Flying museum lands at airport
Published 3:29 pm Saturday, June 11, 2016
- A man videotapes as an AT-6 plane prepares for takeoff during an event held by Commemorative Air Force at the Jack Brooks Regional Airport on Saturday. Mary Meaux/The News
Zak Cox may only be 7-years-old but he knows his World War II history.
When his parents, Kevin and Bernice Cox of Round Rock, heard about the Commemorative Air Force stop at Jack Brooks Regional Airport on Saturday they headed out to see the planes.
Zak Cox, 7, center, looks at different model planes as parents Kevin and Bernice Cox look on during an event held by Commemorative Air Force at the Jack Brooks Regional Airport on Saturday.
Mary Meaux/The News
Kevin Cox, a former Port Neches resident, and family were in town visiting his mother this weekend took time out to see a 1942 North American AT-6 “Texan” advanced trainer plane from WWII. The young military aficionado was hoping to see the B-17 bomber but due to mechanical difficulties the plane was postponed but may visit the airport on Sunday.
“He’s a World War II groupie,” Kevin Cox said. “My dad (Air Force veteran Jeff D. Cox) flew a B-17. He passed away almost a year ago. Zak is really interested in the military. We’ve taken him to Fort Hood and he was able to see tanks and Humvees. It was in the pouring rain. He was fascinated with the Apache helicopter.”
Zak Cox said his favorite plane is the B-52, explaining that it was a bomber plane during the Vietnam War, and the B-17 is another of his favorites.
Charles Marshall of Port Arthur, left, listens to pilot Arne Aamodt with Commemorative Air Force Houston Wing prior to a flight at the Jack Brooks Regional Airport Saturday. The group brought the WWII era plane to the airport to allow the public a chance to see the flying museum.
Mary Meaux/The News
The AT-6 was parked at the Jerry Ware Terminal where the Cox family and others were able to get an up close look. Members of Commemorative Air Force Houston Wing were on hand selling T-shirts, model planes and other related items.
“We call these (planes) flying museums. We take them to the public with air shows and stops like this,” Kathleen Hanna with Commemorative Air Force, said. “We have had WWII vets come and see a part of their past.”
A 1942 North American AT-6 “Texan” advanced trainer plane from WWII.
Mary Meaux/The News
Earlier in the day there was a visit by a veteran from Vidor. Special arrangements were made by friends of the man to transport him to the site, she said.
Charles Marshall of Port Arthur took a ride in the AT-6. Marshall isn’t a veteran but has a love of planes.
“I was a pilot for 40 years. Things have changed,” Marshall said, adding he had piloted a Cessna at the Brazoria County Airport at Lake Jackson.
“This plane was built a year after I was born,” he said with a laugh.
Marshall took the ride with Arne Aamodt as the pilot.
Mary Meaux: 409-721-2429
Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANews
