Helicopter Museum

Friday, 03 June 2011 14:29

Stratford, as most people know, is home to Sikorosky Aircraft, where aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky developed the helicopter. Suitably, Stratford is also home to the National Helicopter Museum, which chronicles the Russian emigré's work as well as various other conceptions of a hovering aircraft, right back to a design by Leonardo da Vinci. Sikorsky's first helicopter flew in 1939 in Stratford. Founded in 1983, the museum features a display of drawings of prototypes and there are photo displays of the helicopters used in World War II, both Allied versions and German ones, and photographs and miniature models of the Sikorsky helicopters.

A special exhibit features John Olsen of the Coast Guard who flew an R4, Sikorsky's first production helicopter, above the Arctic Circle and was the first to land in Greenland. Stratford's other helicopter is also featured: the Bendix, the creation of Vincent Bendix, who also invented the auto self-starter, four-wheel brakes and carburetors.

Details

The museum is open Memorial Day weekend to mid-October, Wednesday-Sunday, 1-4; tours can be arranged by calling 203-375-8857 or 203-767-1123. It's in the Stratford Eastbound Railroad Station at 2480 Main Street. Take I-95 Exit 32, turn left at the light and go two blocks, turn left on Main Street.