To the elderly gentleman, who said they weren't heroes, you volunteered, paid or not you are all heroes, God bless you sir ! Thank you for your service.

@mountainjeff

9 ай бұрын

Yup. Might also consider the term "mercenary".

@linmal2242

8 ай бұрын

@@mountainjeff So was every soldier, from Spartan Hoplites to German Kriegmarines ! What's your point, goose?

@joeg5414

8 ай бұрын

@@linmal2242 I think he's just trying to raise his social credit score somehow

@IzzoForex

8 ай бұрын

Yep. It only takes a hero or a mad person to charge straight at an MG barrage in open ground.....paid or not.

@kickingagainstthepricks4059

7 ай бұрын

Who’s a hero? One who refuses to claim to be a Hero! You Sir are the very definition of a hero. 🙏

My grandfather was a businessman who belonged to the United 100,000 Mile Club for all the time he spent in DC-3s. I grew up in Brazil after the war. DC-3s opened the country up. They were our school buses. We lived them.

Thanks and humble respect for you people from the US. As a Frenchman,I know that I owe you …my freedom. I brought my young boys to one American cimetery , and we felt emotional when we saw the magnitude of your commitment. Thank you.

@Maddoktor2

8 ай бұрын

Speaking for my departed Dad, you're very welcome, proud to be of service!

@whittlesticks7192

8 ай бұрын

And for my Dad as well... 101st Airbourne, KIWI Platoon. Dropped behind enemy lines in Holland that day. Wounded at Bastogne. As they were marching out to the bulge in Belgum, a young girl ran after the line and gave my Father her most precious belonging, her grandmother's well-worn wooden shoe. I keep it to this day. I also keep the Kodak Retina folding camera he bought when they got to Paris.

@RamblerMan68

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing that! Our heroes of the time are pretty special to us and it's even more heartening to hear someone else say it and be appreciative❤

@avoidingtrees6692

7 ай бұрын

@@RamblerMan68 you’re welcome. Cheers from the French alps.

To that hero that mentioned that he only did his service, may I remind him that he is part of the foundation of freedom and independence so THANK YOU

I truly appreciate Keegan Chetwynd's articulate knowledge of history, told with a genuine sense of his purpose of the CAF mission. I also appreciate his lack of jingoism and his passion for his job. The CAF is lucky to have him. My Uncle Dave was a Navy man, and at one point flew the Consolidated PB2Y Coronado. He later flew the C-47 in the continental United States during the war, He was in the Naval Air Transport Service, which was a stateside military airline that moved military people around the country. This was where Dave met my Aunt Jeanne, who told me she was a "stewardess," but it seemed like she was more than that. Her obituary says that Jeanne was a World War II Veteran of the Navy N.A.T.S. V.R.3, flying on hospital and personnel flights, after attending the Cadet Nursing program at St. Vincent Nursing School in Indianapolis, Indiana. I never quite understood if Jeanne was enlisted in the Navy, or if she had a rank. I've often wondered if she got any pension or other veterans benefits like the Navy men got. I doubt it. Perhaps Mr. Chetwynd could tell me. Anyway, Jeanne took a liking to Dave. Between flights, when she was on the ground, she kept getting the person in charge of scheduling the flight crews to put her on Dave's flights. Dave once told me he never understood how "pretty Jeanne" kept showing up on so many of his flights. By the time she finally told him, I believe he was already married. In the 1980’s I took Uncle Dave and Aunt Jeanne to the Santa Monica airport Aviation Museum. Suddenly Jeanne looked out the window to the ramp and said: “Look, there’s our plane. We went outside and climbed aboard a static-display C-47, where Dave showed me the instruments, showed me two instruments that were in “the wrong place”, and showed me step-by-step how to start a C-47 (I have no doubt that if he needed to, he could have started it and flown it that day, despite 30+ years having passed since he sat in that seat). For her part, Jeanne showed me how the passenger’s seats were once laid out in the (now empty) cabin , where the “head” had been, and where the Stewardess's station and coffee machine was. Her hands flew as she stowed some imaginary gear, pulled out some ingredients, and made an entirely imaginary pot of coffee. But what truly amazed me (as a jaded young boomer) was to see the two of them regress in age. Suddenly, right before me, were the young twenty-somethings they were when they first met. Their entire demeanor and energy shifted - a playful flirting emerged, along with a shine in their eyes and a joyful exuberance which lasted the entire time they were "flying" on the C-47. I recall stepping back when I realized that, for them, I was no longer “there”, but instead I was on the outside, observing them reliving their world. Their banter lasted for at least ten minutes, while they explored the plane, joked and laughed and discussed situations and people I had never heard of. It was like I wasn’t even there, and I was happy they forgot about me long enough to allow me to see the shadow of the dawning of their intimacy. Even today my hair stands up on end to think about it. Later, after we exited the C-47 and walked around it to admire the plane one last time, Dave and Jeanne turned back into my Aunt and Uncle. But I learned something about life that day. We assume we know a lot about our family, that we have our "elders" figured out - but we really don't know much. I never thought of them as young until I saw it with my own eyes. For a moment I could see how they might have appeared to their peers back in the 1940’s, in the war years. I felt that, for a brief moment, I saw them as those who served alongside them did. I got a glimpse of how my other Uncles (all in the service) must have known these lovebirds, Dave and Jeanne, back in the day. That young couple had moved on, long before I was born, long before my generation ever met them. We only met the parents they became. We all live in our own snapshots in time, I suppose, endlessly moving forward, snapshot after snapshot, and rarely can anyone go back to relive any of it. But they did, that day. I was lucky to have been there, I will never forget it.

