A PT-17 Stearman open-cockpit, two-seat biplane circles overhead of a P-39 Airacobra. At the outset of World War II the PT-17 was used to train new pilots. The P-39 was one of the principal American fighter planes at the beginning of the war. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

The old warbirds sitting on the airport’s black tarmac are real-life reminders of the horrific and exciting tales of World War II captured in books and movies. It was an extraordinary time and these were extraordinary machines.

With names like Flying Fortress, Liberator, and Mustang, the airplanes flew into history in formations that darkened the European and Pacific skies. Once abundant, these birds are now in danger of becoming extinct.

The opportunity to see one of these relics fly or to walk through one is becoming increasingly rare. Less than a handful of some models are still able to the make the leap into the wild blue yonder. In many cases only a single example of the aircraft remains airworthy.

Having the chance to look out the Plexiglas bubble of a gunner’s turret helps you image what it was like to hang in space from an aluminum tube lumbering among the clouds. The inside of the plane is windy, noisy, and claustrophobic, yet thousands of Americans spent their youth and sometimes the last day of their lives in the sparse and cramped quarters.

A B-24 Liberator and B-17 Flying Fortress sit on the tarmac at the New Braunfels Airport. Rides on the restored bombers are noisy, windy, and exhilarating. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Taking flight

After the war most of the planes were scrapped as obsolete or surplus. Some aircraft were pressed into civilian service as crop dusters or for search-and-rescue duties.

Fortunately, private groups have come to the rescue of the warbirds from the era. With meticulous restoration, a select few are back in service as flying museums.

Visitors are welcome to tour or take a ride on the Collings Foundation’s air ships. Based in Stow, Mass., the nonprofit organization keeps at least three World War II aircraft touring the country 10 months a year as part of the Wings of Freedom Tour. The tour currently includes a B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, and TF-51D Mustang Trainer.

You don’t have to wait until the Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour returns to Texas to soar with the eagles. The Central Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) at the San Marcos Airport offers flights on a B-25 Mitchell, a T-6 Texan, and a U-3A Blue Canoe that was used by the U.S. Air Force after World War II. The single-engine Texan was a popular fighter and trainer until the last one was retired from military service in 1995. Less than 10,000 of the Mitchell bombers were built during the war. This type of plane took part in the Dolittle Raid on Tokyo in 1942. The organization has an excellent military museum that includes planes that are in the process of being restored. The doors open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9am to 4pm.

Based at the San Marcos Airport, the B-25 Mitchell “Yellow Rose” returned to the air in 1981 after four years of restoration. The B-25 was one of the most widely used bombers during the war. Built in 1943, the “Yellow Rose” never saw combat. It is the oldest B-25J still flying. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

The Houston Wing of the CAF is stationed at the West Houston Airport a short distance north of the Katy Freeway. Besides having an interesting military aircraft museum, the group offers rides by appointment. The unit currently takes visitors up in the historic AT-6 Texan, the BT-13 Valiant, the N3N Navy biplane, the PT-19 Stearman biplane, and the C-60 Lodestar. Each flight includes a pre-flight briefing covering the history of the aircraft and lasts from 20 to 30 minutes.

Volunteers with the West Texas Wing of the CAF maintain the world’s only flying the Curtiss-Wright SB2C Helldiver, a dive bomber produced for the U.S. Navy. Helldivers were responsible for more ship tonnage sunk during World War II than any other aircraft. The plane is based out of the Ellington Airport and is available for flights by appointment when it is not on tour.

It’s hard to beat a ride on one of the Highland Lakes Squadron’s three vintage aircraft for price and scenery. The CAF unit offers rides on a C-47 Skytrain with a minimum of six passengers, the two-seater AT-6/SNJ Texan, and the three-seat L-17 Navion. Out of the Burnet Airport, the group has a small museum that is open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The DFW Wing of the CAF out of the Lancaster Airport south of Dallas has four former military aircraft that take passengers for rides. Guests can get into a two-seat BT-17 Valiant, three-seat Stinson L-5 Sentential, a PT-17 Stearman biplane, or a R4D-5S Douglas Submarine Hunter that requires a minimum of seven passengers. The planes are available for ground visitation on most weekends.

Commemorative Birdmen

The Commemorative Air Force, with its national headquarters in Dallas, began in the Rio Grande Valley in 1957 when a few World War II buddies got together to refurbish a P-51 Mustang. The hobby quickly became a mission to restore and preserve old warbirds. In 1961, the group was organized as the Confederate Air Force, but changed its name in 2002.

The organization has 85 units or squadrons around the country with 23 in Texas. The groups have almost 220 aircraft in their combined inventory, many of them one of a kind. More than 150 of these are airworthy and travel to air shows around the country. About two dozen give rides to the public on a regular basis.

Gerald McLeod has been traveling around Texas and beyond for his “Day Trips” column for more than 25 years. Keep up to date with his journeys on his archive page.

This article appears in April 6 • 2018.

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Gerald E. McLeod joined the Chronicle staff in November 1980 as a graphic designer. In April 1991 he began writing the “Day Trips” column. Besides the weekly travel column, he contributed “101 Swimming Holes,” “Guide to Central Texas Barbecue,” and “Guide to the Texas Hill Country.” His first 200 columns have been published in Day Trips Vol. I and Day Trips Vol. II.