Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:
Texas, Eastern Abilene area
© 2002, © 2006 by Paul Freeman. Revised 4/1/08.
(Original) Abilene Municipal Airport (revised 4/1/08) - Barton's Chapel Army Stage Field (added 11/12/06) - Clear Lake Ranch (revised 11/12/06)
Dempsey Army Heliport - Downing Army Heliport (revised 11/12/06) - Fort Wolters Army Heliport (revised 11/15/06)
Fort Wolters Army Stage Field #1 (revised 7/24/05) - Fort Wolters Army Stage Field #2 (revised 7/24/05) - Fort Wolters Army Stage Field #3 (revised 7/24/05)
Fort Wolters Army Stage Field #4 (revised 11/15/06) - Garner Army Stage Field (revised 7/24/05) - Qui Nhon Army Stage Field (revised 6/13/04)
Sheppard AF Helicopter Annex #2 (revised 11/12/06) - Vung Tau Army Stage Field (revised 7/24/05)
____________________________________________________
(Original) Abilene Municipal Airport, Abilene, TX
32.44 North / 99.69 West (West of Fort Worth, TX)
An aerial view of the Abilene Air Terminal
from The Airport Directory Company's 1937 Airports Directory (courtesy of Bob Rambo).
This former airfield is separate & distinct from the present-day Abilene Municipal Airport,
which sits on the opposite side of State Spur 322 to the southeast.
The date of construction of the original Abilene Airport is unknown.
The earliest reference to the airfield which has been located
was in the 1934 Department of Commerce Airfield Directory (according to Chris Kennedy).
It described the "Abilene Air Terminal" as having 3 sod runways,
with the longest being a 2,500' northwest/southeast strip.
The Airport Directory Company's 1937 Airports Directory (courtesy of Bob Rambo)
described Abilene Air Terminal as having 3 gravel runways, with the longest being the 2,500' northwest/southeast strip.
The aerial photo in the directory depicted a single hangar & a terminal building alongside the ramp.
The airport manager was listed as L.E. Derryberry,
and the operators were listed as American Airways Inc.,
C.J. Collier, L.E. Derryberry, and Paul Stambaugh.
The 1942 Dallas Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy)
depicted "Abilene" as a commercial/municipal airport.
According to Scott Murdock, a March 1943 airfield directory listed this field as "Abilene Army Air Field (old)",
while a May 1943 directory listed the field as "Abilene Air Terminal".
At some point between 1943-54,
a much larger Abilene Municipal Airport was constructed on a separate plot of land one mile to the southeast.
The August 1954 Dallas Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted the original Abilene Airport (with a 3,700' hard surface runway),
as well as “Abilene (New)” adjacent to it on the south side (with a 5,400' hard surface runway).
Larry Nussbaumer recalled, “I attended an airshow at the NEW Municipal Airport,
probably in the summer of 1954.
Not long after that, Dad had me practice driving our (almost new then) 1953 Chevy
around the runways on the old Municipal Airport.
It certainly had to be before mid-summer 1955, as that's when Dad got a new 1955 Buick.”
The original Abilene Airport has been abandoned by 1957,
as the 1957 USGS topo map depicted the runways of the original Abilene Municipal Airport
(at the top, labeled as “Airport Aban'd” & as the “West TX Fairground”)
and the newer & separate airfield layout of the present-day airport (at the bottom).
As still depicted on the 1957 USGS topo map,
the original Abilene Municipal Airport consisted of a total of 4 paved runways (the longest being 3,600'),
taxiways, and a ramp area on the west side.
Only the new Abilene Municipal Airport was depicted on the March 1961 Austin Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The 1987 USGS topo map, showing both the runways of the original Abilene Municipal Airport (at the top)
and the newer & separate airfield layout of the present-day airport (at the bottom).
The northwest end of another former runway is a parking lot for ball fields next to the zoo.
The City Coliseum was built at an unknown date on the western edge of the former ramp area.
The north end of a former runway has been reused as a parking lot of the Abilene Zoo,
and the northwest end of another former runway has been reused as a parking lot for ball fields next to the zoo.
Significant portions of all 4 runways were still evident in the 1994 USGS aerial photo.
It is not known if any original airfield buildings remain standing.
