Connecticut Air and Space Center
Encyclopedia
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.
. 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, was developed in Stratford by Igor Sikorsky and flown at his plant. 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. 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.
The Connecticut Air and Space Center currently occupies the research and design building where all design research was performed during the late 1930s.
Currently the Connecticut Air and Space Center is open to the public Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays from 7am to 12pm.
George Gunther
George "Doc" Gunther is the longest-serving state legislator in Connecticut history. Senator Gunther represented the 21st Connecticut Senate District, comprising all of Shelton, most of Stratford, and parts of Monroe and Seymour, Connecticut, from 1966 to 2006...
in 1998 after the closing of the Stratford Army Engine Plant
Stratford Army Engine Plant
The Stratford Army Engine Plant was a U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command installation and manufacturing facility located in Stratford, Connecticut, where it was sited along the Housatonic River and Main Street, opposite Sikorsky Airport....
, in Stratford, Connecticut. Currently the Connecticut Air and Space Center occupies buildings 6 and 53 at the former Stratford Army Engine Plant complex.
History
The Army Engine Plant/Stratford (AEP/S) property is located at 550 South Main Street in Stratford, ConnecticutStratford, Connecticut
Stratford is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, located on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Housatonic River. It was founded by Puritans in 1639....
. 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, was developed in Stratford by Igor Sikorsky and flown at his plant. The Chance Vought
Vought
Vought is the name of several related aerospace firms. These have included, in the past, Lewis and Vought Corporation, Chance Vought, Vought Sikorsky, LTV Aerospace , Vought Aircraft Companies, and the current Vought Aircraft Industries. The first incarnation of Vought was established by Chance M...
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. 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.
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.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
- Whitehead No. 21 (replica): Whitehead No. 21In December 1986, piloted by Andy Kosch, achieved powered flight at Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport.
- T-38 Talon: T-38 TalonT-38 TalonThe Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2011 in air forces throughout the world....
- T-37 Tweet: T-37 Tweet
- T-33 Shooting Star: T-33 Shooting StarT-33 Shooting StarThe Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an American-built jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948, piloted by Tony LeVier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the...
- Cessna 0-2A Skymaster: Cessna O-2 Skymaster
- Cessna 152: Cessna 152Cessna 152The Cessna 152 is an American two-seat, fixed tricycle gear, general aviation airplane, used primarily for flight training and personal use.-Development:...
- Bell 47: Bell 47Bell 47The Bell 47 is a two-bladed, single engine, light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. Based on the third Model 30 prototype, Bell's first helicopter designed by Arthur M. Young, the Bell 47 became the first helicopter certified for civilian use on 8 March 1946...
- Sikorsky S-52 x2: Sikorsky S-52Sikorsky S-52|-See also:-Sources:* FAA Type Data Certificate, Helicopter Specification No. 1H2, rev. 3; 7 July 1961.* GAA Rotorcraft Flight Manual for Model S-52-3 Helicopter, Publication No. SA4045-10 Register 2, Sikorsky Aircraft Division of United Aircraft, 1952....
- Sikorsky S-55: Sikorsky S-55
- Sikorsky S-58: Sikorsky S-58
- Sikorsky S-60: Sikorsky S-60Sikorsky S-60|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1997. ISBN 0-7607-0592-5....
- Hiller OH-23 Raven: Hiller OH-23 Raven
- Christen Eagle II: Christen Eagle II Serial #1