Operated by 56S

USAAF serial 41-18487. Obtained by the French Navy in 1969 and served with 56S as a Nav Trainer until 1983. Preserved at Nimes-Garons since late 1986. Transfert by truck to BAN Lorient-Lann Bihoué on 06.05.10

Dropped parachute troops near Picauville, Normandy on D-Day, sustaining battle damage in the process. To Aer Lingus in 1946 and briefly carried EI-ALR with Benedar Air in 1961 until sold to the Aeronavale who operated it until 1979 when it was preserved as a memorial exhibit.

This Aéronautique Navale C-47 had been withdrawn from use by the mid 1980s, and was preserved at Nimes-Garons by 1986. It is seen here 23 years later, on display along the D42 road on the northwest side of the airbase in great early evening light. But it is no longer there. In early May 2010 the aircraft was dismantled and trucked off to Lorient airbase, where it arrived on May 6th. Following some restoration work and a repaint it had been placed on display at the base by September 2010.

Built for USAAF as 41-18487 in August 1942, serving in North Africa. Bought by Aer Lingus in April 1946 and named "St Malachy" operating schedules to the UK and near Continent. Here passengers board for Dublin (see sign on aircraft door) on the return flight from Amsterdam.