Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome

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The Collection

Curtiss Pusher Model A

1896-1913 - Pioneer Era
(On Loan)

Country: United States
Year: 1909
Horsepower: 50
Wingspan: 36 '
Top Speed: 45 mph (72 km/hr)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

Glenn Curtis, a pioneer aviator and Wright Competitor, was based in Hammondsport, NY. He came to aviation from motorcycle and marine interests. Cole Palen built this reproduction of his Model A pusher in 1957. It was damaged in a crash, restored in 1975 and has been exhibited aboard the Intrepid Air, Space, and Sea Museum and at the Niagara Aerospace Museum.

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Curtiss Pusher Model D

1896-1913 - Pioneer Era
(Active)

Country: United States
Year: 1911
Engine: Curtiss OX-5
Horsepower: 80
Wingspan: 30 '
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

Glenn Curtis a pioneer aviator and Wright Competitor was based in Hammondsport, NY. He came to aviation from motorcycle and marine interests. Cole Palen built this reproduction of his Model D pusher in 1976. Originally powered by a Hall Scott engine and now mounting a Curtiss OX-5, the airplane flies almost weekly during our air shows. During the winter of 2003, it made its longest flight around an Australian Airport.

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Curtiss Robin

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Under Restoration)

Country: United States
Year: 1929
Engine: Wright J-6-5
Horsepower: 165
Wingspan: 41 '
Top Speed: 115 mph (184 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 2523 lbs (1144 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

The Curtiss Robin is probably best remembered as the aircraft that Douglas “Wrongway” Corrigan used in 1938 to make a non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean from NY to Ireland without proper authorization. In fact, he had been denied permission to make the flight. Corrigan claimed his intention was to fly back to Long Beach, CA and blamed his arrival in Ireland on a navigational error after flying 28 hours and 13 minutes.

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Curtiss Wright Junior CW-1

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Static Exhibit)

Country: United States
Year: 1931
Engine: Szekely
Horsepower: 45
Wingspan: 39 ' 6"
Top Speed: 80 mph (128 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 975 lbs (442 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

The Curtiss Wright Junior was Curtiss-Wright’s Depression-era effort to get into the light plane market. For the price of an automobile, $1495, you could own this two-place, open-cockpit pusher aircraft. It was easy to fly and used for training, sport flying, and even for coyote hunting in the Midwest. It was powered with a 45 hp. Szekely, 3-cylinder, air-cooled engine.

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Curtiss Wright Junior CW-1

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Active)

Country: United States
Year: 1931
Engine: Continental
Horsepower: 85
Wingspan: 39 ' 6"
Top Speed: 80 mph (128 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 975 lbs (442 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

The Curtiss Wright Junior was Curtiss-Wright’s Depression-era effort to get into the light plane market. For the price of an automobile, $1495, you could own this two-place, open-cockpit pusher aircraft. It was easy to fly and used for training, sport flying, and even for coyote hunting in the Midwest. It was powered with a 45 hp. Szekely, 3-cylinder, air-cooled engine.

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Davis D1-W

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Under Restoration)

Country: United States
Year: 1929
Engine: Warner
Horsepower: 125
Wingspan: 30 ' 2"
Top Speed: 127 mph (204 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1461 lbs (663 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

This sport plane was built by the Davis Aircraft Co. of Richmond, IN. Amateur pilots frequently used this parasol design for racing in the “stock aircraft” category during the 1930s. The powerplant is a Warner 125 HP engine of 1929 vintage.

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Davis D1-W

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Active)

Country: United States
Year: 1933
Engine: Warner Radial
Horsepower: 145
Wingspan: 30 ' 2"
Top Speed: 127 mph (204 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1461 lbs (663 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

This 1933 Davis D1-W produced in Richmond, Indiana, is one of the most famous planes in the collection. It made aviation history as a 1934 racing champion, it was owned and flown by movie star Richard Arlen and flown by a host of notable aviators and Hollywood celebrities such as Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Howard Hughes and more!

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De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Active)

Country: United Kingdom
Year: 1934
Engine: Gipsy Major
Horsepower: 120
Wingspan: 29 ' 4"
Top Speed: 109 mph (175 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1825 lbs (828 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

The De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth first flew in 1931 and became quite popular. Over time, it was widely used as a civilian and military trainer in England and in 25 countries around the world. Over 8,800 were built between 1931 and 1944. It was a rather docile machine with basic aerobatic abilities. It is ably powered with the 120 HP De Havilland Gypsy Major 4-cylinder engine.

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Demoiselle

1896-1913 - Pioneer Era
(Static Exhibit)

Country: France
Year: 1909
Engine: Dutheil Chalmers
Horsepower: 35
Wingspan: 18 ' 6"
Top Speed: 56 mph (90 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 315 lbs (143 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

Perhaps the first “ultralight” aircraft, Alberto Santos-Dumont’s “Demoiselle” was a sensation in 1909 Paris as he flew the diminutive machine about the city. Built largely of bamboo, the Demoiselle achieved international recognition when plans for it were made public. Cole Palen built our reproduction around 1957 and it was restored in 1998. Jeweler Louis Cartier developed the wristwatch so that Santo-Dumont could time his flights around the City of Lights.

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Deperdussin Racer

1896-1913 - Pioneer Era
(Static Exhibit)

Country: France
Year: 1913
Engine: Gnome Rotary
Horsepower: 160
Wingspan: 19 ' 6"
Top Speed: 130 mph (209 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 992 lbs (450 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

The company that would build the famous SPAD of WWI, produced a series of racing aircraft during the pre-war period. Société de Production des Aéroplanes Deperdussin created this machine in 1913. Its lightweight, plywood shell fuselage anticipated modern “monocoque” construction. Our example was built in the winter of 1974-75 after Cole and Rita Palen made drawings from the original in the Musee De L’Air. It was taxied, but never flown.

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