Old Warden

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D-Day Squadron invade Old Warden

Michael.Clegg21 hours ago

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Welcome to this latest edition of Aerodrome and our regular look at the fascinating world of aeroplanes and the historic aviation scene around the UK.

Over the past few weeks, the world has been remembering the events which took place on 6th June 1944, when Allied Expeditionary Forces stormed ashore at five landing beaches along the Normandy coastline to open the long awaited second front and with it, to eventually bring about an end to the Second World War. As aviation enthusiasts, we all know that aircraft were crucial to the success of D-Day, before, during and after the actual landings and from a personal perspective, I was looking to attend an event which aimed to specifically commemorate the contribution aircraft made to D-Day in this 80th Anniversary year. That event proved to be the arrival of the D-Day Squadron from the US and one of the high-profile appointments they had arranged on their 2024 D-Day 80th Anniversary legacy tour.

In this latest edition of Aerodrome, we will be reporting from Old Warden airfield once again, but this time covering an event where the D-Day Squadron aircraft would be the absolute centre of attention. Determined to be present at what seemed likely to be a unique occasion, I joined thousands of others in heading down to Bedfordshire to see a pair of Douglas C-47s which possessed incredible wartime provenance, a DC-3 and a C-53, all gathered to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. As the D-Day Squadron took over Old Warden airfield for the weekend, we will be documenting the arrival, ground display and departure of all four aircraft over the duration of this event, and as you would expect, will include an impressive selection of images which were all taken over the weekend, our record of what proved to be a truly historic aviation occasion.

If D-Day combat veteran aircraft are your thing, then this latest edition of Aerodrome is one you won’t want to miss.

The Shuttleworth Collection does it again

The Shuttleworth Collection’s D-Day weekend will be remembered as one of the most memorable events of this 80th Anniversary year.

In advance of the D-Day 80th Anniversary commemorations planned to be taking place this summer, news which started to circulate earlier this year from the world of historic aviation had enthusiasts looking forward to seeing some overseas aviation visitors and an opportunity not to be missed – the D-Day Squadron were coming over again.

Five years ago, the D-Day Squadron embarked on an ambitious undertaking to fly a collection of 15 restored C-47 and DC-3 aircraft from the US to the UK via the North Atlantic Ferry Route, determined that they were going to mark that year’s 75th Anniversary of D-Day and 70th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift in some style. Gathering at Duxford airfield, they achieved their aim in some style and with it, created what many people regarded as the historic aviation event of the year and a fitting tribute to both the year’s commemorations. Despite the fact that the good old British weather did it’s best to put a dampener on proceedings, several thousand people turned up to catch a glimpse of this unprecedented aviation spectacle.

Five years on and the D-Day Squadron were planning a return visit for the 80th Anniversary commemorations, albeit with slightly more modest aspirations. Once again making the intrepid journey across the Atlantic, several C-47 and DC-3 aircraft were intending to make the crossing, however, as we all know when it comes to historic aviation, serviceability, weather and a host of other issues would be playing a big part in which aircraft would actually be making it to the UK.

As it transpired, only four aircraft would eventually make it across, but nevertheless, the chance to see four US based aircraft appearing in the UK for a short time was an opportunity not to be missed and for enthusiasts, it was time to get ourselves organised. Their temporary home in the UK would be North Weald airfield, but during their stay in Europe, they were intending to be rather busy – from the perspective of the enthusiast, the big question was which of these events would be the best one to catch the visitors?

As I had missed out on a similar event last time they came over, one which received rave reviews, there really was only one event for me and that was the one scheduled to take place in the idyllic and familiar surroundings of Old Warden airfield. If historic aeroplanes are your thing, you want to ensure the time you spend in their company is memorable, and from an ‘experience’ perspective, the relatively intimate surroundings of Old Warden airfield helps to make any interaction with aeroplanes just that little bit more special, a place where you feel part of the proceedings and not just a spectator.

The D-Day Squadron returns to Old Warden to make yet another D-Day Anniversary tribute.

With this possibly being the last time any of these 80 year old aircraft would ever be seen in the UK again, I wanted to ensure the time I spent with these aircraft this year would be memorable and the Shuttleworth Collection definitely offered that opportunity.

For the event itself, the four aircraft would be flying across from their temporary home at North Weald, landing at Old Warden on Saturday and later allowing enthusiasts unfettered access to the aircraft in the display paddock at the airfield. The aircraft and their crews would entertain visitors following their arrival, remaining at the airfield overnight, before allowing similar enthusiast access the following day. Their visit would conclude late on Sunday afternoon, with the aircraft departing back to their temporary home base at nearby North Weald, by which time they would have swollen the ranks of their many British admirers.