As seen in the 2002 USGS aerial photo,
significant portions of all 4 runways of the original Abilene Municipal Airport were still evident.
The site of the original Abilene Municipal Airport is located
west of the intersection of State Spur 322 & Route 36.
Thanks to Scott Murdock for pointing out this former airfield.
____________________________________________________
Clear Lake Ranch Airfield, Mankins, TX
33.82 North / 98.9 West (Northwest of Fort Worth, TX)
The Clear Lake Ranch Airfield, as depicted on the July 1968 Dallas Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airport while open has not been located.
The date of construction of this former private airfield is unknown.
The earliest depiction of the airfield which has been located is the 1965 USGS topo map,
which labeled it "Clear Lake Ranch".
Clear Lake Ranch was depicted as a private airfield
on the July 1968 Dallas Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy),
with a single 3,100' paved runway.
The Clear Lake Ranch Airfield was evidently closed (for reasons unknown) at some point between 1968-78,
as it was depicted as an abandoned airfield on the 1978 DFW Sectional Chart (courtesy of Ray Brindle).
It was still labeled "Clear Lake Landing Strip" on the 1979 USGS topo map,
but was labeled simply "Landing Strip" on the 1983 USGS topo map.
As it existed in the 1995 USGS aerial photo,
the airfield consisted of a single 3,600' paved runway,
along with a single hangar along the east side of the runway.
It still appeared in fairly reasonable condition.
As seen in a circa 2001-2005 aerial photo,
the majority of the former paved runway remained intact,
but a house had been built off the southern end.
The airfield is located west of the intersection of Ranch Road 1180 & Ranch Road 2846.
____________________________________________________
Sheppard AF Helicopter Training Annex #2, Iowa Park, TX
34 North / 98.63 West (Northwest of Fort Worth, TX)
“H-2 AF Aux”, as depicted on the July 1968 Dallas Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
This site might also have originally been home
to a First World War auxiliary field to Call Field (in Wichita Falls), called Iowa Park.
This small annex of nearby Sheppard Air Force Base was assigned in 1966,
and was apparently used to support Air Force helicopter training at that base.
The earliest depiction of the Sheppard Helicopter Annex #2 which has been located
was on the on the July 1968 Dallas Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It depicted “H-2 AF Aux” as a heliport.
Larry DeVore (who was stationed at Sheppard AFB from 1968-71 as a HH-43B mechanic)
reported that "Annex #2 I think was used by the UH-1Fs & CH-3Cs."
Larry DeVore also recalled that Sheppard Helicopter Annex #1 was located in Grandfield, OK, and was used by HH-43Bs.
"The site (Annex #1) had a small metal building & a short paved runway,
as the HH-43B's could do rolling takeoffs & landings.
We had to either fly up or ride in the fuel truck as we had to refuel the helicopters after the training was over."
Sheppard AF Helicopter Training Annex #2 was disposed of in 1972.
However, the property was still labeled "Sheppard AFB Annex" on the 1974 USGS topo map.
"H-2 AF Aux" was still depicted as an active heliport on the 1978 DFW Sectional Chart (courtesy of Ray Brindle).
The Sheppard Annex #2 was not depicted at all on the 1979 or 1983 USGS topo maps.
As seen in the 1995 USGS aerial photo,
the airfield facilities at Annex #2 consisted of 2 rows of a total of 17 helicopter landing pads, each a 90' square of concrete.
A circa 2001-2006 aerial photo showed the facilities at Annex #2 consisted of 2 rows of a total of 17 helicopter landing pads
along with a small support building on the west side of the field.
It is located on the east side of Peterson Road, 3 miles northeast of Iowa Park, TX.
____________________________________________________
Fort Wolters Army Heliport (88TS), Mineral Wells, TX
32.84 North / 98.05 West (West of Fort Worth, TX)
A 1943 Army Corps of Engineers photo of Camp Wolters.
What would later become the helipad (the large rectangular concrete pad at the bottom)
was evidently being used as a foundation for numerous buildings.
However, what appears to possibly have been a single runway extended away to the northwest - ?
This base was established as Camp Wolters, a National Guard training site, in 1925.
It was expanded in 1940 to a total of 7,500 acres
for use as an infantry training center for as many as 25,000 troops.
