Welcome

摘要

It's been an emotional time in many ways due to the recent D-Day 75 commemorations. Newspapers, television, radio and social media have been chockful of commentary, interviews with veterans and reflections on what was a most audacious, hard-fought and pivotal operation executed on June 6,1944. FlyPast told some of the amazing stories last month, but in this issue, we delve into the journey of the Normandy and Arnhem veteran C-47 Skytrain flown by Aero Legends, and the company's own special act of remembrance for the Overlord anniversary. Then, of course, there's 'Daks Over Duxford'. The history-making two-day event, held at the Imperial War Museum's Cambridgeshire attraction, was an offshoot of the 'Daks Over Normandy' efforts that had been two years in the planning. Trying to amass so many C-47s and DC-3s (and even an Li-2) was always going to be difficult and presented myriad problems; bureaucracy, serviceability, the issue of flying in formation with unfamiliar pilots, and euen President Trump's visit. What occurred was perhaps not as impressive as promised and, just as it had for D-Day itself, the weather threw its own curveballs and put paid to the planned drop of paratroopers on the first day of the gathering. However, the sight of 25 Skytrains and Dakotas at one venue was simply breathtaking - especially as some aircraft were so notable and rare. Owing to the complexities involved this was a spectacle that may never be witnessed again. We hope you enjoy our coverage in this issue, as well as the free C-47/DC-3-themed poster.