Aircraft Stories per Aircraft
Betty’s Dream | B-25J Mitchell
Harold “Mac” McDowell: B-25J “Betty’s Dream” Radio/Gunner
When John and Patti handed us their father's briefcase on the grass of Grimes Field, we knew we had something special that day. With their kids, their grand kids, and their great grand kids there as well, John and Patti shared with those of us lucky enough...
Dick Cole: Doolittle Raider, B-25 Pilot
It's a good day when Dick Cole stops by for a visit, and at Winds Over Houston, Dick came by to say hi and even did a short little interview for us.
Wendell Hanson: B-25 Pilot, Part 2
Wendell had so much to share, we did a second part. In this, he talks about his last run in a B-25. At Sioux Falls last summer, a good friend of Alan happened to find us, and we were thrilled to see him! Wendell Hanson flew many B-25s in the war, and many variants,...
Skins on the Zero
The Zero is coming along great! Most of the structural work is done. Skins are being made and attached to the rear fuselage. The replica guns and tailhook are in final assembly. Progress can be seen at Aircorps Aviation.
Spring Update on the Zero
Last month AirCorps Aviation released the newest info on the restoration and renovation of the museum's A6M2 Zero. The rear fuselage is coming along nicely with trial fittings of the outer skin being made. The rear fuselage framework, vertical and horizontal...
The Zero is Coming Along Great!
The repairs on the Zero are showing daily changes as progress by AirCorps Aviation is pushing to get the plane up flying this spring. As many parts as possible are being reused with leftover ones from the Blayd Corporation to fill in where needed. The vertical...
Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX
The Gentleman Next Door – John Wilkinson
John Wilkinson was a Royal Air Force fighter pilot during WWII. He flew the famous Spitfire and, by all account, achieved the mythic status of "Ace." Thanks to John Mollison for putting together this amazing story, preserving this history, and allowing us to share it...
Barry Needham at Northern Neighbors Day
Barry honored us with a visit again at Northern Neighbors Day to watch our Spitfire fly. Before the flight, he was kind enough to share some more stories of his experiences in the Spitfire.
Barry Needham visiting the Texas Flying Legends
Wm Barry Needham, in 1941 this spry 21yr old Canadian found himself in England flying a Spitfire MkV in the RCAF. On 7 July, 1944, he was shot down by flak and became a prisoner of war (liberated 40days later by Patton’s 3rd Army). In between he sung E-boats, shot...
Whistling Death | FG-1D Corsair
A Conversation with Claude Hone, Part 1
On 21 July, 2016, the Texas Flying Legends Museum had the honor and sincere pleasure to have a long conversation with Lt Claude Hone in Sioux Falls, SD. Claude Hone is so typical of our many WWII veterans. He served simply because it was the right thing to do. Claude...
The Story Behind the FG-1D Corsair “Whistling Death”
N209TW was delivered to the US Navy as BuNO 92489. The exact MFR is unknown. 92489 was stored at NAS Litchfield, AZ until 1957. The government in El Salvador was building an air force and was buying airplanes from other nations. After the signing of the Rio Treaty in...
April/May update on Lope’s Hope the 3rd
The folks at Aircorps Aviation celebrated as the wings for Lope's Hope the 3rd rolled of the semi trailer and into the shop. Having just been delivered from Odegaard Wings, the wings are now ready for the landing gear and other assembly before being fitted onto the...
Spring Update on Lope’s Hope the 3rd
Progress on the P-51C Mustang, Lope's Hope the 3rd at AirCorps Aviation, is going along great! The wings are nearing completion at Odegaard Aviation and wiring is underway in the cockpit. Great effort has been made to use the same period style wiring as was used in...
Inside the Hangar: Flat tire on the Runway
The P-51D Mustang was a mechanical marvel back in it's day, but still remains impressive in every detail. Back at Wings Over Houston this October, Casey had a flat after landing from the first performance of the show. To the experienced, this is old hat, so Casey here...
Staff Sergeant Edward Lange and the Aleutian Tiger
While at Oshkosh, many vets came up to the TFLM aircraft and told the pilots and cadre stories. This past year again, Kathy & Ed Lange Jr came with their father's/grandfather's very special story that is reflected by the TFLM P-40k "Aleutian Tiger." You see,...
TBM-3E Avenger
Inside the TBM Avenger
Get all the info of this amazingly historic TBM from Warren Pietsch.
The Duchess of Dakota | C-53 Skytrooper
The Prototype XC-53A
The museum's C-53, while currently in a DC-3 configuration, actually started in 1942 as a prototype for Douglas Aircraft. It was the only XC-53A built and was used for testing a full trailing edge wing flap. The C-53/C-47 was becoming a widely used platform and the...
In Celebration of WWII Victory in Europe
Arsenal of Democracy Flyovers and a Reenactment: Painting Recognition Stripes for D-Day Washington D.C. – The Arsenal of Democracy: World War II Victory Capitol Flyover commemorates the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, May 6 – 8, 2015. The Texas Flying...
The Duchess of Dakota
Murray Lawler, a Linton North Dakota native, was a pilot during World War II. He was stationed in Great Britain and took part in D-Day on June 6, 1944. Lawler enlisted in the Army Air Corps in about 1942 and, despite his family's doubts, he passed the corps' test with...