World War II veteran flies again

BURNET, Texas (KXAN) - A reunion years in the making for a World War 2 veteran, but it's not with another war veteran of the human kind.

Clyde Griffin has been waiting 68 years to reunite with an old friend, or at least an identical friend.

As the old plane touches down, you realize he's not actually riding in the plane, it's actually the plane itself. The P51 Mustang -- often referred to as the greatest fighter plane of all time -- was something Griffing flew in when he was 21, on Friday, he got to fly in it again, as part of the "Freedom Flyers" who treats war vets to special flights.

"This is too good to be true," said Griffin. "I never thought it would happen again."

It was 1944, Griffin was stationed at the Army Air Corps B17 mechanic's school in Amarillo. One day, a Mustang stopped by his shop. He asked if he could fly it and he did. He went on an impromptu Panhandle tour, making sure all instruments and flight controls were running clean.

"To fly that airplane was exciting as all get out. I remember taking that think off and how beautiful it was just to take off and go on up," reminisced Griffin.

Flying for the Army Air Corps was an exciting time for Griffing. He was also assigned to fly Bob Hope for a couple of shows in the South Pacific.

"Bob Hope never quit entertaining. I talked to the tower, they got my instructions for take off and hung it up," Clyde said. "He grabbed it, started cracking jokes with the guys in the tower."

All those memories came rushing back when Griffin boarded the plane. He said it was like reconnecting with his youth all over again, one last mission to cap off an exciting life. An exciting moment he thought he'd never have again.

Griffin retired from the military years ago, but he never forgot that special moment back in 1944 where he spent time with the special plane. 

Griffin will be able to relieve these moments throughout the weekend at the Temple Air Show .