Press Release
Mesa, Arizona – (May 31, 2017) – The Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum announces a change in its Flying Legends of Victory Summer Tour for the Hays, Kansas tour stop from June 2 to June 4, 2017: The historic C-47 Combat Legend cargo plane, “Old Number 30,” will join this tour stop and provide Living History rides while the B-17 Bomber, “Sentimental Journey” undergoes unexpected maintenance.
“Sentimental Journey” is an ultra-rare WWII airplane and is one of less than ten still flying in the world. The public will still be able to conduct “Climb Aboard” tours of the Bomber while watching its crew perform maintenance. With the addition of the C-47 Combat Legend, the public will be able to enjoy two prestigious warbirds, in addition to the special guest P-51 Mustang, “Gunfighter.”
The C-47 Combat Legend is a true war hero and possesses a significant WWII combat record. Its 60th Troup Carrier Group and Squadrons were awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for operations conducted from March 28, 1944 to September 15, 1944 that helped secure our nation’s WWII victory. Some noteworthy operations for this “Old Number 30” aircraft included:
- evacuation of thousands of desperate fleeing and wounded civilians and downed Allied airmen;
- top secret missions dropping spies and supplies as part of Operation Bodyguard to deceive Nazis and other Axis powers into thinking the main invasion of Europe was coming from the Mediterranean; and
- towing-in glider troops and dropping commandos for the invasion of Sicily and Italy.
The C-47 will be delivering maintenance supplies to the Flying Legends of Victory Summer Tour crew staying true to its role in WWII as a “supply line in the sky” logistical support aircraft.