Sikorsky Memorial Airport - KBDR

This web site is in an ongoing process of gathering information and strives to be an eclectic gallery of pictures, thoughts, history forgotten, special airplanes and people to be found at our beautiful airport. If a picture frame is empty -- a picture will eventually fill the frame.

There will be links to web sites that enhance flying safety. Also, links to companies that support the airport and use it as the valuable resource it is for the Bridgeport and Stratford, Connecticut area. Who's the author that created this web site? Click here:  tgenglish.com
   
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Commemorative Airmal July 5, 1929

 

 

 

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The V-173 Flying Flapjack design conceived by Charles H. Zimmerman in the early 1930's did not fly until 1942. Locals called it the Flying Pumpkin Seed. A prototype aircraft was built mostly by volunteer Vought employees, "off the clock", as war effort was concentrated on the F4U Corsair. Housatonic River, Stratford, in the background

 

 

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The very sad story regarding the final XF5U design. The A/C was not completed until end of WW II. Every military service wanted jets. So, after final completion and rollout, the U.S. Navy ordered it destroyed and reduced to pieces by a wrecking ball without any opportunity to fly it or gather invaluable high aspect ratio design data.

 

Curious who maintains KBDR site for fellow pilots? Click on: tgenglish.com

 

You will find the links to more pages -- upper left side of this web page.

 

Awesome fun for pilots. Click on this link and use your mouse to turn and bank the Electric Oyster. Why the snow? They are in Oslo, Norway.

 

 

Always thank a man or woman in the uniform of the United States who serves to protect us.

Enter KBDR -- the Corsair is down being restored.

Chance Vought designed and built the F4U Corsair at the then Bridgeport Airport. It was the 1st military fighter to exceed 400 mph. Because of it's success in combat -- it was in later years built under Vought license by General Motors and Goodyear as well.

Bridgeport was decribed the Arsenal of Democracy as so many planes, armaments, manufacturing and munitions was centered here to supply our armed forces and allies during World War II.

 

Air Show - Bridgeport Municipal Airport 1954

Internet historians say the airport was named Avon Field -- some say "incorrect!" as not at that location. Later, Mollison Field as a Capt. Mollison flying from Wales crashed on a flight to New York. The airport was rededicated as Igor I. Sikosky Memorial Airport in 1972 -- the birthplace of 1st successful helicopter.

 

 

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The V-173 Flying Flapjack at the Naval Air Station, Floyd Bennet Field, New York. Boone T. Guyton,  Vought's chief test pilot flew the prototype aircraft. Perhaps unknown, Charles A. Lindberg also flew the A/C and gave it high marks.  The V-173 is on display at the Smithsonian, Washington, DC

 

 

 

The following is a forensic recreation of U.S. Airways landing in Hudson River

Thank you "Sully" and entire crew - Cactus 1549

 

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