Perhaps the most iconic representation of Pratt & Whitney's presence in Connecticut is the Hangar and Museum in East Hartford. This structure has a long history, filled with achievements and celebrations - challenges and solutions. Now, in its 80th year, the building's west section has been reconstructed and restored to resemble its original appearance, by Facilities & Services.
Construction of the Pratt & Whitney Hangar, formerly known as Rentschler Field Airport, began in the fall of 1930. On May 24, 1931, the completed structure was dedicated to P&W's founder and president, at the time, Frederick Rentschler. The dedication ceremony hosted the president of the United States, Herbert Hoover; former president Calvin Coolidge; a plethora of military chiefs; and numerous Hartford VIPs.
The building was originally constructed to house an experimental research and development team in addition to being active airport. In 1941, the building was moved a half mile from its original location on the air field. Despite the 2,000 ton weight of the brick and steel building, it took only 60 days to move it to where it sits today.
In 1944, the facility was modernized and expanded to include three runways, a state-of-the-art 57-foot control tower and a cafeteria. A 1944 edition of Power Plant noted the following reasons for the upgrade: "As planes grow in size and speed, landing fields must both expand and be made safer. The race for military supremacy in the air has spurred the greatest and most rapid advances in aviation history. All of the newest Army and Navy planes will be able to land at Rentschler Field when the expansion is completed."
A truly unique space, its now 77,000 sq. feet have become a showcase for ground-breaking aerospace products and the home of countless employee meetings and customer visits. The museum houses more than 60 engines, models and cutaways. Although the building's purpose has changed throughout the years, its significance in history has only increased. In 2008, it was designated as a historic aerospace site by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
The recent demolition of the west portion of the hangar had become a necessity. This 27,000 sq. foot addition to the structure was built during WWII, when there was a shortage of steel for building material due to the war effort. The building was constructed using large wooden beams, which over time began to fail and presented a safety hazard.
"The Facilities & Services team did an excellent job of managing this large and complex project," said Renée Welsh, director, EH&S and F&S, Module Centers & Operations. "I'm really impressed with the appearance and level of craftsmanship of the new façade."
With the demolition complete, F&S is now nearing completion of the architectural elevations, including brick work and windows, to the outside of the building. The future vision for the Hangar is to further compliment the look by adding new landscaping that will be sure to impress employees, customers and passers-by for years to come.
Employee - This is a terrific first step. Now let's get the museum upgraded to include the aircraft that our engines flew on. The current parking lot is an aircraft ramp, so it's stressed for large aircraft that won't fit in the building.
Drew, know of any Corsairs?
Phil
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