North American P-51C Mustang - Part 2 - Kermie Cam

You Are There! We've posted a couple of Kermie Cam videos with planes from the early days of flight, thought it would be nice to jump ahead in time and fly something from the WWII period. Step into the cockpit of a P-51C Mustang with me and go over the pre-flight check list. Get a first hand glimpse of what it is like to sit at the controls of this magnificent machine, and prepare to fly it. In parts one and two, you'll see my pre-flight preparation. Then in part three, we'll take to the skies. - Kermit Weeks (20120928)
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[@jlonginotti1]

I dont know why but I really like watching his checking of every setting and instrument over and over. Love the thoroughness.

[@phineascampbell3103]

Me too! I like the idea of running a machine that requires a fair bit of involved management of all the settings and engine controls, for some reason! I know a part of it comes from playing Indiana Jones as a boy, flying the biplane in that, needing to adjust all the correct dials and switches. But that's no explanation of why it intrigues me as the appeal pre-dates playing that. Anyway, regardless of why, I have the same fascination with it as you!

[@cjgrant1906]

My Grandfather was a Tuskegee Airmen! I so proud to know that you flew a P-51C with the tale painted red!

[@skipanderson798]

It's "Airman". it's "tail". I so proud to no that your grandfather isn't around to see his grandson laying the language to waste.....

[@cjgrant1906]

It's "KNOW"... I'm so glad to know that you can correct me on my obvious mistakes. And, go out and make your own! Thank you. And by the way my grandfather was very proud of me. He told me before he die in 2011! And by the way... it is Tuskegee A-I-R-M-E-N...with and "E". Even in the singular. Have a great day!

[@skipanderson798]

Chris - you are such a disadvantaged individual. I am aware of the Tuskeegee Airmen and all their accomplishments. I appreciate your grandfather. A single servicemember of ANY service group would be referred to in the singular. As to “no” versus “ know”. Well, Rastus, you tell me - I ‘no’ the difference. Don’t be a moron.

[@cjgrant1906]

Look! All I was trying to do...was share with you my ties to that great part of history. Not quibble with someone who honors it. The disadvantage is to the both of us...for having this type of discussion! So, I'll just, leave you with this. Thank you for honoring what my grandfather and other great black men who served with the "Fighting" 99th Squadron. Much respect!.

[@bruceb3786]

OMG !! You Lucky Dog !!! I'll bet you heard some GREAT stories !!!! I worked with two contractors in the 1970s who flew P-51s in WW2 !!! They still flew Bonanzas like that in the '70s !! Fabulous. One of them owned a yellow Stearman, which I got to fly!!

[@t0ddbr0wn731]

God Bless you Brother, I'm a 41 yr old Navy man who's father served in WW2 and I honor and respect all of our service men and woman who have provided Americans with our freedom and all the opportunities that we have! This video put me in the pilot seat of the best fighter of the war and I love it! God Bless you again and our America!

[@elli003]

Love the era of single dedicated switches and analogue instrumentation.

[@henrymeyer791]

But why? What's the advantage?

[@klontz3572]

@@henrymeyer791 it's just cooler. he never said there was an advantage.

[@darthflash6994]

@@henrymeyer791 it requires more focus and bonds the pilot to the aircraft

[@DurianTTT]

@@henrymeyer791 Unlike touch screens, you can build up your muscle memories on physical buttons or levers that you can engage them without losing your line of sight, thus less likely to get killed due to lowered situational awareness. Also buttons are generally more reliable in field conditions, parts can be easily manufactured.

[@rayyannavilafreda325]

@@henrymeyer791 yes it is more completed but at least when your pane electricity went out,you can still see all the gauges,and then you can build a bond between you and the plane

[@Ferreal92]

Pilot: "OK, she's ready for takeoff, sir!" Captain: "The war ended last week."

[@fluffyfirehydrant]

still faster than starting up a hornet

[@brianperry]

No pilot in his/her right mind jumps into the cockpit, fires her up and fly's off.....Well, maybe WW2 when the pilot had an army of mechanics/ground crew to look after the aircraft..

