Living History Flight Experiences Return To Long Island's American Airpower Museum

FARMINGDALE, NY — Living history flight experiences are set to return to Farmingdale's American Airpower Museum on Saturday.

"These one-of-a-kind immersive educational flights are led by noted WWII Living HistorianRobert Scarabino, who, with help from his 101st Airborne Living Historians, provides passengers with a sense of what 101st and 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers felt on their incredible 1,200-plane D-Day assault," the museum wrote in a statement.

Nicknamed “Second Chance,” the “Skytrain” is an original C-47B built in 1944 and supplied to the U.S. Army Air Force.

Each D-Day flight features: a mission briefing; a chance for passengers to wear authentic military field jackets, helmets, and gear throughout the mission. Once on board AAM’s C-47B, passengers watch pilots operate their aircraft as “paratroopers” get ready for battle.

"It’s so realistic and unforgettable, right up to the moment when passengers hook their parachutes up to the static line and get ready to jump," the museum stated. "Don’t worry, no jumping is allowed!"

Four flights are scheduled on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

A few seats are left, but they book up fast. To reserve a seat, go to American Airpower Museum's website and click “Book Flight Experience” tab. You may also call 516-531-3950 or 631-454-2039 or visit AAM’s gift shop Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale.

As a special anniversary promotion, Cockpit USA has over-stocked the gift shop with discounted flight jackets; 10 percent of all sales will be donated to the museum.

The public can visit Hangar 3 all day on Saturday to watch each flight and tour AAM’s many exhibits.

Watch as “paratroopers” — the museum's living Historians — and passengers suit up, apply face black-out, don their parachutes, check weapons and board Second Chance. Watch as the plane’s mighty twin engines fire up and she takes off from Republic.

Regular admission for adults is $15, $12 for seniors and veterans and $10 for children 5-12. Tickets and pre-registration are not required for regular admission. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase on-site.

Second Chance, an original WWII C-47B, 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, the plane went to the French Air Force, serving two years in Vietnam, as well as in India, Algeria, Morocco and the Congo. In 1967, "Second Chance" was sold to Israel and flew in the Israeli Defense Force for 32 years.

American Airpower Museum acquired the aircraft in 2000. In addition to AAM’s D-Day 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-47Bs still in stock military configuration, this aircraft has just over 17,000 hours in the air, one of the world’s lowest flight times ever.

On Sept. 18, 1947, the Department of the Air Force was created under the National Security Act of 1947. On Sept. 26, 1947, by order of the Secretary of Defense, personnel of the Army Air Forces were transferred from the Department of the Army to the newly established United States Air Force.

"This is a family-friendly program for all ages and a wonderful way to educate young Americans about WWII and how U.S. military veterans fought to defend our freedom," the museum wrote. "Support AAM’s mission to honor veterans and military aviation history by helping maintain and preserve the Museum’s historic aircraft."