Sopwith Pup - Cowling Incident Flight - Kermit Lands Safely!
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- čas přidán 5. 06. 2018
- This Sopwith Pup update starts with the planes first taxi run, moves into the final rigging, and concludes with it's first flight . . . a very eventful one, to say the least . . . as the engine cowling comes off during a low pass approach, hits the engine, gets shredded, and takes out a part of the wing and center section. Kermit Weeks successfully lands the plane and walks away uninjured, to inspect the damage with his maintenance crew. Big Wow indeed!
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In an emergency, they always say "fly the aircraft first". He was so quickly focused on doing that job that he didn't even see that section of cowling to the right of the engine. Glad we still have Kermit around after this one! Very forthright of him to upload this video too, when others might have withheld it for various reasons, including ego. True professional.
Only Kermit would turn a P51 into a scaffold. Gotta love it.
With all that sheet metal flying around its a minor miracle that Kermit walked away without a scratch. The cool head and decades of flying experience helped too I'm sure.
That's a downer, but at least Kermit's safe. He's the greatest argument I know for inherited wealth.
All the years I've been watching your videos, I NEVER thought I'd see something like that! Glad you're ok!
The aircraft can be fixed. The pilot can't be replaced. Glad that you are all safe and sound. It's also good that you had the skill set and background to be calm and collected in that situation. I enjoy your videos very much!
Sorry to see the damage to such a beautiful plane and very happy to see you were not injured. Thank you for sharing.
But even when ''slightly pissed'', he doesn't loose his ''charming man'' style.
He's not just a plane collectionist. He's an history preserver. His work (and I mean all F.O.F crew work) will last long before he's gone (that I hope will be in many,many,many years to come).
Wow, sorry Kermit! I know you put a ton of hard work into your planes, and it must be so frustrating when something goes wrong. I am so relieved that you were able to land it safely, that you were unhurt and that the pup damage was not worse. I must say that any of us pilots that watch your channel would give practically anything to fly or even ride in any of your incredible livery. You are so fortunate to live you dreams and ours too! I for one, greatly appreciate every video that you make and every look into the Fantasy of Flight world.
Incredible video and I’m sure it measured high on the pucker factor scale. My admiration for your skills grows with each adventure and thanks again for sharing with your fans. What you do on behalf of aviation buffs worldwide in incalculable. Thank you!
Agreed Neil, his reaction spoke volumes. Calm and focused on fixing the problem; no drama, no theatrics, and an event like that would bring out the emotion in most people. Kermit, I'm glad you are safe and my hat's off to you!
Kermit, you are one class act. I cant believe that happened. Also, I love the pup, and nowhere else in the world would I be able to see something as fantastic as this. And I have been to your place a thousand times. Thank you for everything you have done in aviation!
Great reaction! The best part of this video, in my opinion, is the CW4 rank on the shoulders of the flight suit.
“I thought the engine had fallen off “ Top stuff pal :)
Thankful for people like you in the world who restore these amazing machines. Devastated for you that it was damaged. Admiration for your flying skills. Respect for your awesome attitude to when tings go wrong. Grateful no-one was hurt. Fly safe.
Its actually an amazing thing to see that sometimes things go wrong. You have an extraordinary collection of seemingly "easy" test flights and describing what happens when you don't have an "easy" one makes the process a lot more important. Please upload a video describing exactly what happened - if possible. This is so valuable. Im glad you are safe!
This almost looks like a problem that was fixed in the field by the squadron mechanics, a problematic factory design that field fixes solved, and was passed from squadron to squadron, and after the war, forgotten about.
typical above average pilot reaction. Just had cowling blow of and nearly slap me in the face and rip my wings of and tear my prop to pieces...no big deal. You are the man Mr Weeks.
Kermit has the flight test right stuff....
Sorry to see the damage to the Pup. Glad to see that you are alright. I love what you are doing, it's very important and sharing it with us is really awesome. I really appreciate and love it. Thank you and be careful.
Beautiful landing!! I loved your post flight demeanor, appeared so calm and cool. 👍
Awesome piece of airmanship. Great job getting the Pup and yourself down in one piece.
Best regards.
Again you prove what a cool guy you are. It takes a real man to show the bad with the good. I have the greatest appreciation and respect for your preservation of history and a new found respect for your honest and apparent character. Thanks for sharing. Best of wishes to getting it going again.
So happy you are safe. Heartbreaking. Thank you for doing this for us.
