D-day tribute at Yeovilton air day

Aircraft linked to the D-Day 70 commemoration, both old and new, will take part in this year’s RNAS Yeovilton Air Day flying and static displays on Saturday 26 July. While 6 June is the actual anniversary date, Air Day's timely inclusions will help extend the tributes well into the summer as the nation reflects back on the Normandy landings of 70 years ago. 

The twin-engine Douglas C-47 Skytrain/Dakota transport aircraft was deeply involved in D-Day, towing assault gliders and dropping paratroopers into the theatre of action. It is perhaps the aircraft type most associated with D-Day and an example will take part in the flying display courtesy of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.  The Dakota III will be making its first appearance at the show wearing No 233 Squadron RAF colours, complete with the famous black and white D-Day stripes adopted by Allied aircraft to distinguish them from those used by enemy forces. 

The Skytrain was hugely successful in its transport role; a distinction applicable in the modern age to the Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules. An RAF Hercules will be on the ground at Air Day providing an impressive sight in the static display amongst Royal Navy types past and present, international visitors and other stars.  Another RAF contribution is a flypast by a Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 from No 29(R) Squadron, based at RAF Coningsby.  This aircraft is expected to be a specially-marked example, complete with D-Day stripes.  The scheme mirrors that worn by a WW2-era Hawker Typhoon in June 1944. 

Tickets for Air Day can be booked online at www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday at the discounted advance rates or by calling 08445 781 781.