New Museum in San Antonio

[armydriver]

A new aerospace aviation museum is being planned in San Antonio and will be located in an abandoned shopping mall on the northeast side of the city. The fun part is that while the initial part is dedicated to the history of aviation in San Antonio, it will eventually encompass all avenues of military history . The president of the new venture is really excited about including military vehicles in the museum along with their roll in support of military aircraft. This mall is so huge that there will be diarama types of exhibits, say like a C47 with a CCKW next to it, or a B25 with a bomb truck next to it. We have already been given an F80 operational Korean war fighter to be put on display. The museum will be associated with the Smithsonian so that some of their display material can be rotated in and out on a yearly basis. This is really exciting and hopefully it will come to full fruition in the next few years.

[jds15151]

armydriver, Any update, is it open yet? Jeff

[armydriver]

This museum, I was so excited about, has evolved into a political quagmire of self serving individuals that are only there to enhance their own political ambitions and self promotion. I, along with others in the collecting and historical community have been really disappointed with what has been going on, yet the directors of the board are going nowhere with this. The mall is gone now to a commercial operation and until we can get some people that are interested in saving San Antonio and Texas aviation history, this is a dead end endeavor.
As most aviation historians know, San Antonio was a leader in early aviation history, both private and military wise. I was hopeful that we might move to save some of the artifacts, but they are leaving quickly to other area's of the country.
It looks like a dead issue at the moment. They had rather have an expensive politically star studded Christmas party than actually spend the money on the establishment of the museum.

[joel gopan]

What is the ID Number on the Tail? Where is the F-80 now?

[armydriver]

Well sadly enought, since that first post I made about the museum, this ended up not becoming a reality because of the lack of concrete activity by the board of directors A friend of mine and myself were going to donate our WWII aviation collections to the museum, to only be disappointed as was the aircraft owner. I fear that unless this board does something to get past the business cards and brochure stage, this idea will never get off the ground.

[joel gopan]

You posted back when that you were on the board.
Where is the F-80?

[armydriver]

I have no idea. That information had been passed onto the board by the president and we took him at his word. At that time that was only our second orgainzational meeting and things have changed since.

[jds15151]

Sorry to hear it fell victim to bureaucracy and egos. I am heading to San Antonio in a week or so to pick up some combat rims and needed something else to do while I was down that way. Anything else to see?

[armydriver]

Well besides the Alamo, the Medical Museum on Fort Sam Houston is real good and has vehicles associated with the medical end of the Army and a fully restored hospital rail road car from WWII. The Lackland AFB museum is really good as is the drill field which is ringed with WWII aircraft including a B-29. You can get a visitors pass at the main gates of both facilities. PM me and I will give you details on the Lackland museum.