"GET EM FLYING!" - P-51A & P-40E Project Visit - Cal Pacific Airmotive

OK, Gang, here’s a great visit with Lori Atkinson at Cal Pacific Airmotive in Salinas, California, discussing two projects I hadn’t seen in a while that had been put on hold.
Check out the North American P-51A and a Curtiss P-40E that are now being worked on again!
Kermit Weeks
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Kermit Weeks

[@P51]

WOW that lady knows her stuff! Good good goood!

[@motormech1h343]

Yep smart

[@jamesburns2232]

It's amazing to me how she can keep track of all the times Kermit changes his mind about what he really wants. 🙄😏🤨😊

[@P51]

@@jamesburns2232 that woman it top-notch! you're right, it was so frustrating to watch him vacillate on the -51. i'm greatful he puts these videos out as it's unobtainable elsewhere

[@walt8089]

So impressive Lorrie’s company has patterns to completely build a brand new P-51 from scratch. Her knowledge is equally so impressive. Her Dad did very well with her over the years that he was alive ! P-51’s have a special place in my heart my Dad was in our ANG Unit in the early to mid 50’s, the 167th FG WVANG. As a kid he used to take my brother and I to the Unit and we would watch them taxi out and come back after training flights. Our Unit was the very last to fly the Mustang and the last official flight was in January 1957 when they were retired from the inventory.

[@JoshJackson2947]

The air port in the town I live in was built during WW2 to train pilots.chuck Yeager did some training there.. the street it’s located on is named chuck Yeager way.. he named one of his planes after his first wife who went to the high school I went to given its 60 years apart. But cool history my grandpa served during WW2 so as a kid I would be fascinated. During Veterans Day parade one year they flew a P51 over never to this day have I heard a plane that sounds like it.. awesome this company can still build some of the older planes.. wonder who makes the engines?.

[@user-nr3ss5hk9s]

That lady is a real superstar Also notice that the area is kept organized and immaculate

[@happyhome41]

Ms. Atkinson shows so well - so bright, so intelligent, so knowledgeable, so engaged. What a great face for the industry, and so glad Kermit you have the resources and drive to cause this beauty to issue forth. THANK YOU

[@olsonspeed]

So great to see that there are still craftsmen and women capable of rebuilding and fabricating replacement parts for warbirds.

[@johncaldwell-wq1hp]

MAN !!!-I could listen to Lori talk about Aeroplanes for hours,--she is a Gem !!

[@EverydayProjects]

Lori knows her stuff and you should be paying her EXTRA!!! They are a great team and know what they are doing so well. The attention to detail in everything is second to none! The storage detail with everything meticulously placed and covered and catalogued is simply amazing. Again, Pay them more than they ask!!!!

[@sacooper802]

since i live so close to Lorrie Im going there and totally compliment her, she deserves some praise that most humans dont receive.

[@davidsandberg7631]

This Lady knows her business. Thankful for people who are able to restore History... and the People like Kermit who keep History alive...

[@shawndinterman2219]

I guarantee her father was, Is, and will always be very proud of her. The amount of knowledge and professionalism she has is absurd.

[@stephenhill560]

Lorrie’s knowledge of the P51 is incredible

[@JamesBond-xq3tw]

She is priceless ,the staff ,are priceless . Amazing ,thanks for sharing

[@ianmckay1780]

Lori is incredible. Her knowledge of the P51 's is vast and more importantly she has the staff behind her to build whatever version/variant . That is wonderful to see. Thanks Kermit for allowing us to go with you on this trip. I'm form the UK and we have some of the best people who restore warbirds in the world, as you know , soo to hear the other side of the coin from a US perspective is very interesting. Thanks again and best of luck in your ventures.

