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C-47 Airplane

D-DAY SQUADRON 2024 LEGACY TOUR

PARTICIPATING AIRCRAFT

SUPPORT THE MISSION

Join the D-Day Squadron’s momentous journey — the 2024 Legacy Tour — as we honor the bravery and sacrifice of WWII veterans. Your support fuels our mission to fly these historic warbirds across the Atlantic, celebrating 80 years since D-Day. Help us keep their stories alive for future generations. 

D-Day Squadron Participating Aircraft
2024 Legacy Tour

Above Photo Credit & Caption: "Ready-4-Duty" is Airborne, by DFW Wing of the CAF

Above Photo Credit & Caption: "Ready-4-Duty" is Airborne, by DFW Wing of the CAF

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After the successful mission in 2019, the D-Day Squadron -  the American contingent of Douglas C-47 and DC-3 transports participating in the celebrations of D-Day and the Berlin Airlift -  is preparing to embark upon their journey to Europe to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasions and 75th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. On May 18, 2024 the D-Day Squadron is expected to depart Oxford-Waterbury Airport in Connecticut and head East to cross the Northern Atlantic along the original Blue Spruce route. 

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The list of airplanes taking part is changing regularly, as is understandable when juggling such a monumental challenge. Some teams are working to get their aircraft ready to take part, but the complexity of the mission, the logistical challenges and the enormous costs involved inevitably will keep their participation on hold until months shy of the launch. However, given the difficult  socio-economical times we currently live in, the D-Day Squadron is excited to announce that ten historic aircraft will make the journey in 2024. With multiple aircraft still working to prepare, we are expected to roll out a second phase of announcements, featuring nearly a dozen historic aircraft involved in the mission. Today’s airplanes announced will be joined by at least three UK based C-47s and possibly two more aircraft coming from France and Sweden.

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“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 U.S. Navy at this historic event,” shared Chris Volpe, Wing Leader, DFW Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. “This will be our first flight mission with the squadron, a great salute to the Greatest Generation who came before us.”

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The mission behind the D-Day Squadron’s 2024 Legacy Tour is assembling a collective of international operators of WWII era aircraft, specifically the DC-3/C-47 type, to honor, pay tribute and commemorate the LEGACY of our WWII veterans, the Greatest Generation, through Europe. With a focus on both DDay80 and Berlin75, the  2024 Legacy Tour symbolizes a special salute to those who served, sacrificed, and gave so much to our great nations.

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“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,” shared Eric Zipkin, director of operations and mission chief pilot for the D-Day Squadron. “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.”


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In the coming months, special features will be published across the D-Day Squadron’s social media channels on each historic aircraft, their webpages, and more detailed information on air crews.

The aircraft which confirmed their participation as of April 1, 2024 with the D-Day Squadron and those managed by our organizer - Aero Legends - are:

  • C-47 “Placid Lassie” ( N74589) - Tunison Foundation - USA

  • C-47 “Screaming Eagle” (N150D) - Hugo Mathys- USA

  • C-47 “That’s All, Brother” ( N47TB) - Commemorative Air Force Centex Wing - USA

  • R4D “READY-4-DUTY” (151ZE) - Commemorative Air Force Dallas - Ft. Worth Wing - USA

  • C-53 “Spirit of Douglas” (N8336C) - Private Owner - New Zealand

  • DC-3 “Chalair” (F-AZOX) - Private Owner - France

  • C-47 “Night Fright” (N308SF) - Night Fright Promotions Ltd - UK

  • DC-3 "Western Air" Western Airlines Inc - USA

  • DC-3 "Swissair" Hugo Mathys - USA

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  • C-47 “Drag ‘em Oot” (N473DC) - Aero Legends - UK

  • C-47 “Pegasus” (G-ANAF) - Aero Legends - UK

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D-Day Squadron’s 2024 Legacy Tour Participating Aircraft

Click on the photo to learn more about each aircraft participating in the 2024 Legacy Tour.

Experience History: Fly with DDA Classic Airlines DC-3 Over Normandy - SOLD OUT
 

Join us for an unforgettable journey through time aboard our legendary DC-3 aircraft, a genuine D-Day veteran that flew on June 6th, 1944. As part of the D-Day Squadron Legacy Tour, DDA Classic Airlines invites you to embark on exclusive pleasure flights over the historic landscapes of Normandy, France.
 

Flight Options: SOLD OUT
 

  1. The Beaches Tour: Explore the iconic D-Day landing sites from the air on our scenic flight from Aéroport de Caen–Carpiquet. Fly over Bayeux, Pointe du Hoc, and the famous Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches. Duration: 45 minutes.

  2. Band of Brothers Tour: Delve deeper into history with our extended flight, visiting additional landmarks such as Sainte Mère Église, Grandcamp Maisy, and Vierville sur Mère. Experience the solemn beauty of Normandy's countryside and pay tribute to the heroes of World War II. Duration: 60 minutes.

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Celebrating the legacy of freedom with every flight, this storied C-47 Skytrain, a D-Day veteran, now proudly carries passengers for scenic tours. Its courageous past, woven into the fabric of the 316th Troop Carrier Group, is honored by the dedication of its entire DDA team. Together, they keep history aloft and invite you to experience the wings of liberty with PBA.

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