Texas Raider Through The Years

[DBII]

I went to my first airshow in Galveston Texas in 1973. I was only 12. With the exception of my military duty and a couple of sick days, We went to every airshow until 2014 when my father said he could not physically attend any more. It was a sad day. We would go the two or three events a year. We have thousands of photos, and slides in black and white and color. Texas Raider was at most of the events including my first. I have posted several photos of an old friend. Group shots include Thunderbird, a B25, P51 Gunfighter, a B26, and a Lancaster.

 

[DBII]

The nosed art was changed to a PG version after a couple of the members wives complained.

 

[Wurger]

Nice.

 

[SaparotRob]

Sweet.

 

[Gnomey]

Good shots!

 

[DBII]

Found these tonight going through old emails from 2009

 

[Wurger]

 

[Gnomey]

Nice shots!

 

[DBII]

City of Conroe will have a moment for Texas Raiders's crew and airmen of WW2. Sponsor is a local car dealership. Texas Raiders was a long time resident of Conroe and Hooks airport in the Klien/Tomball area. https://www.yourconroenews.com/neig...-victims-memorial-18395213.php#photo-23941516

 

[DBII]

Timing is everything. I went to the Flag Park to see the memorial to Texas Raiders yesterday. I was a day early. I arrived after the plane was mounted. They were attaching the small parts and I swear I saw a carpet monster grab a part that was dropped. Only one plaque was attached. The electrical crew was installing the power point style display about the history of both planes involved in the collision. The Vet memorial staff, CAF members and the press hanging around. The US flags had been placed around the park. I hung around for almost an hour. The memorial staff were replacing the worn garrison flags that fly 24/7. Last month the park installed a new sign that can easily be seen from the highway. I will try and get several photos posted my the end of the week.

 

[DBII]

More from the flag park.

 

[DBII]

Story of Texas Raiders. Side note, the last image talks about the first Galveston Texas airshow and the first Tora Tora Tora demo in 1972. It was also my first airshow at age 11. It was over 50 years ago. There were no barriers between the fight line and the spectators. The rule was not to cross the line on the tarmac. More later

 

[Wurger]

 

[Gnomey]

Good shots!