Sopwith Snipe - First Flight in 5 Years - Prep for Oshkosh 

Turning these old rotory engine planes to the left was a bear. The engines spun to the right and that's the direct they wanted to go. Turning to the left was slow and caused the plane to go nose up and sometimes stall. Turning to the right was fast and sharp and usually caused the plane to go nose down which could cause a downward spin in the hands of an inexperienced pilot. This planes sopwith predecessor, the camel, killed almost as many pilots in mishandling accidents as it did enemy pilots in combat. It took real skill to fly these old birds in combat.

It made me think that these guys were so incredibly brave, flying with no parachute, basic live or die flying. But it also made me think that these pilots thought they were the lucky ones, they thought they had it good not having to fight in the trenches. Different generation we must never ever forget.

Kermit .I hope you read this.i was talking to my grandsons over the 4th of July and they were telling me the best time they Ever had with their grandparents in Florida was at the Fantasy of flight museum.we they met Kermit as he was walking through the museum and you took the time and Talk to them about different airplanes you have at the museum .they have watched every video you have on RU-vid..you are a very awesome guy Kermit I appreciate everything you're doing for the aviation history It's extremely important To preserve these beautiful aircraft's ..we hope to meet you soon .keep up the awesome work and fly safe

The sound of that plane is hauntingly "CLASSIC"!🤗

I have always been enthralled with the WW1 era. Just the sheer ingenuity.

Its great to see you saving so many historic planes and keep them in flying condition. Thank you👍🇺🇸

All the motor revolves with the prop, so there is a huge gyroscopic effect. If I remember rightly, such engines made the planes hard to turn left in flight, but they'd snap roll in a heartbeat to the right.

History right there... incredible that young men flew, fought and died in these aircraft 100 years ago. It’s great that your passion keeps their memory alive.

It truly is hard to believe that in less than 70 years, we went from this as cutting edge aviation tech to having a craft that could be launched into space, orbit the planet, re-enter the atmosphere and land.

Mr Weeks, you always amaze me with your flying versatility. One day your in a Martin Mars, and the next day your in a Sopwith Snipe...and you fly every plane like its the most natural thing ever. Your boundless talent and resources make you an entertainment dynamo! Many thanks.

Wow sent shivers down my spine seeing it in the air!

Watching that piece of history fly it blows my mind thinking they fought battles in these planes. Nicely done.

Beautiful flight...the sound if the engine is just great...good luck getting her ready for Oshkosh, wish I could be.

So glad that there are people around with enough money, enthusiasm and mechanical ability to keep these old museum pieces in flying condition.

What a nice jaunt around the field. Luckily none of the Circus or Archie about to ruin your fun. Next up some sausage busting and trench strafing? So good to see it in the air where that beautiful machine belongs. Saw an old interview with the late Mr. Sopwith. What an amazing pilot and designer and individual.

Never gets old, watching her fly . . .

Beast! Much harder to turn over than the old Tigermoth inline 4 lol. Dad and Mr, Dow flew 20- 50 ft off the deck straight across Lake Superior, the tiger was on floats lol and made the appearance at Oshkosh era 70's. thunder bay to OC. CF-FUG. Keep 'em flying!

Nice to see that plane out flying again. Re. the rudder, this particular model was built in the 'early' style to match the original number and pilot's paint scheme. Kermit's snipe might be the only one in this version, the later snipes built in NZ recently have the later style, larger rudder and stabiliser.

It's always reassuring seeing a mechanic there on startup eyeballing the engine for any potential problems before taking it up.

Wow no wonder those planes had issues with flipping over....that huge engine with all that weight spinning around has got to be throwing massive torque. Great job flying that beautiful plane !!

Such a beautiful old airplane. Well done for keeping it in the air.

Wonderful to see this aircraft in such beautiful restored condition and flying.

Love seeing old Sopwith’s in flight. Tom would be very proud of your work.

Giving that Blip switch a real workout, nicely done!

Those old rotary engines are great!!! Beautiful plane, keep 'em flying! Have fun at OSH !

Love the collection in the background, Connie and Catalina are among my favorite old girls, can't beat the big old radials, would love to get my hands on and get some experience helping

Man was I grinning watching that rotary engine fire up. Got a chuckle watching the crew hold her in place during the throttle up too. Thanks for these fun videos.

Super Connie in the background! Got to fly in one about 10 years ago. What an experience.

Thanks for all you do for aviation!

Grandpa always said, the hardest thing about flying the Sopwith was getting it started. The second hardest thing was getting it to turn left while taxiing.

Just found this channel and have a lot of cool videos to catch up on. I live in not very far from the EAA near Oshkosh and have been there many times. Was familiar with Mrs, Weeks but didn't know he had that extensive of a collection and museum. You are truly an aviation historian. The world is a better place with you in it sir. Thank you for sharing this with us on RU-vid.

As usual Kermit, outstanding stuff. That Sopwith is awesome. Those guys in New Zealand do some excellent work.

Always amazes me to see and hear a rotary. Beautiful!