A 1943 Army Corps of Engineers photo of Camp Wolters
depicted what would later become the helipad (a large rectangular concrete pad),
which was evidently being used at the time as a foundation for numerous buildings.
However, what appears to possibly have been a single runway (approximately 3,000' long)
extended away to the northwest from the concrete pad.
Although no mention has been found of the WW2-era Camp Wolters having any kind of an airfield,
it is entirely conceivable that the camp would have had some kind of aviation facility.
Camp Wolters was deactivated in 1945 & converted to private use.
The facility was reactivated as Wolters Air Force Base (a non-flying base) in 1951.
It was used to house the newly formed Aviation Engineer Force,
which trained special-category Army & Air Force personnel.
These Air Force Aviation Engineer units may have constructed a paved runway,
1.5 miles northeast of what would eventually be the Fort Wolters Heliport.
This runway was apparently used for the Engineer's training purposes,
and not ever used for actual flying purposes.
This abandoned runway was later described as "completely weed infested"
by Chris Ness (who eventually attended helicopter training at Fort Wolters in the 1960s).
He recalled, "My only real memory was racing down it backwards in my car to adjust the brakes."
Camp Wolters was transferred back to the Army in 1956.
A contract was awarded to the Southern Airways Company to conduct flight training
as the U.S. Army Primary Helicopter School.
It was renamed Fort Wolters in 1963.
At the time all Army rotary-wing aviators received basic & primary flight training there.
An undated view of a Hiller OH-23 & a Hughes TH-55 flanking the main entrance to Fort Wolters (courtesy of Steve Cruse).
For their large-scale helicopter flight training operations at Fort Wolters,
in the area formerly occupied by the cantonment area
the Army constructed a large concrete helipad (approximately 4,300' x 1,200'),
with a control tower, and numerous other support buildings.
According to Chris Ness, a runway "was painted diagonally across the main heliport."
Early in the Vietnam War era,
helicopter training facilities at Fort Wolters were supplemented by 3 "Stage Fields" (small outlying heliports):
designated as Stage Field #1, Stage Field #2, and Stage Field #3.
A 1960 Jeppesen Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy) depicted the Fort Wolters Army Heliport
as consisting of a 3,000' x 1,500' rectangular pad,
on the east side of which were 2 paved runways: 1,808' Runway 10/28 & 1,165' Runway 16/34.
A 1960 Jeppesen Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy) depicted Fort Wolters as having 4 active Stage Fields.
The Ft. Wolters property was also the site of an Army Nike surface-to-air missile battery, located just north of the helipad.
Site DF-70, consisting of both launcher & control sites, became operational in 1960.
Ft Wolters Army Heliport, as depicted on the 1965 Dallas Sectional Chart (courtesy of John Voss).
A 1966 Army photo from the Fort Wolters control tower in 1966,
showing a total of 80 OH-23 &TH-55 helicopters (courtesy of Chris Ness).
A January 1966 US Army Corps of Engineers aerial photo of the Ft. Wolters Nike-Hercules missile battery.
The Launch Site is on the left, and the Integrated Fire Control Site is on the right.
Fort Wolters, as depicted on the July 1966 USGS topo map (courtesy of Chris Ness).
A pre-1967 aerial photo of the Fort Wolters Heliport (courtesy of Chris Ness).
As the volume of helicopter training at Fort Wolters picked up toward the latter stages of the Vietnam conflict,
the 3 closest-in Stage Fields (1-3) were replaced (by 1967, according to Chris Ness, who soloed at Fort Wolters)
by 25 Stage Fields located father out.
The first 7 stage fields were given "western" names
(Pinto, Sundance, Ramrod, Mustang, Rawhide, Bronco, and Wrangler),
while the rest were named after towns in Vietnam to get the students used Vietnamese names
(An Khe, Bac Lieu, Ben Cat, Ben Hoa, Cam Ranh, Can Tho, Chu Lai, Da Nang, Hue, My Tho,
Phu Loi, Pleiku, Qui Nhon, Soc Trang, Tay Ninh, Tuy Hoa, Vinh Long, and Vung Tau).
In addition, 2 large heliports were also added: Downing Army Heliport & Dempsey Army Heliport.
An undated photo of a Hughes TH-55A Osage at Fort Wolters (courtesy of Steve Cruse).
