11 C-47s on their way from the US to Normandy via Scotland

[FourWheelDrift]

From Goose Bay Canada, but Canada wouldn't fit into the title - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrad...

15 will be going in total so I guess someone will see them flying overhead in the next few days.

Official website - https://www.daksovernormandy.com/

[LotusOmega375D]

I booked our Duxford tickets back in March. I'm taking my Dad along on the 5th as his birthday present. I'll post up some photos afterwards.

[aeropilot]

First one arrived at Duxford on Tuesday.

3 x arrived at Prestwick in Scotland yesterday, and will be staying at Prestwick until the others arrive in the next few days, as at least 1 arrived in Iceland yesterday, and another 2 arrived in Greenland yesterday. I think the last of the group is due to leave Goose Bay today.

They will all then fly down from Prestwick to Duxford as a single group on Monday or Tues next week I think.

[Eric Mc]

Will they be staying in the UK for any length of time after the Duxford event? I'm going to Legends in July but I'm also going to the June 15 Shuttleworth Display.

[aeropilot]

Eric Mc said:

Will they be staying in the UK for any length of time after the Duxford event? I'm going to Legends in July but I'm also going to the June 15 Shuttleworth Display.

No.

Some of the US based a/c are heading to Germany after the events in France and then departing from there back to USA, and will transit back through UK (likely Prestwick again) but after 5th June event at DX, none of them will be at any UK airshows.

[Eric Mc]

aeropilot said:

No.

Some of the US based a/c are heading to Germany after the events in France and then departing from there back to USA, and will transit back through UK (likely Prestwick again) but after 5th June event at DX, none of them will be at any UK airshows.

That's a pity.

[aeropilot]

Eric Mc said:

aeropilot said:

No.

Some of the US based a/c are heading to Germany after the events in France and then departing from there back to USA, and will transit back through UK (likely Prestwick again) but after 5th June event at DX, none of them will be at any UK airshows.

That's a pity.

Simple logistics, the crews are mostly volunteers etc., so taking 2 or 3 weeks off to do this, so most of the US stuff are trying to get over and back within a 2 week slot because of time-off and costs etc.
Can't expect them to extend stay all the way into mid July when they departed home bases in USA etc last weekend in some cases.

[Eric Mc]

Obviously - and no airshow organisers were obviously willing to fund any extensions.

[aeropilot]

N47TB has just landed at Coventry after flying down from Prestwick.

[Marlin45]

Wouldn't it be great if the whole lot did the loop before heading to Normady?

[Eric Mc]

Or a Farnborough flypast

[Steve_D]

From what I've seen they will load up and fly out of Duxford and over to Caen.
Does anyone know the actual route or will it be a straight line A to B?

Steve

[aeropilot]

Steve_D said:

From what I've seen they will load up and fly out of Duxford and over to Caen.
Does anyone know the actual route or will it be a straight line A to B?

Steve

Duxford to Colchester to Southend-On-Sea to Maidstone to Eastborne, then out across Channel.

Timings approx are,

13.40 – 14.05 - Take-off Duxford Airfield

14.20 - Colchester

14.29 - Southend-on-Sea

14.37 - Maidstone

14.50 - Eastborne

[Steve_D]

Thanks.
Rather suspected there was little chance I would see them overhead.

Steve

[Trevatanus]

Eric Mc said:

Or a Farnborough flypast

They are overflying Beachy Head if you fancy a trip to the coast on their way to Normandy.

[blue_haddock]

I'm off to the D-Day event over in france and cant wait to see them.

[aeropilot]

I assume (hope) that it will be N47TB "That's All Brother" that will be leading the formation on the 5th, just as it did 75 years ago.

[aeropilot]

"Flabob Express", N103NA departed Iceland half an hour ago and it looks like "D-Day Doll", N45366 is just about to take off from Iceland.

I think these look like being the last two that will be making the trip. There maybe one more due to depart Goose today, that was held up departing its home base in USA because of bad weather, when all the others departed. Can't see to find whats happened to it.
Possible that one still stuck on ground in Greenland as well because of a tech issue.

[TRIUMPHBULLET]

Watching this with a childish glee on Flightradar.
When you find the old girls and then realise that 75 years ago guys were ferrying these planes without the support they have now and knew if they ditched it was pretty much over it reminds me of how brave they were as indeed are todays heroes.
Thank you for keeping the memories alive and a safe flight to all.

[aeropilot]

Just noticed that, Historic Flight Foundation's "Pan Am", N877MG is also enroute across the sea from Iceland to Scotland as well, so that's 3 in-bound to Prestwick today.