The Connecticut Air & Space Center (CASC) is hosting a free, all access Open House “Celebrating Connecticut’s Aviation History” on Saturday, July 9th and Sunday July 10th, 2011 (9am -4pm both days), where for the first time in 5 years that the entire collection will be accessible to the general public. The event will be held in the large, open parking lot next to Museum, at the intersection of Main Street & Sniffens Lane, opposite the Atlantic Aviation Hangers at Sikorsky Memorial Airport. Parking is Free.

During the Open House, attendees will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the aircraft and artifacts in the collection. The collection includes items from Sikorsky, Chance Vought, Pratt & Whitney, Hamilton Standard, Avco/Lycoming, Cessna and North American to name a few. For anyone over the age of 18, there will be guided tours of the original Chance Vought R&D Hanger and the Museums cold storage facility aptly named “Area 53”. These buildings contain the Museum’s restoration shop as well as many other displays.

“We are the best kept secret in Connecticut” said Christopher Soltis, Display Designer and Asst Curator. “This event has been planned with children in mind. Our goal is to Honor, Preserve and Educate about our history in Connecticut. We need to get the next generation involved. When I became a volunteer, It changed my life.”

The Connecticut Air and Space Center is currently in the process of restoring numerous aircraft including; several Sikorsky Helicopters, the S-60 prototype for the successful Skycrane, a pair of H05S/S-52 (one with Korean War service), and an H-19 / S-55 also from the Korean War period. There is also a Cessna 02-A Forward Air Observer Aircraft which spent time in Cuba as well as acting as a training chase plane for the F-18 Squadrons when they first came into service. Jet aircraft includes; a T-33 Shooting Star currently being reworked by a former crew chief and T37 & T38 trainer aircraft. Andy Kosch will present his 1901 Whitehead #21 Replica that flew at KBDR in the 1980’s.

Currently the CASC is probably most famous for its involvement in the restoration of the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport FG1-D Corsair which is receiving a ground up restoration for display back at the Airport.

Other displays and vendors expected are The Town of Stratford Fire Department & Police Department, Stratford EMS, Met Life, Civil Air Patrol, Eagle One Search & Rescue and many more interesting and exciting displays. Food will be provided by Stanziales Restaurant on Main Street.

About the Connecticut Air & Space Center: The Connecticut Air and Space Center (CASC) was founded in 1998 after the closing of the Stratford Army Engine Plant, in Stratford, Connecticut. Currently the Connecticut Air and Space Center occupies buildings 6 and 53 at the former Stratford Army Engine Plant complex. The CASC is a Non Profit 501c(3) charity promoting the aviation achievements in Connecticut.

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Media Requests – Drew King – media.ctairspace@gmail.com

Thanks to a chance meeting between the Sikorsky Memorial Corsair Restoration Director, Drew King and Massachusetts Corsair enthusiast Matt Hudak, a friendship and understanding was formed with Chad Ezell of Ezell Aviation War Bird Restorers. At the time Ezell took on the project of the Brewster Corsair restoration they were in need of an airframe to make a construction assembly jig. This equipment is custom built to a specific aircraft, and as it turned out, the Sikorsky Memorial Corsair was at a point of disassembly that could serve as this pattern.

The damage to the curved aluminum Wingspar of the Sikorsky Corsair, forming the famous Corsair silhouette, is extensive from the corrosion caused by 37 years on it’s post standing guard outside the entrance to Sikorsky Memorial Airport but has not compromised its ability to serve as a pattern.  The other major sections of the aircraft, also in varying degrees of degradation, will also serve as patterns and models with which Ezell Aviation can advance their efforts to bring to life another significant piece of Corsair history by restoring the Brewster F3A back to the airworthy condition for all to see.

While in Texas, the collaboration will involve the Sikorsky FG1-D being used to build manufacturing frame jigs but will also involve being repaired by Ezell Aviation’s crew with the assistance of several members of the Connecticut Air and Space Center’s team of restoration specialists. This work represents a major advance in this project and eventual presentation back to the people of Connecticut as a historically accurate static representation of this very special aircraft.  On Memorial Day, 29 May 2006, the Corsair was named the official aircraft of Connecticut in legislation sponsored by state senator George “Doc” Gunther and although no attempt will be made to make the Sikorsky Memorial Corsair airworthy, she will be displayed in a proper and honorable environment here in the State of Connecticut serving as a reminder, testament and homage to those who built, flew and died in these airplanes in the service of our country. 

The Chance Vought-Sikorsky F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft built in Stratford, CT. The Corsair saw service primarily in World War II and during the Korean War as a ground support and night fighter. The Japanese allegedly nicknamed the Corsair “Whistling Death”, for the noise made by airflow through the wing root-mounted oil cooler air intakes and had great respect for its capabilities.  Demand for the aircraft overwhelmed Vought’s manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster Aeronautical Corporation: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and Brewster-built aircraft were known as F3A.  Of the Corsairs built and few remaining, the F3A is a rare find and the Connecticut Air and Space Center is honored to be a small part of Ezell’s efforts to rebuild her.