A Fort Wolters Hiller OH-23 Raven.
An undated view of a Bell medevac UH-1D in front of Beach Army Hospital at Fort Wolters (courtesy of Steve Cruse).
The School started with 125 Hiller OH-23 Raven helicopters.
The number of helicopters at Fort Wolters peaked in 1969 at more than 1,300, including the OH-13 & TH-55.
A truly unique machine - a Del Mar DH-1A Whirlymite,
pictured at Fort Wolters in 1966, photo by Chuck Ross.
Perhaps the smallest manned aircraft the Army ever operated was the DH-1A Whirlymite,
a product of the Del Mar Engineering Labs.
A rare example of the Whirlymite was used at Fort Wolters by students needing additional hover practice.
It was tethered to a rolling platform, which itself was tethered to the corner posts of the shed.
In other uses the Whirlymite was flown as a conventional helicopter, in free, untethered flight.
In Chuck Ross' words, "I took that photo in August 1966 while attending pre-flight training at Fort Wolters.
I don't know how long the Whirlymite was there but gathered that it had been a year or so when I saw it.
My 'rotorhead' friends told me it was not part of the regular syllabus
but if a student needed hover practice beyond the syllabus hours it was cheaper & safer than an OH-23 or TH-55."
Over 41,000 students, representing over 30 countries,
graduated from the primary helicopter school at Fort Wolters during the 17 years it functioned in this capacity.
Peak output occurred in 1967 with 600 students graduating each month.
The Vietnam War increased the need for pilots,
and the base became the home for training not just Army personnel,
but also helicopter pilots for the Marine Corps in 1968.
The Ft. Wolters Nike surface-to-air missile battery was deactivated in 1969.
Fort Wolters also began training helicopter pilots for the Air Force in 1970.
By 1970 Fort Wolters covered 8,500 acres & leased an additional 1,700 acres.
Fort Wolters was deactivated in 1973.
By 1978, it was no longer depicted at all (not even as an abandoned airfield)
on the DFW Sectional Chart (courtesy of Ray Brindle).
USGS aerial photo 1995.
Part of the land & facilities eventually became the Wolters Industrial Park, housing a number of businesses.
One of these businesses is Fort Wolters Helicopters,
which maintains the only active aviation facility at Fort Wolters, the Fort Wolters Helicopters Heliport.
Their business is located in the former engine shop of the Army Primary Helicopter Training Center.
They specialize in refurbishing & resale of the Hiller UH-12 formerly operated by the Army at Fort Wolters.
The remaining airfield facility at Fort Wolters consists of the
concrete helipad (approximately 4,300' x 1,200') & a large number of buildings.
At the site of the former Ft. Wolters Nike surface-to-air missile battery (just north of the helipad),
the remains of the 3 launchers still exist.
A 2003 Army Corps of Engineers map, showing the amazing number of Stage Fields (25) & heliports (3)
which encompassed the Fort Wolters helicopter flight training complex.
A circa 2001-2005 USGS aerial photo looking east along the remains of the Fort Wolters heliport.
See also:
http://www.armyflightschool.org/rotary.htm
____________________________________________________
Fort Wolters Army Stage Field #1, Garner, TX
32.88 North / 98.01 West (West of Fort Worth, TX)
"Stage Field #1", as depicted relative to the main Fort Wolters Army Heliport on a 1960 Jeppesen Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
This airfield was one of at least 25 Stage Fields which were eventually used to support
the large-scale Army helicopter training program at Fort Wolters (4 miles to the southwest).
The date of construction of Stage Field #1 has not been determined,
but the helicopter training program at Fort Wolters began operating in 1956.
The earliest depiction of Stage Field #1 which has been located
was on a 1960 Jeppesen Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The July 1966 USGS topo map (courtesy of Chris Ness)
depicted "Helicopter Stage Field #1" as an outlined area, with no details within.
The date of closure of Stage Field #1 has not been determined,
but Chris Ness (who soloed at Fort Wolters)
suggested that the "numbered" Stage Fields were no longer in use by 1967.
The use of this Stage Field definitely came to an end by 1973,
when the Army's helicopter training program at Fort Wolters was deactivated.
This Stage Field was not depicted at all on the July 1973 DFW Sectional Chart
or on USGS topo maps from 1973, 1983, or 1984.
