Since the thread seems to have been Lost to the server eating monster, I will recap some of the info that was in the system.
I am Drew King the Project Director for the restoration. The FG1-D Corsair is currently in Stratford, CT at the Connecticut Air and Space Center being restored for the Airport Commission. We have contract with the Airport to restore the Corsair and to return it to the Airport for them to display as they see best.
The Corsair was originally Bu. No. 92460 built under contract no. 1871, finished in July of 1945. She was accepted 7/22/45 and delivered 7/23/45. She saw service with VMF 314 a training squadron. During the ensuing years she bounced around from Akron, Columbus, Cherry Point, Atlanta, Jacksonville and was eventually mothballed with the majority of the FG1 fleet at NAS Litchfield Park. She was sold off the the El Salvadorian Air Force Where she wore the Number FAS 217 (Fuerza Aérea Salvadoreña Corsair FAS 217). Some point early in her career she was placed in the junkyard. We don't know why, any information would be appreciated.
And so there she sat till 1969 when Nick Mainero, a Marine Corsair pilot in WWII and holder of the DFC, was the airport manager at KBDR (Sikorsky Memorial) at the time and wanted to create a memorial to the men and women involved with the Corsair in Stratford CT, Home of Chance Vought and site of the plant during the war. As he tells the story he went down and tried to get a flying Corsair and even offered his Salvadorian military host, as he put, "Let me fill one up and Ill fly it home". He was reminded that these was a war brewing (need to check the dates, but his version places him there during the Soccer war) and they couldn't spare a flyer. He was then directed to the junkyard and offered his pick. He says he picked the best one there and "it was a real wheels up job". It was eventually shipped to Floyd Bennet field and to Bridgeport CT. And there it was placed on a stick for 37 years. Time and neglect had taken their toll. Sitting in a salt march the Corsair became a giant battery dissolving itself back to the base elements.
Fuerza Aérea Salvadoreña Corsair FAS 217 1970 Bridgeport CT In 2007 serious moves were made to get the old girl down off the pole. Thanks to Jerry O'Neil and several others in 2008 the Corsair took to the skys once again, although it was on a steel cable. She was then taken to the airport and the wings were removed. From there she was moved to the Connecticut Air and Space Center, based in building 6 of the original Chance Vought / Sikorsky plant. Corsair guru Craig McBurney was instrumental in getting the Prop & Engine removed. There things got interesting. The damage was far more extensive then anyone had thought. The idea of a simple quick cleaning and patching being done by a group of 80-90 year old men soon faded and the project stalled for lack of a better term.
Workday on the Corsair by
Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr
In 2010 I came into the picture and helped organize a real focused effort of IRAN. We started pulling ever pop rivet that has been used to cover over damage and seal off areas from birds. Then I decided we needed to just get dirty and my team took off like rabid dogs tearing the major assemblies down from the tail and working forward.
Starboard Side Tail on Stand by
Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr
Tail Brackets by
Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr
Corsair Restoration Photos from Bob Bracci by
Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr
Corsair Restoration Photos from Bob Bracci by
Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr
Currently we have Removed
Elevators
Rudder
Stabilizers
Tail Section
Center Fuselage
Cockpit has been gutted
Leading Edge Panels and Oil Coolers
And we are now at a point of clearing the main Spar in order to pull the cockpit tub free of the spar.
Our most extensive damage is to the main wing spar, large sections of which have rotted away at the Cap Strips. Countless fittings are destroyed.
Going forward we need kind donations of gear & gear doors, a windscreen, canopy glass, Wing tips, ailerons, outer wing flaps, and several sections of the tail including the trademark Stinger cone.
Here are the links to the online efforts we have made for the restoration including videos and photos.
The blog is at
http://monumentman.wordpress.comThe Photos can be found on my Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cherrybomb13/This video is from when we removed the fuselage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNBP8tn_L70This was shot during the Corsairs over CT air show!
http://vimeo.com/12844978The most important thing about this restoration are the volunteers. I have the best crew of guys you could ever want to work with. With that said, have you volunteered some of your time on a project yet? You are always welcome at the CASC.
The CASC Crew by
Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr
The Seperation Anxiety Team by
Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr
Removing the Plate - Bill Digney and Mark Corvino by
Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr