Fantasy of Flight Adds to their Collection

Those lucky enough to be looking to the skies recently from Miami to Polk City may have spotted an amazing sight — a TBM “Avenger” World War II Torpedo Bomber — buzzing its way home to join part of the world’s largest private rare and vintage aircraft collection at Fantasy of Flight. Fantasy of Flight founder and creator Kermit Weeks piloted the nearly 70-year-old aircraft in a 75-minute flight at a speed of 165 knots from Miami, where it was being stored at Weeks’ former aircraft museum there. Wings Over Miami assumed the museum’s operation in July 2003.  The TBM plane was the last flyable piece of Week’s collection being stored there.

The TBM is the same model that President George H. W. Bush, Sr. flew and was shot down in while flying a mission over the Pacific Island of Chichi Jima in June 1943. During Bush’s Vice Presidential campaign, Weeks had the plane repainted in Bush’s colors and was asked to bring it to one of the Republican campaign stops. Upon seeing the old beauty that earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bush reportedly ran from his commercial jet to the TBM and promptly hopped into the cockpit. The late Paul Newman also flew in a TBM as a rear gunner.

Now that the TBM has joined the rest of the collection at Fantasy of Flight, it will most likely join the rotation of planes used for daily flight demonstrations. It will also be included in the attraction’s next “Open Cockpit Days,” June 20 and 21, 3 – 5 pm, in which guests get to climb aboard rare and historic aircraft and imagine what it was like to fly them — and of course, take advantage of an incredible photo opportunity.  Open Cockpit Days are an additional charge for regular admission ticket holders and complimentary for annual pass holders.  The TBM will be available with two other naval aircraft including the Grumman FM-2 Wildcat and the Corsair for the Open Cockpit Days that are part of Fantasy of Flight’s Father’s Day weekend. Other activities celebrating Dad during his special weekend include the Golden Age of Aviation R/C Fly-In, June 20 and 21, 10 am – 4 pm and a special Military Collectors Show, June 20, 9 am – 4 pm.   And from June 18 through 21, Dad enjoys complimentary admission with a full-price paid adult, senior or child’s admission.