That could have been a lot worse, great skill in keeping calm there and getting her down safe. Glad that you didn't get hurt or even worse...Keep up the great videos Kermit we are all loving them...Best wishes from Blighty
I admire his restraint. He was obviously split between sheer luck in getting down and the sheer fragility of a ww1 design with a very short design life,
Thanks for helping keep these aircraft in the air, especially now at the centenary of the end of the war. Living tributes to all the men who bravely flew in them and died in them,
No chute remember. Can I recommend the superb book called “winged victory” by v.m. yeates, to give a moving but unsentimental insight into the life of a young ww1 pilot and his
comrades.
I always appreciate when people share the good and bad times with their projects. We all learn from the stories.
The man's a pro, others would rage and blame.
No professional pilot would and certainly Kermit wouldn't, as in fact it was his fault.
He did a much better job of keeping his cool than I would have. Kermit is a pretty "even keeled" guy
Likely did off-cam. But you can only blame yourself for not doing a thorough pre-flight.
gotta do your walk around and run your hand over the body in openable areas.
"Time for some Naked in Jamaica Rum." - Well said that man.
Glad you and the plane were OK. I grew up on Biggles and his Camel. Great to see this era aircraft still flying.
Firstly, glad that you got down safely - wonderful job on this rebuild, I have been following closely - sorry to see what happened, hope you get it back in the air ok.
Great airmanship Kermit.
CAVU skies Kermit! Thanks for all your work in aviation. Very best wishes.
Beautiful airplane, what a shame about the cowling coming loose. Made me sick, I can't imagine how you felt. Glad you're safe and and no further damage was done to the aircraft, great job of getting her down. Thanks for sharing.
Kermit, your are the man, the legend. Love your videos and your museum. Salute!
Boy howdy! This is one amazing video. Kermit's skill, experience, and presence of mind were astonishing when that cockpit came off. Luck? Yeah, combined with a boatload of savvy and guts. Wow. -Jim
Glad you are safe Kermit. Good job on not hitting the panic button...thats experience working right here. Sorry about the plane but it can be fixed and it seems like you have a top crew involved. Thanks for posting this video showing the real side of aviation.
They didn't call 'em flying coffins for nothing! Also, you couldn't have had a more appropriate ring tune! Thanks for sharing.
Glad to see you are safe and the damn plane can always be fixed, just better this time!
We are so used to seeing you fly everything without mishap, this incident brings home the fact that not all old planes are safe
and the Sopwith Pup is a very old plane with marginal flight characteristics--- stay safe Kermit!
Thank goodness for aviation enthusiasts with the means to keep these beautiful aircraft flying!
Kermit thanks for sharing this, this is so awesome, I love people like you.
I'm glad you are okay Kermit. What a shame on the plane... You are one hella Pilot!!
Glad you are ok. Beautiful plane. Sad to see she was damaged. Thanks for sharing.
You're a bottler Kermit! - "Time for a naked Jamaican Rum" indeed. - Thanks for everything you share; absolutely exceptional.
when you zoomed in 4x I thought I saw a cowl part drop off the plane on runway side of freeway. Glad you and everyone is safe.
Oh, man. Tough break, Kermit and crew! So sorry to see the Pup damaged, but what a relief that everything worked out and you were able to set it down safely. Hope the rebuild goes well.
Such problems was, in fact, famous with rotaries. Another story I've been told (from old aviators I got the pleasure to know 40 years back) was that ignition cables are also prone to disconnect and, when this happened, the cowling suffered a lot from a wild internal whipping! One thing that people really need to know, and be aware of, is that such gorgeous piece of engineering was designed 100+ years ago...
Only thing that matters is that Kermit is okay.
I know it's been a month,,but you are one lucky duck Mr Weeks. Nothing but pure unadulterated luck on that one. Some say luck doesn't exist,,you just proved that theory wrong. I know you like originality with your stuff but this is one plane that needs some updated hold downs for that cowl,,versus a single perimeter? cable design from the old days. Which leads me to wonder how many pilots were lost due to that design. So glad you are still with us.
Holy cow. That was a close call. Good thing you were so close to the ground and home. Glad you're ok. Careful out there Kermit.
Kermit seems like the kind of a guy who would have chewed out his crew for not tightening some part of the cowling, but a camera was recording him and so he was really nice. We are lucky to have Kermit sharing these videos. Really appreciate all of Kermit's work.
Kermit's demeanor is the same, camera or no camera!
