In addition to the extensive list of events planned to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day in the UK, Lee Flying Assocation (www.eghf.co.uk) and partners have created a unique Daedalus D-Day 70th Airmen and Airborne Commemoration, as Karl Drage examines here.
© Lee Flying Association – www.eghf.co.uk
The site of the former Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) is no stranger to hosting D-Day commemorative participants with the airfield, now known as Daedalus Aerodrome, regularly acting as a staging point for para-trooping aircraft embarking upon flights to the D-Day beaches each June.
Beechcraft D17S Staggerwing NC16S and owner Bill Charney, aka “Capt Biff Windsock”, will be back at Lee-on-Solent for the commemorations. It is hoped the aircraft will look rather differently to how she does here! © Karl Drage – Global Aviation Resource
On 4 June, the formation of up to eight Dakotas expected to take part in the Dakotas Over Normandy commemorations will do just that. The aircraft are scheduled to start arriving on the afternoon of 2 June and should get airborne, subject to weather and serviceability, between 1100 and 1200 on 4 June ahead of their 100 parachutist drop at Carentan, Normandy.
The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster and Spitfires will take part in the commemorative flypast following the memorial service © Karl Drage – Global Aviation Resource
Between the arrival and departure phases, a public D-Day 70th memorial service will be held at Lee-on-Solent seafront Civic War Memorial at 1830 on Tuesday, 3 June. A two-minute silence will take place at 1900 followed by wreath laying by civic representatives and members of the Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and United States Navy.
As will a Royal Navy Historic Flight Sea Fury © Karl Drage – Global Aviation Resource
At 1915, at the conclusion of the wreath laying, flypasts from the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster, Spitfires and Dakota, plus Royal Navy Historic Flight Sea Fury and a civilian Dakota will take place on the Lee-on-Solent seafront at Marine Parade.
The RAF BBMF’s Dakota ZA947 ‘Kwicherbichen’ is also scheduled to take part © Karl Drage – Global Aviation Resource
Lee Flying Association’s Jon Butts also expects to welcome back Bill Charney, aka Capt Biff Windsock, and his Beechcraft D17S, “The Red Rockette”, which was operated by the Fleet Air Arm at HMS Daedalus during World War 2, Beech 18 Expeditor G-BKGM / HB275 and a number of other types relevant to the significant rold of RNAS Lee-on-Solent on D-Day.
Skyblue Aero Services Beech 18 Expeditor is set to be at Lee-on-Solent for the commemorative events © Karl Drage – Global Aviation Resource
Regrettably, public access to Daedalus Aerodrome is not permitted by the land-owner, however, the Lee-on-Solent Branch of the Royal British Legion has organised a public seafront D-Day 70th Memorial Service, closed by a Memorial Flypast organised by Lee Flying Association. Any surplus generated by the Daedalus D-Day 70th Airmen & Airborne Commemoration will be donated to the Royal British Legion.
The following Dakotas are expected to operate from Lee-on-Solent:
Tradewind Aviation – C-47 Skytrain ‘Union Jack Dak’
© Mike Shreeve – Global Aviation Resource
Airventure Ltd – C-47 Skytrain ‘Drag Em Oot’
© Huw Hopkins – Global Aviation Resource
Dakota Norway – C-53D Skytrooper LN-WND
© Huw Hopkins – Global Aviation Resource
Breitling – DC-3 Dakota HB-IRJ
© Breitling DC-3
DC-3 Association Finland – DC-3 Dakota OH-LCH
© DC-3 Association Finland
DC-3 Vennerne – DC-3 Dakota OY-BPB
© DC-3 Vennerne
France DC-3 – DC-3 Dakota F-AZTE (F-BBBA)
© Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
Goldtimer Foundation – Lisunov Li-2 HA-LIX
© Elliott Marsh – Global Aviation Resource
For more information, please refer to the Lee Flying Association website.
Will we be able to see the flypast from Stokes Bay?
I’m concerned we will not be able to get parked in Lee.
Thanks
Thanks for that Karl.Hope the weathers good!
I was wondering if the Dakotas will fly over Southsea Common on their way over the Channel? Is this correct? I’ve heard a rumour that this is so but Don’t want to be standing in the wrong place!
Hi David,
I’ve asked the question on your behalf, and this is the reply I’ve received.
“Subject to operational requirements and weather the Memorial Airborne Invasion is anticipated to assemble into formation over the eastern Solent so as to coast out into the channel (which often has poorer visibility/haze) together.”
Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Karl