C47 Dakota in D- DAY LANDINGS LIVERY. Dedicated to Tony Brandstetter.

SPLENDID!!! I love it a lot!!!!!!!!!!!

A superb shot of this old bird.... Mike

Excellent composition with the Dakota at an angle.

The background clouds really work well.

What can i say, I am humbled Dimitris, that you so much for the recognition and the great photo...

THANK YOU, for your visit!!. People will be wondering why I dedicated this picture to you..So I'd better explain..Some time ago I posted a picture of my Father and other people who escaped from a prisoner of war camp and you commented on that picture. In your comment you mentioned that your Father was on the first wave on Omaha beach. We owe a lot to those guys. The Dakota sky train above is exactly what they would have seen on the day.

A big hug,

Dimitris.

Interesting story and even more amazing, dramatic image!!!
Who needs panning or motion blur effect, where you get the same sense of movement with the right composition.

Keep on shooting.

Thank you Mihali, You made my day complete!.

Warm regards.

I love old war planes. My Dad would take my brothers and I to Air Shows at our local Air Port from the time we would behave and follow closely :). Dramatic image Dimitirs. Processing is very pleasing. I have read the comments and can see why you did this Dedication.  D-Day has always been a story I have paid attention to. I've watched many Documentaries on Canada's part played in D-Day. When we attended an 'Open House' at the home we are now living in now, we were told by the Real Estate woman that all the hallways were made wider to make it easier for the 'owner's' husband to navigate the home.  He was 'legally blind'.  He was a Morse Code Operator who was blinded when a bomb exploded near a trench he was in on D Day. Apparently he was classed as 'legally blind'. After we moved into the house, I noticed that there were scratch marks in the wood trim around each doorway-always at the same height. The house was ten years old when we bought it; he had died a few years prior.  The room I use as my office was the one the couple used. His wife had learned Morse Code as well.  Although he could not see, he and his wife played cards, went to Square Dances and one his favorite hobbies was carving wooden ducks. Neighbors have told us that they were just beautiful. We moved into the home in 2009 and to this day, I do not have the 'heart' to cover up the scratch marks in the doorways.  This man who lost his sight and lived into his 80's went from room to room, feeling for the doorways. More importantly, to me he is a hero who gave up his sight so that we may enjoy the freedoms we do today. He did not live out his life as a Victim - he embraced life and lived it well despite the scars left by the day when so many men lost their lives. His wife left us a photo album she made while the house was being built.  He is in many of the Photographs.  I did not have the opportunity to get to know the man, but his legacy lives on in the home that we promised to take good care of for his wife. She was very sad to leave this last home that held so many wonderful memories for her of times spent with her husband before he died. When we first saw the home, the walls were decorated with a lot of his War Memorabilia, including Medals won for his bravery. (sorry to be so long winded-thought it would be interesting to share)

I must apologize for the late answer to your comment which I have just seen, I have been away all this time and I have been back only a few days ago. I read your story with great interest and I think you should not cover the scratch marks as they are part of the house history. An interesting and moving story Gail.

Many and warm regards.

Hi Dimitris,

I don't think I will cover the 'scratch marks'. Houses have such interesting histories - this man fought so that one day we could live in this beautiful home - it means so much more to me than I ever thought!

Beautiful shot! I love the dramatic sky and atmosphere! Great choice for b/w too. I've been watching lots of old WWII movies the past few days (Battle of the Bulge, The Eagle has Landed, Battle of Britain, Tora! Tora! Tora!, Patton, In Harm's Way, The Flying Leathernecks, They Were Expendable, Operation Pacific, Back to Bataan) so this comes as quite a treat to see this beauty! Very well done photo! Thank you for sharing. :)

Your heart is in the right place my dear. In the 2014 air show at Fairford a Tucano aircraft flew with a giant inscription underneath it and I attach a photo of it.

I have watched all those movies that you mentioned. My favorite one is Patton Last for Glory.An incredible character that new the history of the battlefields he fought on and he believed in reincarnation and destiny. A true military genius!. They don't make them like that any more...

I didn't see on your list an important movie of WWII namely 'The longest day'. A film about the Normandy landings. If you haven't seen it already, see it. It is fairly accurate historically and it gives you a good idea of what those guys did for us....

Thanks for dropping in and for sharing your thoughts.

Beat regards.

"The Longest Day" is another great movie I own and was directed (or was it produced?)  by the same guy as "Tora! Tora! Tora!". I didn't mention it because I only listed the movies I have been watching over the past few days. I have it in VHS format and don't have a VHS player so I can't watch it now. :(  I also have Memphis Belle and many other great movies. I need to either get a VHS/DVD player or start updating my library of war movies. :) I absolutely agree "The Longest Day" is a great movie! So many sacrifices by great men!

Your dedication and learning is admirable my dear!.Your father nurtured you well.

My best regards.

A few years ago I saw this B25 at a local airshow with the D Day markings.  Would likely have been in the air at the same time as your offering.   I have seen this war bird in flight but alas no photos of this.  These were taken on the ground.  Impressive to be near.  Best, Len.