Cavanaugh Flight Museum

My husband likes planes but is, by no means, a plane guy or enthusiast and I really don’t have much interest but I took him here for Father’s Day and was very impressed! We went right when they opened and loved how not crowded it was! It was only us and maybe 2 other people for almost the whole first hour! Then a couple other groups showed up but it was not crowded at all and you could take your time, take all the pictures you want and not be backed up around others.
They have some awesome stuff on display. From replicas to small models to huge air ready planes, I was very impressed! All of their info plaques have tons of information and I really appreciated that. I liked that they also had helicopters, a tank, and some classic cars! I also appreciated they have some picnic tables and an indoor lounge where you can cool down. I went in my third trimester of pregnancy and took advantage of the seating.
My only word of warning is that all of the planes are either outdoors or in open hangers so if you go between May and September– you should take every precaution to stay cool! We went at 11am, it was about 85 and in the hangers it seemed even more warm. I definitely won’t go back any time during summer again. Just plan for that! They have so many planes it would take an hour or 2 with children and that can be a long time to be in the heat!

This is a pretty cool little museum that almost nobody seems to know exists. As far as flight museums in the area go, I was more impressed with the facility at Love Field. It’s larger and it has volunteers around to tell you about the displays. This museum just has a lot of aircraft. Some are replicas, but most seem to be the real deal purchased at some time or another by the museum. There are four hangers that are mostly filled with war planes and a few jets and a helicopter outside.
They also offer rides in old planes starting at around $ 250 for a half hour and going up to about $ 2500 for ride in an old jet. You know, just in case you’re the type of person who has $ 2500 to spend on a 30 minute ride. Personally, if I’m spending $ 2500 for a plane ride then it better take me to another continent and include meal service and all the mediocre movies on a six inch screen that I can handle. But that’s just me.

Stopped in with my family yesterday and experienced what amounted to absolutely ZERO customer service or anything of the sort. The girl behind the counter didn’t greet anyone or even make eye contact. After We told her we had been there only once-​about two years ago; she refused to engage in conversation. We paid the admission, then again zero guidance on where to go, etc. I would rather just drop my admission in a donation box and skip that whole bit and go in by ourselves with some signs pointing us along the way.
I would like to say I will be back, but doubtful.

Loved it and happy to pay the $ 10! I was dying to fly in the fighter jet but i’m not an oil tycoon that can afford the fuel. There are 4 hangars compared to the other museums 1 room. It was raining and I was more than happy to get soaked looked at the jets outside of the hangers. The air force veteran was very friendly and informative (thank you Sir). If you like planes you will love it, if not it will be as boring as any other kind of museum.

We took the self-​guided tour and found the displays to be beautifully restored and preserved. They have a wonderful art gallery, but small children will become uninterested very quickly here. Adults who have the time can be very enlightened about our country’s participation in several global conflicts. I think aviation enthusiasts will probably appreciate the museum more than those who are just looking for something to do. At any rate, the aircraft on display are beautiful along with some other military equipment. We walked through in about an hour or so because it was very hot. However, if you take time to read and learn about the displays, you could easily spend ½-​day there or more. Gift shop has a good variety of things to offer for all ages. We had fun with our 2yr old grandson. He loved the planes!

Thank you to David who provided a detailed guided tour through the museum and war history. He taught my teenage kids Socratically about war planes technology development including weaponry. I did not quite realize the bravery of World War 1 pilots whose death rate was exceedingly high. My twelve year old daughter has a new appreciation for the people of history thanks to his presentation.

Well worth a visit. This museum has a much larger collection (four hangars) than you might expect. Volunteer guides are very informative as well.

All the reviewers are right! This place rocks! The BF is a major junkie for war planes, and I am just a history geek, in general. We went on a Monday, but called ahead and asked if there was any way to get a tour guide, as it was so recommended on here. She said, of course, and set up a time. Out guide was great, and the tour was so awesome! The planes are amazing. They had WAY more planes of the era than any museum I’ve ever been to. Be it a replica (because literally no planes survived WWI), or original, these planes were so fabulous. We were constantly saying how big, or how small certain planes were compared to what we thought they were. The whole staff is great and I would go back again and again.

Lots of really great planes. My young son loves airplanes and he loved seeing so many up close.

Not a big fan. Found it quite boring. Nothing really interactive or exciting. Some planes were cool though! But that’s about all.

