Niagara Aerospace Museum

Preserving Western New York's Aviation and Aerospace History

Saturday, September 11
1:00 p.m.

Tex Johnston with Cobra II and the Thompson Trophy

The Museum is pleased to present an appreciation event in honor of Alvin M. “Tex” Johnston, former Bell Aircraft test pilot. Tex’s family will be present to loan the museum the 1946 Thompson Trophy he won at the Cleveland National Air Races shown in the photo above. Tex was involved in the design and test flights of the rocket-powered Bell X-1, flying it up to Mach .72.

Later in his career, Tex worked as a pilot for the Boeing company. He is known for performing an unauthorized barrel-roll of the company’s first jet airliner, the Boeing 707 prototype, in August of 1955.

The view from the Boeing 707 prototype during the famous barrel roll
courtesy of NYC Aviation

No tickets required. Free for museum members. Standard museum admission fees for all others.

Check on the day of the event for COVID-19 restrictions as the museum follows the guidance of local county government recommendations.