For more information, pictures and video, check out the restoration on:  www.SikorskyMemorialCorsair.org and http://www.ezellaviation.com

Chuck Drake EAA, Drew King and Ed McGuinness Igor I Sikorsky Memorial Corsair Restoration

We want to take a second to send a hearty Thank You to Chuck Drake and EAA Chapter 1310 for allowing us to come up and talk about the Corsair Restoration. In fact we reach out our hand in thanks to all the members of the EAA who talked with us afterwards and shared some great ideas. Chuck presented us with a $100 donation from the EAA Chapter 1310 in addition to what was tossed in the jug.

In addition, I would like to thank Bill Kulle for sharing his PT-17 Stearman with us as well as his family of J-3′s. I always knew if you left 2 of them in a hanger they would multiply. We also have a kind offer to assist us in the fabric covering of the control surfaces from several of the members. We look forward to moving forward on this!

The VS-44 and the Corsair Team: Drew, Mark C, Ed, Morgan, Steve, Rich, Mark K, Dennis, Devon & Chris

The trip to New England Air Museum was a blast and I am glad we could share it together as a team. Thanks to everyone who came out to support the event, without you this project could never be done.

Nancy Standley Gone but Never Forgotten

I first learned about it Monday via a text message from Mark Corvino. The Connecticut Air and Space Center & The Sikorsky Memorial Corsair Team had lost a team member and great supporter. Our friend Nancy Standley had passed away February 21st.

Nancy was in charge of the archives. She was often the first person in at 7am in the morning. She transferred the many manuals that we have copies of into the computer. At the airshow this past spring her sister Barbara and her spent every day from early morning to the close of the show sitting with the CASC / Corsair booth, directing people and minding the store.

From my very first moments walking into the shop on Sniffens Lane, Nancy was there. She was the first person to welcome me aboard. It was with her help that the Museum was able to get a generous donation from the Harmony Grange in Milford. At Christmas after being sick for over a month, she came into the shop and set up a cookie table for all the member to feast on. One of the last times I saw her has kissed me on the cheek to thank me for some little thing I helped her with. She was always a vocal supporter for the Corsair Restoration and the mission of the CASC.

We we very lucky and blessed to have Nancy as a member, lending her big smile and great positive personality to boost the morale and keep us smiling around the shop.

“We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.”
Chuck Palahniuk

We never know when we will lose a friend and it is impossible to know that the time you say goodbye, might be the final one. Nancy’s loss only strengthens our resolve to honor the memory, the effort and the dreams of our brothers and sisters that have left us all to soon.

Nancy Elizabeth Standley, age 76, of Trumbull, passed away February 21, 2011 at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. She was born in Raynham, MA and was a longtime Trumbull resident. She retired from Avco Textron Lycoming after 42 years of service going on to become a very active member of the Textron Retirees. Nancy was an active member of the the Harmony Grange # 92 in Monroe for over 50 years. She also was a dedicated member and volunteer at Connecticut Air and Space Center in Stratford.

She was predeceased by her parents Lester and Margaret (Ratter) Standley and her brother Charles F. Standley. Survivors include her sister Barbara C. Standley of Nichols; two brothers Gilbert S. Standley of Nichols, and Lester W. Standley and his wife Nancy of Greenville S.C.; one sister-in-law Catherine Standley of Milford, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends and family are invited to attend her funeral services on Monday at 11:00 a.m. Directly at the Nichols United Methodist Church 35 Shelton Rd. with the Reverend Joseph Picirrillo officiating. Interment in Nichols Village Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at the Cyril F. Mullins Trumbull Funeral Home 399 White Plains Rd. Memorial contributions may be made to the Nichols United Methodist Church or to the Connecticut Air & Space Center P.O. Box 1293 Stratford, CT 06615.

Visitation:
Sunday, February 27, 2011
3:00 PM until 5:00 PM
Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home
399 White Plains Rd.
Trumbull, CT 06611

Service:
Monday, February 28, 2011
11:00 AM
Nichols United Methodist Church
35 Shelton Rd.
Trumbull, CT 06611

On Friday 2/4, at the City Lights Gallery, 37 Markel Ct in Bridgeport, "City in Flight" a series of short films, and presentations demonstrated how Leonardo's dream became a reality in Bridgeport/Stratford area. through the work and inventions of Gusatve Whitehead and Igor Sikorsky. Andy Kosch, an expert on the legacy of Gustave Whitehead argues that Whiteheads plane flew before the Kitty Hawk. Kosch is currently rebuilding a full-size replica of the Whitehead plane at the CT Air and Space Center. He will share his knowledge along with a short documentary and have a 4' model of this flying machine on view. Later the Corsair Restorztion Team, Andrew King and Ed McGunniess, presented the current status of the project and talked on the history of the plant, the airport and the area.