[@glennthompson9133]

I suspect during the war there was a fair amount of coordination and teamwork between the pilot and the ground crew assigned to the aircraft. Alert status aircraft were probably kept preflighted and prepared for immediate start up by the ground crew. When alert occurred the pilot probably jumped in, strapped in, did a flight control check to ensure everything was moving properly, and started it up. Check list through the instruments and indicators and then rolled out.. Trust that your ground crew did their jobs, but that is war time.

[@HydroSnips]

Different routine of course but in the WW2 RAF if a pilot was on standby waiting to be scrambled they would preflight as soon as they arrived at Dispersal when they came on duty first thing. Do the walk around, inspect the aircraft, preflight in the cockpit etc and leave it so you could just jump in, crank up and go with minimal cockpit actions needed.

[@Triumphs1962]

I cant imagine going through all that when you get a call to scramble and get up in a few minutes

[@thecluckingassassin]

For scrambles it was shorter checks on everything.

[@elimarshbank5704]

These are my favorite airplane of all time. Hope to own one someday.

[@JoseAntonio-pb7nd]

Amazon has them on sale right.

[@twistedyogert]

They're probably expensive as heck. There aren't many in flying condition considering that most probably ended up in museums.

[@7775Kevin]

Nice fantasy. Not very likely and the maintenance costs would be phenomenal.

[@wildsmiley]

They run you about $2 Million and above.

[@aidanschmidt607]

@@twistedyogert theres a few for sale i literally just looked at. all of them about 2.2 mil

[@MichaelCarrPilot]

I appreciate the thoroughness of your before takeoff checks. There is A LOT going on in that cockpit!

[@MyFabian94]

Well, to be honest and Speak in Combat Aircraft turns, there shouldn't be. Too many Buttons and Levers are no good in the quick lived world of Air Warfare. The Instruments are laid out confusingly and there just are too many unimportant ones in Center Positions. Take a Bf109 Cockpit for Example s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/4a/bb/a6/4abba6653292550218552b8090a93736.jpg Here the Instruments are laid out in an Important Center Sixpack which also sits in a Position where it is very easy to read the Instuments with your Peripheral Vision. There is one Lever for the Engine, the Throttle, and everything else is Controlled by the Mechanical Engine Computer "Kommandogerät". Same for the Fw190. The Fw190 had the closest thing to a modern Fighter Jet Cockpit in WWII. A Fighter Cockpit should be clean and simple to be effective. Any unncecessary increase in Workload is Negative. The 109 for example doesn't have a tradiitional Switch Panel but Pushbuttons on the Side of the Cockpit which operated Gen, Lights, Pitot and much further back the Avionics Switch, it's all in unique Positions and you don't turn your Lights on by Accident when trying to Arm your Bombs or Guns (which happened frequently American Aircraft). The German Experte Franz Stigler also flew the Mustang Post War and he found the Cockpit Comfortable but unsuited for a Combat Aircraft with Controls quite far away from the Pilots where they would be diffcult to reach in High G manouvers. Geez, and they say we Over Engineered.

[@JamesJesseGTA]

@MyFabian94 I am curious. Was the Bf109 instrument panel the basis for the "T" layout of the instruments we have today? It looks so familiar despite never being near a Bf109 myself.

[@howarethingsindenver]

The legend says that he is still checking stuff

[@Semparo]

Preflight is such a bitch, but a necessary one!

[@bdelz]

Should invest the time to find/create a checklist.... and use it. Much more efficient than repeating a flow time after time.

[@michaelbenjmitchell1]

@@bdelz Checklists are the CC's job. Pre-Flights are necessary as something might crop up almost instantly.

[@kansasjayhawk8386]

@@bdelzI was thinking the same thing. And I absolutely agree with you.

[@kansasjayhawk8386]

Not to be a dick or anything, but if you know aviation, you would know this is routine and absolutely necessary.

[@geovannyavelar]

The sound of this engine is incredible. Amazing aircraft.

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

I like the way you keep double checking everything.

