World War Two Marine Corp Corsair pilots Nick Maniero, Art Miller and Dick Steel are scheduled to appear with the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Restoration Team at the Connecticut Air & Space Center Open House July 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Maniero, Distinguished Flying Cross holder, Miller, holder of 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 6 Air Medals, and Dick Steel will be on hand to discuss their time in the South Pacific as pilots of the F4U Corsair.
Mainero, who flew 51 missions and was injured and barely made it back to his airfield alive, later became manager of Bridgeport Municipal Airport and was instrumental in bringing a Corsair back to Connecticut to celebrate the men and women who built and flew them.
Miller flew an incredible 111 combat missions in the Salomon Islands, the Philippines and Okinawa.
Steel, a former Corsair, Helldiver and F9 Cougar pilot, has been a long-time member of the Connecticut Air & Space Center and vocal supporter of the Corsair Restoration Project.
The Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Restoration Team will discuss the current status of the project as well as the upcoming trip to Breckenridge, Texas to join Ezell Aviation with the ongoing efforts to repair the Airports Corsair as well as other breaking news.
The open house will be held at 401 Main Street, Stratford, Conn., at the corner of Sniffens Lane and Main Street, opposite Atlantic Aviation’s hangars at the Sikorsky Memorial Airport.
