Daks over LFA Spotter's Day, June 11th 2024
The Salis Flying Museum, the French Wing of the Commemorative Air Force and the DCA association are organizing a day dedicated to Photographers - Spotters on the occasion of the arrival of the C-47 That's All Brother and the R4D Ready 4 Duty on the Cerny airfield.
Photographers, spotters, this day of June 11, 2024 is for you. On their way from Normandy, where they will have commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day, to Germany, where they will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, the two Dakotas of the Commemorative Air Force will stop at La Ferté Alais.
You'll witness their arrival in flight, and be able to welcome the crews for dinner. (BBQ)
Before or after dinner, you'll attend a workshop on night shooting and running engines led by photographer Laurent Cluzel.
Well-equipped re-enactors in WWII uniforms will bring your static photos to life.
The two Commemorative Air Force aircraft, the C-47 "That's All Brother" and the R4D "Ready 4 Duty" will be open to you for interior photos, with lighting adapted to the shots.
Finally, once night has fallen, you'll be able to photograph a rotating engine aircraft.
This program is subject to change depending on weather and mechanical conditions.
The price is 90€ per photographer
All proceeds from this operation will go to the two Commemorative Air Force aircraft.
That's All Brother by Rich Cooper
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain "That's All Brother" is a true veteran of the Normandy landings. She led the main assault wave at dawn on June 6, 1944. The Commemorative Air Force has completely restored her to her original configuration to bring her to celebrate the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy in 2019. She made the trip again from San Marcos, Texas, for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Ready 4 Duty by Alan Wilson
The Douglas R4D "Ready 4 Duty" is the naval version of the C-47. The CAF version was modified to carry anti-submarine grenades. She was assigned to the U.S. Navy Atlantic Special Service Squadron. It served in the Caribbean, from Texas to Guantanamo (Cuba), in South America to Rio, in the South Atlantic to Dakar, in the Eastern Atlantic and in the Northern Hemisphere, from Newfoundland to Greenland and Iceland. During operational patrols in February 1945, she was one of 20 members of a squadron that surprised and sank a German submarine on the surface off the Brazilian coast. "Ready 4 Duty is based in Dallas Forth Worth, Texas.
She too has been to Europe before, in 1985.
Other C-47/DC-3s could land at La Ferté and remain on static display, such as the C-47 Placie Lassie and the DC-3 Western Airlines, which have already been confirmed.
In addition to your photos and memories full of eyes and ears, you'll leave with the Daks over LFA patch.
Practical info:
Parking: The Musée Volant Salis parking lot has 150 spaces.
Welcome: Laurent Casaert, representative of the DCA association, co-organizer of this event, and volunteers will meet you on arrival at the Musée Volant Salis.
An access badge, valid for the day, will be given to you on arrival (please bring proof of identity).