A Bit of Aviation History



The "Yellow Rose" of
Texas, from World
War II, above,
and "Glacier Girl" 
replica, below. 



Jan. 11, 5 p.m.: History buffs take note: Less than a mile from Redbird's Skyport facility is one of the Southwest's leading aviation museums, where tales of Jimmy Doolittle and his World War II raiders echo through generations.

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) museum is situated on the grounds of San Marcos Municipal Airport, walking distance from Redbird Skyport. While Redbird and its Vaughn College guests look into the future of aviation, the CAF reminds of a time in the not-too-distant past, when Naval and Army aviation galvanized the country to win World War II.

Open four days a week and staffed by World War II veterans, the CAF museum boasts vintage aircraft that include a P-39 Bell Airacobra, P-40 Warhawk, Lockheed T-33 jet trainer, a PT-17 Stearman and more. Replica aircraft include a Japanese "Kate" torpedo bomber and a Japanese Zero, built for the Pearl Harbor film Tora, Tora, Tora.

The museum pays particular tribute to Doolittle, the Army lieutenant colonel, whose brazen raiders were the first Americans to retaliate against Japan, in 1942. Doolittle's group did little lasting damage, but did provide a valuable morale injection at a time when Americans were wondering if Japan was vulnerable at all.

Included in the Doolittle exhibit is the B-25 seatback used by the raid leader and uniforms of raid members donated by family.

Another exhibit recognizes the contributions of San Marcos area residents in the recovery of the P-38 "Glacier Girl," which was downed over Greenland. In 1992, 50 years after its downing, the frozen remains of the aircraft were unearthed from under 25 stories of ice a mile from its original location.

-- James Stephen Smith,

Director of Public Affairs