Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
We’re Living History and Family Fun
During its peak the Saxon name was a household word. A brand new Saxon roadster sold for $395, and its operating cost was advertised as ½ cent per mile. Electric lights and a starter were available as options costing an additional $70. It featured a “high speed motor” that was light, powerful, efficient and durable. […]
In 1914 Scripps Booth introduced the unique and advanced feature of electrically operated push-button doors, long before they were to become what we would consider almost a standard feature today. They were advertised as luxurious light cars, and they offered luxury, beauty, performance and economy as selling points of their product.
Sears, Roebuck and Company had nine different car models available from 1905 to 1910 built by the Lincoln Motor Car Works in Chicago. In an unusual and trusting attempt to lure customers, potential buyers were allowed a ten-day trial period to determine whether or not they wanted to keep the Sears product. Prices ranged from […]
The acquisition of a rare French ENV aircraft engine inspired Cole Palen to build a replica of the aircraft it once powered, an English Short S-29 biplane. The machine honors the daring pioneer aviator, Cecil Grace, who flew this aircraft competitively in 1910. Grace was lost during a competition for the longest flight from England into Europe.
The Siemens-Schuckert D.III entered service in spring 1918 powered with an unusual 160 HP rotary engine. The 11-cylinder engine, developed by Siemens-Halske, offered two counter-rotating masses that cancelled out gyroscopic forces. A clever application of bevel gears allowed the crankcase, cylinders and propeller to rotate in one direction at 900 rpm, while the inner workings of the engine (crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods, etc.) rotated in the opposing direction at 900 rpm, delivering a combined 1800 rpm. The aircraft climbed fast and performed well at altitude, but cooling issues combined with the poor grade of lubricant available reduced engine life to a handful of hours.
The versatile Sopwith “Two-Seater” appeared at the front in the Spring of 1916. This dull name was quickly discarded for “1 ½ Strutter” recognizing its long and short cabane struts forming an unusual twin “W” shape supporting the upper wing.
The Strutter was built in two configurations: as a two-seat, fighter/reconnaissance machine and as a single-seat light bomber.
And it was one the earliest British designs to offer armament for both the pilot and observer.
Arguably the most maneuverable fighter of World War I, the Sopwith Camel and the faster S.E.5a were the predominant British fighters of the last two years of the war. Its name came from the “hump” covering the twin Vickers machine guns. An improvement over the single gun, 80 HP Sopwith Pup, Camels were used by the RFC, RNAS, RAF along with the US Army Air Service and the US Navy.
The Sopwith Dolphin, despite its odd design, became a respectable, all-around fighter. Production was somewhat limited due to manufacturing problems with the Hispano-Suiza engine. Along with Spad XIII, Sopwith Camel and S.E.5a fighters, the Dolphin helped to maintain air superiority over the Western Front during the last year of the war.
The Sopwith “Pup” earned its nickname appearing to be the offspring of its larger predecessor, the Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter. It served in noble fashion with both the RNAS, and later, the RFC. It proved to be a match, if not superior in performance, to the Albatros D.III. It was finally outclassed in the spring of 1917 but not replaced by the Sopwith Camel until the fall of that year. Its delightful handling characteristics made it ideal for the first shipboard take offs and landings of an aircraft in August 1917.
The SPAD VII was the first successful production aircraft from the Société Pour L’Aviation et ses Dérivés. It was powered by the 150 HP Hispano-Suiza water-cooled V-8, making it a high-performance machine that was sturdier than the contemporary Nieuport fighters flown by the Allies. Armed with a single Vickers .303 machine gun, it presented a […]
