I am the local history librarian in Texas City. I am trying to find more information regarding the Gulf Coast Airport. If you happen to know anything I would appreciate it. Kindly, Theresa
William Cain, e-mail, 22.02.2020 23:24
my dad flew the t2j in saufleys vt-12, crashed oct 1960 at eglin field 6 mom said he loved it. anyone out there who flew with him
Howard Daniel Rollins III, e-mail, 14.06.2016 17:00
Back in March of 1976, I was in Navy ROTC. Lieutenant Fane was my TI. at Prairie View A. & M. University. We took a bus down to Corpus Christy, Texas. Boarded several prop planes, I was handed over the controls by my pilot and had a ball. We flew over Refugio, Alice & Julian relatively small Texas towns located near Corpus. Response was just about what you'ld expect "Slow", but fun. We flew out to Riverside to El Toro Marine Air base in California. It is now a ghost town these days. I was the only student that did not crash the jet pilot simulator test. I went up with flight pro Jerry in a T2 Buckeye. We went up above hard deck to about 30K Feet. I loved the way that baby handled. The Trimmer control was sweet. The Pressure suits expanded all around my bodies as we made steep banks and various maneuvers. We flew from California back to Texas, and then back to California. I enjoyed inverted flight and will carry my experience with me for the rest of my life. I later joined the Air Force, unfortunately they made me an MP Security Specialists and I no longer did much more flying. I am near sighted and you can only be a pilot if you have 20/20. Only navigators can fly with less than excellent vision. I have always loved Airplanes since I was about 5 years of age. My Great Grandmother "Alice Mathews", worked for the owner of The Gulf Coast Airport also known as the Wages Airport off Palmer Highway and loop 197 near the 29th Street North area back in the early 60's. She would take me to work with her there, and I would sit out in the yard across from the air field with the owner who was known to all as "Happy Wages". We would watch planes take off and land all day long.
Chris Snider, e-mail, 18.01.2016 22:54
Started in VT 21 or 23 just before the Buckeye's arrival, spent the first three months in Beesville doing training on them, I was an ADJ and was quick to QC on as much as I could. Control tower for our area for "Hot Brakes" and parking assignments was until the fist shipments arrived. Great Times on such a easy engine to maintain. Loved the Midnight HotSpot run up checks. Sorry to hear it is all gone.
Chuck Hall, e-mail, 23.07.2015 20:37
I was in VT-23 from 75-79, I remember Vernon Nicholes and some others, CO Troutman etc... I was a ADJ, a PC and worked in the power plant shop. I just wanted to say Hi!
Rich Colby, e-mail, 15.07.2015 20:21
T2J-1 Buckeye - S/N 148190 - This was my first training flight, November 28, 1960 – Instructor Lt. Lange, VT-7, NAS Kingsville, TX
VERNON NICHOLES, e-mail, 30.10.2014 21:07
I was a jet mechanic [ADJ]1975 to 79 Loved working on the guppy.I remember all the great at VT-23 Kingsville would love to reunite with all the old freinds.
Ralph D'Amico, e-mail, 06.11.2012 18:50
I flew the T-2 out of VT-26 Beeville TX (Now a Prison)in 1976-77 I also carrier qualified oin it on the USS Forrestall.. The Lady lex was out for repairs... I loved the High flying, slow moving multi engine jet trainer, I still do actually.
Steve B., e-mail, 17.09.2012 21:52
I had the good fortune to work on and fly in (back seat) As, Bs and Cs in the early 1970s. I was an ADJ in VT 19 Meridian, MS. The pilots let me take the stick quite often. They wouldn't let me take off or land but they did teach me some aerobatics. Most of the instructors were fighter or attack pilots rotated back from Nam. I think these were the absolute bravest people I have ever met.
j p harris, e-mail, 17.06.2012 02:03
would any one have some info on starter/generator,part numbers,mfg etc. even a source to procure a couple. think a few a/c are in civ hands. do we know owner n number of a/c. any info/leeds that would help to tracking some down. thanks
Pete Roberts, e-mail, 22.05.2012 04:09
Flew the War Guppy 75-77 in VT-23. Lots of memories of a solid, safe airplane and great folks to work with and for. I recall CDR Troutman with respect for his leadership, sense of humor, and his Silver Star award while flying A-6's.