In view of the historic nature of this event, I secured a weekend ticket for the event and a hotel room for Saturday night, as my intention was to be in attendance on both days, determined that I was going to document the occasion in full, which is exactly as it played out. I’m sure that when I look back at the events I attended in 2024 when the dark nights return later in the year, I think it’s likely that I will remember the D-Day Squadron weekend at Old Warden as the most memorable event of the past twelve months.

The aircraft charged with leading D-Day

Just as it did on the night of 5th/6th June 1944, the aircraft which led D-Day also assumed the historic lead of this tribute formation of C-47s and DC-3s flying in from the US to mark this year’s 80th Anniversary Commemorations of D-Day. Back in 1944, as this aircraft was equipped with the latest navigational equipment, Douglas C-47A Skytrain 42-92847 ‘That’s All Brother’ was selected to lead the mighty force of C-47s full of paratroopers on the night of 5th/6th June 1944, dropping the men of the 101st Airborne Division into Normandy behind enemy lines in advance of the main amphibious invasion force. Following the end of WWII, this historic aircraft was thought to have been lost forever, but incredibly, was discovered lying derelict in a scrap yard many years later. Once her identity had been confirmed and the significant role she played on D-Day unearthed, she was saved to become the subject of an ambitious restoration project, one which today sees her regarded as one of the most historic airworthy aircraft in the world.

In order to ensure the defeat of Germany and ultimately bring about an end to the Second World War, the Allied powers knew that they would have to launch a full-scale assault against continental Europe, a military undertaking which was fraught with incredible dangers. In support of this plan, Allied aircraft began a concerted bombing campaign at the start of 1944, targeting aircraft and munitions manufacturing plants, in addition to attacking strategic targets across the intended landing areas, all designed to diminish Germany’s fighting capabilities. 

These attacks were always carefully masked by strong diversionary raids, so as not to give the Germans any indication as to where the anticipated Allied amphibious assault would be taking place. D-Day preparations were as much about diversions and deception as they were about direct military action.

Finally, after months of meticulous planning, the order was given to ‘GO’ and the invasion was on. At RAF Greenham Common in the late evening of 5th June 1944, paratroopers of the US 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions climbed aboard the large number of Douglas C-47 Skytrains gathered on the airfield, as they prepared to parachute behind German lines at drop zones in Normandy, in advance of the main seaborne invasion force, the spearhead of Operation Overlord.

A truly historic aeroplane, ‘That’s All Brother’ came in for some close attention over the weekend, but traded paratroopers for members of the public on this latest visit to the UK.

At the head of this mighty air armada and the aircraft which effectively launched D-Day, Douglas C-47A 42-92847 ‘That’s All Brother’ would lead a force of over 800 C-47 Skytrains over the next few hours, as she navigated through thick cloud and German defensive fire to deliver her precious cargo of brave paratroopers onto their designated strategic drop zones in Normandy, the opening combat operations of D-Day.      

As one of the largest military operations in the history of warfare, the Allied D-Day invasion fleet of 6th June 1944 could rely on the support of an impressive, combined air force of around 11,500 aircraft available to Allied military planners to support the invasion fleet. Arguably, the most famous individual aircraft involved in ‘Operation Overlord’ was Douglas C-47A Skytrain ‘That’s All Brother’, the aircraft which signified the start of D-Day and the eventual defeat of Germany. Equipped with the latest navigational equipment, this hugely historic aircraft was the first to take off from RAF Greenham Common on the night of 5th June 1944, the lead aircraft at the head of a mighty force of US paratroopers destined to cause havoc in areas immediately behind the invasion landing beaches. 

It's thought that the name painted on the nose of the aircraft was linked to the significant role this aircraft was required to play on invasion night and was a message to Hitler, basically informing him that his murderous reign as Führer was about to come to an end. Damaged by flak during her historic mission, ‘That’s All Brother’ was duly patched up before flying a second mission on D-Day, towing a glider with troops of the US 82nd Airborne Division destined for the battle now raging across Normandy. She would also go on to see plenty of action in the months following D-Day, but after playing such an important role in bringing the Second World War to a close, the end of the war saw large numbers of aircraft now having no purpose. 

With the world wanting to put some distance between them and the horrors of the Second World War, there was little thought given to the preservation of significant aircraft and ‘That’s All Brother’ returned to the US and was thought to have been scrapped, just like so many former wartime aircraft. Incredibly, this aircraft is a fighter and was determined she wasn’t going to disappear from history without a fight and a chance discovery made by two aviation enthusiasts many years later, would prove significant. Found languishing in an aircraft boneyard in Wisconsin, it didn’t take long for the aircraft to be identified and once the historic role she played on D-Day was discovered, her future was assured.

‘That’s All Brother’ arrival, on parade and departure from her latest visit to Old Warden airfield.

