There are almost no projects imaginable that THOMARIOS could not undertake. THOMARIOS takes pride in completing and delivering each specialty project on time and with a high degree of excellence. One of our favorite projects was the restoration of the Saturn V Rocket at the Kennedy Space Center for the Delaware North Parks Services, NASA, and the National Air and Space Museum. This $2.3 million project involved removal of hazardous coatings and reconstruction of the 375 foot rocket at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After restoration and protection THOMARIOS moved and stabilized the rocket in the new Apollo/Saturn V Center. The project included using an inflatable tennis court to protect and house the rocket from Floridas elements. While the restoration took place we had to be aware not to interrupt, public tours, day to day operations and monthly space shuttle launches. THOMARIOS was honored to receive awards from The Themed Entertainment Association of America and NASA for its level of quality on the project.

A similar project for the New York Hall of Science in New York City was completed in the fall of 2003. Space artifacts had been on display outdoors at the Hall of Science since the 1964 Worlds Fair. An extensive amount of deterioration had taken a heavy toll on these relics. In this project THOMARIOS restored  a 100 foot long Titan rocket, its Gemini capsule, an F-1 rocket engine from the Saturn V as well as a BA-1 Mercury capsule and its 95 foot Atlas Rocket. The items were lowered by crane onto specially designed cradles atop flatbed trailers and transported to Akron Ohio. THOMARIOS disassembled the rockets, replicated deteriorated components and strengthened their structural stability.  During the restoration THOMARIOS also fabricated a BA-1 Mercury Capsule and its boosters.  After all the surfaces were prepared and applied with new corrosion resistant coatings, they were returned back to New York City in late September of 2003. At which time they were erected and placed on display at Rocket Park.

In the painting industry, knowledge and experience is key. The success is knowing different types of coating systems and products that are on the market, but most importantly having the skills and experience to identify what type of preparation and adhesion needs to be used to each particular surface in both old and new construction. THOMARIOS has both the knowledge and experience to determine this. The Specialty Project Group, have been appointed to write coating specifications for companies like Sears Holdings Corp. and General Growth Properties Inc.. THOMARIOS has given companies like these a guaranteed way to protect and extend the lifetime of their assets.

In 2002, the creation of our metal and woodshop helped add a new dimension to the Specialty Project Group. This service has helped the client in a variety of ways. The woodshop has been involved in numerous projects. The woodshop was used in strengthening the structural stability of the Atlas Rocket; it has also made cabinetry and other specialty items. The metal shops involvement in this group has also been great. For example, the metal shop designed and created a smaller scale replica of a Stealth F117A-Nighthawk Fighter to hang outside the Gas Turbine Test Facility at the University of Akron. The metal shop also custom-made a 12 ft. long conference table, comprising of brushed aluminum, polished stainless steel and a one ton slab of granite.

The Specialty Projects Group has also worked with the Intrepid Air, Sea and Space Museum in New York City. THOMARIOS was hired to inspect, prepare and repaint an A-12 Blackbird Spy Plane. THOMARIOS also cleaned and preserved a Transatlantic Concorde for display purposes. Both of these planes are on exhibit on the USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier in Hudson Bay, New York.

When it comes to specialty projects, THOMARIOS finds a way to overcome the Special challenges that other contractors walk away from.

Contacts

ONE CANAL SQUARE PLAZA  AKRON, OHIO 44308-1037

PHONE: (330) 670-9900  FAX: (330) 670-9993