On June 14 and 15, 2025, don't miss the event of the year: the Navy to Victory Tour at the Cerny-La Ferté Alais airfield, a unique opportunity to relive the history of the Second World War through emblematic aircraft and objects!

We are honored to welcome from Texas a World War II veteran aircraft, the Douglas R4D Ready 4 Duty, the US Navy version of the famous DC-3, belonging to the Commemorative Air Force. This legendary aircraft will open its doors to you for exceptional interior visits, to discover the flight conditions of the time and the technical characteristics of this living legend of military aviation.

The exhibition also features objects and relics from World War II warships such as the USS Texas, USS Laffey and USS Yorktown, moving testaments to the heroism of American sailors.

This event is organized by the CAF French Wing and the Musée Salis in partnership with Le Fana de l'Aviation magazine, in an exceptional setting where history buffs, families and the curious can immerse themselves in the heritage of the Atlantic and Pacific wars and military aviation.

Timetable :

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Prices :

- General admission: 19€ (5-14 years 15€)

- Navy Gold Wings Spotter Ticket (privileged access to exceptional viewing areas, meeting and dinner with pilots and crew, night photo shooting with engines running... Entertainment and supervision by the DCA association): 180€.

On-site catering

Come and celebrate history, freedom and the courage of those who fought for peace. We look forward to seeing you for an unforgettable weekend at the heart of World War II history!

On Saturday June 14, 2025, the French Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, the Musée Volant Salis and the DCA association are organizing a special operation for photographers.

On the weekend of June 14 and 15, 2025, the Navy to Victory Tour will stop at the wonderful La Ferté Alais airfield.

The Douglas R4D-6S, after a journey from Texas through the eastern USA, will cross the Atlantic to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe on May 08, 1945, which marked the end of more than five years of war.

Ready 4 Duty

The Douglas R4D “Ready 4 Duty” is the naval version of the C-47. The CAF version was modified to carry anti-submarine grenades. It was assigned to the U.S. Navy Atlantic Special Service Squadron. It served in the Caribbean, from Texas to Guantanamo (Cuba), in South America as far as Rio, in the South Atlantic as far as Dakar, in the Eastern Atlantic and in the Northern Hemisphere, from Newfoundland to Greenland and as far as Iceland. During operational patrols in February 1945, he was one of 20 members of a squadron that surprised and sank a German submarine surfacing off the Brazilian coast.

Navy Gold Wings Spotters Pass

We want you to experience an exceptional day and feel privileged.

You will be greeted by volunteers from the DCA Association, who will give you your badge, which will be your key to accessing the activities reserved for you, including :

Admission to the Musée Volant Salis

• Exhibition of artifacts from warships USS Texas, USS Laffey, USS Yorktown.

• Shooting of the R4D arrival and Corsair in flight from dedicated spotting areas. You'll be accompanied by DCA volunteers.

• A tour of Ready 4 Duty with crew commentary.

• A masterclass in aeronautical photography led by Kris Christiaens and the DCAs, focusing on photographing aircraft in flight and static, at night, with engines running or accompanied by extras, will be a fascinating experience for photographers with a passion for aviation.

• Kris Christiaens is a recognized expert in the field of aerial photography, and will guide you through advanced techniques for capturing breathtaking images.

Program:

1. Introduction to aeronautical photography

Understanding the environment: Light, weather and airspace conditions necessary for a good shot.
Recommended equipment: Choice of cameras (DSLR or mirrorless) and lenses (telephoto, wide-angle), as well as accessories such as ND filters for exposure control.

2. Shooting techniques

• Aircraft in flight :
• Ground - Air: Use slow shutter speeds to capture the movement of the propellers and not freeze the movement of the aircraft, while preserving sharpness.
• Spin: Specific settings for tracking aircraft movement with long focal length lenses.
• Air to air: Choice of speeds, anticipation and communication , type of briefing
• Static aircraft:

Techniques for capturing motionless aircraft with dramatic backgrounds.
Working with natural or artificial light to add volume and texture.
Shooting with extras/reenactors:
Working with extras in period costume to recreate historical scenes or add a human element.
Staging techniques: composition, interaction with extras and positioning for immersive photography.

