Rhinebeck and ESAM trip in NYS

[TimAPNY]

So this past week my wife and I had the pleasure to entertain Matt from Australia, Ryan K and Scott (not from the land down-under but the Northeastern USA). Here are a few sample shots of our aviation adventures.
First was Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. I had been 2 years ago and was very happy to go again (very sad that it’s a bit over 1 hour away and I’ve only been twice, the same number of times I’ve been to Pima, PoF and Yanks in Arizona and California). I think I had my expectations a bit high and I also think I was a bit rightfully disappointed in the lack of aircraft flown. I really wish I had gone 20 years ago because it’s not what it was. But I still had an enjoyable time and got some ok pictures. I’d really love to hear what others think of Rhinebeck today verses 10 or 20 years ago.





After getting home and finding Ryan and Scott we had some Hotdogs, WhiteHots and Bratwurst from the local butcher and some wine and beer for my vast homebrewed collection. (Sorry no pictures of that).

Sunday we headed out to ESAM in Schenectady NY with a stop by the Stratton ANGB to see the LC-130D on display.




Here is Ryan commandeering Scott’s camera to get a picture of a Morning Dove on the Mig-21. I was able to snap one picture before the dove flew away.


A few more shots:
http://community.webshots.com/album/552765309TqgETA

Tim

[APG85]

It's my understanding that there was a huge shake-up at Rheinebeck when Cole Palen's wife passed away. A lot of the "old hands" were "let go" and work on Palen's dream project, The Spirit Of St. Louis, screeched to a halt (the head mechanic for that project was one of the guys sent packing). I'm sure there's a lot more to the story (and two sides) and there has been a lot of talk on other boards about the place.
I went there several times as a teenager in the 80's (I grew up in NJ) and loved the place. Awesome for picture taking in the fall.
Did you get any pictures of the NYP?

[TimAPNY]

If you check the Webshots link I have one posted (I'm pretty sure at least). I know I took a few. It looks really great!

Its sad when a Museum or place like Rhinbeck Looses the founders vision, seems to happen a lot. Very sad indeed.

Tim

[AIRIC]

Great shots Tim. The last time I visited Rhinebeck was 15 years ago. I have visited 3 times and all were fantastic experiences, I even flew with Cole Palen in the New Standard and got a great shot back at him from the front cockpit. Its very sad to hear it is not the same show anymore. I will have to try and get back soon as I'm sure it is still a wonderful experience.

Eric

[k5083]

I’d really love to hear what others think of Rhinebeck today verses 10 or 20 years ago.

Tim, I was there a year or two ago (which I'll use as "today"), 11 years ago, and 30 years ago.

In some ways, it was best 30 years ago. From a WWI perspective, the airplanes looked most authentic then. There was a strict no engine substitution rule in effect -- no cheating with Warners and Rangers, it was period engines all the way. And the aircraft were not kept as spiffy as now. There were even a few originals (besides the Jenny) still flying then. The Dolphin and Pup were memorable and I was sorry they were wrecked later. The whole Percy Goodfellow-Black Baron thing was at its hokiest at that time, but hey, it was the 70s, the word "edgy" didn't exist and people would still listen to that stuff.

If Rhinebeck has gone downhill since then, I feel that the slide had already taken place by the mid 1990s, when I went again. Most of the stuff from the 70s had worn out and been retired to the hangar. The new aircraft like the D.VII were very pretty and no doubt more airworthy than their predecessors, but didn't look as convincing. Also, during this period there seemed to be not many resources around, and a lot of stuff just wasn't working. Not a single Allied aeroplane could be made airworthy for the Sunday show, so Sir Percy had to fight the Black Baron in a Stampe! For me that was pretty much the nadir. On the other hand, they did hop the Caudron G.III down the strip and that alone was worth the visit.

On my recent visit things were looking up considerably. There were quite a few new airplanes, some new infrastructure, and more flying. I consider Rhinebeck to be better than it has been in years, not the same kind of scene Cole had but excellent and unique in its own way. I think judging by your webshots, you were there on an off day -- these things do happen. I chanced to be there on an "on" day -- the day of the WWI RC model meet, which is usually the best weekend at Rhinebeck because they really make an effort to get everything up. That day they flew the Nieuport XI, Spad, Camel, 504K, Jenny, Albatros, D.VII, Stamp, New Standard, Tiger Moth, Great Lakes, taxied the Bleriot, and probably some other stuff I'm forgetting. It was a decent lineup even by the standards of the old days, and the show was very well and professionally flown. So maybe it just depends on when you are there.

August

[krlang]

Whats the word on the AVRO?
Was it damaged beyond repair?

I have seen that airplane flying there for 20 years and it will be missed!

[CH2Tdriver]

We went to ORA last Labor Day weekend. They had a pretty good breeze blowing all day and decided to fly NONE of the WW1 airplanes. They did however set them up on display around their hangars and had the crew discuss them. There was a good turnout of people who hung around just to get up close to the planes.

My first trip was when I was 14 in '82. At the time I thought it was the greatest thing. I went again in '88 and '92, still enjoyed it. The only thing I can say is that the numbers of WW1 planes are down a bit, but the show is basically the same. The place has the same rustic feel it always had and they actually have a nice new hangar up on the hill.

I heard about the turnover. I just hope they keep it going as is, and if anything add more WW1 replicas. As for the storyline.....well WW1 is so long ago for people of today that maybe they can relate to it more....kinda like Luke vs Darth Vader?!

Here's some pics:









Pete