Fantasy of Flight- part 4

[beaky]

This big mama was the main reason I came here... the magnificent Short
Sunderland MK5, built in 1944.
She's seen some interesting times and flown all around the world.
Still airworthy, if you can find a crew (including a bowman to handle the ropes).
I love this thing!

Four P&W 1830s... 1200 hp apiece.

A look at the "beaching gear"... this is a true flying boat, not an amphib. Once it's in the water, the gear is removed. there is a lake on the grounds, where the Short landed when she arrived here.

Time for a look inside...

Some problems using the flash with the big wide-angle lens, so these are a little gloomy. But it conveys the idea... this bird started its life as another "Flying Porcupine", built to go looking for trouble in coastal airspace, armed to the teeth, but she's been an airliner most of her life. The forward cabin is very cushy, with big comfy seats and tables suitable for some serious dining.

The cheap seats...wildly extravagant by today's standards.

The upstairs lounge... I could kill myself for not realizing (because of the glare, I guess) that the little window up front leads to the flight deck (which is off-limits)... but chances are I would not have gotten any good pictures through the glass. Maybe I'll go back and try it... until then, I hope the Sunderland fans will forgive me.

It just wouldn't be the same if this ship were kept in a hangar forever, all cleaned and polished... the grime and discoloration just enhance the "living history" aspect of it. well, a quick once-over wouldn't hurt, or maybe even  a fresh coat of paint everywhere, instead of just where it's desperately needed.
I hope they can keep her flying for many years to come. She's the last airworthy 4-engine passenger flying boat in the world.

Some more mundane stuff: "Fightertown" boasts several of these neat little Corsair simpits... there's a real Corsair in there, but I couldn't get a decent picture of it.

Didn't try my hand at this sim... there was a horde of noisy kids waiting for the session to start. Looked kinda cheesy anyway, but it's a great thing for the kiddies.

The wood shop:

The engine and mechanical shop:

Next: the South Hangar

[Willit Run]

Wow!!  What an aircraft!!

 Thank you for the tour through it Sean!!

 Great shots!!  Keep them coming!!

[C]

The Sunderland hasn't flown for many years - in fact I'm not even sure its flown since it arrived in 1989/90, which is a shame, and common with a lot of other airworthy British types KW has imported into the states (Lysander, Mosquito etc).

[Hagar]

Nice tour of the old Sunderland. I don't know when she last flew, probably the same day she arrived at FoF. I heard she's been very neglected & allowed to deteriorate since then.

Did I tell you my company did some work on that aircraft before it left here? We refurbished all the engine hoses. That was quite a job as you can imagine. I had to postpone a planned personal guided tour as we were too busy. The next thing I know it's on its way over the Atlantic. The first time I saw it was in Florida but it was about 1/2 mile away & roped off at the time. At least she's under cover now.

[fabiane]

Been there 2 years ago and really enjoyed the visit. Liked the Lufthansa Connie.

Fine collection of classic wings. Thanks for sharing!

Greetings,

Fabian

[Willit Run]

Been there 2 years ago and really enjoyed the visit. Liked the Lufthansa Connie.

Fine collection of classic wings. Thanks for sharing!

Greetings,

Fabian

Theres a Connie there and you haven't posted a picture yet!!!!!!!!!

  Come on Sean get with it!!

[beaky]

Nice tour of the old Sunderland. I don't know when she last flew, probably the same day she arrived at FoF. I heard she's been very neglected & allowed to deteriorate since then.

Did I tell you my company did some work on that aircraft before it left here? We refurbished all the engine hoses. That was quite a job as you can imagine. I had to postpone a planned personal guided tour as we were too busy. The next thing I know it's on its way over the Atlantic. The first time I saw it was in Florida but it was about 1/2 mile away & roped off at the time. At least she's under cover now.

That's right, I remember you did mention that... I guess you did your work well, because it made it here...