Spectacular seeing that in flight, something special about vintage aircraft. For such a bad ending the timing couldn't have been better! Good to see Kermit is safe :)
Glad your Ok after the cowl fiasco. Dang it could have been a whole lot worse I just image that cowl hanging up on the prop and engine and whirling about while taking out the whole front struts and flying wire assembly and leading edge of both wings. Well it's currently fixable, and I can see you carrying on with this project in future. Looking forward to seeing you and this old girl back in the sky at a later date. Take care Kermit I love your content, keep it rolling man blue skies to you and the team............. Jay
When I was learning to fly in Grand Junction back in early 1960 my Mama would say that any landing you walk away from is a good landing. That was a darn good landing. Oh, by the way, my Mama was my flight instructor.
Aside from the cowl problem, that is a really sweet sounding airplane in the air. Thanks for the video Kermit.
I'm so sorry that you have to deal with all the damage, but luckily no one was harmed. Great video!
Thank God you are ok Kermit!! but so sad to see the old girl damaged. Looking forward to seeing the next test flight...well done!!!
The blip switch is such a cool part of most rotary engines
So glad you're safe and sound and on the ground...
As cool a cat as there ever was Kermit, so sorry to see that damage to the beautiful machine, yet our hero will fight another day :)
Keep up the fabulous Fantasy of Flight video's, they are priceless history that will be watched by generations ahead that will be flying around this galaxy and others. They will certainly appreciate the risks, and applaud the bravery you display.
Be safe KW.
Bob Ashfield told me he was trying for "something just neutral" when he designed the Camel.
Everyone I knew who flew them said it was a handfull: it was rigged tail heavy and required constant, tiring pressure (18 lbs when tested) on the stick.
My acquaintance Hubert had one of only 2 on the civil register (G-EAWN) after the war, said it was chalk and cheese to a 1918 Camel with full war weight of 2 functional Vickers, full chutes of ball ammunition and a working interrupter gear. A fighting Camel was a very fiery beast that didn't suit some people at all, and they went to SE's. Try flying one with an extra 150 lbs war weight on board.
Glad you're okay good sir!! I'd definitely need a change of my flight suit after that.. Haha.. Keep up the great work gentlemen!! Stay safe and God Bless.
That was 30% pure luck, 70 pure piloting skills. Seriously, expertly handled. It's a bummer with the plane and all. It could've been another name in the obituary...
Really nice save, Kermit! 👍🏼
He's got, and flies, an actual rotary engine! OUTSTANDING!
Faaaark Kermie, so glad you are ok. Greased it in though. Definitely time for a Naked in Jamaica!!!
Thank you for the clarification of the Gyro effects on the controls, thank you so much for these posts, they are living history
Eric O'Hara : He dd not appear to have a clue about gyroscopic precession - note him saying “or whatever”. Another person with too much money to need to learn the basics of flying theory.
@@Sierranite Uh, yeah nope. KW definitely has more real-world flying experience with gyroscopic precession in airplanes where it actually matters than anyone who wrote the book you read about it in. And too much money? Not the guy who devotes his cash to a world-class living flight museum open to the public and shares every moment of that rare experience with the world for posterity and fun. There's more value in what he spends his spare pennies on than any taxpayer funded aerospace museum.
Top notch emergency recovery, Kermit! A backup fastening system for that cowl must now be your safety priority.
Not in the same league, but a Cessna pilot down in Fl. once had his windscreen blow out in flight. Some airboaters found it in the glades and that triggered a search for the plane. The pilot landed safely and never reported the incident, just had the FBO replace the windscreen! Eventually, the FAA was able to close the search for the 'crash'!
Awesome video Kermit!!! But you need a scarf on to blow out the side. Lol. 😉😁
Chad Cole ii
He has his mullet.
Whooh Mr Weeks,
So sad to see what happened but glad your alright and managed a successful emergency landing. Fantastic response.
I think modify the new cowling like mentioned on the tri plane to have that additional/secondary securing point.
Keep it up and all the best
Regards,
Paul
Plane looks like it had a rough sortie over France, glad to see an organization truly striving for realism ;) Glad you made it down safely.
With all that going on, still greased the landing. Props to Kermit. (No pun intended)
Nice landing under pressure, upside is we got a good look at the rotary engine. You the man Kermit.
what a burn!!!! but really you are very lucky this happened where it did! "you and the pup are still here to fly another day" =D
I wonder if a loose cowling was a common issue in WW1. One thing an inexperienced Sopwith mechanic, was sure to screw up at least once. Perhaps there was an unauthorized field fix to keep it from happening? Glad you made it down safely Kermit. Great flying.
Very impressive, open, honest, no BS and consummate skill in what turned from a pass into an emergency landing.
Lucky thing you were coming in when it happened... Way to keep your head in and shut it down when you knew you had to put it down asap. So glad you are good and will get it back up again later.
Beautiful plane and great flying you are very fortunate none of that cowl came towards your head.
