Summary
- The D-Day Squadron is planning a second trip to Europe to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord and the 75th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift.
- The squadron will be flying a unique flight path, starting from Oxford Waterbury Airport in the US and stopping at various locations in Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, England, France, Germany, and Italy.
- The squadron will be joined by additional C-47 aircraft from France, Finland, and Sweden once they reach European shores, and the tour aims to honor and pay tribute to WWII veterans and those who sacrificed their lives.
The D-Day Squadron of classic aircraft is looking to revisit Europe in light of the anniversary of the Berlin Airlift (75 years) and D-Day (80 years). On May 18th, next year, a small squadron of Douglas DC3 and C-47 will take to the sky from Oxford Waterbury Airport (OXC) bound for Europe.
While the exact list of registered aircraft taking part is yet to be confirmed, it is expected that the number will fluctuate given the tenure of some aircraft, in which many will be laying low to ensure they are in prime condition to make the historic trip.
A unique flight path
Heading North-East using the Blue Spruce route, the aircraft will head towards Goose Bay, Newfoundland, Canada, onwards to Narsarsuaq, Greenland, to Reykjavik, Iceland, on to Glasgow Prestwick, Scotland, then Duxford, England, before Normandy, France, and Berlin, Germany before finally Venice, Italy.
Having last completed the D-Day celebration in 2019, it’s been a five-year pause before the squad announced its plans for a second trip, and while multiple aircraft will be starting with the group in the USA, at least three additional C-47 will join from France, Finland, and Sweden, once on European shores.
Chris Volpe, the Wing Leader of the DFW Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, shared this statement in light of the next Flotilla to Europe:
“We’re excited to join the D-Day Squadron to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord. As a U.S. Naval aircraft, READY-4-DUTY and her crew are honored to represent the contributions of the US Navy at this historic event. This will be our first flight mission with the squadron, a great salute to the Greatest Generation who came before us.”
The D-Day Squadron’s 2024 Legacy Tour is assembling a group of international operators of DC-3/C-47 type aircraft. The Flotilla is planned to honor, commemorate, and pay tribute to WWII veterans. With its primary focus on DDay80 and Berlin75, the tour will also salute many who served, sacrificed, and gave up their lives for the countries they call home.
Aircraft currently signed up.
According to Warbirdnews, the current list of aircraft joining the Flotilla includes:
|
Variant |
Registration |
Name |
Owner |
Country |
|
C-47 |
N74589 |
Placid Lassie |
Tunison Foundation |
USA |
|
C-47 |
N74TB |
That’s All, Brother |
Commemorative Air Force Centex Wing |
USA |
|
C-47 |
N150D |
Screaming Eagle |
Private Owner |
USA |
|
R4D |
151ZE |
Ready 4 Duty |
Commemorative Air Force Dallas – Ft. Worth Wing |
USA |
|
C-53 |
N8336C |
Spirit of Benovia |
Aerometal International |
USA |
|
C-41A |
N341A |
Hap*penstance |
The RM Group, LLC |
USA |
|
DC-3 |
F-AZOX |
Chalair |
Private Owner |
France |
|
C-47 |
N308SF |
Night Fright |
Night Fright Promotions Ltd |
UK |
|
C-47 |
N473DC |
Drag ’em Oot |
Aero Legends |
UK |
|
C-47 |
G-ANAF |
Pegasus |
Aero Legends |
UK |
The director of operations and mission chief pilot for the D-Day Squadron, Eric Zipkin, who led the last flotilla to Europe, reminded us what the journey was about and how they can honor history with the upcoming trip next May:
“Having led the DC-3’s journey to Europe in 2019, the D-Day Squadron earned a global presence that’s provided our organization to grow, multiply our DC-3 connections and even launch the DC-3 Society where we actively aid operators, crews, and enthusiasts with maintenance, operations, airworthiness, and displays. We won the War because of our logistical abilities, it’s only appropriate we, as the stewards of this noble aircraft, continue to fly and maintain the very airframe that was the backbone to achieving victory.”
Sources: War Bird News