"Return to Normandy: 2014" - New Geneseo Mission!

AHancock51 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:08 pm

Hello Geneseo Friends,

Our museum is pleased to announce the launch of our newest exciting campaign, the "Return to Normandy: 2014" mission! The goal is to take our D-Day Veteran C-47 "Skytrain" to Normandy, France. We want to attend the 70th Anniversary of the Normandy invasions by taking our historic plane back to the place of it's glory.

Please visit the "Return to Normandy: 2014" blog to learn more and donate!

BLOG: http://normandy2014.blogspot.com/
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXaYvRQn9Nc&list=PLxjBqnx1RG74zC7UBgSF8LHWX0uOZEdp3&index=1

Blue Skies and Tailwinds...

patelie · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 5:54 am

We will be happy to welcome you and your bird in june 2014

AHancock51 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 7:06 am

patelie wrote:

We will be happy to welcome you and your bird in june 2014

Aww, great!

WallyB · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 7:27 am

patelie wrote:

We will be happy to welcome you and your bird in june 2014

Any other C-47s planning to attend?

Iclo · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 8:12 am

There a few airworthy in France, but I don't remember if they are veteran of the D-Day.

patelie · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 9:19 am

WallyB wrote:

Any other C-47s planning to attend?

Each year there is "Drag Em' Oot" 42-100882 which is dropping paratroopers of Round Canopy Parachuting Team http://www.rcpt.eu
there is also "Night Fright" 42-100521 which is now based in England. perhaps she will make the trip also?

XL446 · **Joined:** Wed Dec 15, 2010 6:20 am **Posts:** 83

Dear Patrick and all,
please note that "Night Fright" 42-100521 (which is currently registered N308SF) was still at Punta Gorda, FL on 8 April, so not yet (to the best of my knowledge) 'based in England'.

@Hagkid91 and 1941 Historical Aircraft Group,
welcome to Europe, and I hope you can make it!

Roger

patelie · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 11:23 am

Roger
Noted!
Hope she will be able to make the trip to Europe soon!

RMAllnutt · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 11:39 am

While I applaud the intent behind the idea, and it is bound to be a wonderful trip and experience, I can't help but feel that the money raised for this trip would be better spent on keeping the C-47 airworthy, or even for restoring other aircraft in the collection. It will take a lot of cash to take the Dakota to France, and boatloads if she breaks down and gets stuck there for any length of time. It's one thing for a large organization or a well funded private individual to do something like this, but something entirely different for a smaller organization with a much more restricted budget like HAG. I have no wish to rain on your parade, but I honestly think this is a bad idea. Best of luck either way though.

All the best,
Richard

bombadier29 · **Joined:** Sun Jan 29, 2012 9:17 pm **Posts:** 272

Many years ago the CAF tried this with their B-24. They made it to England but not nearly on their timeline and not nearly on their budget. They lost an engine in Iceland or Greenland as I recall. It was not a successful trip, financially speaking. They also did it with the R4D at one point but I think that trip went a little smoother.

AHancock51 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 23, 2013 3:18 pm

RMAllnutt wrote:

While I applaud the intent behind the idea, and it is bound to be a wonderful trip and experience, I can't help but feel that the money raised for this trip would be better spent on keeping the C-47 airworthy, or even for restoring other aircraft in the collection. It will take a lot of cash to take the Dakota to France, and boatloads if she breaks down and gets stuck there for any length of time. It's one thing for a large organization or a well funded private individual to do something like this, but something entirely different for a smaller organization with a much more restricted budget like HAG. I have no wish to rain on your parade, but I honestly think this is a bad idea. Best of luck either way though.

All the best,
Richard

I can tell you that this IS a part of something even bigger going on in Geneseo, so it will make more sense soon. Not to worry!

Richard W. · **Posted:** Wed Apr 24, 2013 11:42 am

Would be a fine tribute to TCC if you can fly over Normandy, but I wish the costumed "paratroopers" wouldn't do their stunt.

DH82EH · **Posted:** Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:41 pm

hagkid91 wrote:

RMAllnutt wrote:

While I applaud the intent behind the idea, and it is bound to be a wonderful trip and experience, I can't help but feel that the money raised for this trip would be better spent on keeping the C-47 airworthy, or even for restoring other aircraft in the collection. It will take a lot of cash to take the Dakota to France, and boatloads if she breaks down and gets stuck there for any length of time. It's one thing for a large organization or a well funded private individual to do something like this, but something entirely different for a smaller organization with a much more restricted budget like HAG. I have no wish to rain on your parade, but I honestly think this is a bad idea. Best of luck either way though.

All the best,
Richard

I can tell you that this IS a part of something even bigger going on in Geneseo, so it will make more sense soon. Not to worry!

Austin, I was all prepared to set my tent up in Richards camp. I agree with all of his points and sentiments. I have to say though, you've certainly piqued my interest :wink:

Andy Scott

AHancock51 · **Posted:** Fri May 31, 2013 11:15 pm

Got some media coverage today, before we left for Waterloo...

http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Geneseo-Museum-Plans-A-Return-to-Normandy/_c7mPvlBu0mwYHj_vw1kng.cspx

AHancock51 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 06, 2013 11:45 am

On this Anniversary of D-Day, we are pleased to kick-off our online fundraiser (IndieGoGo) for "Return to Normandy: 2014!" Please, share with all you know and donate as well. Help us honor these WWII Vets by re-enacting history for them one last time, in Normandy...

http://igg.me/at/normandy2014/x/299633

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"Return to Normandy: 2014" - New Geneseo Mission!

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