Three historic aircrafts that were used during the D-Day landing took the skies once more to commemorate the 75th anniversary.

A veteran Douglas Dakota “Drag ‘em Oot” and two Spitfires NH341 “Elizabeth” and TD314 “St George” left North Weald Airfield to join the D-Day Squadron, flying to Normandy on Wednesday, 6 June.

‘Drag ‘em Oot’ is named after its role as a glider recovery equipped aircraft. It is a genuine Normandy and Arnhem veteran and has 40+ bullet holes as testimony!

Several of people across the district took a moment yesterday afternoon to see the impressive display fly past in honour of one biggest liberation attempts during World War Two.

Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Cllr Richard Bassett flew out of North Weald as a passenger on the Dakota model and described it as ‘an amazing day’.

“The DC-3, or Dakota as it was better known, was one of those dropping paratroopers on D-Day.

“Sitting in the DC3 you can only imagine what was going through the troopers’ minds as they were flying out to Normandy.

“Flying along with the Spitfires, one on each side as escorts, cannot be described but the pictures will remain with me forever.

“These planes were on their way to the D-Day commemoration in France of all those brave men who gave so much. Later this year these planes will be based at North Weald at Aero Legends.”

Organised by vintage flight experiences company, Aero Legends, the team recently joined North Weald Airfield and plan to operate on a permanent basis later this year.