'That's All Brother' Is Airborne For The First Time In Nearly 10 Years

The aircraft that led a formation of more than 800 C-47s to Normandy to drop paratroopers on D-Day, has taken its first flight since the restoration began. On January 31, 2018, at 1 p.m. CST in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, D-Day C-47 That’s All, Brother returned to the sky.

It has been nearly ten years since C-47 That’s All, Brother flew, but the airplane’s incredible D-Day history was only recently discovered by U.S. Air Force historian, Matt Scales. This airplane, which led the first major blow in the Allied liberation of Europe, was found in an aircraft boneyard in Wisconsin.

Like so many aircraft which survived World War II, That’s All, Brother was used in a variety of civilian roles, hauling people and cargo across the United States. In time, its vital role in the liberation of Europe was forgotten. Upon learning of the potential for the airplane to be cut up or scrapped, the CAF, an organization known for rescuing, restoring and flying more than 170 vintage military airplanes, launched an effort to save That’s All, Brother.

After a far-reaching fundraising campaign, supporters made it possible for the CAF to acquire and begin an unprecedented restoration with the goal to authentically restore That’s All, Brother to its original D-Day configuration. It was known early on that the restoration would be massive, due to extensive corrosion. Nearly every inch of That’s All, Brother would need to be restored to full functionality as it was in 1944, in order to permit the aircraft to fly again. A project of this scale never before seen with a C-47 restoration would take a tremendous amount of dedication from a team of mechanics, historians, technicians and CAF volunteers.  

The CAF estimates that more than 22,000 hours have already gone into this restoration project, and the work continues.

"Thanks to the financial support of over 3,000 individuals and organizations, and an extraordinary group of volunteers, we have been able to achieve this great milestone with the first flight, said Bob Stenevik, the CAF President/CEO. "Much of the work up until this point has been carried out by Basler Turbo Conversions in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Their skilled employees have unparalleled knowledge of C-47-type aircraft, and have been a major resource, accelerating the early stages of the restoration considerably.

"The aircraft ... will become a valuable tool for our organization, helping to tell the story of D-Day and the great efforts and sacrifices made on the shores of Normandy."

Now that initial flight operations are complete, That’s All, Brother will head to its new home in San Marcos, Texas. There it will be assigned to the CAF Central Texas Wing, where volunteers will be responsible for the care and maintenance of the aircraft.

In June 2019, That’s All, Brother will participate in the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, flying along with several other World War II aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean to Duxford, England, and then to Normandy, France. "The first flight represents the successful completion of the first phase of our ambitious plan for the C-47 That's All, Brother's return to Normandy in 2019, and it is a tremendous achievement for everyone involved in this historic project," said Central Texas Wing Leader Joe Enzminger. "The Wing is excited to have the aircraft arrive at its new home in San Marcos, and we look forward to the challenge of completing the mission. The next steps are interior and detail work in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and restoring the aircraft exterior to its 1944 appearance." Going forward, the Central Texas Wing will offer aircraft tours, attend aviation events and conduct educational programs leading up to the 75th Anniversary of D-Day.

(Images provided with CAF news release)

FMI: www.ThatsAllBrother.org