C-47 Skytrain at Merville, France, Military aircraft monument at Merville Battery Museum, France
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain, nicknamed 'SNAFU Special,' is a restored World War II transport aircraft displayed at the Merville Battery Museum compound. The plane reflects its original June 1944 configuration and allows visitors to examine the structure and design of a working wartime cargo carrier.
The aircraft was built in 1944 and participated in several major operations with the 9th US Air Force, including Overlord and Dragoon. After the war, it fell into abandonment and obscurity until rediscovery decades later.
The aircraft represents the vital role of military aviation in France's liberation during World War II. Visitors can see how this machine connects American military history with French collective memory.
The aircraft can be viewed during museum tours offered year-round at the Battery Museum. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes, as accessing the plane involves uneven ground and climbing steps.
The aircraft was discovered as an abandoned wreck near Sarajevo in 2007 and completely restored by volunteers. This rescue mission was an international effort that saved it from decay and brought it back to public view.
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