Since my mother, and now a whole bunch of my new family (long story), lives in Houston, I make pretty frequent trips down there to see them. On one of those trips a few years ago I found out that the Houston Wing of the Commemorative Air Force is based at the West Houston Airport (IWS), very near my mother's house. Then I found out they have a "Hanger Hang Out" every three weeks or so on Saturdays. On this particular trip, it just so happened to be on the same Saturday that I was in town. You know I had to go, because I'm... Just Plane Nuts.

C60-Lodestar - JimWeaver
C60-Lodestar - JimWeaver
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The Houston Wing of the CAF is based at West Houston Airport, they have a good-sized hanger that not only houses their aircraft but has room for offices, meetings, and a nice, smallish, but very well done museum. You could easily spend an hour or so in the museum room. Then at least another hour or more looking at the planes, up close.

attachment-Houston Wing Museum - JimWeaver
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In most of the photos I took below, covers were open, and maintenance was being performed, as it always is, by very nice people answering a lot of silly questions. They don't mind, they love talking about their planes.

N3N - Photo: CAF Houston Wing
N3N - Photo: CAF Houston Wing
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There's a lot of time and money that goes into the upkeep of these 70 to 80-year-old warbirds, one way to raise that money is through public and private donations, another way is to offer rides in the warbirds. Sure they cost money, but all the proceeds go toward keeping them flying and it's worth every penny.

Spinner Selfie - CAF West Houston Hanger
Spinner Selfie - CAF West Houston Hanger
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What Do They Have?

  • C-60 Loadstar
  • AT-6 Texan
  • BT-13 Valliant
  • N3N Canary
  • PT-19 Cornell
  • L-17 Navion

CAF Houston Wing Gallery

Located in Houston, Texas at the West Houston Airport (IWS) just north of I-10 off Barker Cypress Rd. Check out the schedule on their website for Hanger Hangout Days, available ride planes, and more.

For more information:

Just Plane Nuts is a series of articles written by "Plane Nut" Jim Weaver, check out more here:

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