[@NesconProductions]

Thing that struck me when Kermit walked into was how clean and orderly Cal Pacific Airmotive was 😳! One can tell (especially seeing the exposed underbelly of the one aircraft) this company does top notch work! Kermit is a stickler for detail & authenticity in aircraft restoration so can see why he appreciates the work being there. Those huge laser printers creating parts from plans was amazing! Can see a ever growing need for such technology to keep 'ancient' aircraft flying when original parts are unavailable (or no longer in existence anywhere). Easy to see also that Ms. Atkinson has been immersed in aviation her entire life via. her father. Nice to hear her commentary on the long years of service of her employee's. Love the P-40E (a bit underrated) which was an extremely important aircraft especially early in the war when it was the best land based fighter the USAAF had available. The P-51A is ultra-rare and will be super sweet to see that aircraft together (& hopefully airworthy) again as well! Interesting most P-51A's were armed with 4 .50 cal. in the wings. Understand why Kermit wanted to go with the (rare & gaudy) 4 20mm cannons in the wings option 😚(Kermit including camera another nice touch of authenticity - primary to role of this early recon. fighter). Curious if the cannons protruding so far out in front of the leading edge of the wing creates any stability issues 🤔? Thanks as always Kermit for taking us along..! PS - Know one of the reason US opted for machine guns were reliability is issues with the (early war) cannons caused frequent jamming (shouldn't be a problem for Kermit 😁). As the war progressed such problems were largely resolved and why became more common on later war fighter / bomber aircraft.

[@elmertudball7671]

That shop and storage area is the tidiest I have ever seen!

[@bsdh01]

What an incredible operation they have. World class knowledge and skill beyond measure. Wow wow wow!

[@cptairwolf]

It looks like her Dad kept the company in great hands! She's so knowleable. Impressive

[@douglasstreet7304]

KERMIT, I forbid you from dying ! GOT IT ?

[@potrzebieneuman4702]

What magic work these people do keeping these old birds flying and the lady in charge, man does she know her stuff !.

[@mikepocock575]

What a cracking video,this is the stuff you don,t normally get to see. Ive been following the restoration of LANCASTER NX 611 here in the UK for the last 6 years but been going to East Kirkby for over 30 years and played my small part in getting the Mosquito HJ 711 to this airfield.Keep up the great work guys,you really are doing a wonderful job. Thankyou for this video.

[@guitarTennisCarHomeFixFlying]

Incredible lady with her Dads knowledge, must have grown up in the business, sounds like she has been involved in 100's of restorations

[@jjsgarage3634]

Your emotions went sky high, when you seen The “Snoopers” photos with that unknown pilot hanging on those 20mm cannons. I think the decision is made! And Lorrie and the team are so educated and confident on what they have learned from her father. And a production quality that’s “bar none”!

[@patrickibex]

What a great Company Cal Pacific Airmotive is, Thanks for sharing the insight with us.

[@stevemadak6255]

Awesome shop! People moving and working. Two guys working on some gear doors at the same time! The freakin CNC actually making parts when you showed up! Noise. Refreshing to see a well run shop taking care of business. Its like if you had many Ken Kellets from the J-1 project working in the same shop! Lori is cool. Runs that shop like a ship. Knew you were coming and was prepared. Great video

[@JamesBond-xq3tw]

Kermit ,priceless ,he's paying .£££££ Keeping our aviation history alive

[@PATRIK67KALLBACK]

Super nice tour at Lori's establishment. How organized everything was.

[@Airsally]

Her pops taught her well. Great to see these companies still up and running. And making new parts.

[@chriswilson8757]

Hi Kermit , another excellent resurrection of Warbirds from another timeline ! Thank you for your ongoing Dedication to Maintaining as many as possible in Flying Condition. The beautiful work inside the Wing and other Assemblies is a " Work of Art " Designed to go to War when Required ! Looking Forward to many more years of Peace so you and your Teams can complete some more of the Resurrection of Historical Planes ,Civilian and War Time ,your attention to Correct Details is simply Amazing ! Once again Thank You for your Dedication and to those that Work Around you and other Dedicated Masters of their " Trade " Your Achievements that will go on for a Very Long Time "

[@pakkelly]

Very impressive shop. Thanks for taking us along.

