The American Contingent Flying To Normandy

After almost 18 months of planning, fundraising and training, the D-Day Squadron, the American contingent of Douglas C-47 and DC-3 transports participating in Daks over Normandy, is about to embark on their journey to Europe to celebrate the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

 On May 19th, the D-Day Squadron will depart Oxford-Waterbury airport in Connecticut and head East to cross the Atlantic along the original Blue Spruce route.

There will be a full week of activities to kick off this event, including a special Squadron flyover of the Statue of Liberty.

The list of airplanes taking part is changing regularly, as is understandable when juggling such a monumental challenge. Some teams tried until the last minute to get their aircraft ready to take part, but the complexity of the mission, the logistical challenges and the enormous costs involved inevitably took a toll with some having to cancel their participation. The following is the only official list approved by the D-Day Squadron at this time marking the which aircraft will participate.... as they like to call it...The Mighty Fifteen!

See a list and photos of the aircraft currently expected to participate at the link below.

(Source: D-Day Squadron news release. Pictured: Lead aircraft C-47A-40-DL Skytrain 42-24064 – Placid Lassie – N74589)

FMI: ddaysquadron.org/the-mighty-fifteen-the-american-contingent-flying-to-normandy/?mc_cid=36cd8c952b&mc_eid=7f43060c6e