@michaeldunavant46

7 ай бұрын

😊

When I was a teen I played on the Normandy beach and explored the pill boxes. I would look through the gun cuts and marvel that soldiers would be able to survive the gunfire that came from them. I went into the USAF at 17 and flew in a C-47 when stationed in Texas, the #2 engine caught fire and she flew just fine to a safe landing. I just got back from France and took my wife of almost 60 years to the Normandy coast and showed her the pill boxes I used to explore. We went to the memorial U.S. cemeteries and walked through the thousands of graves of those brave soldiers that lost their lives in the invasion. I am a Vietnam and Gulf was vet and have always held the U.S. ,Canadian and British soldiers that took part in D-Day in high regard. They are the best of the best! Great job! During this trip I noticed that almost all the private homes and business in the towns in Normandy had American flags on flag poles. That was a very nice remembrance of the sacrifice by all the soldiers on D- Day.

@kellyb.mcdonald1863

5 ай бұрын

I commend you for your loyalty, bravery, fearlessness, sacrifice, and all the noble traits of humanity that you have demonstrated not only during your service to America, and the cause for freedom during World War 2, but after your military service was over, and you were in civilian life, and exhibited the same noble traits as when you were in the military!!! Bless You!!! Sir!!! THAT'S ALL BROTHER!!!

Thank you for your service to all. My Dad was a gatling gunner on the C-47, also known as Puff the Magic Dragon. The plane was shot down on 1/9/67. He was killed in Action as well as his 6 crew members near Quang Ngai. It was shortly before my 3rd birthday and I say that my Dad is my Hero and shall forever live on in my heart. USAF Dana R. Kelley 1/17/42-1/9/67 From his daughter Kellyjean Kelley

@gregoryv.zimansr4031

2 ай бұрын

He was a hero. RIP sir

My father, Ferdie Zaayman, used to pilot DC3 ZS-LVR on freight trips into Africa in the 90's and I as a teenager used to accompany him sometimes sitting in as his copilot. As I look back it gives me a great sense of pride having flown the grand old lady (unofficially off course). He amassed more hours on the sky master that's unbelievable to most pilots achieve in 2 lifetimes perfecting his skill starting back in the Mozambique war and doing things that baffled whomever he flew with proving things other pilots thought impossible that which he did with the grand gal. Well done for this restoricle video and my respect to all involved in the history of this aircraft and you that have gone to the effort of making this video. And to all the fallen, my humble gratitude for your/the sacrifices made!

The CAF is raising funds to send her back to Normandy for the 80th anniversary. Saw her again last Saturday; she's a real beauty.

