R4D ‘Ready 4 Duty’ to Make 12,000-Mile Trip to Europe

Commemorative Air Force Aircraft Leads Navy to Victory Tour Honoring 80th Anniversary of Allied Victory in WWII

Moreno Aguiari
Moreno Aguiari
Photo by Karolina Marek
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PRESS RELEASE

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in WWII, Ready 4 Duty, a historic U.S. Navy World War II-era aircraft operated by the Dallas-based Commemorative Air Force (CAF), is embarking on a transatlantic journey from Texas to Europe to honor the service and sacrifice of American and Allied sailors. Ready 4 Duty’s ambitious 12-week, 12,000-mile Navy to Victory Tour, which runs from April through July, includes appearances at over a dozen aviation and ceremonial events across the southern and eastern U.S., Iceland, the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands.

CAF Ready 4 Duty
Built in 1944, “Ready-4-Duty” (Bureau Number 50783) is an R4D-6S, the U.S. Navy’s version of the DC-3 and C-47. Her first assignment was to VR-3, Naval Air Transport Service, where she airlifted wounded servicemen and cargo/supplies through April 1946. Photo via CAF

“Safely operating an eighty-year-old aircraft for such an extended journey is no mean feat,” said Christopher 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.”

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According to Volpe, the advancing age of World War II veterans, the youngest of whom are now ninety-seven, factored heavily into the decision to conduct this intercontinental tour. “The window to honor these men and women while they’re still with us is closing rapidly,” said Volpe. “For them, their families, and society at large, we’re committed to paying tribute to them on this 80th Anniversary of the Allied victory.” The iconic aircraft will also transport artifacts from surviving U.S. World War II-era warships, such as U.S.S. Yorktown, Battleship Texas, and U.S.S. Laffey, during the Navy to Victory Tour. The exhibition, assembled specifically for this tour, marks the first time that artifacts from so many U.S. WWII warships are publicly displayed together.

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Photo by Chris Childs

“The Navy to Victory Tour is a heartfelt tribute to the countless Allied sailors and airmen who served with courage and conviction during the Second World War,” said CAF President/CEO David Oliver. “This commemorative mission embodies the transatlantic bonds forged in the fight for freedom and remain a cornerstone of our shared history.”

 

About Ready 4 Duty

Built in 1944, Ready 4 Duty is a Douglas R4D-6S, the U.S. Navy’s version of the legendary DC-3 and C-47. The last of its kind still flying, the aircraft is a centerpiece of the Dallas/Fort Worth Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of World War II aviation. Learn more at www.dfwwing.com.

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Photo by Karolina Marek

About Commemorative Air Force (CAF)

Founded in 1957, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of military aviation. With an airworthy fleet of over 180 vintage military aircraft—the largest flying collection in the world—the CAF brings history to life through flight and immersive living history experiences. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the CAF operates numerous locations nationwide, all united by a shared mission: to Educate, Inspire, and Honor. Each year, through the efforts of thousands of volunteers, the CAF’s educational programs engage an estimated 20 million Americans, offering hands-on access to history that is both unique and impactful. Learn more at www.commemorativeairforce.org.

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Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
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