Waco YMF-5 - Aircraft Acquisition - Part 1 

As I watch this I feel a few questions asked by Kermit are seemingly silly but then It hit maybe he asks some relatively simple questions so as to provide answers to the absolute beginner enthusiasts. Anyway, Kermit is a pier in the foundations of modern aviation. I don't normally speak this way but I just landed the spirit of Saint Louis in Microsoft Flight Simulator and was able to walk a way with only a nose bleed. Deserved pomp.

Im a visually impaired person and on the days my eyesight is better, its always exciting to see something I consider "art". This is one beautiful aircraft! Thanks for sharing!

Living the dream my friend! Love your videos and I went to fantasy of flight as a kid! Never stop flying your old birds around at Fantasy of Flight! it inspired me to become a pilot!

That's a beauty Kermit. I had a friend who worked with me on a Stearman for a while who used to work building Wacos, at the factory, after WWII. When he was in the war he told me of his time in the Philippines and working on seaplanes. He was getting on one once and dropped his whole tool box in the water, too deep to recover. Later he worked for Piper and was head of the experimental department for a while. He built many a fine project plane with perfection of workmanship you would admire. He passed away last year, but before he did we took him to the William T. Piper Museum at Lock Haven, PA, where a brick was dedicated to him and added to the wall near the entrance hall. Sylvester "K" Heller, R.I.P.

Nice Waco Kermit. My Dad taught aerobatics during WWII in a Waco UPF-7 for Mountain States Aviation, run by Harry Combs. Other instructors were Lou Clinton, Oxy Chanute and Eddie Melin. After the war, dad, Grant Robertson and Lou Clinton started Clinton Aviation selling Cessnas and was across the taxi way at Stapleton Airport from Combs Aviation selling Beechcraft. He taught me how to fly at Stapleton International in my early teens. Dad and Lou Clinton’s secretary was Emily Howell who became the first female Airline Captain. They ran a large flight school as well.

In my personal and quite humble opinion, the YMF-5 is among the most gorgeous airplanes ever. It may be as close as I ever get to preflighting one of my own. Thank you for sharing this with all of us.

Well, now that's just about as close to a WACO YMF as I am ever likely to get - thank you, Kermit!

" I don't believe in brakes" that one is going on my hangar wall !

My wife and I got to fly in that bird many years ago. Still have picture of us in front of N53WC. It was a blast!

Awesome thanks for sharing, can't wait for part 2

Wow! A WACO...AWESOME

Beautiful plane! Wow!

cant wait for part 2

Flew right seat in a Caravan, out of Sedona to the West Rim and back a couple years ago. Was wondering where this plane went.. now I know. Great new home.

For 7000 hours on the Hobbs she has aged gracefully. Nice purchase Kermit.

Arizona's low humidity and abundant sunshine helps preserve aircraft and automobiles. I saw this a few times over Flagstaff.

Radial engine sound and it looks like jewelry. Plus it just has it’s own stance on the field. Truly Lovely!

Congrats Kermit! You're going to love your YMF! I actually own serial #003 here in Kanab, UT where I hop rides. Our company is called Pioneer Aviation. Anyhow, my Waco was used for ride hopping in Hawaii for 7 years or so and then was owned by the late Ron Alexander there at Peachstate Aerodrome just south of Atlanta, GA. I bought it from Ron's estate after he passed and flew it cross country to our then home in northeast Nevada. I've been giving tourists rides in it for 2 and a half years now. Great airplane! Enjoy and thanks for sharing your experience with all of us!

Fun. Classy plane.

He don't need no stinkn airspeed indicator. Does touch and goes anyway. That's a real pilot.

Brilliant video. Keep em coming Kermit...all of us aeronuts need our fix of aviation videos while we are quarantined at home. Stay safe and best wishes, Graham, Essex, UK.

I got to tour the factory about '97. Hand built and beautiful work.

Beautiful

Good to see you still so active Kermit! I love your work.

Now that - is a beautiful looking aircraft. Along with the old saying, I'd expect it flies right too.

What a looker that plane is. And it sounds wonderful. Good catch, Kermit.

Cripes Kermie! The engine sound is musical Magic!

Excellent info on this aircraft!