David H, e-mail, 14.05.2012 18:50
I was in VT-23 from 1977-1979, Seat Shop. I gave a lot of the seat checks to the new flight trainee's. CDI & night shift supervisor last couple of years. Went back to NAS Kingsville in 2009 and it is so run down, the barracks is a lot of offices.
Tony, e-mail, 09.05.2012 21:01
VT-23 was my first squadron, I was an AO3 when I left. Those old GBU-3/A gun pods were great fun. Big aircraft Ma Duce inside. We were the "Professionals". Sorry to see the old T2-C retired as well as the squadron.
Tony, e-mail, 09.05.2012 21:00
VT-23 was my first squadron, I was an AO3 when I left. Those old GBU-3/A gun pods were great fun. Big aircraft Ma Duce inside. We were the "Professionals". Sorry to see the old T2-C retired as well as the squadron.
Pamela R Crum, e-mail, 08.11.2011 04:05
I was stationed in NAS Pensacola in 1966. I worked at VT-4 down the hanger from the Angels. Was enlisted and was fortunate to fly with my division officer Lt Pashall. We flew the T-2 over to the gunnery field. What a trip! 18 and fresh out of school. 45 years. Whew!
Polly Schmidt Parsons, e-mail, 02.06.2011 20:52
CDR Troutman I remember you also...I was a yoeman in the schedules upstairs with that civilian guy "Big Dude". Was in there scheduling flights with students and instructors with Lt Paul Worley and Lt Dave Peterson....
John Meyers, LT, e-mail, 24.05.2011 20:58
A terrific all-around aircraft. Durable, too - as I learned flying over a winter ocean with a FOD damaged engine that gave no instrument, visual or flight indication but had to be changed prior to another hop. A VT-7 instructor from 1966 to 1968, I flew 1500 hours out of Navy Meridian learning more than I taught my students about flying. Blessings on thee, North American Aviation!
Alan L., e-mail, 12.04.2011 03:38
Remember well my 2 NFO training flights in the T-2A -loved the 4G break on approach. How many people can say their first jet aircraft flight had ONE engine?!
Adam Novak, e-mail, 18.12.2010 06:41
I was with BTG-7 in Memphis when we got the 1st Buckeye, we were operating T-28's & T2V's then. The squadron moved to Kingsville (southside)and became VT-7. I was with the Airframe Shop and was lucky to get to draw Flight Pay due to one of four of enlisted men selected to fly with each aircraft that came out of a maintenance check. I still have my OMIAS (Order of Military Instantaneous Accelleration Society) card given for the ejection seat ride. Great Fun !!!! The squadron moved to Meridian, Miss and was split up into VT-7 & VT-9. I stayed in Kingsville and went to VT-21 with the F9F-8T's. Great days and I really enjoyed the Navy. Spent 30 years with Trans World Airlines and am still with the FAA after 20 years. Aviation is the only way to go.
Jerry Leynes, e-mail, 26.11.2010 18:03
I will never forget my first jet flight in the venerable T2-A in Basic FT at McCain field at NAS Meridian. What a kick! Came back later as an Instructor pilot in VT-7 and accumulated several hundred more hours as a Basic Instructor. The B and C models had great performance. I once flew a XC in a C from NAS JAX to NAS MER with Cdr. Lee Goewy, the new VT-7 Skipper and me a lowly LtJg and I was the Pilot in Command since Cdr Goewy was not yet qualified in the ac. No pressure on the lowly JG! In that bad weather it was great to have the Skipper along with all his years of experience, it made a trying flight much more comfortable! Trying to get VFR "on top" of some bad weather @ FL 410 we were still in the soup but the AC performed flawlessly. Great birds, only problem was we had to teach spins in the thing and even on a good day those things were a bitch. You were coming down hill like a free-falling Mosler safe, and students invariably went "progressive" on their first one...very scary.....but for God's sake please don't tell 'em we would really do this for free! What fun!