3. Tips and Tricks

• Safety precautions: Aviation photography requires careful preparation, especially when shooting in flight. Make sure you're well trained and follow safety precautions.
• Network with pilots and reenactors: Establish links with pilots, associations, organizations and reenactment enthusiasts to obtain opportunities for collaboration.

4. Safety reminders and presentation of spotting areas for the day

You'll soon have the opportunity to put all these techniques and tips into practice on this beautiful day.

You'll soon have the chance to put all these techniques and tips into practice on this beautiful day.

Dinner:

You'll dine in the sumptuous surroundings of the B-17 hangar, with the pilots and crew. Quality food will be served at the table, in a jazzy swinging atmosphere, thanks to the duo Madeeson & Co.

• A night photo shoot with reenactors, followed by a sequence of R4Ds and Corsairs with their engines running.

• • The Klondike Group, dressed in US Navy gear, will give your photos a WWII atmosphere and bring history to life.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the aircraft.

For your convenience, the number of places will be limited, and we reserve the right to close registrations at any time.

The program is subject to change, depending on mechanical and weather conditions.

En l'honneur du 80e anniversaire de la victoire des Alliés lors de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale.

L'avion de collection Ready 4 Duty effectuera un voyage de 19 000 kilomètres en Europe.

DALLAS (28 janvier 2025) - Pour commémorer le 80e anniversaire de la victoire des Alliés lors de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, Ready 4 Duty, un avion historique de l’US Navy exploité par la Commemorative Air Force (CAF) basé à Dallas, entreprend un voyage transatlantique du Texas à l'Europe pour honorer le service et le sacrifice des marins américains et alliés.

L'ambitieuse tournée Navy to Victory de Ready 4 Duty, d'une durée de douze semaines et d'une distance de 19 000 kilomètres, comprend des apparitions à plus d'une douzaine d'événements aéronautiques et cérémoniels dans le sud et l'est des États-Unis, en Islande, au Royaume-Uni, en France et aux Pays-Bas, d'avril à juillet.

« Exploiter en toute sécurité un avion de quatre-vingts ans pendant un voyage aussi long n'est pas une mince affaire », a déclaré Christopher Volpe, coordinateur principal du Navy to Victory Tour. « Mais le fait de contribuer à la construction d'un héritage durable pour les anciens combattants fait que tous les préparatifs et les sacrifices en valent la peine. »

Selon Christopher Volpe, l'âge avancé des anciens combattants de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, dont les plus jeunes ont aujourd'hui quatre-vingt-dix-sept ans, a joué un rôle important dans la décision d'organiser cette tournée intercontinentale. « La possibilité d'honorer ces hommes et ces femmes pendant qu'ils sont encore parmi nous s’amenuise rapidement », a déclaré M. Volpe. « Pour eux, leurs familles et la société dans son ensemble, nous sommes déterminés à leur rendre hommage à l'occasion du 80e anniversaire de la Victoire des Alliés.

Cet avion emblématique transportera également des objets provenant de navires de guerre américains de la Seconde Guerre mondiale qui ont survécu, tels que  le porte-avions U.S.S. Yorktown, le cuirassé USS Texas et le destroyer U.S.S. Laffey, au cours de la tournée « Navy to Victory ». C'est la première fois que des objets provenant d'un si grand nombre de navires de guerre américains de la Seconde Guerre mondiale sont exposés ensemble.

« Le Navy to Victory Tour est un hommage sincère aux innombrables marins et aviateurs alliés qui ont servi avec courage et conviction pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale », a déclaré David Oliver, président-directeur général de la CAF. « Cette mission commémorative incarne les liens transatlantiques forgés dans la lutte pour la liberté et reste une pierre angulaire de notre histoire commune. »

Stéphane Duchemin, leader du Wing français de la CAF s’exprime sur la venue du R4D en France :  « Nous sommes très fiers d’accueillir Ready for Duty en France. Sa tournée est une véritable opportunité pour le public français de rencontrer un véritable avion vétéran de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale, d’honorer nos libérateurs et les marins américains et pour les membres du French Wing, de soutenir et accompagner nos amis de la CAF US avec notre Piper NE-1, lui aussi aux couleurs de l’US Navy. »

À propos de Ready 4 Duty

Construit en 1944, "Ready-4-Duty" (BuAer 50783) est un R4D-6S, la version navale du DC-3 et du C-47.

