24 Aug 2023 Yes, it's a bit rundown, but the history that is on display... Histories of local aviation visionaries, i.e., the Stinsons. In particular Katherine, whose contributions and exploits are on exhibit throughout the museum. Ed Tobin was a fighter pilot. These are familiar names in San Antonio. Displays of aircraft and the people who flew them are depicted from WWI through Vietnam. Uniforms of most American armed services are on display, as well as those of Japan and Germany. All of us could brag about our aces. It is rather eclectic. One aisle displays aircraft parts; another, examples of the types of ammo used. A couple of videos are on a continuous loop for watching. After you finish perusing the inside displays, you can go outside to view actual full-size airplanes. This is pretty cool. A souvenir shop is available to buy hats, t-shirts, books, etc. There are a couple of donation boxes in the large warehouse of exhibits. There is a art gallery room. Some paintings have model airplanes arranged to look like they are flying out or otherwise part of the picture. I've added a photo here, but really it's better in person. The museum is manned by volunteers and is open daily from 9am - 4pm. One volunteer we encountered was busy making repairs. They were all very nice and answered any questions. Explained the layout and how to get through the displays. Give the museum a try. You may be surprised. read more

Texas Air Museum - Model airplanes are part of the art - Museums Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

We were a party of eleven. There is very much to see. Much larger than it appears. So much history! I highly recommend a visit!!! read more

It's not the biggest museum, but it is large enough to fit plenty of historical artifacts related to aviation. There is plenty to read and admire. The staff is very friendly, and so is the museum dog, Snoopy. The museum is a little run down, but it is still kept in decent condition. Some parts of the airplanes outside are missing, like the engines in the F101. However, the F-4 is in good condition, and you can climb up to the cockpit. There are plenty of historical airplanes inside and a cockpit trainer/simulator you can sit in and take photos. The curators know a lot of history about the exhibits and Stinson Airport outside, which I didn't know. In conclusion, this is definitely somewhere to go if you like aviation, history, or both. It has friendly people, staff, and a nice dog that gives the museum an even friendlier feel. read more

I'm pretty bummed with the people who have reviewed this museum with the exception of David. People need to give this place a little slack! Sure the place isn't sparkling, but like another reviewer said, it's a VOLUNTEER museum who's esthetic and financial boundaries are limited by what the city does (or doesn't in most circumstances) give them. The men that are here volunteer their time because they have heart, passion, and respect to those who served in all branches of our military and fought for our country!! People should be lining up to see this kind of dedication and history!! That being said, my boyfriend appreciates very much the military and aviation history so while we were in San Antonio I made it a point to take us out here. Very cool!! So much history!! It was a very humbling experience. He was like a kid in a candy store and he even chatted up the men in charge and you could tell they were loving the fact that a young man was interested and respected what they had to say. I really enjoyed it myself! I liked how they had a large display of women in aviation as well! Very surreal to be standing next to pieces of history that large and think how the young people in our military history looked at the same things. Pretty heavy. If you're a lover of history and our nation's veterans, I wholeheartedly recommend going to this museum! You will definitely walk away impressed. read more

Texas Air Museum - Museums Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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This is the most run-down air museum I've ever seen. It's really sad because there are people in San Antonio who should be supporting it, maintaining it and improving it. Inside, I found two guys older than me, WWII vets most likely, one in a wheel chair, trying to operate this museum in a big old hanger, but rather obviously short on the energy they once had and the help they now deserve. There are some aircraft here that are worth seeing, but the museum isn't nearly as clean and orderly as it appears in the picture on its website. There's a Curtiss Model D -- probably a replica because an original would be almost priceless; but the signage is so poor, who can tell? And another pusher biplane of the same vintage, probably another replica; and a monoplane that may be even older -- apparently not a replica but an original -- which looks rather like someone's attempt to copy a Bleriot. These aircraft predate WWI. From WWII, there's a Focke-Wulf 190 that looks like the AAF shot it down at least once before someone patched it up enough to get it to Texas. And there's a lot of miscellany, including older (1940's through 1960's) civilian aircraft you can find operating at many airfields: a J-3 Cub, a Cessna 172, an Ercoupe, etc. -- none of them in museum condition and probably not even flyable. Out back, I was told I would see an F-4 Phantom, an F-101 Voodoo and an F-89 Scorpion. The F-101 was nearly in one piece, sans engines. The rest, ah, required some assembly -- after the acquisition of some major components that would be required for assembly. The museum also contains some aircraft-related gear and some other gear that -- well, what are a saddle, an ox cart and pictures of Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata doing in an air museum? There was a placard that mentioned a pre-WWI dustup down in Mexico. A couple of American mercenary pilots joined the contending sides as aerial reconaissance. Did the ox cart, saddle and pictures relate to that? Probably not. The Curtiss Model D did, but it was located a long way from the placard. Much of the museum is devoted to military clothing and plastic models. There are hundreds of models, some well done, most not, and almost none of them labled, to say nothing of explained. Those of us who know the difference between a J-3 and a Ju-88 learn nothing new. Those of us who don't know the difference learn nothing at all -- which may be the reason why I was the only patron. This museum has potential and Stinson Field has a history. Shame on the citizens of San Antonio for failing to support it. For our review of the San Antonio experience generally, search for "City of San Antonio" under "Attractions." read more

