D-Day Living History Flight Experiences Coming To LI Aviation Museum: 'Back In Time'

FARMINGDALE, NY — If you've ever wanted to take flight and experience part of what U.S. troops did when they stormed the beaches of Normandy in World War II, you can sign up for the Douglas C-47 "Skytrain" D-Day Living History Flight Experiences event on Sept. 2 at the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale. Sept. 3 is the scheduled rain date.

"In a one-of-a-kind immersive educational program, AAM’s C-47 troop transport will conduct four flights where living historians show passengers what 101st and 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers experienced on their incredible 1,200-plane D-Day assault," the museum wrote.

Robert Scarabino, a World War II historian, along with help from his 101st Airborne re-enactors, will transport passengers back in time to that fateful day in history.

AAM’s four C-47 flights are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can book seats by visiting the American Airpower Museum website and clicking "C-47 D-Day Living History Flight Experience." Or you can call 516-531-3950, 631-454-2039 or visit AAM’s gift shop Wednesday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale.

Each passenger may bring an extra guest at no charge to watch the flights and tour AAM’s exhibits all day.

AAM created the experience to honor C-47 troop transport crews and paratroopers.

Passengers are issued M-1942 jump jackets, helmets and harnesses, take part in an authentic mission briefing, then "form up" with the museum's professional re-enactors in full WWII 101st Airborne gear. Next, passengers and re-enactors board AAM’s C-47 Skytrain, just like American soldiers did 79 years ago when they risked everything to liberate Europe from the Nazis.

On board the C-47, passengers feel and hear the aircraft’s mighty twin engines firing up, then it taxis to the runway and takes off from Republic Airport, heading for Long Island’s South Shore. During flight, they observe the pilots operating their cockpit controls and paratroopers prepping for battle. They’ll relive the Airborne experience up to the very moment when orders are given to hook up to the overhead static line.

Upon returning from this exciting flight, all will learn what the heroes did 79 years ago when they helped achieve victory for the allies, culminating in the Nazi surrender.

Each Living History experience is about 90 minutes long, and the actual flight time to Long Island’s South Shore and back is about 20 minutes.

The public was invited to visit the museum's Hangar 3 all day on Sept. 2 so people can watch each flight and tour the museum's exhibits. Tickets and pre-registration are not required. In that case, regular admission is free for members, $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and veterans, $10 for children ages 5-12 and free for children ages 4 and under.

The family-friendly program is for all ages and provides an educational experience about World War II and the United States' Greatest Generation veterans.

"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 Royal Air Force, serving until 1950. The aircraft next served in the Belgian Air Force for two years. In 1952, "Second Chance" went to the French Air Force, serving two years in Vietnam, as well as in India, Algeria, Morocco and the Congo.

In 1967, the aircraft was sold to Israel and flew in the Israeli Defense Force for 32 years. AmericanAirpower Museum acquired the aircraft in 2000.

"Second Chance" regularly conducts AAM’s C-47 D-Day Living History Flights. The aircraft 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.