Former Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome board member and long time supporter Paul Richards is currently being honored in a display at the Albany, NY International airport sponsored by the Saratoga Automobile Museum celebrating car racing in New York state.  Concourse 'A' has two cabinets which include photos of Paul, his monogrammed driving suit, helmet, trophies and several paragraphs devoted to his long and illustrious auto racing career, much of it accomplished in New York.  Various photos, including a formal portrait commissioned by Alfa Romeo after a winning race, show him in or beside some of the cars he drove, including his Jaguar E-Type in action during the 1963 "Twenty Four Hours of Le Mans".  

At Dayton in 1970 Paul hit the wall at 160 mph and though unhurt, decided at age 47 to give up racing.  In 2005 Paul was honored by Jaguar cars of North America and received a lifetime achievement award from The Vintage Sports Car Club of America.  He passed away November 11, 2005.

For information on other exhibits at Albany International Airport or the Saratoga Auto Museum,
please visit the links below.

Saratoga Auto Museum
Albany Airport

After withstanding decades of UV punishment, the Albatros DVa is now undergoing refurbishment to the upper deck of its fuselage and tail section.  While the underlying wood remains in good condition, the original paint had begun to crack and blister and no longer offered sufficient protection from the elements and, once removed, will be replaced with an epoxy based covering that should last for many years to come. 

The current paint scheme, familiar to Aerodrome patrons as an early version of the Albatros flown by Eduard Ritter Von Schleich – The Black Knight – will remain, although some consideration was given to updating it to a latter and overall black configuration of his aircraft.  Work has also begun in earnest on the Aerodromes collection of antique automobiles starting with the 1909 Renault Touring Car and 1914 Ford Model T.
 
Click on the image to view slide show.

On December 8, Rory Westphal returned the restored Short S-29 wing panels he volunteered to restore as his Eagle Scout Project.  Rory and his father Chris delivered the finished panels Friday evening.  Chad Wille, chief mechanic, master aircraft restorer, and a pilot at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, accepted the panels on behalf of ORA.  The successful completion of this project signals that Rory has met the requirements to become an Eagle Scout.  This project represented a major undertaking and Rory and the volunteers from Troop 21 should be very proud of their accomplishments.

The scope of the project included stripping the panels, repairing broken wood braces, sealing that wood, and covering the panels with Poly Fiber covering and sealing with nitrate dope.

Click on the image to view slide show.

After a month off to attend to responsibilities that may have been neglected all Summer, our volunteers are back to concentrate on the business of aircraft restoration. Work on Coles cherished Great Lakes is on schedule with the fuel tank center section now finished, having been taped, sprayed with multiple coats of silver to protect it from the sun and several finishing coats of an Egg Nog colored dope appropriate to the Holiday Season, it’s been installed along with the upper wing panels and is again a biplane. 

The flying wires will be attached this week and everything will be squared off and trimmed and a run of the engine is expected before the years end.  The wings and tail surfaces have been removed from the Bleriot and the recovering process should begin early 2007.  With work continuing through the Winter, these two valuable aircraft should, once again,  be ready to take their respective places of honor on our flightline next Summer.

Click on the image to view slide show.

The popular PBS series NOVA is currently airing "Wings of Madness", an in depth look at the life and works of aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. Earlier this year, the crew from NOVA visited Old Rhinebeck to take photographs of our 1909 Demoiselle and speak to our pilots for their insight regarding the idiosyncrasies of pioneer aircraft for this program and for their interactive website. Please check your TV listings or their link:

Visit: NOVA Website

Sunday was one of those clear, crisp Autumn days that make working outdoors a pleasure regardless of the task. Thanks to our dedicated team of volunteers, Mike, Deb, Casey, Karl, Carol, Megan, Nathaniel, Jean, John and - as always, Mr. Bill King, we tucked away the collection for their annual hibernation very nicely. Be sure to click on the slide show to see if you can name all seven of the aircraft we’ve cloistered in our ‘new’ hangar through the cats cradle of bracing wires!