Celui de la CAF a été modifié pour transporter des grenades anti-sous-marines. Il a été affecté à l'U.S. Navy Atlantic Special Service Squadron au VR3. Il a servi dans les Caraïbes, du Texas à Guantanamo (Cuba), d’Amérique du Sud en passant par Rio, dans l'Atlantique Sud jusqu'à Dakar, dans l'Atlantique Est et dans l'hémisphère Nord, de Terre-Neuve jusqu'au Groenland et à l'Islande.

Lors de patrouilles opérationnelles en février 1945, il était l'un des 20 membres d'un escadron qui surprit un sous-marin allemand en surface au large des côtes brésiliennes et le coula.

Il est ensuite transféré à la Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit, Atlantic, et affecté au VX-1, un escadron d'évaluation basé à Key West, en Floride, où il évalue des "gadgets" électroniques top secret, dont les dossiers restent toujours classifiés de nos jours(ou perdus).

"Ready-4-Duty" a terminé sa carrière dans l'US Navy au NART, Naval Reserve Training, en 1959.

Ensuite, il a servi comme avion de largage pour les smoke jumpers de l'US Forestry Service avant d'être acquis par la Commemorative Air Force.

Il est maintenant basé à Lancaster, au Texas, où il est opéré par le Dallas Forth Worth Wing CAF.

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).

Introduction

The Commemorative Air Force, CAF, is the largest flying museum in the world with 180 aircraft, most of which date from World War II. The CAF was founded in Harlingen, Texas in 1957, then moved to Midland before its Headquarters moved to its new National Air Force Base at Dallas Executive Airport in 2016. Today, the Commemorative Air Force has 12,000 members worldwide.

The goal of the CAF is to acquire, restore and maintain aircraft from the World War II to Vietnam War period in flying condition, and to engage younger generations to honor the pilots and crew members who fought.

Its objectives are: Educate, Inspire and Honor.

Since 1996, the French Wing is the French unit of the Commemorative Air Force. The statutes have been filed in France and the FW is in the form of an Association loi 1901. It maintains a Piper J3 in flying condition and is based in its hangar at Le Plessis Belleville where its volunteers organize an annual fly-in that brings together old planes, old vehicles and guests in period costumes.The French Wing conducts historical research and produces a documentary entitled "History and Duty to Remember" which publishes interviews with veterans that are primarily intended for a young audience and can be viewed on its YouTube channel and website.

Our project

The association acquired the Piper J3 F-GHLQ in 2003. The restoration of the aircraft was done in 1993.

The aircraft was named "Spirit of Lewis" in honor of Lewis Bateman, an English member of the French Wing who died in 2000. Lewis had been an unwavering supporter at the start of the association. A former mechanic on the Fairey Firefly during the Korean War, he had become a brilliant aeronautical engineer at the origin of the Airbus family.

Shortly after his acquisition, a contest for the most beautiful design was launched and Roy Grinnell, ace painter and member of the FW, won with an NE-1 version of the Cub. It is this version which was retained and in these colors that the plane will be painted.

The aircraft will represent NE-1 serial 26359 (NE-1 being the designation of the Piper J3 Cub for the US Navy, which served in the USA and in the Pacific theater

Here is his history reconstructed from its "History card" for the FW by an amateur historian, John Scott:

• 05/29/1942 : Delivered to US Navy at Lockhaven, Pennsylvania
• 06/13/1942 : Arrival at RAB (Reserve Air Base) d'Oakland, California (East of San Francisco across the bay),
• 11/11/1942 : Transferred to NAS (Naval Air Station) de Moffett Field, Sunnyvale California (south end of San Francisco Bay)
• 08/25/1942 : Assigned to ZP-32 Squadron, NAS Sunnyvale

