Paratroopers take jump in World War II vintage plane

For Phantom Airborne Paratroopers, Saturday’s jump was much more than just diving into the sky. It’s a jump that took the paratroopers back in time.

“She is a flying museum, that’s exactly what she is,” said David Rees, personal officer of the Valiant Air command in Titusville.

David Rees is talking about the C47 Sky train, a World War II vintage plane.

 “This airplane actually was at D-Day in 1944. She did three missions in Normandy that day,” said Rees.

Combat jump missions out of the vintage plane were a first for many of the World War II American soldiers.  As a way to remember these soldiers on the 75 anniversary of airborne forces, the paratroopers jumped out of the classic war plane one by one, the same way it was done during D-Day.

For Army vet Tater Taylor, jumping out of the old bird brings the historic battle to life.

“When I’m in there hooked up, all I can think about is the guys in WWII. Of course they were under crazy fire and what they were going through,” said Taylor.

And for Vietnam vet Rick Hammond, it’s an honor.

“I feel privileged really, not everybody gets to do this,” said Hammond.