Susan French and John Lott - Reviving the past Susan French is the daughter of John French, the photo being held. John Lott is a volunteer with the Igor I Sikorsky Memorial Corsair restoration team. Lott specializes in photo retouching and printing. Taking an original photo of French's father that was black & white and only 8x10, Lott colorized, retouched and made a large size print for display to better illustrate what the Stratford Based French wore on a daily basis. Susan French was very moved seeing her father come to life through modern technology, continuing his mission as a test pilot for the Corsair Restoration.

gor I Sikorsky Memorial in Fog and Snow Saturday February 4th saw heavy fog sock in the Sikorsky Memorial Airport. With light rain and low visibility no flights or air traffic was seen or hears. This view is from the former Stratford Army Engine Plant.

Mark Corvino - Corsair Restorer

When you are working with volunteers you never know who is going to walk in the door. I was very lucky last April to have Stratford resident, Mark Corvino join our team.

It’s not often that you get a chance to meet and work side by side with a guy like Corvino.  In  this day and age you don’t meet people that put the thought and care into their work that Mark does.   His attention to detail, careful hand and love for the Corsair made him a natural to take on the Windscreen restoration.

You see, Corvino has Corsairs in his blood. His mother, Victoria “Vicki”, was an employee of Chance Vought and worked on the Corsair production line. In addition to his mom, his father Frank Corvino worked the transportation side at the plant.  So the Corvino family had a real investment in with Corsair.  Wait, I forgot to mention Victoria’s brothers  Frank & Lenny Serritella worked there as well, and continued on with Avco / Lycoming as the plant changed hands over the next 40 years after Chance Vought left Stratford in 1947.

In her own words, the Corvino family shared this letter written from Victoria.

Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition was the song playing in the cafeteria the day I started working at Chance Vought in Stratford, Connecticut as a riveter. We were mostly women workers at that time. Most of the men were in the war. We had to wear regular outfits of blouses and slacks no sweaters. We also had to wear hairnets or you couldn’t work there. If I’m not mistaken that was when slacks were really introduced to women, they were worn inside and outside after that.

My riveter was hand held others worked at a machine. I also worked with red,white and blue explosives. You had to be careful when those little sparks would fly around but I was never burned.  Two of us women would work on one big Wing section, one on either side of the Wing. I was always on the riveting side while she pressed an iron bit up against the otherside.

One day a worker from the hanger where they put the Corsair Airplanes together came to where I was working looking for a small person with small hands. Everyone hollered there she is sitting down there. He took me into the hanger. He asked me to see if I can put my hand through that little hole. I said I could so he said there’s a nut in there that had fallen off a screw see if you find it. I did. He escorted me back to my Work andsaid give the little lady a big hand and every one hollered and clapped. They said I was the heroine of the day.

It was a nice place to work. They used to kid us a lot but when the war ended we women were laid off. On our last day we got a standing ovation from the men as we left the building. It was quite an experience and I was proud of the work I did.

Corvino coming in low and slow for a victory pass - Moments before we removed the rivets from the fake windscreen cover.

Corvino likes to reminisce how in later years he would take his mom, Victoria, down to the circle at KBDR (Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport) to see the Corsair and she would recount memories of the War and the famous bent wing bird.  While she was a supporter of the Corsair being displayed back in the 1970′s, as the years wained on and the obvious effects of time and weather took their toll she wished it could be preserved for future generations. Victoria passed away at 94 year old in 2006.  Mark Corvino now openly admits he is doing this in part, for his mother, Victoria’s memory.

Corvino has been working on refinishing the windscreen and canopy since December 2010. He has been handling disassembly, cleaning and fitting while I have been doing the corrosion control and painting with Chris Soltis helping me in the corrosion control department.

The windscreen as it looked removed from the Corsair, moments before tear down.

Screen frame removed , deck panel before cleaning.

Lower deck panel before cleaning. Note the defroster for the windshield.

Lower windscreen fairing in primer

Deep corrosion in one of the canopy rails

With the amount of damage to the canopy rails deemed to be too far for repair, crew member Steve Rescsanski drew up a set of new rails. They are currently in production.

Defroster plenum cleaned and primed

Canopy release hand pulls

Canopy pulleys

Test fitting the windscreen & canopy parts

Photo by: Mark Corvino

Over 16 inches of snow and major drifting  has caused the restoration to come to a temporary halt / slowdown.  In addition the the other snow from prior storms we can barley walk across from the hanger to building 53 with out a guide and a Sherpa. This is a problem our friends out west don’t have. Stay warm friends.

Building 53 buried under snow

Looking towards KBDR

The Main Buildings

Snow falling off the roof