Ater two very enjoyable days at our friends in Placida on the Gulf Coast during which time I drove my first Motor Cruiser and fished properly for the first time catching 10 plus fish – we headed back to Orlando.
On our way we made a pre-planned trip to Kermit Weeks excellent museum at Polk City. Where there are about 100 plus aircraft.
We got there in time to take the back lot and wood shop and maintenance hangar tours but missed out by 15 minutes the last Golden Hill tour across the road where about 30 additional aircraft are housed including a B17 MS230, P38 etc. Maybe next time- but did see lots of other aircraft.
On our arrival we had the daily talk from Mr Weeks during which he stated that he was going to maker Polk City into an Aviation theme Park- cannot wait- he then gave us a flying display in his wildcat. Seen were the following:-
D-ALAN L1649 Starliner (N974R)
G-BJHS Short Sunderland
6 Tracker f/f
NR7TN Gee Bee 2
N19RX Curtis 19
N21MM Pitts S-1c
NX26KW Grumman FB
N30KW White D1-X
N50V Sikorsky S39
NR56Y DGA5
N68KW Weeks 1 W
NR83Y Brown B Racer
N96UC Catchina
N106EP Serversky P35a
N125JC YH32
NX156FS Storch
N174V Travelair 4000
NX181BU Bucker Bestman x G-AMYA
N211NX Ryan
N222FM Wildcat
N255Y Brown B2
400 Laird Super
N718Y Gee Bee
N909JJ Curtis Pusher
NL921 P51 Mustang (413321)
NX1204 P51 Mustang
N1214N Grumman Duck
NC1267B Pitcar PA18
NX1606 Sv4c Stampe
N1653 Nieuport C12
N1917T Thomas Morse S4c
N1920 Nieuport 17
N1943J B25
N1944A C47 (315211)
1973/12 Morane A1
N2009V Fokker 425
N2101 Gee Bee
2791 Fokker 1501
N2825D Standard 1
N3931Y A56 (33311)
K4235 Cirrus
N4297J Martin B26
NX4767E Spitfire
NX5215V Vought Corsair (97286)
N5798N Piper 44
N8234E Curtis Pusher
NC8313 Curtis Robin
N8944H Agcat
N9651 Tri-Motor
NC9756 Spad
03102 Stinson Vigilant
NC10967 Curtis
N11170 Ford Tri-Motor
N40415 Martin 404
NX41455 Bucker
47822 Grumman Hellcat
N49128 Standard
NX50074 Polikarkov (10)
NC67412 Stearman
NL95482 TBM Avenger
250551 B24 Liberator
41-11825 B24D Liberator
42-16621 Harvard (Cockpit)
VH-PRU Cadet
YR-PAX Jungmeister
ZK-TBB Albatross
Benoist
Cessna 172 (Cockpit)
Curtis Robin
Sopwith
Thomas Morse Scout
V1
Wright Flyer
What a great place just wished I had got there in time to visit the far side- but beggars cannot be choosers me and the wife really enjoyed our visit- and God willing we will revisit again.
The Starliner which is on the gate as you arrive is a fantastic sight- but no cop for me having seen in at Sandford in 1998.
Then it was back in the car- drove back to the hotel- and headed to the Wild Buffalo Wings bar for some wings and a few nice pints of Bud Light.
Happy Days
Bob