[@richtaylor2129]

Wow!! Lorrie has an amazing work shop!! Looking forward to seeing the updates on these 2 warbirds!!

[@bobbysnow5478]

Great work… nothing like building a P51 from a data plate! God Bless America!

[@stevewesley8187]

Like Grandpa's axe - replaced the handle twice and the blade once but it's still his original axe ...........

[@andrewwaller5913]

You require a bit more than a data plate.

[@ChickenNugget-dk9hp]

@@andrewwaller5913 In America you can rebuild from paperwork with no remaining original material

[@subukai]

That is a super clean restoration and manufacturing company. I like to see there is a demand for keeping these wonderful aircraft running. I have visited Fantasy of Flight if I recall 5 times and even visited the Air Museum in Miami. So sad about that location. I have not been to Fantasy of Flight in a while but the last time you were there, and I volunteered to try the hydraulic helicopter simulator. That was fun trying to learn a helicopter from scratch that was an experience. Thanks for the video.

[@gregsutton2400]

what an episode. Lady is amazing.

[@clintstephens7287]

Didn't know there was a P-51 before the P-51A. Interesting stuff. Would love to see someone build the NA-73X.

[@ferociousfrankie]

Massive kudos to this lady running the business as well as she is. Also that shop is clean!

[@user-jd7md1mx2u]

Hi Kermit, we are all mortal and in your lifetime you have to get on with the restorations to complete them. Yes you are saving these planes for the future and I guess, much of the enjoyment for you is the project, as it would be for me. If I had the resource I would set a timeline. Would love to hear what that is. Having the cannons would ace the restoration. Great to see Lori and her knowledge. What a dream workshop.

[@v12dot]

I always find it mind numbing how they managed to churn these out back in the day ! Stunning marvels of engineering ❤️

[@Pauls-World]

Hey Mr Weeks, thanks for the video. You’re the best!

[@ricksmith4736]

What an amazing shop.. One of the best tours ever..

[@cyclingbutterbean]

I sure hope there are some young apprentice type guys working there. This is ALL old school hand down the knowledge type stuff going on here. No new guys , it dies when they do. My understanding of the industry is everything on the Mustangs can be remanufactured new from patterns , prints, etc , except the gear leg castings and of course the engines. This is some VERY cool stuff going on here. Keep them flying! I wonder how many of the employees have actually gotten a ride in a warbird? Obviously Kermit has a lot of resources for his various projects. I for would like to commend him for using those resources to preserve these aircraft.

[@Grossman2868]

Man, what I wouldn't have done when I was younger to have a chance to work in a place like this!!

[@sacooper802]

wow that gal knows her stuff...impressive and I live ten minutes from there to boot, never knew that place exist, how cool.

[@1boortzfan]

Lorrie, the P-51 goddess.

[@dank3998]

Very impressive outfit and Lori very knowageable.

[@simonpayne8252]

Very cool.. I'm just happy that Tempest V is underway

[@jeffspicolli593]

This young ladies knowlege is incredible.

[@busterdee8228]

Early 51s are the sleekest. I can't wait to hear how it performs for Kermit. As I understand, it had the best control harmony and stability.

[@user-og9hd2sj8z]

Thanks for the video Kermit. I happen to catch it on your facebook channel earlier. Super video. Great aircraft, both of them. Beautiful shop and very clean. The lady in charge is knowledgeable and knows the aircraft restoration business. Hopefully you will have both projects finished soon. Thanks for sharing your visit Kermit. Retired Air Force veteran.

[@thunderbolt513]

Kermit's passion for aviation is contagious. Specifically because of the way he presents us these videos. I'm an aviation fanatic (almost) since I know myself. Would I be a little bit younger, and I would go to the States and try to be hired by Kermit to work on Fantasy of flight beautiful projects of restauration.

