Commemorative Air Force Museum

 San Marcos 4 Aug 07

Thanks Charlie Brown for the pictures!

Saturday, August 4, proved to be another very good day to ride with Chapter U.  The San Marcos Aircraft Museum operated by the Commemorative Air Force was on the chapter ride schedule and 7 bikes and 2 trikes took off from the Wal-Mart heading the scenic way to San Marcos (i.e., not on I 35 north!).  Our rider's briefing by Charlie Brown and Brad Severe had us break into two elements, each with a lead and drag!  I was lucky...Black Pearl, my trike, and I got to be drag for the second element on the way up and I enjoyed watching the 8 other Wings riding in front of us!  Working in groups of 4 or 5 bikes is a lot more manageable and safe!  Special thanks to Brad Severe and Charlie and Candy Brown who acted as leads and Olin and Martha Gover who acted as the other drag for this ride!  Can't forget those co-riders because they are busy helping point everything out to their rider acting as lead and drag!

Everyone talking at the meeting point                                     Just arrived at the CAF Museum

Bikes lined up outside the museum with a T33 trainer behind!

We arrived at the museum at the San Marco Airport and found prime parking in front of a fighter jet for sale (a mere $150k but it takes $17-20k an hour to fly)!  Best leave that gas guzzler for the government and move into the vintage hangar where we found 10 airplanes dating from World War II and the Korean War.  One small trainer first used to train pilots (and Charlie Brown) weighs less than a Gold Wing!  Planes used in movies such as "Tora, Tora, Tora" and "Pearl Harbor" were also there.  The highlight for most of us was probably the B-25 Bomber named the "Yellow Rose of Texas" complete with nose art appropriate to the name of the plane!  We all peered, gently touched, and wandered around the hangar and made our way into a World War II museum that included a special room on Doolittle's Raiders.  I think we all walked away with a greater appreciation of the men and women who participated in developing, building, maintaining and flying these early fighting machines!  If you want more specifics, ask Charlie Brown or Olin Gover.  After a while, all those letters and numbers of plan models tend to get mixed up in my head!

WWII trainer weighs less than a Goldwing!                Reproduction Japanese "Kate" Bomber

WWII T6 Trainer                                                    Only flying P-39 in the world!!

Group learning about the B-25 "Yellow Rose"                             Olin & Bill wanted even more info!!!

Couple more pics of the B-25 "Yellow Rose"

Backside of the "Yellow Rose" with Bob Cook                The Group at the Friensenhaus Restaurant

Eventually we made our way down to the Friesenhaus, German restaurant, in New Braunfels.  While you can't miss the desserts, it may be hard to find room for dessert after eating some of the meals offered by the restaurant. Watch our for that schnitzel burger!  No, I didn't eat the whole thing (I left half the bun!):)

All in all, fourteen riders and co-riders enjoyed the ride scheduled for August 4.  We had plenty of time to catch up on friends we hadn't seen over the busy summer, make new friends, and enjoy fun on and off our Wings.  We had riders/co-riders from San Marcos all the way south to Floresville.  We sure are glad everyone showed up, and Brad and I hope to see YOU next time Chapter U has FUN!

Jane Johnson couldn't believe the sandwich                                Jill Severe ordered one too!