I’ve watched this video several times since it was uploaded and it kicks ass every time!

and to think its a hundred years old is absolutely incredible

SO glad and appreciative of people like you saving and preserving our history, thank you👍 It is so important for the generations behind us to understand how we became to be where we are and where we are going.

7:35 'Turns great to the right!' had me LOL after all the effort it took to make the thing turn left.

Proper flying. Thanks for sharing. Use to love visiting Fantasy of Flight.

I watch alot of aviation videos and really appreciated the making of yours! And I also want to say good job to the pilot the flight crew and ESPECIALLY to the camera operator. Nice job on filming, you nailed it!

A nice thing to see. Always exciting when they haven't flown in a while.

Sounds like Kermit is bumping the mags just like a boss.. outstanding!

Wow. An astonishingly beautiful aircraft.

Many Thanks from the UK. Thank God SOMEONE is keeping British flying heritage alive. The UK certainly doesn't!

Very nice, thank you for keeping these old airplanes in the air where they belong. Hope to see you at Oshkosh.

Lived in central Florida for most my life, never knew what FOF was, driven by plenty of time on way to and grom St Pete. Now I want to visit.

Boy that Sopwith looks like it really puts the fun in flying!

What an absolutely beautiful aircraft.

Fantastic flight and love the sputter of the engine!

Amazing aircraft! Love and truly appreciate the work you guys are doing. On a side note... looks like it may be time to mow the runway.

The difference between the Snipe and the Pup in terms of Engine compression, trying to start it was incredible.

Nice to see the old girl flying with the 'spit and spray' sound of the rotary engine! Col, NZ.

A first for me - I'd heard of the Armstrong starter, but never seen a Double Armstrong starter! I was thinking exactly the same thoughts as Wilson Laidlaw below. Many thanks - wonderful aircraft, in first class condition!

Love these videos! Be safe, Kermit!

Awesome flying history ->...logging 5more hrs in the Snipe is a lot of flying time to do in 2/12 weeks .. God Speed Kermit and much respect!

Great video gentlemen!! I hope all goes well with the trip to Osh Kosh. I can't wait to come see the collection someday. Stay safe and God Bless. 👍👍👍

Amazing and scary at the same time. Kermit you can obviously fly anything ! Thank you.

Love seeing a Snipe that is painted and flying like William G. Barker's famous VC winning aircraft. I've seen the original airframe of E8102 in the Canadian War Museum.

What a treat for the folks around the airport!!!

I drove by during this flight. Cool stuff!

you guys rock! thank you very much for sharing this!

I was just looking at a fine example this aircraft at RAF Hendon museum. Great to see one in flight.

Great stuff and nice breakdown of the aircraft's idiosyncrasies!

Nice aircraft. One can only imagine the pressure of combat in these old aircraft!

Look forward to seeing it at Oshkosh!

just amazing! Thank you for sharing this video.

A beautiful plane, sounds awesome.

I could only imagine what young Air Cadets were going through in the 1916-18's learning this new fangled vehicles . Probably wrapped themselves around the Hangar the first week of flying

Very good, very beautiful, congratulations!!!

Superb, a wonderful restoration.

Similar to the Camel, but without the Camel's vices, the Snipe had tremendous P2W and resulting climb. Many consider it to have been the best allied pursuit of WWI to fly in #s. The Snipe was the RAF's first-line pursuit into the early 1920s.

Wish I could go to EAA. I’m only 1/2 hr South but I have to work. Love to see ya.

Very cool Kermit. Would have loved to have been their to see it! Some great history, there.

Man, they get close to that blade! Beautiful plane, really nice job.

Just awesome..Curmie!

Entertaining as always ! Many Thanks to you, for uploading these fantastic video,s !!!

That wooden propeller is beautiful!

I watched you with your p51 man what a lovely lady and look at this bad larry wow!

This airplane carries the markings of Canadian WW1 ace William Barker VC. He also flew the Sopwith Camel prior to the Snipe. Lovely video!

Very cool Kermit....grass looking long!

Amazing work. good job

I love that this vintage airplane is being started by people with smart phones in their pockets. Anachronistic juxtaposition at its best!

So wonderful!

I never knew the engine rotated on those things! Also that propeller is huge!

What a crazy little vert stab.

Sensational Job

Awesome video.

beautiful airplane...fantastic job

Wow... nice! Suprised to see the old Connie in the background.

Great video, guys. Congratulations to all those involved in the making of this video. 5*****

Cool to hear a rotary radial with a throttle. Still needed to blip the ignition to land.

I'm glad Fokkers were as easy to start! Awesome airplane, I'd love to passenger in something like that someday - but not around here. Airplane traffic superhighway overhead almost all the time!

You can tell, she wants to fly... sweet plane!

Beautiful and amazing

What a lovely old aeroplane that is

Kermit. I am really enjoying your channel for sure.

wow looking so modern even at the end of the war - amazing progress in four years of airplane design.

Un joli coups d' huile de coude pour démarrer le rototo! j' Adore le bruit du moteur Clerget et la bonne odeur d' huile de ricin! Merci pour cette splendide vidéo...

Love the prop

that engine sound fantastic vid

Still love your US Army Warrant Officer rank on your surplus flight suit! 👍🏼 Nice flying too Kermit!