A LOCAL "LANDMARK" TO COME DOWN

Anyone traveling along Interstate 4 near Lakeland has seen it. An old white DC-3 airplane, buried nose-down looking as though it had crashed, with what looks to be the pilot dangling from the rear door. Some people found it so convincing that they called local law enforcement to report the "downed" plane.

In fact, it is not a crashed aircraft; it was meant to be positioned that way. In reality, it is simply an advertisment for the Fantasy of Flight avaition-themed attraction in nearby Polk City. The "pilot" is a mannequin known as "GI Willie". It has been in a field just off the westbound lanes of I-4 since 1998, but will be removed, at least temporairly, to be refurbished in preperation for Fantasy of Flight's tenth anniversary celebration.

During the hurricanes of last year, the attraction actually received a number of e-mails asking about the status of "GI Willie" near the rear of the plane.

Officials at Fantasy of Flight say that when the DC-3 is returned to the field, it will likely be set up in a different position, perhaps in a take-off mode.