The Collection

Bird Model CK

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Static Exhibit)

Country: United States
Year: 1931
Engine: Kinner B-5 Radial
Horsepower: 125
Wingspan: 34 '
Top Speed: 110 mph (176 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1990 lbs (903 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

The 1931 Bird CK is the 8th model produced by the new Bird Aircraft Corporation, successor to the failed Brunner-Winkle Aircraft Corporation. This Bird CK is one of 42 equipped with the reliable 100 HP Kinner B-5 radial engine. They were quite popular with aviators of the day and could carry up to three passengers. In later years, Bird aircraft were used for banner and glider towing along with crop dusting.

Bleriot XI

1896-1913 - Pioneer Era
(Active)

Country: France
Year: 1909
Engine: Anzani
Horsepower: 35
Wingspan: 25 ' 7"
Top Speed: 47 mph (75 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 480 lbs (218 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

In July 1909, Louis Bleriot made the first flight across the English Channel in an aircraft nearly identical to ours. The Aerodrome’s Bleriot is believed to have crashed at a 1910 air meet in Massachusetts, was rescued from a junkyard in 1952, and restored in 1954. It is the oldest flying aircraft in the Americas and second oldest flying in the world. It flies almost every weekend in the air show season.

Bleriot XI “Cross Country”

1896-1913 - Pioneer Era
(Static Exhibit)

Country: France
Year: 1911
Engine: Gnome Rotary
Horsepower: 70
Wingspan: 25 ' 7"
Top Speed: 47 mph (75 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 661 lbs (300 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

Except for minor fuselage repairs, this American-built machine is a very original, slightly enlarged, version of the famous Channel Crossing Bleriot. It was owned by a Hudson Valley aviator and stored in a barn near Boston after an accident. Built on Long Island, our “Cross-Country Type” has an extended range gas tank. European versions were used for distance flying competition. Although it once reached 500’ of altitude, it no longer flies because of damage to the very rare engine.

Boeing Stearman – N2S-5

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Active)

Country: United States
Year: 1943
Engine: Lycoming R680-4P-B4
Horsepower: 225
Wingspan: 32 ' 2"
Top Speed: 124 mph (199 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 2717 lbs (1232 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

The Boeing Stearman N2S-5 is the US Navy version of Army’s PT-13 and 17 models. It was one of 1,450 of this type that saw service as a primary trainer at bases around the US. This aircraft saw service at NAS Memphis (Park Field) during WWII. In total, some 10,600 Boeing Stearman aircraft helped to train thousands of pilots in the US and in Canada during the war.

Bristol F.2B “Brisfit”

1914-1918 - World War I
(Under Restoration)

Country: Great Britain
Engine: Rolls Royce Falcon I, II & III and many others
Horsepower: 190 - 275
Wingspan: 39 ' 6"
Top Speed: 123 mph (197 km/hr)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

By late 1915, it was evident that the RFC needed to replace the B.E.2 reconnaissance aircraft which were fast becoming easy prey for German fighters. It was succeeded primarily by the Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 and Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 in 1916-17. But perhaps the best all-around British two-seater developed was the Bristol F.2A, and later B series, of fighter-reconnaissance aircraft designed in 1916 by the British & Colonial Aircraft Co.

Burgess-Collier Flying Boat

1896-1913 - Pioneer Era
(In Storage (Visible))

Country: United States
Year: 1913
Engine: Anzani
Horsepower: 220
Wingspan: 41 ' 4"
Top Speed: 75 mph (120 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 2050 lbs (930 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

Custom-built for the editor of “Collier’s Weekly,” this aircraft was test flown in July 1913. It may have featured the first self-starting engine on an airplane. The wings and portion of the tail in our Museum are all that remain. Based on the design, we initially thought it was a French Breguet. Measuring the components against Burgess-Collier drawings showed them to be an exact match.

Caudron G.III

1914-1918 - World War I
(Static Exhibit)

Country: France
Year: 1914
Engine: Gnome & Le Rhone Rotaries
Horsepower: 80
Wingspan: 43 ' 11"
Top Speed: 65 mph (104 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1612 lbs (731 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

At the start of the War, the Caudron was in mass production and used by the French army as a trainer and observation aircraft. For these reasons it was adopted for use by the Allies. Although a wing warper, it was very easy to fly and was removed from the front lines to become a trainer. Our example was built from one original wing panel and some pieces of cowling. It lifted regularly for many years but is currently awaiting engine repairs and new fabric.

Chanute Glider

1896-1913 - Pioneer Era
(Static Exhibit)

Country: France
Year: 1896
Wingspan: 15 ' 8"
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction

Octave Chanute pioneered glider flight in the United States. While our reproduction is one of his weight shift efforts, he primarily focused on developing mechanized control systems. He and his assistants made over 1000 flights between 1897 and 1898 and the Wrights consulted him as they developed their machines. Our reproduction was built by E. Gordon Bainbridge in 1980.

Culver LFA Cadet

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(Active)

Country: United States
Year: 1941
Engine: Franklin 4AC-199
Horsepower: 90
Wingspan: 27 '
Top Speed: 145 mph (233 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 1305 lbs (592 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

The 1939 Culver Cadet was an improvement over its predecessor, the Culver Dart. It was designed by Al Mooney and incorporated a partial monocoque fuselage and retractable landing gear which greatly improved speed. The tiny aircraft seated two, side by side. This 1941 LFA Cadet included a 90 HP 4-cylinder Franklin engine with starter and a full electrical system.

Curtiss Fledgling

1919-1940 - Golden Age
(In Storage)

Country: United States
Year: 1929
Engine: Curtiss Challenger
Horsepower: 170
Wingspan: 39 ' 1"
Top Speed: 102 mph (164 km/hr)
Gr. Weight: 2700 lbs (1225 kg)
Original/Reproduction: Original

The Fledgling was inspired by a U.S. Navy request for a new training aircraft. The Curtiss design was chosen by the Navy as it easily was modified to fly on land or on water. The twin open cockpits, rugged build, gentle handling qualities and powerful Wright Whirlwind engine made it an ideal military trainer. The civilian version, the Fledgling, incorporated all the same qualities but with the less powerful Curtiss Challenger engine.