I thought I'd share about a place I visited yesterday. Since people from all over find themselves in Orlando eventually (it seems anyway), you might be interested in this too. Personally, I love this place.
It's called Fantasy of Flight. It's a private collection situated off I-4 about halfway between Orlando and Tampa. I almost called it a museum, but it's really not. Many of the planes here are maintained in workable condition and flown as the owner (54 year old Kermit Weeks) gets the urge. It's an amazing place.
It opens with an immersion environment that's fun if maybe a bit hokey. Nice walk through several fuselage sections and this bomber. I like the "close enough to touch" stuff.
Leaving that behind, you are dumped right into the first of two large hangers that are stuffed with planes. You can wander around on the floor or an elevated walkway.
Wandering around, an amazing variety. I have an affinity for old warbirds.
All the planes have nice info plaque with added descriptions by the owner describing his personal experiences with the plane. Some are reproductions (these 2 for example). Note the drip pans - these planes are not just for looking at, he flies them.
There seemed to be no end to them. This thing was immaculate.
Gorgeous Spitfire.
There was a tram that took us to the engine storage building. Great tour guides! The guy has hundreds of old engines, some still in crates. Same for propellers.
They took us around to various storage facilities. This is a Dauntless dive bomber waiting for restoration. Tons of rare and one-off aircraft here too.
We got a tour of the wood shop where they restore wooden planes. The owner insists on accuracy so they use cotton and other period materials.
Every day they take out a different plane and fly it around. Today was this ... whatever it is. According to the info sheet on it, its stall speed is 25 MPH. I know he got airborn in about 100 feet on a grass runway.
There was also the maintenance shop. This P51 was in for a coolant leak. Apparently this is a VERY rare plane because it doesn't have a bubble canopy (I dunno, that's just what the guy said).
Anyway, if you're ever in Orlando (or Tampa) and want to get off the beaten path a bit, this place is well worth the time. You could see most all in a couple hours, but we had no trouble spending about 4 hours. Admission is about $29.
Many more pics and larger resolutions from the trip can be found here.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/v/sarashows01/fof-080224/
It's called Fantasy of Flight. It's a private collection situated off I-4 about halfway between Orlando and Tampa. I almost called it a museum, but it's really not. Many of the planes here are maintained in workable condition and flown as the owner (54 year old Kermit Weeks) gets the urge. It's an amazing place.
It opens with an immersion environment that's fun if maybe a bit hokey. Nice walk through several fuselage sections and this bomber. I like the "close enough to touch" stuff.
Leaving that behind, you are dumped right into the first of two large hangers that are stuffed with planes. You can wander around on the floor or an elevated walkway.
Wandering around, an amazing variety. I have an affinity for old warbirds.
All the planes have nice info plaque with added descriptions by the owner describing his personal experiences with the plane. Some are reproductions (these 2 for example). Note the drip pans - these planes are not just for looking at, he flies them.
There seemed to be no end to them. This thing was immaculate.
Gorgeous Spitfire.
There was a tram that took us to the engine storage building. Great tour guides! The guy has hundreds of old engines, some still in crates. Same for propellers.
They took us around to various storage facilities. This is a Dauntless dive bomber waiting for restoration. Tons of rare and one-off aircraft here too.
We got a tour of the wood shop where they restore wooden planes. The owner insists on accuracy so they use cotton and other period materials.
Every day they take out a different plane and fly it around. Today was this ... whatever it is. According to the info sheet on it, its stall speed is 25 MPH. I know he got airborn in about 100 feet on a grass runway.
There was also the maintenance shop. This P51 was in for a coolant leak. Apparently this is a VERY rare plane because it doesn't have a bubble canopy (I dunno, that's just what the guy said).
Anyway, if you're ever in Orlando (or Tampa) and want to get off the beaten path a bit, this place is well worth the time. You could see most all in a couple hours, but we had no trouble spending about 4 hours. Admission is about $29.
Many more pics and larger resolutions from the trip can be found here.
http://sarasotadetail.com/gallery2/v/sarashows01/fof-080224/
