July 2009

High romance, technical innovation, and reckless abandon characterized the “Roaring ‘20s” as Americans celebrated a dynamic renewal of spirit, no longer dampened by war and deprivation. Jazz music, glamour, and derring-do quickened the heart… and heroes abounded. Few were more romantic, courageous, or glamorous than the daredevil pilots known as Barnstormers and their sometimes-partners, Wing Walkers. These daring and industrious men and women tested the limits of new-fangled aeroplanes, while ushering average folks into the sky (for a price, of course), creating a whole new view of the world. And once he’s seen the great big world, you can’t keep the kid in the cornfield!

In July, Fantasy of Flight celebrates the tradition of Barnstorming—marvelous aviation heroes; fantastic flying machines; and the glorious Jazz Age. “Barnstormers of the Roaring ‘20s” will take place on July 25 and 26, featuring a multimedia presentation, a storytelling tour of vintage aircraft, and a screening of The Great Waldo Pepper in the cozy Fantasy of Flight Officers’ Club.

Barnstormers of the Roaring ‘20s
Schedule for July 25 and 26

• 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m: “Barnstormers of the Roaring ‘20s” Multimedia Presentation in Officers’ Club, followed by Barnstormers Walking Tour of vintage aircraft
• 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.: Open cockpit featuring Barnstorming aircraft treasure
• 1:30 p.m.: Aircraft of the Day Barnstorming demonstration
• 3:30 p.m.: Watch The Great Waldo Pepper in the Officers’ Club

The program is free with regular admission and for all Fantasy of Flight Annual Pass Holders.

Take Advantage of Summer Savings

Need some summer airplane fun but don’t want to stress the pocketbook?  Take advantage of Fantasy of Flight Summer discounts:

Florida Resident Special
Fantasy of Flight is pleased to offer Florida residents $8 off regular adult admission through the month of July.

Annual Pass Holders: Bring a Buddy for FREE
Fantasy of Flight Annual Pass holders are invited to share the world's largest private collection of aircraft with their favorite buddy this July.

Service Industry Summer
All employees of Florida accommodations, restaurants, and bars are invited to visit Fantasy of Flight with a special buy one, get one free admission offer through September.

Missy Joins the All of Life is a School Gang!

Another of the All of Life is a School characters has joined her pals at the Fantasy of Flight hangar. Welcome Missy!

Kermit’s award-winning children’s book features a cast of Golden Age of Aviation airplane characters—all geared to inspire and teach youngsters to push their boundaries and make the most of their lives. The latest arrival, “Missy”—also known as Miss Los Angeles, is a faithful reproduction of the famous Brown B-2 racer Miss Los Angeles that raced in the 1934 Thompson Trophy Races, placing 2nd.

To visit Missy and her pals, just roll down to Fantasy of Flight. To learn more about this historic aircraft and the recent acclaim for All of Life is a School, check out Kermit’s blog: http://blog.kermitweeks.com/

And One More High-Flying Heroine…

Fantasy of Flight Welcomes
Ophelia Ida Lightheart

Aviatrix Extraordinaire, Vaudevillian Actor, and Midwest Farmer’s Daughter

This madcap, time-travelling adventuress makes her debut at Fantasy of Flight appropriately enough during our Barnstorming month… and since her all-American birthday falls on July 4, the timing couldn’t be better. You’re bound to see Ophelia in the hangars, plucking her ukulele and telling tales of high-flying derring-do.  Plus Ophelia knows how to do the Charleston at 500 feet… on the wing!

G. Willie Answers Reader Questions

We asked for your questions, and the floodgates opened. G. Willie managed to dig out of the mountain of e-mails sent his way.  He burned the midnight oil and answered every one. Here’s one passionate e-mail.

From: Dean W
Subject: Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Is there any hope that the Lightning will ever be pieced back together? And did you have any problem finding enough tall trees to hang those barbarians that cut her up with a chainsaw?

G. Willie responds:
Like many folks, you clearly have strong feelings about the Lightning, Dean! However, when I was just a little action figure, my mother always told me “two wrongs don’t make a right.”  I talked to Kermit about his plans for the P-38…

As it turns out, we have everything to restore the P-38 plus some spares, but it is really a back-burnered project for the time being.  Engines certainly won’t be a problem as Kermit has dozens!  The main thing is . . . We have the P-38! However, with so many projects in the mix, it really makes sense to pick the low-hanging fruit, and there are a couple of other less complicated projects ahead of the Lightning, like a F4U-1 Corsair, P-47D, Spitfire XIV, or P-51A.

Regarding the damage on the P-38: Even though the nose and tail booms had been cut off, we have both sides of what was cut.  It’s just a matter of jigging up the airplane properly and re-making the components.  What may have made the project look undesirable when Kermit acquired it back in 1983 allowed him to purchase it for a ridiculously low price considering the market today!  By the way, you can get an eyeful of the P-38 in its current state when you take the Restoration Shop Tour during your next visit to Fantasy of Flight.

Do you have a question about any aspect of Fantasy of Flight? Just send it to G. Willie via his e-mail gwillie@fantasyofflight.com.

The Wizard of Orlampa to Air on Polk County Channels

West Central Florida residents are invited to view The Wizard of Orlampa, a reality show-style program revealing an inside look at the life Kermit Weeks and Fantasy of Flight, on PGTV and LGN throughout July. Click here for details and program dates.

Featured Gift Shop Item

If seeing “Miss Los Angeles”—the real-life inspiration for Kermit’s “Missy”—has you curious, why not meet the entire colorful gang? Gee Bee Zee, Jimmy G., Puff, Missy, and their aircraft pals learn to work together and to set their imaginations soaring in All of Life is a School. Share life lessons about respect, honesty, and self-discovery with the little one in your life. Kermit will have you both reaching for the sky! Order the 64-page, beautifully-illustrated, hardbound book online for $19.95. Click here to purchase the book or view additional All of Life is a School merchandise.