While the curtain may have come down on our aerial stage for 2006, work will continue behind the scenes during the cold months. The fuel tank center section for the Great Lakes is ready to be painted and installed with a full check of the Menasco engine planned for the coming weeks. In addition, a few of the “non – gravity defying” members of our collection are set for complete mechanical overhauls so they might once again chaperone our lovely fashion show participants in high style . We also plan to re-cover the fabric surfaces of the Bleriot XI, repair some cosmetic blistering on the Albatros DVa fuselage, and strip down the Szekely engine on our Curtiss Wright Junior to see what needs to be done to possibly have it back in the air for 2007. We’ve already begun to receive commitments of time, services and money from Aerodrome volunteers toward the total restoration of the Sopwith Camel to flying condition (a full update within the coming months) so we’ll be giving it a good going over this Winter and will have a plan sometime early next year on how best to address this challenge. Once again, thanks to all who helped out this weekend. As always, our patrons are our lifeblood, but our volunteers are the heart of what we do so if you’d like to join us, give us a call.

Click on the image to view larger image.

Due to the forecast of inclement weather, we've had to cancel our plans to move aeroplanes this weekend. Looks like we'll have to try again next weekend. Anyone interested in stopping by please call the ORA office at (845) 752-3200 or the shop at (845) 752-3206 for information.

For the 47th time, we again thank those of you who braved not only the elements, but the increased cost of travel to support our efforts to keep the vision of Cole Palen alive for yet another successful season. With the help of dedicated volunteers, pilots and possibly the hardest working ground crew on Earth, we were once again able to display antique aircraft in a picturesque setting and recreate – live- a WWI dogfight every weekend that might otherwise only be seen on the big screen.

We’ll begin putting our aircraft to bed this weekend so if you’d like to help out the Aerodrome by actively participating, stop by on Saturday and lend a hand. We found the Black Barons check book in the Triplane so he’ll be treating to pizza pie and soda pop this weekend whether he knows it or not. If you’re otherwise obligated, feel free to call and volunteer for future events and hopefully we’ll see you next Spring. Once again, thanks to everyone.

Click on the image to view larger image.

At long last, one of Cole Palens most cherished aircraft – the Great Lakes 2T-1MS Trainer is a step closer to rejoining the flight line for 2007. The original steel fuel tank was pressure tested by Aerodrome volunteer Mike Creegan of G.C. Iron Works in Elmsford N.Y. earlier this year and, while it was in remarkably good shape for its age, corrosion and structural damage over the years lead us to decide it was time to have it replaced with an all aluminum tank fabricated from original drawings.

In an effort to preserve for posterity a record of what the factory had originally installed, Aerodrome patron and Civil Engineer John T. Walsh created exacting blueprints based on measurements from the original fuel tank which will be displayed along with a cross section of the original fuel tank in our History of Flight building early next year.

Click on the image to view the SlideShow

With Autumn in full swing, Mother Nature has once again turned the Hudson River Valley into a canvas of red, orange and gold foliage which also means, the Aerodrome air show season is nearing a close for 2006. If you haven't had a chance yet this year, October 14 & 15 will be your last opportunity to see if the more than forty year courtship of Sir Percy Goodfellow and Trudy Truelove might finally prevail against the scheming evil Black Baron....at least until next year. We also invite you to stop by and say hello to The Farmer - he's mowing the airfield as you read this - before he turns his attention to the Fall harvest. Take a look in the workshop and on the flight line for a glimpse at what we are working on for next season.

Thanks to everyone who has enjoyed the beautiful sunny weather with us this year and to those who stopped by even when the weather was a windy and wet version of beautiful. Hope to see you this weekend!

The 1911 Curtiss Pusher is running again! On Saturday October 7, the Curtiss Pusher was demonstrated to the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome audience. It has been many years since the famous Curtiss OX-5 has been heard at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. This engine will receive a further break in of several hours ground running time and will be flying early next spring.

Bill Gordon and Susan Haight display the newly rebuilt wheels on the Curtiss Pusher which he bead blasted, primed and painted for the Curtiss refurbishment.

New Aerodrome pilot Bill Gordon checks out in the Spad 7 and Albatros DVa, rounding out his experience in the Fokker DVII which he's been flying in the air shows since July.

Bill is an accomplished pilot and a member of the "Iron Eagles" Aerobatic team which flies Christen Eagles. He has been the lead pilot in our D-25 rides plane for most of this season. Bill is also an A&P and has been helping on our many projects.

