The American Airpower Museum (AAM) proudly reports its C-47 D-Day Living History Flight Experience made four historic flights on June 12th. Since then, demand for flights has been so strong that AAM announces it will stage another day-long program on Saturday, July 31st (rain date Sunday, August 1st).
The Museum’s WWII Douglas C-47 Skytrain Troop Transporter – “The Gooney Bird” – along with AAM’s professional reenactors, once again will provide a breathtakingly realistic recreation of what U.S. Airborne Paratroopers felt on their historic D-Day mission. Three flights are set for July 31st, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., with a fourth available to meet extra demand. Seats are allocated on a first come first served basis.
To book a flight, the public should call (516) 531-3950, visit the Museum’s gift shop or call (631) 454-2039, Wednesday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. AAM is based at Republic Airport, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735. The public and news media are welcome to attend. Attached is a press release – C-47 D-Day July 31 ReleaseB.docx and photograph – AAM C47 boarding the airplane.jpg for your review and consideration.
AAM’s Flight Experience is a one-of-a-kind immersive educational program, where reenactors take you up in AAM’s original WWII C-47 to give a sense of what U.S. 101st and 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers experienced on their incredible 1,200-plane D-Day assault. Reenactors are led by Robert Scarabino, noted WWII Living Historian who has organized AAM’s C-47 D-Day Living History Flight Experiences since the program’s inception in 2003.
This unique experience includes: a mission briefing in the ready room; a chance to wear authentic military field jackets, helmets and gear; the actual sights and sounds as the C-47’s engines fire up and you’re off into the blue; see, hear and feel the crew operating their C-47 and paratroopers getting ready for battle; plus those on board actually line up and attach their hooks to the overhead static line. Don’t worry, no jumping is allowed!
Three WWII veterans will attend the C-47 D-Day Flight Experience, joining Airborne Living Historians and immersing themselves in the sequence of events, including marching with guests out to the C-47 for photo ops. Veterans will reflect on and share their WWII memories. They are: Gene Leavy, 95, East Northport, U.S. Army 100th Infantry Division, 398th Regiment, Battle of the Bulge; Joseph Salvatore Randazzo, 95, West Babylon, U.S. Army 75th Infantry Division, 291st Regiment, shot in Germany near Dortmund; Dr. Richard Heinl, 96, Syosset, U.S. Army 94th Infantry Division, 376th Regiment. The 94th was part of Gen. George Patton's Third Army. This is a wonderful way to educate all ages about America’s Greatest Generation heroes and help carry their legacy forward.
Cost of the C-47 flight is $350. This is a family-friendly experience for all ages. The program is about 1.5 hours long and each flight takes 25 minutes. A flight experience entitles guests to bring an additional person who can visit the Museum free of charge. Support AAM’s mission to honor veterans and U.S. aviation history by preserving the aircraft and their legacy for future generations. The public may also wish to visit AAM on July 31st, just to watch the flights and tour the Museum. In that case, regular admission for Adults is $15, Seniors & Veterans $10 and Children 5-12 $8. No tickets or pre-registration is necessary for regular admission.