Restored WW2 Plane Gets Turned Into A Christmas Sleigh

From Combat Transport to Holiday Flight

On a cold December night in Fort Worth, Texas, a World War II era C-47 Skytrain lifts gently into the air, its engines echoing across the runway. Known as Southern Cross, the aircraft once carried paratroopers and cargo into combat zones. Today, it flies a quieter mission, offering passengers a low-altitude view of North Texas Christmas lights from 1,000 feet above the ground.

The flight is operated by Greatest Generation Aircraft, a nonprofit dedicated to keeping historic military planes airworthy while preserving the stories of the veterans who flew aboard them. For one evening, the rugged troop transport becomes a Christmas sleigh, providing what organizers describe as a Santa’s-eye view of the holiday season.

All proceeds from the Christmas light flights go directly toward maintaining the Southern Cross and supporting future educational flights. Organizers believe that hearing the engines, feeling the vibration, and seeing the world through the small windows offers a deeper understanding than any display case can provide.