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When Hollywood Ruled The Skies - Volumes 1 through 4 by Bruce Oriss


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PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 5:53 pm 
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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.
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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.

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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.

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Starboard Side Tail on Stand by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr
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Tail Brackets by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr
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Corsair Restoration Photos from Bob Bracci by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr
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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.
Image


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.com
The 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_L70
This was shot during the Corsairs over CT air show! http://vimeo.com/12844978

The 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.
Image
The CASC Crew by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr
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The Seperation Anxiety Team by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr


Image
Removing the Plate - Bill Digney and Mark Corvino by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

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PostPosted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 7:18 pm 
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Check out this months issue of Aeroplane Magazine from England, page 12 there is a nice little write up about us as well as some great photos. I wanted to post a few of the before and after series from some of the projects we have been working on.

This panel fits directly behind the oil cooler on the lower side of the wing.
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IMG_1584 by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

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IMG_1585 by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

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IMG_1593 by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

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Corsair - 1/29/11 by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

Mark Corvino and myself have been working on refinishing the canopy. Mark has been handling disassembly, cleaning and fitting while I have been doing the corrosion control and painting with Chris Soltis (WarbirdKid) getting some time in my part of the shop as seen below.
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Windscreen Before by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

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Corsair Canopy / Windscreen by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

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Corsair Canopy / Windscreen by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

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Corsair Canopy / Windscreen by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

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Day in the Life at the CASC by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

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Corsair Canopy / Windscreen by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

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Damage to Canopy Rails by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

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2010-12-16 12.24.39 by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

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IMG_1599 by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

Image
100_2451 by Cherry Bomb Photography, on Flickr

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PostPosted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:51 am 
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CB13:

Good Day!

Nice recap of the old thread! Tks

On the prior picture of "removing the plate" plz let me know on your next trip about a close-up pic of the wingspar mod id plate located next to the right shoulder of Mr. Mark Corvino. Tks


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PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 6:03 pm 
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If you guys didn't know, the three original designs I created and had produced in limited numbers are now going to be used directly with the Corsair Restoration. The prices a re little higher than what they were in the past but they now have a much greater purpose. Im looking to cover my production costs on the shirts. Everything else will go to the actual restoration. So please purchase one of these high quality Warbird Wear shirts today! http://warbirdwear.bigcartel.com/

Also if you are interested in purchasing a Corsair Restoration shirt:

Image
They are available at the Warbird Wear Red Bubble page. Again a percentage will go back to the restoration.
http://www.redbubble.com/products/configure/6255077-t-shirt

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Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

CASC Blog Page: http://ctair-space.blogspot.com/
Warbird Wear: https://www.redbubble.com/people/warbirdwear/shop

Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?


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PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 5:19 pm 
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Warbird Kid wrote:
If you guys didn't know, the three original designs I created and had produced in limited numbers are now going to be used directly with the Corsair Restoration. The prices a re little higher than what they were in the past but they now have a much greater purpose. Im looking to cover my production costs on the shirts. Everything else will go to the actual restoration. So please purchase one of these high quality Warbird Wear shirts today! http://warbirdwear.bigcartel.com/

Also if you are interested in purchasing a Corsair Restoration shirt:

Image
They are available at the Warbird Wear Red Bubble page. Again a percentage will go back to the restoration.
http://www.redbubble.com/products/configure/6255077-t-shirt


chris are you selling stuff in may at the airshow? Whats slated to be going?????

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 5:49 pm 
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Still up in the air and uncertain. Jerry is still trying to lock planes down. Im anticipating on selling shirts at the show again. Not sure what ill have beside the three already produced.

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Christopher Soltis

Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

CASC Blog Page: http://ctair-space.blogspot.com/
Warbird Wear: https://www.redbubble.com/people/warbirdwear/shop

Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?


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PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 4:00 pm 
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Warbird Kid wrote:
Still up in the air and uncertain. Jerry is still trying to lock planes down. Im anticipating on selling shirts at the show again. Not sure what ill have beside the three already produced.



i heard spitfires and a corsair so far. anymore information that you know of? Any dates?

