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PostPosted: Sun May 08, 2011 9:04 pm 
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So Jack Cook was kind enough to start the "hype" with those teaser shots but it seems the word has already been spreading around about the move. So here's the official story break here on the WIX. 8) Let me just say this is a BIG step for us and were elated to be moving forth and helping the warbird community in some big way! Chad and the other guys from Ezell's I got to meet were great, and I hope I can find the time and money to get down there to help out when I can while she's visiting. It was nice to converse and treat some Texans to some Yankee hospitality while we had the chance. While as everybody still knows our plane will only be restored to static, but were overjoyed to be helping to get another airborne. And I completely forgot to add this when I originally posted the thread but: None of this would have happened without Drew King (aka. cherrybomber13) coordinating on the CASC's side. He has been involved with the CASC for little over a year and essentially moved mountains and have done some amazing things in such a little amount of time. He is invaluable to to the museum, and to help it move forward. So with that heres the press release.

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Sikorsky Memorial Corsair on the Move
Pictures provided by Morgan Kaolian (Aeropix@Prodigy.net). http://www.aeropix.net/

Contact: Andrew King
443-690-1804
[url]corsairfas217@gmail.com[/url]

Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Corsair on the Move
Connecticut World War Two Fighter restoration project takes a major step forward.

STRATFORD, CT (May 7, 2011) – The Sikorsky Memorial Corsair is making a huge leap on its path to resurrection by taking a journey to Ezell Aviation Warbird Restorers in Breckinridge, Texas. As the result of the collaboration with Ezell Aviation and The Connecticut Air & Space Center, this journey will accomplish two goals. The first is to help another historic Corsair aircraft, a Brewster F3A, come back to its original glory, and to the air. The second is to knock up to 2 years of restoration work off of the Stratford FG1-D that would have been expensive, significant, lengthy and difficult to accomplish without this amazing and vital alliance.

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 Warbird 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 & 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 2005, 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 & 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:
http://www.SikorskyMemorialCorsair.org
http://www.ezellaviation.com

About the Connecticut Air & Space Center
The Connecticut Air & Space Center was founded by George “Doc” Gunther in 1998 after the closing of the Stratford Army Engine Plant, in Stratford, Connecticut. Currently the Connecticut Air & Space Center occupies buildings 6 and 53 at the former Stratford Army Engine Plant complex. The Connecticut Air & Space Center is a non-profit 501c(3) charity. The mission of the CASC is to Honor, Preserve and Educate the story of aviation and technology throughout the State of Connecticut.

About Ezell Aviation
Ezell Aviation is based in Breckenridge, Texas and has been in the aircraft restoration business for 20 years. They are experts in the Warbird Restoration industry with over 20 flying restorations to date in museums and private collections. The company’s specialty and main work flow has been since its origin, World War II and post-war aircraft. The majority of the company’s restorations have been to bring the aircraft back to flying condition.


And now on to more pictures: Im sorry in advance for the size.

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The chariot that will transport her.
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What she looked like in the morning.
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Don't Worry Bill and Mark, she'll be back. Bill (Left) is our link to the past. He worked on the assembly line at Vought during the war. Quite an amazing thing to be apart of, to meet someone like him.
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Center Section gets pulled out first. "Hey Ed, I like the Shirt!"
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You can buy this shirt and more at Warbird Wear! http://warbirdwear.com/ and http://www.redbubble.com/people/warbirdwear
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The center-section being carefully moved into position by Bill, ex Sikorsky engineer and involved with the S-60 and S-52 restorations.
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Mark Corvino lifting the end in preparation for the lift.
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And up....
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......up.....
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......up she goes!
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Transportation dolly is installed.
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Precision is key.
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On the flatbed.
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Mark checking out the view and strapping down the fuselage. (Hero Shot)
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Bob Bracci on the right helping move the fuselage to the front. Bob's a Master Modeler, Corsair Volunteer, CASC Member, And all around cool dude. 8)
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Laying it down.
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Good to go.
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Impressive...... most impressive.
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And last but not least...
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Rest of the images here:
http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z141/Warbird-Kid/Sikorsky%20Corsair%20to%20Ezell/
All I can say this has been a big step for us in a great direction and I am psyched that KBDR will be hosting an airshow here in two weeks. Hope you enjoyed the shots.