Very beautiful Waco, looking forward to part 2. Thanks for sharing

She’s beautiful congratulations Kermit

Nice very cool 👍

Kermit , how cool. and thank you for taking us along with you. its such a great way to get out. I hope to make it to Fantasy of flight one day.

Congrats Kermit, a beautiful plane!

Beautiful plane!

That's a purdy airplane!!

My goodness what a beautiful airplane.

thanks for stream......shareing these flying dreams

Great video Kermit. Very informative. Looking forward to part 2. Thanks.

Ultimate social distancing machine that makes you smile, makes all it Flys over smile. Life is good, the meaning of life.

That is a sexy aeroplane!

What a beautiful bird!

2:58 - I've flown in both (helicopter and open-cockpit biplane). It would be a COLD day in Sedona (or Hell) when I would choose a helicopter ride over a ride in that Waco!

what an awesome airplane and acquisition. Kermit, you look really happy.

Gorgeous plane

What a fabulous video of a fabulous plane. Thankyou.

A beautiful airplane. It will be a proud acquisition to your collection no doubt.

What an absolute beauty!

Very well built beautiful plane.

LAST TIME MY WIFE AND I WHERE AT COTTON WOOD AIRPORT THEY WHERE REBUILDING A 1972 180 THAT HAD GROUND LOOPED. NOT PRITTY! THE JACOBS 275 WAS A TANK ENGINE SINGLE MAG. NOW COVERTED DUEL MAGS. THE TANK HAD THICKER CYLINDER WALLS. I GOT TIME IN MOSTLY THE SAME SETUP EXCEPT THE ONE I FLEY IN WAS A CONSTANT SPEED METAL PROP. WACO IS A WONDERFULL AIRCRAFT. RALPH MAY YOU HAVE BLUE SKYS AND ALLWAYS A TAIL WIND...R.I.P. ✌🇺🇸

I can say I’ve been up in that bird. Beautiful plane great ride!

What a neat little bird!

Wow Kermit shes beautiful,one of my favorite airplanes.....

Got to go up in a 1927 Travel Air bi plane. Tillamook Oregon. Like riding a motorcycle through the beautiful country side. Low and slow fantastic! We could have flown though the blimp hangers there but the back doors were shut. Give me a plane boss. I’ll buzz through their hangers! My Teresa is Julie Ann 37 years today. Anniversary. Jack screw on the Max 8 was in the news. M.C.A.S. was Boeing’s name for the computer override. She’s your ship. Pre flight her before every hop. Check list complete,, let’s run her up, clear for takeoff.

I remember that flying over Sedona years ago. Glad to see it found a new caretaker. Hopefully part 2 of this video is the trip home with it!

Love this colour scheme, very nice plane.

Kermit really like airplanes I've learned

Sedona is a great airport to hit for the views. Red rocks of Sedona excellent views. Thanks for another great video love your work and aircraft preservation!

Wow. Beautiful plane. Look forward to seeing more flight videos. ✈️😊👍

That takes me back well over 50 years, to Robertson Airfield in Plainville, CT, when I was a kid. There was a Waco there, the pride of the field. I believe one of my parents took a ride in it...

Only the coolest chap on the planet. When Kermit gets up in the morning, he pisses excellence!

What a gorgeous flying machine. Hope to see video of her in her element soon...

Awesome!

So cool, thank for sharing

What a beautiful little biplane!

Beautiful airplane. There was an identical one based at the now closed Kutztown, PA airport and I got my first open cockpit ride in it. Love these old round engine bi-planes.

Hello Kermit, a real dream flying, thanks for your video from Toulouse, France. Alan

It is beautiful plane, really beautiful 👍

What a gorgeous airplane! Very nice!

She is a beauty Kermit,a big round engine in a biplane painted red what more could a vintage aviator want ? looking forward to the next two parts and I just know this aeroplane is going to grow on you,wow 7,000 houred airframe she defies that in her looks with just a little natural patina,love the control surface hinge points with plenty of grease on them,she has a new home and will get a lot of TLC.

Looking at the WACO gives me that funny feeling like when you used to climb the rope in gym class or seeing Cindy Crawford in tank top and shorts

Man, I wish I could afford one of those at some point. Gorgeous airplane!

