Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome

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The Collection: 1914-1918 - World War I

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Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8

1914-1918 - World War I
(On Loan)

Country: United Kingdom
Year: 1915
Engine: Gnome Rotary
Horsepower: 100
Wingspan: 31 ' 6"
Top Speed: 94 mph (151 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1346 lbs (611 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

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.

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Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a

1914-1918 - World War I
(Under Restoration)

Country: United Kingdom
Year: 1917
Engine: Hispano-Suiza
Wingspan: 26 ' 7"
Top Speed: 121 mph (194 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1953 lbs (886 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

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.

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Siemens Schuckert D.III

1914-1918 - World War I
(Static Exhibit)

Country: Germany
Year: 1918
Engine: Siemens-Halske SH.III Rotary
Top Speed: 112 mph (180 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1598 lbs (725 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

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.

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Sopwith 1½ Strutter

1914-1918 - World War I
(Under Restoration)

Country: United Kingdom
Year: 1916
Engine: Clerget & Le Rhone rotaries
Horsepower: 110 - 145
Wingspan: 33 ' 6"
Top Speed: 100 mph (160 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 2149 lbs (975 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

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.

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Sopwith Camel

1914-1918 - World War I
(Active)

Country: United Kingdom
Year: 1917
Engine: Various Rotaries
Horsepower: 100 - 160
Wingspan: 28 '
Top Speed: 118 mph (189 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1453 lbs (659 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

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.

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Sopwith Dolphin

1914-1918 - World War I
(Under Restoration)

Country: United Kingdom
Year: 1917
Engine: Hispano-Suiza
Horsepower: 180 - 220
Wingspan: 32 ' 6"
Top Speed: 119 mph (191 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1911 lbs (867 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

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.

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Sopwith Pup

1914-1918 - World War I
(Active)

Country: Great Britain
Year: 1916
Engine: LeRhone 9C
Horsepower: 80
Wingspan: 26 ' 6"
Top Speed: 111 mph (178 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1221 lbs (554 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

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.

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SPAD VII

1914-1918 - World War I
(Active)

Country: France
Year: 1917
Engine: Hispano-Suiza
Horsepower: 150
Wingspan: 26 ' 11"
Top Speed: 138 mph (221 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1808 lbs (820 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

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 […]

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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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