D-Day Squadron Flies at AirVenture

A group of four C-47s and DC-3s are flying as part of the airshow at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this week in preparation for the big Daks Over Normandy reenactment of D-Day that will take place on June 2 through 6 of next year. The restoration of the airplane that led the massive group formation on June 6, 1944, That’s All Brother is complete, and it will lead what’s been named the D-Day Squadron for the reenactment. That’s All Brother airplane is parked in the warbirds section along with several other DC-3s and C-47s for people to see.

Visitors are welcome to step inside That’s All Brother to see the magnificent interior restoration as well. The restoration was done to the utmost level of authenticity, including paratrooper seats and wires. While the panel looks authentic, it hides a Garmin GTN 750/GTN 650 combination, which will help on the planned trip across the Atlantic in May of next year.

Doug Rozendaal, who piloted That’s All Brother before and after the restoration said the C-47 doesn’t fly like most historic warbirds. “It flies like a brand new airplane,” he said, a testament to the hard work of the restoration crew at Basler Turbo Conversions in Oshkosh. The airplane was slated for a conversion just before its historic significance was revealed.

A Warbirds in Review presentation will take place next to the D-Day Squadron’s C-47s Placid Lassie and Spooky on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in Warbird Alley with Lieutenant Colonel Richard “Dick” Cole, the last surviving member of the Doolittle Raiders and author Mark Trahan.