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.

FMI: www.lsfm.org