D-Day Squadron Announces Aircraft Participating in their 2024 Legacy Tour
Oxford, CT, November 13, 2023- 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. The list of airplanes taking part changes 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 will keep their participation on hold until months shy of the launch. 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 European-based C-47s from France, Finland, and Sweden.
“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 of the Dallas/ Fort Worth 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.”
The mission behind the D-Day Squadron’s 2024 Legacy Tour is assembling a collective of international operators of World War II-era aircraft, specifically the DC-3/C-47 type, to honor, pay tribute, and commemorate the legacy of our World War II 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
“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 airframe that was the backbone to achieving victory.”
The aircraft which confirmed their participation as of November 10th commemorating Veteran’s and Remembrance Day are:
• C-47 Placid Lassie (N74589) - Tunison Foundation - USA
• C-47 That’s All, Brother (N74TB) - Commemorative Air Force -Central Texas Wing - USA
• C-47 Screaming Eagle (N150D) - Private Owner - USA
• R4D Ready 4 Duty (151ZE) - Commemorative Air Force - Dallas/Fort Worth Wing - USA
• C-53 Spirit of Benovia (N8336C) - Aerometal International - USA
• C-41A Hap 'penstance (N341A) - The RM Group, LLC- USA
• DC-3 Chalair (F-AZOX) - Private Owner - France
• C-47 Night Fright (N308SF) - Night Fright Promotions Ltd - UK
• C-47 Drag ‘em Oot (N473DC) - Aero Legends - UK
• C-47 Pegasus (G-ANAF) - Aero Legends - UK
Special features will be published across the D-Day Squadron’s social media channels in the coming months on each historic aircraft, web pages, and more detailed aircrew information. They have plans to announce more aircraft soon as we continue the 2024 Legacy Tour mission preparations through the end of 2023 and into 2024.
Media contact: Lyndse Costabile | 904-404-9192 | lyndse@ddaysquadron.org.
About the DC-3 Society & D-Day Squadron The DC-3 Society is a program of the D-Day Squadron with the purpose to promote DC-3 type aircraft airworthiness, serve members, and promote static and flying displays for future generations. The North American DC-3 Society was born to organize the collective efforts of enthusiasts, pilots, mechanics, and operators. It actively educates and involves the next generation in “flying freedom” and celebrates everything the DC-3 has accomplished in war and peace.
The D-Day Squadron is part of the Tunison Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. In June 2019, the D-Day Squadron led an American fleet of 15 historic, restored C-47 World War II military aircraft to take part in a flyover of more than 30 international aircraft to drop over 200 paratroopers over the original 1944 drop zones in Normandy commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day. The event honored the citizen soldiers of the War, whose bravery led the Allies to the liberation of France, and then to an end of the devastating War in Europe. The Squadron’s education program takes the compelling story of the citizen soldier to audiences at airshows and events off the flight line to honor these brave Americans and ensure their memory and significance are appreciated for generations to come. The group’s efforts are funded through the generous tax-deductible contribution of their supporters.
