The Connecticut Air & Space Center is an aviation museum located near Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, Connecticut, that is focused on the history of aviation in Connecticut. Founded by George Gunther in 1998 after the closing of the Stratford Army Engine Plant, it occupied buildings 6 and 53 of the complex from 2001 until 2022. It now currently occupies a portion of the Curtiss Hangar and is open to the public.[1]

History

The Connecticut Air & Space Center was founded in 1998 by state senator George Gunther.[2] By 2008, the museum had plans to open in the former Stratford Army Engine Plant.[3]

In 2012, the museum was damaged by Hurricane Sandy.[4] The museum worked with the Town of Stratford and City of Bridgeport to secure a 98-year lease for the dilapidated 1929 Curtiss Aircraft Hangar in 2015.[citation needed] Groundbreaking for the restoration occurred in May 2016.[5] That same year, a Sikorsky S-76 was donated to the museum for use as a parts source.[6] In 2018, the museum received a $1 million grant from the state of Connecticut to restore the hangar.[7] The museum opened an exhibition in a 3,600 sq ft (330 m2) 1960's era addition to the Curtiss Hangar in May 2021.[8] A plan to sell the airport in 2022 put plans for renovation and use of the Curtiss hangar in jeopardy.[9] The museum was informed that it would have to remove artifacts from storage in Building 6 of the Stratford Army Engine Plant in 2025.[10]

Collection

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ Lyte, Brittany (October 23, 2010). "Former Army plant proposed as destination resort". CT Post. Hearst Media Services Connecticut. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  2. ^ Beals, Shawn R. (August 27, 2012). "George 'Doc' Gunther Dies at 92". Hartford Courant. pp. B1, B3. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  3. ^ Stansbury, Robin (February 26, 2008). "Old Engine Plant on Auction Block". Hartford Courant. pp. E1, E4. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  4. ^ "Connecticut Air and Space Center Still Recovering from Hurricane Sandy". Warbirds News. Warbirds News. April 4, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  5. ^ Ofgang, Erik (February 6, 2017). "Curtiss Hangar: Renovation Begins On Connecticut Cathedral of Flight History". Connecticut Magazine. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  6. ^ Burgeson, John (April 6, 2016). "Helicopter gets new lease on life". CT Post. Hearst Media Services Connecticut. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  7. ^ Mason, Melvin (September 20, 2018). "Town to Receive $1.5 million for Sterling House, Curtiss Hangar Projects". Stratford Star. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  8. ^ O’Neill, Jerry M. (June 1, 2021). "Connecticut Air and Space Center's Curtiss Hangar Phase One Grand Opening". Warbirds News. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  9. ^ Lockhart, Brian (September 20, 2022). "Bridgeport plan to sell Sikorsky Airport halts aviation museum's takeoff". CTPost. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  10. ^ Sambides, Nick (February 17, 2024). "Stratford Air & Space Museum Plans $1.2M Restoration of Historic Hangar". CT Examiner. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  11. ^ "1972 Bede BD-5". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  12. ^ "1964 Beechcraft A23 Musketeer". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  13. ^ "1953 Bell 47 / H-13". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  14. ^ "1957 Cessna T-37B Tweet USAF 57-2346". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  15. ^ "1967 Cessna O-2A Skymaster". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  16. ^ "1973 Cessna 150L". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  17. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N7021G]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  18. ^ "1977 Aviat Aircraft – Christen Eagle II". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  19. ^ "1945 FG1-D Goodyear Corsair BuNo.92460". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  20. ^ Burgeson, John (April 8, 2010). "Corsair restoration proceeds slowly, but future home up in the air". CT Post. Hearst Media Services Connecticut. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  21. ^ "1951 Hiller OH-23B Raven US Army 51-16225". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  22. ^ "1967 Hughes OH-6A 67-16477". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  23. ^ "Air & Space Center to restore Vietnam helicopter". Stratford Star. HAN Network. November 15, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  24. ^ "1957 T-33B Shooting Star 57-6558". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  25. ^ "1960 Northrop T-38A Talon 60-0900". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  26. ^ a b "1952 Sikorsky S-52 / HO5S". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  27. ^ "1954 Sikorsky UH-19B "Chickasaw" 52-7573". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  28. ^ "1955 Sikorsky UH-34G". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  29. ^ "1958 Sikorsky S-60 Prototype Flying Crane". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  30. ^ "1977 Sikorsky S-76A". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  31. ^ "1901 Whitehead No. 21 (replica)". Connecticut Air & Space Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  32. ^ Burgeson, John (August 14, 2010). "Anniversary of disputed 1st flight takes wing in Fairfield". CT Post. Hearst Media Services Connecticut. Retrieved December 2, 2017.

Bibliography

Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_Air_%26_Space_Center
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