[@ra3ta]

She's amazing!!!!

[@amcam124]

"Restarting the projects" AKA writing another big check!!! Awesome

[@sblack48]

Incredibly well organized facility. I noted the pile of golden wrench awards on the wall on the way in.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thanks Kermit..... Shoe🇺🇸

[@Zoeyqd]

Awsome sharing all that knowledge Thanks Kermit and associates 👍🏼👍🏼😎😎😻😻

[@coopersrace7277]

Kermit, you just have to go with the cannons. It looks awesome and the story needs to be there visually for the next generation.

[@busterdee8228]

A very sharp lady. Good knowledge. Good organizational skills. Good people skills.

[@lorenzodunn3226]

Excellent film footage and sound. Perfect commentary. Lorrie knows her stuff.

[@jeffreynolds4458]

Her knowledge is outstanding.

[@SteamerEdge]

Very very Impressive company. This lady has an amazing encyclopaedic knowledge of all Mustang models, restoring thereof and history. Thanks cheers Paul

[@goratgo1970]

IDK just me, but think two different builds: Museum - focus all original as possible. Flying - focus original appearance, safest systems

[@vmoney9106]

Kermit, you know what's ever more rare than a canon armed P51? A Ki-61! Great video, keep em flying

[@dyer2cycle]

Yep, I'm 58 now, been waiting to see one of those brought to airworthy since I was a teenager!...will it ever happen?..there are 2 or 3 airframes, Kermit has one of them...hmmm..anyone have a spare airworthy DB-601 or 605 sitting around anywhere?....

[@futuregenerationz]

So this is all happening right there off rt 4. That is awesome to know. You're not that far from me. Hell, you might even fly by Page field and show one of these restored gems off.

[@buttole]

that is an amazing facility

[@amcam124]

Amazing how well all the videography is while still walking and talking......What a pro Mr Weeks

[@petergriggs7646]

My vote is for the two cannons version. Have a good weekend.

[@bobhamilton298]

Wow, what an operation. Love the way they can rotate the aircraft to work on it. Has to make it way easier to install wire and hydraulics. And truly amazing how more easily they fabricate parts and how they organize a build. Saw how they did it at the Kissimmee airport decades ago and it was painfully slow going. BTW, I have that same Harbor Freight (US General) rolling toolbox. Mine is well over 25 years old and still works perfectly. 🙂

[@math4U1234]

Oh man. The throttle quadrant at 27:56 caught my eye. I would love to hook that to my flight sim.

[@dieterkutz9756]

Holy cow, the knowledge in this video is amazing!!

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

This is interesting and enjoyable television. 🌏🛩️

[@robh4671]

amazing knowledge by this lady, she really knows her stuff.

[@sleepingdogs8939]

A great video Kermit! The cannon version of the P-51 is really interesting.

[@roberts1938]

However, when I watch this film now, with what care and precision the planes are almost by restored to factory condition, I am incredibly impressed. Applause for this lady, for whom it is clearly visible that airplanes are not only a job but also a passion. In 2012, Pole Jakub Perka found and photographed a P-40 Kittyhawk - Curtis H87A plane in the Egyptian desert. A time capsule with many pieces of equipment preserved. This aircraft was piloted by 24-year-old Sergeant Dennis Copping. On June 28, 1942, he took off in a plane previously damaged by enemy anti-aircraft artillery for a short flight to a repair base and disappeared. The British authorities tried to recover the plane in 2015 and offered the Egyptian authorities a Spitfire plane as an exchange. Unfortunately, the Spitfire was lost in transit and the P-40 underwent a terrible "restoration" and ended up in the El-Alamein military museum, located 105 km southwest of Alexandria. "They should be shot for that renovation", anyone with weak nerves should not look at photos of Kittyhawk after the Egyptian "renovation".

[@johncaldwell-wq1hp]

Ive seen that,-a bloody disgrace-!!-it looks like something from a "luna-park"-ride !!--I wish it had never been found !!

