Night Fright: Charlie Walker tells the remarkable story of a wartime Dakota’s return to the skies

Chris Capel recently welcomed Charlie Walker to his Yabber Yabber show on 4LEGS Radio for a fascinating interview about the restoration of the historic C47 Dakota, Night Fright.

Night Fright flew from Membury Airfield with the 79th Troop Carrier Squadron during the Second World War. The aircraft carried paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division to Normandy on D Day and subsequently took part in other major Allied airborne operations.

Charlie Walker is a commercial pilot and Director of Sales and Marketing at Walker Logistics, which is based on the former Membury Airfield. In 2012, Charlie and his father, Philip Walker, began searching for a C47 that had operated from Membury. Their original intention was to acquire an aircraft for static display, but this developed into the much more ambitious goal of restoring an original Membury aircraft to flying condition.

Night Fright was discovered in Arkansas, where she faced an uncertain future. After her wartime history was confirmed, the aircraft was purchased and an extraordinary restoration journey began. Work started in the United States before Night Fright was transported to Britain in 2016. A dedicated team then spent years painstakingly restoring her to an authentic June 1944 configuration.

That remarkable effort was rewarded on 9 June 2026, when Night Fright took to the skies from Coventry Airport for her first flight following restoration.

During the interview, Charlie discusses the aircraft’s history, the many technical and practical challenges encountered by the team, the emotional moment when Night Fright finally flew again and what the future may hold for this unique piece of Membury’s wartime heritage.

Listen to Chris Capel’s interview with Charlie Walker

You can also follow the Night Fright C47 Restoration Project on Facebook or read more on the official Night Fright website.