Douglas DC-3 Daisy

Tp 79 in Swedish Air Force

'Daisy' was built in 1943 during the Second World War by the Douglas Aircraft Company at their Long Beach plant in south Los Angeles. The aircraft was built as a C-47A  Skytrain, a military version of the DC-3. She was delivered to US Army Air Force and designated 30732. On 17 February 1944 she was transferred to England in preparation for the Allied invasion of Normandy.

On D-Day, 6 June 1944, Daisy participated in the dropping of paratroopers over Normandy, as part of 'Operation Overlords'. The weather was lousy with poor visibility and the German resistance was stronger than had been expected. Out of the 18 paratroopers who jumped from Daisy two were killed in the fighting in Normandy.

At the end of the war Daisy returned to the US and on 23 September 1945 the aircraft was demobilised.

After the war Daisy was rebuilt for passenger transport. She was sold to 'Det Norske Luftselskap' which in 1948 was merged with the Swedish company ABA at the founding of Scandinavian Airlines System, SAS. Daisy received the classic dragon livery and was christened Fridjof Viking. In 1957 the aircraft was sold to 'Linjeflyg' and operated on domestic routes.

In 1969 the aircraft was sold to the Swedish Air Force and received Swedish Air Force markings. The engines were replaced by Swedish-built P&W STW-C3 at this time.

Daisy served well in SAS, Linjeflyg and The Swedish Air Force. Since 1984 she flies for 'Flygande Veteraner' (Flying Veterans). She was stationed at Bromma Airport in Stockholm for many years and now flies with Västerås as her home base.

For more information about Daisy:

www.flygandeveteraner.se