Heavy Combat Weapons Tour (Houston, San Antonio: camp, military, airplanes)

[Schaertl]

Wondering where a "civilian", like myself, could see heavy combat weapons (Tank, Anti-Aircraft Guns, Airplanes, etc.) up close, in the city of San Antonio. It doesn't have to be all in one place. It can be a one item stop.
Thanks in advance!

[majormadmax]

There are displays and museums on Lackland and Ft Sam Houston; but I think you are going to have to find a military ID card holder to get you on those bases. Lackland has a nice parade ground with loads of aircraft around it, to include a SR-71 Blackbird spy plane which flew at Mach III+. I know there are a couple of museums on Ft Sam but I haven't been to them. Camp Mabry up in Austin (headquarters for the Texas National Guard) also has a nice musum with a lot of armor on it.

Is there any specific timeframe you are looking it? I might be able to meet you one afternoon and take you around Lackland for an hour or so if you are interested. I work on the base and am retired military...

Cheers! M2

[IrishSA]

Yeah Fort Sam, Lackland, Randolph are your best bets. I know up in New Branfuels or San Marcos they have a World War II museum. Not sure of the name or location last time i went was Ten years ago.

[Bowie]

Originally Posted by IrishSA

Yeah Fort Sam, Lackland, Randolph are your best bets. I know up in New Branfuels or San Marcos they have a World War II museum. Not sure of the name or location last time i went was Ten years ago.

Are you thinking of the Nimitz museum in Fredericksburg? It's the only museum in the country, maybe even the world, where you can stand next to an atomic bomb.

Naturally, the hardware on display there is WWII vintage.

[Eleanor Rigby]

There are displays and museums on Lackland and Ft Sam Houston; but I think you are going to have to find a military ID card holder to get you on those bases.

Unless they've changed the rules, you can present yourself at the Walters Street gate at Fort Sam and tell them you are there to go see the Quadrangle and the museums, and they will let you in. They might look at your id or search your car, but it's open to the public.

[majormadmax]

There are only a few items at the Quadrangle, from what I remembered (I just drove by it a few weeks ago). There's a tank and a UH-1 helicopter, and a couple of artillery pieces if I recall correctly. I believe Ft Sam has more armor at one of the museums over near Wilson Street. I know they've got a medical museum there, with some vehicles on display outside.

The best place to see armor would be the aforementioned Camp Mabry up in Austin, off of Loop 1 and 35th Street. They have events there (called "tattoos") and re-enactments on occasion. Well worth attending. Check the museum's web site for more info.

Of course the OP was asking about places around SA. Lackland has probably the biggest collection of military hardware on display with its parade ground and air park over near the Valley Hi gate.

Cheers! M2

[Pontifikate]

Doesn't Ft. Hood in Killeen have alot of heavy weaponry?

[majormadmax]

Yes, 1st Cav does have a museum...

Cheers! M2

[majormadmax]

Just to revive this thread, I responded to the OP offering to take them on Lackland for a tour of the two main air parks on base (the parade grounds and the one by the Valley Hi gate). But if anyone else is interested I would be more than happy to escort them on base on afternoon. I would prefer to do it with a group to save myself from repeating the tour several times, but now that the weather is getting nicer a few of you interested in the historical military aircraft on Lackland who aren't able to get up close to them would like the chance. If so, just post here and maybe we can arrange a pseudo-M&G on Lackland!

Cheers! M2

[gwrober]

M2 that's cool of you!