I remember attending an Air Show at Andrau Airport in Houston, Texas in the 90's. They had a WACO aircraft flying at this airshow and what really impressed me was how that Bi-Plane just BEAT UP the air as she flew by.

O my gosh this is so cool....Beautiful aeroplane....Kermit you are so lucky my friend...In the strange times it's always good to remember this don't touch your face......lt is easy....lf you got a drink of Jamaisaian Rum in each hand.....you can't touch your face....problem solved....Thanks so much...Truly...!

Waco...nice

What a beautiful Plane Looking forward to a Kermie Kam in in cockpit with your great explanations 0n the Plane controls and a flight too! Be safe!

good video

When I was 18 (1989) I worked for an FBO out of Lansing, MI called General Aviation. The owner also started/owned Waco Classic at the time. I spent many hours washing the new Waco's prior to delivery. Nice to see they are as beautiful as I remember. The brakes are no joke. I watched a new aircraft, with only 5 hours, flip on its back when the new owner was receiving instruction. Guess he was a little heavy on the brakes.

Congrats, Kermie that will make you a great gift for surviving the Corona Virus scare (ya gotta have some kind of excuse for adding to your collection). That is one beautiful air plane.

Nice addition there Kermit to the collection 👍😎

OHH Boy. Kermie you've gone WACO. IT'S ABOUT TIME 😁

Great addition. A beautiful airplane, looks like new. Remember whoever is driving the car back, maybe driving 80 mph, and beat ya home

Great video!

had the privlage to fly this baby back in 1998 :)

Coolest show ever. Wow....until pt2.

beautiful, 'nuff said

Enjoyed that. Ahh..new toys are awesome 👍🏼

What a beauty 🤩

Beautiful aeroplane 👍

I've been at FOF several times. Thanks for creating that. I do wish I could fly my Arrow there (I live in Gainesville). Sedona is wonderful and that airport location is spectacular! I think I saw that red Waco when I was at that airport a few yeas ago. Best and fly safe!

Lovely aircraft. I had the pleasure of a ride in one, an original, a few years ago, an airline pilot would take summers off and offer rides from a local airport here in NH. It was great going up and seeing things I'd only seen from the ground. They are very sturdily built but get blown around like a leaf in eddying winds when landing.

Great preflight video, thanks for bringing us along Kermit felt like we were cocooned in your shirt pocket as if we were a fountain pen!

Looks like a lot of fun! Tip: we don't say "centigrade" because that doesn't exist since last millennium, we say "celsius" ;-)

Getting a feeling of deja vu from last night! Great looking aircraft and I sense the seller was a little sad to see it go. Looking forward to seeing part 2.

I flew one out of Hilo, HI doing volcano tours and put a thousand hours on it. It's a very gentle aircraft to fly, kinda like driving a 56 Buick.

Glad to see your safe

Best of luck with the new acquisition I wish they flew as well as a Taperwing

Bealtiful airplane

I flew air tours to the Volcano here on the Big Island in one of these back in the late '90's. It had the mag/battery ignition rather than the dual mags like this Waco. Before I was hired the wood prop departed the airplane when another pilot was flying a tour one day-forced landing in the rough lava (not molten) near the eruption, no injuries, airplane destroyed. I had a tough time starting the replacement airplane one day (probably due to bad plugs) and decided to use both ignition systems to start. This procedure was verboten because the engine could run in reverse on the battery ignition if the prop bounced back on compression, and that's exactly what happened. But I eventually managed to get it started, and flew the tour. After a day of flying, I noticed that the wood prop was cracked with a split all the way through the blade. I much later realized that this crack was probably due to the extreme torque the sudden reversal of the engine during the start exerted on the prop mounting bolts and laminated maple prop. The "chief pilot" (I use the term loosely) insisted that I continue to fly tours the next day with the cracked maple prop. I declined, and he decided to fly it himself back to the other side of the island where the prop was changed. This was the same pilot who had a few years earlier experienced the prop departure incident. I now knew the probable cause of the prop failure he experienced. So, if you have the 755 Jacobs with mag/battery ignition and the maple prop, there is a good reason why starting on "both" is not an option you should ever consider.

I worked on that plane a bit right after he started selling rides, I used to take care of a SNJ in Sedona

She's a beauty!