Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome

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The Collection

Thomas Pusher Model E

1896-1913 - Pioneer Era
(Static Exhibit)

Country: United States
Year: 1912
Engine: Curtiss OX-5
Top Speed: 50 mph (80 km/hr)
Original/Reproduction: Original

Cole Palen restored this rare, 1912 Thomas Pusher biplane flying it regularly for about two years. In an epic stunt, Palen flew it nearly 100 miles (in three, calm, very early morning hops) to New York City, landing at Flushing Airport. Trucked into Manhattan, both plane and pilot starred in a 1965 episode of the well-known TV show, “I’ve Got a Secret,” hosted by Steve Allen.

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Thomas-Morse S-4B

1914-1918 - World War I
(Static Exhibit)

Country: United States
Year: 1918
Engine: Gnome, Le Rhone Rotaries
Horsepower: 80 - 100
Wingspan: 27 '
Top Speed: 95 mph (152 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1325 lbs (601 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

The Thomas Morse was the result of America’s effort to produce a fighter type for the Great War. Although it was never to be used for this purpose, it did have success as an advanced pursuit trainer for the Army, and the U.S. Navy used a seaplane variant that was fitted with twin floats. The seaplane model was designated the S-5.

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Ural Motorcycle with Sidecar

Ground Vehicles

Year: 1914

The URAL was originally developed by the Soviet government for use by the Russian military during World War II. However by the late 1950s, military production shifted to the Ukraine and URALs began being manufactured for domestic customers, which continues today.

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Voisin

1896-1913 - Pioneer Era
(Static Exhibit)

Country: France
Year: 1908
Engine: Various
Horsepower: 50 - 65
Wingspan: 32 ' 10"
Top Speed: 35 mph (56 km/hr)
Original/Reproduction: Original

The French Voisin biplane of 1908 garnered worldwide fame after setting many records. In 1909, it inspired an American to create his own version of the Voisin and power it with an engine of his own design. Norvin Rinek is believed to have flown this rare Voisin six times near his Easton, Pennsylvania factory.

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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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Willys Overland Opera Coupe

Ground Vehicles

Year: 1916

Starting as a salesman for the Detroit Auto Vehicle Company, John N. Willys met with great success. The Overland Company of Indianapolis was on the brink of bankruptcy when Willys was called in to rescue it. Shortly thereafter the company became known as the Willys Overland Company of Toledo, Ohio. Later in his career Willys […]

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Willys Overland Sportster

Ground Vehicles

Year: 1922

The Overland Company had four separate factories which turned out a brand new car every 4 minutes. An advertisement claimed that the Overland was “Almost trouble-proof” and one successfully accomplished test of endurance was the running of an Overland for over 7,000 miles without stopping the engine.

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Wright EX “Vin Fiz”

1896-1913 - Pioneer Era
(Static Exhibit)

Country: United States
Year: 1911
Engine: 4 Cyl. Wright Aero
Horsepower: 35
Wingspan: 31 ' 6"
Top Speed: 52 mph (83 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 903 lbs (410 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

The “Vin Fiz” piloted by “Cal” Rodgers, became the first aircraft to make a successful transcontinental crossing of the United States by air. The audacious trip included some 75 landings, 16 of which ended in crashes. The repairs added countless days to the trip, which was completed in 49 days, well past the 30-day limit needed to win a $50,000 prize!

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Wright Flyer

1896-1913 - Pioneer Era
(Static Exhibit)

Country: United States
Year: 1903
Engine: Wright
Horsepower: 12
Wingspan: 40 ' 4"
Gr. Weight: 605 lbs (274 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

On December 17, 1903 with Orville Wright at the controls, Flyer No. 1, became the world’s first, powered and controlled aircraft to successfully carry a man aloft. In just 12 seconds, Wright flew 120 feet at an estimated groundspeed of 6-7 mph. This seminal event and successive designs would propel the Wrights to world fame. To this day, their success has continuously inspired generations of entrepreneurs, designers and aviators around the globe to achieve countless new firsts in aviation.

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Wright Glider

1896-1913 - Pioneer Era
(Static Exhibit)

Country: United States
Year: 1902
Wingspan: 32 ' 1"
Gr. Weight: 250 lbs (113 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

In 1896 Orville and Wilbur Wright started to pursue their dream of powered, controlled flight. The brothers took a scientific approach, utilizing the accumulated knowledge of flight from their predecessors and contemporaries, and through developing scientific experiments of their own. They built a series of gliders to test new ideas on, the 1902 glider was […]

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