As seen in the 1995 USGS aerial photo,
this Stage Field had a 2,400' paved runway or ramp area along the west side,
along with 5 shorter paved strips, all arranged in parallel.
A circa 2001-2005 USGS aerial photo looking northwest at the remains of Fort Wolters Stage Field #1.
Stage Field #1 is located southwest of the intersection of Route 113 & New Authon Road.
____________________________________________________
Fort Wolters Army Stage Field #2, Salesville, TX
32.88 North / 98.05 West (West of Fort Worth, TX)
"Stage Field #2", as depicted relative to the main Fort Wolters Army Heliport on a 1960 Jeppesen Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
This airfield was one of at least 25 Stage Fields which were eventually used to support
the large-scale Army helicopter training program at Fort Wolters (2 miles to the south).
The date of construction of Stage Field #2 has not been determined,
but the helicopter training program at Fort Wolters began operating in 1956.
The earliest depiction of Stage Field #2 which has been located
was on a 1960 Jeppesen Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The July 1966 USGS topo map (courtesy of Chris Ness)
depicted "Helicopter Stage Field #2" as an outlined area, with no details within.
The date of closure of Stage Field #2 has not been determined,
but Chris Ness (who soloed at Fort Wolters) suggested that the "numbered" Stage Fields were no longer in use by 1967.
Chris Ness recalled, "#2 would have been right under traffic north of the field [of the main Fort Wolters Heliport].
I seem to recall my IP pulling a forced landing on me over old #2 the very first time I ever flew -
before I had ever done an auto-rotation."
The use of this Stage Field definitely came to an end by 1973,
when the Army's helicopter training program at Fort Wolters was deactivated.
This Stage Field was not depicted at all on the July 1973 DFW Sectional Chart
or on USGS topo maps from 1973, 1983, or 1984.
As seen in the 1995 USGS aerial photo,
this Stage Field consisted of a parallel group of 5 paved strips, each 1,600' long.
A paved ramp area sat on the west side of the field,
along with what may have been a single small building at the south side of the ramp.
A circa 2001-2005 USGS aerial photo looking northwest along the remains of Stage Field #2,
showed the landing strips to be far less recognizable than in the 1995 photo.
Stage Field #2 is located northeast of the intersection of Lamkin Road & Hayes Road.
____________________________________________________
Fort Wolters Army Stage Field #3, Garner, TX
32.82 North / 98.01 West (West of Fort Worth, TX)
"Stage Field #3", as depicted relative to the main Fort Wolters Army Heliport on a 1960 Jeppesen Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
This airfield was one of at least 25 Stage Fields which were eventually used to support
the large-scale Army helicopter training program at Fort Wolters (2 miles to the northwest).
The date of construction of Stage Field #3 has not been determined,
but the helicopter training program at Fort Wolters began operating in 1956.
The earliest depiction of Stage Field #3 which has been located
was on a 1960 Jeppesen Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The July 1966 USGS topo map (courtesy of Chris Ness)
depicted "Helicopter Stage Field #3" as an outlined area, with no details within.
The date of closure of Stage Field #3 has not been determined,
but Chris Ness (who soloed at Fort Wolters)
suggested that the "numbered" Stage Fields were no longer in use by 1967.
In Chris' words, "I don't remember ever seeing anything flying in the vicinity of #3 at all."
The use of this Stage Field definitely came to an end by 1973,
when the Army's helicopter training program at Fort Wolters was deactivated.
This Stage Field was not depicted at all on the July 1973 DFW Sectional Chart
or on USGS topo maps from 1973, 1983, or 1984.
As seen in the 1995 USGS aerial photo,
this Stage Field appears to have consisted of a group of 7 parallel paved strips, each 1,800' long.
However, this Stage Field was significantly more deteriorated than many of the other former Stage Fields,
as it appears as if all of the pavement had been removed,
and a home or other buildings appears to have been built over a portion of the site.
However, the characteristic Stage Field arrangement of the parallel strips was still quite recognizable.
A circa 2001-2005 USGS aerial photo looking northwest at the remains of Fort Wolters Stage Field #3.
Stage Field #3 is located northeast of the intersection of Lamkin Road & Hayes Road.
