File:Douglas C-47A-15-DK Skytrain ‘3X - W - 292847‘ “That’s All… Brother" ” (N47TB) (50898395383).jpg

Built in March 1944 as a C-47A-15-DK with the US military serial 42-92847. Delivered to the Ninth Air Force in April 1944 and flew with the 87th Troop Carrier Squadron, part of the 438th Troop Carrier Group based at Greenham Common. Here she was modified with SCR-717 navigational equipment for use as a pathfinder. As such, she flew as lead aircraft for the D-Day invasion, dropping paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division. Despite being hit by flak she flew a second mission later the same day, this time as a glider tug. She later took part in Operation Dragoon and Operation Market Garden, flew supply missions during the Battle of the Bulge and finally dropped more paratroopers during Operation Varsity. She returned to the USA in August 1945 and by the end of the year had become NC88874 in commercial use. She then had a large number of civil operators, with bases in Alabama, Arkansas, Georiga, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York and Oregon. By 1999 she was part of the Aero Heritage Museum at Mesa, Falcon Field, Arizona. When I saw her there in February 2003 she was wearing full Vietnam era camoflage and was fitted with replica Gatling guns, representing an AC-47 Spooky. Sold to Basler in 2008, she was flown to Oshkosh, WI, for turboprop conversion but was stored instead. Rescued by the Commemorative Air Force in 2015, she underwent a complete restoration to original WW2 condition, both inside and out. She flew again in January 2018, now in a very authentic recreation of her original colours and markings. She is seen on the main flightline during the Commemorative Air Force’s ‘Wings Over Dallas’ WWII Airshow. Dallas Executive Airport, Redbird, Dallas, Texas.