Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome

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The Collection: 1919-1940 - Golden Age

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Pietenpol Aircamper

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(In Storage)

Country: United States
Year: 1928
Engine: Ford
Horsepower: 40
Wingspan: 29 '
Top Speed: 100 mph (160 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 995 lbs (451 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

Homebuilders have been turning out Pietenpol Air Campers since plans were published in 1932. Early on the standard engine became the ubiquitous Ford Model A, with a wide variety of automotive and aircraft engines adapted over the years. The spruce and plywood construction was intended for a range of builders with average woodworking skills. This example is an almost complete, recent project donated by Museum Board President Michael DiGiacomio.

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Piper J-3 Cub

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Active)

Country: United States
Year: 1941
Engine: Original: Continental 65/ Current: Continental 85
Horsepower: 65
Wingspan: 35 ' 3"
Top Speed: 87 mph (140 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1220 lbs (553 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

The quintessential American light plane, the Piper J-3 Cub introduced in 1938, evolved from the Taylor E-2 Cub. To this day, somewhat larger and much great horsepower successors are being manufactured. Worldwide J-3 production reached over 20,000. It was fitted with a variety of flat-four engines ranging from 40 to 90 HP-the vast majority being 65 HP. The Cub was known for being a very forgiving trainer. This machine appears in our air shows as the steed of the “Flying Farmer.”

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Piper PA-17 “Vagabond”

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Active)

Country: United States
Year: 1948
Engine: Lycoming 0-145-B2
Horsepower: 65
Wingspan: 29 ' 3"
Top Speed: 102 mph (164 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1100 lbs (499 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

The Piper Vagabond was the first in a series of successful short-winged Pipers. They were economically built for the post-war civilian market using much of the factory tooling created for the J-3 Cubs. The Vagabond became a popular and inexpensive two-place airplane, well-suited for training and sport flying.

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Pitcairn Mailwing PA-6

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Static Exhibit)

Country: United States
Year: 1929
Engine: Wright J-6
Horsepower: 225
Wingspan: 33 '
Top Speed: 135 mph (217 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 2950 lbs (1338 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

Designed to carry the night airmail, the Pitcairn had excellent maneuverability, range, speed (130 mph) and was considered a very modern equivalent of the Pony Express in 1929. In later years Pitcairns became popular as crop-dusters because of their excellent load-carrying ability. Our Pitcairn was originally restored in Vancouver, WA, from a former crop-duster. It […]

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Porterfield Collegiate CP-65

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Active)

Country: United States
Year: 1941
Engine: Continental
Horsepower: 65
Wingspan: 34 ' 9"
Top Speed: 108 mph (173 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1160 lbs (526 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

Edward Porterfield started his company in a former woodworking factory in 1934. In 1936 he introduced the “Collegiate” to compete with similar light aircraft from Piper, Aeronca, and Taylorcraft. About 475 were built until production ended during WWII. This airplane was donated to the Aerodrome for use in our educational program.

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Ryan NYP – Spirit of St. Louis

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Active)

Country: United States
Year: 1927
Engine: Wright Whirlwind J-5
Horsepower: 200
Wingspan: 46 '
Top Speed: 112 mph (180 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 5135 lbs (2329 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

On May 21, 1927 Charles Lindbergh made history by becoming the first to fly an aircraft non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean in his Spirit of St. Louis. Lindbergh made the trip in 33 hours and 30 minutes and altered the way the world perceived aviation. He became an instant international hero and to this day is considered one of the most significant figures in aviation history.

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Spartan C-3

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Static Exhibit)

Country: United States
Year: 1929
Engine: Wright J-6
Horsepower: 165
Wingspan: 32 '
Top Speed: 118 mph (189 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 2605 lbs (1182 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

A typical example of the stout Golden Age, general purpose biplane, the Spartan C-3 was built in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Throughout the production run, it mounted a variety of engines and landing gear configurations. It was used as a trainer, barnstormer, and air taxi.

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Taylor E-2 Cub

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Active)

Country: United States
Year: 1934
Engine: Continental A-40
Horsepower: 37
Wingspan: 35 ' 2"
Top Speed: 78 mph (125 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 925 lbs (420 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

The famous Piper Cub started out as the Arrowing Chummy and evolved into Taylor E-2 Cub. It was safe, fun to fly, and vastly underpowered at 20 HP. After mounting several other powerplants, Taylor settled on the 37 HP Continental A-40. With only a windshield for protection, side curtains were offered as an option. About 350 were built.

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Taylor J-2 Cub

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Under Restoration)

Country: United States
Year: 1936
Engine: Continental A-40
Horsepower: 37
Wingspan: 35 ' 3"
Top Speed: 87 mph (140 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 970 lbs (440 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

Evolved from the Taylor E-2 Cub, designer Walter Jamouneau, cleaned up C. G. Taylor’s little airplane. With some new contours, an enclosed cabin, and wider landing gear, a safe, fun airplane was made even better and around 1200 were built. It was still a low and slow airplane–one pilot remarked that eternity is a cross country trip in a J-2 Cub. It would eventually morph into the famous Piper J-3 Cub.

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Waco 10

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Static Exhibit)

Country: United States
Year: 1927
Engine: OX-5
Horsepower: 90
Wingspan: 30 ' 7"
Top Speed: 97 mph (156 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 2025 lbs (919 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

The Waco 10 was a typical late 20s-early 30s biplane, evolved from the firm’s Model 9. As with so many of the era, it was originally powered by the WWI surplus Curtiss OX-5, 90 HP engine. It was later fitted with a variety of much more reliable air-cooled engines. With around 1600 built, it may have been Waco’s best seller. This airplane was restored and flew at the Aerodrome many years ago, it is currently on static display.

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