[@roberts1938]

@@johncaldwell-wq1hp Exactly, the plastic Airfix models look much better.

[@danshobbies123]

Thanks so much for sharing these updates on your projects Kermit!

[@tedstriker754]

I remember the P-40 when it was at Tamiami in the 70s, before the museum was built there. I didn't know you had that mishap with it later. The hydraulics blowing up like that sounds like a freak incident. Old lines no doubt.

[@DblIre]

The XP-51 shown is at the EAA Museum in Oshkosh WI.

[@chairrider2462]

Wow. That was super interesting! Hew knowledge is very impressive! Thanks for sharing this sir!

[@RickBaconsAdventures]

damn that is a clean and organized shop

[@LooseGravel14]

Good for Kermit, it must take a dump truck load of money to do one of those restorations.

[@timgelder4263]

Very impressive shop and manager!

[@user-gl5kj1fm5x]

kermit is a global aviation history treasure

[@faustobaptista8555]

This lady knows all meaningfull things about planes

[@Grossman2868]

According to Roger Freeman, the British originally ordered 329 NA-73's (P51's) at a cost of $40,000 per airplane.

[@darrenhawken9766]

Fantastic projects, decisions, to work out 🤔.What a lovely lady to deal with , thanks for sharing 👍💨💨

[@lornecunningham326]

You have a great life Kermit, would love being in about all those places. So thanks for taking us along 🫶

[@SearTrip]

On the cannon-armed Mustang, I think your best bet for a data plate would be someone in the UK. Of the 150 P-51s built, 90-something of them went to the RAF as Mustang Mk.IA, so someone there may have sourced a data plate from a crash site.

[@shawndinterman2219]

This lady is good good good at her job lol

[@stay_at_home_astronaut]

I remember the day that the P-40's gear wouldn't come down, at New Tamiami Airport.

[@nethanelmasters5170]

My vote would before a P51A because they are so rare i have only heard of one still flying. Do the A version then you will have the A, C, and D models

[@jumpinjack1]

Who would have thought P51 parts being cnc'd now in this year of 2024! What a great tribute to the engineering guys at North American back in the 40's for coming up with such a wonderful design that people are still copying their ideas. True legends still living through their work.

[@stevem7868-y4l]

The ladies knowledge of P40 and P51's is VERY good, but it must be part of her, and thats cool

[@willythewave]

This is fascinating stuff. That woman is sharp as a tack!

[@natewilson234]

Awesome video

[@chrissakal532]

My suggestion for a lead on an early P-51 would be Alaska. I was thinking at work today and I remember that many years ago there was a guy named 'Moon' Spillers and he restored an early Mustang (P-51A?) to flying condition, and he had recovered it from Alaska. For a while it was flying with the name, 'Polar Bear'. I don't know if it's still flying but I remembered that and thought I'd put it out there.

[@dougscott8161]

Wow, Kermit, Lori seems to know as much about the P-51 Mustang as you do. I would definitely go with the cannons, I don't think there were very many built with that option, but that would sure make it a real killer. Thanks for the update, God Bless and stay safe.❤

[@Wichelroede]

Whatever you are blessed with to do in your life, please get us a Running Napier Sabre engine.

[@mikemulligan5731]

Because no Limey will..

[@Atomikoira]

I really like the idea about a brand new P-51 A with those cannons.

[@stevenhicks8625]

A whole lot of dancing going on, no one talking about the elephant in the room. What an awesome place ! Imagine going to work there everyday.

[@mrtitanium427]

amazing

[@dr.wilfriedhitzler1885]

Thats a good video. Outstanding craftsmanship.

[@coltons4436]

I love these update videos especially when you say let’s get it done !!

[@darkredvan]

What a great video! I love how you show your different projects at the right shop for that project. A very tidy and clean shop this is. I hope you will be able to source a second P-51 project to get 2 going. Lots going on at FOF!