The Commemorative Air Force’s Dallas/Fort Worth Wing held a heartfelt Members’ Day celebration to send off their beloved Douglas R4D-6S, Ready 4 Duty, as it prepares to embark on its long-awaited Navy to Victory Tour across the Atlantic. This year’s event held special meaning, marking the beginning of the aircraft’s 12,000-mile journey to Europe after engine issues delayed its participation in last year’s D-Day 80th anniversary.
Built in 1944, Ready 4 Duty (Bureau Number 50783) is the U.S. Navy’s version of the iconic C-47. Initially assigned to the Naval Air Transport Service’s VR-3 squadron, the aircraft served as a medical and cargo transport through WWII and later supported classified electronic warfare testing with VX-1 before finishing its Navy service with the Naval Air Reserve Training Command in 1959. After a stint with the U.S. Forest Service as a smokejumper aircraft, she was eventually acquired by the CAF’s DFW Wing.
The Navy to Victory Tour is a significant commemorative mission marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The journey also celebrates the 90th anniversary of the DC-3’s first flight, the 100th anniversary of engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy. Ready 4 Duty’s return to Europe also reflects on a legacy—this year marks 40 years since the aircraft first visited the continent in 1985, earning a warm welcome from enthusiasts across the UK, France, and the Netherlands.
During Members’ Day, more than 100 attendees—from teenagers to WWII-era veterans—gathered at the DFW Wing hangar to celebrate the milestone and give their best wishes to the crews preparing for the transatlantic flight. The event featured a special volunteer-prepared lunch, flyovers from local T-6 Texans and the Trojan Phlyers, and camaraderie that spanned generations.
CAF CEO David Oliver delivered a moving speech, applauding the DFW Wing’s unwavering dedication to honoring WWII veterans while they are still here to see this living piece of history in action. One of the event’s highlights was a special appreciation flight aboard Ready 4 Duty for veteran wing members, cadets, and volunteers—some riding the aircraft for the first time, others reflecting on decades of involvement. “It’s imperative that community service organizations, like the CAF, regularly celebrate their volunteers and members,” said DFW Wing Leader Chris Volpe. “For us, Members’ Day is a celebration of our past successes and a rallying cry for our future aspirations.”
Ready 4 Duty departs Texas on April 17th to begin her historic journey. The aircraft is expected to participate in several key European events over the spring and summer. For more on the tour and its mission, visit the original tour announcement here. Keep an eye on Vintage Aviation News and follow the aircraft on Facebook, Instagram, and website for updates as the Navy to Victory Tour unfolds.
