I had the pleasure of visiting Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York's Hudson River Valley last weekend, 45 years after my parents took me there in 1968. What a great weekend! Rhinebeck still has all of the mystique and charm that it has always had, even though Cole Palen and his original band are mostly gone. The aircraft roster has changed a bit, but is in some ways even more interesting than n 1968. The airshow is entertaining, informative and inspiring, and the ability to observe the planes up close in a natural setting is really quite unique and remarkable. I took about 170 photos, which I will post under individual aircraft headings over the next couple of weeks. I have good detail shots of the Bleriot XI and 1910 Hanriot Monoplane and Caudron G3, and shots of the Jenny, DeHaviland Tiger Moths, and others.
It was wonderful to hear the old engines unique roar and to see the Bleriot and Caudron make short hops off the runway. The Fokker D.VII demonstration was particularly impressive. It was amazing to see how the D.VII could almost hover in a nose up attitude, in a position and slow speed where most aircraft of that era would stall and go into a spin. Its abilty to turn tightly was also pretty neat to see. I also enjoyed the 'tween wars Tiger Moths.
Another highlght was my first open cockpit ride, in a very slick New Standard D25, a 1928 barnstorming biplane. What a beauty!
Here are some random shots:
It is nice to see this history being kept alive in a real and kinetic way, and even nicer knowing that some dedicated folks have been preserving this heritage for 50 years now. If you have the chance, get to Rhinebeck.
It really got my modeling juices flowing, too!
Cheers,
Bob
