Pilot going back up

World War II pilot Paul Crawford dreamed of flying in a P-51 Mustang like the one he commanded 70 years ago in China, where he flew 14 missions until he was shot down in 1945.

Now 91, Buckhead resident Crawford is about to see his dream come true when the Commemorative Air Force Dixie Wing in Peachtree City takes him up in their restored P-51 on Dec. 15.

Crawford will visit the Dixie Wing headquarters at Falcon Field Atlanta Regional Airport a few hours after dawn to talk with the Wing members and clamber into the restored warbird that the Wing operates. His flight is scheduled for 10 a.m. with Dixie Wing Leader Jim Buckley at the controls.

“When the Dixie Wing read about Crawford’s desire to fly in a P-51 from a story about his appearance as a speaker at an Atlanta event, we realized we could reward this WWII hero with a flight in our aircraft, “Red Nose,” said Buckley. “The P-51 in which he was shot down was brand new, and ours is 70 years old – but still the same!”