C-47 "That’s All, Brother"

[Ed Storey]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Many of you probably know about the C-47 "That’s All, Brother", the C47 "which was the lead aircraft, Chalk 1 of Serial 7, and led the main airborne invasion on the eve of D-Day. She led over 800 C-47’s dropping over 13,000 paratroopers behind enemy lines in Normandy."

There is now a documentary on Netflix, well worth watching.

https://thatsallbrother.org/

https://www.planeresurrection.co.uk/thats-all-brother

I suspect that this was the 'lead aircraft' for the two U.S. Airborne Divisions who dropped at Normandy, and that the British 6th Airborne Division had their own 'lead aircraft' as well. Mind you, can the Pathfinders in their aircraft from both nations arguably consider themselves to be the 'first' to the continent?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

Mind you, can the Pathfinders in their aircraft from both nations arguably consider themselves to be the 'first' to the continent?

The documentary mentions this, and an interview with a pilot of a C47 Pathfinder is included. "That's All, Brother" was the lead aircraft of the main US airborne contingent.

What is interesting is that this C47 was restored back to June 1944 spec as much as possible (I saw some modern instruments in the cockpit). It is the CAF's most historic aircraft, out of the 150+ they operate.