Recently at the Connecticut Air & Space Center we debuted a new display titled:
Hometown HeroesIt features three bios from three different aviators either from the area or relocated here after the war. We also have accurate 1/48th scale models depicting their aircraft. My father ended up building the Corsair that depicts 2nd Lt. Nick Mainiero's Corsair as it looked just before his mission where he returned with most of the tail blown away. Several other model builders (connected to the museum) contributed to the display, including Gene Madera (SB2C), and Robert Bracci (F9F, L4). Your's truly built Morgan Kaolin's Cessna 150 in W.I.C.C. AM600 markings. The models depicted are just a few of the actual aircraft that these gentlemen have actually flown.
2nd Lt Dick Steele's display. Among the many aircraft he had flown, a Helldiver and Cougar are depicted which he flew in the late 40's and 50's.
2nd Lt Morgan Kaolin's display. An L-4 similar to the ones he refurbished and flew in occupied Japan. Also is the the WICC Radio Traffic C-150 he piloted.
And finally 2nd Lt Mainiero's Display. You can see my father's Corsair (feeling very honored to build) and a space for my Monogram SNJ in Pensacola ( 1942 markings) that Mainiero trained in.
We also plan on adding some personal items to the cases as we continue. The yellow tint to the pictures is caused by the high intensity sodium lights. For those that don't know, the museum is located in the experimental R&D Hangar that was once occupied by Chance-Vought and AVCO Lycoming.
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