Navy to Victory Tour
2025 promises to be an exciting year for UK airshows with some interesting historic aircraft from overseas visiting the UK at various points. The early part of the season will see the Commemorative Air Force’s Douglas R4D ‘Ready 4 Duty’ conduct the ‘Navy to Victory’ tour.
The Commemorative Air Force, together with the Airfield Team at IWM Duxford are coordinating the tour which will see the Cambridgeshire airfield act as a base for the tour. Ready 4 Duty’s 12,000 mile, 12-week round trip journey from Texas to Europe is a charitable activity to honour the service and sacrifice of American WWII sailors and airmen for VE Day and the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. As well as many stops in the UK, the Tour will also visit France and the Netherlands.
“Safely operating an 80 year old aircraft for such an extended journey is no main feat” says Christophe Volpe, Navy to Victory Tour’s lead coordinator. “But helping to build a lasting legacy for veterans makes all of the preparations and sacrifices worth it.”
Built in 1944, “Ready 4 Duty” is an R4D-6S, the U.S. Navy’s version of the Douglas DC-3 and C-47. The last of her kind flying, “Ready 4 Duty” is dutifully maintained and operated by volunteers of the Dallas / Fort Worth Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, a not-for -profit 501(c)(3) organization.
“Ready 4 Duty” is equipped for paratrooper operations, performs heritage and formation flights, and gives thousands of visitors each year the opportunity to come aboard and explore and interact with an authentic WWII aircraft interior.
During the tour, Ready 4 Duty will carry a number of historic artefacts from Second World War warships. These include items from the USS Yorktow, the USS Texas and USS Laffey.
“The Navy to Victory Tour is heartfelt tribute to countless allies sailors and airmen who served with courage and conviction during the Second World War” says CAF’s President and CEO, David Oliver. “This commemorative mission embodies the transatlantic bonds forged in the fight for freedom and remain a cornerstone of our shared history.”
Today saw the first announcements related to the visit of ‘Ready 4 Duty’ with the Shuttleworth Collection confirming the aircraft with appearing on static display at the Season Premiere Air Show on 11th May plus taking part in the flying displays at their Military Air Show on 31st May and the Festival of Flight on 28th-29th June.
More events and tour stops will be announced in the coming weeks though tentative stops away from Duxford include Prestwick, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Lakenheath, Guernsey, Midlands Air Festival, Normandy (France), Le Ferte Alais (France), Paris (France), Glize-Rijen (Netherlands) and Lelystad (Netherlands.)