I'm not sure what they have planned for it, but I did hear that it was left at Oshkosh for a year, then sat in the lake here until noise complaints by the neighbors and vandalism (by the neighbors' kids, no doubt) forced them to get it out of there.
My guess is that they intend to fly it again... after all, they didn't close up the notch above the hangar doors after they rolled it in...

[beaky]

Been there 2 years ago and really enjoyed the visit. Liked the Lufthansa Connie.

Fine collection of classic wings. Thanks for sharing!

Greetings,

Fabian

Theres a Connie there and you haven't posted a picture yet!!!!!!!!!

  Come on Sean get with it!!

Patience, patience... there is a lot more... you'll forget the Connie for a little while.

[C]

My guess is that they intend to fly it again... after all, they didn't close up the notch above the hangar doors after they rolled it in...

I would disagree (but would gladly be proved wrong! ). It was airworthy when it arrived 20 years ago (just as the Mossie was, and the Lysander more recently). I think the problem is where would the money come from to support it? Air show crowds in the states for the most part would be unfamiliar with it, as they would be with the Lysander (which I was horrified to see being stored outside at one point) and have been with the Shackleton operated in the states by Air Atlantique for some years - normally being the "Lancaster" of a show - and the reason AA intend to bring the Shackleton back to the UK. To that end I think airshow potential is limited.

What has surprised me is they never entered to pleasure flying arena with it - especially down in Florida with the Carribean in relatively close proximity for a long range flying boat - particularly as it had spent the previous 30 odd years flying passengers.

[Hagar]

I tend to agree with Charlie. I doubt the old girl will ever fly again. However, being familiar with the situation at the time he acquired it, Mr Weeks probably saved it from the scrapman. It was not a commercially successful proposition in the UK.

PS. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3897/is_199908/ai_n8864817

Weeks' aircraft, a 1944 Mk III updated to a Mk V, with its original Pegasus engines changed to 1,200hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830s, served briefly with the RAF, was transferred to the RCAF and ended the War wearing Norwegian colors. The New Zealand Air Force bought the airplane shortly after the War.

As early as 1943, Short refitted a number of Sunderlands and turned them over to BOAC. Directly after the War, however, Short set up a production line to convert wartime aircraft to passenger configuration and certify them for airline use. Those aircraft carried the new name of "Sandringham." Weeks' Sunderland, however, was purchased by an Australian airline that made its own passenger conversion, never obtaining official certification for it. This lack of certification later prevented Charley Blair, the legendary owner of Antilles Airboats in the Caribbean, from using the airplane after purchasing it from the Australians.

The airplane migrated through a number of hands before coming to rest not far from its first home in Britain. There, were it not for a dedicated group of enthusiasts, the Sunderland would have deteriorated beyond repair before Weeks could purchase it in 1993 and move it to the U.S. The airplane now "holds court" as the still airworthy crown jewel of an impressive collection of equally rare aircraft. Another marine species has been saved for the ages.

[zeberdee]

but chances are I would not have gotten any good pictures through the glass. Maybe I'll go back and try it... I have found that putting the lense of the camera flat to the glass stops the glare of the flash. It's worth a try

[fabiane]

Just noticed:
Ok, I should be quite, because it's even farther from Germany, but how did you get to Polk city? Quite far away from your home, isn't it? Did you spend vacations in Florida?

Saw the B-25 only in the hangar and it was in summertime, so all was quite and out of season..., but saw the Storch flying that time .

Cheers,
Fabian

[beaky]

Just noticed:
Ok, I should be quite, because it's even farther from Germany, but how did you get to Polk city? Quite far away from your home, isn't it? Did you spend vacations in Florida?

Saw the B-25 only in the hangar and it was in summertime, so all was quite and out of season..., but saw the Storch flying that time .

Cheers,
Fabian

I'm working at MacDill AFB for a few weeks... although I just heard my little visit may be cut short. As long as I don't have to nix my plan to go flying with some old friends this Sunday, I don't really care... this project has been a big PITA from day one.

BTW: the Storch is no longer there. Not sure what happened to it...