Many anticipated the attendance of Whiskey 7, a refurbished C-47 aircraft involved in the Second World War, at the commemoration ceremonies in Normandy last June. Celebrating the seventieth anniversary of the Normandy landings, in which the aircraft participated, the plane left its current home at the National Warplane Museum to attend the historic event. It took approximately fourteen days to complete its trek through the skies, but the lauded participation of Whiskey 7 in the anniversary ceremonies went through without a hitch.
While the appearance of the aircraft itself over the beaches of Normandy was highly anticipated, it was not the only draw in the event. On board was a team in parachutes who leapt from the plane in honor of the men who performed the same maneuver to enter the hectic fray seventy years ago. The Whiskey 7 led the secondary team of paratroopers into battle, cementing its importance to the outcome of the conflict. Not only were numerous viewers in attendance during the honorary jump on the conflict’s anniversary, but many also attended its initial flight out of Geneseo at the beginning of its journey.
Not long after the ceremonies ended, the aircraft made its way back home. It landed safely back at the National Warplane Museum, but there was little time to settle in. Preparations of the Whiskey 7 for a July air show began immediately. Luckily, the show was in Geneseo, so the aircraft did not have far to travel. Beginning and ending in mid-July, the show featured over fifty planes, including the legendary C-47. Drawing in numerous spectators, the show helped increase funding for the National Warplane Museum, the Time Warner Cable News reports.
While over fifty planes may have been on display, only twenty or so actually went airborne during the show. Given its importance in World War II, specifically the battles in Normandy, it is no surprise that the Whiskey 7 was one of the planes chosen to traverse the skies during the event. Those who did not get to witness the plane in action at the Normandy ceremonies were thereby given another chance.
Despite its age, the Whiskey 7 was remarkably able to make two fourteen-day trips in quick succession, followed by an exhibition flight less than a month later. This is a testament both to its overall structural integrity as well as the quality of its restoration. While there may not be any current plans for further flight displays, it can be presumed that the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo will continue to feature the Whiskey 7 in such displays for as long as the aircraft is able to fly.