Click on the image to view the SlideShow

1914 Morane Saulnier N Back On Display

VOILA!!!! The 1914 Morane Saulnier N "Bullet" is now ready to greet visitors as they first enter the Aerodrome courtyard. As a static display aircraft with an original fuselage, it represents a design that is considered the precursor to every modern day fighter. A heartfelt thanks to longtime Aerodrome volunteer Paul Savistano for his long hours refurbishing the Morane’s Gnome Rotary engine, fabricating a new spinner and the work done on the aeroplane’s fittings and landing gear. Some details are still being worked on with regard to attaching an appropriate era machine gun and instrument panel, but we invite you to take a close look during your next visit and ask about those curious metal fittings bolted to the prop.

Click on the image to view the SlideShow

With the beautifully refurbished Curtiss OX-5 engine in place, the Aerodrome’s 1911 Curtiss D is poised to rejoin our flight line. Chief Mechanic and Pilot - Chad Wille- is optimistic that, weather permitting, we'll be able to do a full engine run up before Winter sets in and if all goes well, another unique and gorgeous pioneer aircraft will once again grace the sky over The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Much thanks to Chad and the volunteers who are responsible for making this aircraft airworthy. A special thank you to Aerodrome pilot Bill Gordon (a formal introduction to this man, who has been an enormous help this season will appear in the coming weeks ) for the fine work not only on the Curtiss wheels, but on the fittings for the center section of Cole’s Great Lakes.

Watch for updates on the Curtiss Pusher and Cole’s Great Lakes.
Click on the image to view the SlideShow

The Curtiss Pusher Model D is undergoing a major engine upgrade. The 80 HP Hall-Scott motor that previously powered the Curtiss Pusher is being replaced with a 90 HP Curtiss OX5 engine from the Aerodrome's collection of aircraft engines.

The HAll-Scott engine removal and the OX5 installation were done in the museum building where the Curtiss Pusher was displayed this past year. After the OX5 was set in place the Curtiss Pusher was "walked" to the restoration shop at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome airstrip for final installation and test.

Click on the image to view the SlideShow

Family and Friends of Paul Richards dedicated a plaque to the Cole Palen's Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in memory of Paul. Paul was instrumental in the establishment of the Aerodrome and continued to be a passionate and tireless advocate until his untimely death in 2005.

Paul's brother Loren made the dedication and Stan Segalla and Paul Heimbach accepted it on behalf of the Aerodrome.


Click on the image to view the SlideShow

On Sunday, September 10th, the Capital District Chapter of the Model T Club of America rolled in to ORA. They came from Albany, Ballston Spa, Newburgh and Hudson. What a beautiful day for a ride it was! Some even brought along their lunch cooked on the engine while driving. The menu included pulled pork and apple dumplings. Thanks to all the cars for stopping by on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.


Click on the image to view the SlideShow

On Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10, the 2006 Rhinebeck Jamboree took place, hosted by the Mid-Hudson Radio Control Society. The Jamboree celebrated its 40th anniversary of meeting at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.


Click on the image to view the SlideShow

On Sunday we had a visit from Paul Martinello of Company E 102nd Regiment CT. They are a WWI reenactment unit. Paul set up camp in the court yard and attracted much attention with his mix of original and reproduction WWI gear.

Click on the image to view the SlideShow

Long time Aerodrome friend George Dragone, of Dragone Classic Motorcars in Bridgeport, CT, returns ORA’s 1917 Ford Model T after extensive restoration by his shop. In addition to the new paint, George and his restoration wizards installed a starter and generator system.

Take time to visit Dragone Classic Motorcars on the web at www.dragoneclassics.com. Dragone Classic Motorcars’ work can be seen at auto shows around the country including Pebble Beach. Click on the image to view the SlideShow

Many thanks to George

Aviator Kian flew his clip wing Albatros from Michigan to ORA in order to check out the Aerodrome’s Albatros.

Click on the image to view pictures of Kian...

We are late in posting these pictures. Our apologies to all. The Spitzie's Albany-Schenectady Harley Davidson Group roared into the Aerodrome on Sunday afternoon July 16. Joining them were members of the Danbury, CT group. The rows of beautiful bikes lined the courtyard. Our own volunteer, Amanda, strolled among them picking out her favorites. Both groups enjoyed the show as much as we enjoyed having them visit the Aerodrome. Thanks to everyone for stopping by.

