Connecticut Air and Space Center

Coordinates: 41°10′12″N 73°07′14″W / 41.170119°N 73.120509°W / 41.170119; -73.120509

Connecticut Air and Space Center
Stratford, Connecticut, USA
Established	1998
Location	15 Sniffens Lane, Stratford, Connecticut, United States
Type	Private: aerospace
Director	Fred Hyatt
Website	ctairandspace.org

The Connecticut Air and Space Center was founded by George Gunther 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.^[1]

History

The Army Engine Plant/Stratford (AEP/S) property is located at 550 South Main Street in Stratford, Connecticut. The 126-acre AEP/S property is occupied by a U.S. government-owned, contractor-operated manufacturing facility comprising numerous manufacturing buildings. The operator was Textron Lycoming, a Division of AVCO Corporation, a contractor to the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command. The AEP/S property is bordered by industrial properties to the north; the Housatonic River to the east; a marsh which was a former landfill, to the south; and Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport to the west.

Prior to 1927, the site was farmland. The property was developed in 1927 for Sikorsky Aircraft. In 1939, one of the world's first successful commercial helicopters, the Sikorsky VS-300^[2], was developed in Stratford by Igor Sikorsky and flown at his plant.^[3] The Chance Vought Aircraft company designed and constructed the Vought F4U Corsair as well as several other seaplanes and fighters until they moved in 1949. The Vought-Sikorsky Aircraft Division in Stratford built a total of 7,829 F4U fighters and these planes saw extensive combat in the Pacific Theatre of operations during World War II, and played a supporting role in the Korean War.^[4] The Lycoming company produced Wright radial engines at the site and after World War II, the plant was converted to produce turbines. The site was then owned by the Air Force through 1976. Ownership was transferred to the U.S. Army in 1976. Because of the Base Realignment and Closure actions of the United States Department of Defense, closure of the plant was recommended in July 1995. The plant closed in October 1998.^{[5] [6]} The Connecticut Air and Space Center currently occupies the research and design building where all design research was performed during the late 1930s.

Location

The Connecticut Air and Space Center features displays and archives pertaining to the history of the Stratford Army Engine Plant. There are currently 14 aircraft on display and 8 Engines that were built at the plant. The site sits on 8 acres and consists of 6 buildings, of which only 2 are operational. The site sits directly across Main Street in the town of Stratford, CT from the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport.

Restoration

There currently five major restorations in progress. There are a Pair of Sikorsky H-52 Helicopters, a Cessna 0-2 and a recently acquired Sikorsky S-60 Prototype. It is also home to the restoration of the much conflicted FG1-D Corsair that sat as a gate guardian at the airport.^[7]

Restrictions on Entry

The Connecticut Air and Space Center opened in 1998 to the public but with one major restriction. Since the site is controlled by the federal government, visitors must be over 18 years of age and attend a safety briefing before entering the gate.

Currently the Connecticut Air and Space Center is open to the public Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays from 7am to 12pm.

Current Exhibits

• FG-1D Corsair: FG-1D Corsair AKA The Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport Corsair BuNo:92460^[8]
• Whitehead No. 21 (replica): Whitehead No. 21In December 1986, piloted by Andy Kosch, achieved powered flight at Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport.^[9]
• T-38 Talon: T-38 Talon
• T-37 Tweet: T-37 Tweet
• T-33 Shooting Star: T-33 Shooting Star
• Cessna 0-2A Skymaster: Cessna O-2 Skymaster
• Cessna 152: Cessna 152
• Bell 47: Bell 47
• Sikorsky S-52 x2: Sikorsky S-52
• Sikorsky S-55: Sikorsky S-55
• Sikorsky S-58: Sikorsky S-58
• Sikorsky S-60: Sikorsky S-60
• Hiller OH-23 Raven: Hiller OH-23 Raven
• Christen Eagle II: Christen Eagle II Serial #1

References

1. ^ http://www.ctpost.com/default/article/Former-Army-plant-proposed-as-destination-resort-720226.php
2. ^ http://www.sikorskyarchives.com/vs-300.html
3. ^ http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Rotary/Sikorsky_VS300/HE8.htm
4. ^ http://www.uswarplanes.net/corsair.html
5. ^ http://yosemite.epa.gov/r1/npl_pad.nsf/8b160ae5c647980585256bba0066f907/535708bdb8e8342085256b4200606200!OpenDocument
6. ^ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/stratford.htm
7. ^ http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Corsair-restoration-proceeds-slowly-but-future-436125.php
8. ^ http://monumentman.wordpress.com/2010/07/29/finding-the-time-corsair-update/
9. ^ http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Anniversary-of-disputed-1st-flight-takes-wing-in-615968.php

• Boyle, Doe (2008). Fun with the Family Connecticut, 7th: Hundreds of Ideas for Day Trips with the Kids (Fun with the Family Series). GPP Travel. p. 41. ISBN 0-7627-4776-5. http://books.google.ca/books?id=dsYj4g38jc8C&pg=PA41.