Warbird Information Exchange

Hey Jerry,
How about the NEAM sell thier Corsair to someone that will make it a flyer and with the money buy and/or restore this Corsair for static show at the museum.

Phil

You'll never win a Pappy arguement by quoting Chuck Yeager aka "The Great American Ego"
(heard that nickname on aafo BTW)

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Don't touch my junk!!

What?! I have met with him several times, and he has always been nothing but super nice to me. Yeager is one of the best plots ever!

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

Here's the latest news article on today's Rally to save the Corsair.
Jerry

Corsair in thick of new battle

JOHN BURGESON jburgeson@ctpost.com
Connecticut Post Online
Article Last Updated:09/10/2007 05:12:55 PM EDT
STRATFORD — The Corsair fighter plane that greets visitors at the entrance of Sikorsky Memorial Airport is caught in a tug-of-war between aviation buffs and former pilots, and the group that's supposed to maintain the vintage aircraft.

Five decorated Marine Corps pilots, who together flew hundreds of missions in the Pacific during World War II, staged a rally this morning with former state Sen. George "Doc" Gunther, R-Stratford, and former airport official Morgan Kaolian. The event called attention to the Corsair, which they said is in need of immediate repairs.

One of the five Corsair pilots on hand for the rally, former airport Director Nicholas Mainiero, began by firing a salvo in the direction of the Greater Bridgeport Marine Corps League, whose past commandant, lawyer Thomas L. Kanasky Jr., has expressed an interest in moving the aircraft to the "Intrepid" museum, according to Mainiero.

"Kanasky's desire to display the Corsair on the 'Intrepid' is absurd and totally unacceptable," Mainiero said. "Corsairs were built here in Stratford, not on the 'Intrepid.' The Corsair will not be moved anywhere — it stays here and it stays here forever."

Mainiero — who lost an eye from anti-aircraft fire while flying his Corsair in the battle for the Marshall Islands — said the Marine Corps League has failed to properly maintain the Corsair and that corrosion over the years has taken its toll. "One good storm could take it down," he said.

The league was entrusted with the care and maintenance of the aircraft; it was installed on a concrete pedestal at the airport 35 years ago. The league is made up of Marine veterans.

"The Marine Corps League was given the obligation to maintain it — they haven't maintained it too well," Kaolin said.

"It breaks our hearts to see the state of this airplane," said Art Miller of Bridgeport, who flew 111 combat missions in the Pacific. "The Marine Corps League doesn't have the funding nor the wherewithal to do the job."

Kanasky, contacted by telephone, said that it's not the intention of the league to hand the Corsair over to the "Intrepid." "They made inquiries about it, and we told them, 'No' " he said. But, he added, the "Intrepid" would be the best place for the plane if it could not remain as a monument at the airport. As for its condition, Kanasky said, "We're doing the best job we can." He added that when the plane was installed as a monument, little thought was given to ongoing maintenance costs. "Yes, I know it needs work, and some of that work could get expensive, once you get inside the thing. And Sikorsky Aircraft has not been as benevolent as they once were years back." The helicopter giant used to pay for and perform much of the monument's maintenance years ago. Speakers at the rally, attended by about 25 aviation buffs and reporters, underscored the importance of the Corsair to the history of Stratford and the thousands of workers in the Chance Vought-Sikorsky plant across Main Street that churned out the gull-winged fighters. "The plant ran two 10-hour shifts every day, six to seven days a week, said Corsair assembler Joseph LoSardo, who worked at the plant with his future bride, Annette; both were at the rally.

"Each one of us had one job to, and each one was the best person in the world to do that one job — because that's all you did, over and over and over."

Gunther, who retired from the state Senate in 2006, said that the immediate need is to raise money for the plane's restoration. "It's gonna take a fundraiser," he said. "Let's get off our duffs and get some money in here — even a cheapskate like me is going to donate a hundred bucks!"

Gunther and Mainiero were among the local, state and federal officials who were instrumental in getting the Corsair installed at the airport in the 1960s. It was purchased from El Salvador's air force, which bought it from the United States after the war for $1, according to Kaolian.

Gunther said the restoration effort will likely cost at least $200,000, and probably a lot more.

Link to web page article with photo.
http://www.connpost.com/breakingnews/ci_6853494

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

My main concern is that it will be sold to a private owner. I think that would be sad. It needs to stay at that field, but needs to be cared for.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

Mike;
The best thing now is to write to the editor of the papers that print articles about the Corsair and state your opinion.
Here's the link to the editor for the Connecticut Post:
Letters to the Editor
edit@ctpost.com

As you can see, nobody wants the plane to leave the area. We want to help save the bird, whatever it's final display location is!
I see it as something like an Amish Barn Raising (without the black hats!).
We have to help our neighbor.
We need to help the Marine Corps League raise the need funds and then restore the aircraft.

Anything can be made to fly with enough money, but this bird is very sick and would need its aluminum replaced along with a new spar. There is no landing gear, gear doors, control surfaces or canopy and the cockpit is pretty well stripped out. It has the engine and prop, and what's left of the fuselage. The photo on the WIX site is a couple of years old. I'll try to post some photos for all to look at.

In the end, we have to put pressure on the Marine Corps League to lead the fundraising efforts. We don't want them to do it alone. We want to help. We need to sway public opinion over to our side and get the whole state, if not the country, behind this. At some point, we may have to start digging into our pockets, I'll let everyone know when the fundrasiing gets under way.
Stay tuned!
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

This is not part of this thread so I apploigise ahead of time. Here's a Yeager opinions of Chuck Y.
I just wanted to throw my two-cents worth into the mix. I met Chuck Yeager a few years ago at Oshkosh and was given the opportunity to have lunch with him and a small circle of aviation journalists. As an aspiring professional pilot at that time, I was thrilled to have the opportunity. Unfortunately, I was soon disappointed. I found him to be the last example of a professional aviator I would want for myself or any other aspiring pilot.

As a female, I was told point blank that my place was "barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen" and I must be "a huge disappointment to my parents" for being a female pilot and not maintaining my responsibilities in the home. He also refused to sign a little wooden toy-airplane for a little boy in a wheelchair who was dreaming of becoming a pilot himself one day.
I know that fame can be tough but if you are going to reap the monetary reward for it, you have a certain responsibility to "earn" it with respect for those who admire you. I am not surprised that after the loss of a fellow ground-breaking aviator (friend or foe) that he would make such disrespectful comments. Why he is "worshipped" by so many is a travesty. I am glad to see that AVweb gave reference to the comments as they were made so that more people can see that such individual can exist in the aviation community.
Karen Iacopi

Chuck Yeager's comment on Scott Crossfield's death is so very typical of this man so many "look up to" (NewsWire, Apr. 24). I have never been so repulsed by a single person than him when I had a chance to meet him. His personality, ego and self-image are so distorted that I spent days wondering why I made the effort to seek him out. This really shows even more his true side. It is too bad he will not be able to see what is said about him on his death.
Bill Thomas[b]
http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showthread.php?t=3122&highlight=chuck+yeager
read this thread

My own favorite quote from ace P-51 pilot Vlado Lenoch
I am amazed to read the sentiments about CY. I very much agree with them. I once asked him to autograph my plane's rudder. You'd think that I raped his family or something. He was not pleasant. I was so shook up and sad to have met this 'legend'.

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Don't touch my junk!!

Here is a link to my flicker site with photos of the Corsair taken in April of 2007 and three of Peter Guyton's photos taken this last Saturday.
I'm not a mechanic, an A&P or anything so please see for yourself.
Some of you may have a more accurate appraisal ofthe Corsair's condition.
Jerry

PHOTO LINK TO CORSAIR IMAGES

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11465521@N ... 956720231/

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

If it will help to send you some really great Corsair images for a
fund raising campaign just tell me where to send them.
Sorry again for the off track Yeager post!!

