Kermit Weeks Hangar Stays Busy During Winter Season

January 2016 - When the B-17 and the EAA and Liberty Ford Tri-Motors are not off touring overhead, they are being maintained on the ground. Currently staff and volunteers at EAA’s Kermit Weeks Hangar are prepping and polishing for the upcoming spring tour, in addition to a few other projects taking place.

EAA’s CUBy is getting a shiny makeover; soon it will resemble a Piper L-4. This has been an exciting project for our volunteers. New floorboards were constructed and are being prepped for installation. Fabric work also has been completed, and once installed, the airframe and wings will be ready for their final color coats. A hopeful takeoff is set for spring of 2016.

A longer-term restoration process is happening to EAA’s B-25 Mitchell. Local volunteers and work parties from several chapters have spent countless hours on this beauty, with many more to go. The left wing of the aircraft has been removed, inspected, and repaired. Prep work is being done for reinstallation of the outer fuel cell on the removed wing. Flight deck repairs have been made, and volunteers are finishing the installation to components. In the coming months, volunteers will start to work on sheet metal for the top of the aircraft, and the further aft portion of the interior will be prepped for paint and flooring.

At this time, EAA’s Chapter 237 from Blaine, Minnesota, holds the nose of the B-25 Mitchell. Chapter members will volunteer their time and skills rebuilding the floor in the nose, based on original B-25 Mitchell microfilm. Navigation equipment and new glass panels will be installed, along with ammo boxes and a bombardier seat.

The Kermit Weeks Hangar receives a steady group of volunteers that come in on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays. As mentioned previously, the hangar is also host to several work parties from near and far. Some groups come for just a weekend or an entire week. Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome, regardless of experience; the staff and other volunteers enjoy teaching new people about “behind-the-scenes” work in aviation.

If you or someone you know would like to be a part of restoring some of EAA’s finest aircraft, please contact John Hopkins at jhopkins@eaa.org.