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B-17 Flying Fortress Returning to Sikorsky Memorial Airport
Festivities Celebrate the Vought Aircraft Centennial

May 2, 2017—One hundred years ago aviation pioneers Birdseye Lewis and Chance Vought teamed up to form the Lewis and Vought Corporation. These visionaries would soon be making history. In 1922, their VE-7 biplane was the first airplane ever to takeoff from an aircraft carrier, the USS Langley. That same year, Lewis would retire and the company became known as the Chance Vought Corporation, builders of the famed Corsair classes of combat aircraft. Among these is the storied F-4U Corsair which had legendary performance and armament to outperform enemy aircraft of the World War II era. Over the years, there have been many changes but the company lives on as Triumph Aerostructures-Vought Aircraft Division.
The restoration of a Chance Vought licensed FG-1D Goodyear Corsair is the signature project of the Connecticut Air & Space Center.

“Aviation history is an amazing study, and at the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport, we are surrounded by and immersed in it,” said John Parrino, General Manager of Three Wing Aviation. “Three Wing Aviation and the Connecticut Air & Space Center are very pleased to again host the B-17 ‘Yankee Lady’ for a two-day visit May 30 and 31, 2017. This visit draws positive attention to our heritage, this historic airport and certainly our 1929 Curtiss Hangar under restoration.”

Yankee Lady is based in Ypsilanti, Michigan and is owned by Yankee Air Museum. The plane is visiting Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport as part of its east coast tour and is helping commemorate the Centennial of Vought Aircraft Corporation while bringing attention to the restoration of the historic Curtiss Hangar.
“We are very excited to see Yankee Lady and her crew again,” said Ed McGuinness, Treasurer of the Connecticut Air & Space Center. “This year we want everyone to visit the airport. This is the beginning of ‘Hangar Fest,’ a tradition we will continue.”

McGuinness said there has been significant progress on the CASC Corsair and the Curtiss Hangar restoration. He is anxious for the public to see how far the projects have come. Having a pristine B-17 Flying Fortress on the ramp is an added attraction he hopes will be irresistible.

McGuinness said the Boeing B-17G is the type of four-engine heavy bomber that initiated daylight strategic bombing in World War II. Its purpose was to fly high and deep into enemy territory striking high value targets such as munitions factories, oil refineries and military installations.

“I’m not sure if I adopted Yankee Lady or she adopted me!” exclaimed Nancy Cole, Stratford resident and aviation enthusiast. “To me it’s important to keep these planes flying and I help by making ground arrangements for the crew. Our local hotel and restaurants are patriotic and they step up greatly to help.”
Cole said the Sikorsky Memorial Airport visit will be one of the first stops of the air show season for Yankee Lady. The plane completed its extensive winter maintenance inspections and the crew has worked on many of the interior details.

Norm Ellickson, Crew Chief of Yankee Lady, speaks fondly of the plane, like the girl next door who became a lifelong friend. “We take great care of her,” he said, “and it shows. Even people who fly with us year after year comment on the details, like the polished Plexiglas or the freshened paint. It’s very gratifying when a World War II Veteran crewman looks you in the eye and just says ‘thank you.’"

Ellickson says Yankee Lady is aviation history people can experience today. More than 12,700 of these stout aircraft were built between 1936 and 1945. Now there are only ten B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying and Yankee Lady is one of only five to offer rides.

Ellickson said Air Adventures will be offered to the public from May 30 through May 31. An Air Adventure costs $450.00 and lasts about 40 minutes with approximately 25 minutes of flight time. Reservations are available now and can be purchased online at http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org click on “Book a Flight.” Ellickson also said the Yankee Lady will be available for tours. Self-guided ground tours cost $8.00 for adults aged 15 and above; $3.00 for kids aged 6 to 15 and all others are free.

“Yankee Air Museum is proud of our relationship with Three Wing Aviation, the Connecticut Air & Space Center, and our good friend Nancy Cole,” said Ellickson. “The crew has looked forward to this trip since our visit last year. The hospitality in Stratford is outstanding and we are very grateful.”

Ellickson said it’s impossible to keep planes like the Yankee Lady B-17 in great condition without community support at home and everywhere they fly. He credits support from Three Wing Aviation, CASC, Stanziale’s Restaurant, Hampton Inn, Station House Restaurant, Outriggers Restaurant, Stop and Shop and Windsock Bar and Grill with making this mission possible.

About Yankee Air Museum:
Established in 1981 the Yankee Air Museum is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization located on the grounds of historic Willow Run Airport in Michigan. For more information about YAM call 734-483-4030 or visit the http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org website. For a 90 second video glimpse into an Air Adventure aboard our aircraft visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rkfBZgPnQI

To see people preparing the aircraft to fly visit: https://youtu.be/R5p_3H6yR6g

About Three Wing Aviation:
Located at Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport (West Ramp/General Aviation Parking) 400 Great Meadow Road, Stratford, CT 06615 and founded in 1974 by Andy Pothanszky, Three Wing Aviation has been providing aircraft rental, flight instruction, fuel sales and aircraft maintenance ever since. In July of 2012 Jared Gowlis, Anthony DiNuzzo and Robert Russo took over ownership of Three Wing as Three Wing Aviation, LLC. The company has built a reputation for providing the highest standards of aircraft maintenance and flight training. In 2013, they were joined with outside investors and aviation enthusiasts to help shepherd new growth and stability in the business. “We have no higher priority than our clients’ safety and peace of mind.” For more information, visit the http://www.threewing.com website

About the Connecticut Air & Space Center:
The Center is an non-profit Air Museum that displays vintage aircraft, memorabilia, and artifacts that pertain to Connecticut, both inside and out. The museum's motto is to "Honor, Preserve, Educate". Honoring the founders, workers, and companies from Connecticut. Preserving the vehicles and artifacts they used. And Educating this generation and the next about this history. Currently the Connecticut Air & Space Center occupies buildings 6 and 53 at the former Stratford Army Engine Plant complex. The museum is one of only a handful throughout the country to be located in a portion of an original WWII aircraft factory. There are currently 14 aircraft and 8 engines on display that were built at the plant. The Connecticut Air & Space Center has started restoration on the historic 1929 Curtiss Flying Service Hangar at the airport. If you have further questions about the Connecticut Air & Space Center please email CASC@ctairandspace.org