[@theplayerslife6741]

Oxxnarr D'flame true

[@theplayerslife6741]

Oxxnarr D'flame i mean same

[@SgtBooker44]

“In God we trust, all other things we double check”

[@richardhowe2386]

I guess if you have a problem in the air it's not like a problem on the freeway in your car where you can just pull over and call AAA..just sayin

[@nomanslife]

I would fly with this pilot anytime. Solid checks, solid preflight, conscious about the fact, he hasn't flown the bird for a few weeks. Perfect. And the plane...justy a shiny beauty

[@sendink9140]

That is a beautiful aircraft. Very interesting. The P51 is by far my favorite. Lots of polished aluminum. Absolutely awesome airframe restoration.

[@SHADOWBLACKs650]

Those guys during the war jumped in and had them in the air in a matter of minutes.... I have so much more respect for those guys now.... They had a giant pair of balls for sure.

[@WeddingVegetables]

They were brave. They also had an accident rate that was horrific.

[@chadcoady9025]

They also had mechanics who did the pre-flight for them and had the planes ready ahead of time.

[@ali_raza_khan]

They had them ready ahead of time during wars. These basic tests are necessary to make sure they stay in air and not in group

[@tylermoore1769]

Yes they barely had room in the cockpit for their nuts. But also they had entire teams of mechanics and A&Ps who maintained and checked the planes on a constant basis

[@oktober_games]

I'm here learning how start the engine and the steps to do well in DCS flight simulator. Thanks Kermit. Luxury teacher!

[@AEFic]

Thanks for giving us a ride, there's basically no chance I'll EVER get to fly one!

[@Sceptre476]

If you are interested, the propeller looks like its moving slow when he starts moving because it is spinning at the same rate as the FPS of the camera.

[@bleakbody6610]

hallex yeah it’s moving too fast for the camera to capture the real speed because the camera only record in 60 fos

[@1joshjosh1]

hallex thank you very much for explaining that makes complete sense and I've been wondering that since I was like 5 years old and now I'm 40

[@p.melvinshyturtle3722]

It's because it's spinning at some multiple of the frame rate. 30 frames per second nominally. So, could be spinning at 30 rpm, 60 rpm, etc., to cause that strobe effect.

[@budharriss1416]

Sure glad you cleared that up! I was sure it would go faster some time before flight! You can tell I've never flown a plane.

[@ront4782]

Wrong! It's not FPS. It is a rolling shutter CMOS sensor doing this.

[@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785]

I love how the frame rate of the video is almost perfectly synced with the propeller rpm, giving the illusion that it is barely moving-if at all! Gawd, this video and the others really make me wish i could jump in & fly one of these!

[@klaramentin6216]

Beautiful American airplane with a beautiful British Merlin engine !

[@bramire1]

Thanks!! My dad worked on these plan during WWII. It was great to see one from the inside and how they work. Thanks for the tour.

[@MilesCobbett]

My dad was in the RAF and was a Spitfire mechanic.

[@bramire1]

@@MilesCobbett Cool. Our dads help the fight against great evil. i miss him. He was my best man at my wedding. Always said..if I could be 1/2 of him...I'd do fine.

[@av8tore71]

Yeah checklists are a wonderful thing

[@dogsbyfire]

I love the gestures to the instruments you’re checking. Thanks!

[@evanshumard4986]

What a beautiful plane. I would absolutely LOVE to learn how to fly just for this aircraft!!! P-51s are probably the most sleek and attractive of all our American aircraft during WW2

[@boxcarwillie3560]

Nice videos, my father trained young pilots in the mosquitos and then the P-51 . This was down in Corpus Christi during the later part of WW2. He would speak respectfully of the raw power of this magnificent plane!

[@45631063]

Hello video very well explained super detailed! Congratulations on all this information about the North American P-51C Mustang! Than you very much!

[@Alexi7666]

Pilots always check everything twice, then one more time just to be sure. The pilots that don't are the ones who crash.

[@ILSRWY4]

The pilots who do also crash.... nobody's perfect.

[@SuperDriver48]

Alexi7666 always!

[@Michael-4]

Check once properly.

[@fakename287]

And then check two more times, also properly, just in case :)

[@IanLanc]

ILSRWY4: He's watched the film Memphis Belle too many times.....

