CAF Gulf Coast Wing

CAF Gulf Coast Wing Be a part of history by touring or riding in real WWII-era warbirds like the pilot-making Navy SNJ Te Ours is a US Navy the SNJ.

The North American Aviation T-6 Texan is an advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), United States Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1970s. The Texan is known by a variety of designations depending on the model and operating air force. Over 15,000 Tex

ans were produced and the aircraft was nicknamed The Pilot Maker due to its prodigious use in Allied flight training for the war. The Beechcraft Model 18 (or "Twin Beech", as it is also known) is a twin-engined, low-wing, tailwheel utility aircraft that served many roles during WWII. Continuously produced from 1937 to November 1969, over 9,000 were built for civilian and military use. During WWII, over 4,500 Beech 18s were used in military service as light transports, light bombers, aircrew trainers, photo-reconnaissance, and even as a "mother ship" for target drones. Ours is a US Navy JRB Expeditor, a utility transport on which a whole family can fly. For living history experience rides, call 1-855-359-2217.

What's going on here? 📸 Kevin Hong
05/30/2026

What's going on here?



📸 Kevin Hong

Do you know which warbird is older?If we're talking type, then the Mitchell wins. The North American B-25 first flew on ...
05/28/2026

Do you know which warbird is older?

If we're talking type, then the Mitchell wins. The North American B-25 first flew on 19 Aug 1940. And even though the civilian DC-3 first flew on 17 Dec 1935, the C-47 Skytrain didn't fly until 23 Dec 1941.

However, if we're talking about these two individual aircraft, Spooky is the eldest. Spooky started life as a Navy R4D that rolled off the line in November of 1944, whereas the aircraft that became Commemorative Air Force B-25 Devil Dog wasn't finished until early 1945.

05/27/2026

One of our special guests at our hometown rides day was the CAF Helldiver Squadron's Curtiss SB2C. Listen to it start up as it prepares for a ride flight. Do you know what kind of engine that is coming to life?

📸 John Cotter

The work never stops on Spooky's restoration. Check out the installation of new non-slip floorboards underway now. Old...
05/26/2026

The work never stops on Spooky's restoration. Check out the installation of new non-slip floorboards underway now. Old floorboard on left, new floorboards in the center and on the right.

You'd be surprised how challenging the uphill climb from tail to nose can be when she's sitting on the ground. It's only supposed to be a six or seven degree angle, but it feels like a lot more, especially when you're carrying something heavy like a box of ammo! 😮‍💨

Apropos of Memorial Day Weekend, over the holiday we encountered Michael Rogiers in the AC-47 Spooky Appreciation Group ...
05/25/2026

Apropos of Memorial Day Weekend, over the holiday we encountered Michael Rogiers in the AC-47 Spooky Appreciation Group on Facebook. His grandfather, Master Sergeant Charles Rogiers, was an AC-47 crewman lost in October of 1967 and posthumously awarded the Silver Star. Michael shared his grandfather's citation with us:

❝
Master Sergeant Charles J. Rogiers distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an AC-47 Flight Mechanic near Hue, Republic of Vietnam, on 3 October 1967. On that date, Sergeant Rogiers and his crew provided close air support for beleaguered elements of the 7th Cavalry Regiment. Ignoring treacherous weather and hostile ground fire, Sergeant Rogiers and his crew maintained a sustained heroic performance in support of friendly forces. By this gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Rogiers has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
❞

05/22/2026

Another of our special guests last Saturday was the Commemorative Air Force B-25 Devil Dog, seen here heading out on a ride flight. One of these two planes started in the Navy and is restored as an Air Force bird, and one is a US Army Air Forces plane restored as a Marine Corps bird. All we needed was a Coast Guard helicopter restored as a Space Force satellite, and we would have had all the services covered for Armed Forces Day.

A quick shout-out to the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing for sending their C-45 Lone Star Lady to pinch hit...
05/21/2026

A quick shout-out to the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing for sending their C-45 Lone Star Lady to pinch hit for our JRB Little Raider at our rides day last Saturday. We love supporting our fellow CAF units, and we're grateful for their support!

Does anyone recognize the livery on Lone Star Lady?

05/20/2026

Our friends at Runway Reports caught this exchange between the tower at Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport and one of the flights from Thrust Flight taxiing by our AC-47 Spooky out on the ramp here. It was precious!

"Negative, sir, I'm just a nerd." 🤣🤣🤣

BTW, the exact origin of the nickname “Gooney Bird” for the DC-3/C-47 is somewhat disputed, but the most widely accepted explanation is that it was named after the albatrosses nicknamed “gooney birds” found on Pacific islands such as Midway because of its ungainly appearance on the ground combined with extraordinary endurance and long-range flying ability.

🎥 Runway Reports

In addition to otter pilot and paratrooper, John Otter is considering adding public information officer to his resume! 🤣...
05/19/2026

In addition to otter pilot and paratrooper, John Otter is considering adding public information officer to his resume! 🤣

Did you get a chance to see Spooky's public debut?!

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5260 Central Parkway
Conroe, TX
77303

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