Connecticut Air & Space Center, Stratford, Connecticut:
Located next to Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport is a museum dedicated to the history of aviation in the Nutmeg State. Founded by George Gunther in 1998 after the closing of the Stratford Army Engine Plant, it currently occupies buildings 6 and 53 of the once heavy manufacturing complex. According to the museum:
“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. In 2012 the museum was damaged by Hurricane Sandy but has since recovered.”
Visit www.ctairandspace.org for more!
