Fox Stephens Field (KJXI) in Gilmer, Texas, and the Flight of the Phoenix Aviation Museum will host a Warbird Air Meet and Classic Aircraft Fly-In Nov. 7 to celebrate Veterans’ Day.
The 10th annual family-oriented event runs from 10 a.m. til 4 p.m. Admission is free. Gates open at 9 a.m.
Gilmer’s Fox Stephens Field is named in honor of USAF Col. Robert “Silver Fox” Stephens, who served as the test director and chief test pilot for the SR-71 Blackbird at Edwards Air Force Base during the 1960s. The Flight of the Phoenix Aviation Museum was founded to preserve and honor the contributions of Stephens and other hometown men and women who have served in uniform.
Military pilots from the 917th Air Force Reserve Group at Barksdale Air Force Base are scheduled to provide formation jet fly-overs in a flight of two Republic A-10 Warthogs, as well as a single high speed flyover by a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. Vintage World War II trainer, fighter, and transport aircraft will be on static display. A rare antique example expected to fly in is a beautifully restored Cessna T-50 Bobcat, also know as the Bamboo Bomber. In addition, three very rare vintage civilian airplanes, a 1929 Travel Air 4000, a Howard DGA 15-P, and a V-77 Gull Wing Stinson, will be flown and displayed throughout the day. Warbird formations of Beechcraft T-34s, North American T-6s, and Cessna L-19 Bird Dogs also are planned.
Honor guards from The International Alert Academy, from the USAF Junior ROTC, and members of the Gilmer High School Band will post the colors and provide the centerpiece for the military veterans’ tribute portion of the day’s program. This will occur during the noon hour in conjunction with the military aircraft fly-overs.
Mayor Buck Cross and the city of Gilmer are hosting a coffee for all veterans at the airport terminal building beginning at 10 a.m. The Gilmer Rotary Club will dedicate a new memorial marker at the airport terminal building Memorial Flower Gardens in memory of Amy Dean at 10:30 a.m. At noon the veterans will parade from the terminal building onto the airport grounds in a convoy of Vintage Military Vehicles. The “Veterans Tribute Ceremony” begins at noon with Cross assisting Congressman Louie Gohmert, Texas Senator Kevin Eltiffe, and Texas Representative Bryan Hughes.
Renowned aviation artist R.T. Foster from Oklahoma City, official artist of the museum, will demonstrate painting nose art on special warbirds in attendance. Vintage and classic aircraft, antique cars, and military recruiting displays, PT-17 Stearmans from the CAF Wing in Marshall, PT-19 Cornells from the CAF in Corsicana, and the ETMC Air Ambulance will round out the displays.
Warbird rides are offered in the the T-6 Texans, the Stearman PT-17s, and Cessna L-19 Bird Dogs. Airtours will be offered in the historic Travel Air 4000 passenger ship.
The museum also will raffle off a 1989 Cadillac Sedan de Ville and a 1965 Piper Cherokee 140. The car and the plane are licensed and fully operational. Details for the raffle are available on the museum website.
For more information: 903-790-7435.