I was a paratrooper in the Rhodesian army,we used old DC 3s one had a plack in the back that said it was used at Arnhem in WW2. We called that plane Arnham Annie.

This was fantastic. Thank you, Spark, for putting this all together.

I jumped out of this plane on a skydive a couple years ago. Incredible experience.

What an incredible bird. The care and workmanship is exemplary. Hats off tome everyone involved.

I was very Blessed to get to ride on this plane in Corpus Christi Tx. As it was making it's way to the D-Day Celebration.y dad was in the 11th airborne made 50 jumps and occupied Japan after the war. So allowing us Veterans to experience what my dad experienced even a little. I served in the Navy I felt obligated to serve so hopefully we don't face what so many did. We had a 90 + year old man who jumped in all the jumps in WW2 the 101st made. I will not forget the experience. Outstanding job restoration with all the modern electronics to make her safe.

restoring one of these aircraft takes enormous time and effort, this is the history in our Generation, thank you for all those efforts

Thank you for posting this fantastic history of the people , planes & the crews that loving restored this plane. God bless the all the heroes living and passed that fought for a common goal.

@donlowe7093

7 ай бұрын

Dont forget the Canadians, they were there to,

2-Thumbs up in a circle and two and a half hours well spent watching this blissful documentary. I only wish there had been a follow up video covering the staging to Greenland-Iceland-U.K.-France. You could have made this 10-hours long and I would have watched every minute of it. A long list of people to thank for making this whole project happen, but I want to say thanks to all the folks at Basler Turbo Conversions for doing the restoration work. 💯👍👍⭕

I’ve been in this airplane at the airport in San Marcos. It’s about 10 minutes off I-35 halfway between Austin and San Antonio. I was there just to see what planes they had, didn’t know about this one until I got there. My dad flew these during the war, he loved flying them.

That's all brother is a fantastic doco! I particularly like the quote, "Many people say we were heroes. That's not true. We volunteered to do this, we trained to do this, and we were paid to do this."

You got that right. It was an AC-47 SPOOKY from the 4th SOS. I was an A1 Skyraider mechanic that was assigned as a member of the Crash Rescue Team (AR). We worked on almost all the aircrafts that we had at Pleiku. We got involved in bringing back to life EC-47 tail # 702 after it crashed. Throttle, mix, prop ,gear and flight controls were installed and rigged by AR ., as well as the installation of the flight controls and elevator torque tube.

I'm so emotional watching this . One of my Favorite aircraft . I worked on Beach 18 Expediters , C 47 Dakotas and DC 4s as a 20 yr old . One of the BEST designed aircraft of all time ( along with the CUB ,and BEAVER ) . Don't forget CANADA's contribution to ( Dakota's ) in the war . Thank you to C.A.F. for your incredible dedication in preserving this incredible historical treasure . 2023 .

This makes me insanely proud of these men, we owe so much to them

In 1971 as a young man I flew on a DC-3 airliner. It was my first flight ever. The rivets on the wings were bouncing around, which made me nervous. It was fun, though. This was a wonderful restoration.

I only fly with commercially licensed pilots on major international airlines or flag carriers. I spent tis last year flying around the world celebrating my 40th year flying as an adult. I wish I could thank all of the pilots for all of the take offs, landings and the incredible, incredible views.

My dad was in the infantry but barely talked about the war. He passed in 1983. My uncle also. Im glad you all are filling us in. I donate to plane restoration & air museums here and in Britain.

I had the emotional ride of my life in a C-47. I had tears in my eyes during and after that event.

I've watched this video 3 times and have tears in my eyes the whole time .

a magic moment to behold , thank you spark

1st Bn Eco 504, 82nd Airborne Division Ft Bragg NC AnIRBORNE !!!!!! what a beautiful bird !!

we shall always remember this plane , thank - you mr pee wee you are a hero !

Thank you love to hear the stories it’s a great reminder at the cost that can never be calculated

In 1942 my father worked at Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica where "That's All Brother" was built. It's possible Dad's hands were on this one. He did upholstery on the DC-3/ C47 til he joined the navy.

Beautiful plane & piece of history !

