My love affair with the DC-3/Dakota, in all its forms, began when I was 12 years old; my first flight ever in an aircraft with my parents from England to Switzerland for a holiday.
Out on the apron stood a beautiful, shiny aircraft and I instantly fell in love with her.
Dad explained that she was a “Dakota” and told me about the incredible part they had played during WW2.
The flight was so exciting that I couldn’t wait for the return trip, even though it would mean our holiday would be over!
My next encounter with the Dakota was for a birthday celebration in 1994 when Mark, my husband, and I flew in G-AMPZ, a C-47 owned at that time by ‘Air Atlantique’. We flew from Bournemouth Airport across the Channel and along the Normandy Beaches. It was wonderful.
As anyone who knows me will know, I’ve been a huge fan of “Placid Lassie” and the “D-Day Squadron” since I first heard about them in 2018, when the ‘Mighty Fifteen’ Dakotas were planning and preparing for their mission to Europe to participate in the D-Day 75 commemorations in England and Normandy in June 2019.
Mark and I bought tickets for the ‘Daks over Normandy’ events at Caen Carpiquet Airport, Normandy and it was a spectacular sight to see 22 Dakotas together in one place. But it was a huge disappointment that we weren’t allowed to get close to the aircraft, or speak to any of their crews, although I did manage to have a quick chat with Tia Komberek, who was standing in front of Miss Montana near the barriers, which was great.
After the event, I joined the ‘DC-3 Society’ and lived in hope that the D-Day Squadron would return to Normandy for D-Day 80 and, since then, I have grown to know the organisations and many of the people involved; amazing people who work incredibly hard to keep these magnificent 80+ year old aircraft flying and sharing their histories.
Fast forward to 4 June this year and the D-Day 80 commemorations. Mark and I bought tickets for the D-Day 80 events at Cherbourg Maupertus Airport as soon as they went on sale, and I was incredibly excited about the prospect of meeting the people involved, in person, and their aircraft.
Monday night, 3 June, 11.30pm – my phone buzzed; it was a message from my friend Sherry Fuller of the Tunison Foundation.
“Claire are you awake?” she asked
“Yes I’m awake” said I.
“Would you and Mark have an interest in cruising around in Placid Lassie tomorrow flanked by some C130s?” “You’d have to be up and to Cherbourg Maupertus Airport by 0730 for briefing. Wheels up probably by 0830 ??!!”
I looked at Mark with pleading eyes. He nodded with a big grin and I quickly replied “YES PLEASE, We’ll be there”!!!
My heart was pounding so loudly with excitement, I hardly slept a wink that night!
Next morning we were up at 0515, in the car by 0615 and parked at the Airport by 0645!!
Once in the Terminal, we met Ben and John and other members of the team. I knew their faces from social media, and they knew who I was, presumably because they regularly see my interaction with their media posts, and some have become FB ‘friends’. It was great to meet them.
Then Sherry arrived and we chatted for a while. After speaking with her ‘on-line’ over the past months, it was lovely to finally meet her in person.
We were introduced to Eric Zipkin, who gave a flight briefing, and then at about 0815 we all set off to where Placid Lassie was sitting waiting for us. Luc Zipkin, who recently attained co-pilot status on Placid Lassie, was Eric’s co-pilot this morning. How proud is his father I wonder!?!
It was thrilling to be sitting in Lassie as her engines were started and warmed up. I’ve watched the process so many times on-line, but to actual feel it from inside, is quite a different matter. I was surprised at how fast Lassie taxied out to the runway. She seemed to be in a hurry, and then I saw that “That’s All Brother” was following right behind us!
In no time at all we were on the runway, powering-up for takeoff and Lassie began to vibrate, as though she was excited to get airborne as soon as she could! And then she was off, quickly gathering speed down the runway until she gracefully lifted off the ground and into the sky. TAB took off right behind us and up we went. It was an absolutely marvellous feeling.
Soon Lassie levelled off after a turn, her engines gently purring, and we were able to undo our seat belts, walk around, take photographs and visit the cockpit. I soon became aware that Lassie has her own unique smell! I couldn’t describe it, but believe me, it’s wonderful!
TAB and Lassie were flying in close formation the entire time with TAB slightly behind and off Lassie’s right wing, or she’d cross over to the left side. It was amazing. They, of course, have practised formation flying many times as part of the D-Day Squadron.
After a while, we joined up with four USAF C-130 Hercules, flying in formation. They were painted with invasion stripes, just like Lassie and TAB. It was utterly incredible!
Some of the time we were flying above the clouds, but mostly we flew fairly low so the views over the countryside and the historic sites below were amazing.
All the while I couldn’t help feeling the history around us. Remembering that Lassie flew on D-Day and all the days afterwards, followed by operations throughout the War, and later on the Berlin Airlift. Then, looking out at TAB flying next to us, knowing that she was THE aircraft that led the main airborne invasion on D-Day. How incredible is that! We were flying in a beautiful piece of history.
One of the younger members of Lassie’s team, who was sitting in front of me, was ‘tearing-up’ as he looked out at TAB and we spoke briefly about the emotion of the moment. I was very moved by his passion at such a young age.
I told Sherry that, before coming to Normandy, I had hoped I would be allowed to see inside Placid Lassie; it never occurred to me that we might be invited to fly in her! We were in the air for almost two hours; it was, quite simply, a dream come true for me. Absolutely incredible and it’s a memory that will stay with me always!
After a perfect landing, Lassie taxied back to her spot and we all stood around chatting for some time. It was without doubt my best day ever.
It was also a delight to meet Clara and talk to her about her wonderful achievements and qualifications. She obviously derives great joy from maintaining ‘her’ Lassie, even down to the care she took in wiping away oil from under her engines after flight.
On a personal note, I’d like to say a huge “thank you” to Sherry for inviting us, Eric and Luc for flying us, the air and ground crew and all the support staff, back at home in the US and on the tour. I know how incredibly hard you all work to care for, and maintain, magnificent Placid Lassie, so that she can continue to fly and tell the story of her part in history.
Lastly, I was sad that Ready 4 Duty and Screaming Eagle weren’t able to make it to Normandy with the Squadron, but the four teams present did a fantastic job of honouring the veterans and the men and women who sacrificed their lives for the freedom we enjoy today. Mark and I spoke with a number of spectators during the events and quickly realised how much the D-Day Squadron’s presence this year was appreciated and their general awe at the achievement of bringing these incredible aircraft from America to France. For that you can all be incredibly proud!
Thank you for everything you do to keep history alive and for making my dream come true! ✈️❤️
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