The D-Day Squadron will return in 2024
The D-Day Squadron, a group of American Douglas C-47 & DC-3 transports owners, has announced its return to Europe in 2024. They participated successfully in the celebrations of D-Day and the Berlin Airlift in 2019. Next year, 2024, is again a memorable year in which the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasions and 75th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift will be celebrated.
On 18 May 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. During WW II US warplanes that were able to cross the Atlantic under their own power used this route to the fly to the UK.
Below a preliminary list can be found of US based DC-3 & C-47s that have announced to participate.
This list of airplanes has already changed a few times which is understandable when juggling such a monumental challenge. Some teams are still working to get their aircraft ready, but the complexity of the mission, the logistical challenges and the enormous costs involved inevitably will keep their participation on hold until months shy of the launch.
Next to the US based aircraft in the list there are at least three UK and one France based C-47 that will join the celebrations. A possible fourth European aircraft could come from Sweden.
The aircraft which confirmed their participation:
C-47 “Placid Lassie” ( N74589) - Tunison Foundation - USA
C-47 “That’s All, Brother” ( N74TB) - Commemorative Air Force Centex Wing - USA
C-47 “ Screaming Eagle” (N150D) - Private Owner - USA
R4D “ Ready 4 Duty” (151ZE) - Commemorative Air Force Dallas - Ft. Worth Wing - USA
C-53 “Spirit of Benovia” (N8336C) - Aerometal International - USA
C-41A “ Hap Penstance” (N341A) - 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
Source: The D-Day Squadron
Photos: Gert Jan Mentink