Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
Encyclopedia
The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is a museum
of World War I
aircraft
and antique automobiles that is located in Red Hook, New York
, USA.
was the creation of Cole Palen
, who was partially inspired by the Shuttleworth Collection
in England
. He regularly flew many of the aircraft during weekend airshows as his alter-ego, "The Black Baron" (loosely based on the Red Baron). These airshows still continue mid-June through mid-October, and biplane
rides are available before and after the shows.
The simple early shows led to a philosophy of not only showing the aircraft in their natural environment, but also providing a fun and entertaining day out for the whole family. From this the air show that the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome was to become famous for was developed. This included a zany melodrama, inspired by the storylines of silent film
melodrama
s of the past, featuring Palen-created characters such as the daring Sir Percy Goodfellow doing battle with the evil Black Baron for the hand of the lovely Trudy Truelove.
replica. Carrying the American registration number N3221, it flew for many years. This aircraft, and another Dr.I replica, but powered by a radial engine instead, were flown for nearly two decades by Palen. These aircraft are now on static display.
An accurate Sopwith Dolphin reproduction was built by Palen. Powered by a vintage direct-drive Hispano-Suiza engine, this aircraft regularly flew at Palen's weekend air shows from 1980 onward. In September 1990, the aircraft's direct-drive Hispano-Suiza V8 suffered a fuel pump failure, resulting in a crash landing into the trees surrounding the Old Rhinebeck museum's airstrip, with only minor damage as the aircraft never directly struck the ground in the crash, and largely remained suspended in the tree canopy after the mishap. The Dolphin was placed on static display until November 2007, when Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome began restoring it to flying condition. When completed, the aircraft will once again be painted in the markings of No. 19 Squadron.
Another German aircraft in the collenction is an Albatros D.V reproduction, which is finished in the colors of Eduard Ritter von Schleich
. It is powered by a modified six-cylinder Fairchild Ranger engine, fitted after the original liquid-cooled Mercedes D.II engine sheared its crankshaft.
The collection also includes a restored 1909 Bleriot XI
(including an original three cylinder Anzani radial engine), with U.S. civil registration N60094, that is the second oldest flying aircraft in the world.
, Vincent Nasta of Wading River, New York died of injuries sustained when his plane crashed in to a heavily wooded area 1000 feet from the runway and performance area. The aircraft being used was part of the aerodrome's World War I
collection and was reported to be a reproduction French Nieuport
24. It was the first fatality during an airshow at the facility.
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
and antique automobiles that is located in Red Hook, New York
Red Hook, New York
Red Hook is a town in Dutchess County, New York, United States. The population was reported to be 11,319 during the 2010 census. The name is supposedly derived from the red foliage on trees on a small strip of land on the Hudson River. The town contains two villages; the village of Red Hook and the...
, USA.
History
The aerodromeAerodrome
An aerodrome, airdrome or airfield is a term for any location from which aircraft flight operations take place, regardless of whether they involve cargo, passengers or neither...
was the creation of Cole Palen
Cole Palen
Cole Palen was the founder of the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, a "living" museum of vintage aircraft from 1900-1937 located in Rhinebeck, New York...
, who was partially inspired by the Shuttleworth Collection
Shuttleworth Collection
The Shuttleworth Collection is an aeronautical and automotive museum located at the Old Warden airfield in Bedfordshire, England. It is one of the most prestigious in the world due to the variety of old and well-preserved aircraft.- History :...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He regularly flew many of the aircraft during weekend airshows as his alter-ego, "The Black Baron" (loosely based on the Red Baron). These airshows still continue mid-June through mid-October, and biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
rides are available before and after the shows.
The simple early shows led to a philosophy of not only showing the aircraft in their natural environment, but also providing a fun and entertaining day out for the whole family. From this the air show that the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome was to become famous for was developed. This included a zany melodrama, inspired by the storylines of silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
melodrama
Melodrama
The term melodrama refers to a dramatic work that exaggerates plot and characters in order to appeal to the emotions. It may also refer to the genre which includes such works, or to language, behavior, or events which resemble them...
s of the past, featuring Palen-created characters such as the daring Sir Percy Goodfellow doing battle with the evil Black Baron for the hand of the lovely Trudy Truelove.
Aircraft
Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome features numerous aircraft ranging from Wright-era reconstructions to biplanes and monoplanes of the 1930s. Among Palen's earliest additions to the museum in the mid-1960s was a Fokker TriplaneFokker Dr.I
The Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker was a World War I fighter aircraft built by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. The Dr.I saw widespread service in the spring of 1918...
replica. Carrying the American registration number N3221, it flew for many years. This aircraft, and another Dr.I replica, but powered by a radial engine instead, were flown for nearly two decades by Palen. These aircraft are now on static display.
An accurate Sopwith Dolphin reproduction was built by Palen. Powered by a vintage direct-drive Hispano-Suiza engine, this aircraft regularly flew at Palen's weekend air shows from 1980 onward. In September 1990, the aircraft's direct-drive Hispano-Suiza V8 suffered a fuel pump failure, resulting in a crash landing into the trees surrounding the Old Rhinebeck museum's airstrip, with only minor damage as the aircraft never directly struck the ground in the crash, and largely remained suspended in the tree canopy after the mishap. The Dolphin was placed on static display until November 2007, when Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome began restoring it to flying condition. When completed, the aircraft will once again be painted in the markings of No. 19 Squadron.
Another German aircraft in the collenction is an Albatros D.V reproduction, which is finished in the colors of Eduard Ritter von Schleich
Eduard Ritter von Schleich
Eduard Ritter von Schleich , née Eduard-Maria Joseph Schleich was a high scoring Bavarian flying ace of World War I. He was credited with 35 aerial victories at the end of the war...
. It is powered by a modified six-cylinder Fairchild Ranger engine, fitted after the original liquid-cooled Mercedes D.II engine sheared its crankshaft.
The collection also includes a restored 1909 Bleriot XI
Blériot XI
The Blériot XI is the aircraft in which, on 25 July 1909, Louis Blériot made the first flight across the English Channel made in a heavier-than-air aircraft . This achievement is one of the most famous accomplishments of the early years of aviation, and not only won Blériot a lasting place in...
(including an original three cylinder Anzani radial engine), with U.S. civil registration N60094, that is the second oldest flying aircraft in the world.
Fatal accident
On August 17, 2008, around 4 p.m. during the performance of a simulated dog fight at the aerodromeAerodrome
An aerodrome, airdrome or airfield is a term for any location from which aircraft flight operations take place, regardless of whether they involve cargo, passengers or neither...
, Vincent Nasta of Wading River, New York died of injuries sustained when his plane crashed in to a heavily wooded area 1000 feet from the runway and performance area. The aircraft being used was part of the aerodrome's World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
collection and was reported to be a reproduction French Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
24. It was the first fatality during an airshow at the facility.
Books
At least four books have been written about Old Rhinebeck. These include:- The Skies over Rhinebeck: A Pilot's Story by the late co-founder of ORA, Dick King
- The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
- Return to Rhinebeck: Flying Vintage Aeroplanes
- Wind in the Wires: A Golden Era of Flight, 1909-1939
External links
- Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome website
- Website dedicated to Cole Palen, founder of ORA
- Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Photos of the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum and WWI era airshow in Rhinebeck, New York
- Photos of the Aerodrome Collection
- Photographs of Cole Palen's Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome