Trader to rebuild the entire plane again. ;) Ha! Fred Bell was wearing a Man O War T-shirt; that must have been the Mustang in the background. I've ridden in the back of, and also been in formation with, that aircraft. Two different photo sorties at Madera 1986. You did a great job handing the airplane; your old friend is a new friend again. Really, really loved these two videos... but you knew that.
Now ... If you want to really have some real fun ... I believe it's currently in Dallas/Ft. Worth area, and the only one I'm aware of still existing ... It's an A20 HAVOC. I worked on it in 1973 when it was owned by Willie Farah (El Paso) who purchased it from Howard Hughes (paperwork may differ, but that was the deal). Willie took it down to the wheels and brought it back like new including every fastener. Hughes had used it for a personal fast transport and had converted the bomb bay to a 4-seat lounge/bar that had picture windows on each side like a Turbo Commander 690A. Of course, this was all brought back to WAR condition. Willie flew combat in an A20 during Korea. When finished, it had "one" seat, and only "one" ass sat in that seat. Willie could really make that puppy talk in the sky, especially on the deck (over 300mph). When it was ready to fly, the current Chairman of Farah Manufacturing reminded Willie that the Charter only allowed Willie to fly in multi-engine planes with two certified pilots. Willie fired the Chairman, retook the job, and flew the plane. They don't mak'm like that any more ...
@@andrewwaller5913 I knew it was Texas but lost track of the city. The plane you reference is the same plane owned by Willie, although the current owner makes lots of claims. My contribution was the removal of a new product (in 1970) called spray-foam insulation. That's what Hughes sprayed in the bomb bay to make it habitable for passengers. Chemicals just made a mess and were toxic, so on a whim, I tried an air-die grinder with an abrasive pad. That did the trick and didn't affect the aluminum. Sorry to dispute your comment, but Willie was decorated for his action in Korea with the A20, which also flew in other WAR theaters throughout the world, most of which are documented. Many WWII aircraft were applied to the Korean War (Corsair, P51, A26, A20, etc.). None of my comments are a "take-away" from Kermit's posting. I'm merely claiming (with personal validation) that the A20 smokes the A26 in low altitude performance. We couldn't even keep up with it in our Commander 690A-6.
I was watching this flight on Flight Aware that day and had the feeling Kermit was flying and went to Palm Springs for lunch...lol. Too Cool!! Can't wait to see this plane up close in Florida.
Kermit awesome video I have watched all of your videos and I enjoy them all. And the one I really like is you flying crips all mighty P51. I have been flying rc planes and jets since 1986 and loved airplanes since I was a kid. Thanks for keeping our dreams alive.
Wonderful video of an awesome airplane! Kermit is living the life that most of us aviation enthusiasts/airplane junkies wished we had! Well done Mr. Weeks!
Thanks for another great video Kermit. It was interesting. Thanks for taking us along Kermit and Steve and Tucker. What a wonderful aircraft and let me say you got the touch Kermit. Beautiful aircraft. Runs and flys beautiful after all these years. You are doing great with it Kermit. You made my day. It was great. Thanks. Retired Air Force veteran.
Just awesome. What a rush that had to be to finally fly her Kermit. I know I sure appreciate the hour long video. I felt like I was there with you. Totally a pleasure.
Congratulations to your checkout! The engines are running very smooth, purring along quite nicely, better than the B-25‘s. Impressive how benign the stall is, clean and dirty alike! She seems to fly great, a great video. Lots of flying and landscape too. Well done by everybody involved, especially the PIC!
I always get soft looking and riding along ( youtube ! ) ....... Never been in one of these girls ...maybe someday when I visit the states ! greets from Holland
You have got to have the funnest job in the Universe!! Thank you so much for making these videos. I sure would like to meet you some day. I couldn't follow my dream of being a pilot, my ticker kept me from that , but thankfully, I basically got to grow up in a Piper Comanche flying with my dad. Thanks again Mr Weeks, and happy flying!!
Excellent video Kermit enjoyed seeing you at the controls, must have been very cool for you flying this aircraft again after such a long time. I think your A-26 and the guys who worked on it, deserve to win prizes for the meticulous restoration.
Great!, Thank you Kermitt for sharing. I just feel like I was a fourth person in the cockpit. Back in the sixties and seventies at Antofagasta Chile Air Force base (FACH) was a squadron of A26´s ( they named them B26 I don´t know why). I came to live here in the eigthies so I didn´t saw them in service but there was one plane, in almost pristine condition, in exhibition at mejillones . Saddly, salt air, vandalism and neglect destroyed it. So sad. I had some work acquantances that used to be Air Force technitians. One of them told me " there were impresive beause they had R28 engines"...
My Father (Lawrence J Klein) flew the A-26 quite extensively. Here is his history for that time frame of his life: March 1952: Finished tour with the 53rd Troop Carrier Squadron and transferred to the 452nd. Bomb Group (L) A B-26 (Douglas) Night Intruder outfit at K-9 Airfield (Pusan East) Korea. On or about May 1952 the 452nd was deactivated and we were reactivated as the 17th Bomb Group (L) *Note: The “Douglas B-26 Invader” was re-designated “A-26” in 1956. Not to be confused with the Martin B-26 Marauder, used extensively in World War 2) March - September 1952: Flew 55 Night Intruder Missions. Awarded a couple of Air Medals and a D.F.C. (Distinguished Flying Cross) September - December 1952: Temporary duty to Miho AB Japan. Flew B-26 maintenance test flights.
The A-26 must be a real high performance aircraft. I guess with a pair of R-2800 P&W engines and that airfoil it would be a fast airplane. I’d love to go for a ride in that or the OnMark modified B-26K
Awesome aircraft, we used to have at least 3 A26s on our ramp every summer, they flew for airspray out of red deer as airtankers, just loved the sound of the R2800 pratts on takeoff..
It gives you an appreciation of what the young people who flew these things in anger were up against. These are not a simple aircraft to fly. They were heroic.
Fantastic exceptional awesome!!! I've been waiting for this aircraft since I subscribed to your channel just love these exceptional birds thank you kerm for sharing this love it!!!
Damn I'm a worrier! With only one set of flight controls, what happens if Kermit becomes incapacitated?! Hell, we hear about airline pilots dying in the cockpit on a regular basis. I use to fly in a Bell helicopter for work. The guy who flew me was in his 60s and not in great shape. Yea, I was nervous@! lol. IDK, seems kind of crazy for that expensive and beautiful warbird to only have one set of flight controls these days.
My mother worked as a riveter in the Douglas factory assembling the A-26 during WW2. She probably helped build the airplane you are flying. She passed away this year at the age of 97.
Sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing her story!
Thats an amazing story all by itself.
Then your Mother may have helped build the A-26's that my father flew on, is so I and my family thank her for help building a plane that got my father home safe, or me and my sisters wouldn't be here today! My dad died in 2009 of natural causes, and I'm sorry for your loss! There isn't that many left from that era,
@@dalecomer5951 Mom worked in the Long Beach plant. She graduated from High School and moved to California to work there.
I live right behind Chino airport used to be dairy preserve. I've seen you fly your b-26 over my house. God bless your mother and all the mothers of that generation ❤️
My Dad taught aerobatics (Waco UPF-7) during WWII in Denver. He then had a parts dealership, Cessna sales and flight school. Around 1960 there was an A-26 out behind the hangar that I used to play in. The head mechanic built me a go kart for Christmas out of airplane parts and it had the A-26 yoke on it. He wired the intercom button and 2 gun triggers as engine kill switches. I remember it being a dark red. Seeing it here takes me back. He taught me how to fly. I hope that yoke made it back into an A-26!
Thanks, You go Kermie!
That was great fun to be along with you all for this! Thanks!!
He wiggled it and it fixed it. Lot of confidence in that.
Thanks for the great video. I flew in and was plane captain in 1956 to 1969 in the Navy. We towed targets out of Quonset Point R.I.
I am now 84 .Brings back lots of memories.
This was just great, start to finish! Flying to Palms Springs for lunch got me good! "Rich people that don't like airplanes..." Oh, the irony..
HI KERMIT !-WE TWO "AUSSIES"-WENT TO THE PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM !--AND LUNCH TOO !--GREAT MUSEUM & REALLY NICE PEOPLE --WE MET SOME "W.W.2-P38 PILOTS THERE !--THEY TOLD SOME GREAT STORIES FLYING OUTA "GUADAL-CANAL"-(EVERYONE-PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR "MUSEUMS !)
Kermit it's amazing that these planes are still around for us to appreciate and enjoy. Many thanks to you and all that make this possible.
Nice, benign, stall for such a powerful, high perfprmance, airplane. A real non event. Just what you want. What a terrific airplane. Thanks for taking us along!
War is an Awful thing, but My God did we design and build magnificent air machines. Thanks for the great ride!
CONGRATS !!! N O T a little feat .... 🇫🇮
Nice to have Tucker along.
Kermit everything that involves you is stunning to view. Thanks for sharing your passion. Cheers Leroy
This brings back memories of my Dad and I on our adventures with admittedly less impressive aircraft. We ran a Lakecraft Buccaneer, Piper Cub on floats and the Cessna 150 I finally got my wings on...
Awesome.
With all you have to know to fly one of these multi engine planes, I can't imagine flying in a formation being shot at and keeping it all together. There were a lot of brave guy's.
Kermie, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for the fly-along. A wonderful bird brought back to her former glory days (less bombload and bullets). Great teamwork and flying. True professionals who love what they do. Over and out!
♫He flies through the air with the greatest of ease, It's Kermit Weeks & His A-26B...♫
I've known Steve for over 10 years. He's a great pilot and good friend.
My father was a gunner on an A-26 in WWII, so it's good to see it still flying!
Thanks for all you do for the old warbirds, Kermit.
One of my favorite posters I have is one taken by Bud Davisson of you in a P-40E in 1983.
We were both young men, then 🙂
Cheers!
Neal in OKC.....old Marine F-4J wrench
Beautiful downtown Bombay Beach with America’s fastest water. Negative two hundred twenty six feet sea level. National vacation destination with lots available for expansion of the next boom.
Yacht Club membership availability as well.
“ the summer wind comes blowing in from across the sea “
Situational awareness. Observe for other aircraft at all times. Vintage aircraft avoid bad weather and solid overcast.
Flying in pleasant weather conditions they’ve earned their joyride status.😊
50:19 Co-Pilot: "Rich people - they don't like airplanes."
Kerm: "I resemble that remark!"
They don't like other people's airplanes.
After all these years you did very well.....Thanks Kermit and Steve for taking this old man along for the ride.....
Old Shoe🇺🇸
Good ride!
That was super fun,yhanks for the ride. I like the cow pastures....chino is surrounded now. When i was a kid it was full of B-17's and other fire bombers. I enjoyed chinos A-26 @airshows when the chino kids flew it. I hope chino will be able to do air shows again.
Amazing the evolution of twin-piston engine fighter bombers in WW2 with the A-26 near the apex of such development. The expression 'if it looks good it should fly good' seems to apply to the Invader 😘. I'd assume the stall/engine out characteristics of the A-26 are laid out in flight manuals but understand the importance of establishing such boundaries especially for lack of air time this bird has had in decades. Only this missing here was a test firing of guns & watermelon/pumpkin drop down at the range 😁. Thanks as always to Kermit, Steve & Tucker for allowing us to come along for the ride, best wishes!
PS: Kermit & company gave those on the links at Palm Springs an eye full on the breaks & nice gunsight ❎view on departure . I'm sure it's a very exclusive golf club, but Kermit's in a league of his own 😚.
By the time the pilots did all those test and pre flight stuff, amazing that they could ever get to their targets!!!
My uncle was an USAF Air Commando and flew the B-26 in Vietnam in early 60s, before we were officially there. His missions were classified and his medals were not awarded until years later. He had cool stories of training at Hurlburt Field Florida and then ferrying the planes to Thailand, then flying missions in Vietnam. He recently passed away at 88 years old. He was a really great man and a wonderful pilot.
Thanks for sharing. So sorry for your loss.
Was that the modified B-26K?
Yes I believe so. In the photo I have of him standing in front of his plane in Vietnam it has 8 .50 cal machine guns in the nose.
What a cool aircraft!!!!
Great ride. It's really super to see a WWII plane still flying. I know you will take good care of this old lady. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂
These are my local airports we do touch and go,s at Jackie Cochran and palm springs international I drive through the banning pass almost everyday great to see you in the area I live right next to yucca valley airport palm springs international has a great WW2 air museum nothing like your collection but nice I was raised next to Riverside municipal airport where my dad kept his stearmanan and j- 3 cub your a blessed man kermy thank you so much for sharing these videos I love the A - 26 just a marvelous aircraft!!!!
When I see this bird flying, I think about all the pilots who flew the B/A-26 in WWII and Vietnam. They were brave men doing courageous things.
They also served in korea
I saw Don Bullock display an A-26 in 1980 a few weeks before he tragically crashed at Biggin Hill. I hadn't expected much from a twin engine bomber, but it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Utterly thrilling. Too thrilling as it turns out. His B-17 displays were also known for pushing the envelope.
I was at the Biggin Hill airshow when it crashed. Very sad. The Invader was impressive and its great to see Kermits flying now. Looking forward to seeing the Invader with the pods on.
@mambastu that must have been awful for you. It was a shocking thing to happen. It changed the way airshows were managed, and they became a little less thrilling.
@@captaincrash9286 I remember it very clearly although I was only 9 at the time. It went out of sight at the end of the runway and a great big cloud of smoke appeared and initially the crowd thought it was some sort of pyrotechnic effect and then it slowly dawned on everyone that it wasn't. Very sad.
@@captaincrash9286Passengers were banned from airshow aircraft subsequently. Airshows didn't become less thrilling but certainly safer with less lives at risk.
@andrewwaller5913 I agree that they became a lot safer for all involved. That has to be a good thing. The steady increase in regulation that began with that very public tragedy did have the effect of reducing the spectacle. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, it's just an observation.
Great video! Thanks for taking us for a ride.
Kermit, thank the three of y’all for a virtual E-Ticket ride. That was FANTASTIC, and a keeper. Looking forward to meeting you in Florida.
I live in Borrego Springs wish I would have spotted your old piston pounder flying around, keep up the great videos Kermit and thank you for keeping these flying pieces of history alive
fantastic! Not many people get a backseat ride in a B-26 like this!
Flight of The Invader 🐦 👍
Thank you Kermit for sharing this video and thanks to Steve and Tucker. Looking forward to seeing that Douglas at FOF. I’ve long had a fascination with the A-26 Invader. All the best to you Kermit. Blue skies and tailwinds. 🫡🇺🇸⚓️
I watched this clip twice. Loved every minute of it. The selfie is classic and the Smile on Mr. Weeks fave is priceless. Thanks for sharing. Any more updates on the Bf-108? I sure do miss those videos.
Uh-oh... that yoke emblem is still missing. Tell Aero Trader to rebuild the entire plane again. ;) Ha! Fred Bell was wearing a Man O War T-shirt; that must have been the Mustang in the background. I've ridden in the back of, and also been in formation with, that aircraft. Two different photo sorties at Madera 1986. You did a great job handing the airplane; your old friend is a new friend again. Really, really loved these two videos... but you knew that.
Great video! Thanks for taking us along.
Now ... If you want to really have some real fun ... I believe it's currently in Dallas/Ft. Worth area, and the only one I'm aware of still existing ... It's an A20 HAVOC. I worked on it in 1973 when it was owned by Willie Farah (El Paso) who purchased it from Howard Hughes (paperwork may differ, but that was the deal). Willie took it down to the wheels and brought it back like new including every fastener. Hughes had used it for a personal fast transport and had converted the bomb bay to a 4-seat lounge/bar that had picture windows on each side like a Turbo Commander 690A. Of course, this was all brought back to WAR condition. Willie flew combat in an A20 during Korea. When finished, it had "one" seat, and only "one" ass sat in that seat. Willie could really make that puppy talk in the sky, especially on the deck (over 300mph). When it was ready to fly, the current Chairman of Farah Manufacturing reminded Willie that the Charter only allowed Willie to fly in multi-engine planes with two certified pilots. Willie fired the Chairman, retook the job, and flew the plane. They don't mak'm like that any more ...
The only airworthy A20 Havoc is owned by Lewis Air Legends based at San Antonio, Tx. It was the A26 Invader which flew in Korea, like Kermits example.
@@andrewwaller5913 I knew it was Texas but lost track of the city. The plane you reference is the same plane owned by Willie, although the current owner makes lots of claims. My contribution was the removal of a new product (in 1970) called spray-foam insulation. That's what Hughes sprayed in the bomb bay to make it habitable for passengers. Chemicals just made a mess and were toxic, so on a whim, I tried an air-die grinder with an abrasive pad. That did the trick and didn't affect the aluminum. Sorry to dispute your comment, but Willie was decorated for his action in Korea with the A20, which also flew in other WAR theaters throughout the world, most of which are documented. Many WWII aircraft were applied to the Korean War (Corsair, P51, A26, A20, etc.). None of my comments are a "take-away" from Kermit's posting. I'm merely claiming (with personal validation) that the A20 smokes the A26 in low altitude performance. We couldn't even keep up with it in our Commander 690A-6.
I was watching this flight on Flight Aware that day and had the feeling Kermit was flying and went to Palm Springs for lunch...lol. Too Cool!! Can't wait to see this plane up close in Florida.
Great Vid as always!! Great to see a 26 back at Thermal. N26BK was around the Coachella Valley quite a while. Think she's been sold. Thx!
Kermit awesome video I have watched all of your videos and I enjoy them all. And the one I really like is you flying crips all mighty P51. I have been flying rc planes and jets since 1986 and loved airplanes since I was a kid. Thanks for keeping our dreams alive.
Thanks! Glad you enjoy them! Appreciate your support!
Nice ride thanks for bringing us along.
Pretty freakin' awesome Kermit.
Five star***** One awesome A-26. 😎
Love the airplane and the video. Met you at FOF and at Sebring years ago. Hope to see you again, and bring my adopted grandkids to FOF someday.
You are a NATIONAL TREASURE
THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO
Wonderful video of an awesome airplane! Kermit is living the life that most of us aviation enthusiasts/airplane junkies wished we had! Well done Mr. Weeks!
how SWEET
My father flew the A-26 in WW2. It was one of his favorite planes. He also flew F-82s in Korea. Great job Kermie
Thanks for another great video Kermit. It was interesting.
Thanks for taking us along Kermit and Steve and Tucker. What a wonderful aircraft and let me say you got the touch Kermit.
Beautiful aircraft. Runs and flys beautiful after all these years. You are doing great with it Kermit.
You made my day. It was great.
Thanks.
Retired Air Force veteran.
Totally AWESOME!!!
Thanks for sharing and taking us with you on this journey
Great video and seeing the Invader flying great to see from the cockpit too thanks guys..👍👍
you did great Kermit
Just awesome. What a rush that had to be to finally fly her Kermit. I know I sure appreciate the hour long video. I felt like I was there with you. Totally a pleasure.
Congratulations to your checkout! The engines are running very smooth, purring along quite nicely, better than the B-25‘s. Impressive how benign the stall is, clean and dirty alike! She seems to fly great, a great video. Lots of flying and landscape too. Well done by everybody involved, especially the PIC!
Fantastic video which really shows the attention required to fly a classic aircraft
I hounded Carl. I so wanted to see the A-26. Flying or on the ground. Love those planes
I always get soft looking and riding along ( youtube ! ) ....... Never been in one of these girls ...maybe someday when I visit the states ! greets from Holland
You have got to have the funnest job in the Universe!! Thank you so much for making these videos. I sure would like to meet you some day. I couldn't follow my dream of being a pilot, my ticker kept me from that , but thankfully, I basically got to grow up in a Piper Comanche flying with my dad.
Thanks again Mr Weeks, and happy flying!!
Excellent video Kermit enjoyed seeing you at the controls, must have been very cool for you flying this aircraft again after such a long time. I think your A-26 and the guys who worked on it, deserve to win prizes for the meticulous restoration.
Great job Kermit the A 26 looks amazing. keep'em flying
Thank you for sharing this wonderful flight. Glad to see you flying!