[@lawrencemaxwell6536]

wow ..... such a wonderful look at the pilots view in the cockpit of a p51 mustang......nice checklist run thru.....what a beautiful plane you have there......wow gives me chills.....thanks so much...... taking off and landing fresh green grass......and flying ohhhh

[@MrNytrosdad]

I am not a pilot, but before I go to bed at night... after a few prayers, I often think about flying a beautiful plane like this one. Thank you for posting this, I know now how to do this.... In my dreams...:)

[@casspurrwaspurr4716]

it amazes me to see how much switches there is and everything a pilot has to remember. I've always wanted to fly an aircraft but I don't have the memory for that.

[@stratoleft]

Yes you do. It's just a matter of constantly seeing it. I look at the Boeing 737 panel, for example and it looks relatively simple to me. The problem I have is with Honeywell or Bendix, or whatever FMC. I just haven't taken the time to go through it since I won't fly or anything to go through the flight plane programming, et. al. That's also true with the main screen, for example, of F/A-18, or something like that. Also, there are a bunch of fuses and the like on civilian aircraft that you can't do much about once you're in the air, right? The first thing you do is just look at the primary gauges of your basic panel. You can actually build one yourself and people actually do that! Don't forget that a lot of those "confusing" switches are nothing but nav lights, strobe lts. beacon, etc..

[@ziggy979]

Super first person experience. I feel the engine vibrating in my bones and jaw and head. What an intense experience to commandeer beauty and beast all in one magnificent package.

[@PNolandS]

Can we all just agree that the P-51 Mustang is still the most beautiful fighter aircraft ever built?

[@skeletonjam]

no

[@skipanderson798]

In a dead tie with the Corsair. I'll run with the Mustang, if there can only be one. It's close, however ....

[@ftb8218]

Supermarine Spitfire, Avro Lancaster, Avro Vulcan and the English Electric Lightning are the most beautiful aircraft of all time

[@richardhite1295]

Not those that flew Mitsubishi zero's. LoL

[@qingdaoren]

The PNolandS Check and check. Thought that was obvious from the hundred or so comments? I had a thing for a couple WWII warbirds, but the one I headed straight for at the Smithsonian, was the P-51D at the end of the ramp left. Only the thought of the pain I'd feel as a guard rotated my left arm in its socket, kept me from reaching then climbing over the slender barrier.... Were I to live out my fantasy since the early '40s, I'd be sitting in one right now, my computer mounted on a flex arm.... eery feeling once Kermit's in the saddle. My jeans, my New Balance 608's, my watch....

[@charlescrisp2814]

the sound from that engine is EPIC

[@CdeHavillandMosquito]

I feel like I've flown a P-51 today. Just awesome!

[@sacooper802]

wow Kermit that's the cleanest cockpit Ive ever seen for vintage, nice

[@dougalan5614]

Man, that sounds nice. Looks like it just came off the factory floor.

[@pedrobotinasguedes]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience in such an emersive way!

[@MrMcbear]

It looks pretty easy to fly. I would LOVE to fly one of these.

[@liveuntetheredmusepodcast4832]

These are what Batman's cars are made from! Nice job!

[@gimmeeinboxback3860]

I would have lost it if he looked in the mirror and said, " Mustache, trimmed and strait? Check."

[@clickbaitpolice1750]

🤣🤣🤣

[@stratoleft]

I don't get it.

[@samsaliba1532]

Stratoleft Same I don’t get it lol

[@heididietrich9800]

Lol

[@venomousgrace8722]

Nobody say anything.

[@emmettrowe5164]

Simply outstanding my friend its like Hands-On training when watching you..👍👍👍

[@tplus3017]

Love the Mustang..Fortunate enough to get a ride in one back in 2007 at the Gathering of Mustangs in Columbus Ohio. What a blast.

[@alanawillen5475]

As Michael says below, loving watching you run those checks from memory :)

[@johnbrandonjr]

Thanks very much for this post. I was a Transient Alert crew chief way back when. I had the pleasure to "catch" a few of these birds during air shows in my follow me truck. Over the wing refueling instead of single point. That was fine with me as with all my USAF T/A buddies. I sure do miss that.

[@keyup2626]

Thank you for the fantastic look into a iconic plane.

