Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY Airplane Photos

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
Several visits during 2002 - 2004

If you have a “Bucket List” of aviation museums and the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is not on it, your list needs to be revised! The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is located in upstate New York along the Hudson River, in the town of Rhinebeck. It is approximately two hours north of New York City. The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is a true “living” museum of antique aviation. They have one of the largest collections of early aeroplanes in the world, many of which regularly take to the air in all their glory during their weekend airshows. The Aerodrome features aeroplanes, automobiles, motorcycles, early engines and memorabilia from 1900-1935. In addition to the airshows, there are four museum buildings displaying aircraft from the Pioneer Era, World War I and the Lindbergh/Barnstorming era. These were the golden years of aviation.

Their weekend air shows are scheduled from mid-June through mid-October. On these weekends (weather permitting), the Aerodrome turns Back the hands of time and relives the years of early aviation. The colorful era of early aviation is brought Back to life amidst the roar of rotary engines and is great entertainment for all ages.

The Saturday Airshows chronicle the History of Flight with Pioneer, World War I and Lindbergh era aircraft taking to the skies. If the winds are calm you'll even see their 1909 Blériot (the oldest flying aircraft in the United States) take to the air.

The Sunday Airshows feature a World War I dogfight plus Barnstorming Aircraft. Marvel at world-renowned pilot, Stan Segalla, The Flying Farmer, one of the greatest acts on the air show circuit! You won't believe what Stan can make his J3 Cub do! Stan's act is one you will never forget!

Pre-show activity includes a vintage fashion show with audience participation, an old-time automobile parade and early aviation engine run-ups. You can experience the thrill of early aviation yourself with an open-cockpit biplane ride in their 1929 New Standard D-25 biplane. Barnstorming flights over the scenic Hudson Valley are available before and after the shows. Biplane rides are available to take you over the beautiful Hudson River, the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge and Back again. Flights are of course, “weather permitting” and the decision to fly is always left to the discretion of the pilot. Flights book quickly on a “first-come / first-serve” basis, so sign up early!

Weekdays the museum buildings are open and the air show aircraft are on static display. Group tours are available by prior arrangement as are the biplane rides and special events. The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome was the life's work of Cole Palen and his dream was to preserve early aviation. They are actively carrying on his work by promoting and preserving a “living” history of aviation for the public. It is their hope to instill aviation's rich heritage and colorful past with all generations and to ensure it lives and flies forever!

I was so impressed with the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, I became a member several years ago and continue to support them each year. By the way, this is something that everyone who visits Air Museums should do. Instead of buying a ticket to get in, become a member of the museum. Advantages are: (1) tax benefits; (2) you receive their newsletters; (3) you receive invitations to “members only” events; (4) you can visit the museum as been many times as you wish. Better yet, do all that and then become a museum volunteer or docent! You'll never regret it.

I live on the West Coast, and I have visited the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome three times. Each time was just as much fun as the first time. Even though I've been there several times, the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is always on the top of my Bucket List for just one more visit &helip; John!

The Photos

1930 Aeromarine Klemm L-26-A (N320N, s/n 2-59) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1936 Aeronca C-3 “Master” (N17447, s/n A-754) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1917 Albatros D.Va (N12156, s/n 17-D-7517, 1975 Palen replica) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1929 American Eagle A129 (N513H, c/n 534) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1966 Avro 504K (N4929, s/n HAC1, Avro-Palen) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1931 Bird CK (N850W, s/n 4012) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1909 Blériot XI (N60094, s/n 56) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1911 Blériot XI “Cross Country” (N99923, s/n 3856) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1943 Boeing-Stearman Model B75N1 (N61116, c/n 75-7770) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1914 Caudron G.III (N3943P/C.1077, s/n 1914-2, replica) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1911 Curtiss Model D “Pusher” (N4124A, s/n 2) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

Curtiss JN-4H “Jenny” (BuNo A-6226, N3918) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1931 Curtiss-Wright Jr. CW-1 (NC605EB, s/n 1025) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1929 Davis V-3 (N532K, s/n 115) circa 2003 at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

de Havilland DH-82A “Tiger Moth” (N3529, s/n PG647, shown as G-ACDA) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

de Havilland DH-82A “Tiger Moth” (N3529, s/n PG647, shown as G-ACDB) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1913 Deperdussin “Monocoque” (N8448, s/n 11, replica) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1937 Fairchild 24H (N19129, c/n 50267242) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

Fleet Model 16B (NC666J, s/n 350) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1918 Fokker D.VII (N70814, s/n 1918-1989, 1994 James H.C. Palen replica) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1918 Fokker D.VIII (N94100, c/n 941, 1994 Brian T. Coughlin replica) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

Fokker Dr.I “Dreidecker” (N220TP, c/n F1-103, replica) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1931 Great Lakes 2T-1MS (NC304Y, s/n 191) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

Great Lakes 2T-1R (NX306Y, c/n H003, replica by Edward A. Hammerle) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1910 Hanriot (N8449, s/n 11, replica) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1932 Mono “Monocoupe 90” (N429N, s/n 618) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1917 Morane Saulnier A-1 (N1379M, s/n 417) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1927 Morane Saulnier MS.130 (N7MS, s/n 001) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1915 Morane-Saulnier N (N5356J, c/n 1915-84, Palen replica) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1931 Nicholas Beazley NB-8G (N567Y, s/n K-18) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1911 Nieuport 2N (N9147A, s/n 1911-78, replica) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1915 Nieuport 10/83E (N680CP, c/n 680, original) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1935 Pitcairn PA-6 “Mail Wing” (NC15307, c/n 159) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1909 Santos-Dumont “Demoiselle” (1957 Palen replica) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

1918 Siemens-Schuckert D.III (N1918G, s/n 1918-70, Palen replica) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

Sopwith “Camel” (N7157Q, c/n 1990, 1990 replica by J.H. Cole Palen) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

Sopwith 5F.1 “Dolphin Mk.1” (N47166, c/n 1533, 1977 Palen replica) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)

SPAD VII (Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés) (N8096L, c/n 1999, 1999 Palen replica) at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY (photos © by John A. Shupek)