The Army put out a film on how to fly a B-26 in 1943. They went through all the procedures and a brief flight. Pretty complicated.
Great!, Thank you Kermitt for sharing. I just feel like I was a fourth person in the cockpit. Back in the sixties and seventies at Antofagasta Chile Air Force base (FACH) was a squadron of A26´s ( they named them B26 I don´t know why). I came to live here in the eigthies so I didn´t saw them in service but there was one plane, in almost pristine condition, in exhibition at mejillones . Saddly, salt air, vandalism and neglect destroyed it. So sad. I had some work acquantances that used to be Air Force technitians. One of them told me " there were impresive beause they had R28 engines"...
So very cool that you fly these awesome airframes and show us.
Thank you Kermit Weeks.
My Father (Lawrence J Klein) flew the A-26 quite extensively. Here is his history for that time frame of his life: March 1952: Finished tour with the 53rd Troop Carrier Squadron and transferred to the 452nd. Bomb Group (L) A B-26 (Douglas) Night Intruder outfit at K-9 Airfield (Pusan East) Korea. On or about May 1952 the 452nd was deactivated and we were reactivated as the 17th Bomb Group (L)
*Note: The “Douglas B-26 Invader” was re-designated “A-26” in 1956. Not to be confused with the Martin B-26 Marauder, used extensively in World War 2)
March - September 1952: Flew 55 Night Intruder Missions. Awarded a couple of Air Medals and a D.F.C. (Distinguished Flying Cross)
September - December 1952: Temporary duty to Miho AB Japan. Flew B-26 maintenance test flights.
Fantastic insight on what it's like to fly a A-26, thank you for sharing Kermit!
The A-26 must be a real high performance aircraft. I guess with a pair of R-2800 P&W engines and that airfoil it would be a fast airplane. I’d love to go for a ride in that or the OnMark modified B-26K
Almost like being there. Super fun:)
Hi Kermit, that was awesome, thanks for taking us along allowing us to listen in. You have a great channel. Regards a fan from Aus
That was way cool Kermit. Thank You. Wow. A lot of stuff to look at and do when flying that airplane. Cheers. Chuck in Jensen Beach.
Awesome aircraft, we used to have at least 3 A26s on our ramp every summer, they flew for airspray out of red deer as airtankers, just loved the sound of the R2800 pratts on takeoff..
my son and I got a cockpit tour with Turbo at the Calgary airport about 25 years ago. that was with Airspray
It gives you an appreciation of what the young people who flew these things in anger were up against. These are not a simple aircraft to fly. They were heroic.
Thanks for the ride Kermit......friggin awesome.
Fantastic exceptional awesome!!! I've been waiting for this aircraft since I subscribed to your channel just love these exceptional birds thank you kerm for sharing this love it!!!
Very nice. The Invadoer is cool, but I'd like to see you flying that B-26 Marauder.
You and me both.. :)
Kermit seemed pretty behind the plane LOL
Big! Thanks.
Very enjoyable indeed, thank you.
I thought for a minute Kermit was phoning for a pizza. What a great selfie.
Damn I'm a worrier! With only one set of flight controls, what happens if Kermit becomes incapacitated?! Hell, we hear about airline pilots dying in the cockpit on a regular basis. I use to fly in a Bell helicopter for work. The guy who flew me was in his 60s and not in great shape. Yea, I was nervous@! lol. IDK, seems kind of crazy for that expensive and beautiful warbird to only have one set of flight controls these days.
Love that gunsight. Going on a war mission really would complicate the flying, eh?
What a cool airplane...
Well done again, Kermit!!
Beautiful!
Great video 👍
Thanks for making this long form. It is the only to do it properly IMO. Appreciate it.
That was very enjoyable to watch. Thanks for always sharing the good stuff.
This is awesome.
Amazing enoyed every minute...thanks!
Great! Makes me want to fly at 200mph.
Beautiful aircraft.
Nice!!! What a great video that was!!! Beautiful plane... Skillful Crew .... 👍
I have to say, I really enjoyed the way you all worked together! Made the flight interesting and educational. Kermit you are the man!
Always wondered with so many different aircraft to fly, if you could somehow walk us through the process that you use to prepare.