Texas Air Museum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Established | 1985[1] |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Type | Military aviation museum |
| Founder | John Houston[1] |
| Website | texasairmuseum |
The Texas Air Museum is an aviation museum run by volunteers in two locations—Stinson Municipal Airport in San Antonio[2] and City of Slaton/Larry T. Neal Memorial Airport near Lubbock, Texas.[3] Texas Air Museum was founded in 1985 by John Houston in Rio Hondo.[4][5] The Slaton location opened in March 1993.[4] The Stinson Municipal Airport location opened in November 1999.
The museums are run by groups of volunteers predominantly made up of the local city's citizens and military retirees.[5][4]
The original Rio Hondo location closed on February 28, 2005, due to aging volunteer support, lower attendance,[1] and the damaging salty air of the Rio Grande Valley.[6] Its exhibits and aircraft were transferred to the other two locations.[7]
Both museums focuses on early aviation, and lesser-known aviation related to Texas and Mexico in particular. The Texas Air Museum - Stinson Chapter museum acquired a Bleriot to commemorate the Stinson family, namesakes of Stinson Municipal Airport.[8]
The Slaton museum dedicated the John Beck Hangar in June 2020.[9]
The Stinson museum acquired one PT-23A, two PT-19, and one Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner projects in October 2023.[10]
German Battleship Tirpitz hardware recovered from its salvage operation on display in the World War II section of the museum.
P-47D S/N: 42-75417 vertical stabilizer signed by the pilot who flew it when shot down, Charles Screws.
Gemini Training Capsule