I'm at 21 minutes in, and glad of the discovery & the history and all. But I hope you show the details of the RESTORATION, as the episode's title seems to promise.

The "EN" markings on the tail fin and the camouflage paint scheme seems to belong to a C-47 from Pleiku, Vietnam. If that is true, I worked on that airframe at Pleiku, Vietnam in 1969. Anyways , happy to see it flying again.

@topturretgunner

8 ай бұрын

Thanks brother. From a Vietnam era Aviation Ordinanceman USN. 🫡🇺🇸⚓️

@benjaminblackmon9130

7 ай бұрын

would have been an AC-47 from the 4th SOS

Bludy Oath Brother! Basler Turbo Conversions did a bludy brilliant job. Thanks Spark for filmin it an puttin the other historical stuff in. Hope we can her down here one day 🙏 Not real happy those light beer drinkin mummas boys who changed the name of the Confederate Air Force are probably the same mother f that got rid of the Confederate flag. Got a m8 in Nowrich who sent me the link the radar to watch Brother go across the channel on the 75th anniversary. Have to say I was disappointed there were no troops on board to step out over France as in June 6 1944. Thanks San Marcos and for lookin after 'Thats All Brother'. Nice work Spark, thanks heaps!

@wrexxjohnson8009

7 ай бұрын

Last time I checked not too many confederate soldiers ever jumped from a c47 ... so maybe COMMERATING the craft that flew AGAINST the Racist Facist Nazt A-holes trying to enslave the world is better than Naming their organisation after a bunch of Southern Racist A-holes trying to keep their slaves ....

Just a beautiful documentary Thank you so very much

EN tail code points to this aircraft being an AC-47 with the 4th Special Operations Squadron during the Vietnam war. It is amazing that this aircraft made it back to the states as the majority of these airframes were transferred to the RVNAF at the end of the war.

@thh4584

4 ай бұрын

Would of been so much nicer if they restored it as the AC-47, There is plenty enough WW2 D-day airframes already. Very disappointing.

@stephencox4224

4 ай бұрын

@@thh4584 But only the One that led the Parachute drops on D Day and that must be more important when all said and done That's all Brother is unique and no other airframe could hold that position of Honor and rememberance

@thh4584

4 ай бұрын

@@stephencox4224 Big deal led the first drop then what did it do after that? Compared to what it did in VN hardly anything to speak of.

Did anyone notice how many boming trips this bird and crew made? I can't remember the amount. If a crew flew and made a certain time to be alive they were able to go home! The bird still got to fly until the end of war or shot down! I am super glad they were refurbishing it!! RIP to any who didn't go home alive!! ❤🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

@mattkaustickomments

7 ай бұрын

This plane went on exactly ZERO bombing missions. What part of the C-47 being a troop transporter and cargo plane do you not understand?

XO & Clay are outstanding people and collaborating with XO will benefit both channels and businesses immensely, well done Mike!

The Salair DC-3 at 4:35 used to fly freight between KPDX and KGEG in the late ‘80s and I flew in it over 40 times.

Absolutely Phenomenal to see this beautiful bird back totally restored and flying. Kudos from the bottom of my heart to those who flew on and-Day and throughout the remainder of the war. My father received food dropped to inmates of BUCHENWALD Slave labour KAMPF in 1945 from a Dakota Without which I might not have been born. THANK YOU..!!

Can’t wait for the next part of this birds story

My uncle Allen Pratt was in the 101 airborne parathoorers and jumped on DDay to France somewhere, not sure where. But my Uncle didn't talk about the war. My Dad told me about it when I was about 10 yrs old. Out of 4 brothers my dad and Uncles all landed in France on June 6th, 1944. They all survived by luck and training. C 47/DC3 were real work horses. Flew in one in 1965 from Boston to Detroit, roller coaster ride.

Awesome restoration guys, that just great what u have done. !!!

Thank goodness it was saved. How is it the sight of an old airplane taking off can bring a tear to your eye? Very, very sad that the USS Enterprise suffered a far different fate.

@thh4584

4 ай бұрын

But reverting it back WW2 livery mehh should of kept it's Vietnam war livery. There is plenty enough of these D-day livery airframes already.

