Berkshire D-Day plane gets visit from its US Air Force squadron
Current members of a US squadron, that flew from a UK air base on D-day, have climbed aboard one its wartime aircraft, as it undergoes restoration.The C47 transport plane, nicknamed "Night Fright," was bound for the scrapyard in Arkansas when it was bought by the family who own its former RAF Membury wartime base in Berkshire.It undergoing restoration in Britain after being transported back across the Atlantic in bits. So far restoration has cost over a million poundsLt Jimmy Records, who organised the visit to see the plane said: "If nobody puts the effort in to remember a plane like this, that flew on D-day, then it will be forgotten."
Air and ground crew from the US Air Force 79th Air Refuelling Squadron went straight to Coventry to see the wartime aircraft at its temporary home, after flying into the UK from California.Links with Night Fright's owner, pilot and businessman, Charlie Walker, were forged after the commanding officer, Lt Col John Cuellar stumbled across pictures of the plane online.He has since changed the unit's aircrew name patches to incorporate the squadron's wartime S6 identification code and black and white stripes like those applied to allied aircraft, to try and stop "friendly fire" incidents on D-Day.Pointing to the badge he said, "That is a symbol of us taking part in that operation and its a link to our (current) members to say, you're part of something bigger."
Charlie Walker said he originally intended to paint "Night Fright," back in its wartime colours and park it outside the family logistics business, on the edge of its wartime base.But after deciding to restore it to flying condition, he has now spent over a million pounds sourcing parts from around the world. His aim, to try and return it to its exact condition on 6th June 1944 when it helped drop parachutists from the US 101st Airborne Division into Normandy. The unit, known as "The Screaming Eagles" because of their shoulder patches was immortalised in the TV series, "Band of Brothers.""Something that started as just an idea has grown into a living memorial," he told his American visitors.
Many of the visitors, who are part of the US Air Force Reserve, work for various airlines when not in military uniform. They had flown in the UK to train with units based in Europe.After visiting "Night Fright," they were due to tour the former RAF Membury, part of which now lies under the M4 motorway and a service station bearing the same name. Getting to look around the wartime plane was a highlight for many. Lt Col Jason Ruiz said, "It's like a living history of our squadron," describing being on board as "awe inspiring."Once "Night Fright" is flying again, hopefully by the end of the year, the restoration team has a standing invitation to visit California.
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