1927 Curtiss Robin model B Kermit Weeks

I first got the chance to view this wonderfully restored 1927 Curtiss Robin model B in the early 1990s.  On a visit with Lynn Towns, he took me over to an airport (somewhere near Detroit MI) and there sat this beautiful OX Robin.  It was clear to me that this airplane has certainly been blessed with detailed craftsmanship nearing perfection.  I never got the chance to visit with its restorer, Henry Haigh, but tried to remain aware of this Robin.  Sometimes that's hard to do.

All photos by Rick Reeves, Metal Specialist, Fantasy of Flight Museum

Various friends who knew of Henry and his airplane reported to me over the years that Henry still had the Robin in Michigan.  Then finally in about 2004 I corresponded with Henry and he told me that the airplane was being moved to Florida.  He donated the Robin to Kermit Weeks for active flight display in the Fantasy of Flight Museum.

Fast forward to August 2012 and this airplane showed up on Facebook.  Kermit recently took the Robin out for some in-flight fun. He has graciously agreed to share with us some information, the coolest of which is this short unlisted YouTube video (provided exclusively for our audience at Barnstmr's Random Aeronautics) of Kermit flying in the Robin.  What a treasure!!




Thanks to Kermit and Fantasy of Flight Productions for sharing this great video.  The Video Link and photos here were sent to us by Phil Zizza, who is the Head of Production for Fantasy of Flight Productions. Scroll down to the end of this posting to see Phil's email.

See also, Kermit's Blog for his story of his long-standing friendship with Henry Haigh and the acquisition of the Robin.

 

******** Email *************************************

Hello Terry,

Kermit Weeks asked that I get in touch with you about some photos and video on his Curtiss Robin.We are in the process of creating a video on the planes recent activities out at Fantasy of Flight. When that video is completed and posted to Fantasy of Flight's Youtube channel, we will send you the link. In the meantime, we have put together a short 30 second teaser video of the plane on an unlisted Youtube link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7ZSMyKPdMQ&hd=1

You can use this link immediately on your site, if you so choose, till the full version is up. (Within next few weeks) I've also attached four photos of the plane. There is also a couple of photos and some side information on his blog... http://blog.kermitweeks.com/?p=1684  If you should need anything else, don't hesitate to get in touch with me. We appreciate your interest in the Curtiss Robin plane, Kermit Weeks and Fantasy of Flight.

Great website blog by the way. Really enjoyed it.

Best,

Phil Zizza

Head of Production

Fantasy of Flight Productions

pzizza@fantasyofflight.com

The Most Famous Curtiss Robin

Some say that NR59H "The St Louis Robin" is the most famous Curtiss Robin of all time.  The 1929 endurance record setting aircraft caught the attention of the nation as Dale Jackson and Forest O'Brine shattered all previous air-to-air refueled endurance flight records. This fame is now perhaps debatable as other Robins came along afterward and certainly made their mark on aviation history.  There was Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan's Robin, which crossed the Atlantic Ocean. And there was the "Greater St. Louis" Robin, in which Jackson and O'Brine several years later eclipsed the St Louis Robin's endurance record. And then there's "Ole Miss", a Curtiss Robin which the Key brothers kept aloft for more than 27 days (653 hours, 34 minutes).  That Robin now hangs from the ceiling of the Smithsonian Museum.  Several Curtiss Robins achieved great notoriety... a testament to it's sound design.  For many this is what attracts them to these lovely birds.

Pick one you like... but there's no question that owner, Joe Earle's pride and joy may very well be the prettiest Curtiss Robin around.

Photos with permission of photographer Fred Miller, www.longislandwalpapers.com

 See more of Fred's beautiful photography at

-->www.longislandwallpapers.com

Here is a really nice video interview with Joe Earle relaying the 40+ year history that his family has owned this Robin. 

YouTube VIDEO
Joe Erale discusses the restoration of the Curtiss Robin known as the "St. Louis Robin." This historic aircraft set the world's flight endurance record on July 31,1929, staying aloft for 421 hours and 21 minutes. The "St. Louis Robin" was refueled 48 times while in the air, burning 3,500 gallons fo gasoline and 158 gallons of oil over the 17-1/2 days it was aloft. Dale (Red) Jackson and Forest O'Brine took turns piloting the aircraft. Read more about the record breaking flight and see photos of the aircraft as it is today, fully restored at the Bayport Aerodrome in NY, in Issue #96 of SKYWAYS: The Journal of the Airplane 1920-1940. Visit www.ww1aeroinc.org for more information.

Curtiss Robin G-HFBM in the U.K.

David Forshaw is the last reported owner of this Curtiss Robin based at Panshanger Airport Hertford, England, United Kingdom.

  photo source: http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/G-HFBM.html

   

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to View more photos of this nice Curtis Robin.