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.

The very last AC-47 Spooky to be lost in action in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War was serial number 43-49021, ass...
09/01/2026

The very last AC-47 Spooky to be lost in action in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War was serial number 43-49021, assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base.

On 1 September 1969, it was dispatched during a night patrol to assist friendly troops under attack roughly 20 miles east of Bien Hoa. The crew provided illumination with flares and engaged enemy forces with the aircraft’s three 7.62 mm miniguns. Enemy ground fire struck the aircraft along its starboard side, and the damaged Spooky crashed into a mountain in Long Khanh Province while attempting to return to Bien Hoa. All eight crewmen were killed.

✪ Capt. Robert Paul Acher
✪ Capt. James Sutherland Pitches
✪ 1st Lt. Ray Colon Williams
✪ MSgt. Harry Herre Wecker
✪ TSgt. Willie Warnie Alley
✪ TSgt. Lester Melvin Cavallin
✪ TSgt. Albert Carl McBride
✪ SSgt. Fred Winston Smith

After seeing the Commemorative Air Force's new series on Life Advice from an Old Airplane, we have one of our own to add...
08/31/2026

After seeing the Commemorative Air Force's new series on Life Advice from an Old Airplane, we have one of our own to add. ❤️

On 29 August 1968, Spooky gunship S/N 43-49499 (shown here in action with the 4th Special Operations Squadron at Nha Tra...
08/29/2026

On 29 August 1968, Spooky gunship S/N 43-49499 (shown here in action with the 4th Special Operations Squadron at Nha Trang earlier in 1968) was destroyed on the ground during a Viet Cong rocket attack on Phan Rang air base. Fortunately, no one was aboard the aircraft at the time.

This aircraft had originally been delivered to the USAAF as a C-47B in November 1944.

The C-17 Globemaster III is coming to Wings Over Houston Airshow on October 31 and November 1! Not only is the "Moose" 2...
08/28/2026

The C-17 Globemaster III is coming to Wings Over Houston Airshow on October 31 and November 1!

Not only is the "Moose" 251,000+ pounds of crank-and-bank, but it's also a direct descendant of our own AC-47 Spooky!

The family tree begins with the Douglas C-47 Skytrain in WWII that later went to war in Vietnam as the AC-47 gunship. When the Air Force needed a much larger transport, Douglas developed the C-74 Globemaster in 1945, followed by the C-124 Globemaster II in 1949.

Decades later, McDonnell Douglas revived the family name for a new generation. The C-17 Globemaster III first flew in 1991 and entered Air Force service in 1993, combining strategic airlift range and payload with the ability to operate from relatively short and austere airfields.

Come see how far the Globemaster family has come at Wings Over Houston, and while you're there, visit our AC-47 Spooky to see how it all began: https://wingsoverhouston.com/

Do you know why it's nicknamed Moose?

Here's a rare photo of an AC-47 firing one of its guns in daylight. Remember, every fifth round is a tracer, so between...
08/27/2026

Here's a rare photo of an AC-47 firing one of its guns in daylight. Remember, every fifth round is a tracer, so between each of those red dashes are four other bullets! The AC-47 packed quite a punch.

08/26/2026

Here's a that shows you what we can accomplish when the CAF Gulf Coast Wing and the CAF Houston Wing work together!

Last week, we combined forces to do a flyover for a Vietnam Veteran in the Clear Lake area. Ryzard Zadow flew the Houston Wing's AT-6 Ace in the Hole, while HW and GCW pilot Nathan Harnagel flew his T-6 Dulcinea, and GCW wing leader John Cotter and Marty Gerhard flew in Marty's L-17 Navion.

See what else we can do together on September 5, when we both fly our aircraft at the West Houston Airport for a Rides Day!

Last month, the Cadets of the Gulf Coast Wing and the CAF Houston Wing attended a briefing on the AH-64 Apache and were ...
08/24/2026

Last month, the Cadets of the Gulf Coast Wing and the CAF Houston Wing attended a briefing on the AH-64 Apache and were able to secure time in the aircraft on static display as well as in the flight simulator of the famous attack helicopter.

Please help us thank Captain Kyle Stancik, who managed the visit, and the 149th Attack Battalion & Houston Army Aviation Support Facility at Ellington Field in Houston for going above and beyond to support the CAF Cadet Program.

08/22/2026

Recently, one of our own pilots, Charles Scott Williams, wrapped up an amazing flying career with United Airlines with the well established custom of a water cannon salute after his last official landing. He'll have a lot more takeoffs and landings to come with the CAF though!

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5260 Central Parkway
Conroe, TX
77303

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