Steve D., e-mail, 20.10.2010 19:41
I was stationed at TRARON 23 (VT-23) at NAS Kingsville Texas from December 1973 until June 1977. I worked in the Seat Shop, Inspection Branch and Airframe Shop. Became a CDI and dual engine turn qualified, also got certified for aft cockpit and did some flying. The Buckeye was a great plane and very forgiving of many things...except bad pilots. Capt. Troutman was my XO/CO (then CDR Troutman) at VT23. I got out of the Navy in 1984 as an AMSC.
ED Johnson, e-mail, 25.09.2010 23:52
While in VRF-31 in 1969 I had the privalege to be one of the pilots who delivered the first four T2J's to the NAVY training command at Pensacola. Great plane to fly and with those wide set main landing gear, almost impossible to ground loop.
It was my first operational assignment in the Navy back in 1978, what a great time maintaining this aircraft. Unfortunately due to the ease in maintaining this “bird,” it did not prepare me for other Navy aircraft that were much more difficult to keep flying. Regardless, still love the old Buckeye!
Norm Scruggs, e-mail, 01.09.2010 03:28
I flew the T2-C as a student, and then later as an instructor in VT-10 from 1979-1983 ( total of 1600 hours). At the time, this was the only jet in the Navy certified for spins. This was a simple, fun jet to fly, and probably the most forgiving jet ever made. It was a great trainer, because students had to really work hard to screw up. Lots of fond memories.... Semper Fi
Wade R McKay, e-mail, 16.04.2010 22:58
This was the first aircraft I worked on while serving 10 years in the NAVY VT-23 Kingsville,TX. AME3 Wade R McKay 181 Tiger Team Pilot Puncher/Go Griffins !
Clark Hunt, e-mail, 11.04.2010 04:49
I flew the T2-A in VT-7 and VT-4 in 1964 and 1965 as a student naval aviator. CQ'd on the Lexington. Does anyone have a photo or spec's of the T2-A?
CDR Stan Parsons, USN, (Ret.), e-mail, 20.02.2010 16:50
Greetings Skipper Troutman! You were my old CO at VT-23 and led me out to the Lex for my first trap. You never told me that I would later have to do that at night!!
Had my XO/CO tour in this aircraft at Kingsville with VT-23 in the mid-70s. Great trainer! Easy to fly and very safe and reliable.
Rob, e-mail, 22.12.2009 05:18
I flew these as an instructor in NAS Kingsville, TX. Great trainer and very easy to manage in any environment.
Norbert E. Onaitis, e-mail, 12.04.2009 07:58
Hi, There are two T2-C Kits that I know of in 1/48 scale. The T2-C Buckeye from Collect Aire ( http://www.collectaire.com/models.html) is a fantastic, limited run, resin kit. At a price of $109.95 + shipping and Handling, it should be. There is another due out soon from TwoBobs (http://www.twobobs.net/), also in 1/48. It will supposedly be out soon at a more reasonable price of $52.00. I've pre-ordered one for myself. Hope that this helps.. Norbert E Onaitis
Bill Query, e-mail, 30.08.2008 22:49
I flew them as an instructor in VT-9 at NAAS Meridian, Miss. This was 1992/1995. Logged over 1000 hours and had very few problems. Once a fuel control stuck in idle in the break at McCoy AFB but I was going the speed of heat and the runway was 12,000 so it was really a non-event.
Mauri, e-mail, 10.05.2008 21:27
You are looking for a plastic model or cardmodel? I can help with the second option ...
Vickie, e-mail, 18.04.2008 18:51
I was an AD-3 stationed in Meridian MS. I worked on these planes for many years. I love them. I have been looking for a model of the airplane that I can put together for about 20 years and cannot find any. If there is anyone that could assist me Please e-mail me. Thank you