I'm sure your photo of General Chappie Hall was taken years after D-Day. His Master Parachutist Wings. on his chest in the picture, tell an impressive story. I earned my Master wings in a combat unit while working in a combat MOS. I'm sure the requirements in his day were at least as demanding as the were in mine. For a Chaplin to earn them is more impressive to me than the three gold stars on his wings that signify three combat jumps. Very Impressive!

Thanks that was great!me mum was an electrician at the boeing bomber factory during the war and my father was in the raf, just love aviation history and love each other

For many of the youth of today, if pulled from directly civilian ranks, would fall short. No crying towels, no comfort puppies were issued.

Historical conservation is great even if elements accidental

I love history and as unfortunate as it is I’ve come to enjoy the stories of military history. Watching this today a week away from the 80th d-day anniversary in 2024 I can’t help but feel angry for the men that fought for a just cause as we approach the beginning of ww3. 80 yrs from now someone will be watching us continue to repeat history.

What a freaking wholesome and great video and something I stumbled upon lol.

A TRUE EPIC JOURNEY of Restoration for this 'GooneyBird.' AWESOME, HISTORIC !!! God bless all who worked on this WW2 EVENT.

academy airlines in griffin ga. had a bunch of dc3's and a warehouse of parts.

I flew on the Aluminum Overcast B-17. What an experience!

When he was talking about stepping thru the door to destiny talking about the 101st airborne gave me chills

So I'm curious about why the other C-47 had such a destructive accident if it was fully restored properly? You would think someone is responsible for dropping the ball! Otherwise it is very nice to have the time, money and effort spent on the preservation of these aircraft ! Does anyone know what really happened? Rod Smith 71 San Diego,Ca.

So where’s the actual end of the series?? Do we get to see it in Normandy or?

My Father,was one of the 850 C-47 pilots on D-Day. Later he had an experience flying wounded out of Germany which I hope everyone flying them knows about. The fuel gauges could not be trusted and fuel levels were double checked with sticks before take off. My Dad neglected this on one flight and ran out of fuel.

What a great story!

Amazing detail!

I had three honor of flying in Kilroy out of Topeka in the air show in Nebraska. My son was able to take the wheel when his grandpa(mechanic for the C47) on the way to Ok. Air show.I can’t still see the P51 in escort.

And that plan needs to be respected for it's Roll that It played In the war that was supposed to end All wars for real people for real

@tasmanmcmillan1777

7 ай бұрын

Nope, that was the First World War. That’s all brother is from the Second World War.

I don`t know if the CAF will be able to see this post but i wish to say what the men went thought and died for to keep use free i wish to say may God Bless them.!!!!!!!!!!

SUPERB programme . Very moving

I'm amazed everytime a ww2 plane is discovered and restored. My uncle Don Davis would have flown in a c47 .he was liason and photographer in the army..stationed in. Bagdad where he he met my aunt Claire. Part of the royalty and managed to get her and much of her female family out before the rest were murdered. On another note.i served usaf from 72-76.sac..was supposed to go to vietnam..just a motorpool driver.but spent most of my 4 years on the flightline..after Nam orders changed I was sent to greenham but changed again in flight.wound up at Raf mildonhall.suffolk.seen alot.been part of alot .sr71s,U2s,b52s,and my favorite..t38tallon.that little crackerjack could fly..many blessings to all those who found and returned that c47

I appreciate that this is a multi part documentary posted as one but could some editing be done to remove the repeating information?

My aunt worked in the aircraft factory building planes. She rarely talked about it either. I think guilt for creating weapons of destruction deterred her but her husband, my other uncle was in The USAF and came home in one piece years later.

Very well done. Thank you

Great tribute

Amazing history

The shiny metal should stay, it perfectly makes the statement of the life it had and how it endured.

@shawnmts7109

7 ай бұрын

They are like windows of reflection.

Interesting, make sure you let us know how all the gear changes feel

Thank you for all you do and have done To make me a proud and grateful American.

Thanks!

