Open House Connecticut Air & Space Center July 9-10 2011
Sun Jul 03, 2011 11:13 pm
Connecticut Air & Space Center’s Open House
Saturday, July 9th and Sunday July 10th, 2011 Stratford, CT
“Celebrating Connecticut’s Aviation History”
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.
http://www.facebook.com/ctairandspace
Media Requests – Drew King – media.ctairspace@gmail.com
T-37 Tweet roll out for Open House
Sikorsky H-19 w/ Bob Bracci
Saturday, July 9th and Sunday July 10th, 2011 Stratford, CT
“Celebrating Connecticut’s Aviation History”
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.
http://www.facebook.com/ctairandspace
Media Requests – Drew King – media.ctairspace@gmail.com
T-37 Tweet roll out for Open House
Sikorsky H-19 w/ Bob Bracci
Re: Open House Connecticut Air & Space Center July 9-10 2011
Mon Jul 04, 2011 1:01 pm
Love the H-19B!
Hope they paint it in 1950s ARS markings.
Hope they paint it in 1950s ARS markings.
Re: Open House Connecticut Air & Space Center July 9-10 2011
Mon Jul 04, 2011 1:43 pm
I won't be making it, Drew, but I hope you enjoy an excellent turnout just the same.
Be sure to post pics next week.
Be sure to post pics next week.
Re: Open House Connecticut Air & Space Center July 9-10 2011
Wed Jul 06, 2011 1:09 am
World War Two Marine Corp Corsair Pilots, Nick Maniero , Art Miller and Dick Steel are scheduled to appear with the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Restoration Team at the Connecticut Air & Space Center Open House July 9th 10am – 2pm
Nick Maniero, Distinguished Flying Cross holder ,Art Miller, holder of 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 6 Air Medals and Dick Steel will be on hand to discuss their time in the South Pacific as pilots of the F4U Corsair.
Nick Mainero, born and raised in Bridgeport, CT, VMF 441, MAG 31, Second Marine Air Wing with 51 missions was injured and barely made it back to his airfield alive. Mainero later in life became the Airport Manager of Bridgeport Municipal Airport and was instrumental in bringing a Corsair back to Connecticut to celebrate the men and women who built and flew them.
Art Miller, born and raised in New Canaan, CT, flew an incredible 111 combat missions in the Salomon Islands, the Philippines and Okinawa with VMF 222, MAG 14, First Marine Air Wing.
Dick Steel, resident of Stratford and former Corsair, Helldiver and Cougar pilot has been a long time member of the Connecticut Air & Space Center and vocal supporter of the Corsair Restoration Project.
The Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Restoration Team will discuss the current status of the project as well as the upcoming trip to Breckenridge, Texas to join Ezell Aviation with the ongoing efforts to repair the Airports Corsair as well as other breaking news.
WHO: Scheduled to appear Nick Mainero, Art Miller and Dick Steel, World War Two Corsair Fighter Pilots and the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Corsair Restoration Team
WHAT: In an effort to increase awareness on the ongoing restoration Mainero, Miller & Steel will be available to share stories from the South Pacific and about their experiences with Connecticut’s State Aircraft, the F4U Corsair. We will be holding a press briefing Saturday morning at 10:30 am to discuss the importance of preserving our historic treasures and the ongoing restoration of the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Corsair.
WHERE: 401 Main Street Stratford, CT, at the corner of Sniffens Lane and Main Street, opposite Atlantic Aviation Hangers at the Sikorsky Memorial Airport
Please report to the Media Tent when you arrive.
WHEN: 10:30AM July 9th 2011
For further information at:
http://www.facebook.com/ctairandspace
http://www.sikorskymemorialcorsair.org
Nick Maniero, Distinguished Flying Cross holder ,Art Miller, holder of 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 6 Air Medals and Dick Steel will be on hand to discuss their time in the South Pacific as pilots of the F4U Corsair.
Nick Mainero, born and raised in Bridgeport, CT, VMF 441, MAG 31, Second Marine Air Wing with 51 missions was injured and barely made it back to his airfield alive. Mainero later in life became the Airport Manager of Bridgeport Municipal Airport and was instrumental in bringing a Corsair back to Connecticut to celebrate the men and women who built and flew them.
Art Miller, born and raised in New Canaan, CT, flew an incredible 111 combat missions in the Salomon Islands, the Philippines and Okinawa with VMF 222, MAG 14, First Marine Air Wing.
Dick Steel, resident of Stratford and former Corsair, Helldiver and Cougar pilot has been a long time member of the Connecticut Air & Space Center and vocal supporter of the Corsair Restoration Project.
The Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Restoration Team will discuss the current status of the project as well as the upcoming trip to Breckenridge, Texas to join Ezell Aviation with the ongoing efforts to repair the Airports Corsair as well as other breaking news.
WHO: Scheduled to appear Nick Mainero, Art Miller and Dick Steel, World War Two Corsair Fighter Pilots and the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Corsair Restoration Team
WHAT: In an effort to increase awareness on the ongoing restoration Mainero, Miller & Steel will be available to share stories from the South Pacific and about their experiences with Connecticut’s State Aircraft, the F4U Corsair. We will be holding a press briefing Saturday morning at 10:30 am to discuss the importance of preserving our historic treasures and the ongoing restoration of the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Corsair.
WHERE: 401 Main Street Stratford, CT, at the corner of Sniffens Lane and Main Street, opposite Atlantic Aviation Hangers at the Sikorsky Memorial Airport
Please report to the Media Tent when you arrive.
WHEN: 10:30AM July 9th 2011
For further information at:
http://www.facebook.com/ctairandspace
http://www.sikorskymemorialcorsair.org
Re: Open House Connecticut Air & Space Center July 9-10 2011
Wed Jul 06, 2011 8:21 am
well........i guess i'll go. 