DOWN TO EARTH: THE 507TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT (PIR) AND THE AIR INVASION OF NORMANDY
 The Museum of Aviation opened a new exhibit in October 2008 that interprets how the cooperation of airborne, troop carrier and glider units contributed to the success of Operation Overlord, known as D-Day.
The exhibit highlights the experiences of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the 61st and 442nd Troop Carrier Groups that ferried them to Normandy and the 325th Glider Regiment that fought alongside them.
The total exhibit size is more than 6,000 square feet of floor space in the new World War II Exhibit Hangar.
The exhibit includes areas focusing on:
- Training - Preparing paratroopers, a new brand of soldier.
- The War Room in Southwick House, Portsmouth, England - A simulation of the planning room used by Eisenhower and leaders of the allied forces; planning for Operation Overlord.
- Air Power - Air Supremacy; Air Power made the invasion of Normandy possible.
- The Flight to France - A C-47 cutaway equipped with paratroopers, pilots and gear.
- The LaFiere Causeway and Chef-du-Pont missions - Two of the 82nd Airborne missions, the 507th participation and acknowledgement of the 507th PIR Distinguished Service Cross recipients.
- We Were There - The Artifact Room.
- Ten To One - The Battle for Graignes – Outnumbered and displaced paratroopers were helped by the French villagers of Graignes – with full knowledge of the risks – some paid with their lives – retaliation from the dreaded German forces.
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Cauquigny Church/Capt. Robert D. Rae Theatre - The church setting houses the theatre where visitors may sit and enjoy presentations including the movie, Papa Said: “We should never forget” a film depicting the D-Day experiences of a young French girl and the townspeople in Graignes; the 507th PIR film, D-Day Down to Earth, and other features.
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507th : The Rest of the Story - Service of the 507th following D-Day, including the Battle of the Bulge, Operation Varsity and coming home; the 507th PIR today.
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Glider/Hedgerows/C-47 - Obstacles encountered by the 507th PIR, and the 325th Glider Parachute Infantry
In January 2009, the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries (GAMG) recognized the exhibit with the presentation to the Museum of Aviation of its 2009 Award for the Best Museum Exhibition (Category I – More than $100,000). The award was given for “the use of compelling techniques and multiple facets detailing an important story to the state and Nation.” Presenting the award was GAMG President Dr. Brent Tharp.
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