____________________________________________________
Fort Wolters Army Stage Field #4, Salesville, TX
32.94 North / 98.03 West (West of Fort Worth, TX)
A January 1959 US Army Corps of Engineers aerial photo of Ft. Wolters Stage Field #4.
This airfield was one of at least 25 Stage Fields which were eventually used to support
the large-scale Army helicopter training program at Fort Wolters (7 miles to the southwest).
The date of construction of Stage Field #4 has not been determined,
but the helicopter training program at Fort Wolters began operating in 1956.
The earliest depiction which has been located of Stage Field #4
was a January 1959 US Army Corps of Engineers aerial photo.
It depicted the field as having 6 parallel north/south runways.
A total of 20 helicopter landing pads were clustered in 2 rows along the west side of the field,
along with 1 or 2 small buildings.
"Stage Field #4", as depicted relative to the main Fort Wolters Army Heliport on a 1960 Jeppesen Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The date of closure of Stage Field #3 has not been determined,
but Chris Ness (who soloed at Fort Wolters)
suggested that the "numbered" Stage Fields were no longer in use by 1967.
The use of this Stage Field definitely came to an end by 1973,
when the Army's helicopter training program at Fort Wolters was deactivated.
This Stage Field was not depicted at all on the July 1973 DFW Sectional Chart
or on USGS topo maps from 1973, 1983, or 1984.
As seen in the 1995 USGS aerial photo,
this Stage Field appears to have originally had a similar configuration as that of the other former Stage Fields,
with several rows of parallel strips with numerous helicopter landing pads.
However, unlike many other stage fields, this one appears to have had all of its pavement removed at some point.
A circa 2001-2005 USGS aerial photo looking north at the remains of Fort Wolters Stage Field #4.
Stage Field #4 is located southeast of the intersection of Bounty Road & Whitt Cutoff Road.
____________________________________________________
Dempsey Army Heliport, Palo Pinto, TX
32.78 North / 98.27 West (West of Fort Worth, TX)
Bell OH-13s on the ramp at Dempsey Army Heliport, circa 1960s (courtesy of Steve Cruse).
Aerial view of Dempsey shortly after its Army use.
This large helicopter facility was built as a satellite field
for the large-scale helicopter training program at nearby Fort Wolters.
Dempsey Army Heliport opened in 1968, according to Chris Ness (who soloed at Fort Wolters).
The date closure of Dempsey by the Army has not been determined,
but flight training operations at Fort Wolters ended in 1973.
A recent view of the Dempsey tower & hangars.
A recent view of the water tower, hangars & control tower at Dempsey Army Heliport.
By 1978, it was no longer depicted at all (not even as an abandoned airfield)
on the DFW Sectional Chart (courtesy of Ray Brindle).
The airfield facilities consist of a concrete helipad (approximately 3,900' x 1,600')
several hangars, a water tower, and a control tower.
A faded sign indicates it is now the Dempsey Strategic Storage Center,
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Nearly all of the helipad area is now being used for storage.
Mac Mack reported in 2003 that "The rectangular shapes at the old Dempsey AAF are mobile homes / trailers
that FEMA takes to disasters for use by people whose homes have been destroyed, damaged, etc.
After such an event occurs we see them on the local freeways outbound,
and after a while they return, to be used again the next time they are needed."
See also: http://www.airforcebase.net/trips/wtex2k/tr_wtex2k.html
____________________________________________________
Downing Army Heliport, Mineral Wells, TX
32.78 North / 98.05 West (West of Fort Worth, TX)
A circa 1960s-70s aerial view of Downing during its use by the Army.
Note the large number of helicopters parked at heliport, and runways of Mineral Wells Airport in background.
This facility was built as a satellite field for the helicopter training program at nearby Fort Wolters.
The Downing Army Heliport was not yet depicted at all
on the July 1966 USGS topo map (courtesy of Chris Ness).
Cecil Lucas recalled, “I was employed as a mechanic At Fort Wolters in February of 1966.
In October of 1966 I was transferred to Downing heliport which had just been completed.”
The Downing Army Heliport was constructed adjacent to the east side
of the still-operational Mineral Wells Municipal Airport (MWL),
and consists of a concrete helipad (measuring approximately 1,600' x 1,500')
and a very long hangar (nearly 800' long).
