The American Airpower Museum (AAM) continues its popular C-47 D-Day Living History Flight Experience with another one set for May 14 (rain date May 15). Guests fly on an original WWII Douglas C-47 Skytrain transport aircraft “Second Chance,” and are joined by AAM’s Living Historians for a breathtakingly realistic and unforgettable recreation of what U.S. Paratroopers experienced on D-Day. There are three flights set for May 14, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Seats are allocated first come first served and they’re going fast, so act now to book your C-47 flight by calling (516) 531-3950 or (631) 454-2039 (during business hours) or visit the Museum’s gift shop Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway in Farmingdale.
AAM’s Living History Flight Experience is a one-of-a-kind immersive educational program, where Living Historians join you in an original WWII C-47 to give a sense of what 101st and 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers felt on their incredible 1,200-plane D-Day assault. Your mission commander is Robert Scarabino, Long Island’s noted WWII Living Historian, who has led AAM’s C-47 D-Day flights since 2003.
The mission includes: a briefing in the ready room; a chance to wear authentic military field jackets, helmets and gear; the actual sights, smells and sounds as the C-47’s twin engines fire up and you’re off into the blue; see, hear and feel the crew operating their C-47 as Scarabino orders his “paratroopers” to ready for battle. Finally, you attach your parachute hook to the overhead static line for a simulated jump.
This is a family-friendly program for all ages and a wonderful way to educate young Americans about WWII and our Greatest Generation veterans. Support AAM’s mission to honor veterans and military aviation history by helping maintain and preserve these iconic aircraft, along with the Museum’s incredible static exhibits.
Cost of each C-47 flight is $350. A flight experience entitles you to bring an additional person who can visit AAM’s exhibits all day free of charge. You may also wish to visit AAM on May 14 just to watch the flights and tour the museum. In that case, admission for adults is $20, seniors and veterans $15 and children 5-12 $10. No tickets or pre-registration is needed for regular admission.
“Second Chance,” an original WWII C-47, was transferred to the Royal Air Force in 1945 and flew in the Berlin Airlift (1948 – 1949) with the RAF, serving until 1950. The aircraft next served in the Belgian Air Force for two years. In 1952 she went to the French Air Force, serving two years in Viet Nam, as well as in India, Algeria, Morocco and the Congo. In 1967 she was sold to Israel and flew in the Israeli Defense Force 32 years.
American Airpower Museum acquired the aircraft in 2000. “Second Chance” regularly conducts AAM’s C-47 D-Day Living History Flights. She also performs at regional air shows in classic WWII D-Day markings with the original “D8” code. One of the last C-47s still in stock military configuration, this aircraft has more than 17,000 hours in the air, one of the world’s lowest flight times ever.
info@americanairpowermuseum.org – www.americanairpowermuseum.org
