Corsair Restoration ;-)

In this photo are the people that are evaluating aircraft structurally,
and the volunteers from the Connecticut Air and Space Center.

Sen. George "Doc" Gunther (in the orange jacket) who has been instrumental in organizing the Connecticut Air and Space Center.

Today is 22 July 2008, and we are removing the panels
for access to the motor mounts to
attach the straps for the crane.

Using a cutting torch to remove the nut from pedestal.

You can see some of the deterioration of the craft in this photo.

A-Quick Pick Crane Service Inc Photo by Dick Steele
55 Bridgeport Avenue
Shelton, CT 06484-3254
Tel: (203) 924-2000
Web site: quickpickcrane.com

On duty, ready to serve.

Free at last, after 37 years.

Setting the corsair on the custom make dolly
to take it to the Three Wing Flying Services, Inc.

Three Wing Flying Services, Inc.
400 Great Meadow Road
Stratford, CT 06615
203-375-5795
Web Site threewing.com

Safe away at Three Wing Flying Services, Inc.

Today is 16 August 2008.
This is the deterioration of the wing spar on the top of the port wing.

Morgan Kaolian and Joe LoSardo looking over areas of the Corsair.

Annette and Joe LoSardo and Mike Anzy built the Corsairs at the Stratford plant.
Now they will have a chance to work on the Corsair again.
All the people in the photos are volunteers from the
Connecticut Air and Space Center, and will be doing
most of the work on restoring the Corsair.

Annette and Joe LoSardo with Nick Mainero, WWII Corsair pilot, and
Mike Anzy a certified Vought Master Welder
Look over the deterioration of the main spar.

Today is 30 August 2008 and you can see some of the yellow-jackets
around a half inch hole near the wing-root.

More yellow jackets higher up on the fuselage

Sen. George "Doc" Gunther with Danny from Bug Busters who
will remove all the yellow jackets from the Corsair.

Bug Busters
10 Jewett Street
Ansona, CT 06401
800-922-PEST (7378)

Danny treating the Corsair with yellow jacket deterrent.

Today is 08 September 2008
The Corsair Pedestal being power washed and prepped.

Martin Prout of Prout painting of Milford, Connecticut is shown power-washing
the pedestal of the Corsair at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford.

Today is 16 Sep 2008 and I'm at Stratford School for Aviation. All the people here are taking very good care of me, and I am getting a lot of attention.

Stratford School for Aviation Maintenance Technicians
Sikorsky Memorial Airport
200 Great Meadow Road, Stratford, CT 06615
Telephone: (203) 381-9250
Web Site: cttech.org/ssamt

The well doors are removed and you are looking at the bottom of
the wing spare, and the deterioration of the spar it self (starboard side).
What looks like gray paper is the Aluminum separating.

This is a close-up of the deterioration of the spar it self.

This is the pivot pin for folding the wing, and the indicator cover.

The school is working on removing the wings.
But to remove the wings, they must first remove the bird nests.
Here we have Dave Smith and Fred Boutelle (L to R).

Here I am getting more attention from
Instructor Robert Estony next to Harry Jolley and on
the wing is David Smith and Steven Morrone.

Today is 23 Sep 2008 and I'm at Stratford School for Aviation.
In this photo the locking pin is being removed.
On the left is Steve Morrone and under the wing is Bruce Stein and Seth Rubino. .

The deterioration of the spar on the port wing is
about the same as the starboard wing.

This is a close-up of the deterioration of the spar on the port wing.

Today is 30 September 2008. My wings are off now,
so I guess you can call me Stubby Corsair.
Here we have Instructor Robert Estony with Jim Aportria.
.

This is looking across the class room at the school.
Jim Aportria just passing thru.

A close-up of the hinges on the wing of Corsair.

This is looking across the class room in the other direction.

This is the Crew that has been working on me, and I'm truly thankful
for the care and attention that I have received here at the school.
(left to right): Instructor Robert Estony, Jim Aportria, Dave Smith, Bruce Stein, Instructor Mark Lloret, Fred Boutelle and Steve Morrone.

Now that my wings are off, I'm ready for my next move.
On Saturday 04 Oct 2008 I'll be moving to the
Connecticut Air and Space Center across the street.
They will be responsible for doing the work on me.