The aircraft was later purchased by the Commemorative Air Force, after they had launched a successful crowdfunding appeal, and ‘That’s All Brother’ would become the subject of an ambitious restoration project, one which aimed to return this incredible aircraft to airworthy condition once more. A legacy project, she was to serve as a unique living link to one of the most famous nights in human history and the brave men who served on that monumental day. Making her triumphant first post restoration flight in early 2018, ‘That’s All Brother’ must be considered one of the most important historic aircraft in the world today, and as you might imagine, is something of a crowd puller wherever she appears.

Flying across the Atlantic to take part in the ambitious ‘Daks over Normandy’ gathering of Douglas C-47s and DC3s during the summer of 2019, ‘That’s All Brother’ was back again to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day and as she possesses such historic significance with Britain, is it any wonder she’s been a star attraction during both of her recent visits.

D-Day Squadron 2024

Although ‘That’s all Brother’ was undoubtedly the star attraction for the Shuttleworth Collection’s recent D-Day weekend event, she was accompanied by three other Douglas classics, each one a rare visitor to the UK and each one with a fascinating history of their own to tell.

Douglas C-47 N74589 ‘Placid Lassie’ is just as famous an aircraft as ‘That’s All Brother’ and just a few minutes spent on her owner’s website will inform you why that’s the case. Described as a true war hero, this aircraft isn’t a replica and isn’t an aircraft which has undergone deep restoration, utilising parts from many other aircraft in the process. The rivets holding this Skytrain together are the same ones which crossed the English Channel in the early hours of 6th June 1944 in support of D-Day.

When standing close to this magnificent aircraft, you really do get the feeling that you’re in the presence of true aviation royalty, but as we intend to produce a full article focusing on the history of this incredible aircraft in a future edition of Aerodrome, that’s where we’re going to leave it for now.

A truly beautiful aeroplane, C-53 Skytrooper N8336C ‘Spirit of Douglas’ was originally built in June 1942 and would see wartime service flying in the China Burma India Theatre. Another of the aircraft which flew across the Atlantic to the UK back in 2019, she looked very different during her previous visit, wearing a distinctive livery which had a distinctly oriental leaning.

Named the ‘Spirit of Benovia’, she was presented in this manner not only in honour of its service career, but also because she was owned at that time by owners who had a successful wine business. She was sold to new owners last year, who decided to repaint the aircraft in a smart new livery intended to honour the legacy of Donald Douglas Senior, a man who is historically regarded as the father of commercial aviation. Now carrying the name ‘Spirit of Douglas’, she is a truly beautiful aeroplane, one which has been restored to an incredibly high standard.

Also commemorating the civilian aviation legacy of this incredible aircraft, Douglas DC-3 N33644 is making her debut in the UK during this visit and as such can always be found with many a camera pointing in her direction. This aircraft doesn’t possess any military wartime service heritage, however, she did serve as a freighter during WWII and did fly many a load lugging mission in support of US Military requirements. After the war, she was converted for passenger flying duties, where significantly, she would fly for many years wearing the colours of Western Airlines.

Sold to a new owner only last year, she is now resplendent in a Western Airlines livery and serves as a fitting tribute to the aviation heritage of this magnificent Douglas twin.

If you want to fill your senses with aviation heritage, there really can be no finer place than the grass airfield at Old Warden and as such, this event proved to be incredibly popular with both enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. As we never know if and when these overseas aviation visitors will ever make the hazardous trans-Atlantic journey to visit the UK again, you have to take these opportunities when they offer themselves and document the occasion, just in case. As such, I’m certain that those who made their way to Old Warden over the weekend will cherish the pictures they came away with and will have fond memories of how they commemorated the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.

We hope you enjoy this final selection of images taken during the recent Shuttleworth D-Day weekend.

It’s not often that a Spitfire plays second fiddle to a wartime aircraft, especially on its home airfield.

This stunning Beech D17S Staggerwing in Royal Navy markings was an added bonus for those attending this recent Old Warden event.

As the crew of Placid Lassie were only too happy to tell us, these rivets are the same ones which dropped paratroopers into Normandy on D-Day.

Douglas DC-3 N33644 was making her UK debut during this visit.

C-53 Skytrooper N8336C ‘Spirit of Douglas’ looks very different from how she did during her pervious UK visit five years ago.

Grass blowing is a free service when That’s All Brother’s in town.

That’s all folks!

I’m afraid that’s all we have for you this time, but we will be back again in four weeks’ time with more news and pictures from the world of aviation. Thank you for your continued support and as always, if you would like to comment on anything blog related or suggest a subject you would like to see covered in a future edition of Aerodrome, please do drop us a line at aerodrome@airfix.com, where we would be delighted to hear from you.

Should you wish to continue the aviation discussions between editions, you will always find something of interest over on the Airfix Aerodrome Forum and if social media is more your thing, please use the respective official social media icon links at the foot of the main Airfix and Corgi website homepages to access our official sites.

The next edition of Aerodrome is scheduled to be published on Friday 19th July, where we will hope to be bringing you another feature linked to the fascinating world of historic aviation.

See you all back here then.

Michael