Team saving D-Day plane meets US squadron who flew it

The team restoring a veteran D-Day plane have met with members of the same squadron that once flew it.

The US Air Force's 79th Air Refuelling Squadron flew the Douglas C-47 Skytrain during World War Two.

The group, which now operates flying tankers from a base in California, took paratroopers from RAF Membury, in Berkshire, to the Normandy battlefields in 1944.

The squadron flew over on a McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender for the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford and met with the team restoring the iconic plane.

Charlie Walker owns the Douglas C-47 aircraft, known as Night-Fright, that is being restored.

He said: "These sorts of things are the reason why we do what we are doing.

"It's about honouring past generations and educating future generations, so to be able to tie up with the modern day equivalent of the 79th is awesome and we couldn't be more excited."

Neil Jones, is also a member of the restoration team and remembers how they first heard from the American squadron.

"We got contacted by the future commanding officer of the 79th air refuelling squadron," he said.

"He was so enthusiastic about having that link between us and the modern day squadron."

Major Christian Rotter, aircraft commander with the 79th Air Refuelling Squadron, said "It's incredibly important to remember your history."

He added that a lot of his crew members were excited to visit the UK and learn about their squadron's past.

"We want to show here by representing our squadron at the Royal International Air Tattoo, that we were here 80 years ago for our partners and allies, we're here now and we'll be ready in the future 80 years from now," said Cdr Rotter.

The 79th Air Refuelling Squadron have invited the team restoring Night-Fright to visit them at their base in California.

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