Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
We’re Living History and Family Fun
The whimsical Passat Ornithopter is quite possibly the most aerodynamically challenged aircraft in the collection today. Though its history of flight is quite dubious, it did in fact ‘fly’ in the 1965 movie: “Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.”
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.
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.”
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.
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 […]
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.
Louis Renault developed his first automobile by extensively modifying an 1898 Dion Tricycle. At one of his first private demonstrations he secured 12 orders and the Societé Renault Freres was formed. In the years that followed Renault automobiles won numerous races throughout Europe and Louis Renault built his own empire producing aircraft, aircraft engines and […]
From 1904 through the present day the Rolls Royce name has become internationally known as the very finest in automotive engineering and luxury. Founded by Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, Rolls had the sales skills and Royce possessed the production and design knowledge to create a great team. They set new standards for excellence and […]
The 1915 F.E.8 “pusher” was designed before the advent of a British synchronized, forward-firing machine gun. The pilot, seated in front of the engine, had a clear field of fire with a single Lewis machine gun aligned directly in front of him. By the time it appeared in combat in 1916, it was already outclassed by the faster and more agile Albatros fighters just arriving.
The arrival of the S.E.5 fighter in early 1917 helped to turn the tide of the air war in favor of the Allies. Its stability and strength combined with maneuverability and fire power helped to turn adequate pilots into deadly, aerial aces. Hundreds of British, and even a few Americans, would become aces while at the controls of the fast, and responsive S.E.5 and later S.E.5a models.