[@amstranjr4235]

Looks awesome. The mustang and the p40 thunderbolt are my favorites

[@dheyes803]

Oh my, the run-up is more than half of the journey. Imagine all of this when you had the enemy at your wing and you needed to get in the air ASAP. My hat goes off to these brave warriors who did all that they could with what they were given valiantly to protect our freedom. 👏🏽✈️👍🏽💪🏽🇺🇸

[@GilmerJohn]

Well, their primary mission was to escort the bombers. These machines ensured air superiority by the allies. What these two things together mean that there wasn't much reason to "scramble" and the flight had already been scheduled with plenty of time to do pre-flight stuff.

[@comanshestudios7515]

listening to him play piano while watching this is divine.

[@BBHeisenberg]

the sound of the engine just awesome

[@barryturner1152]

Wow that was awesome. Ur very lucky to be able to fly that machine.

[@mrbudmanfl6956]

phenominal aircraft always have had a fascination with p-51

[@BSmith8181]

Wow, from a spectator's view on the ground, looks as easy as driving a car... From in the cockpit it's more like launching the space shuttle

[@pablocruise678]

I love how he checks from left to right ..over and over and over and over ...

[@12345fowler]

I like your cockpit discipline, - going over and over the various items to check

[@Jrez]

Glad to see thus old bird still being used. Stuff like this was built to be used. Well-built tools deserve to be dusted off and used now and again, even if just for sentiment. Better in your hands than being relegated to the hangar to keep pristine, never to fly again.

[@johnrflinn]

They built great cameras back then too. These classic machines love to be used, maintained and appreciated.

[@michaeledwards8099]

great experience. thanks for sharing. nothing like history at its finest.

[@PassportBrosBusinessClass]

I have started, taken off in, flown and crashed the TF-51 in DCS WORLD so many times, I feel like I’m here! Some day I’ll be able to fly it perfectly.

[@Warbird-Aviation]

Hi Kermit. Thanks very much for your effort!!!

[@DEeMONsworld]

watch him, double check and quadruple check all settings and gauges before taking off, what an incredible tutorial of preflight discipline. then finally "HERE we go" makes me chuckle, like a kid finally getting to the ride after a long wait at Disneyland.

[@michael184272]

wow..one of the most interesting and exhilarating video for anyone that has ever dreamed of flying in a P 51 Mustang. ..thanks for all your effort and patience in producing and sharing. A dream come true.

[@raineradler5652]

Da lacht des Maschinenbauers Herz pure Mechanik ohne viel Servos da wurde noch geflogen von Hand. Vor allem der Motor begeistert von dem Flugzeug. Noch viel Spaß damit. Liebe Grüße aus Bayern von Rainer

[@droberts1664]

That P 51 is still the most beautiful plane ever.

[@verdeboyo]

Wow awesome! So much pre take off routine to do. To think these were flown into battle leaves me speechless. I recently sat inside 'spirit of kent' Spitfire and that I will never forget. I've not got £2k for 20 minute flight but if l had l would for sure. Thank you Sir for sharing this awesome video 😉

[@JediLivesMatter2]

Sir what a experience to have. My dream/bucket list is to actually touch one or see one up close one day. I envy you sir very much. What a thrill it must be. God bless!!!

[@firepatriot42]

I've seen at least three over the years at air shows I've gone to. Impressive when viewed up close, larger than pictures make in to be.

[@closebits]

Oh my golly, my favorite plane of all time. You are a lucky man! Thanks for such a great record of flying this amazing ship.

[@509dubz]

You Sir, are a very lucky man. Only a small number of people in this world are afforded an opportunity to go out and play with a real warplane. The closest I'll ever get is a wet dream and this youtube video.

[@1adam123]

I've been fascinated with aviation for as long as I can remember. I've had the honor of working on some of the most beautiful planes in the world, and the P-51 is a glorious A/C. Unfortunately my O.C.D. would be an impediment when it came to system checks lol!

[@ironblack5387]

I love everything that has been made by Packard.

[@pro-seriesfabrication3810]

You should ask the man who owns one

[@thipik2]

Great video, Your are a luckyiest guy to fly this wonderful plane, congratulation!

