Eight Douglas DC-3s and C-47s gathered in Mount Pleasant, Texas, for a weekend of flying, aerial photography and time with the crews who keep these historic transports in the air. Mid-America Flight Museum hosted the gathering at Glover Field, with a public display at nearby Mount Pleasant Regional Airport on Saturday, September 19. The museum’s C-47, Sky King, was already at Glover Field when visiting aircraft began arriving Thursday evening. More followed on Friday morning. By the end of the arrivals, the lineup included Western Air Lines, Ready 4 Duty, That’s All Brother, Wabbit Expwess and Flagship Detroit, along with DC-3s operated by Vaerus Jet Sales and Aerometal International. The Flagship Detroit Foundation describes its aircraft as the oldest DC-3 still flying. FLAGSHIP DETROIT FOUNDATION
The Mid-America Flight Museum hosted the gathering at Glover Field (XS70), its grass airstrip near Mount Pleasant, Texas. Extended to nearly 7,000 feet, the runway provided a setting for DC-3 and C-47 operations throughout the weekend. The museum’s B-25 served as a photo ship for aerial photography, while ground transportation helped crews travel between the airfield and their accommodations. Founded in 2013 by Texas businessman and aviation enthusiast Scott Glover, the Mid-America Flight Museum maintains a flying collection that gives visitors a close look at historic aircraft and the people who keep them operating. Its C-47 Sky King was among the aircraft at the gathering; the museum’s C-41 remained in Ohio while work on its new interior continued.
Aerometal International’s aircraft, N18121, made the trip from Aurora, Oregon, with Paul Bazeley and his crew. Three of the transports flew on Friday for formation practice and an aerial photo session. With temperatures exceeding 100°F, crews and volunteers also spent much of the afternoon in Scott Glover’s air-conditioned hangar, catching up and exchanging stories. Flying resumed later in the day, and Glover and other pilots offered helicopter rides as evening approached.
Saturday began early as the transports departed Glover Field for another air-to-air photography session. Photographer Jack Fleetwood worked from the museum’s B-25 photo ship, an aircraft that had previously served Tallmantz Aviation in film work. The DC-3s and C-47s then assembled at Mount Pleasant Regional Airport, where visitors could see the aircraft up close, tour several of them and explore the museum’s collection. Some operators also offered flights. The museum had designated Saturday’s airport activities as the public portion of the gathering. Mid America Flight Musuem
The weekend offered plenty to see beyond the Douglas transports. Helicopters, Kelly Mahon’s Piper Cub and Waco INF, and other visiting aircraft were at Glover Field, while a Gee Bee Q.E.D. and Waco SRE could be seen in Glover’s hangar. Several DC-3s departed Saturday afternoon; the remaining aircraft left Sunday morning. Crews and volunteers came together for a final dinner at the hangar on Saturday evening.
For those on site, the close views of the transports operating from the grass strip were a highlight. Just as memorable was the chance for crews, volunteers, and friends to spend time together. Credit for a well-run and welcoming gathering goes to Glover, Mahon, the Mid-America Flight Museum team, the volunteers, and every participating crew.
The next major gathering for the DC-3 community is the DC-3 Society Operators Conference & Showcase, scheduled for December 4–6 at Flabob Airport in Riverside, California. The program is set to include sessions for operators and maintainers, aircraft displays, and public activities. DC-3 Society
I was there for Saturday and it was a fantastic event with several hundred people attending from around the country and the world. I was delighted to see 8 DC-3’s/C-47’s & C-53 participate. I had flown in from Columbus, Ohio after spending 3 days in Kansas City, Missouri attending the TWA Ambassadors Annual General Meeting for retiree’s and surviving family members, which I am 1 of plus being at TWA Historian.
I flew into DFW airport Friday morning, picked up a rental car and stopped in Tyler, Texas to visit the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum. After a several hour visit, I continued on to Mt. Pleasant. I managed to get a few photos that afternoon of the Western Airlines DC-3 and a Sikorsky S-61N Firebomber helicopter that was visiting the airport.
