This particular C-47 has an interesting history, and it is a minor miracle that she survives, let alone flies.

The Union Jack “Dak” was built in Long Beach, and delivered in 1942 to the United States Army Air Corps at Baer Field near Fort Wayne, Indianna, assigned to 74th Troop Carrying Squadron. The unit shipped out to England in February 1943 via the southern route: Miami, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Senegal, Morocco and around Spain to England.

Early on the morning of June 6, 1944, she towed Waco CG4A gliders over the beaches of Normandy and participated in dropping paratroopers during the second invasion wave. She continued to serve her country well, performing dozens of missions supporting the invasion and push across Europe and ferrying fuel, ammunition, troops and other supplies to the front and evacuating the wounded.