Yes, the Norwegian one bailed out of the practice formation the day before over DX and landed on one engine, so was out of the running anyway, and then one of the US contingent, the Flabob Express, had an engine issue on the day, and never took off.
Rumours are the Norwegian one needs an engine change, not sure on the US one. From both their point of view though, they are in the right place to have had such issues, than if it had been one of the more isolated airfields.

What an amazing achievement this C-47 formation drop was. The preparation and logistics to gather the fleet together from around the world must have been immense. I can't think of a more fitting act of remembrance to the brave young men who manned the original armada 75 years ago, especially those who jumped into the cauldron of the Battle of Normandy. Special mention of course for two who jumped from both armadas; Harry Read, 95 and Jock Hutton, 94, in tribute to their comrades who didn't survive. They broke the mould...

The US contingent are off to Berlin for the 70th anniversary events of the Berlin Airlift and then heading back to USA after that, along with a few of the European based aircraft so I don't think there are any plans for any to return to Duxford, the rest will disperse to home bases after the events in France.

Not heard any mention of RAF participation (apart from the 'Arrows'). I assume we put a least one C130 on the para jumps.

The website for the Berlin Airlift commemoration speaks of 30 aircraft. Press reports also include DC-4s. https://foerderverein-luftbruecke-be...mbers/?lang=en

To be quite honest Mrs P got cold and board so we came home. As we got here they flew over the house. Very impressive!

Yes, one of the two airworthy South African Airways Museum DC-4, operated for them by Skyclass Aviation is reported to be making the trek all the way from SA for the event.

I was at Duxford yesterday. What an amazing, superb experience as each of the Dakotas taxied past, turned on to the runway and let the brakes off. The sound was incredible and I don't mind admitting that there was quite a lump in the throat. Lot of dust in the air as well, no doubt from the prop wash...

And that was just about 20, imagine what it took to get 100 in the air, and ready to go, the flyover as the rest were departing was stunning, brakes squealing engines running,,, the lot.

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Dakota heaven on silver wings by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

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Nellie B by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

The BBMF C-47 also dropped paratroopers - click link and individual photos to enlarge:

The departure from Duxford was great.

Anyone got the real gen on why they finally left 2.5 hours late, meant to go at 1340 local, actually getting away at 1610. Duxford annouincer said the first delay was "due to a VVIP in France", then it dragged on well beyond the revised time. Jumpers obviously kept abreast of it, they were just sat on the grass awaiting boarding orders.

I persuaded Mrs Axe to come to Beachy Head (originally just going to under the flypast route). Found a parking spot by lucky chance by the pub at just after 12 thinking plenty of time for a beer and grub before the flypast....
God knows how that "manager" keeps his job, not on site as "didn't know about the event" and of the 4 pump stations, 3 were used by guests who'd booked tables, leaving the world and his wife queueing out the door. Poor lad was not only taking food orders, but not content with leaving him to pull pints and concoct drinks, also running the hot drinks station.

Well over 45 minutes and then told they weren't serving food if sitting in the front garden, only the rear garden or inside! So, with Mrs Axe left for an hour with two increasingly grumpy dogs tethered while waiting for me to emerge, I just ordered cheapest drinks and bags of crisps. They would have taken ten times as much simply by having staff go round the garden areas taking orders, and ensuring someone was pulling pints continually to serve much of the queue and thus reduce the delays all round. We would happily have spent for drinks and meals had it been better organised.

As to the flypast, yes, heard about the delay, but not why, although rumours were of a senior French dignitary being late, but by 5 pm Mrs Axe was frozen solid as we never expected to be out in the elements for almost 5 hours. Have to say the delay took some of the gloss off, just two Vic's then the rest straggled past, some wing waggling and landing lights flashing. Yes, pleased to have been witness to a momentous event I'll probably never see again, but Daks Over Normandy must have been frustrated that so much time and effort ended up being less of a spectacle than given to believe.

To upset the dogs more, we were off to Shoreham today for my birthday flight to Sandown and back from Shoreham. Big Shout Out to Andy for his patience in letting a leaden limbed chump take the controls.
Thoroughly enjoyed every minute and now the dogs have had a good run, I'm forgiven!

Just got home to Bicester from a couple of days in Sunny Eastbourne, was able to get right up to the top of Eastbourne pier (top of the pointy sticking up bit at the end) even made & wore a cardboard "Pprune " badge, not a whisper or contact from anyone ??? but met up with a chap (Hugh Pryor) who flew Buffalos & Porters in Oman, so from about 14.00 to gone 17.00 we chatted etc up at the top with panoramic views waiting for the flypast, had contact with friend at Duxford who kept us informed, as to delays which we relayed to others up there with us, best bit was the 2 x P51's overhead pier, the Daks quite some distance away round back of the town on way to o/head Beachy Head, but at least we where there and saw the aircraft and were part of it, something to tell the Grandkids about !. was worth it though.,

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DAk boarding by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

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DAk departures -4 by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

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DAk departures -3 by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

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DAk departures -2 by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

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DAk departure -1 by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

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DAk Landing by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

Lovely photos mr nutloose!

Sounds like I made the right decision not to go to Eastbourne in the end, though I'm sure that everyone who did had fun of various sorts.

Well, the organisation in Normandy, or lack of it, was a disgrace. The drop on Wednesday was mega delayed. OK slippages happen, but there were hundreds of people waiting at the DZ with no communication from Daks over Normandy and rumours were rife. Even the Red Devils, who had been promised 2 Daks - which failed to materialise - didn't know what was going on. Then today, we went to Carpiquet. We parked in the official car park and joined the queue for the pre-advertised free shuttle buses to the airfield. We quickly realised that, having talked to elderly people that had been waiting for 3, yes 3, hours, that the buses were a figment of DoN imagination. So we returned to our car and joined the crawling traffic heading for the airfield. Finding somewhere to park on the pavement in the village we then walked 30mins to the airfield. Having finally gained access to th DoN spectators area we found that there was no facility to get close the aircraft, nor talk to the crews - both of which had been offered on the DoN website. So, after a brief walk round we left. My wife and I appreciate the effort that went into flying so many Daks to Normandy and we very much enjoyed seeing them flying. However, anyone involved in the DoM ground arrangements should hang their heads in shame -- particularly in view of the average age of the people paying for tickets.