The next day I arrived early and visited both hangars that were open to visitors. What an amazing collection of vintage aircraft and automobiles and a British Double Decker bus. This I’m told was only a small portion of Scott Glover’s vast collection his staff told me. Free Iced Coffee, Tea and water was offered by Scott’s “Huey’s Coffee Shop”, 1 of which is located in town with a “Huey” Hellicopter on the roof.
The wonderful staff of volunteers working that day made everyone feel welcome and right at home. A group of people including about a dozen young children were offered a free ride in the American Airliners DC-3 “City Of Detroit” which I felt was very nice of that crew. 1 of the youngsters was even a DC-3 Historian from what I was told, and the flight was especially meaningful to him. This totally delighted me when I heard that.
Before I left i managed to meet Nigel Hitchman and I’m very glad that I did. I told him I was heading on to Waxahachie, Texas to attend the Antique Studebaker Club and the Studebaker Driver’s Club’s International Meet that started the next day and ran all week long. He told me there were supposedly several DC-3’s located at nearby Mid-Way Regional Airport in Midlothian, Texas. I discovered it was only 5 miles west of my hotel there and drove out to see what I could find. Sure enough I found 2 C-47’s and 1 DC-3 that belonged to Airborne Imaging which is based there. Before I had left the Mid-American Flight Museum I was told that the local Huey’s Coffee Shop just happened to be in a former Studebaker Automobile Dealership. I stopped there on my way back to my hotel and enjoyed an Iced Coffee and began my transition from the aviaiton portion of my trip to the automotive portion and what better place to do that but in a building that originally had been a Studebaker Dealership! My next destination will be the DC-3 Gathering at Flabob Airport in December 2026.
I was there for Saturday and it was a fantastic event with several hundred people attending from around the country and the world. I was delighted to see 8 DC-3’s/C-47’s & C-53 participate. I had flown in from Columbus, Ohio after spending 3 days in Kansas City, Missouri attending the TWA Ambassadors Annual General Meeting for retiree’s and surviving family members, which I am 1 of plus being at TWA Historian.
I flew into DFW airport Friday morning, picked up a rental car and stopped in Tyler, Texas to visit the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum. After a several hour visit, I continued on to Mt. Pleasant. I managed to get a few photos that afternoon of the Western Airlines DC-3 and a Sikorsky S-61N Firebomber helicopter that was visiting the airport.
The next day I arrived early and visited both hangars that were open to visitors. What an amazing collection of vintage aircraft and automobiles and a British Double Decker bus. This I’m told was only a small portion of Scott Glover’s vast collection his staff told me. Free Iced Coffee, Tea and water was offered by Scott’s “Huey’s Coffee Shop”, 1 of which is located in town with a “Huey” Hellicopter on the roof.
The wonderful staff of volunteers working that day made everyone feel welcome and right at home. A group of people including about a dozen young children were offered a free ride in the American Airliners DC-3 “City Of Detroit” which I felt was very nice of that crew. 1 of the youngsters was even a DC-3 Historian from what I was told, and the flight was especially meaningful to him. This totally delighted me when I heard that.
Before I left i managed to meet Nigel Hitchman and I’m very glad that I did. I told him I was heading on to Waxahachie, Texas to attend the Antique Studebaker Club and the Studebaker Driver’s Club’s International Meet that started the next day and ran all week long. He told me there were supposedly several DC-3’s located at nearby Mid-Way Regional Airport in Midlothian, Texas. I discovered it was only 5 miles west of my hotel there and drove out to see what I could find. Sure enough I found 2 C-47’s and 1 DC-3 that belonged to Airborne Imaging which is based there. Before I had left the Mid-American Flight Museum I was told that the local Huey’s Coffee Shop just happened to be in a former Studebaker Automobile Dealership. I stopped there on my way back to my hotel and enjoyed an Iced Coffee and began my transition from the aviaiton portion of my trip to the automotive portion and what better place to do that but in a building that originally had been a Studebaker Dealership! My next destination will be the DC-3 Gathering at Flabob Airport in December 2026.