C-47 "That’s All, Brother" and B-25 "Yellow Rose" Fly Over SMU Football Game.
Dallas, TX (November 22, 2024) - Throughout the year, the Central Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) has many unique opportunities to showcase its aircraft. On Saturday, November 16, the unit participated in a memorable flyover during the national anthem at the Southern Methodist University (SMU) versus Boston College football game.
In addition to the flyover, SMU football gave the unit an opportunity to share the incredible stories behind their aircraft and the CAF's mission.
When the CAF can work with academic institutions, it creates opportunities for engaging young minds and integrating aviation history into broader educational contexts. Historic aircraft serve as dynamic teaching tools, illustrating lessons in history, engineering, and cultural studies. Events hosted in collaboration with colleges—such as campus fly-ins, lectures, or restoration projects—offer students a hands-on connection to the past while showcasing the relevance of aviation history in today’s world.
CAF Col Mindi Russel, an aircrew member, shared how the legendary C-47 was chosen to lead the main aerial invasion on D-Day. She explained:
"When it flew on D-Day, the original crew was actually handpicked by John Donaldson. It was his personal crew. They normally flew a plane called The Belle of Birmingham. However, that plane did not have the special radar equipment needed to lead the main airborne invasion. So, for that one mission only, they flew this plane—That’s All, Brother—the very one behind me right now."
CAF Col and Central Texas Museum Director Clint Epley recounted how the CAF acquired the aircraft and its remarkable history. He recalled:
"The plane was found up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Someone said, 'Do you know what you've got out there?' It was just sitting there as a junker being used for spare parts. They said, 'That’s the airplane that led the D-Day invasion.'”
Hear from other unit members, learn more about the history of the That’s All Brother, and discover what it means for the unit to participate in this incredible flyover in the video below.
Want to get involved with the Central Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force? Visit their website at https://www.centraltexaswing.org for more information.
