My First Trip to Rhinebeck

Leatherhead · 13 October 2007, 02:57 PM

Today (the 12th) was my first trip to visit The Rhinebeck Aerodrome. After reading so much negative press here on this website, I was not sure what to expect. I thought I would share my experience.

I really like the layout of the facility and the way things are presented. The four hangers on the hill, behind the parking lot, contain the static display airplanes, some motorcycles, cars, and engines. In general, I was pleased with this part of the aerodrome.

The flying (Saturday) show. On the flightline today was

Avro 504k
Fokker D.VII
Fokker Dr.1
the Ryan
Nieuport 17? (sorry, I can't remember which model)
Bleriot XI
1910 Hanriot
Jenny
Tiger Moth
Great Lakes Speedster
Curtiss-Wright Junior
Spad VII
Albatross D.Va
Caudron G.3

Of the above, all flew, expect the Nieuport. Loved the sound of the rotaries!! It's interesting, that the 80hp Le Rhone and 110hp Le Rhone do sound a litter different. Very cool! The D.VII, with Merccedes engine, also rocked! The sounds were very distintive. I had never heard one of these vintage engines before. Of course, I didn't care for the non-WWI stuff. I could do without the Tiger Moth, Great Lakes, and Curtiss-Wright Junior. The two Standard D-25s were giving rides.

Overall, I was very pleased with the organization and presentation of the show. The volunteers all seemed to work very hard.

The next to last event was the D.VII, Dr.1, Spad, and Albatross all flying together. A real treat.

I'll always remember the sounds more than anything else. I wish I could have met Cole. From what I've read about him and Rita, I think I would have liked them immediately.

They did taxi the Ryan up and down the flightline once. I still don't know why they are doing this, so I have to include this as a negative. The gift shop is not much.

So, in closing, let me say to anyone thinking of going. Go! If the Board of Directors are truly a group of pinheads, as many have suggested, it may not always be there. I am glad I made the trip (all the way from Houston).

Pat Daily · 14 October 2007, 07:12 AM

Thanks for such a positive report. I hope to get there someday. Sometimes all the bickering can overshadow the reality.

Tommyser · 14 October 2007, 07:52 AM

While you are in Europe try to visit other things (like Brussels museum

). Huge collection of WWI aircrafts and engines. There is a possibility to have a view to the restoration facilities - dismounted originals, half-ready replicas etc.

Regards

Pat Daily · 14 October 2007, 08:11 AM

And south of Paris is the Jean Baptiste Salis collection at Ferte-Alais airfield--lots of preWWI and WWI planes. Here is their site

Amicale Jean-Baptiste Salis (AJBS) :::: Site officiel

Pat Daily

ONEALM · 20 October 2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

So, in closing, let me say to anyone thinking of going. Go! If the Board of Directors are truly a group of pinheads, as many have suggested, it may not always be there. I am glad I made the trip (all the way from Houston).

Leatherhood - Good to hear you enjoyed ORA, especially after coming all the way from Houston. Sounds as if they have made some small progress at least on the shows side. Taxiing the Ryan, as you pointed out, is a no-no, but since they never intend to fly it for real, I suppose they can justify taking it out to spill some oil on occassionally.

The real stinker here though is not that you were impressed with what you saw, but that's it's akin to the artist who uses only white paint because he wants he paintings to look brilliant. With no darks, there's no contrast and therefore no comparisons.

You've seen ORA done in one color only. As nice as that was, it's a far, far cry from what it was just a few years ago. The fates willing, the pinheads as you so aptly called them will be gone, but ORA will remain and get back much of it's prior lustre.

RDosier · 21 October 2007, 09:07 PM

I was lucky enough to visit a couple of times about 6 years ago. The kids got a kick out of the "acting" they did. Do they still do that bit with good guy saving the girl from the bad guy?
Glad to hear folks are still going and enjoying it. Some beautiful country up that way.

Leatherhead · 22 October 2007, 05:35 AM

They didn't do the good guy vs. bad guy, but they did the escaped convict bit. I've seen this before, so I didn't get anything out of it. Again, I wish there was more WWI stuff flying since that's what I'm into. I got to see four WWI types fly, plus finally got to see a Le Rhone operate, so it was enjoyable for me. Hopefully, they will continue to improve.

By the way, the location is absolutely beautiful. All the trees had the autumn colors in full. Made for some nice pictures. I didn't take a lot of pics, but I will get them off my camera and see if I can post them here.

Kaiser Bill · 22 October 2007, 07:08 AM

Leatherhead...congrats on your trip to the "motherland" of WW1 aviation.

My first visit I believe was in 1975 during the winter. I went as a favor to my dad. My mission: get as many photos as I could. I asked what I thought was one of the workers if I could take some photos for my dad and he said yes... just dont crawl in or on any of the planes. I took about twenty photos, and was bored outta my mind. I had no interest at all in these "crates". As I was leaving the "worker" asked me if I could hold up the tail section of some plane he was working on so he could drain the oil out of the engine. I gladly held up the plane while he ran around to the front and pulled out the plug. While I was standing there waiting for this thick oil (it was March I believe) to drain. Someone came up and said "Cole you have a phone call". He said "I'll be right back" and he left. I had no idea who this guy was until I told my dad about it. I had helped Cole Palen change oil.

I returned again in the summer, and took more photos for my dad, but didn't get to see Cole again.

The last visit I made was with my wife, a good friend and his family. It was the day that we lost JFK jr. It will be forever etched in my mind.

Bill

AAC Cadet Leader · 22 October 2007, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaiser Bill

My first visit I believe was in 1975 during the winter. I went as a favor to my dad. My mission: get as many photos as I could. I asked what I thought was one of the workers if I could take some photos for my dad and he said yes... just dont crawl in or on any of the planes. I took about twenty photos, and was bored outta my mind. I had no interest at all in these "crates".

boo hiss.

Quote:

As I was leaving the "worker" asked me if I could hold up the tail section of some plane he was working on so he could drain the oil out of the engine. I gladly held up the plane while he ran around to the front and pulled out the plug. While I was standing there waiting for this thick oil (it was March I believe) to drain. Someone came up and said "Cole you have a phone call". He said "I'll be right back" and he left. I had no idea who this guy was until I told my dad about it. I had helped Cole Palen change oil.

OMG

Quote:

I returned again in the summer, and took more photos for my dad, but didn't get to see Cole again.

The last visit I made was with my wife, a good friend and his family. It was the day that we lost JFK jr. It will be forever etched in my mind.

bill, were you still at ORA when the news hit? was there an airshow or a lot of activity that day at ORA? how was the news spread?

i remember where i was when i got that news. i was lazily lying on my back on the grass in my front yard, looking at pictures in the clouds and my older sister came running out of the front door of our house, screaming, "JFK's been shot!! JFK's been shot!!!" then we all quickly got dressed in our Sunday best, piled in the Buick and headed to church to join the throngs of people, all praying for JFK.

bill, would you mind, please re-posting your memories of this on the "Cole Palen's Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome" thread? it's a great post.

Kaiser Bill · 22 October 2007, 10:59 AM

The news of JFK jr's disappearance was on the radio as I drove to Rhinebeck. That day's activity was a 30's Vintage Fly-in. The show took place, and there was no mention of JFK jr at all that I recall.

It was an extremely humid day and the Albatros barely made it off the ground. It circled the field twice and landed for safety reasons. The Bleriot never made it off the ground.

I have since relocated to the northwestern most corner of Pennsylvania, and any trips to Rhinebeck now are out of the question....unless someone else drives.

As for my lack of enthusiasm for being around the planes...it has since changed. That was afterall.... over 30 years ago.