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Historic WWII aircraft to travel from Paso Robles to Europe to participate in D-Day anniversary

Posted at 6:46 PM, May 02, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-03 02:55:29-04

“Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber,” a World War II aircraft that makes its home at the Estrella Warbirds Museum in Paso Robles, will take off Friday on a trip to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

The 1944 Douglas C-47 Skytrain will join more than 30 other Douglas DC-3s and C-47s taking part in Daks Over Normandy.

The event will mark the anniversary of D-Day, when on June 6, 1944, approximately 160,000 Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, beginning the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control. Prior to the beach landings, approximately 24,000 paratroopers and glider infantry made night drops in the area.

“Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber” will make several stops on its way to France, including air shows in Chino and Maryland and a memorial flight over Arlington National Cemetery. The aircraft will then join an American fleet of nearly 20 vintage C-47s to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

Daks Over Normandy organizers say it will be the first time since World War II that so many of these aircraft will be assembled in the same place where the D-Day invasion occurred. During the event, approximately 250 men and women, dressed in World War II-style Allied uniforms, will fly across the English Channel from the United Kingdom to Normandy and parachute to the historic drop zones below.

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain was known as a Dakota to the Royal Air Force, hence the name “Daks Over Normandy.”

Following the event, “Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber” will also participate in the 70th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. Back in the U.S., it will participate in the Spirit of the West 4th of July celebration in Cody, Wyoming before returning to the museum in Paso Robles.

Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber (KSBY photo)

 

“Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber” is one of several historic airplanes on display at the Estrella Warbirds Museum. The museum is located at 4251 Dry Creek Rd. in Paso Robles. It’s open Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.