The date of closure of the Downing Army Heliport has not been determined,
but the Army's flight training program at Fort Wolters was terminated in 1973.
Chris Walton reported in 2003, "I've visited it many times.
For many years, the old heliport has been used for autocrosses (a kind of low-speed time trial)
by 2 Dallas/ Fort Worth area sports car clubs,
Equipe Rapide Sports Car Club & the Texas Region of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA).
The Porsche Club of America has also run many autocrosses there
and has also used the track for high-speed drivers' schools.
The squiggly line that's vaguely visible in the 1995 aerial photograph
is the Porsche Club's high-speed track.
The site has hosted numerous large invitational SCCA autocross events in past years,
and has become affectionately known as the Mineralring (after the Nurburgring racetrack in Germany).
However, the asphalt surface at the heliport has deteriorated badly in the last several years
to the point that it doesn't have enough grip for auto racing,
and several better-paved & more conveniently located racing sites have recently opened in the area.
The site is gradually being phased out by the local car clubs
and probably won't be used for racing at all within the next few years."
Chris continued, "The long, tan-colored metal hangar in the lower left-hand corner of the aerial photo
was used during the late 1990s by a local manufacturer of manufactured housing (i.e. mobile homes)
but the operation closed a couple of years ago
and the building has since been abandoned & surrounded by a tall sheet-metal fence.
The little metal building to the upper right of the hangar appears military
and has always looked like some sort of fueling facility to me;
it has been boarded up ever since I first saw it.
The building to the upper left looks like an ordinary 1980s-era concrete industrial building;
it does not look military & doesn't look old enough to date from the heliport days."
A 2005 photo by Gregg Lee of the former Downing Heliport.
Gregg Lee gave a somewhat different account in 2005:
“At least 5 different sports car clubs rent the helipad regularly for autocross & trials.
Clubs have over 40 days scheduled for autocrosses,
trials and schools in 2005, probably the most ever.
While the City of Mineral Wells has invested next to nothing to maintain the site,
last year those who use the pad began a project to clear brush & dirt which continues.
There are some small damaged pavement areas,
many created a few years ago by trucks cutting across to a gas well on the south side,
and a weak pavement area toward the east side that seems to have a seep beneath it, but no wholesale breakup.
Grip is comparable to other asphalt autosports sites.”
Gregg continued, “Last year the city held its annual fireworks display on the helipad.”
Gregg continued, “The approximately 30' x 50' metal building adjacent to the helipad,
which I have heard called the 'fuel building',
is currently unoccupied but well maintained, with for example, air conditioning installed.
A city employee recently called it the 'firehouse'.”
Model airplane hobbyists often set up on the drive in front of this building.”
A 2005 photo by Gregg Lee of the buildings adjacent to the former Downing Heliport.
Gregg observed, “The water tower is still military red & white.”
Gregg continued, “A company called DRS occupies the long hangar plus an extension added by a previous tenant,
and about 15% of the original pad, now fenced off by chain link fence.
DRS makes Remotely Piloted Vehicles which appear to have 6-8' wingspan.
Another company called STEC occupies several other building on the airport.”
Gregg continued, “The Airport recently installed an Instrument Landing System.
This required that airport fences be relocated & upgraded to meet federal security rules.
The airport aprons and taxiways are being rebuild and somewhat expanded.
Plans include resurfacing the runways.”
A 2005 photo by Gregg Lee of a static-display UH-1 which “was recently installed in front of the terminal.”
A 2006 aerial photo of the former Downing Army Heliport & hangar.
____________________________________________________
Vung Tau Army Stage Field, Authon, TX
32.85 North / 97.96 West (West of Fort Worth, TX)
Aerial view of Vung Tau, date unknown.
This airfield was one of 25 stage fields used to support
the large-scale Army helicopter training program at Fort Wolters (4 miles west).
The specific dates of Army use of the Vung Tau stage field are unknown
but the helicopter training program at Fort Wolters operated from 1956-73.
The airfield consisted of a total of seven 2,000' asphalt parallel runways, all oriented north/south.
The runways were marked with multiple individual helicopter landing spots.
It is labeled "Walker Red Fox" Airfield on the 1972 USGS topo map
and the 1978 DFW Sectional Chart (courtesy of Ray Brindle),
but simply as "Landing Strips" on the 1979 & 1981 USGS topo maps.
