Restoration of U.S. Navy A7 Corsair at Township Park begins

EDWARDSVILLE – Restoration work on the US Navy A7E Corsair II on display at Edwardsville Township Community Park has begun, Edwardsville Township Supervisor Frank Miles says

On Saturday, June 10, volunteers from the community and the Flight Deck Veterans Group met to begin the restoration work, which began with scrubbing the aircraft. Volunteers used power washers and scrub brushes to remove 25 years of dirt and debris off the aircraft. Restoration work will continue on Saturday, July 1, with volunteers patching and priming the seams and underwings with paint. Additional volunteers are welcome.

“The aircraft is in phenomenal shape given the minimal maintenance it has received,” said Flight Deck Veterans Group Local Project Manager Larry Thatcher. “It’s amazing what a good scrub down can do for an aircraft.”

“We are grateful to the community for helping us raise the funds necessary to restore this historic aircraft in the manner it deserves,” said Miles.

In October, Edwardsville Township approved a contract with the Flight Deck Veterans Group, a nationwide nonprofit organization based in Tennessee for the restoration of the historic aircraft on display at Township Park. The Flight Deck Veterans Group restores aircraft as a part of its mission of veterans serving veterans and to pass on the history and legacy of veterans and flight deck operations. The restoration effort will be comprised of both national and local volunteers. Those interested in assisting in the project can contact the Edwardsville Township office at (618) 656-0292.

For more information on the airplane restoration project, visit the project website www.missionpreservation.org.

PHOTO: Volunteers with the Flight Deck Veterans Group and the community wash more than 25 years of dirt and debris off the aircraft.