CAF R4D ‘Ready 4 Duty’ Will Headline At 11 Stops In UK

Folks in England are eagerly looking forward to this year’s airshow season which promises to bring some very interesting and historic aircraft from the U.S., with the early part showcasing the Commemorative Air Force’s Douglas R4D ‘Ready 4 Duty’ leading the ‘Navy to Victory’ tour.

The R4D is the U.S. Navy’s version of the DC-3 and C-47 aircraft which are indelible touchpoints in the aviation history of World War II. The Ready 4 Duty was built in 1944 and is the last of its kind still flying. It is maintained and operated by the Dallas/Fort Worth Wing of the non-profit CAF.

Ready 4 Duty is equipped for paratroop operations and performs heritage and formation flights as well as giving thousands of people each year an opportunity to come aboard and experience an authentic WWII aircraft interior.

During the tour, Ready 4 Duty will carry several historic artifacts from WWII warships, including items from the USS Yorktown, the USS Texas, and the USS Laffey.

Christophe Volpe, lead coordinator of the Navy to Victory Tour said, “Safely operating an 80-year-old aircraft for such an extended journey is no main feat. But helping to build a lasting legacy for veterans makes all of the preparations and sacrifices worth it.”

David Oliver, President and CEO of the CAF said, “The Navy to Victory Tour is heartfelt tribute to countless allies sailors and airmen who served with courage and conviction during the Second World War. This commemorative mission embodies the transatlantic bonds forged in the fight for freedom and remain a cornerstone of our shared history.”

The Navy to Victory tour will include 12 stops in the U.S., with additional stops in Canada, Greenland, Iceland, England, France, and the Netherlands.

FMI:  www.air-shows.org.uk/