A restored P-51 Mustang brought a smile to the face of a 101-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran in North Georgia. Jim McCubbin flew P-51 fighters in Europe until near the end of World War II and had not seen one since until the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia staff arranged a fly-in visit in his honor at the Richard B. Russell airport in Rome.
McCubbin resides at the Renaissance Marquis Retirement Village in Rome, Georgia, where his wartime accomplishments are well known. McCubbin is credited with destroying nine enemy aircraft before his plane was shot down in 1945 and he became a prisoner of war. Resident Services Director Catie Mason wanted to honor him in a special way, and made a request to the CAF for a visit.
CAF Airbase Georgia maintains and operates a P-51 in Peachtree City, home of the airbase’s Warbird Museum, and agreed to send the aircraft to Rome to honor McCubbin. The P-51, named “Red Nose,” is a highlight at airshows and aviation events around the country. It is kept in excellent condition by volunteer mechanics who also maintain six other restored WWII-era aircraft.
When Airbase Georgia pilot Craig Hutain taxied the P-51 to the apron of the airport terminal, a round of applause broke out from dozens of residents of the Renaissance Marquis in attendance, many of them also U.S. veterans who were recognized in the day’s ceremonies. McCubbin was escorted to the side of a P-51 one more time, and posed to “recreate” an old photo showing him standing next to his aircraft in the 1940s.
“This is why we do what we do,” said Airbase Georgia leader Joel Perkins. “Our mechanics, pilots and many other volunteers keep these planes flying so we can honor our veterans, educate the younger generation about the accomplishments of the ‘Greatest Generation,’ and inspire more youth to become involved in aviation.”
The CAF flew several of its vintage WWII planes into Kennesaw over the weekend for the public to tour and ride in them.
