The Courier of Montgomery County reports that a new vintage war plane will be added to the Commemorative Air Force’s Conroe based Gulf Coast Wing fleet Saturday.
The Gulf Coast Wing is hosting a Warbird Expo featuring “Spooky” for the first time. The plane is a Vietnam-era gun ship to be on display as part of the group’s collection.
The flying group lost its B-17 Flying Fortress in a Wings Over Dallas air show crash in November of 2022. Killed in the crash were Terry Barker, Daniel Ragan, Kevin “K5” Michels, Leonard “Len” Root Curtis Rowe and a helicopter pilot from Montgomery, also part of the crash, Craig Hutain.
In Memorial Park in Conroe, a monument is dedicated to the B-17’s six pilots.
Saturday, the event is open to the public at $10 for adults $5 for children from 10 AM to 4 PM at the North Houston Regional Airport.
The Gulf Coast Wing is the local chapter of the larger group, the Commemorative Air Force, with membership across the country.
The Gulf Coast Wing got underway in 1971. The organization’s mission is to fly, display and restore vintage airplanes to inform the public about the planes and to instill interest in others to learn the military history and give honor to the veterans who flew the planes in a time of war.
At a future date, May 23, at 9 AM, Spooky will fly over Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park during its memorial Day ceremony.
