PPG Aerospace Donates Coatings to Restore F-4 for New England Air Museum

Aug. 17, 2015
An F-4 Phantom fighter jet on display at the New England Air Museum was restored with coatings and technical talent donated by PPG Industries’ (NYSE:PPG) aerospace business to honor the jet’s U.S. Air Force service during the Vietnam War.

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn., Aug. 14, 2015 – An F-4 Phantom fighter jet on display at the New England Air Museum was restored with coatings and technical talent donated by PPG Industries’ (NYSE:PPG) aerospace business to honor the jet’s U.S. Air Force service during the Vietnam War.

PPG donated high-solids DESOTHANE® HS/CA 8211 military and defense topcoat in camouflage, Desothane HS/CA 8800 topcoat in gloss white and DESOPRIME® HS/CA 7700 primer. Kevin Lee, PPG senior account manager, aerospace, provided the technical talent and a personal connection to the aircraft manufacturer, McDonnell Douglas.

NEAM volunteer and restoration technician Jim McGuire contacted Lee, with whom he had worked in the past, to ask for PPG help in repainting the F-4, which is on loan to the museum from the U.S. Air Force. McGuire wanted it restored with its paint scheme from December 1972, when the aircraft was flown in a mission that downed an enemy MiG fighter jet. He knew what it looked like from a photo provided by the mission’s pilot and copilot.

“I wanted to use the true military coatings that met the federal standards,” he said.

The assistance by Lee proved to be serendipitous. “My first experience in the aerospace industry came back in 1978 at McDonnell Douglas, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where we completely refurbished the F-4 aircraft, including repainting.”

Lee selected PPG coatings that would provide a durable system with good ultraviolet (UV) protection that should retain its gloss and color for years. “This would most likely be the last time this historic airplane is renewed,” he said.

McGuire and a team of volunteers painted the aircraft with Lee’s guidance. McGuire credited Lee and the financial and technical support from PPG for the restoration’s completion. “Words can’t describe the immense pride the crew and I take in having been able to get the lady back in her rightful colors and restore the essence of what this plane was and is,” McGuire said.

“The project was an amazing success,” Lee said, adding, “I worked for McDonnell Douglas for 16 years on the F-4, F-15 and F-18 fighter programs. To this day, for me, there is not a more beautiful airplane in the sky at 600 miles per hour than the F-4.”

The restored F-4 was unveiled this summer for a Vietnam 50th commemoration exhibit at the museum, where it will be on display through September.

PPG Aerospace is the aerospace products and services business of PPG Industries. PPG Aerospace – PRC-DeSoto is the leading global producer and distributor of aerospace coatings, sealants, and packaging and application systems. PPG Aerospace – Transparencies is the world’s largest supplier of aircraft windshields, windows and canopies. For more information, visit www.ppgaerospace.com.

About the New England Air Museum

The New England Air Museum is owned and operated by the Connecticut Aeronautical Historical Association, a private, nonprofit educational institution organized in 1959. Located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, adjacent to Bradley International Airport, the Museum is the largest aviation museum in New England. It is dedicated to preserving and presenting historically significant aircraft and related artifacts, engaging visitors through high-quality exhibits helping them to understand aviation technology and history, and inspiring students through innovative and hands-on educational programs. The Museum houses one of the world’s most outstanding collections of historic aviation artifacts and more than 80 aircraft, including a Sikorsky VS-44A donated by actress Maureen O’Hara and a Silas Brooks Balloon Basket (1870), believed to be the oldest surviving aircraft in the United States. For more information, visit www.neam.org.

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PPG Industries’ vision is to be the world’s leading coatings company by consistently delivering high-quality, innovative and sustainable solutions that customers trust to protect and beautify their products and surroundings. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG provides added value to customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in more than 70 countries around the world. Reported net sales in 2014 were $15.4 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPGIndustries on Twitter.