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Don't touch my junk!!

Well carma came full circle and Lucy left with $15 grand. Quite a punch in the wallet. huh? I never claimed the man was an Angel.

Just that the name painted on the Photo Op aircraft was actually Lucybelle.


Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

Thanks for the offer Jack!
You're first on the call list!!!!
Jerry

PS: Don't worry about the Yeager tangent. He's met me a couple of times and I don't think he was impressed!

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

Oh Man, that is BAD! Not unrepairable, just really, really bad. Looks like part of the main beam (spar) will need to be replaced. Lots of fasteners and small pieces in that thing. Just thinking about tearing into it gives me heartburn. Been there and done that...

The main thing I see is that it needs to come down from that pole and never go back. It needs to be kept somewhere out of the weather, which all costs money, lots of it.

Good luck!

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"They can teach MONKEYS to fly better than that"

http://www.heritageflight.org
http://www.bravo369.org

Just looked at the Flickr photos, she looks pretty rough, it's a shame a aircraft like that was left out to decay.

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FLORIDA DIECAST AVIATION FORUMS
www.forumsvibe.com/cfldiecastmodel

The exposed spar caps have intergranular corrosion. Not good, but not the end of the world. It is just the day and age that you don't treat rarities like this with such disrespect. Only the USAF and US Navy is allowed to do that...

The Vought retirees aircraft in Dallas has a bult-up spar. I'm sure the same could be done for this aircraft. Still a great candidate for a static restoration or even airworthy with more effort. There is more of a Corsair there than there was a P-40 for some of the P-40 restorations completed and flying today.

Hey Jack: Those people who met Chuck Yeager must have met him on a good day including Vlado.

I live about 20 air miles from where he grew up outside of Hamlin, in Lincoln County WV. Just for reference, the barefoot and pregnant stuff was something that came from his up bringing, its common here.

My few meetings with him have all been unpleasant. But not to rehash anything, let me tell you a new one.

My XWIFE is a member of the State of WV's Legislature. She appropriated several hundred grand for a memorial to be built in honor of Chuck (for the record it was not her idea) on RT 119 outside of Charleston WV where you make the turn into Lincoln County. It got built, Chuck was flown in by a local rich guy in his new Citation with his new wife (about 40 or so). Everyone was there, they all made speeches including him (of course his was more of an off the cuff thanks). My XWIFE said a few words. She talked to him, he knew she got the $$$$.

My son, age 14 or so at the time was there with a 357th white baseball cap with Yeager's P-51 on it. My xwife said this is my son, son said (holding a Sharpie) "General Yeager would you please sign my hat". Chuck said, "just send it into the website and I'll do it" (I should have said "but CHUCK IT WILL NOT FIT IN THE COMPUTER"), which translates into give me $50 and I'll sign it. My son said "Thank you General Yeager" and we left. Out of earshot, Greg said a few choice things about him.

Son and XWIFE left, I went back for a few more pictures (I'll shoot them, but I'm not talking to him), a and a gnarled old man about 80 walks up. He says "Chuck I grew up with your brother (or whatever) on the holler and I'd like you to sign this book". This guy was an old coal miner and he was what Chuck would have been if he didn't join the Army. He looked pretty darn bad. He was holding a paperback copy of Yeager's book with no cover and looked like it had been read a whole bunch of times. Chuck said "send it to the website and I'll sign it".

It nice to know at least he'll sign something. I really think $50 is more than his signature is worth.

At OSH this year, Yeager was talking outside the Ford tent. My son said screw him lets go see Carrol Shelby. I worked with him at Chrysler in the 1984/5 in Sales and Marketing Financial Control. I'd talked to him a lot and spent a good deal of time with him. I hadn't seen him since. We stood in line, Carrol signed something for Greg and looked at me and said "Mark how are you?" We chatted a few minutes, what a nice guy, I hope he lives to be 150.

Chuck, well try not to come back to WV if you can help it.

Mark H