Tunison Foundation

08/13/2026

One month from today!!!! We're excited...are you?

08/02/2026

What a time at the New York Air Show and Air Dot Show Tour . We love to show Lassie off and highlight the important historical work she did during WWII. We hope ypu enjoyed seeing her as we did bringing her to you!

Its shows like this, and donations that keep Lassie flying. Help us keep her airworthy and honoring the Greatest Generation.

08/02/2026

Hey...check us out! Did ypu see us? Do you take photos? We'd love to see them.

07/30/2026

We are excited to be part of this event! Stop by and say hi!

🚨 AIRFEST 2026 AIRCRAFT ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

We are honored to announce that Placid Lassie, an authentic World War II combat veteran, is scheduled to arrive at AirFest on Thursday morning, September 3!

Built in 1943, this Douglas C-47 Skytrain participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, carrying paratroopers into France on June 6, 1944. She later supported Operation Market Garden, the troops of the 101st Airborne at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, and Operation Varsity, the Allied crossing of the Rhine.

After decades of service and a remarkable restoration, Placid Lassie now flies as a living memorial honoring the courage and sacrifice of the Allied airborne forces of World War II.

Join us at AirFest 2026 for the opportunity to see this extraordinary piece of living history and enjoy tours of the aircraft throughout the event!

📅 September 3–6, 2026
🕙 10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily
📍 Historic Hangar #1, Cape May Airport

A special thank-you to the Tunison Foundation for preserving and sharing this historic aircraft.

More updates can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/share/19SFLckMM2/

📸 Photo by Hector Vazquez

Aircraft participation and static display availability are subject to change due to operational missions, weather, maintenance, or other unforeseen circumstances.

07/27/2026

This Day in Lassie History

On July 26th, 1943, the Douglas Aircraft C-47 serial number 42-24064 was signed off for delivery to the US Army. Happy Birthday Lassie! That’s 83 candles!

Placid Lassie was built in the Douglas Long Beach, CA facility and cost $109,683 to build, which is $2,117,250 in 2026 dollars! After workers finished assembly and test flights, she visited Fort Wayne, IN, Barstow, CA, and Mobile, AL before being assigned to the 74th Troop Carrier Squadron, 434th Troop Carrier Group, in August 1943, and eventually heading to Europe to begin her storied career.

Today, Sunday July 26th, 2026, Placid Lassie just returned from a week at EAA AirVenture OshKosh to our headquaters at KPOU in Wappingers Falls, NY.

Check out Lassie's upcoming missions and and be sure to save Sunday, September 13, 2026 to see her in person at her home base at this year's September 2026 Wheels & Wings.

Please consider making a donation to support Placid Lassie's continued operations and preservation as we work to keep the memory of the Greatest Generation alive.

Keep Placid Lassie Flying

The Tunison Foundation is funded entirely by people like you — no government grants, no endowment. Just a community that believes this history is worth preserving.

This year we're asking you to consider becoming a monthly supporter. Even a small recurring gift makes a meaningful difference — it lets us plan maintenance, training, and airshow appearances with confidence. Recurring donors will receive exclusive updates on Lassie's 2026 airshow season, including our Wings & Wheels event this September.

Choose what works for you:

$10/month — Keeps the lights on at the hangar
$25/month — Covers a training flight fuel stop
$50/month — Sponsors a full crew training day

Prefer a one-time gift? We gratefully accept those too.

The Tunison Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible.

www.tunisonfoundation.org/donate

07/23/2026

We're excited to come to our local show and have you step aboard history! Who's excited to see us?

🚨 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗗! 🇺🇸 The legendary C-47 Skytrain "Placid Lassie" has joined the Air Dot Show New York lineup! During World War II, this very aircraft flew combat missions in Operation Neptune (D-Day), Operation Market Garden, the Battle of the Bulge, and Operation Varsity before returning home after the war.

📅 August 1–2, 2026
📍 Orange County Airport, NY
🎟️ https://click-me.now/NY-BUY-NOW

07/15/2026

WHEELS & WINGS | Tunison Foundation https://share.google/vLaVj4PBktIg6bFPm

Were you at our first Wings and Wheels event? It was pretty awesome, right? Did you miss it? Bummer, you missed a great show! But you're in luck. We're doing it again!!! This time bigger and better! We have more spaces for cars. We will be parking them on Runway 33! We'll also have a military encampment this year too! Help us raise money to keep Lassie flying!
Consider this your official "save the date"! We look forward to seeing you!

This our big fundraiser. Help us raise money to keep Lassie flying to honor the Greatest Generation.

07/12/2026

We met up with members of the Historical Aviation Society today at the National Warplane Museum - Geneseo Airshow . They looked like they were ready to hop aboard and take off with Lassie! Always amazing to run into other enthusiasts on the road!

07/12/2026

Placid Lassie is currently on the road at the National Warplane Museum - Geneseo Airshow where she's enjoying the sunshine and other incredible planes. Shes back at it again today! Did you see us yesterday? Are you going to see us today? Stop in and say hi. Leave with some swag and make sure you step aboard history!

07/06/2026

On July 6th, 1945, after distinguished service in the European Theater, Placid Lassie arrived home in the U.S. home to begin her new life after having departed June 22 from England. She took the southern route home which would include stops in Marrakech, Dakar, Roberts Field, Ascension Island, Natal, Brazil, Atkinson Field, Belem, Borlinquin Field, and finally Hunter Field in Savannah, Georgia on July 6th. Upon her return home, she was sent to several airfields over the next few months, but finally landed in RFC (Re-finance Corporation, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas where she was to be sold or scrapped. Many C-47s were scrapped here, but Placid Lassie was one of the lucky ones. She had a second career.

Today, she continues to do what she was built to do. We are honored to share her with those who come out to seebher, or jump out of her! But it takes a lot to keep her in the air. Wont you consider a donation to make it possible?

www.tunisonfoundation.org/donate