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PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 5:08 pm 
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whistlingdeathcorsairs wrote:
i heard spitfires and a corsair so far. anymore information that you know of? Any dates?
Weekend before Memorial Day. Heres a link to my CASC blog with the Newsletter.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hFq7gkopAxk/T ... eb+002.jpg

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Keep Em' Flying,
Christopher Soltis

Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

CASC Blog Page: http://ctair-space.blogspot.com/
Warbird Wear: https://www.redbubble.com/people/warbirdwear/shop

Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?


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PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 6:19 pm 
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Warbird Kid wrote:
whistlingdeathcorsairs wrote:
i heard spitfires and a corsair so far. anymore information that you know of? Any dates?
Weekend before Memorial Day. Heres a link to my CASC blog with the Newsletter.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hFq7gkopAxk/T ... eb+002.jpg



chris, thanks for the update. Tell your father i may buy a couple models in may if he's got some still kicking around. and put me down for LOTS of shirts to help the cause! Keep me posted

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PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 6:31 pm 
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whistlingdeathcorsairs wrote:
Warbird Kid wrote:
whistlingdeathcorsairs wrote:
i heard spitfires and a corsair so far. anymore information that you know of? Any dates?
Weekend before Memorial Day. Heres a link to my CASC blog with the Newsletter.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hFq7gkopAxk/T ... eb+002.jpg



chris, thanks for the update. Tell your father i may buy a couple models in may if he's got some still kicking around. and put me down for LOTS of shirts to help the cause! Keep me posted

He sure has a few 1/18ths still around. I believe you still have his email. Send him a message. As for the shirts well... http://warbirdwear.bigcartel.com/

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Keep Em' Flying,
Christopher Soltis

Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

CASC Blog Page: http://ctair-space.blogspot.com/
Warbird Wear: https://www.redbubble.com/people/warbirdwear/shop

Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?


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PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 8:20 pm 
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keep me in mind for may. hopefully i can buy some if i still have the funds

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PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:55 pm 
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NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS

My blog is at http://www.SikorskyMemorialCorsair.com

If you would like to make a financial donation please go to:http://www.SikorskyMemorialCorsair.org

We lost a very important member of the team and museum this week. Nancy Standley was our archivist and helped get the many manuals we have scanned in and organized. The bolg has a tribute to her this week. Please check it out. http://www.SikorskyMemorialCorsair.com

Well we have been making progress and this week the landing gear swing arms were removed. It's amazing how well some of these parts clean up! To day we join Mark Knopick as he removes some heavy duty parts of the plane. Here is a brief video. Talk about Focused!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cherrybomb13/5476471987/


Image
FG1-D Landing Gear Arms
Mark Knopick shows off his handi work after spending 2 days in freezing temperures in Area 53. The main landing gear swing arms were held in place quire firmly with rust.

ImageFG1-D Landing Gear Arms

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FG1-D Landing Gear Arms B4 and Aftr

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Wild Bill Digney Feb 19 2011 Work Day
Bill is a Chance Vought wartime veteran and at 94 he has steadier hands than I do.

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Ed McGuinness in the Cockpit Feb 19 2011 Work Day

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PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:55 pm 
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Awesome things are once again happening at Sikorsky!!!! :wink:

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PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:31 pm 
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Drew, i tried to contact yout to take the saftey meeting a few fridays ago so i could help out but you didn't get back to me. That's ok, i know how busy the week can be. Everything looks fantastic based on the great work the team has done.

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PostPosted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:22 pm 
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Anyone wishing to Join the Crew should follow these directions.

Safety Briefing is at 550 Main St in Stratford Ct, from 7:30am till 3pm Mon - Friday it takes 10 minutes

Access to the Museum is as such:
The shop is open 7am till 12pm Tue, Thur, Sat If members of the Corsair team are onsite hours can and will go longer up till 8pm.

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