In a word: dilapidated. I'm a commercial pilot and something of an aviation history buff so I figured I should check this place out. I was particularly drawn by the brochure I had seen at the airport which featured a brilliant photograph of the FW-190 they have. I had never seen an FW-190 up close, so it sealed the deal for me. As Lana posted before me, this place is pretty run down. And it's not as though they lack a good deal of historic artifacts, it's just that they're displayed somewhat randomly and appear to be neglected. Many artifacts are displayed without any context or apparent relevancy. The aircraft collection in the back of the hangar as well as the few outside are arranged somewhat randomly. Some, like the FW-190 are clearly authentic and in decent condition, others are of questionable origin and lack any clear explanation. The Boeing P-26 is clearly not to scale and seems to be made of paper mache! I think this place has a lot of potential, and if I win the Powerball jackpot, I promise to send them a generous cash infusion on the condition that they whip that place into shape. That said, for 4 bucks, you should stop in and check it out if for nothing more than to provide this museum with the continued funding that it so desperately needs. read more

As a USAF Vet I am always looking for Air Museums and this one is as good as any other. Very nice staff and so much to look at. I had a really good time. I will definitely come back. read more

Texas Air Museum - F-101 Voodoo. - Museums Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

It has been nearly two years since I've been to this museum, so please take that time into consideration in this review, and know that it reflects what I saw and experienced then. I walked into this museum to be assailed with the odor of cat urine--a very strong odor. When I mentioned it, the nice man who was running the museum that day said that they had tried to get the owner to get the feral cats out and clean up the place, but that he refused and he kept bringing more cats. This is NOT the way to keep a museum that is housing some very delicate and rare aircraft. The odor was pervasive and when I left, I could still smell that odor on my clothing and in my hair. The place is run down and I so agree with Stephen R., Lana G., and Tom P. who posted before me their disappointment in this museum. It could be another huge attraction for San Antonio---but for now, just avoid it like the plague!!! read more

I gave this place five stars because, as the reviewer above stated...when I first visited, I could see that this place could use some help....SO I HELPED!!! I helped bring the F-4 phantom on display back (well closer anyway) to life...working for nearly two months straight (on a stictly volunteer basis), I and another volunteer fixed the worst of the sheet metal damage..this aircraft was used for nearly a decade as a platform for Battle Damage Repair (BDR) for C-5 crew chiefs at Kelly AFB. Slabs were poured and the aircraft placed on them...and she was painted (by me) back to the SEA paint scheme she wore when based at Kadena AB circa 1968-70. Yes, there are a few old guys around the hanger...the director there is a treasure of a man, a retired Chief Master Sergeant who joined the AAF under age in 1945 and served either active or reserve time all the way until the Gulf War... he has more time in an Air Force toilet ,serving as a loadmaster and aerial porter , than most of us have TOTAL!! By the way YES..several of the planes in the hanger can and DO fly...the 172's she spoke of fly weekly...anyway...what this place needs is VOLUNTEER effort and fiscal SUPPORT...I encourage you to come out and see how you can get involved read more

This place was very disappointing. Run down, dusty, poorly maintained, poorly labeled. If you're totally into biplanes there are perhaps five biplanes there - not well explained, but there. Other than that it's mostly dusty plastic airplane models, on which a mediocre job was done, crowded into not enough space. I didn't learn anything here. A waste of time. An additional note: There are lots wasps near the outdoor exhibits, the ill-maintained husks of three old airplanes and a chopper. The museum has not bothered to get rid of the wasps, but the museum will let you go outside and climb the metal stairways anyway. My young child and I did, and I got stung. Not a really big deal - but I'm glad I happened to hit all the stairs correctly running down with him. If I had missed a stair, I hate to think how one or both of us might have been injured. This place is so poorly maintained that it is downright dangerous. read more

I'm a USAF veteran and a historical buff and have been to this museum several times. Although the facility is run down, the displays are very impressive and include numerous artifacts and memorabilia from veterans of all branches of the military, with a concentration of AAF and USAF exhibits. There's a nice Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) display, WWI Flying Sgts, early astronaut simulator, several WWII AAF exhibits with uniforms and flight equipment, vintage US Army, Marine and Navy displays from many eras along with some WWII Axis uniforms, etc. It's chock-full of some unique and interesting groupings and aircraft displays. I agree with some other observations about the facility. It's an all-volunteer operation and a tax-exempt organization and according one of the docents there is very little to work with and the hangar itself belongs to the city, which doesn't invest in any upgrades. But if you have a keen appreciation for the historical aspect the museum had to offer versus aesthetics and ambiance, I don't think you'll be disappointed one iota. It is a shame a bigger budget isn't available to make this a premier facility because the veterans who reside in our great city truly deserve the best. If you have any regard for aviation history and the veterans of various conflicts throughout military history, then I recommend a visit! The entrance fee is very affordable as well! And while you're in the neighborhood, have lunch at Nicha's, the best Tex-Mex joint in town, guaran-dirty word-teed! read more

My family of three was in San Antonio for a three day weekend. My husband is a aviation enthusiast and a real history buff. This museum was a total pleasure. It is very real and the volunteers were fantastic. It wasn't crowded so it was really easy to talk to the very knowledgeable volunteer. We even talked to a WWII vet who signed up at the age of 14 and went on to a 44 year in the airforce. That alone was worth the visit. So what this museum lacks in big dollar overhead it clearly makes up in authenticity and passion for aviation. We recommend it highly. read more