The “Spirit of Freedom” is a living, breathing, flying exhibit commemorating the great Berlin Airlift of 1948-49. A genuine USAF Veteran of the Airlift, the “Spirit” itself is an important artifact from the airlift. Filled with Artifacts, photographs, and other Airlift related items, the “Spirit’s” role is to travel the world educating people on this subject.
Manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company and delivered to the Army Air Corps in September of 1945, she was assigned to Carribean Division of the Air Transport Command then on to the Atlantic Division. In October 1948, it was transferred to the Berlin Airlift as part of the the 61st Troop Carrier Squadron based at Rhein Main for six months. In May of 1949, after a 1,000 hour inspection and overhaul at Burbank, she was reassigned to the airlift with the 317th at Celle for three months, then the 513/313 splitting the month of August between Rhein Main and Fassberg. The Foundation purchased this Douglas C-54D on August 15, 2020 and began the process of getting her airworthy again, including the creation of a new Flying Museum and Memorial dedicated to the Berlin Airlift on her inside, replacing the organization’s last C-54 that was damaged in a tornado. The “Spirit of Freedom” will be on static display once again at the Westmoreland Airshow, where the public will have the opportunity to tour the plane and speak with its dedicated caretakers.