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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?


Last edited by Warbird Kid on Thu May 12, 2011 1:13 pm, edited 5 times in total.

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PostPosted: Sun May 08, 2011 9:29 pm 
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Nice!
The only correction to the story is the Corsair was named the Official State aircraft in 2005, not 2006.
Jerry

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PostPosted: Sun May 08, 2011 9:30 pm 
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Chris,
I trust all the Ezell team has Whistling Death shirts now!

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PostPosted: Sun May 08, 2011 9:31 pm 
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:oops: edited. Thanks Jerry! And yes they left with some parting gifts. :wink:

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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?


Last edited by Warbird Kid on Sun May 08, 2011 9:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Sun May 08, 2011 9:33 pm 
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Congrats to the Sikorsky Memorial group, that is wonderful news.

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PostPosted: Sun May 08, 2011 10:37 pm 
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Congrats to both groups. Looks like a win-win situation for everybody involved.

Thanks for posting the photos, WK. Lots of great shots for modelers.

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PostPosted: Sun May 08, 2011 11:09 pm 
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Chris
Thanks for the info and pics update. The logo looks awsome!
I would love to be able to do all the restorations but I know thats not possible, this is why I asked Nelson Ezell late last year to undertake the Brewster project for us.
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=39552&start=45
The minute I asked him I could sense the excitement in his voice!
It's so great that he and Chad brought you guys into this. What a win win for everyone !!
When the Brewster Corsair is flying I will attend your next big gathering of Corsairs! Bank on it!!
Chuck Wahl
http://www.VulturesRowAviation.com


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PostPosted: Sun May 08, 2011 11:18 pm 
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Jerry O'Neill wrote:
Nice!
The only correction to the story is the Corsair was named the Official State aircraft in 2005, not 2006.
Jerry



And here I thought you were going to say that "FG1-D" should be typed "FG-1D". :wink:

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PostPosted: Mon May 09, 2011 3:16 am 
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chris,
Thanks for posting that release. I have been sitting on it unable to post off my smartphone. I have one hell of a crew of guys working their asses off up in Stratford. And yes consider this the official notice that the Sikorsky Corsair will NOT be returning to the pole. We have secured a fiberglass replica and just need to raise th funds. Sorry I have been off wix but I am in Hawaii chasing down a Hellcat. :)

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PostPosted: Mon May 09, 2011 8:07 am 
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Am I right in inferring that the tooling being produced in this collaboration will also help rebuild still other Corsairs in the future?

August


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PostPosted: Mon May 09, 2011 8:48 am 
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k5083 wrote:
Am I right in inferring that the tooling being produced in this collaboration will also help rebuild still other Corsairs in the future?

August
One could only hope. :)

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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: Mon May 09, 2011 6:37 pm 
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Good news, but why didn’t they wait until after the Wings & Wheels Air Show; in two weeks :?:
I was hoping to see her :(

Phil

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PostPosted: Mon May 09, 2011 7:03 pm 
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phil65 wrote:
Good news, but why didn’t they wait until after the Wings & Wheels Air Show; in two weeks :?:
I was hoping to see her :(

Phil
It would have been at Ezell's two months ago, but the City of Bridgeport had other pressing issues and finished the contracts just recently. Ezell has a break neck schedule to keep with the amount of projects there working on so once all the ducks were aligned, they came up ASAP and picked her up. But fear not, they'll still be a bit of Corsair left to see at the show. We'll also have four other aircraft projects on display so I'm sure you'll still get a kick. :twisted:

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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?


Last edited by Warbird Kid on Tue May 10, 2011 1:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Mon May 09, 2011 7:45 pm 
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Chris,

Any chance we'll see the colloborative logo on t-shirts or hats soon?


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PostPosted: Mon May 09, 2011 8:26 pm 
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Yes chris should have them up red bubble next day or so

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