Cole Palen’s Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is proud and excited to be a part of the premier of the upcoming film FLYBOYS. Flyboys, based on a true story, is the compelling tale of the first American fighter-pilot squadron to see action in World War I. The film was directed by Academy Awards-winner Tony Bill and written by Oscar-winning screenwriter David S. Ward.

A post screening auction will be held; whose proceeds will benefit the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. The special advanced screening of FLYBOYS will take place at the Warner Theater in Torrington, CT on August 26, 2006 at 7:30 pm. For more information call the Warner Theater at 860-489-7180. Also visit www.flyboysthemovie.com and www.warnertheatre.org

Part of the Warner Theatre's Artist & Author Series
SPECIAL ADVANCED SCREENING!
FLYBOYS EXCLUSIVE CT PREMIERE!
Saturday, August 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Ticket Information:

General admission: $15.00
Gold Circle Reserve Tickets: $50.00*
Special 10% discount for veterans and pilots with identification (Does not include Gold Circle tickets).
Group Sales Available. Call the Box Office for Details.
Limited seats on hold for Warner Theatre Members
*Includes admission to the screening and post-screening VIP Champagne Reception. Limited availability

More Information:

FLYBOYS, based on a true story, is the compelling tale of the first American fighter-pilot squadron to see action in World War I. Soaring high above the earth in a fragile, flammable, open-cockpit biplane, outracing better-equipped enemy aircraft, and knowing the average life expectancy of a fighter-pilot is at most six weeks, this is the daring and heroic story of the men of the Lafayette Escadrille. Barely a dozen years after the invention of powered, controllable flight, these pilots invented, experimented with, and simply dashed headlong into the modern era of aerial combat.

Directed by Academy Award®-winner Tony Bill (My Bodyguard, Five Corners, The Sting), written by Oscar®-winning screenwriter David S. Ward (The Sting) and produced by Dean Devlin (Independence Day, The Patriot) and Marc Frydman (Scenes of the Crime), this exclusive screening of FLYBOYS is a special event to benefit the Warner Theatre and serves as the premiere of the theatre’s new digital projection system! The Warner audience will be some of the first seeing the film before its national release which is slated for late September!

The FLYBOYS’ cast features Golden Globe Award®-winner James Franco (James Dean, Spider-Man 1 & 2) , Martin Henderson (The Ring, Bride and Prejudice), Jean Reno (The Da Vinci Code, Mission: Impossible), and French newcomer Jennifer Decker.

The premiere event will feature a special introduction by the Academy Award®-winning director (and Litchfield County resident) and an exclusive post-screening VIP Champagne Reception and silent auction. The auction, whose proceeds will benefit the Cole Palen’s Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, a "living" museum of antique aviation, includes a chance to win a ride over the picturesque Hudson River for four people in a classic 1929 New Standard open-cockpit biplane courtesy of the aviation museum located in Rhinebeck, New York!

For more information about FLYBOYS visit www.flyboysthemovie.com

Progress continues on the restoration of ORA's vintage automobiles. Volunteer Deb Kyler completed new seats for the 1916 Studebaker touring car.

Pictured is ORA visitor Gary Doyle and ORA's Albatros D.V. Gary was particularly interested in seeing the Albatros D. V up close because an ancestor flew one in the Royal Prussian Jagstaffel 3 in WWI.

June 17, 2006: The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome opened the 2006 season on Saturday June 17, 2006. Despite the forecast of good weather, the morning saw medium to heavy rain. By noon the rain stopped, the weather improved and the show went on.

On Saturday June 17, the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome will begin its 47th season, opening on Fathers Day weekend. The 2006 season will run through October, with air shows every weekend, weather permitting. The gates open at 10am, the air show starts at 2pm and ends at 4pm, and the Museum is open daily 10am to 5 pm. As in previous seasons, in keeping with ORA founders Cole and Rita Palen’s desire to keep prices affordable for our visitors, ORA plans to hold the line on admission prices and only slightly increase Biplane rides in spite of record fuel costs. As in the past, there is no charge to park your car.

We are pleased that two of Cole’s earliest friends and pioneer pilots are returning this season. Bill King, with his 1934 DeHavilland Tiger Moth, and Stan Segalla, the original ‘Flying Farmer’ with his stock Piper PA-11, will continue to thrill crowds as they have since the first shows.

The Aerodrome currently has four aircraft out for total professional restoration: the 1914 AVRO 504K, the second 1929 New Standard D-25, the 1929 Curtiss Fledgling and the 1929 Velie Monocoupe 113. Both the AVRO and the second New Standard are nearing completion, with a planned return this season. In addition, the oldest flying aircraft in the country, our 1909 Bleriot XI, has had its original, rare Anzani ‘Y’ engine freshly overhauled and is ready to be reinstalled.

Cole’s original 1931 Great Lakes 2T-1A is in the process of having a new fuel tank refitted and should be operational again very soon. Another Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 owned by Neill Herman is currently on the field, bringing the total of Great Lakes biplanes at the Aerodrome to three. Neill, a CFI and an accomplished taildragger pilot, has been training at the Aerodrome for the past 2 seasons and will be making his air show debut this season.

We want to welcome our newest ORA Board member Mr. Hugh Schoelzel to the Aerodrome family. Mr. Schoelzel brings to the Board a unique blend of experience from a career as a TWA Airlines Chief Pilot in addition to a comprehensive background in general aviation and business. He will be a welcome addition to the Board, and replaces original Board member Mr. Paul Richards who passed away unexpectedly this last November.

Marc Wortman, author of the book "The Millionaires Unit" will be talking about his new book on July 16th at 11:30am at the Aerodrome. The book is about "The Aristocratic Flyboys Who Fought the Great War and Invented American Air Power".

"Mr. Wortman gives vivid, hair-raising and sometimes horrifying accounts of individual dogfights and crashes. Sometimes the language is a bit hard to follow for a nonaviator, but one can always get the general picture. The determination to fly in combat again and again by these heroic young men -- who regarded any change to less arduous duty as a violation of their mission -- is magnificent and appalling."

Come see him talk at 11:30am on July 16th, you will be able to talk with the Author and he will be signing books!

With the advent of Spring, the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome opened its doors to over 300 Boy Scouts, their Troop Leaders and parents. Scouts from all over the area camped on aerodrome grounds the weekend of May 13 seeking to gain a unique access to the aircraft in our collection, speak to the pilots and work toward their merit badges in aviation. Aerodrome volunteers were stationed at various locations about the property offering instruction on such topics as aircraft maintenance, pre-flight inspection, components of lift and the history of ORA. As a special treat, the scouts were able to hear first hand about the history of aviation from long time aerodrome volunteer and Eagle Scout Bill Poythress, a man who has not only lent his skill and passion to Old Rhinebeck since the 1950's, but was integral in the design of American military aircraft during the Second World War. We'd like to thank the troops for all the help in getting the aerodrome ready for this season and for allowing us to impart our love of antique aviation to the next generation of enthusiasts.

To our Members and visitors. We are pleased to report that a vintage engine, a 160hp Gnome Rotary reported missing from the collection has been found. We are relieved to have it back and thank the efforts of the New York State Police. The investigation is still ongoing since it's discovery last Saturday. We will keep you informed of any more developments, as they are made available to us.

In an effort to consolidate the many books in the Museum's collection, plans have been made to convert the late Cole and Rita Palen's master bedroom into a library. Here books, magazines, manuscripts and manuals in the collection could be organized and inventoried. This has been a long time goal of Aerodrome pilot Dan Taylor. "Every Museum has some kind of library" said Dan, "So it's only logical for Old Rhinebeck to do the same". "It took some time to get people here convinced, but I think everyone will see it'll be worth it" he added.

Volunteer Mike DiGiacomio added his carpentry skills to make all the shelving and John Walsh added finishing touches by helping stain the many sections needed so completion is drawing near.

Track lighting and a reading table will complete the space and the long arduous task of cataloging books will begin. "The main goal is preservation and education" Taylor added. "Many volumes are the result of generous donations from Museum members and they'll rest next to many that Cole Palen acquired over the years". "Once things are up and running we hope to make the library available for museum members and students researching early aviation, to view. It may take some time to meet that goal but we're hopeful it will be worth it."

Click to view photos.

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Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome - PO Box 229 Rhinebeck, NY 12572
Phone: 845-752-3200 Fax: 845-758-6481 Contact Us