Ryder Museum

Kirk · 15 October 2004, 06:11 AM

Back in the mid 90's there was a WWI aviation museum down here in Alabama put together by a man named Frank Ryder. There was also a yearly airshow held down here as well. Sadly, Mr. Ryder was killed in a plane crash and the driving force behind the museum and airshows was lost. I drive by that museum a couple times a year and still see the hangar and signs proclaiming the existence of the museum, but does anyone know if there is still anything inside those buildings? I'd love to get a peek inside just to see if there's still an old airplane or engine or other artifacts lying around. I heard a few years back that everything in the museum was supposed to be auctioned off, but I have no idea if that ever happened. If anyone knows anything about the museum and/or what happened to what's inside I'd really appreciate it.

EricGoedkoop · 15 October 2004, 06:28 AM

Kirk -

There was some tangental discussion about the Ryder Museum in one of the Rhinebeck threads a while back. If I remember correctly, the entire collection WAS auctioned off, with the exception of a Sopwith Triplane that was reported to be rather poorly constructed.

Eric

Cigogne · 15 October 2004, 07:34 AM

Ask Joe Gertler. He is a regular to the forum. He can probably tell you all the details you'd ever want to know about this place.

tazbat · 15 October 2004, 07:38 AM

According to rumor (emphasis on rumor) Chad Wille built the Sopwith (correction from Fokker to Sopwith) Triplane that was left in the hangar due to not being air worthy. Something to do with poor handling characteristics. As I said, this was rumored. If I see Chad this weekend I will ask him if anything was left over after the auction.

Salute!

tazbat · 23 October 2004, 08:58 PM

I did see Chad the last air show weekend at Rhinebeck Aerodrome. We talked for a few minutes but I forgot to ask about the Tripe at Ryder Museum. As it were, he was very nervous discussing the fairly neutral subjects I brought up. He didn't seem to be very trusting of the public (me). On a couple of questions he did the "Scared Cow," thing. That's where you have a look of panic and let your eyes roll up in their sockets.

My apologies for forgetting. I will give it a shot next show season if he is still there.

Salute!

joegertler · 23 October 2004, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tazbat

he was very nervous discussing the fairly neutral subjects I brought up. He didn't seem to be very trusting of the public (me). On a couple of questions he did the "Scared Cow," thing. That's where you have a look of panic and let your eyes roll up in their sockets.
!

Taz; Although the following quotes are not yours. they are fairly typical of what the ORA board can see when checking this forum:
" Gene DeCrappo, Farmer Stan, DUM DUM Daly, BROKEN Record, Ryder, Kick, and all the rest of the VERMIN can be displayed on " The ORA Wall of Shame ".
And here is an edit of phrases from ONE post alone! about ORA:
"I don’t know... and I heard ...so I don't know if ... I believe... probably...
I believe ... My guess is... She probably...
I think... I could be wrong in my assumption....
might be... Not really enough data to make any strong statements.... You would have to know more ..to make judgment. You would also need to know..."
This is NOT the stuff on which dialogues are initiated...

tazbat · 23 October 2004, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joegertler

And here is an edit of phrases from ONE post alone! about ORA:
"I don’t know... and I heard ...so I don't know if ... I believe... probably...
I believe ... My guess is... She probably...
I think... I could be wrong in my assumption....
might be... Not really enough data to make any strong statements.... You would have to know more ..to make judgment. You would also need to know..."
This is NOT the stuff on which dialogues are initiated...

I don't take the quote above as a personal attack but, I have used those expressions on occasions. I nearly always have specific reasons when I do use them. It is to cover my backdoor from potential slander suits. Not that I really expect any as a result of posting here, but it is good practice in order to always be careful. I write a lot elsewheres, besides here. Another reason is, as a publisher I do enjoy a certain amount of access to the crew and TD, CW, PR, JR at the aerodrome and try not to totally burn down any bridges. They do give me a certain amount of information on occasion, even if accidently.

As long as you have brought this subject up, I will try to keep my non-commital phrases to a minimum.

Salute!

Words! Words! Words! All I get are words! - Liza Doolittle

joegertler · 23 October 2004, 10:53 PM

taz
Glad you understand. I especially went out of my way to quote others, so you would be clear this was NOT a personal attack. Don't let my humble personal opinions lead to you self-censorship. I know what you mean about protecting yourself. Others seem a little more loose about naming these people in connection with all sorts of hypothetical crimes, many of which are pure hypotheticals with no basis in fact. Just that they are "possible."
Just noting that Chad's no fool..and Hypotheticals inferring a crime might best be left to private emails rather than published on the Internet.
Just to be clear-an observation about why Chad might not feel comfortable after some of the things said by others (not you)

StephenLawson · 29 October 2004, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirk

'...I heard a few years back that everything in the museum was supposed to be auctioned off, but I have no idea if that ever happened. If anyone knows anything about the museum and/or what happened to what's inside I'd really appreciate it.'

Greetings Kirk; The short answer is Some went to Belgium, some went to New Zealand and four went to Denver CO. The remainder have been sold off in ones and twos.

Rick · 29 October 2004, 05:15 PM

Is it time to rename this thread with a sub-title something along the lines of "ORA II". ??