Don't Mess With Texas
The Texas Aviation Hall
of Fame announced Wednesday the inductees of the Class of 2005.
These aviation legends will be honored at the 7th Annual Texas
Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Gala on Saturday, November
12th.
The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame honors Texans and Texas
corporations that have made outstanding contributions to the
development, growth, or preservation of aviation. The inductees of
the Class of 2005 are:
Gordon Francis Baxter
Gordon Baxter was a prolific writer throughout his life,
including columns and news reporting for nine newspapers in the
Texas and Louisiana area. He also penned a homespun commentary on
National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" during the
eighties. Baxter wrote about airplanes with soul - simple airplanes
like pot-bellied Aeronca Champs, slender yellow Cubs, and a
much-loved Stearman, belonging to M&M Air Service. His rich
stories transported the reader to that simpler time when aviation
was more about people and less about things. He was a three-time
winner of the Aviation/Space Writer's Association's citation for
Outstanding Excellence in Aviation/Space Journalism. Baxter served
as a B-17 waist gunner during World War II.
Emma Carter Browning
Emma Carter Browning has been involved in aviation since her
first flight in 1929. She married Robert Browning, Jr. in 1930 and
became his ferry pilot as he barnstormed across Texas. Together
they owned Browning Aerial Service, a fixed-base operation that
originated in Abilene and later moved to Austin, Texas. Mrs.
Browning obtained her pilots certification in 1939. Although she
taught many individuals to fly, she was more at home managing
Browning Aerial Services. She remains a staunch advocate for
general aviation and is a principal behind the formation of the
Texas Aviation History Museum in Austin, Texas.
Wally Scott
Wally Scott was a prolific cross-country and world
record-setting soaring pilot. He is perhaps best known for
straight-out distance flying. In 1970, the World Soaring
Championships were held at an abandoned WWII Army Air Force base
east of Marfa, Texas. Rather than reserving the home court
advantage, Scott published the "Marfa Report," a detailed map and
text document identifying the locations of the thermal "hotspots"
that would enable all competitors to improve their speed around the
course. Scott won the Barringer Trophy 21 times for the longest
U.S. straight-out flight. He was also a keen competitor who twice
flew as a member of the US Soaring Team. His last flight was an
808-mile Out & Return in 1998.
Lance Cleo Wade
After the Battle of Britain, Britain's Royal Air Force was short
of pilots and came to the U. S. seeking help from our young men who
might qualify. Lance Wade volunteered and completed RAF upgrade
training in the Hawker Hurricane, joining No. 33 Squadron as a
pilot officer in September, 1941. He became the leading Allied Ace
in the Mediterranean Theater of Operation with 23 aerial victories
flying Hurricanes and Spitfires. A respected leader of airmen, he
achieved the ranks of Pilot Officer, Flight Commander, Squadron
Leader and finally Commander of No. 145 Squadron. Wade was killed
January 12, 1944 when his aircraft crashed near Foggia, Italy.
H.B. Zachary Company
The H.B. Zachry Company's history is one of patriotism,
productivity and faithful service to our country and state. H.B.
Zachry received its first of many aviation related contracts
shortly after World War II began. The company constructed numerous
airfields across Texas from Brownsville to El Paso in support of
the war effort. Most were built in less than 100 days and are
still in use today, testimony to Zachry's quality construction.
H.B. Zachry's leadership in aviation construction is characterized
at Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport with one of the largest paving
contracts ever awarded at that time. H.B. Zachry paved all runways,
taxiways and aprons and, of course, finished the project on
time.
The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame has become one of the country's
leading museums of its type. More than a picture and a biography,
the exhibits in the Hall of Fame utilize personal artifacts, books,
models, awards and other memorabilia to accurately portray each
inductee's experiences, contributions and passion for aviation.
Additionally, the Class of 2005 will be recognized on Sunday,
November 14 at the Lone Star Flight Museum's end-of-season Fly Day.
This informal flying event will feature historic aircraft from the
Lone Star Flight Museum's collection and other aircraft from the
area. Flying will begin at noon and continue until 3:00 PM.
Throughout the day, visitors will be able to tour the Texas
Aviation Hall of Fame and view exhibits honoring the five new
inductees.
The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame is located on Galveston's west
end adjacent to Moody Gardens and the Schlitterbahn Waterpark at
the Galveston International Airport.