[@bluumax]

Even with "toy" RC planes you double and triple check all your switches. Switches can get bumped on or off and you damn well better know what they're set to, or get out the glue. *With real aircraft, you DIE.*

[@SCQT]

wow where is this magical place filled with wonderful machines

[@KermitWeeks444]

Kermit Weeks aviation attraction and facility, Fantasy of Flight in Polk City Florida.

[@SCQT]

How fortuitous... In Florida and heading to Argentina in a few weeks. Guess i know what my first stop is

[@DJGShow]

That GoPro is an amazing little device, thanks for take us with you.

[@45631063]

Excellente seconde partie du Mustang P51

[@CdeHavillandMosquito]

No really I mean it. This was truly awesome!

[@VAHOSS]

My favorite fighter plane of all time

[@ryanrobertsmba]

same but my favorite transport is a dc 3

[@snoman003]

Such a privilege to be able to fly such an awesome acft.

[@BigWheelHawaii]

Boy this is such a great video series,,, just like you are there... What a great job Kermit does,,,, a big "Mahalo" to Kermit for his time and effort...

[@michaelterry1000]

Without a doubt, that will be the closest I will ever come to flying a P-51. It looked smaller than what I expected. How nerve racking that must have been flying escort from England to Berlin for hours not sure if you will make it back.

[@CG-cw3ps]

I will have one. I will also have a custom composite & PW100 powered P-51 replica with my own custom avionics suite. I will post videos when it happens.

[@pathflight9803]

Considering there are 56 checks just to get a piper tommy in the air, it’s to be expected!

[@mopsxxl4769]

Love that kind of videos - thank you Mr. Kermit and greetings from germany. We have a P51 stationed in our Hometown Airport "Siegerland" too.

[@goodboyringo9716]

That is the greatest thing I have ever seen , what a machine!

[@anonymousperson4280]

These story’s in the comments lol.” My cousin flew one of theses over in Nam and he also flew a F22 raptors in WW2”

[@samwraithfarrer]

Man how much I wish I could fly that but it having a I think $4.5 million dollar price I doubt I'd ever be able to, I've allways loved the design of the p-51 and wished I could but I'm happy I can watch this and see how to operate one

[@Adam-xd4sb]

so, During WW2, the flight crews must have been constantly priming fuel pumps, keeping oil and engine heated and 3/4 checked. That was a great look into just what it takes to get that bird in the air!! thank youfor sharing!

[@sebywest3736]

thanks for the wonderful video and instructive, I have the same plane and I have to go through training from the start, taxiing and more☺🤗

[@OdeeOz]

Thanks so much for sharing this In the Cockpit video series. Brings some memories back for me.

[@justincourtney8691]

Amazing piece of kit. Thanks for sharing

[@caryhiatt1599]

Wow, that was intense.

[@amanofmanyfaces5909]

Only one sound that I like to hear more than a P-51 engine running, is someone saying "Let me pay for dinner".

[@newton18311]

Would that be a Merlin engine

[@braaptism6297]

That v12 sounds so badass

[@hdfd971]

I can’t imagine being a 20 year old and taking off and not knowing if you would make it back. Being shot at and trying to shoot down the enemy . Those guys sure had some BALLS

[@benjaminringrose536]

No kidding, to fly one today is a dream, back then they were begging to throw young guys into one.

[@FirePilot2020]

Kermit, you're one extraordinary fellow. Thanks for the videos, would love to see more!

[@racecarjimmy732]

ive always wanted to fly, got to fly an oh-58 in the army but wasnt my MOS lol thanks CPT Birdsell

[@mdv2043]

My freakin favorite airplane of all time. One bad ass bird.

[@hiflite2925]

That is a pilot's watch! Nice GMT sir.

[@SinnerSince1962]

Levers and knobs and switches... Oh my!

[@user-jr8gp2en9b]

Mustang P51 one of the greatest planes at the world.

[@johngreen1776]

My Dad was on the USS Yorktown CV10 in WWII. He said that this plane turned the war around. Before this one, the Zeros out ran our planes.

[@daverodkey]

Awesome video, very instructive.

[@julianorodrigodefarias]

the noise of the p51 engine is music to the ears

[@TheFunkhouser]

Sounds like a drag car, awesome sound