Cole Palen's Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome

30 April 2004, 09:16 AM

THIS SAT. THE FIRST SAT IN MAY WILL BE THE 15TH OR 16TH ANNIVERSARY OF HEATERS RIDE. IT WAS THE DAY OF THE CAR SHOW AT RHINEBECK.
WE WERE ALL WORRIED ABOUT HIS LANDING THE TRIPLANE AND NOT CONSIDERING HIS TAKE OFF. I REMEMBER HIS BIG WAVE AS HE FLEW OUT OVER OUR HEADS. I THINK HE GOT ABOUT 300' OR SO AND THEN JUST NOSED OVER TO THE LEFT AND THAT WAS THAT. AS I RECALL,COLE LOST OUT IN ALL MANNER WITH THAT DEAL
I REMEMBER BEING IN THE FLEDGLING REAR SEAT WITHIN THE SCARF RING MANNING THE MACHINE GUNS WHILE THAT RED TRIPLANE WAS CLOSING IN ON OUR TAIL. COLE AND HIS TRIPANE BATTLING THE DOLPHIN AND THE ALBATROS FLYING OFF TO OUR NORTH. AND OFCOURSE, ANTI AIRCRAFT ACK ACK GOING OFF ALL AROUND US. WHAT A WAY TO SPEND A SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
THE PITCARIN WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLANES TO SEE FLYING. I'M GLAD I GOT A RIDE IN THAT PRETTY PLANE. I THINK IT WAS THE DAY THE AUTOGYRO VISITED. WHEN IT BUZZED THE AIRFIELD
IT GOT THE ATTENTION OF EVERYONR PRESENT. THANKS BIIL HAMMOND

AAC Cadet Leader · 30 April 2004, 10:37 AM

So "Heater" Heatly was/is real? I thought maybe the story of Cole getting there first, and finding the aviator sitting on the log lamenting, was part of a well-spun yarn by Cole.

30 April 2004, 11:50 AM

AAC,

That part is true as well. As mentioned before, the power lines caught in the wings and rotated the ship 90 degree's before impact. So most of the decceleration and impact was absorbed by the the left wings.

When everyone got to the scene, Heater had been smart enough to get out and away from the wreckage. Story goes that he was babbling off "this legs broke, and this shoulder's dislocated, that ankle is shattered....." They took him to the Hospital only to find out cuts and scrapes, as well as a bruised ego were the only injury's.

Good Times.

nkh

AAC Cadet Leader · 30 April 2004, 12:37 PM

Any other ending variations on the legend of "Heater" Healy's Fokker DR-1 disaster"?

Harris Hawk · 30 April 2004, 04:15 PM

In the version I heard from Cole, Heatly was found sitting in the shade away from the wreckage. He was reported to have wanted someone to get the camera from his flight bag, presumably still in the wreckage, and take some photos. He also allegedly said that he wasn't concerned about himself, the military would pay to fix him, he was concerned about who would pay to fix the DR1. I had also heard his injuries, though not critical, were more serious than cuts, scrapes and bruises. Just like a good-ole-fashioned game of telephone!

Jon18 · 30 April 2004, 04:30 PM

One more of the triplane...

AAC Cadet Leader · 30 April 2004, 04:55 PM

Ha! Anyone know where we can find "Heater" Heatly to hear his version?

Aerodrome Kid · 30 April 2004, 08:05 PM

Quote:

I had also heard his injuries, though not critical, were more serious than cuts, scrapes and bruises. Just like a good-ole-fashioned game of telephone!

He wasn't hurt too terribly bad. After being released from the hospital late that evening I rode along as we drove him back to Rhode Island, to a naval air station I presume, I was asleep by then

SteveS · 1 May 2004, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aerodrome Kid@Apr 30 2004, 11:05 PM
[b] He wasn't hurt too terribly bad. After being released from the hospital late that evening I rode along as we drove him back to Rhode Island, to a naval air station I presume, I was asleep by then

Gee, Anyone think he entered that flight in his log book. I would love to have seen that entry among all the jet fighters.

Salute,
Steve

SteveS · 1 May 2004, 04:23 AM

While on the subject of triplanes, Anyone have info on this photo from May, 1972? It was up in one of the museum hangers. I don't recall seeing it ever fly. Was it a static display only? Also notice some of the Lou Mallard paintings hanging in the background. truly magnificent. I was always awed at this mans work. Sorry about the quality of the photo. Some of them are starting to fade, a good reason for me to share them as I get them on disk.

Salute,
Steve