If you jumped out of a plane with bombs and bullets flying around you, I think you pretty much are hero whatever you say, brother no disrespect intende. You certainly are a hero down to the guy who only cooked for our boys. He’s a hero too. For as many people who fought and died, there were 10 behind them making It possible. Far as I’m concerned, everyone involved with defeating the Nazis and Japanese imperialist, are Heroes. You defended democracy and freedom for the whole world. Our greatest generation God bless you all.

"That's All, Brother" is famous as the lead aircraft of the D-Day airborne invasion.. All the pictures I've seen in this video show her in camo paint. Shouldn't it be painted in OD green with the black & white D-Day invasion stripes?

@Bluenose352

8 ай бұрын

She is painted back to her original D-Day markings. You are correct that she was the lead aircraft in the mass airborne part of the invasion. But, they had it wrong by saying she was the leader of the entire invasion

@mattkaustickomments

7 ай бұрын

You must not have watched far enough in. That camo-patchwork paint was just the working project paint scheme. They later painted it to D-Day specs per the pictures/footage they found.

It’s called “homeostasis” which essentially means balance in all things. The back of my bride and my 5th wheel has a large print sign that says “seeking homeostasis” It is the key to happiness. Seeking it is the adventure… Finding it is the key. Isabella is a cutie and her smiles will help get you there.

My grand dad graduated flightcschool as a pilot first class captain and flew These during WII doing supply and soldier air drops I still have his Ellington Field class ring black onyx with a single diamond he was already flying cargo into northern Canada and Alaska for 8 years before he enlisted and was one of the oldest to go through flight school at Ellington I remember when I was real young going to Wright Patt to see the one that hangs in the museum fly in and land for its last time

D-Day was a very hard slog for the Paras and medium bombers because they went in during a short break between two close together early June storms which was far from ideal. The Germans thought it was one large storm hitting Normandy which would push D-Day back to late June at the earliest so the landing on the 6th was a total surprise to them.

Just like George Washingtons axe, the head was replaced once and the handle replaced twice.

Massive defication.

@sharoncassell5273

3 ай бұрын

Dedication to ww2 vets. My uncle was a crewchief.

These was a D-Day manifest by aircraft. George Koskimaki typed it and kept a copy. They cut a stencil and ran copies.

Please keep your beautiful, historic, irreplaceable All That Brother flight worthy, keep her props turning but…. don’t flyer her anymore. Your magnificent piece of living history must be kept flight worthy, read for flight but…. never to fly again. She’s everything, the enduring embodiment of the courage of those that where carried aloft with her elegant wings. Keep her “on standby “ at the ready to champion freedom & democracy, most of all a piece that inspires us to hold tight the courage and fidelity of the men who served. All That Brother, thank you for your service.

I wish I could sit down and have a chat with the gentleman at time stamp 53:29 who is denying that they where heros. I somewhat understand his issue I imagine he has some survivor guilt and a lot of other mental issues regarding world war 2 and D day. However the first words out of his mouth for his argument denying that he and the other paratroopers where hero is that "we volunteered for this". That is what makes him and all of them a hero, it doesn't matter that they where paid or trained to do what they did. The simple fact that they volunteered to do this when they could have just walked away and said no not me someone else can do this. They where not ordered to do it, they where not blackmailed, forced, or shamed into doing this. They volunteered to do something incredibly dangerous knowing full well that the likly outcome is his death. That is what makes him a hero, and it's unfortunate that he does not understand that.

..if it ain't leakin' awl, there's something wrong!..

Amen to that at being a hero

The ole boy that said they volunteered they weren't heroes I'd say just because they volunteered and stepped up to the plate and did their jobs they above all others were and are heroes and the epitome of it

Pvt William D cross out of Michigan born in 1924 he was 20 when he died.

What is the meaning of the '3X' on the front ... Belle of Birmingham ...had the same. 3X

I saw this video already months ago.

Sorry too many ads

Gi: what a lousy non-ending!!!!

Love the work they do, but it will always be the "Confederate Air Force" to me.

Quietly sourcing parts,do you otherwise scream and yell and holler when you source for parts?

Oil leaks make tarmac rainbows.

Why does she need a paintjob? I think she looks great.

Where is Donaldson?

hi can I now name music

My brother airborne all the way b 2/327 inf No slack