What a heartbreaker, after all the work. So sorry for all the crew.
Truly heartbreaking... and nerve rattling... but very glad you're ok. Very impressed with how you handled all aspects. Hope the adrenaline comedown wasn't too rough...
You are a lucky man, Kermit! Good luck with the repairs
I saw this on the news and was awaiting this video. Glad your safe, The aircraft can be rebuilt (Again).. Any landing you can walk away from and have drinks in the bar about later, is a good one.
Tough luck, sorry that happened, but nobody was hurt, glad of that. Beautiful airplane, hope you guys get it back in the air soon.Top notch piloting Kermit.
A genuine radial! They lacked the technology to mass produce proper cooling fins for the jugs so they solved the cooling problem by fixing the crankshaft to the firewall and making the engine rotate around it. Genius!
No real throttle either. All or nothing. You regulated power by flipping the mags on and off.
You have an amazing team. Everybody who flies knows that at the end of the day, the preflight is the responsibility of the pilot. I am impressed with your ability to assess the problem and move on without finger pointing. Well done!
What damn shame for such a beautiful plane; at least it can be rebuilt. Good recovery for the landing; glad you're ok
I am sure said before, though think can be said again. This is an example of why pilots need instincts. Kermit instinctively cut fuel and mags shutting down the engine preventing further damage and possibly worse. Glad he put it up as a lesson to others: quadrupedal check and have a plan in case something does go wrong.
I remember exactly the same thing happening to Bill Bowker flying the Pup at the Shuttleworth Collection. I guess sometime in the early 90's?
Beautiful airplane, sounds awesome. Total bummer about the cowling but what about that magic timing? Perfect. You must live right. 👍🏽
Oao How I enjoy those old engines Thank for sharing :)
Thankyou for your candid video. Best wishes from Down Under, subscribed.
Thanks for your comment and for subscribing. We appreciate it. Keep watching!
Considering such serious damage, that landing was picture perfect. Pleased to see you're OK.
Wow Kermit, you must have a guardian angel in the cockpit. It will take a while to shake that one off. The only good part is that you walk away without any part of you broken or bleeding.
The plane can be fixed but we could never replace Kermit. A one of a kind aviation ambassador. This video should be shown to every student pilot. Kermit FLEW THE PLANE. He didn’t panic and that’s how you survive these incidents.
Thank God you're ok!
Dude, you could have lost your head. So happy you are okay.
A dangerous pursuit flying these old machines; I must say you were very cool under those circumstances. It could have been so much worse ; I bet that rum tasted good - Most WW1 pilots were permanently tight, understandably !
I believe the Pup from the Shuttleworth Collection had the same issue a few years ago. Glad everything worked out & no injuries.
1991. I witnessed the Shuttleworth incident. The engine stopped dead and the pilot had no choice but to land straight ahead. With little runway remaining, the landing roll finished in a cabbage field, fortunately with little damage to the aircraft and no injury to the pilot.
That would have been a heartbreaker. The smoothest landing under pressure. I am guessing fairly wildly, that the cowling cable was tight after correct assembly. Automotive handbrake cables, after parking out of gear with engine running, can become heatsoaked from an idling engine exhaust after being pulled tight and lose tension, releasing the vehicle to roll away.
The cowling cable probably saw some sustained heat from an engine which was producing continuous power for the first time in flight and lost tension. - I wonder if best practice might in future be to wrap and arctic blanket around the cowling, heat the entire cowling, engine and cable after being initially fitted and tightened, give the front of the cowling a twist and wriggle to bed the contacting faces then tighten the cable again.
Checking cable tension might end up being an immediate post-flight maintenance practice.
Thank God you were where you are! Bless you!
Wow glad your ok ! Don’t go dying on us ! Need this show
Just Wow...
Watching this video, I'd propose another scenario...
Kermit Weeks: A man alive who can differentiate between dihedral on a Sopwith Pup, versus the control pressure on the elevator response on a P-51 C.
Or the rudder bar pressure on a Curtiss Pusher, and the nuances of force between the left and right foot...
The guy knows every single nuance of every aircraft he happens to own. That takes years of investigative knowledge, at the least.
Watching this video, he was, once again, almost done, flying one of his kites........
Stop Man !! When you end in an inverted flip on short final, the World will be poorer.
Stay home, make videos so the World can watch for generations.
God, We love you Kermit! We really do. Stay safe!
Très grosse frayeur pour le pilote et de sang froid à la fois! c' Est impressionnant les dégâts du capot moteur que cela peut provoquer surtout en plein vol, l' essentiel le pilote est en bonne santé! Chapeau bas pour Kermit...