According to drag racing historian Bret Kepner,
this field was later reused at an unknown date for auto racing as the Brazos Valley Dragway.
In the 1995 USGS aerial photo,
all 7 runways still existed, although some had deteriorated more than others.
A circa 2001-2005 USGS aerial photo looking north at the remains of the Vung Tau Stage Field.
The field is located northwest of Garner Adell Road, one mile southwest of Authon.
____________________________________________________
Qui Nhon Army Stage Field, Salesville, TX
32.9 North / 98.16 West (West of Fort Worth, TX)
An August 3, 1966 Army aerial photo looking northwest at Qui Nhon Stage Field (courtesy of Chris Ness, who soloed from Qui Nhon).
This airfield was one of 25 stage fields used to support
the large-scale Army helicopter training program at Fort Wolters (7 miles to the east).
The specific dates of Army use of the Qui Nhon Stage Field are unknown,
but the helicopter training program at Fort Wolters operated from 1956-73.
The Qui Nhon Stage Field was not yet depicted on the July 1966 USGS topo map (courtesy of Chris Ness).
The earliest depiction of the Qui Nhon Stage Field which has been located
was the above August 3, 1966 Army aerial photo (courtesy of Chris Ness).
The airfield at Qui Nhon had a configuration which was fairly common to the Fort Wolters Stage Fields.
In particular, Qui Nhon had 2 paved 1,700' runways,
and 4 other rows of paved helicopter landing spots, all arranged in parallel.
The Qui Nhon Stage Field was not depicted at all on the July 1973 DFW Sectional Chart
or on USGS topo maps from 1973, 1983, or 1984.
As seen in the 1995 USGS aerial photo,
the western-most runway still remained in the best condition,
while it appears as if the pavement of the middle runway had been removed at some point.
The other rows of individual paved helicopter landing spots still remained as well.
The Qui Nhon Stage Field is located 3 miles south of the intersection of Route 254 & Route 52.
____________________________________________________
Garner Army Stage Field, Garner, TX
32.91 North / 97.98 West (West of Fort Worth, TX)
USGS aerial photo 1995.
This airfield was one of 25 stage fields used to support
the large-scale Army helicopter training program at Fort Wolters (5 miles to the southwest).
The actual name of this particular stage field has not been determined.
The specific dates of Army use of this stage field have not been determined,
but the helicopter training program at Fort Wolters operated from 1956-73.
This stage field was not depicted at all on the July 1973 DFW Sectional Chart
or on USGS topo maps from 1973, 1983, or 1984.
As seen in the above 1995 USGS aerial photo,
this stage field consisted of the configuration which was fairly common to the Fort Wolters Stage Fields:
a set of 7 rectangular strips arranged in parallel.
The eastern-most strip appeared to have been the most substantial (2,300' long),
and the most similar in appearance to a fixed-wing aircraft runway.
Four of the other strips had individual paved helicopter landing spots.
A circa 2001-2005 USGS aerial photo looking north at the remains of the Garner Stage Field.
This stage field is located northwest of the intersection of Route 113 & New Authon Road.
____________________________________________________
Barton's Chapel Army Stage Field, Garner, TX
33.04 North / 98.25 West (West of Fort Worth, TX)
The former Army Stage Field was labeled simply as “Landing Strip” on the 1981 USGS topo map.
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
This airfield was one of 25 stage fields used to support
the large-scale Army helicopter training program at Fort Wolters (5 miles to the southwest).
The actual name of this particular stage field has not been determined.
The specific dates of Army use of this stage field have not been determined,
but the helicopter training program at Fort Wolters operated from 1956-73.
This stage field was not depicted at all on the July 1973 DFW Sectional Chart.
The earliest depiction of this field which has been located
was on the 1981 USGS topo map.
It depicted 2 parallel paved runways, labeled simply as “Landing Strip”.
A 2006 aerial photo showed the paved runway surfaces & 4 square landing pads
remained perfectly intact at the site of the Barton's Chapel Stage Field.
This stage field is located southwest of the intersection of Bartons Chapel Road & Route 4.
Thanks to Chris Kennedy for determining the location of this field.
____________________________________________________
