Camp Toccoa Receives Vintage WWII Aircraft

Members of the Camp Toccoa at Currahee Project take another step towards their goal of recreating part of the historic camp.

On Wednesday, they were on hand to receive a vintage World War II C-47 aircraft like the kind paratroopers from the 101st Airborne used to parachute into Normandy on D-Day.

Camp Toccoa Project President Gary Bellamy said the aircraft is an important component to the history of 101st Airborne.

Bellamy noted these types of World War II planes are extremely hard to find because most who have them don’t want to sell.

However, Camp Toccoa Project Construction Coordinator Patrick Hall says he was able to find the one delivered yesterday by doing some online research.

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota, as it was known to the British, was was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remains in front line service with various military operators to this day.

Hall said now comes the work to rebuild the aircraft.

Bellamy and Hall said however, they have a couple of other projects at the camp to finish off this summer before they can start to put all of their efforts into rebuilding the C-47.

Once completed, the plane will be displayed at the entrance to Camp Toccoa for public view.