Skipped another place b/​c of bad reviews. Glad I did. Airplanes are displayed in hangers and appear to mostly fly-​able… with future projects tucked away in the back and in corners. My 10 yo daughter and I loved it. A little tough to find as it is on a narrow street in the heart of the active airport. Awesome!

The best air museum i have been to other than the smithsonian. They have a lot of rare flyable planes. An extensive air gallery. A me109, yak, migs, spitfire, and choppers. A must see.

NIce presentation of numerous aircraft. Some Eastern Block. If hubby were rich he would spend $ 300K on the Grumman Albatross they had for sale. Nice!
You can also take a ride in some planes… for about $ 1500 for a half hour.
Hubby and son had a blast. They told me how it was. I didn’t go. I was sick. BUT, I will be back!

This place never gets old. Each time we go we learn something new and meet someone with a wonderful story to share about their love of planes. My 6 year old loves old war planes and would come here every day if he could! He has been able to meet many pilots and has watched several take-​offs. This is a great way to spend a weekend afternoon.

I scheduled a visit here to surprise a military– and aircraft-​loving 10-​year-​old, and it was a major hit! Even my tween daughter had to admit it was a great way to spend a couple of hours. Easy to get to, easy on the wallet (watch out for that awesome gift shop!).
There are 4 large hangars or aircraft and some others parked outside as you move from hangar to hanger. WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and even some civilian craft. As a bonus, there are also some vintage cars, a Sherman Tank, and an anti-​aircraft gun. Kids were also delighted to go through the «restoration hangar» where they were working on other aircraft.
If you go in the hot months, head out early in the day. The hangars have fans but this is of course Texas so it’s not 72 degrees in there! You can take a break in the air-​conditioned «canteen» breakroom and grab a cold drink if necessary.
Only disappointment was the fact that they only take 18-​years-​up in the «warbird flights» they offer (couple of hundred bucks and up, depending on the plane). I may have to go back without the kids for that!
Easy to get through it in less than an hour if you don’t care to really get into the detail, a couple of hours is better though. Don’t miss this one if you’re a local, it’s worth it!

Really clean and nest aircraft here. A great gallery of war planes.

Awesome! Since I was a little child, I have always had a fascination with airplanes. Especially the ones featured here. WWII through the Vietnam era. Mr. Cavanaugh’s collection is nothing short of breathtaking. I absolutely loved seeing this collection, most of which is in working order and in immaculate state of cleanliness. I hope to someday be able to come back and see the new additions to the collection. Unfortunately I was just a little early in my visit to see the P-​51 Mustang.
The only tip I would offer is that you come early, as the planes are housed in hangars that get a little hot. Then again, I am from a up north and this Texas heat is a butt-​kicker…

Great place! Well worth the trip. Call ahead and see if anything is flying. Watching them fire up the old planes and leave for a flight is fun.

Calling any and all aviation buffs! This is your stop!
Cavanaugh is a great little secret tucked back among the hangars of planes at Addison Airport.
Jim Cavanaugh is an aviation nut who has a love for restoring vintage warbirds. He has one of the best collections period. The awesome thing about this museum is almost all of the planes are in flying condition. It is remarkable. Many of you may be familiar with Cavanaugh’s planes if you’ve ever been to KaboomTown in Addison. Many of the warbirds you see flying around before the fireworks are from his personal collection.
One of my favorite things about Cavanaugh’s museum is that even though I’ve been several times, I always see a plane and I have to stop and think «did I see this awesome plane here last time?!» You always find something new.
Another AWESOME thing about Cavanaugh is that you can buy rides on 2 of the planes here. The AT-​6 Texas, a world war 2 trainer, Google it. Or a Steerman, an old open air cockpit biplane trainer. It is 250 dollars for a 30 minute flight. I got a flight for christmas 2 years ago. It was great. I flew in the Texan. The pilot will ask if you’d like a tour of your neighborhood, or any area you’d like to see. (Because of Love Field, the downtown area is usually off limits though). I chose the Lake Lewisville area. It’s awesome on a nice sunny day to fly out over the lake. He will ask you what your tolerance for maneuvers are and he will do some fun climbs and dives, and a few maneuvers where he will fly straight up and then turn the plane on its wingtip. It kicks the ass of any rollercoaster out there.
Any Unilocalers who want to take a trip out here PLEASE let me go because I’d love to go and enjoy it again.