My visit to Rhinebeck

Tailspin · 17 August 2003, 04:48 PM

I took my wife and kids to Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York State on August 10th. It was a wonderful time. THe weather had threatened all morning but cleared in the afternoon (at least until the show was over). I had the opportunity to see performances by a Pre-War Curtiss Pusher, a Nieuport11, Spad 7, Albatross D5a, Fokker Dr1, Curtiss JN-1 (all replicas except the two Curtiss') and inter war Waco, Great Lakes, and de Haviland Tiger Moth biplanes. An old Piper Cub Tail-Dragger was the sole performing monoplane and the Aerodrome's 1925 Standard took folks for rides.

Many thanks to Bill King for letting my son Tommy sit in the Tiger Moth. Many thanks to Bob D. (of this forum) for taking time to hang out with me and the family and talk airplanes for a while. Many thanks to the young lady who played Trudy Truelove and to the EMS crew for looking after my son Danny when he scraped his knee. (Dad accompanied Danny to the ambulance, where he was patched up. Miss Truelove didn't make us leave the flight line until we'd had a chance to sneak a look into the cockpits of the Nieuport, Spad, Albatross and Fokker). Bob, I never got her real name, please pass on my thanks.

If any of you guys are ever in the north eastern USA or eastern Canada, you owe it to yourself to see the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. I'm already trying to get back up there later this year to see the Camel (down for new control cables). The chance to see three or four of these machines fly together is well worth the trip.

Loved it, Bob.

Tom

Dave_Watts · 17 August 2003, 08:01 PM

Hi Tom,

It sounds like a must do trip!

I was out there the weekend before they started flying for the summer, so not much happening especially since they had wrecked the Sopwith 1 1/2 the week before.

Anyway, did they fly the Fokker D.VII? ???

Best,
Dave

Tailspin · 18 August 2003, 01:05 PM

No they didn't Dave. *It was there, in a hanger and apparently operational, but neither the D-VII nor the Caudron G-III was in the show on my visit. *On the other hand, you have to see their Albatross to believe it. *It's incredible (and in my opinion prettier than the Fokker). *I don't know why they grounded the D-VII. *Maybe Bob D can help us there.

Tom

SteveS · 18 August 2003, 03:36 PM

I didn't have a chance to get up there myself yet this year what with all the crummy weather this summer. I fully hope to get there in a week or so or maybe the middle of September once the weather cools some. This will be my 31st year going to Old Rhinebeck. My dad took us every year growing up and I've never stopped going. This will be the big year for my eight year old as I finally convinced my wife to let me take her up for a ride.
*Growing up I would have to say that Cole Palen was (and still is) about the biggest hero that I had. What he did on a shoestring budget *in the early years was nothing short of amazing!

Maybe some day we can get a "Aerodrome" get together going along the lines of the "Red Baron on-line flyers" yearly meeting at Rhinebeck".

I think it was the Avro 504 that they pranged early in the year. Pity as it is one of my favorites.

Salute All!
Steve

ONEALM · 22 August 2003, 06:10 AM

In yet another attempt at shameless self-promotion, I would suggest any visitor to ORA in September make it the 20/21st weekend. It's the annual "Aviation Artists" weekend which includes a great display of original art from some of the best (Keith Ferris was there last year) and our digital wizard Mark Miller puts his great stuff up as well.

About 20 artists atetnd and we spent the day painting on site. Most of these guys spend way too much time painting F-16's andf P-51's (which is why I organized it) and we annually get a nice crop of WW I material from the event.

And yes, it was the AVRO which was crashed. Ken Cassens was slightly hurt in the mess, a grainy shot of which is attached. He lost the engine while shooting some film with the Discovery channel and had to drop it into the parking lot. If you've ever been to ORA, you know what a feat that is!

Keep at it,
Mike

Mark_Miller · 22 August 2003, 11:06 AM

Quote:

In yet another attempt at shameless self-promotion, I would suggest any visitor to ORA in September make it the 20/21st weekend. *It's the annual "Aviation Artists" weekend which includes a great display of original art from some of the best (Keith Ferris was there last year) and our digital wizard Mark Miller puts his great stuff up as well.

And Mike is no slouch himself
If you go in for that "old fashioned" look *

Thanks for the reminder Mike - I guess I better see about getting something printed up.

Quote:

He lost the engine while shooting some film with the Discovery channel and had to drop it into the parking lot. *If you've ever been to ORA, you know what a feat that is

The parking lot !!!
You mean that narrow rutted lane with all the overhanging trees.
That is an amazing feat.

Mark

SteveS · 23 August 2003, 06:12 AM

I think I have to push for the "Aviation Artists" weekend. With only so many weekends left for the shows, I have to hope for good weather.
Shame about the Avro. It will be missed until it's repaired.
Thanks for posting the pix.
Salute,
Steve

Tailspin · 23 August 2003, 06:22 AM

Michael,

Wish I could make it, but I teach a class on Saturdays during the school year and have Phillies tickets for the Sunday. By the way, I'm a Garden Stater too, so let me know if you do any shows around New Jersey. (Before anybody asks "what exit?" I'll tell you: Exit 91, Brick Township).

Tom

timjnf · 25 August 2003, 01:44 PM

As a former Garden Stater myself, I get back that way a couple times a year to visit. I've been to ORA countless times, and it's always a great time; that place is fantastic. It distinctly lacks the feel of an airport (which is a good thing.)

If anyone is interested in seeing any of the photos I snapped during my July visit, send me an e-mail.

Here's a one of the DR-I as it's about to touch down. It's small and jaggy because of the 50k limit.

ONEALM · 26 August 2003, 07:07 AM

Well for anyone going this year or in the future, the artists are there the same weekend every year - 3rd weekend in September. So if you can't make it this year - we'll be there next year (and the next, and the next......). This year is the 7th annual get-together.

For more info on the group, stop by:
www.asaa-avart.org

If you do get to Rhinebeck the Sept 20/12 weekend, make sure you come by the "Ryan" hangar where we are set up. It's shady, you can get a cool drink and see some great artwork.

Hey Mark Miller !!!! Thanks for the compliment. I'll assume you meant my paintings look old - not me !

Hope you can make it!

Keep at it,
Mike