By Karolina Marek
In the coastal town of Rockport, Texas, hides a gem of an airport with a vast history. The Aransas County Airport (RKP) was built as a World War II training site for navy pilots in 1942, and in 1948 reverted back to the county to become a civilian airport. In 1955 the airport once again saw military action when the 813th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was based there, which became known as Rockport Air Force Station (RKP). RKP played a pivotal role in radar detection during the Cuban Missile Crisis, until finally the land was returned to the county again in 1965 when the radar stations were deactivated.
With such a rich aviation history, the Aransas County Airport community has a mission and focus to showcase the history of aviation, especially the WWII training roots of this airfield. With the Smithsonian in town as a part of their roadshow traveling exhibit, there was no better time to show off and focus on Rockport’s rich aviation history. ACTS Aviation and RKP organized a great WWII Exhibition and Fly-In which included numerous warbirds flying in, reenactors, military vehicles, and more.
“It was truly an honor to be part of such a significant occasion, dedicated to honoring the brave men and women who served during World War II,” Cody Stewart, Executive Director of ACTS Aviation said. “Personally, I felt incredibly blessed to fly the ACTS Aviation 1942 Vultee BT-13 during the event. The experience was surreal as I participated in the opening ceremony and took part in the warbird parade departure. The roar of the engines, the camaraderie in the air, and the smiles on the faces of spectators brought a sense of joy and pride that I will cherish forever.”
Although the day started off with thick marine fog, once the weather cleared up multiple WWII warbirds managed to fly in to the event including trainers, the historic P-51D Glamorous Glen III, and the headliner of the show C-49J Southern Cross from Greatest Generation Aircraft. Stearmans from Vintage Air Tours and the CAF offered rides, and so did Southern Cross.
Southern Cross’ arrival was greatly anticipated, and as soon as the crew walked out of the aircraft they were greeted with applause and eager warbird riders wanting to take a flight and a tour of the aircraft. Visitors were welcomed to step on board the aircraft, where a crew member met them to discuss specifications and aircraft history. Southern Cross is a special variant of a Douglas DC-3/C-47, and this is the only airworthy C-49J model. It was originally built for Delta airlines, but pulled off the assembly line along with 138 other aircraft that received the C-49 designation. The main differences are that unlike standard C-47s, the C-49s were equipped with Wright Cyclone engines rather than the Pratt & Whitney types (Southern Cross is powered by the Wright Cyclone 9 R-1820 engines). There is also a passenger door on the aircraft instead of the standard cargo door, as the main use of the C-49 variants was troop transportation and training rather than hauling cargo.
The Liberty Jump Team joined forces with GGA and showed off an exhibit on how to jump the static line and educated the crowd on paratrooper history. The LJT brought special equipment to demonstrate just how they honor history and veterans by jumping from C-47 type aircraft. Members dressed in WWII period accurate uniforms, and showed off their gear as a part of the Southern Cross tour experience.
Eagar warbird riders embarked on scenic flights over the beaches of Rockport and the views did not disappoint. One could easily transport back in time to the training days of Navy cadets with the sweet hum of radial engines over RKP. With some imagination, riders could also easily be transported to the events of D-Day while flying on Southern Cross with similar ocean views to what the paratroopers saw before dropping in to Normandy.
Chance Aldrich, who is an avid warbird fan, was one of the lucky visitors who got to experience a flight back in time during the exhibition. “Flying on the C-49J (Southern Cross) was an unforgettable experience,” he said. “Stepping back in time to feel the history and legacy of such an iconic aircraft. This was my eighth ride in a WWII plane. Each one has been special, but there’s something incredible about the (SC). The moment we lifted off, I could almost hear the echoes of the past, imagining the generations before me who had flown in this aircraft. The airshow that day was fantastic—full of energy, history, and a passion for aviation that you could feel in the air. It was truly an honor to be part of it.”
When it was time for the event to conclude, warbirds took off in to the sunset one after another as part of the warbird parade which provided quite a spectacle for the crowd.
“The event brought together aviation enthusiasts, history buffs, and families, providing a unique platform to celebrate and commemorate the wartime contributions of our veterans,” said Cody Stewart of ACTS Aviation. “The encampment showcased a true sense of being emersed into what a ‘Warbird Training Encampment’ would have possibly looked like that included stunning collection of vintage aircraft, offering attendees a nostalgic glimpse into the past while highlighting the technological advancements and heroic tales from that era. It was a meaningful experience to witness participants connect with history, share stories, and pay tribute to those who fought for our freedom.”
Interested in experiencing the magic of Aransas County Airport first hand? You’re in luck, because ACTS Aviation will be hosting a larger scale Warbirds Over South Texas fly-in this coming November. Follow their Facebook page for more information and updates, mark your calendars for November 15-16 2025, and hope to see you there!
