East Granby, Conn. – Joining Technologies' laser technology is playing a key role in the Connecticut Corsair project, a volunteer effort aimed at restoring Connecticut’s official state aircraft, the F4U Corsair. Joining Technologies’ laser equipment is helping restore worn-out parts and components to their original form.
Flown extensively during WWII, the F4U Corsair was the first US military single engine aircraft to fly faster than 400 miles per hour. The plane was fully designed and built in Connecticut and was designated the state’s official state aircraft in 2005. The Connecticut Corsair project is restoring a plane built in 1945 and sold as scrap metal by the US Navy in 1957.
The goal of the Connecticut Corsair project is to restore the aircraft to flying condition. However, functioning components are not available anymore; even the plane’s spare parts are extremely worn-out. Connecticut Corsair is therefore turning to modern technology to salvage parts once considered unsalvageable. (For more on this project, see "Flying a dream" from the August 2008 issue of ILS magazine.)
Joining Technologies, a specialist in laser cladding, electron beam, and laser welding applications, is providing its laser technology and expertise to the project. Through computer-aided design and modern laser technology, the company is modeling parts and restoring components back to original shape.
“As a Connecticut business, we are proud to be a part of the Corsair restoration project,” said company founder and CEO Mike Francoeur. “It’s very exciting that the power of modern technology is putting an historic aircraft back in the air.”
For more information, visit the video blog on Joining Technologies’ website for a two-part video about the company’s involvement in the Connecticut Corsair project. The video provides a look inside the aircraft hangar, as well as footage of an engine test-run.
For more information, call 800/266-1966 or email [email protected].