• 08/1943, transferred to BlimpHedron 3, airship maintenance unit, Sunnyvale
• 11/1943 : Transferred to Pool (unassigned) Naval Air Station, Alameda, California (East of San Francisco across the bay north of Oakland),
• 02/1944 : transferred to Pool NAS, Pearl Harbour, Hawaii
• 03/1945 : in transit to Guam
• 04 through 06/1945 : NAB (Naval Advance Base), Orote, Guam
• 07/1945 : Awaiting assignment CASU (F) 12 (Combat Aircraft Service Unit - Forward), Guam
• 08/1945 : Pool CASU (F) 12, Guam
• 09/1945 :in transit to Japan (probably)
• 10/1945 : Okinawa (Kadena ?)
• 02/1946 through 03/15/1946 : NAB Yonabaru, Okinawa
• 03/15/1946 through 06/21/1946 : NAB Awase, Okinawa
• 06/1946 : FASRON 13, (Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron), Orote, Guam
• 10/31/1946 : Stricken from inventory (presumably Orote, Guam)

Roy Grinnell's painting features NE-1 serial #26359, in the paint scheme he wore between December 1942 and June 1943 while assigned to the ZP-32 Squadron at Moffett field in San Francisco Bay.

The ZP-32 operated airships from this base for maritime patrol, ship escort and anti-submarine warfare missions.

Herb Parsons, President of the Moffett Field Historical Society Museum (MFHS), received a gift from the family of a sailor who served in the ZP-32, a photo album containing a few photos of the NE1 captioned, "The little Blue Cloud".

The choice of this paint scheme twenty years after the contest won by Roy is a double tribute, to Roy now deceased of course and to the fighters.

At the end of 2021, the year of the 25th anniversary of the French Wing, the plane was transported by our members to Libourne at Aero Services Restoration for its restoration.

The plane will be dismantled, dismantled, inspected, the parts that need to be changed will be changed, the fuselage will be sandblasted, painted, then re-stained and painted.

The estimate amounts to a little more than 30000€ that the French Wing has saved over the years and is therefore this much more than the cost of the plane.

What are our goals for this fundraising campaign?

Thank you for your help in getting The Little Blue Cloud back in the air !

On June 7 & 8, 2019, Daks over Normandy will be an event of exceptional magnitude and historical importance with which the CAF French Wing is associated. Together with other aircraft, CAF’s C-47 Skytrain "That's All Brother" and C-53 Skytrooper "D-Day Doll" will cross the Atlantic to join, first at Duxford and then at Caen-Carpiquet, the fleet of European DC-3’s and C-47’s to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion in the Daks over Normandy event which is assembling about thirty DC-3, C-47 and C-53 aircraft, plus a number of single engine World War II fighters, like Spitfires and  Mustangs

The program includes commemorative flights with parachute drops into  the original Drop Zones, where "That's All Brother" will return as the Lead aircraft, when in the Dawn of June 6, 1944, it led the main assault wave of the "Albany" mission.

Caen-Carpiquet Airport will be open to the public on Friday, June 7 and on Saturday June 8, 2019, from 10.00 to 17.00.  Visitors will be able to see the aircraft and speak to the crews and see this extraordinary armada fly.

You can, right now, get your tickets here www.daksovernormandy.com/tickets

You can also get tickets at the entry, but the online prices are lower

Les 7 & 8 juin 2019, c’est un événement d’ampleur et d’importance historique exceptionnelle auquel le CAF French Wing va être associé.. Le C-47 Skytrain « That’s All Brother » et le C-53 Skytrooper « D-day Doll » de la CAF vont traverser l’Atlantique avec d’autres appareils pour rejoindre, tout d’abord Duxford et enfin Caen-Carpiquet pour commémorer le 75th Anniversaire du Débarquement en Normandie avec l’organisation Daks over Normandy qui devrait regrouper une trentaine d’avions de types DC-3/C-47/C-53 ainsi que plusieurs chasseurs de la 2eme Guerre Mondiale comme le Spitfire et le P-51 Mustang.

Au programme des vols commémoratifs avec des largages de parachutistes sur les Drop Zones de l’époque où “That’s All Brother” devrait retrouver sa place d’avion Leader,  quand à l’Aube du 6 juin 1944, il mena la vague d’assaut principale de la mission “Albany”.

L’Aéroport de Caen-Carpiquet sera ouvert deux jours au public de 10h00 à 17h00, les vendredi 7 et samedi 8 juin 2019, où les visiteurs pourront approcher avions et équipages et voir voler cette armada extraordinaire.

Vous pouvez, d’ors et déjà, vous procurer les billets ici à www.daksovernormandy.com/tickets

Vous pourrez aussi les acheter sur place mais les tarifs en ligne sont plus bas